In the wake of the AG Jerry Brown and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger request for the same-sex  marriages to resume in California pending Ninth circuit appeal, a Conservative group has filed a Petition to compel the State of California to oppose the Prop 8 decision Appeal.

The new lawsuit is being filed by Pacific Justice Institute on behalf of Dr. Joshua Beckley, a minister in the Los Angeles area. The lawsuit is called an extraordinary writ of mandate and was filed with the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. The writ asks the court to enforce Government Code Section 12512, which states that the Attorney General “shall defend” the state and its public officials against all legal challenges. At a minimum, the suit argues, this law requires Attorney General Brown to file a one-page Notice of Appeal of Judge Walker’s decision. Otherwise, the Attorney General can effectively veto ballot initiatives by simply refusing to defend them in court.

The lawsuit includes a sworn Declaration from former U.S. Attorney General and legal advisor to Governor Reagan, Edwin Meese III. Meese affirms that neither he nor Governor Reagan refused to defend duly-enacted laws based on personal disagreement with the laws. Former California Attorney General Dan Lungren has also publicly stated his belief that it is the attorney general’s duty to defend all state laws, regardless of his personal feelings or beliefs.

It is not often that I re-blog. But what follows is in effect a complete re-BLOG – this one was difficult to resist, being that I would not have had the knowledge or the license to phraseology and even the opinion expressed for that matter. But when my friend Derrick Mathis drew my attention to his piece I decided it would be interesting to re-Blog here on Lez Get Real to see what comments we could jointly receive.

By Derrick Mathis:

” I noticed that all of the numerous LGBT news related outlets and blogs who’ve covered the petitioning  by the Pacific Justice Institute on behalf of Pastor Joshua Beckley of San Bernardino’s Ecclesia Christian Fellowship—-to force the state’s Governor and the AG to defend Prop 8— have failed to mention the ethnicity of Pastor Joshua Beckley. How odd…

NO PROB.’ WE’LL DO IT.

AFRICAN AMERICAN church minister Joshua Beckley, head of a BIG ASS BLACK CHURCH in San Bernadino, is the man behind this latest lawsuit on behalf of Prop 8.  And as you may surmise from the photo below, he is VERY WELL connected in the state’s black political realm. Wait! Hold up! We originally noticed just the good Pastor Beckley and Assembly members Wilmer Amina Carter and Sandré Swanson in this picture. We didn’t see Karen Bass!

Well I may not have expressed this in this fashion, I decided to give voice to my fellow blogger Derrick Mathis on site RENWL.

Just how many black ministers of humongous black churches in Cali who are also front row and center leaders against LGBT equality is Bass tight with? Momma’s becoming a regular poster child for jive ass black politicians with an unquenchable fetish for holy homo hatin’ brothas.

We know she’s tight as hell with big baller Bishop Charles E. Blake of the West Angeles Christian Center—he’s the one NOM’s Maggie Gallagher waddled her fat ass to the hood to PERSONALLY HONOR for his outstanding work in the black community in helping to rob LGBTs of their rights. Yea, that’s just how fierce he is. And then there’s Rev. Fred Price of the Crenshaw Christian Center, another dear dear friend of Bass’s we understand and a staunch and vocal naysayer against gay marriage. Now apparently there’s this guy Beckley. With friends like Bass, dang who needs republicans or Mormons?

But politically sophisticated white gay folks like the local Stonewall Dem Clubs and Rick Jacobs of Courage Campaign, why they’ll drink Bass’s dirty bath water on command that’s how much they love her. So, ya know, we’ll turn our heads and look the other way too, just like all those really smart ‘n’ on the ball white gay folks in charge of white gayness do.

Getting back to Pastor Beckley—this isn’t the first time he has involved himself in a legal action against gay marriage in Cali. Back in 2004 in a case against the City and County of San Francisco for issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples (In Lockyer v. City and County of San Francisco) he was among a group of black church ministers calling themselves African American Pastors in California, who submitted a brief as amici curiae in support of the Defendant and Appellant (Attorney General Lockyer).  You can see the amicus brief at the end of this post….. which can all be found at ….. http://renwl.org/news/prop-8/black-church-minister-behind-effort-to-force-state-defense-of-prop-8   ”

————————————————————————————–

In solidarity
Mel Nathan.

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On Tuesday of last week, we were the first to report that we had uncovered suspect information and then proceeded to report the facts regarding the Lawsuit brought by the Gay Couple in Wyoming.

The lawsuit, filed Aug. 13 by David Shupe-Roderick, 25, and Ryan W. Dupree, 21, is the first legal challenge in recent memory to Wyoming’s law defining marriage as being a contract solely “between a male and a female person.” The couple, who are representing themselves, filed the lawsuit after the Laramie County Clerk’s Office refused three times to issue them a marriage license. That’s unequal treatment, they said, and they’re asking U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson to stop the state from enforcing any laws that block gays and lesbians from access to civil marriage. “We determined that a lawsuit was the only possible way for them to get to recognize us as people,” Shupe-Roderick said. “I think it’s time that Wyoming lives up to its title. You know they call themselves the Equality State? Well, they’re not so equal.”

Lezgetreal investigated further and found that all was not as it seemed. We reported that the Plaintiff Shupe had in fact been involved in prior law suits that were suspect and revealed some startling details. Now more has come to light.

Shupe-Roderick, 25, served 4 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary after he, his brother, and their two girlfriends left Cheyenne in a rental car in January 2004. When they didn’t return the rental car on time, the rental company contacted police. Two days later, Shupe-Roderick – then known as Gerald Shupe — was arrested in Arkansas after being pulled over for an illegal lane change.

After being sentenced, Shupe-Roderick unsuccessfully requested a reduction in his prison sentence on the grounds that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and wasn’t taking his prescribed medication when he took the rental car.

Lezgetreal has been contacted by parties close to source as well as information from local authorities and now received further verification through the investigation of other media outlets.

Gerald David Shupe-Roderick, aka Gerald Shupe, now asking to be called David- is currently being prosecuted for falsifying state documents. Last October, he applied to become a notary public, and he allegedly certified on his application form that he wasn’t a convicted felon.

The lawsuit also alleges Shupe-Roderick used a fake same-sex union certificate from Massachusetts to obtain a Wyoming driver’s license.

Shupe-Roderick has also been a plaintiff in court as frequently as he has been a defendant. Besides the gay marriage case,  says the Billings Gazette. “He’s filed five other lawsuits in the past three years. In one, he accused prison guards of sexual misconduct, and in another, he accused a would-be business client of assault and breach of contract. He has also sought $16,398 in loans and debts from his former employers/roommates and asserted that Bank of America unlawfully refused to release $5,107 from his bank account. All of those cases were eventually dropped or dismissed.”

There is yet a  fifth case is pending in federal court in which Shupe-Roderick is suing “Wyoming Child Support Services” — an apparent reference to the Wyoming Department of Family Services — for allegedly intercepting a $643 federal tax refund. Shupe-Roderick had previously paid child support to his ex-wife to support their 5-year-old son, but in 2009 he agreed to give up his parental rights in exchange for dropping all child support obligations.

It has also been alleged that Shupe has two other children with yet a second woman.  Likely the Gay behavior of a man who is so upset he cannot marry a same-sex partner who he told LezGetReal he has known for a mere year! It would seem also that Dupree has a neurological problem and one can only wonder if Mr. Shupe, adept at lawsuits, is using the younger man, to further his personal agenda.

Shupe-Roderick and Dupree, 19, are now not answering our calls and e-mails – at first so willing to respond. Shupe told us he did not expect the attention this has received and that was only last Tuesday.   I can only imagine how much more they have received since.

After granting several interviews to reporters, Lezgetreal being the first, on Monday, after news of the suit came out, the couple has stopped talking to reporters and gay-right activists.

On Tuesday, Shupe-Roderick said he and Dupree were prepared to handle the spotlight. But he said they were surprised that their lawsuit was receiving so much publicity.  “I kind of assumed that it would just be a quiet lawsuit,” he said.

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan; August 28 2010 -

If there is a claim to ownership of  the civil rights movement can we please stake our claim?  Today is the anniversary of the ‘I have a Dream Speech’ -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln memorial and it will always be  remembered! Nothing can change what it was about or who it was for and yet in many ways all of us own it.

It belongs to America and American history.

However some say its been hijacked and others say its their domain… “They want to disgrace this day this is our day and we will not give it to them.” Says Sharpton of Beck! and We want to reclaim honor in America says Beck as he trespasses the turf on this day – impeaching the way!

No one group’s struggle can be measured against that of another; yet according to Glenn Beck it can and he is the victim!  Now that slavery is done the “I have a Dream” moment belongs to King Beck?  Or is it Beck the Messiah claiming the Jesus domain?

You may have noticed that LezGetReal has barely given – if any – time to Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck and their Rewriting History Rally.   But now we must, in sharp contrast, give credence to Rev.  Al Sharpton and the crowd of diverse thousands who may seem to have stood in counter to Beck who may have stood in counter to Sharpton – ok – it can be confusing. But if you are queer it ought not be. It ought to be damn clear!

In truth there is only ONE Civil Rights movement – the only one that can ever be – and it must remain all inclusive and as Sharpton noted – it belongs to no ONE group but to everyone.  It belongs to America and it is an ongoing quest – for as long as there is any one group that is the subject of  flagrant discrimination via legislation.

DOMA (The Defense of marriage Act) is the perfect example of  legislated discrimination – as is the Don’t Ask Don’t tell Policy (DADT)

This week I watched Keith Olberman on the subject of Beck and also delighted in 2 Comedy Central pieces, by Jon Steward and Steven Colbert, respectively, on the topic of some omni-power-messianic idea orchestrated by Beck – that he is going to fill the shoes of “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the place of the I have a Dream Speech” and take back a rotten sordid America!  Back from whom – for whom?

Well allow us to inform  Mr. Glenn Beck – the only group without civil rights in this Country are us the Gay Lesbian (LGBTQI) people in the USA.

The rest who acquired such rights under the 1964 Civil Rights Act are now Beck’s victims -  not the other way around as Beck tacitly imposes on the people he incites to hate – to  perpetuate the racism that the Civil Rights Act did not cure – the hate that remains in the hearts of those who listen to  beck, et al!

Beck is no victim- he just cannot not fit that mold.

Now the only overt leadership in this country that recognizes the LGBT plight as a civil rights issue and has had the courage to make the statement – is the African American leadership.  Rev. Al Sharpton said today on CNN that   LGBT equality is a civil rights issue. Julian Bond has stated the point in many speeches including in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for UAFA.

Now while we know racism is at an all time high in this Country, all this “we have a DREAM ownership claims” – is a slap in the face to all good Americans who see it in its totality – in its historic context and as a vortex for unity and the  future of equality for all.

The only dream yet to be attained in this country, (besides the de facto riddance of racism and hate,)   in so far as the LAW (de Jure)  is concerned, is the dream as dreamed by same-sex and LGBT populace; LGBT people and their families,  - to marry, to sponsor for immigration, to adopt, to serve, to work, to be included  and protected fully under the federal  law of the USA – ultimately an amendment to the Civil Rights Act, of 1964 that includes Sexual Orientation and Gender identity.

Thanks for your support to the American Equality Bill – and the Amendment of  the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include Sexual orientation and Gender Identity. The Omnibus for all LGBT Equality legislation.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@provatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

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Ari Zavaras Leave Women's Labias alone!!!

DENVER – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Colorado are calling on officials at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility (DWCF) to immediately end a new type of degrading body cavity search in which correctional officers force prisoners to open their labia, and, according to some reports, even to pull back the skin of their clitorises.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve as the Executive Director of the Department of Corrections and to work with the 6700 corrections professionals who are dedicated to public, employee, and offender safety,” says Ari Zavaras, the head of the Colorado Department of Corrections in his message online.  “In keeping our mission of public safety the Department of Corrections is committed to employing best practices and evidenced based programs to ensure that public funds entrusted to the Department produce the best results for all Coloradoans.”

(My comment – Public Funds to belittle and torture women? Zavaris you should be ashamed of your department !)

In a letter sent this week to  to Zavaras,  the ACLU says the searches – which occur even when guards have no particular reason to suspect concealment of contraband – raise grave concerns under the Fourth and Eighth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. In its letter, the ACLU says that while courts have upheld visual inspections of prisoners, forcing women to hold open their labia for inspection on a routine basis is gratuitous and constitutes unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain and humiliation.

“Given that prisoners at DWCF are already subjected to a strip search policy designed to uncover contraband, this new policy adds little to the search procedure other than additional humiliation and suffering,” said David Shapiro, staff attorney with the ACLU National Prison Project. “Prisoners have a constitutional right to be free from pointless and humiliating searches.”

Experts on mental health care in prison have estimated that as many as 80 percent of women who are in jail or prison have been the victims of domestic violence and physical abuse prior to their conviction, a reality that compounds the infliction of pain caused by the needless body cavity searches. According to the ACLU’s letter, courts have found that the previous sexual abuse suffered by many female prisoners increases the trauma caused by invasive strip searches and heightens the constitutional violation. Indeed, the ACLU has received letters in recent weeks from prisoners at DWCF who complain that being forced to comply with the new search policy – under the threat of being doused with pepper spray – exacerbates prior sexual trauma.

The ACLU’s letter also charges that body cavity searches also may have occurred after prisoner visits with their lawyers. Not only are the searches unwarranted after such visits because of the low probability that an attorney would ever agree to smuggle narcotics or weapons into a prison, but they also could deter prisoners from meeting with their lawyers, compromising legal representation.

The ACLU also asserts in its letter that DWCF’s new policy could jeopardize the safety of communities across the state of Colorado by undermining the rehabilitation of prisoners and compromising the Colorado Department of Corrections’ stated goal of “assist[ing] offenders’ successful re-entry into society” and “reduc[ing] the likelihood of future victims.” The ACLU’s letter charges that prisoners have refused visits from friends and family in order to avoid post-visit searches.

“The fact that these searches deter visits can have a devastating impact on prisoners’ families, especially for prisoners’ children, who can only see their mothers during visits,” said Mark Silverstein, legal director of the ACLU of Colorado. “Also, exacerbating mental illnesses through traumatic body cavity searches decreases the likelihood of re-entry into the community and could well lead to higher rates of recidivism.”

A copy of the ACLU’s letter is available online at: www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/letter-colorado-department-corrections-challenging-degrading-body-cavity-search-pol

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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By Melanie Nathan; 08-25-2010

Yesterday Lez Get Real published a story about the gay couple who, upon being denied a marriage license in their home state of Wyoming, filed a law suit in the Federal Court last week, challenging the constitutionality of the Wyoming law that declares marriage to be between male and female, only.

The couple from Cheyenne  David Shupe-Roderick, 25, and Ryan Dupree, 21, filed the lawsuit Aug. 13 after the Laramie County Clerk’s Office refused to issue them a marriage license.

In that article we questioned the competency of the Plaintiffs to self represent in a case as important as this, especially after reading the complaint, which we believed, would not adequately serve this lawsuit.

We contacted several LGBT legal minds and members of our LGBT community to get their feelings on the case. The general consensus was, not only should the couple NOT be self representing, but also should reconsider bringing their case at all, as the it may not be in the short term or long term interests of the national marriage equality debate and the current course of cases already before the Courts.

However In looking further into the matter, Lezgetreal uncovered information about the Plaintiff, David Shupe-Roderick; it appears that a perhaps seasoned Jailhouse lawyer may be taking on Wyoming marriage equality.

When I spoke yesterday to David Shupe-Roderick I was taken by his naivity – or so I thought!  I really believed that only someone naive and ill prepared for reality would take on such an endeavor.  However, Admittedly I was wrong.

There are two instances of Shupe-Roderick suing the Department of Corrections.  See

No. 07-8087 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT 290 Fed. Appx. 164; 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 18588 August 25, 2008;  where Shupe moved to dismiss an appeal as it involved his claims alleging discussion of personal information by prison staff, gender-based discrimination, inadequate mental health care, inadequate medical care, and excessive use of force. The  motion to dismiss the case was granted.  Yes Shupe was in prison apparently, and represented himself – with court documents stating – COUNSEL: GERALD DAVID SHUPE, Jr. (State Prisoner: 23153), Plaintiff – Appellant, Pro se.

Then yet another case where Shupe- Roderick appears to be Plaintiff in a Child support case,  Shupe-Roderick v. Wyoming Child Support Services et al,   Case Number -2:2010cv00033, under cause- 42:1983 Civil Rights Act.

We also uncovered information indicating that on May 28, 2010 Gerald D. Shupe-Roderick, 25, was arrested by the Cheyenne Police Department, for felony filing of  false documentation http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/wyoming-tribune-eagle/mi_8203/is_20100528/blotters-briefs/ai_n53999280/

I sent an email with this links to Shupe today, but have yet to receive a response.  I went out on a limb yesterday, sending e-mail to my numerous contacts to see if anyone would be willing to provide legal assistance to the Plaintiffs in the hope of  avoiding a crush to marriage equality.

Now based on these facts, I must retract, noting that not only is it a bad idea to file in pro per, in a matter of this nature that impacts an entire minority population, or even to file at all in Wyoming at this time, but the emergence of these facts may serve to disqualify Mr Shupe, notwithstanding his right to equal treatment and remedies under the law, as the most appropriate face for marriage equality in Wyoming at this time.

While the motive of the couple may well be pure and their right to equal treatment profoundly innate, this lawsuit could pose a serious threat to marriage equality generally and it is my hope that this couple would re-consider how to approach their quest for equality – perhaps through withdrawal for the good of marriage equality in the long term.

As Shupe said, he did not expect the case to get this much attention and for that reason alone, he should consider consulting with the LGBT groups such as NCLR or LAMBDA Legal to check in and ascertain whether they should continue or not.

UPDATED: Since posting this Article last night, Lez Get Real has obtained the following comments from leaders in the LGBT Community:-

Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com

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Governor Frudenthal of Wyoming

A Wyoming gay couple is asking a federal judge to stop that state from enforcing any laws that prevent gays and lesbians from access to civil marriage.

David Shupe-Roderick and Ryan W. Dupree of Cheyenne have filed a federal lawsuit, on their own, and without legal representation; challenging a Wyoming law that defines marriage as existing only between a man and a woman.

In their suit they say the Laramie County Clerk’s Office refused to issue them a marriage license and as result violated the couples rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution.

The Editors at Lezgetreal have read the brief  filed by the Plaintiffs, who are self representing, and believe that this case could be treading on difficult water without the help of professional representation.

David was born and raised in Wyoming and told me that “this has been a long time coming for Wyoming. We had approached private lawyers who are unable to help us. There seems to be a lot of fear in Wyoming because this is the place where a very bad hate crime occurred. This is where Mathew Shepard was murdered. We believe we need to do this especially in his memory.”

We have already received hate mail when local groups found out what were doing.  We fear for our physical safety and although my boss at the fast food restaurant where I am assistant manager thinks we are so brave, he also thinks we are stupid – because our safety is at risk. Ryan and I have been together for over a year. We want to get married. We do not want special treatment; we want our State to treat us the same way as other”

A group  Wyoming Focus Group sent a hate letter to the Wyoming Press.  Lezgetreal has obtained a copy of the letter. It says, that the lawsuit seeks to “molest the sanctity of marriage in Wyoming.”  David notes that this was the more pleasant part of the letter.

The Wyoming law defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, and the couple has asked U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson to overturn the law.

Wyoming Attorney General Bruce Salzburg declined comment Tuesday, saying he hadn’t reviewed the lawsuit yet.

Wyoming pdf of complaint re marriage David & Ryan

Melanie Nathan Added:
IMPORTANT UPDATE; See
Wyoming:- Marriage Equality Probably Does Not Need A Jailhouse Lawyer (lezgetreal.com)

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Film Showing and Reception Set for Sept. 14, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO-  Twenty-five years after its premier, the groundbreaking documentary “Choosing Children”—the first film to explore and chronicle the journey taken by lesbians and gay men to become parents after they came out—will return to the silver screen at the Herbst Theater on Sept. 14 to celebrate its 25^th anniversary.

The landmark film, produced by two Bay Area filmmakers, Academy Award winner Debra Chasnoff and Kim Klausner, was released in 1985, introducing viewers to the first generation of lesbians and gay men who chose to become parents after coming out, and contributed to an expanded definition of family that has since opened the doors for millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to become parents. “Before the early 1980s, it was just assumed that if you came out, you gave up the chance and the right to be a parent,” says Chasnoff. “But a small number of brave lesbians and gay men began to challenge that belief. With “Choosing Children” we wanted to share their stories with the world and inspire others that they, too, could redefine family for themselves.”

Chasnoff and Klausner conducted a nationwide search for lesbian-headed families that were navigating what was then a very new legal, political, and social terrain. Ultimately, they found six families who reflected some of the racial and ethnic diversity of our vibrant communities, and who had “chosen children” in different ways. Their stories provide an intimate look at the challenges and joys faced by this early generation of lesbian and gay parents in their quests to build their families—stories that are still fascinating and relevant today.

“Without the pioneering generation that we were able to capture in “Choosing Children,” none of us would have the rights or opportunities for creating families that we have today,” Klausner says. “It is almost beyond comprehension how much the political and social landscape has changed since we made the film.”

The film poignantly captures some of the important history that has contributed to today’s LGBT family rights victories, including the recent Proposition 8 decision by Judge Vaughn Walker here in California. It is partly why so many community groups are cosponsoring this evening celebration for LGBT families, our allies, prospective parents and others.

One of the arenas where the most significant advances have been made is the legal system.

“The legal advances we have made for our families are nothing short of breathtaking,” says National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell. “These gains are largely due to this early generation of lesbians and gay parents, who charted a previously unseen path in order to become parents and raise children, becoming role models for LGBT people everywhere.”

Many Bay Area organizations are joining together for this community-wide screening and celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of Choosing Children, celebrate all the wonderful children LGBT people are now parenting, and raise funds to permanently preserve this historical gem on DVD. The restored 35 mm film print, courtesy of the OUTFEST Legacy Project and the UCLA Film Archive, was a huge hit at last summer’s Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

If you’ve never seen Choosing Children, here’s your chance to soak up a delightful piece of our cultural history. If you are planning on having children, you will be inspired by the courageous pioneers in the film who figured out how to bring kids into their lives, co-parent with a same-sex partner, and handle concerns from relatives and schools. If you saw the film “back in the day,” this will be a trip down memory lane (including a rarely heard song by Holly Near) and a special moment to marvel at how much progress we’ve made.

The 25^th Anniversary Screening and Reception includes a viewing, and remarks by Chasnoff, Klausner, and the Honorable Donna Hitchens, founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights who is featured in the film, and dessert reception The event is presented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Groundspark, COLAGE, Frameline, Equality California, Our Family Coalition, and PFLAG to celebrate the advances our movement has made in family law and society, and to raise funds to permanently preserve this historical film on DVD.

TICKET and EVENT INFORMATION

“Choosing Children” 25^th Anniversary Screening and Reception

What: “Choosing Children” 25^th anniversary celebration to raise funds to permanently preserve this historical film on DVD
When: 6:30 p.m. on September 14, 2010 (Program begins at 7 p.m.)
Where: Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $25 (regular admission); $10 (student admission)

Learn more and order tickets

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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A federal judge has ruled against graduate student Jennifer Keeton, who refused to read material about counseling gays because, she asserted it would increase her exposure to a community that goes against her beliefs.

U.S. District Judge Randal Hall ruled that Augusta State University’s requirement was “academically legitimate.” His ruling allows the school to expel Keeton if she doesn’t follow the remediation plan. Reports the Editors at the Advocate.

The Judge said said the case “isn’t about pitting Christianity against homosexuality, but rather the constitutionality of the school’s requirement.

Psychologists have expressed  that the ruling is appropriate – citing the fact that integral to the training of a Psychologist is to keep personal views separate from professional duties.  One always has the right to refuse a client and refer them to someone else.

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South Africa is known as the ‘Rape Capital’ of the world, with mind blowing statistics of around 500,000 rapes per year.   This is a human rights catastrophe  of untold proportion- with the HIV/AIDS ramification serving as the lethal weapon of mass destruction.

Especially sinister is the flagrant finger flip to each and every victim, as the  entire world cheered metaphorically on,  aiding and abetting the somnolent  South African Government, akin to perpetrators, like an Oudtshoorn ostrich with its head deeply embedded in the sand, while women continued to be raped day after day, each hour.

Through the games and festivities of Soccer World Cup 2010, the host Country and the world, cavorted with these criminals, dancing to goals and singing with each ring of  cash registers ‘cachinging’  the sound of desperate cash, while the screams of  our sisters faded with the romance of the stampede to win.

Since March of 2009, Lez Get Real has reported extensively on the insidious  and endemic hate crime – in particular the calculated rape of lesbians, specifically in South African Townships,   which has become known as “corrective rape.”

Lesbian Corrective Rape is a slogan attached to what is truthfully a brutal hate crime; the slogan is incongruous, yet reflects an abhorrent trend.

Drawing attention to oneself is an act of courage and one that cannot be emphasized enough, especially if the victim is one whose rape is termed  “corrective rape” where the odds are that the victim could be re-victimized again and again.

Years ago, Lesbians would never have come forward to tell their stories, but now with the unrelenting support and tender care of an extraordinary human being, Ndumie Funda, a lesbian woman living in a South African Township, near Cape Town, women and lesbians are telling their stories, willing to be named, photographed and to stand up on our pages to say:- “This is what happened to me!”

I personally have developed a close relationship with this hero, who is unlike anyone I have ever met.  An  unrelenting tireless warrior, who despite the worst of odds has not given up, even through her own tragedies along the way – as she houses and cares for lesbian victims of corrective rape. ” They just keep coming in,” say Ndumie Funda co-founder of Lulekwe Sizwe,  “It never stops.”

Ndumie  touched me deeply when she helped  Milicent Gaika, whose shocking  photos were published by us,  in the hope of drawing attention to this human rights travesty.  More stories flooded in, of other victims, as well as the continued bravery of Funda, who formed a support organization, named for lovers and victims, who were murdered by these rapists.

Ndumie Funda, at one time housed 15 victims in a tiny two roomed shack in a Township near Cape Town.  No running water – no amenities at all. The shack, flooded by heavy rains, housed the injured lesbian victims, who huddled together, trying to make doctors visits, police reports, bail hearings, with little bedding, no medication, no money for rent, food or transportation.

Here at Lez Get real, we publicized the stories and begged you to send a few dollars. I cannot say the money poured in, it was scarce.  A few good people did send money. Wake Up America hosted a Radio Podcast sharing the plight and My cousin Judith, a struggling single mom in South Africa went at my request to visit Ndumie in the cabin.

Judy reported back saying, “Melanie it is very bad; they are desperate, its dire! “  She gave what she could and I am sure it was more than she could afford.   I too sent my month’s mortgage – albeit a looming foreclosure in this awful economy.  This is not something anyone of you can turn your back on any longer.

I became despondent, even with my power of publicity.  Until I was contacted by a French reporter who wrote a story for a European Magazine.   But still the group continued to suffer. I had nothing to send. I could only write.

Now there is another victim. Do we want to hear her story too? or Can we simply send our few dollars?

This week I received word of yet another victim and another shocking picture too horrible to publish – but yet we must! Because they have asked us to. 

Luleke Sizwe is desperate for help as Ndumie Funda  goes it alone again – with her note to me on Face Book as she now proudly displays her own campaign to raise money for our sisters :- at http://lulekisizwe.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/the-r10-campaign/ They are asking for R10.00 (a little over $3.00 US per donation)

Ndumie has found a way to get a website going. She once told me she would never give up and tonight she sent me this link to an article which has now appeared in mainstream  press:-

Ndumie can be friended via Face Book  at facebook.com/ndumie.funda

READERS AND FB UPDATE: Thanks for all the inquiries about where to send money…

DONATION DETAILS: TO DONATE – We need $3,000 per month and we could fully support this Group.  If you can make a donation directly or send same c/o Melanie Nathan made out to PRIVATE COURTS INC.  P.O. Box 1108 Woodacre, CA 94973, USA . The Latter would save on expensive bank transfer fees as I would send it all as one.

OR DIRECTLY to

Please make a direct transfer into Luleki Sizwe’s Bank Account:

Account Name: Luleki Sizwe LBT Women’s Project
Business transaction account 071362940
Branch code 024909
Swift code SBZA ZA JJ
STANDARD BANK

Please quote “R10 Campaign” on the deposit

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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By Tracy Emblem: 08-21-10 -  (Guest of  Melanie Nathan)

In 1948 President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981 proclaiming that “there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.”

Following the President’s order, desegregation and integration of blacks in the armed service met with resistance despite being a major civil rights victory for African-Americans. For the next twenty years, our country went through similar desegregation, culminating in repealing the separate but equal laws and bans against interracial marriages which were enacted in several states.

Compare President Truman’s proclamation of equal opportunity and treatment in the military to today’s efforts to repeal the 1993 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy imposed by Congress. This discriminatory practice is tantamount to silent segregation of gay and lesbian personnel and puts them at continued risk to lose their jobs and all of their benefits.

The Palm Center, a University of California, Santa Barbara-based think tank that studies controversial public policy issues reports that as of June 2009, twenty-five countries including many NATO members, allow military service by openly gay personnel. These countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

In February, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen told Congress they support repealing the ban.  Later in May, the House of Representatives voted 234-194 to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by the end of the year.

Instead of employing sound leadership, the Pentagon is dragging its feet. A subjective “survey,” costing the U.S. taxpayers $4.4 million was e-mailed to non-deployed active service members. The survey asked biased assumptions such as:

If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed, how, if at all, will it affect your willingness to recommend to a family member or close friend that he or she join the military?

Have you been assigned to share bath facilities with an open bay shower that is also used by a Service member you believed to be homosexual?

If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would your job performance be affected?

Never mind that an individual’s sexual orientation has nothing to do with the quality of his or her job performance. Forget that gay and lesbian personnel have been serving side-by-side on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, the “survey” was intended to portray the gay and lesbian community as sexual predators.  Completely missing from the survey were important questions which would help establish that the gay and lesbian service members are treated in a discriminatory manner. Some LGBT advocates say the survey was intentionally designed and distributed in a manner to provide credence to and justification for continuing the discriminatory policy.

It does not take a “survey” to enforce civil rights. The survey should not be used as justification to frame military policy where gay and lesbian personnel are already working side-by-side. In fact, desegregation should be much easier than it was almost 50 years ago because everyone is already working together, and on the battlefields, all blood is red, no matter whose blood is shed.

Since the “Don’t Ask” policy was enacted, over 13,500 service members have been discharged losing countless hours of training and talent. Its time we demand an end to a policy which forces men and women to lie so they can continue to “honorably” serve our country.

We are all Americans. On November 11, “My Patriots Pride” organization is calling upon LGBT Veterans and straight allies around the country to stand up and march against this discriminatory policy nationwide.

You can sign up for an event in your community at www.MyPatriotsPride.org

Tracy Emblem is an attorney and was a Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 50th district, in North San Diego County. Emblem ran in the 2010 Democratic Primary but lost to Francine Busby. She continues her fight as an avid proponent of Civil Rights Rights for All.  This is the third Article Tracy has written for Lez Get Real.

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Melanie Nathan: August 16, 2010.

But we want marriage now – in terms of our current constitutional right.

Ninth Circuit has granted the stay yes we are angry BUT the good new it expedites the appeal and the entire process…

“Filed order (EDWARD LEAVY, MICHAEL DALY HAWKINS and SIDNEY R. THOMAS) Appellants’ motion for a stay of the district court’s order of August 4, 2010 pending appeal is GRANTED.

The court sua sponte orders that this appeal be expedited pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 2. The provisions of Ninth Circuit Rule 31-2.2(a) (pertaining to grants of time extensions) shall not apply to this appeal.

This appeal shall be calendared during the week of December 6, 2010, at The James R. Browning Courthouse in San Francisco, California. The previously established briefing schedule is vacated. The opening brief is now due September 17, 2010. The answering brief is due October 18, 2010. The reply brief is due November 1, 2010. In addition to any issues appellants wish to raise on appeal, appellants are directed to include in their opening brief a discussion of why this appeal should not be dismissed for lack of Article III standing. See Arizonans For Official English v. Arizona, 520 U.S. 43, 66 (1997). IT IS SO ORDERED. [7441574] (JS)“

The Ninth Circuit has asked for opening briefs by September 17th and that parties must discuss why the appeal should not be dismissed due to lack of standing.  Also, the schedule for the briefs are similar to what Plaintiff attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies requested.  And oral arguments should begin by the end of this year.

So it’s not what we wanted, at this time, and yes we were headed for the aisle on Wednesday; but at least we will be closer to getting the journey’s conclusion.  I for one  believe in the unconstitutionality of the Prop 8 Vote, just as as Judge Walker ruled in his Judgment which overturned the the 2 % of Californians who were swayed by Gay Hate dollars – (and Only at that moment in TIME-) that Gays and lesbians should be denied their rights.

The stunning legal team  for the equal right to marry include the  brilliant lawyers of the City & County of San Francisco.  We have a fact-based district trial court decision that overwhelmingly explains why Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.  And we know that are winning.  Actually may I opine – we have won – they just have us on hold; pending appeal.  (URGH – it really should be the other way around. Are they afraid of another 18,000 of us? What harm have we done.  Probably lower divorce rate than our heterosexual counterparts.)

The  good news in California is we are now on the Fast track; NCLR’s Shannon Minter: The delay is very hard on couples, but the case now positioned about as strongly as it possibly could be for our side.”

What the hell can they come up with to change this – because if the do it would open the door to a State proposition vote where I bet a lot more than 2% of Californians would love to Vote against the right to bear arms – I mean after all – look at all those automatic weapons out there – they are killing our kids – what could be more harmful than that?

“I am extremely disappointed that couples will have to wait even longer to get married. It’s unfair and unfortunate. But I am confident that we will restore the right to marry once and for all,” says Geoff Kors of EQCA (Equality California)  who does well to express his disappointment that marriages are on hold at this time.

I cannot accept that  same-sex marriages would be stayed during the period of time where a Court of such esteem has held it unconstitutional.   It should be the other way around. We should be allowed to marry pending a different outcome, from a non-expedited process!!

Kors explains, “This means that, regrettably, same-sex couples will have wait longer to get married and are still being denied their fundamental right to do so.

This is not the end – far from it. The appeals process still needs to play out, and the court is expediting the process. The case is expected to be heard in December.

We need to work together to do what it takes to ensure a favorable outcome.
Here’s what you can do:

Email the Governor and Attorney General and urge them to stand strong against the attacks they are receiving from anti-LGBT groups.

Make a donation to elect a governor and attorney general who will refuse to defend Prop. 8 in court.

Volunteer in your area. We are building on the majority support we have, which is so critical to winning marriage back, either in the court or at the ballot box.

Imagine if President Barack Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Team Democrat would come out now and have the courage to repeal The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)  that restricts marriage between one man and one women, on a Federal level.

It would be an imperative correction of a bad bad mistake, at this point.  Senator Feinstein of California had the courage to VOTE no on DOMA.  Congressman Barney Frank believes DADT and ENDA should be repealed before he signs on to Congressman Jerold Nadler’s  House repeal Bill – The Respect for Marriage ACT.

Wake up and shake things up AMERICA – Now is the time.  No DOMA and we can sponsor our bi-national spouses for immigration; we can stop the exile of our citizens and The FEDS will show the STATES that it can get rid of legislated inequality via repeal legislation.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts

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Melanie Nathan – August 14, 2010

Best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert will join Immigration Equality in lobbying Congress for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), reports  ON TOP Magazine.

My question is – will it be for UAFA as a stand alone or for the inclusion of UAFA into Immigration Reform. Maybe Immigration Equality sees that the choo choo train to reform ought to be via the equality Bill, UAFA, alone  instead of through Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

“Gilbert, whose film adaptation of Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts opened nationwide on Friday, is half of a binational couple herself. She chronicled her experience in her follow-up book Committed.

Immigration Equality has been lobbying for passage of the UAFA, a bill that would allow gay Americans to sponsor an immigrant partner for citizenship. Currently, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) forbids any federal agency from recognizing married gay couples, reports OUT.

However their report fails to note that for the past year and two months Immigration Equality has taken UAFA out of the realm of a stand-alone Bill with over 120 Sponsors in Congress and spent its time and resources on the currently  nowhere journey through a very controversial crash course with Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).  UAFA is an equality amendment to the Immigration & Naturalization Act.that would include committed permanent partners instead Immigration Equality has pursued the idea of including UAFA in CIR – and cost desperate bi-national couples another year- in limbo – with no guarantee of inclusion, and constant same-old promises.

The House CIR  Bill by Congressman Luis  Gutierrez  (D -IL) specifically excluded UAFA and although Gutierrez has since said in public and the press that he believes NOW (flip flop) that Uniting American Families Act should be  included in CIR  – there is no amendment or action yet in sight.

From the Senate side – we have yet to see more than a framework for the Bill, which does include mention of UAFA.

Immigration Equality assured its supporters over a year ago the CIR was imminent, yet all we have from the Senate and Chuck Schumer is yet another a campaign motivated promise in the form of a framework, clearly a rushed direct response to the recent Arizona Immigration debacle.

Gilbert will apparently join IE September 30 to talk to lawmakers about the inequity,  reports IE.

As an avid activist myself for UAFA – I am hoping that Gilbert will be a proponent for an immediate stand-alone Bill for UAFA and that while we have a majority in congress, Gay and Lesbian couples should be given priority treatment under an equality banner rather than waiting for (yes the much needed) immigration reform for all.

“In addition to being unjust and cruel and unconscionable,” Gilbert said in June, “these laws [separating LGBT families] are stupid because they are taking away some of the best and brightest minds and prospects out of the country … they are forced to do nothing but fight for their lives. And they are in a fight for their lives. And I am proud to be part of that fight; I’m humbled and honored to be part of that fight.”

Elizabeth Gilbert’s life story, the best-selling author, who traveled millions of miles in what ended up being a search for her own, centered self, caused a sensation with her diary of personal discovery, also known as Eat, Pray, Love.

The book, which became a sort of holistic prescription for self-empowerment via self-fulfillment, was passed from person to person and ended up – in a life-changing moment amidst a story full of such karmic twists – in the hands of Oprah Winfrey.

At its peak, Love was at the top of the best-sellers’ list, and was hailed by millions as the holy text for embodying “la dolce vita.” (I learned about it when a friend sent me a Barnes & Noble gift certificate, and proclaimed, “Use this to buy Eat, Pray, Love!”) Readers have debated its place in the lexicon of feminist literature . . . organized book clubs to swoon over its lush storylines . . . and spent more than a few hours daydreaming about throwing caution to the wind, and following in Gilbert’s footsteps, in pursuit of a more perfect union (with themselves).

In short order, the book’s title – Eat, Pray, Love – became a mantra for the masses. And now, it has become a Hollywood blockbuster, too.

Beginning today, movie-goers are expected to flock to theaters to see Gilbert – played by screen icon Julia Roberts – eat, pray and love her way across Italy, India and Indonesia. But when the film stops rolling, another inspiring and empowering chapter in Gilbert’s life will just be beginning: Her selfless work on behalf of lesbian and gay immigrant families.

Continue reading this article at HuffingtonPost.com . . .

So now we are still no where and Bi national couples wait desperately.  By September 30th I know two American citizens who will have already exiled for other countries, one who would have had life threatening major heart surgery without his partner at his side, and probably another 100 e-mails from 2nd class American residents and citizens.

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
www.privatecourts.com

@oblogdeeoblogda

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Anti-Gay Laura Schlessinger, now apparently a racist too?  Someone should strip that mean spirited ego centric piece of dangling doo-doo apology for a human of her doc-tatorship – or whatever the hell it is she has placed before her name “DR.”   She is Dr. NO or NO Dr.!

Who would have dreamed it?  “DON’T NAACP ME” asserted ‘the better than thou’ Schlesinger, in a tirade exposing her for exactly who she is – an angry bigot – no more no less… or maybe  more – time will tell.   “I thought once we had a Black President the attempts to demonize whites hating blacks would stop.  But it has not I don’t get it.  Its hasn’t and It’s all about power: She ranted on after the shocked caller, a self described “black woman married to a white man” called for advice about being treated with disrespect through racist remarks perpetrated by family and friends.

The conversation went haywire when Schlesinger challenged the caller ‘s gripe and proceeded to throw out three consecutive “N’” words – what is this woman thinking.  No surprise to me.  I have listened to her show and am astounded by her popularity. She berates most of her callers anyway with her condescending pernicious soliloquies  - all in an attempt to elevate her sorry nothingness to an attempted something-ness.

Goodness, who sponsors this trash?

Read/ hear audio  - you be the Judge.   I think she should be banned off the air- if they did it to The guy with the cowboy hat – why not do it to the woman with the wig?

After a break, the caller said she was appalled by Schlessinger’s use of the word. “Oh, then I guess you don’t watch HBO or listen to any black comedians,” she said. “My dear, the point I am trying to make…we’ve got a black man as president and we’ve got more complaining about racism than ever. I think that’s hilarious.”   Schlesinger and the caller then got into an exchange about the use of the word:

CALLER: Is it OK to say that word? Is it ever OK to say that word?
DR. LAURA: It depends how it’s said. Black guys talking to each other seem to think it’s ok.
CALLER: But you’re not black, they’re not black, my husband is white.
DR. LAURA: Oh, I see, so a word is restricted to race. Got it. Can’t do much about that.
CALLER: I can’t believe someone like you is on the radio spewing out the n***** word, and I hope everybody heard it.
DR. LAURA: I didn’t spew out the n***** word!
CALLER: You said “n*****, n*****, n*****” and I hope everybody heard it.
DR. LAURA: Yes they did, and I’ll say it again: n*****, n*****, n***** is what you hear on HBO.
[Crosstalk]

DR. LAURA: Why don’t you let me finish a sentence? Don’t take things out of context. Don’t NAACP me, leave them in context. “If you’re that hypersensitive about color and don’t have a sense of humor, don’t marry outside of your race,” Schlesinger said after hanging up with the caller.

She apologized the next day, opening her show with an apology.

“Yesterday, I did the wrong thing,” she said. “I didn’t intend to hurt people, but I did. And that makes it the wrong thing to have done. I was attempting to make a philosophical point, and I articulated the “n” word all the way out – more than one time. And that was wrong. I’ll say it again – that was wrong.”

Schlessinger said she “was so upset [she] could not finish the show.”

“I pulled myself off the air at the end of the hour,” she said. “I had to finish the hour, because 20 minutes of dead air doesn’t work. I am very sorry. And it just won’t happen again.” Boo Hoo Laura Remember your an-gay days – when you said the following and now you want us to believe YOU ARE NOT a Bigot.

And so it should not get her outa here!  She is NOT qualified to Counsel a fly!

According to various sources, Dr. Laura Schlessinger has said or written the following anti-gay slurs, which promoted the website - http://www.stopdrlaura.com/laura/

“A huge portion of the male homosexual populace is predatory on young boys.”

“If you’re gay or lesbian it’s a biological error.”

“I call homosexual practices deviant.”

“The First Amendment is not the 11th Commandment. Its protection does not extend to ALL speech.”

“When we have the word ‘homosexual,’ we are clarifying the dysfunction, the deviancy, the reality.”

“….[reparative] therapies which have been successful in helping a reasonable number of people become heterosexual.” 7

“…I believe that homosexual behavior is deviant; that when homosexuals adopt children, these children are intentionally robbed of a necessary mom and dad…”

“I’m sorry, hear it one more time perfectly clearly: If you’re gay or a lesbian, it’s a biological error that inhibits you from relating normally to the opposite sex.  The fact that you are intelligent, creative and valuable is all true. The error is in your inability to relate sexually intimately, in a loving way to a member of the opposite sex – it is a biological error.” Quoted from Dr. Laura’s Website, 1998-DEC-8

ON MATTHEW SHEPARD

“You know what was largely responsible for that guy’s [Matthew Shepard's] death? Those two guys who killed him did not go out looking for a homosexual to kill that night. They were shooting pool. He went to the bar. He left with two guys he thought he was gonna have sex with. He got murdered. How many women has that happened to? How many women have left bars thinking they were gonna get some action with some guy who raped and murdered and tortured and murdered them?

Far more women than homosexual men have ended up dead that way, I would guess. Is that a hate crime against women? I think so but they specifically picked the woman who was willing to leave for sex. If Matthew hadn’t been willing to leave for sex, he might still be alive. That certainly doesn’t make him responsible for his own death but when you put yourself into a situation of going off to have anonymous sex with people you meet at a bar, what kind of person is gonna leave with you? Usually scum…. This was a terrible tragedy but it’s also one that might have been avoided if he had simply gone home with his friends instead of thinking he was gonna get a little.” – Dr. Laura radio show, April 16, 1999 (quoted by CBSC).

By the way – her apology weights low against the extent  of the Tirade. “I should not of said that” in no way excuses the lengthy and non stop verbosity of the rant.  Its not as if she said mere words – here insensitivity and her lack of basic sense outweighs her nebulus apology.  Fire her- its about time!

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Melanie Nathan; 8-12-10;

Military members with CAC cards: Continue to share your views on how best to implement the repeal of DADT. Provide specific policy change recommendations. Over 53,000 comments have been provided to DoD so far. The opportunity to participate ends on 15 August.

This is an example of one of the many privately received comments and requests to LGR received since paralleling Rachel Maddow’s DADT Blitz on her show last night.

We were asked by a closeted members of the armed Services to request more comments by service members on the DoD Survey;

DoD Site suggests that ” Noting the importance of getting the opinions of those who would be most affected by a possible repeal of the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged servicemembers to provide their input.”

at http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_gatesdadt/

“Servicemember participation in the 2010 DoD Comprehensive Review Survey of the Uniformed Active Component and Reserve Component Servicemembers is Vitally Important.

The Department of Defense would like to remind and encourage servicemembers to participate in the 2010 DoD Comprehensive Review Survey of the Uniformed Active Component and Reserve Component Servicemembers if they receive it via e-mail or a letter in the mail by Aug. 15. Servicemember’s participation in the survey are vitally important to ensure DoD is able to assess the impact, if any, a change in the law “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” might have on military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention.

If you received the survey and have questions or if you experience technical problems please call 1-888-491-2083 or e-mail Support@MilitarySurveys.org “

I assume that because this is coming from un-outed  and active service members, the feedback must be positive to the repeal of DADT to this point.

“The question before us is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we best prepare for it.… An important part of this process is to engage our men and women in uniform and their families over this period since, after all, they will ultimately determine whether or not we make this transition successfully.”  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates
Washington, D.C. – Feb. 2, 2010

Examples of the Impact of DADT is in many of the untold stories such as the one where a service member lost custody of her children when her ex-husband threatened to OUT her to the Military over a lesbian affair.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: We have many such stories in the wake of this publicity and hope that President Obama will bring an end to this travesty being perpetrated on those so willing to serve their country.

AT lezgetreal we covered the following:

Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/highly-decorated-combat-air-force-aviator-files-injunction-in-federal-court-to-block-%E2%80%9Cdadtl%E2%80%9D-discharge/

Captain Jonathan Hopkins – http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/captain-jonathan-hopkins-west-point-grad-hero-fired-by-dadt/

Katherine Miller Miller NYCLU

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/new-face-on-dadt-breaking-video-katie-miller-in-her-own-words/

Katherine Miller on Maddow

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/rachel-maddows-powerful-interview-with-cadet-katie-miller/

Maddow Questioning Obama and DADT Firings

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/maddow-on-dadt-why-is-commander-in-chief-obama-allowing-discharges-now/

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
www.privatecourts.com

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Rachel Maddow pointed out on her show tonight that people are still getting fired over the Military “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy,” despite President Obama’s promise to repeal it this term, and despite new guidelines since March.

If DADT is going to end why is President Obama failing to stop the discharges, the inquiries, the resignations and the destruction of the careers of heros and the finest?

Appearing on her show tonight were Captain Johnathan Hopkins, whose story is detailed below and Katie Miller.   Hopkins announced yesterday that he was being investigated under DADT.

Katie Miller, the West Point Cadet featured here on Lez Get Real  answered questions about her resignation this past week.

Colonel Victor Fehrenbach -  a nineteen year active service member learned that the Review Board is about to retain or discharge him from the service under DADT.

New Standards announced in March could mean that the Colonel continue to serve.  He is a war hero, recognized by the airforce. There is no evidence to justify his expulsion. The Colonel appeared with his lawyer on Maddow to announce a law suite to fight any discharge, based on the new standards and the performance of the officer.

The question is whether the Judge will provide an injunction to the possible firing of the colonel or whether they refuse when the time comes.

The irony is that Obama is Commander in Chief. Where is the President while heroes and West Point’s best are dropping like flies?

Happy Birthday Victor’s Mom

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

UPDATE:

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow last night delivered a commentary on the continued enforcement of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” under the Obama administration, saying if the White House wants to motivate its base, it needs to stand up “for what is right because you know it is right, because we know you know it’s right, even though you also know standing up for it is hard.”

Link to embeddable video of last night’s comment on the Maddow Blog here: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/12/4873685-maddow-to-president-stand-up-for-what-is-right-because-you-know-it-is-right

Transcript is below:

On the show last night, we heard from three people whose American military careers are being ended because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: U.S. Army Captain Jonathan Hopkins, U.S. Military Academy Cadet. Sgt. Katherine Miller and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach.
Ended right now.

The $25 million that you and I, the taxpayers, have spent on Victor Fehrenbach’s training as an F-15 fighter pilot is down the tubes. The decade of investment that you and I paid for that built Jonathan J. Hopkins into a striker brigade combat team commander — that’s down the tubes. That’s over. The $350,000 investment that you and I made in building Cadet Sergeant Katie Miller into a top 10 at West Point, Yale-caliber scholar who could also bench press you, if need be – that’s down the tubes. All of that is over.

None of those three men and woman wants it to be over. They want to serve. But as we take our time winding down this policy that everyone says will be ending, as we shamble toward justice, we as a country are continuing to put the lives of these
individuals through the meat grinder every day.

Col. Fehrenbach has filed a lawsuit because his legal team thinks his discharge orders are due at any minute. Capt. Hopkins was
discharged this week. Cadet Sergeant Miller’s resignation was processed this week on the sole basis of the continued enforcement of the
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the policy that everyone says it is going to end when they get around to it maybe early next year.

What’s the rush? Why are we kicking people out now, in the meantime, while we are waiting for the views of the commander-in-chief and the defense secretary and the chairman of the joint chiefs-of-staff to be implemented?

If you are changing the policy soon, why not hold off the ruination of lives under the policy now, in the meantime? Why not do that?
I’ll tell you why. Because that would take some political capital. That would take some guts.

And liberals, according to this White House, ought to be drug tested if we’re expecting to see that from this White House right now. Stop complaining and be happy for what you have.

Lieutenant Dan Choi, Colonel Fehrenbach and Captain Hopkins and Cadet Sergeant Miller are all expendable, because doing what it would take to save them would be hard for the White House. So go ahead and watch their careers destroyed but stop complaining about it.

I talked at the top of the show tonight with Gail Collins about how one way to motivate your natural base for an election is to make your base afraid of what the other side has to offer. And that is true. That works. That works on both sides. It works for conservatives about liberals and it works for liberals about conservatives. But one less soul-sucking way to motivate your base and to win an election and to keep winning elections and to, frankly, have history look kindly upon you is to get your base to cheer for you — not just to cheer against someone else, but to see you standing up, not just to bad guys with worse ideas than you, but you standing up for what is right because you know it is right, because we know you know it’s right, even though you also know standing up for it is hard.

That is how you regain the enthusiasm of your base. That is how you win the respect of your base. That is how you win the respect of the
country. And admit it: that is how you win your own self-respect, too.

If Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is going to end, the president could stop enforcement of the policy pending that change. Why isn’t he?

Click on the link to “learn more about the 8/28 rally.” That page has a vertical bronze-colored bar on the left headed with an offer of a “free gift” for your donation (the one I saw was for a $150 contribution) to the Special Operations Warriors’ Foundation. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will find a section on the right with the headline “The Special Operations needs your help.” It is a solicitation for donations to the Special Operations Warriors Foundation, a charity that was set up to raise money for scholarships for the children of wounded and fallen Special Operations soldiers. Very patriotic, right? Contribute to the future of our wounded and fallen warriors’ children, right? Look to the left, to the bottom of that bronze vertical bar. Read the fine print about your donation. All contributions to the SOWF will first be applied to the “expenses” of the August 28 rally. If there is any money left over, it will go to the SOWF. But, be sure to make your checks out to the SOWF.

Now, the Lincoln Memorial is inside a public park, so there is no overhead for the use of the space. There will, of course, be expenses related to security (particularly since Mr. Beck is convinced that George Soros has a contract out on his life.) Any Washington D.C. police who are hired for security duty will have to be paid. There will be, naturally, a sound system so everyone who is being brought in on buses can hear every word Glenn and his guest speakers utter, but the buses will probably be paid by Beck’s fans. There is the expense of Sarah Palin’s six figure speaking fee to be paid. The last I heard, she was scheduled to speak and she doesn’t do that for free. Other than that, what expenses are we looking at?

How about Beck’s hotel room, his travel expenses to and within Washington, his meals? How about his usual bevy of buxom Beck-tee-shirted cheerleaders? How about the travel expenses and accommodations for Palin and her entourage?

Now, according to Beck, this entire rally was God’s idea. Yes, that God. Beck receives messages from God and “met” someone at the Vatican who told him that he is doing very important work. Still can’t figure out what a Mormon was doing at the Vatican and why someone of importance at the Vatican would even approach him, but that’s irrelevant. If this rally really is God’s idea, why does Beck have to solicit donations for it? Can’t God provide the funding, like maybe out of Beck’s $32 million income? Ah, there’s that little bit about who sits on the board of the SOWF – Erik Prince, the guy who founded Blackwater (now known as Xe, pronounced “zee”). Prince approved this use of the charity to fund Beck’s rally.

It’s a disturbing conjunction – Glenn Beck, God, a charity for the children of wounded and fallen soldiers, the man whose private army has created so many problems for our military because they can operate outside the “rules of engagement”, Dr. King’s anniversary…..

We are engaged in a long-running fight to overturn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guard members and National Guardsmen are fighting and dying while being told to keep their essential being a secret. And here’s this radio and television demagogue abusing the trust of his fans by using a warriors’ charity to shill for him. These are our children and the children of our comrades-in-arms, and he appears to be siphoning off donations for his “expenses”. If he is, he is sullying the reputation of more than just the SOWF, but their umbrella organization, the Wounded Warriors Fund, which was founded during the Vietnam war to provide the care that the American military didn’t. His original “solicitation” ad used the logo of the WWF. There’s also the issue of Sarah Palin’s involvement in receiving funds raised this way. Isn’t her eldest son in the military?

So, I was thinking (and frankly, I have a very nasty mind) maybe there is something we could do about Glenn Beck. I know there are members of the military who read this blog. The Lincoln Memorial is a public park. Beck is not being allowed to get up on the Memorial itself. That is being kept open for ordinary visitors. You know, ordinary visitors like men and women in uniform, like the ones who joined Lt. Choi in chaining themselves to the White House fence. Just ordinary visitors, maybe holding up a few hand-lettered signs demanding that Beck give the money to the children instead of lining his own pockets? Just ordinary visitors who might have the ear of certain members of the media.

It’s just a thought…..

Senator Barbara Boxer’s campaign  sent out a request in light of the Prop 8 decision.

“On Wednesday, in a long-awaited and historic decision, Judge Vaughn Walker struck down Proposition 8, ruling that the Constitution protected the fundamental right of marriage for all couples in California.”

When Judge Walker’s ruling was announced, Barbara Boxer declared:

“This historic decision is a step forward in the march toward equal rights and reflects a growing legal consensus that marriage equality is protected by the U.S. Constitution.”

Boxer’s campaign asserts “there is so much more work to do to ensure equality and supports a petition to let the Senator know where you stand in this important fight  Online petition — to show Barbara and everyone fighting for marriage equality that you’re standing with them! ”

While positive reactions to Wednesday’s ruling have come from across the political spectrum,  Senator Feinstein called the decision “an enormous victory.” Attorney General Jerry Brown called it “great news for California!” Governor Schwarzenegger supported Judge Walker’s ruling too and has filed asking the Court to order the immediate commencement of marriages for all in California.

But not  Senator Boxer’s opponent, Carly Fiorina. She opposes marriage equality and said she disagreed with the judge’s ruling.

“It’s time to show Fiorina and our opponents where you stand,”  says the campaign in a letter to supporters.

This Petition may well serve as a fundraising tool, however it is indeed a reality that Senator Boxer has been one of the LGBT communities strongest supporters throughout her time in the Senate, never once wavering on her support of our issues.

In prior articles where I have written to ask our community to Support Senator Boxer, I have received negative feedback suggesting that the LGBT community hold the Senator and all Democrats accountable for failure  to take  stronger leadership roles to ensure passage of LGBT legislation such as repeal of DADT and DOMA and the enactment of ENDA  and UAFA, before offering any more funding contributions.

Although I understand this frustration and also feel let down by the political plays, I must say this is one case where a ’shoot ourselves in the toe’ mentality will be tantamount to a shot in the brain!  If Fiorina is elected and we have failed to provide LGBT support to Senator Boxer, we will be, by omission, albeit tacit,  allowing Fiorina to get away with (if you will) her  PRO PROP 8 stance.

I would rather hold  Fiorina accountable for being anti-gay than have  Senator Boxer pay the price for the an LGBT-tardy Democrat Congress.

But we do want to see a fight.

It is my hope that the Senator can offer an even stronger leadership role on  LGBT legislation in the coming months of her term and of course thereafter, including making  leadership calls on the repeal of DOMA and faster passage for UAFA as a possible stand alone Bill.

The Respect for Marriage Act, introduced by Congressman Nadler ought to be a priority especially in the face of the recent Proposition 8 decision.  DOMA’s demise should not have to wait for the rest of the path to SCOTUS.

We are urging Senator Boxer to look at our grass root drafted Omnibus – The American Equality Bill as a mean to true Equality.

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
Face Book: facebook.com/melanie.nathan1

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Melanie Nathan -08-04-10

3:09-cv-02292

Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al

Tell Congress we want all of our Civil Rights NOW.  Prop 8 makes the case for an Ominbus and Amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Congress must act to stop  the inequality and the attempts to legitimate hate against Americans.

You can now bear witness to what the proponents of Prop 8 did not want you to see.  Their evidence – the Bullcrap they delivered in defense of Proposition 8.  Well they lost and its time to use what they have said and done to further our cause. So bloggers and friends- Congress and America, visit this site and explore the evidence for yourselves.  I still believe that Equality will be won for all and hope this impacts our representatives enough to have the courage to  to consider picking up an OMINIBUS – The American Equality Bill - as an amendment to the Civil Rights Act Urge your representatives to do the right thing. Save us from years and years of rulings – back and forth. The only way is to add sexual orientation as a discriminated class into the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cand/09cv2292/evidence/index.html

The AMERICAN EQUALITY BILL – was conceived of by a handful of activists including  Melanie Nathan, Todd Fernandez, Karen Doerig who did the draft – Hello Congress here it is – I am sure you can improve on this – http://lezgetreal.com/2010/07/breaking-first-release-the-american-equality-bill/

By Melanie Nathan
Thanks to Dr. Paula Brooks, Bridgette LaVatoire,
and also Nancy Collins -
Oh yes Perez Hilton for the Tweet that brought the House down and – to Paula for its restoration.

And all for helping win the DAY here at LGR!

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I have one question: does Fox News keep a barber on staff to shave these guys so they don’t have to look in the mirror every morning?

This ruling is a major victory for proponents of same-sex marriage, and it is likely that this is not the final battle in this.  While opponents of equality may go state to state to trick, dupe, and bully people into supporting them, the courts are not so easily swayed and it is necessary to have a solid reasoning behind why a law must be upheld or overruled.

Marriage equality means a lot to me.  If I had just not been born the way I was- a woman born in a male body, then I could have my right to marry any woman I wanted affirmed by the state.  Yet, I have a strong and even extremely painful form of Gender Identity Disorder, and I had a choice.  I could give up all the privileges that being a heterosexual man have or I could slowly and quite literally tear myself to shreds.

In thirteen days, I can claim to the state that I am no longer male and ask for an amended birth certificate saying that I am a woman.  In thirteen days, I have the first of my gender change surgeries because ten years ago, I tried in my pain to emasculate myself.  I have been in various levels of pain since then.  On the day that my birth certificate is amended, all of the legal privileges that I have as a male in this society will be gone, and I see them being gone as a small price to pay for happiness and wholeness.

What this decision means to me is that I can, and will, be able to still have those rights that I am more than willing to give up in order to not only be Me, but to love another woman.  One day, I hope to walk down the isle and get married to the woman I love.  Of course, dating would probably be a good idea first.  I was presented with a choice.  I could have the legal privileges of masculine life and be miserable or I could change my body to match my gender and live my life happy and whole without those privileges.  The reality of that tore me to shreds until a decade ago.

This fight is not over.  Soon, this will be appealed to the next level and then to the Supreme Court.  I will continue to fight for our rights to be happy and married.

I will continue our fight to be equal.

For More on this, go here for a piece by Melanie Nathan

Melanie Nathan, Tuesday, August 03, 2010, San Antonio Texas-

Dallas Voice: Choi Speaking = $10,000

Today this letter (below) appeared in the Dallas Voice . I received an enormous amount of flak from the LGBT community for my article where I dared question Dan Choi’s possible profit motives, his lack of disclosure to the community and the revelation that Dan had an Agent, all prompted by my inability to understand why he took a month to declare on Rachel Maddow that he had been discharged by the Military. I asked about his antics and whether there was a conflict of interest in distinguishing between what is pure activism and what is for pure profitability, where antics up the ante.

When reading this angry and passionate letter, sent by the President of Texas TECH’s Straight Gay Alliance, maybe our community will understand why I asked my questions of Choi.

I spent time defending myself and my thinking on other sites and on FB – now I am even more convinced that exposure is imperative, even at the cost of losing a perceived Hero; to stay on the side of truth -even if it does mean “eating our own” (as I was told by many a critic.) What it takes to be a real Hero is NOT to let down our kids when they need the Hero and then for us as a community to continue to prop the perceived Hero serves little more than to aid and abet the lie that has made itself clear to those impacted, such as our young letter writer below.

Gay youth is the future of our movement – and to see the feelings of hopelessness exacerbated by the “Hero” is shameful. Not me the messenger who was slammed for asking these questions in the first place!

The messenger is not the one who hurts the movement – the one who hurts the movement is the one who made the Texas Tech kids feel this way….

If we do not speak out, younger activists such as Nonnie Ouch will lose all hope thinking this is what our movement is about? Critics – is that what you want – ?

Please community we have a duty let us steer our Youth in the right directions. Heroes who are still out there plodding along and fighting to repeal DADT deserve the truth too. Here is is – the truth – one simple letter says it all.

Right now the real hero is Young Nonnie Ouch for having the courage, like David to Goliath, to write from his heart to the Dallas Voice:_ as Quoted by Mike Petrelis

“To me, the mere hope of reaching out to those who meet my words with deaf ears was worth putting up with your agent and the exorbitant amount of $10,000 to get you out here. I never for a moment questioned why it was that much, or why you were charging anything at all. [...]

About a month ago, after nine months of dealing with your agent, I received an e-mail directly from you. In short, you basically said that the only way I could get you to speak is if I raised enough money to bring you to Tech. No deals, no compromises, end of story. [...]

You, sir, have lost sight in one of those many $10,000 checks written to you, of why you came out and became an activist in the first place. Remember, Lt. Choi? LOVE IS WORTH IT. LOVE is worth cutting a deal to poor college kids in an extremely conservative city who’s only desire is to make headway in their community. LOVE is worth sacrificing money to give my friends and others who are currently serving in silence the hope to remember they are worth it. Love isn’t made by money.

Love isn’t made by your agent, Alec Melman.

Love isn’t tangible when you’re suffocated by greed as you are. Love is constantly flowing through the heart and brain. Love is giving. Love isn’t defined by financial status, color, gender, creed, age or sexual orientation.

Your definition of love is no longer my definition of love. [...]

Best,
Nonnie Ouch
Texas Tech University
Gay-Straight Alliance
President”

Thank you Nonnie for the validity and having the courage to put your name to this letter.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan 8-01-10-

Jerusalem The Israeli LGBT community stood up to counter protesters and threats of Donkey parades as they took to the the streets of Jerusalem moving respectfully through the Holy City. Judaism is generally a tolerant and accepting religion. However right wing and politically motivated Jews in Israel, find opportunity to counter such protests, citing religion.

The Israeli Knesset is well able to distinguish between Torah and Civil law and is one of the few Countries that legally accept Gay and Lesbian couples, with full equality under the law.

In the meantime Orthodox rabbis in the US have come forward and resolved in a written declaration  (Lez Get Real Article) to support inclusion of LGBT Jews in the religious context, noting that acceptance is the way of the Torah and that love for some one of the same sex can indeed be separated from any ACTS that the Torah may hold unlawful.

Hebrew to English translation of chants at Parade :

“LGBT Rights Now” and “All of us will march for our Rights, together without fear!”

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Melanie Nathan – 7-30-2010 -Today may be a good day to do just that!  On Friday, July 30, 1993, peace and civil rights activist David Mixner, who had done more than any other gay person to help elect President Clinton, was arrested in front of the White House along with 26 others, including NOW President Patricia Ireland and gay activists Diane Abbitt, Mel White, and Roberta Bennett, protesting the conversion of the ban against gays in the military into DADT after months of being assured by administration shills such as George Stephanopoulos that the ban would be lifted.

Well, then came DOMA – and where are we now?

17 years later – LGBT rights indeed entered the back door,  – well hallelujah!  However did we forget to open the front?  LGBT rights are domained out at a price -highest price has been at cost to our LGBT CIVIL RIGHTS movement.  The lack-lustre approach to a requisite benchmark – a Universal GOAL.

LGBT rights now  morphed into a  cottage industry, celebrating fundraisers as if victory, as we continue to push along -chug-chug- for piecemeal legislation.

Support for LGBT rights as a Civil Rights Issue has been laid on the table for us, by the Mr. Julian Bond of the NAACP.  The Civil Rights pursuit – means an amendment to The 1964 Civil Rights Act, where we ask for inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity.  Its purely a non-discrimination clause.

While of course gay marriage will follow, and DOMA’s lack of constitutional validity will be more pure than it is now, it indeed takes the issues out of the rights.  In other words, Gay Marriage will no longer be an issue.  The closest we have seen to this idea is the recent promotion of the grass root generated American Equality Bill,  which seeks to Amend to effect such.

I would prefer to see simple language in the Civil Rights Act – similar to that in the South African Constitution. Plain and simple – the right thing to do.

When the Prop 8 judgment comes down soon and it is my feeling that it will favor NO on 8.  That in itself will speak to us as a minority, and albeit State and local, it sets a tone.  A minority lacking rights – we must be included in the Civil Rights Act.  This is different to the  quest for an Equal Protection Amendment, which is justified too for other reasons – because I personally do not view women as a minority.

After sexual orientation et al, finds its fair space in The Civil Rights Act, all will follow organically be it through legislation, the Courts, or even an omnibus such as the American Equality Bill.

Can it be done – well that is up to us. Its not up for critics to weigh up and down.  It IS the front door. Short of the front door, we are bait for marginalization.  It is a benchmark and critical to a unified movement.   trying to estimate its chances at success is completely irrelevant and harms the opportunity for a Dr. MLKesque  Civil Rights approach.

Is setting a benchmark a dramatic leap.  Well, yes and no.  Yes if you think its not possible to attain and no if you believe that man made it to the moon!

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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The active duty survey was the initial explosion; with the shockwaves felt across the LGBT community, particularly with the gays and lesbians in uniform. In very short order, there was quite a bit of heat felt by the Pentagon over the poorly worded, albeit possibly well-intentioned survey. As of this past week, 90% of the military recipients hadn’t responded to the survey. Much like anything radioactive, people prefer to avoid it rather than risk being contaminated by it. As if the lackluster number of responses to the survey isn’t bad enough, there is the chance that the survey has been sent to some government civilians as well. While I cannot prove definitively that civilians received the survey, I know two government civilians by name who said they were invited to take the survey even though they have no current reserve or active duty military affiliation. One of the two has been retired for several years; the other has no military affiliation whatsoever. Whenever you deal with 400,000 of anything, mistakes can happen and DoD is not immune to human or computer errors. However, in a process that is addressing the future livelihood, employment, and well-being of tens of thousands of people in the service of this country, we the taxpayers do expect better than what we have seen so far.

In case you thought the worst was behind us, let’s remember that second blast wave is about to be unleashed and with the potential to cause further damage to anything left standing. In the CRWG process, the Pentagon is not only asking servicemembers for their opinions on repeal of DADT but also the family members. While the final family member survey has not been released, the most recent draft version is no less insulting or inflammatory than the military member survey released earlier this month. In fact, as someone who did not receive the military survey, I take quite a bit of umbrage with family members’ responses carrying more weight than my limited free-text input in the online inbox. While spouses and families are a key component to the success of those in uniform, this family member survey has crossed some serious lines of propriety.

While any survey has its limitations, there are some key shortfalls in this family member survey regarding possible repeal of DADT. First and foremost, the only people able to respond to this survey are those who were or are legally married to a servicemember. Though I know several LGB military personnel with children, their partners by default have no voice in this process. If those partners want a voice, they must use the online inbox (limited to input of up to 1000 characters) or possibly the confidential communications mechanism available at the end of the online inbox. (For reference, a tweet is no more than 140 characters. The online inbox allows comments of approximately 7 tweets in length.)

Beyond the issue of the select pool of respondents, some of the potential questions in the survey and their implications are absolutely revolting. The pinnacle of which deals with what the straight spouse would do if a gay or lesbian servicemember and their partner lived in the same neighborhood in military housing. While I hope the straight spouse would treat them like anyone else in the neighborhood, the other potential responses to that question could clearly allow the homophobes to express their true hate. One of the hallmark arguments about the viability of DADT has been preserving the ‘forced intimacy’ of military life. The questions proposed in this family member survey have little to nothing to do with forced intimacy and have everything to do with quantifying and possibly fueling intolerance towards the LGBT community.

For those I have talked to who completed the military member survey, most of the respondents said they just don’t care about repeal; they don’t see it as an issue. I hope the family members (spouses) that receive the next survey hold the same lackadaisical attitudes; in hindsight, we will wonder why repeal took so long. I am still shocked that spouses even get a vote, particularly when many military members did not get a vote in the first ‘blast-wave’ of this review process. Education and communication with the entire ‘military family’ is required in this process, particularly when repeal happens; however, why the straight spouses get to have their voices heard in a matter that has very little to do with them is beyond me. Straight military spouses have the full rights, benefits and protections our country has to offer; it is the partners and sometimes the children of our gay and lesbian servicemembers who have been serving in silence all these years. If anyone’s voice should be heard, it is theirs.

Melanie Nathan 7-28-10;  Statement of principles issued by rabbis and educators = Torah  calls for acceptance, reports the Israeli news H’aaretz.

Dozens of Orthodox rabbis and educators have signed what they call a “statement of principles” regarding the acceptance of gays and lesbians within the Orthodox community.

The Reform Jewish Movement does not view the religious Laws as referenced below in the same strict sense as the Orthodox Rabbis and hence are unlikely to share the precise viewpoint as expressed in the Statement below. Its is most important for me as a Jewish lesbian, raised in the Orthodox tradition and now practicing according to the Reform tradition to note that with my depth of understanding of the Jewish religion and tradition, I am overwhelmed with joy with much of the conclusions reached in this statement. I am proud of these Rabbis who have have had the courage to come forward and make these statements. (For those who cannot understanding how meaningful this is,  a good analogy would be the US Catholic Bishops coming out with a statement similar to this.

The statement, initially drafted by Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, was prepared over the last months:-

Statement of Principles on the Place of Jews with a Homosexual Orientation in Our Community

We, the undersigned Orthodox rabbis, rashei yeshiva, ramim, Jewish educators and communal leaders affirm the following principles with regard to the place of Jews with a homosexual orientation in our community:

1. All human beings are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect (kevod haberiyot). Every Jew is obligated to fulfill the entire range of mitzvot between person and person in relation to persons who are homosexual or have feelings of same sex attraction. Embarrassing, harassing or demeaning someone with a homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction is a violation of Torah prohibitions that embody the deepest values of Judaism.

2. The question of whether sexual orientation is primarily genetic, or rather environmentally generated, is irrelevant to our obligation to treat human beings with same-sex attractions and orientations with dignity and respect.

3. Halakhah (meaning Jewish Law from Torah)  sees heterosexual marriage as the ideal model and sole legitimate outlet for human sexual expression. The sensitivity and understanding we properly express for human beings with other sexual orientations does not diminish our commitment to that principle.

4. Halakhic Judaism views all male and female same-sex sexual interactions as prohibited. The question of whether sexual orientation is primarily genetic, or rather environmentally generated, is irrelevant to this prohibition. While halakha categorizes various homosexual acts with different degrees of severity and opprobrium, including toeivah, this does not in any way imply that lesser acts are permitted.  But it is critical to emphasize that halakha only prohibits homosexual acts; it does not prohibit orientation or feelings of same-sex attraction, and nothing in the Torah devalues the human beings who struggle with them. (We do not here address the issue of hirhurei aveirah, a halakhic category that goes beyond mere feelings and applies to all forms of sexuality and requires precise halakhic definition.)

5. Whatever the origin or cause of homosexual orientation, many individuals believe that for most people this orientation cannot be changed. Others believe that for most people it is a matter of free will. Similarly, while some mental health professionals and rabbis in the community strongly believe in the efficacy of “change therapies”, most of the mental health community, many rabbis, and most people with a homosexual orientation feel that some of these therapies are either ineffective or potentially damaging psychologically for many patients.

We affirm the religious right of those with a homosexual orientation to reject
therapeutic approaches they reasonably see as useless or dangerous.

6. Jews with a homosexual orientation who live in the Orthodox community confront serious emotional, communal and psychological challenges that cause them and their families great pain and suffering. For example, homosexual orientation may greatly increase the risk of suicide among teenagers in our community. Rabbis and communities need to be sensitive and empathetic to that reality. Rabbis and mental health professionals must provide responsible and ethical assistance to congregants and clients dealing with those human challenges.

7. Jews struggling to live their lives in accordance with halakhic values need and deserve our support. Accordingly, we believe that the decision as to whether to be open about one’s sexual orientation should be left to such individuals, who should consider their own needs and those of the community. We are opposed on ethical and moral grounds to both the “outing” of individuals who want to remain private and to coercing those who desire to be open about their orientation to keep it hidden.

8. Accordingly, Jews with homosexual orientations or same sex-attractions should be welcomed as full members of the synagogue and school community. As appropriate with regard to gender and lineage, they should participate and count ritually, be eligible for ritual synagogue honors, and generally be treated in the same fashion and under the same halakhic and hashkafic framework as any other member of the synagogue they join. Conversely, they must accept and fulfill all the responsibilities of such membership, including those generated by communal norms or broad Jewish principles that go beyond formal halakhah.

We do not here address what synagogues should do about accepting members
who are openly practicing homosexuals and/or living with a same-sex partner.
Each synagogue together with its rabbi must establish its own standard with
regard to membership for open violators of halakha.
Those standards should be applied fairly and objectively.

9. Halakha articulates very exacting criteria and standards of eligibility for particular religious offices, such as officially appointed cantor during the year or baal tefillah on the High Holidays. Among the most important of those criteria is that the entire congregation must be fully comfortable with having that person serve as its representative. This legitimately prevents even the most admirable individuals, who are otherwise perfectly fit halakhically, from serving in those roles. It is the responsibility of the lay and rabbinic leadership in each individual community to determine eligibility for those offices in line with those principles, the importance of maintaining communal harmony, and the unique context of its community culture.

10. Jews with a homosexual orientation or same sex attraction, even if they engage in same sex interactions, should be encouraged to fulfill mitzvot to the best of their ability. All Jews are challenged to fulfill mitzvot to the best of their ability, and the attitude of “all or nothing” was not the traditional approach adopted by the majority of halakhic thinkers and poskim throughout the ages.

11. Halakhic Judaism cannot give its blessing and imprimatur to Jewish religious
same-sex commitment ceremonies and weddings, and halakhic values proscribe individuals and communities from encouraging practices that grant religious legitimacy to gay marriage and couple-hood. But communities should display sensitivity, acceptance and full embrace of the adopted or biological children of homosexually active Jews in the synagogue and school setting, and we encourage parents and family of homosexually partnered Jews to make every effort to maintain harmonious family relations and connections.

12. Jews who have an exclusively homosexual orientation should, under most circumstances, not be encouraged to marry someone of the other gender, as
this can lead to great tragedy, unrequited love, shame, dishonesty and ruined
lives. They should be directed to contribute to Jewish and general society in
other meaningful ways. Any such person who is planning to marry someone of
the opposite gender is halakhically (legally)  and ethically required to fully inform their
potential spouse of their sexual orientation.

We hope and pray that by sharing these thoughts we will help the Orthodox community to fully live out its commitment to the principles and values of  Torah and Halakha as practiced and cherished by the children of Abraham, who our sages teach us are recognized by the qualities of being rahamanim (merciful), bayshanim (modest), and gomelei hasadim
engaging in acts of loving-kindness).

(as of 7/26/10)
Rabbi Yosef Adler  Rabbi Howard Alpert Rabbi Joshua Amaru Rabbi Elisha Anscelovits Rabbi Hayyim Angel, Rabbi Marc Angel, Rabbi Maurice Appelbaum, Mrs. Nechama Goldman Barash
Rabbi Avi Baumol, Rabbi Benjamin Berger, Rabbi Dr. Shalom Berger, Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman
Rabbi Scot Berman, Rabbi Todd Berman, Rabbi Yonah Berman, Rabbi Kenneth Birnbaum
Dr. David Bernstein, Rabbi David Bigman,Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, Rabbi Nasanayl Braun,Dr. Erica Brown, Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Rabbi Dr. Michael Chernick,Dr. Aubie Diamond, Ms. Yael Diamond, Rabbi Mark Dratch, Rabbi Ira Ebbin, Rabbi Rafi Eis,Mrs. Atara Eis,Mrs. Elana Sober Elzufon Rabbi Yitzhak Etshalom Rabbi Dr. Shaul (Seth) Farber Ms. Rachel Feingold Rabbi Yoel Finkelman Rabbi Elli Fischer Rabbi Mordy Friedman Rabbi Jeffrey Fox Rabbi Aaron Frank
Rabbi Aharon Frazier Rabbi Avidan Freedman Rabbi Barry Gelman Rabbi Shmuel Goldin
Ms. Anne Gordon Rabbi Mark Gottlieb Rabbi Uri Goldstein Rabbi Benjamin Greenberg Mrs. Sharon Weiss-Greenberg Rabbi Zvi Grumet Rabbi Dr. Charles Grysman Mrs. Lori Grysman
Rabbi Alan Haber Dr. Aviad Hacohen Rabbi Tully Harcsztark Rabbi Benjamin Hecht Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot Rabbi Jason Herman Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld Rabbi Josh Hess Rabbi Fred Hyman Rabbi Eytan Kadden Dr. Daniel Kahn Rabbi Moshe Kahn Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz Rabbi Jay Kellman Rabbi Aryeh KlapperDr. Yosef Kleiner Mrs. Judy Klitsner Rabbi Shmuel Klitsner Rabbi Jeff KobrinDr. Aaron Koller Rabbi Barry Kornblau Dr. Meesh Hammer Kossoy Rabbi Binny Krauss Mrs. Esther Krauss Rabbi Dr. Benny Lau Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz Rabbi Zvi Leshem Rabbi Daniel Levitt Rabbi Norman Linzer Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin Rabbi Dr. Haskel Lookstein Rabbi Asher Lopatin Ms. Adina Lubar Rabbi Chaim Marder Rabbi Joshua MaroofRabbi Dr. Adam Mintz Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern
Rabbi Dr. Yaacov Nagen (Genack) Mrs. C.B. Neugroschl Rabbi Itiel Oron Rabbi Ephraim Osgood Rabbi Yossi Pollak Ms. Ellisa Prince Dr. Caroline Pyser Rabbi Daniel Reifman
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Rabbi Avi Robinson Rabbi Chaim Sacknovitz Rabbi Noam Shapiro
Rabbi Yehuda Seif Rabbi Murray Schaum Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger Rabbi Adam Schier
Ms. Lisa Schlaff Rabbi Yehuda Septimus Dr. Shai Secunda Dr. Moshe (Simon)Shoshan Rabbi Yair Silverman Rabbi Sydney Slivko Rabbi Jeremy Stavitsky Rabbi Adam Starr Rabbi Chaim Strauchler Rabbi Yehuda Sussman Dr. Harvey Taub Dr. Mark Teplitsky Rabbi Joel Tessler
Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rabbi Jacob Traub Rabbi Zach Truboff Mrs. Dara Unterberg
Rabbi Michael Unterberg Rabbi Dr. Avie Walfish Dr. Dina Weiner Rabbi Ezra Weiner
Ms. Sara Weinerman Rabbi Ari Weiss Rabbi David Wolkenfeld Rabbi Elie Weinstock Rabbi Neil Winkler Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz Rabbi Alan Yuter Rabbi Josh Yuter Dr. Yael Ziegler Rabbi Dr. Stuart Zweite

And while Jewish law cannot “give its blessing and imprimatur to Jewish religious same-sex commitment ceremonies and weddings,” their communities should “display sensitivity, acceptance and full embrace of the adopted or biological children of homosexually active Jews in the synagogue and school setting,” the statement said.

Fortunately many of us gay and lesbian Jews have been married by our Reform Rabbis under the Chupah and we have beautiful ketubahs (religious contract)  to prove it.

By Melanie Nathan © Photo 2, and 3.
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan 7-28-2010-   Congressman Mike Honda informed Bi-national couples tonight that President Obama had stated he would rather be a one term president than fail to pass Immigration reform and Health Care Reform. That is all I truly got out of listening to a teleconference call held tonight.

The comment occurred in a teleconference call showcased by Immigration Equality, which included other  Speakers Karen Narasaki of the Asian American Justice Center, Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), Bishop Minerva Carcaño, and families impacted by our broken immigration system.

Having listened to the call I was left with impression  that the call was more about immigration reform (on the part of the featured speakers) than about immigration equality.

Congressman Honda was unable to answer specific question pertaining to what a couple in exile could do to help push UAFA forward.  It seemed that the congressman’s recommendation would be detrimental to some couples in same-sex relationships who are living in exile. He suggested that exiled partners go to their Embassy and ask to get reunification help. While this may work in hfamilial circumstances it is extremely dangerous advice to exiled same-sex partners.  I can only say that Rep. Honda has not been well briefed nor fully informed on the plight of bi-national same-sex couples and its extensive ramifications.  It seemed he was slotting same-sex couples into the same bundle of other familial circumstances or he was talking about one and not the other.

Immigration equality ought to advise on the comment and make sure the community understands what applies to which community. it was very confusing to me and I have some experience on the issues.

The basic and obvious purpose of the call – was that we MUST pitch our member of Congress during August recess. However the question remains whether UAFA will ever really be included in CIR.  I have yet to see an amendment by Rep Gutierrez who failed to include LGBT in his House Reform Bill  but has now said we should never be excluded from reform. I heard nothing new about strategy and we still have no more than a framework by Chuck Schumer, et al.

Visit Out4Immigration.org site for information  on how to be a true grass root activist.

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan July 27-2010 - The article (1)I wrote asking Dan Choi for answers about his discharge from the Military and motivations was completely ignored by Dan.  He has yet to answer my very direct questions.  In the meantime Dan Choi, DADT Veteran, who left the army a year ago to join the National Guard and then discharged under DADT a month ago, has continued to up the ante.   Certainly that would seem to be the case as far as DADT activism is concerned – Giving Senator Reid his West Point Ring and negotiating deals around its return-certainly speaks to Reid’s re-election bid with LGBT support and the Repeal of DADT as the quid pro quo oh and of course the Ring as collateral.

However as long as questions in articles remain unanswered by the one to whom they are addressed, there is a tendency for the populace to become impatient, questioning, doubting and so the tips start to roll in from unnamed sources and a behind the scene confidential brew fest results in acquiescence reminiscent of drunken courage, resulting in the very answers the article sought in the first place.

One of many sources who asked to remain anonymous, has informed Lez Get Real “I know for a fact that what you are saying about Lt. Choi is true and factual. He spoke at Texas A & M. Lt. Choi was one of my biggest inspirations because I too am a US Veteran, and I am gay too. I have since also questioned his motives tremendously, and lost a lot of respect for him as a person, and as a soldier and activist.

He required Texas A & M to pay him $7500 and then tacked on an additional $2300 for travel expenses. He also required that they fly him first class. His agent is also a miserable human being.  Since this was done through a school I’m sure there are records of it.

Although I respect Lt. Choi for the things he has done and continues to do for DADT, I question his motives. And honestly, an apology at this point will suffice. But I’m not a big fan of gossip or smearing anyone’s name. However, I do believe that the truth should be out there, and I thank you for having the courage to put it out there.”

Dan has had ample opportunity to answer questions over some time now posed by Lezgetreal and to come on the record – an interview – whatever! Yet he has failed to come forward.  Instead he continues to forage for publicity, like the Ring deal mentioned above. Publicity is okay if it is purely about DADT. But my question is does he take his risks and jump on stages, hunger strike for a few days and tie himself to the White House to up his price?  Or does he do it all purely for the repeal of DADT.  If  some believe that the Choi antics in fact do not serve DADT well, then there is a perceived conflict of interests;  is that detrimental to our cause? Money vs. Cause? That could certainly be the case, unless we can be convinced otherwise.

The nature of his behavior is what impacts and ups his price on the speaker circuit, whether motivated by such or not; some of the antics may not be good for DADT repeal.  My assertion is that if one does not have pure motives while being an activist, hampered by publicity stunts that serve to raise one’s price,  and get one from  coach to first class, points to a serious conflict of interests, unless the boundaries are very clear and then not crossed.  In this instance Dan’s silence has created doubt as to whether there are any boundaries at all.

To add insult to injury, I recently, reviewed a speech given by Dan Choi at Harvard where he criticized organizations using the movement and the suffering of others to make money.  All the while charging the likes of $7-10K himself or certainly poised to head that way very soon thereafter.

As another source said:  “I believe in his actions, his civil disobedience, and everything he’s done for the movement, however this calls into question the motives behind it – when he has an agent – and then charges college students obscene amounts of money to come and speak.  It sickens me that he got up on stage and said all of that while meanwhile he’s making almost 10K just to be there! “

To all those who have come out in support of my first Article,  and the bravery of the other LGR writers who have tackled this question, thanks for the validation.  Bridgette LaVatoire and Dr. Paula Brooks, have taken great risks at whatever cost, to try and keep readers well informed.

We have gone to great risk of alienation to get truth out and will continue to do so. I completely understand and respect those of you who have expressed confusion and thank those of you have spoken to me about what you know to be the truth.

I am sure Dan Choi is afraid to interview with Lezgetreal as we are now perceived as his greatest critic.  Should he choose another forum to answer these questions he may decide to do so on another BLOG or perhaps even in a paid forum – however I assert a soft interview will never replace the follow up questions that we at LGR will have.

• (1) Dan Choi Discharge Raises Questions about Activism for Profit (lezgetreal.com)

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

From a pale hotel room in Cambodia, they tell their story.  From a low-rent apartment in San Diego, they tell their story.  From a couch in East Berlin, they tell their story.  It turns out that they aren’t so average after all. They are gay, yes, but unlike most couples, their life together is threatened because they are from two different countries. Tony is American and Thomas is German. As a gay couple, they are excluded from immigration rights in the US. And in this exclusionary law, their story begins.

They met and fell in love in 1993.  After a year and a half traveling through Africa and the Middle East together, their lives were joined.  Permanent.  Committed.  Both in their early twenties, they couldn’t imagine that equal rights for American gay men and lesbian women would be too long in coming.  So, they started stringing together temporary solutions to their immigration problem.

First, a student visa.  Thomas gave up his career in banking in Germany, and settled into a new life as a Community College student in San Diego.  To stretch out his time on the visa, he took class, after class, after class.  Seven long semesters, making a round-about path to an AA.  He was proud to graduate as Valedictorian when he finished his Associate’s Degree.  But that meant his time was up.

In the meantime, they have tried every possible avenue to allow Thomas to stay in the US legally.  They formed a gay and lesbian political organization to fight for rights for bi-national couples.  They tried to find a sponsor for a work visa for Thomas.  They entered Thomas in the Green Card lottery every single year. Sitting in their tiny apartment in San Diego in 2002, Tony and Thomas tell us about all of these failed efforts.

One thing they don’t tell us about is when, out of desperation, they considered a fraudulent marriage to a woman.  It is Laurelle, their long-time friend, who tells us about this.  She shares her willingness to marry Thomas, her devotion to her dear friends, to do anything to keep them in the country.  But the risks are great.  More daunting than facing prison, deportation, and enormous fines, if Thomas married Laurelle, they would all three have to live a lie.  Briefly, for a fleeting few weeks, these risks seemed like they might be worth it.  In the end, it is Tony who says no.

So, Tony and Thomas embark on their next strategy for staying together: moving to Germany.  But before they go, they have to say goodbye to their life in California.   Tony’s mom Freda and step-dad Ken are heartbroken.  But brave. We meet them in their living room and they tell us their story.  They too are a bi-national couple.

Torn from their family in California and battling to come home, they can only wait outside its borders, hoping for equal rights to be granted.  Now, at age 40, they live their lives as nomads, perpetually traveling the world.  They have little left but the road.  And an angry kind of hope. Follow their 16-year journey of immigration struggle and exclusion.

A Film chronicles this horrendous inequity and the journey of this couple; Directed by Prof. Lisa M Nunn, PhD Director/Producer of “Excluded” Professor of Sociology, University of San Diego. In a comment to lez Get real Professor Nunn said, “I am glad to hear that you think the movie might be a useful tool for education and advocacy.  Please do keep in touch. I know how much it means to Tony and Thomas to hear from people who truly understand their difficult situation.  Thanks for your encouraging words. ”

Watch the movie online for free at:  www.excludedthemovie.com
and follow Tony and Thomas on their travel blog as they roam the world:  www.contemporarynomad.com/blog

Per Melanie:

PLEASE Ask Congress and Obama to support UAFA  (The Uniting American Families Act) as a stand alone BILL in this small window of opportunity.  It is time to show why RELYING on being included in CIR is tenuous to say the least. There is plenty of evidence at this TIME to prove this…. Also please how about a special VISA -? See my Petition and SIGN. (Change.org – Melanie Nathan Special Bi-national Visa Petition)

By, Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Two of The Young Israeli Youth Impacted by Last Years Attack

Melanie Nathan – 7-27-2010 - A march will be held Saturday night in Tel Aviv  (July 31^st) to mark the one-year anniversary of a shooting attack in a Tel Aviv gay youth center that left two dead and 13 injured.

The march will start at the corner of Rothschild and Nahmani streets (near the youth center ) and end at Gan Meir, where a rally will be held with the families of the victims, Nir Katz 26, and Liz Trobishi, 16, the injured and members and counselors of the gay youth center.

Reposted from Haretz (Noah Kasharek)  - Ayala Katz, the mother of Nir Katz, who was a counselor at the center, and chairwoman of Tehila, a support group of parents of members of the gay and transgender community, will speak at the rally.

Next month a delegation of youth injured in the shooting will join Tel Aviv municipality officials and possibly Israeli police officials in Berlin to meet with representatives of Maneo, a group that provides support for gay and bisexual men who have been victims of violence, members of the Berlin police, German members of parliament and officials in the Berlin municipality.

The visit is sponsored by Maneo and is taking place in cooperation with the Tel Aviv municipality’s gay center.

Adir Steiner, Tel Aviv municipality’s coordinator of activities for the gay community, says the purpose of the trip is to learn the Berlin model for preventing and dealing with anti-gay violence.

The Berlin model has been adopted by other European cities, like Barcelona, Steiner told Haaretz. It is based on cooperation between Maneo and the authorities, particularly the police, which has two liaison officers to the gay community to deal with homophobic crimes, he said.

Steiner said if the model is adopted in Israel, Hoshen, a group working to change stereotypes about homosexuality and bisexuality and that trains professionals in matters pertaining to the LGBT community, would take the role of Maneo.

“Perhaps if we had started the project a few years ago, we would have documented manifestations of homophobia by the killer, who has not yet been caught, in cooperation with the police, and we might have identified him before the murder. Homophobia, like all hatred, begins small,” Steiner said.

The chief of the Berlin police has reportedly invited Israeli police officers to take part in the delegation, particularly the Tel Aviv district youth officer. The Israel Police said they have not yet received an official invitation.

Next Weekend I will Post my Exclusive Interview with the two Youth Above – to Honor the Victims of the Attack.   Please revisit LGR for this.  B’Shalom… Melanie Nathan

NOTE The Shooter has not been found by Israeli Authorities.

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In a piece done for the Washington Post, Joseph M. Palacios stated

“These two dynamics illustrate the new face of Latino Catholicism in California. According to the Pew Forum an estimated 31% of California’s population is Catholic. And of that between 40-50% is Latino. This Latino trend helps pull Catholic social attitudes, already more liberal than Protestants, towards greater support of gay rights.”

He concludes with this point:

“Recently same-sex marriage and adoption rights were legally approved in the Catholic countries of Argentina, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Mexico City. It is important to note that modern Latin Catholicism has a dual nature: it is ‘conservative’ in the sense of family communalism and tradition that the church offers, yet it is classically ‘liberal’ in the sense of not wanting the Catholic Church to have power in political life– particularly after the long historical experience of the Latin American Church ‘meddling in politics.’”

Latin American culture is heavily influenced by the family, but it is also very strongly opposed to the Catholic Church telling the government what to do. There is too much of a history of the Church supporting dictators.  The Catholic Bishops are at odds with their own flock.  Melanie Nathan who works closely with issues related to the UAFA stated “the Catholic Bishops are, ironically, still pressuring Congressional representatives to not include gays in comprehensive immigration reform. They have gone on the record in the Committee Hearings on opposing the inclusion of the LGBT community. it is a pity that the hierarchy does not check in with their people. It will only serve to alienate many more Catholics who want to live in a modern world, with freedom and equality for all.”  For more on the issue of UAFA, please see here.

The rest of it Palacios’ article is worth a read. It can be read here.

Curve Magazine has recently announced by way of Facebook that without financial assistance from the public, they may not make it to its 21st anniversary issue. As unfortunate as that is, my check won’t be in the mail.

Curve Magazine has prompted an eye roll from me for many years. Every time I come across that magazine, I open it up to see if my ongoing criticism of there not being any women of color in it are still true. Each time I checked, I put the magazine down with another eye roll because true to form, there weren’t. My queer women of color music festival, Serafemme, got a passing mention in 2008 because 7 time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Natalie Stewart performed; however, celebrity has often been Curve’s criteria for women of color getting so much as a passing mention and any qwoc affilitations she had got print by riding her coattail so to speak.

I understand that people by nature gravitate towards anything that shares the same characteristics they do so I don’t have a problem with the fact that Curve is a predominately white magazine. I don’t need for my media to be 100% of color to support it but even in reviewing their website – www.curvemag.com – there are very few of-color mentions on a site with over 50 pages – one article on why African-American women find it difficult to come out, a picture before the forums section of a woman who looks a bit Asian and a picture of the Slits which includes one African American member. I don’t count the two Black Pride event listings because those are user-submitted events that the magazine had nothing to do with promoting.

As someone who is committed to highlighting and protecting bisexual and lesbian-safe spaces, I should be “fighting the good fight” for Curve,I suppose. I should be blogging about their plight and encouraging others to contribute. I guess that would be the thing to do if all that mattered to me was that they were lesbian-oriented but I’m not that superficial. I support anything that is lesbian-oriented and inclusive. Curve is not. In fact, Curve supports my criticism that not enough media that outreaches to the queer of color community and I count Curve as one of the reasons why I felt compelled to start my own magazine last year.

It’s important to note, I’m not happy about Curve’s financial woes. In the grand scheme of things, a lesbian magazine is necessary and needed in order to inform, educate and empower women who have such little media directed to them as it is, I only wish Curve would have realized that that was true for me as a Black woman as well. I will not be making a contribution because Curve didn’t make enough contribution to me or the of-color community as a whole. I wish them well but any help they get will not come from me. Should they pull through and continue with the magazine, I hope they do it with a new mindset – one that highlights every racial spectrum of our gay rainbow. In doing that, they will find an explosion of provocative content, people and events to highlight and they’d find me as one of their biggest supports.

Reprinted on Lez Get Real with permission from Marquita Thomas © 2010.

http://marquitathomas.com/2010/07/curve-magazine-needs-help-but-im-not-lifting-a-finger/

Posted as Guest of:
Lez Get Real
by Melanie Nathan.

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Mel Nathan (plus 20lbs) , Dan Choi, Shirley Tan June/2009

I am no military woman, and never have been, but I have been an activist in the LGBT community for a while now. Like many others who become activists, I became one as a result of my personal experiences as a lesbian and a wife after actions by my government affected the life of my family in an adverse way just because I was a lesbian.

So I’ll admit right off, my reasons for becoming an activist were very selfish; I became an activist because I was fighting for the very life of my family.

As many of you also know, I am also a writer and editor with Lezgtreal.com. However the reporting on the issues surrounding the repeal of DADT on LGR, is not my beat so to speak and there are others on the site who have a far greater understanding of those issues and from a more personal experience then I do. One of them is LGR’s publisher, Dr. Paula Brooks and another is LGR political editor Bridgette LaVatoire.

Paula’s perspective on DADT comes from that of the daughter of a multi-generational military family and her passion about repealing DADT is fueled by the unjust career of her same-sex wife, a former member of the US Navy, a hero who had served bravely as a fighter pilot, who quit the service over DADT. Paula’s perspective may well be a concomitant of her memories of her wife, who, weak and dying, a mere three weeks before passing away from cancer, insisted Paula drive her the 100 plus miles to speak to her Congress Person about repealing DADT; one final time, long before DADT repeal became a cause-celeb. When it comes to matters concerning DADT she is passionate, formidable and I have always been impressed.

I have also been very impressed by the activism of Lt Dan Choi, and have personally been a fan of his since he first ‘outed’ himself on the Rachel Maddow show about a year ago, and then fought for the DADT repeal cause.

I met Dan a year ago at SF Pride when we were both backstage at the event and I felt an immediate connection. Here was this like-minded kindred soul who had given up so much, the way I had done, to follow the promise we had made to ourselves in our fight for equality. For me the passion to change the inequality for others, considering myself still lucky in my iniquitous mess, was a vow that I could not break, at whatever cost and for no reward other than equality for all. I thought I saw that same thing in Dan as well.

However over the past couple of days, I have read the reports surrounding the discharge of Lt. Dan Choi.

Yesterday, I read the article, “Lt. Dan Choi Discharged- Why Won’t He Admit It?” In that article, Dan was asked to explain why he had not made his June 29th discharge public for nearly a month.

After reading the piece, it seemed rather odd to me that a month had gone by and Dan had not made his discharge public. I too thought, for the man who has become the face of DADT repeal, letting people know about an event like his discharge under DADT should have been a pretty important event to Dan as well. As an activist why did he not immediately inform the LGBT community, all who have invested in his journey and had eyes on his every move.

So while not my beat, I began to look for my own answers. I first asked Dr. Brooks what was up with all of this?

She told me she thought, in her opinion, Choi had probably turned “pro” and the reason for not saying anything about the discharge might stem from the fact the uniform was a pretty good prop and to wear the uniform after you are discharged, is a federal crime. She also told me she has been trying to get him to clear up some questions she had about financial issues for better then a month.

Later I found out that Dan Choi has an agent. (Gotham Artists).

This led me to question why an agent? Activists put the cause first – they struggle financially, are able to fund their own activism or are openly paid via non-profits with Board responsibility at their helm; they don’t need agents.  And they do not make deals for their activism that involve making money.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying that people should not get support for expenses in their activism, however I never ever dreamed I would need an Agent for my activism or for the speaking engagements I have done freely around the issues I speak about.

Agents do not work for free, they are in business to earn commissions. Now while I am barely known in comparison to Dan, I could not imagine ever offering 10 percent of my equality fight, in dollars, to anyone.

Later, as I looked even further into this story, an LGBT student at Texas Tech University told me that when the school had asked for Choi to be a speaker, they were told by Choi’s agent, they needed to be paid 7000 dollars up front to get him there. When they could not come up with the money, Choi apparently refused to speak.
So far I’ve not been able to confirm this, but if this is true, as a fellow activist, I feel that all the good of bringing attention to DADT and its repeal to the public attention should not have this kind of quid pro quo attached to it.

I also have to think, that if this is true, it takes Dan Choi out of the realm of pure activist, could this mean he has taken himself down the road of profit maker for activism?  If he is charging to be a motivational speaker, he must  come clean to the community and separate his DADT activities from his speaking career quest.  He owes us that!  But would that serve a profit making quest?

I am disturbed by these possible developments and would like to invite Dan to show some accountability to our community.

I have taken huge financial hit for my activism- call me stupid – and I have suffered the consequences in many ways, too embarrassing to describe. I have not charged a cent to anyone who has asked me to provide personal advocacy services, because to my way of thinking I am being an activist when I approach a Senator for a private Bill or a Congressman for the release of a detainee.

Hence as a known fellow activist for LGBT rights, I feel qualified to ask Dan these questions on behalf of our community. I hope he gets back to all of us with the answers.

I Ask – Why Did Choi  reveal his Discharge on the Maddow Show a month after it happened?   Why did Dan Choi wait a month to tell us he had been discharged? Why did the activism and arrest in Vegas continue while we did not know he had been discharged?  Look at all the Choi news since June 29th – Look at Choi’s website – No dates when he tells of discharge? It is ODD!  What about GetEqual – did they know?  Where is the Press release?  If it was kept quiet for so long, why?  Was it about the money? Is there something else we do not know? Are these manouevers designed to get Choi a higher asking price?

UPDATE :   Ten minutes after posting, – A reader has just confirmed one of the questions by referring me to this site:-  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wakeupamerica2010/2010/07/04/what-does-equality-mean-to-you

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan   7-17-10

A Michigan-based gay rights foundation has given more than $400,000 to a California seminary to help craft formal liturgies for the Episcopal Church to bless gay and lesbian relationships, reports Kevin Eckstrom from Beliefnet, an online spirituality focused blog.

“The Episcopal Church still officially considers marriage between a man and a woman, reflected in the marriage rite of its Book of Common Prayer. Many dioceses, however, unofficially allow priests to bless same-sex relationships and even marriages.

Because the church puts a high value on scripted liturgies, many same-sex couples want their own marriage/blessing rite since many bishops are reluctant to use the traditional husband-wife marriage liturgy for same-sex unions.”

Again it would seem while this overtly sounds like a blessing – it reflects the classic marginalization to which we have all become accustomed – but then of course we must yield to the right of any Spiritual organization or religious group to its autonomy and freedoms of expression.  It becomes a matter of personal belief and is up to the individual to make their own decisions – for many this may well be a welcome opportunity to be blessed in the church that may otherwise have shunned them completely.

To my way of thinking if we had full equality in the US and around the World – perhaps the religions would evolve accordingly – you  evolutionary interpretation – hit a chord?

By Melanie Nathan.
Going to the Beach in Northern California today….. brrrrrrrrr
Going to the City Tonight – San Francisco – covering Nightlife!

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Melanie Nathan 7-16-10

UAFA Supportive Resolution On  Wilton Manors Council Agenda for Agenda for July 27 – 2010

The City of Wilton Manors is approximately two square miles in area and is located in Broward County, Florida, just north of downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Wilton Manors is often referred to as the “Island City” because its boundaries primarily follow the North and South Forks of the Middle River. Ideally located within minutes of the beach and downtown Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors is quickly becoming the “place to be” in South Florida.

The City is nearly 100% built-out and embraces the vision of a “sustainable urban village.”   But what use would such be without recognizing that every American has an equal right to live in happiness with the person of their choice, whether of the same gender or not!

A UAFA Activist and Florida resident approached the Mayor of the small town, Mayor Gary Resnick, and told him that he had been prevented from living in this this gorgeous town with the love of his life because the federal government would not allow him to sponsor his beloved for a green card, they were of the same-sex.

Unfortunately the resident, Ken, lost his relationship because the couple was unable to sustain the distance for, inter alia, financial and medical reasons.

But this did not stop the American bi-national from becoming his own force in the fight for all the other binational same-sex couples.  He approached the Mayor and today I received this message:

Hi Mel,

I have been after Wilton Manors  to pass this UAFA resolution. I am so happy. This is what I got from the Mayor today. This makes my weekend !

Thank you for all you do!

“Hi Ken

Thank you for your message. Our resolution supporting this Bill will be on our July 27, agenda. If you like, you could come to the Commission Meeting, 7 pm, and in the hearing from the public portion, voice your support for this Bill and I’ll be happy to recognize you. Thanks again.

Gary Resnick
Mayor”

The website for the town asserts  “Diversity is the strength of Wilton Manors.  Children from many different ethnic backgrounds attend Wilton Manors Elementary School; the City’s Police Department employs African-American, Haitian, and Hispanic officers; and the City Commission includes openly gay elected officials.  Wilton Manors is ideally located, poised for redevelopment, and encourages diversity.  Come and join us in the “Island City” and be a part of a diverse “sustainable urban village”.

So thank you Mr. Mayor Gary Resnick – we trust that your Council will support the resolution for the passage by the Federal Government of The Uniting American Families Act and / or its inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration reform, that which impacts one of the most pervasive forms of inequality in the United States of America and hence your beautiful town – which one day I hope to visit.

A native of New Jersey, Mayor Gary Resnick was first elected to the City Commission in March 1998. In March 2000, the City Commission unanimously selected him as Vice Mayor. Gary was re-elected to the Commission in March 2002 and in March 2006, prior to being elected Mayor in November 2008.  Mayor Resnick graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics and received his Juris Doctor with honors from Rutgers University School of Law .

By Melanie Nathan
otherwise known as Mel
nathan@privatecourts.com

follow Mel on twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Note:  If you are interested in approaching our Town for a Supportive resolution contact Amos Lim at www.Out4Immigration.org

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07/15/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

The arguments around “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” have gotten more heated than ever, with questions from a Military survey being leaked to the public. In the survey, the Military basically acknowledges they are considering a “separate but equal” approach to LGBT servicemembers and is considering placing them in separate barracks and troops.

This wedding dress giveaway is so hetero-oriented that it drives home the point that the Military doesn’t want LGBT servicemembers and doesn’t recognize unions of LGBT couples as valid or worth celebrating. Which basically holds in line with Military policy on gays. If you are a straight bride and need a dress, head to http://bridesacrossamerica.com/ to see where you can find a participating store near you. Good luck with your wedding and please think about marriage equality while you are picking up your dress.

Watch the clip below:

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07/15/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

In a clip that is making it’s way around “the internets” Bill O’Reilly and his busty blonde FOX News cohorts are sputtering with rage! Nothing new, I know. This time the targets of their rage are rogue pockets of liberals tucked away in Montana are daring to suggest that schools should give young children proper sex-education classes. Specifically, telling kindergartners that gay people exist and that tolerance and acceptance of those who are different from you is the right way to go.

Naturally, the people good ol’ Billy meant to offend were the gays. The people I think should be offended? Everyone in the State of Montana. Lets take a look at some of the quotes from the clip, shall we?

“Any clear thinking people would say that children should not be interruped in their childhood with the idea that people have sex differently. I think 99% of my audience agrees with that.” – Bill O’Reilly

Oh Bill, Billy, Billy, bahbill, bill bill…of course everyone agree with THAT. However, telling a child that a woman can choose to have a wife or a husband isn’t going to enlighten the child on any type of sexual behavior. Do you think the teachers in Montana are going to show clips from queer porn to get their point across? Of course he does! Because he has a very low opinion of anyone from Montana.

 ”Montana? I don’t get it…Montana?” … “Traditional, rural, people.” – Bill O’Rielly

Did he just call them hillbillies? Like banjo playing inbred people from Deliverance? Or like people who aren’t gay, don’t enjoy sex and will never enjoy sex and are completely uneducated and unaware of the world around them? He sure did! Basically if you live in a rural area, you don’t know what gay is. Not buying my argument? Fine, it gets worse:

“Education attracts liberal minded people, this stuff comes from the school board the reason is they don’t want bullying they want tolerance across the board.” - Bill O’Rielly

How dare those crazy, deranged liberal Montana educators want TOLERANCE? HOW DARE THEY! THAT GOES AGAINST THEIR RURAL VALUES. Sorry Bill, but I was never aware that being from Montana or the mid-west precluded someone from being a good person and tolerating others. Those whiny Montana liberals and their desire for peace and loving ones neighbor!

“Then all of a sudden it’s Heather has two mommies or Gary has 18 daddies…” – Bill O’Rielly

Okay, now the gays can go back to being insulted.

Watch the clip below for all the hatemongering you can stand!

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A report by    Lauren Boyer on http://www.centredaily.com/2010/07/13/2089897/council-debates-immigration-act.html reports:-

“At Monday night’s meeting, Councilman Tom Daubert questioned the resolution, authored by Councilman Peter Morris, which asserts that the borough “celebrates and respects all immigrant groups and all families.”

“I do not celebrate and respect illegal immigrants,” Daubert said.

Councilwoman Theresa Lafer told Daubert the wording implies respect for all cultures and nationalities.

“I don’t think there’s any particular group you would like to send home,” Lafer told Daubert. “I think there’s hairsplitting there that’s beyond what it meant.”

In other business, the conversation drifted from crossing national borders to cutting through borough alleys.

Council unanimously approved the vacation of Birch Alley between B and C alleys, which abuts the Towers condominium building, developed by former Penn State trustee Mimi Barash Coppersmith.

Coppersmith asked solicitor Terry Williams if the vacation gives the condominium association the right to barricade the alley so commuters don’t use it as a detour from downtown traffic.

“If you go and see it, you’ll see the tire marks and the concrete that’s been impacted,” she said. “We have quietly filled holes in that alley with stones so people who come through don’t create more problems.”

Williams told Coppersmith to consult her attorney.

“Those streets are always bones of contention,” he added. “There are innumerable cases in court about how to deal with them. Small things change the status of rights. That’s why it’s so difficult to answer citizen questions.”

Recognized streets maintained by the borough are “ordained,” said Borough Manager Tom Fountaine.

Birch Alley hasn’t been ordained for 21 years, he added.

After a request was made last year to pave the alley, staff recommended the vacation, which surrenders all responsibility for upkeep including snow removal.

In a 5-2 vote, council rejected another vacation request for North Buckhout Street, which borders the former O.W. Houts property owned by Penn State.

Council members cited need to hold off on vacation, pending the university’s plans for that land.

Daubert worried Penn State might connect North Buckhout Street to West Campus Drive. A borough ordinance already prohibits West Campus Drive’s connection to Sparks and Patterson streets, he said.

“I don’t see why the university is in a big hurry for this,” Daubert said. “If we give the university that land, they can open it up if they so desire and make that a thoroughfare on Buckhout Street.” “

FEAR:  People are afraid of the unknown.

FACT:  Gays, particularly in the military, are an unknown commodity to the average straight person.  No one knows how many gays are in the military, who exactly they are, what jobs they do, and their impact on the service.  For more than 17 years, gays and lesbians have been stuffed into the camouflage closet and the only time anyone could answer some of those questions anecdotally is when people have been kicked out or driven out of the service for various reasons.  Since DoD can’t ask who is gay, they allow speculation and rumors to flourish about someone’s sexuality.  Rather than deal with known facts in the survey, they instead ask the respondents about people ‘one believes to be homosexual.’  In the process of drafting the survey, the CRWG was provided input that cautioned them from asking about ‘believed homosexuals.’  They clearly chose not to follow that advice and prefer to allow myths and stereotypes to continue.  While I do admit there are some of our ‘family’ who do not hide their sexuality well, I also know many, many gays (bisexuals and lesbians too) in uniform who the average person would never suspect.

FEAR: Gays in the military negatively affect unit cohesion, morale and performance.

FACT:  Gays have been in the military since the days of the revolution and are still there today.  Gays have saved people on search and rescue missions at sea, patrolled our nations skies on 9/11, provided close air support in combat, deployed to hostile fire zones around the world, and closed with and killed the enemy when required.  We have done much more than that too, at home and abroad.  The military has operated successfully for over 200 years and has helped cement the democracy so many of us love and cherish, all the while with gays among its ranks. Letting gays serve openly will not take any of that away.

FEAR:  Gays might use open-bay showers.

FACT:  On military bases around the world, on combat outposts, in civilian and military locker rooms, our servicemembers have been showering with gays for a long time.  Gay DoD civilians are allowed to use gym facilities on base.  For the last 17 years, showering with gays has been sanctioned by Congress, as long as you didn’t know there was one of us in there with you.  I know many will find it hard to believe but, gays go into showers…..to take showers.  No one is going to catch ‘teh gay’ once you realize you were in the shower at the same time we were.  You survived up to this point and I promise, life will go on.  In the interest of honest disclosure though, since this is a definite concern for some, there are some gay guys who don’t always follow proper decorum in bathrooms and locker rooms.  While there will always be some who don’t like to play by the rules, any type of sexual activity in a public shower, sauna or steam room never has been acceptable and never will be.  The members of the LGBT community (whether we want them counted among our ranks or not) who behave inappropriately in public are a huge part of our public relations problem because they fuel the fears and stereotypes that do not apply to all of us but which often get applied to all of us by our opponents.

FEAR:  My straight (son/daughter) might have to room with someone who is gay.

FACT:  Your straight family member is safe, guaranteed, no doubt about it.  Much like us being born gay (or bisexual or lesbian), apparently there are some in this world who are also born straight.  Time doesn’t change anyone’s sexuality, neither ours nor yours.  While there are those who may be uncertain for a time and who come out later in life, no one ‘converted’ them to the LGBT side of the playing field we call life.  Sleeping in the same room or using the same shower with us does not endanger your straight family members one bit.  (Don’t forget, we’re allowed to sleep in the same room now, you just don’t know for certain which team we play on.)  Someone of one sexual orientation trying to pick-up someone of a different sexual orientation usually doesn’t go over too well in any situation.  Though I’ve never heard of it happening, I suspect it would make a very awkward first date.

FEAR: Gays will shove their lifestyle in the faces of the straight community at social functions or in public venues on base.

FACT:  One day, I and many others I know want to live in a world where it is alright for gays to be holding hands, embracing one-another, and expressing their emotions in public.  I want gays, on or off-base, to be able to do all the stuff that straight couples do every day of the year in restaurants, in parking lots, in movie theaters, in stores and public establishments without thinking twice about who is watching.  I want gays to have that freedom and safety to live their lives as human beings, with a person they love and want to grow old with, and I want them to be able to express that love in public without fear of physical violence, verbal assault, property vandalism, or threat of losing their job.  Pride events, LGBT sporting groups (like DC Front Runners!), and other LGBT social activities are not some sinister plot to recruit unsuspecting heteros into our world; they are places where we come together to be with our ‘family’- a safe respite from a world that denies us our equality and too often, our humanity.

FEAR:  Gays might live in the house on base next to me.

FACT:  See last item above.  Living our lives and being treated like human beings, enjoying equal rights and protections under our nation’s laws and in our society, doing the same things you do every day of your life is not shoving our lifestyle down your throat.  Seriously, unless you are sleeping with them, how does the sexuality of your neighbors, or the fact that gays may live on base or in your neighborhood affect anything in your life?  The biggest credible concern you should have about gay neighbors is that their place is probably going to be decorated much nicer than yours.

Thanks to all my Tweeps who carried the link and Igor Volsky over at The Wonk Room for his article on Morrell’s follow-up today.  I really want to believe the Pentagon is trying to understand this issue.  I am privy to some of the behind the scenes efforts on this and I honestly feel many in the Pentagon are preparing for the true repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell but, I do know there are some vehement opponents as well.  On an almost weekly basis, I see and hear the ignorant remarks from those who embody the fears I mentioned above.  I have said before, and the Pentagon has also said, there is an education component to repeal.  The Pentagon needs to know how the troops feel and what areas are concerning to them.  There has to be a dialogue between the straight and gay world on this.  That dialogue has to help inform the Pentagon on how to move forward and I think they have gotten an earful over the last few days.  When repeal happens, and one day it will, the gay community will have to continue the dialogue with the military writ-large.  We can overcome the fears and concerns surrounding DADT, we can serve openly, and we can be a better military and country for it.   The Pentagon messed up (badly) by not engaging with LGBT groups and social scientists in preparing what they once claimed was a ’scientific survey.’  The survey is out and all we can do now is move forward.

The Pentagon doesn’t understand LGBT issues and needs to get smarter fast; they are still far-behind the power curve.   As noted before, the Pentagon survey was being generated by and for the heterosexual perspective; clearly demonstrating a total lack of consideration for those ‘homosexual’ servicemembers among its ranks.  In order to avoid the self-licking ice cream cone of complaining to ourselves about our lack of LGBT rights, I highly encourage everyone to post respectful comments on the DoD press release website and your comments here are always welcome too.  Since DoD limits its webpage comments to 1000 characters, I wasn’t able to post my full comments and therefore they are pasted below.  Since all comments are moderated, who knows what DoD will publish.

____________________

RE:  Survey Will Permit Informed Decisions, Official Says

As noted in many of your own EEO policy documents, “What is offensive is in the “eyes of the beholder.””  Some of the questions asked, the words used, and the general tone of the DADT survey are offensive to many gays and lesbians, particularly those in uniform.  It is repulsive for DoD to say that comments regarding this survey are inflammatory or misleading. Since DoD and the Services have said they will discharge those who out themselves in this review process, outside influences are not helpful, THEY ARE REQUIRED to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

For over 17 years, US law and DoD policy has mandated that anyone who even says they are gay, lesbian or bisexual will be separated from military service.  Since gays and lesbians in the military cannot exercise their right to free speech without credible threat of losing their jobs, healthcare and retirement benefits, they have been forced to rely on advocacy groups to speak on their behalf.  The advocacy groups have spoken, many with the input of gay servicemembers, and this survey was written with little apparent regard for the gay military personnel and their families who have been forced to serve in silence for 17 years.

When you stated there are concerns with privacy issues, how many military social functions are private affairs where issues of ‘forced intimacy’ arise? Likewise, how does the sexual identity of one’s neighbors in on or off-base housing affect anyone’s job performance, unit readiness, combat effectiveness, or unit cohesion?  In your ’scientific’ survey, what is the criteria used for someone to ‘believe’ another servicemember is gay?  With over 17 years of state-sanctioned discrimination looming over their heads, I know for a fact the military has quite a few gays, lesbians and bisexuals whom most people ‘believe’ are straight.

While you seemed to be concerned with “breaking the faith” with the heterosexual jury members who will pass judgement in this case, you have once again shown callous disregard for the gay and lesbian citizens of this nation who have answered the call to defend it.

Melanie Nathan- "Finally a Benchmark"

This is a critical approach to win Equality. Equality cannot come to fruition without the Benchmark – something specific that carries forth a universal message.  Now that we have the wording and the Goal- we need the BILL.

Who ever says this is “Pie in the Sky or Bold” (Bilerco) – is marginalizing our entitlement and our rights.  To my way of thinking anyone who suggest we keep the backdoor approach as our only approach does not have our absolute interests at heart.  Selfless advocacy means going for the only benchmark that will bring full equality, and if we are going to have a movement then we need to have the movement regardless of how many votes we may or may not get in Congress.  They need to know that we are not fighting for legislation; we are fighting for our lives and to live our lives, happily,  like other Americans, and that means equally.    I for one, have a right to enter through the front door -  and that is why I have touted this plan for all this time.

Bold? No way – that is an insult! Its what our factual existence demands!

“At the same time, the piecemeal approach seems to have been a disaster. For example, ENDA was first proposed in 1996, and it is still languishing fourteen years later. Representative Jackie Speier last week said it would take another five years.” (Bilerco)  But that was the back door now we want the front door!

When I spoke to the Congresswoman back in 2009 about the Civil Rights Amendment approach, she agreed that would be the best approach to our Federal rights.

I spoke up in many an articles, speeches, meetings, phone conferences – but everyone seemed to have their head in the next fundraiser or the next “call to action.”  I have to say you are all still doing the same thing until you subscribe to this benchmark legislative amendment.

Thank goodness people are frustrated and angry enough to realize that this is an imperative stance that may turn out to be our only chance. Whether it becomes law or opens our eyes to what ought to become law – we have to do this.

Some may suggest that the African American Community may be concerned about ownership of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and such amendment may be offensive to the struggle – but this is a completely unfounded concern given the NAACP leadership and testimony provided by Julian Bond in the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 03, 2009, at the UAFA hearing where he specifically stated that Gay(LGBT) rights is a civil rights issue.

Quite simply, the AEB amends ALL Existing Civil Rights Laws, starting with the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”.

This ends discrimination in vast areas of life: employment, housing, credit, public places and facilities, and all programs operating with federal funding. It covers school discrimination and bullying, adoption, and all federal health programs.

The AEB would INCLUDE US EQUALLY in the Federal Non-Discrimination “GROUP POLICY” that now covers “race, color, sex, religion, and national origin”.

In whole, the passage of the AEB will make Non-Discrimination against us The OFFICIAL US Governmental Policy.

Working to file and pass the AEB will stimulate real conversation about our suffering under discrimination. This process will prepare us all for the Prop. 8 and DOMA cases already on their way to the Supreme Court.

LONG OVER DUE

Of course, Sexual Orientation – should have been included in 1964 when the Civil Rights Act first passed.

A gay black hero, Bayard Rustin (http://bit.ly/AEBrustin) was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington at which MLK gave his Dream Speech, which helped secure the ‘64 Act.

Then, we were shoved aside because of societal homophobia.

Now OUR TIME HAS COME. We have already won the de FACTO fight – the factual existence – we have won visibility – the fact that we are out and open, the fact that we have created controversy, the fact that we have children – the fact that we are shaking up DADT, the fact that Annette Benning is playing a lesbian – and many more such victories – now it has come time for De Jure – The Legal Victory!  It can Only be be done one WAY  and that is  this  CIVIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

Now we need your support Grassroots Join us. More to come…

Civil Rights Act LBJ

FIVE Action Steps needed:

1. Sign Petition

2.  Join Face Book Page

3. Take Pledge  – http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/gaycivilrights/

4. Write your representatives in House and Senate – via hand written  faxed letters, as well as the usual e-mails.

5. GO VIRAL anyway you know how!!!

DO IT NOW!

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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From Jezebel.com, Irin Carmon’s piece was the first salvo in this entire sorry mess, and her piece has some strong points. Undoubtably, the Daily Show does have a certain “boy’s club” culture to it. Undoubtably, women have a harder time getting hired by The Daily Show than they do at a sitcom. Unfortunately for Ms Carmon, women make up 28% of the public face of the Daily Show, and 18% of their writing staff. Compared to the zero percent of women at other shows, this is not bad. It is far from ideal, but it is not bad. Part of the problem for The Daily Show is something that does not get discussed by Ms Carmon at all, and that is the intended demographic.

I play World of Warcraft. Would you believe that over a third of all WoW players are women? Women make up a huge proportion of the gaming population, but most women are not represented in development, and many of the male executives think that what women want is Desperate Housewives the Game (a huge flop) and pink Play Station. The problem is rather similar for The Daily Show. The supposed intended demographic is, in the minds of the execubots, males, and usually males between 18 and 35. It does not matter how many women watch The Daily Show. It does not matter that I watch it regularly. The humor is going to be aimed at that male demographic because that is what the execubots demand. This means that most execubots are going to skew the hiring towards the people that they think will, somehow, write to the demographic. This also means that there is a tendency to hire women who are more than likely to put up with the kinds of humor that are normally said to appeal to that male demographic. In essence, they hire women who can think “ego-testicle.”

This does not negate anything that the former employees of The Daily Show have said, nor the fact that even the loveable Jon Stewart can sometimes be a royal prick. What it does is explains what is wrong and gives everyone a way to say “hey, look, we women watch this show too, how about a bit more for us?” Trust me, it worked with Blizzard. Enough of us women complained for long enough about the armor that would not stop a cold and we finally got some more complete armor in the last expansion.

Of course, Emily Gould of Slate.com has no patience for feminists who come along and say things like what Ms Camron stated, but rather than engaging in any kind of debate about the problems of the behind the scenes culture of The Daily Show, Gould just jumps right on in to defend Olivia Munn without giving any real explanation of who the heck she is defending. In fact, her article is not a real defense of The Daily Show, but rather a flat out attack on Ms Camron. The thing is, without actually countering any of Camron’s mistakes or problems, all Gould is doing is sounding like a shrill and offended hausfrau. Of course, the fact that Slate.com has apparently been doing a lot of defending the doctors who are engaging in genital mutilation by removing young girl’s clitoral shafts in order to “cure” their overly large clitorises from the birth defect CAH, and the fact that they also apparently are supportive of the human experimentation being done to see if the tratogenic steroid ‘dex’ cures women of non-patriarchally sanctioned behaviors, it is hard to not be surprised by the fact that Gould does little to actually counter Camron’s statements, but rather to just attack feminism.

Of course, Amanda Hess’ analysis of the response letter from the women of The Daily Show shows part of the problem as well. She wrote “As it turns out, that fawning defense of The Daily Show by its women employees illustrates exactly what’s wrong with the show’s hiring practices.” Um, not really, but she goes on to say, “But first, a quick recap of Jezebel reporter Irin Carmon’s findings on the show’s gender disparities: In the past seven years, only one woman, Olivia Munn, has been considered an able enough comedian to be hired as an on-air correspondent on The Daily Show (and she’s still in try-out mode). Past employees have reported a boys’ club mentality in hiring and firing. And this year alone, the show’s roster of guests has featured 63 men, but only 13 women.”

Ok, let me take the last point first. The show does have some discretion when it comes to booking, but the reality is that is not the show that goes out and asks people to come on in any routine fashion. In all likelihood, it is the agents and handlers of the people who want to be on the show to promote a movie, a book, or a political position. The disparity has nothing to do with Stewart and that kind of thinking perpetuates a fallacy.

The defense of Jon Stewart is not fawning. It is rather blunt. Additionally, Camron is incorrect in that only one woman has been considered to be good enough in the past seven years to be hired as an on-air correspondent. It is actually two. The problem is that her specialization is making fun of feminists and I am rooting that she’ll be back on the show soon to handle this whole shebang. Munn is still fitting into the show, and we will see if there are more stories for her.

None of these stories really get to the reality, and that is found in the very first line of the open letter done by the women of The Daily Show.

“Dear People Who Don’t Work Here,”

None of us work there, and so, none of us know what goes on back there TODAY. We know about the past, but we do not know about the present.

I have a reputation as a man-hating lesbian, and yet it seems like I am the only one out here trying to say to everyone out there that they are making a lot more about this than they need to. It seems like everyone has made up their minds that Jon Stewart is either a sexist ass or he is a non-sexist saint.

Then again, no one seems to be actually looking at what Munn said about her hiring.

“When I go into this situation, I don’t think, ‘Oh, great. I’m a woman. This is awesome. I think, ‘F**k yeah, I worked my a** off and somebody recognized it. This is great!’”

St. John Fernando & Greg at SF Pride 2010

Fans ecstatic as Radio Personalities attend SF Pride;

Little did famed radio personalities, St. John, and team Greg and Fernando know that  being outlawed from the 2010 Pride festivities, by complicit Clear Channel and Pride San Francisco (2010) would in fact turn out a ‘blessing in disguise.”

St John has been  a San Francisco Pride feature  celebrity  DJ each Pride for the past fourteen years,  Greg and Fernando have been bashing on doors trying to get a spot, year after year and to no  avail.   It seemed their unwelcome fate was sealed when they quit the airwaves of Pride sponsor  Clear Channel.

Joining CBS, the two sets of scorching talent  brought their magnetic pull to CBS, their new home, willing to shake fist in the face of  what may well have been the homophobic culture generated by Clear Channel home to the likes of mega –right wing stars Limbaugh and Beck.

St John, as host and creator of San Francisco’s longest running global dance radio show HouseNation  and  on air personality  for CBS Radio’s MOViN99.7… nominated at WMC for mix show of the year, has performed at SF Pride for the past fourteen years.  From the airwaves to the dance floors of the hottest clubs and undergrounds, St. John’s energetic style has made him a staple internationally from Brazil to Canada, and nation-wide from New York’s Limelight to San Francisco’s Ruby Skye. With multiple CD releases on major labels such as Thrive and UBL Recordings, St. John has sold over a quarter-million albums and in 2010 , contributed to HIV/AIDS funding and cast Pride on a community of teens confused by coming out.

In complimentary contrast, and with standing fan base as profound, is beloved duo, team “ Greg and Fernando” who shake the morning commuters with humor and rancor, so unique in its gay-straight blend that their own ‘bridge’ belies that of the reach of the very Golden Gate most commuters cross each of those blaring CBS mornings. Be assured that despite the hefty $6.00 toll (or is it $7 yet?) these fans are adding laughter and fun to the beauty of that extraordinary Bay Area commute.

In the week leading to 2010 San Francisco Pride, Lez Get Real published an article, exposing, exclusively, the impending ban excluding the iconic hosts from performing at the SF Gay Pride Festival.

Despite the article’s virility and the hullabaloo it caused, Pride did not change its stance and nor did it answer our specific e-mail questions calling for an explanation.

After the Pride Festivities, we spoke to St. John as well as Fernando, on behalf of illustrious duo Greg and Fernando.  Clearly the sentiment was unified – annual San Francisco LGBT festival and parade crossed the implicit boundary from Pride to corporate control, delivered through exclusionary terms and conditions in sponsorship contracts, that not only excluded these superb talents but the very saints of “gay is okay!”, and hence served to tacitly disparage them in the eyes of fans and populace alike.

When Lezgetreal.com broke the story in its exclusive article, St. John’s fans were shocked.  The internet and St. John’s Facebook site, spiraled into the world of viral and the comments came pouring in, via email, bloggers, and the usual fan channels.

Feeling the pulse and camaraderie, nothing could keep the famed verbally flamboyant duo, Greg and Fernando, nor the LGR featured and talented magic-mix-machine St. John, away from Pride San Francisco and so of course they showed up; after all they are family.  They  were about to find out, however, that they were there not for themselves but for Pride after all, because the FANS did not let them forget that! They were there- for the fans, who recognized and all but swarmed both sets of talent.

Sparked by the previous article, they were incensed and happy to see the guys!

St. John told us that together with Greg and Fernando, and keen CBS interns, the band of  buddies attended San Francisco Pride, as any ordinary members of the population would have the right to do. “We made our rainbow signs and went to Pride,” quipped St. John.

“Truthfully,” says St. John, “I had the best time in memory of any of the San Francisco Pride events that I have attended, always as performer.  In all my fourteen years attending I have been on a stage performing, but this time I was amongst my fans and able to connect on a personal basis.  It was an extraordinary experience. “

St. John told me that he spoke to a young fan coming out at this Pride for the first time. The youngster was so grateful for the help when St. spent time talking to the young person.  “If that was all I accomplished with just that one person, this year at Pride” said St. John, “it was humbling and made the ban worthwhile.”

But that was clearly not all that they accomplished.  “I really felt like I was there for the people this time.  It was a very personal Pride experience for me.  Fan after fan came up to me and ironically while I was having a great time, they were reminding me and commiserating about the ban on my performing at Pride; many were sad and angry with San Francisco Pride Organizers and Clear Channel.”  According to St. John.

When I spoke to Fernando, he echoed the same sentiment, both he and Greg had a fantastic time; invited to the mike as they passed almost every performer and stage.  It seems it will be hard to keep them off future gigs  especially as their fame is growing exponentially.

St John said that the Lezgetreal Article had generated huge publicity for him and CBS and that awareness and recognition had increased “a hundred times. The number of people who came up to me at Pride was incredible and I had no idea how much buzz the article had generated.”  But it is much more than that – all tree hosts are much beloved and have given so much to the gay community that their presence would undoubtedly have NOT gone unn

St. John Spinning Despite BAN

oticed, regardless of the controversy.

Then came the unexpected, a coup of sorts, as they passed the Clear Channel Group, who had been pivotal in the Ban, the buddies sensed a  tasteless discomfort as their fellow DJ’s who, while perfectly entitled to replace the ex- clear channel and now CBS icons, must surely have been uneasy about the out and out ban.

Passing the Toyota Stage, fans rallied around and the next thing St. knew he was behind the controls and spinning the reputable mix to the delight of fans and all around.  Unplanned, and impromptu he found himself, not only caught in a united throng of festivities but showcasing his formidable talent nonetheless. No he had the best of both worlds.

While, St. John, has been the mix spin of Pride gig for fourteen years, the refusal to comment by Pride organizers, has prompted an omission begging for its own spin, any spin;   “Hey SF Pride- pray tell – who is pushing the buttons – what is going on here?” This is the resounding common denominator- a roar from comments generated by my earlier Article. “Has Pride been bought to the extent that the People of San Francisco are compelled to celebrate without their heroes? Is Pride the San Francisco Pride or is it now the Corporate Who has More Money Pride.

I do not know about you fellow queers, but as for me I have marched and paraded and celebrated in the name of San Francisco pride for many years and when I see those who model excellence for our community I feel good about myself and proud that my maker made me the perfect lesbian.

With this all said, I will be featuring an article in the next few days that will bring more of the Fernando Interview (Greg and Fernando) interview. Please visit our FB Page and make sure you subscribe.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Article  by Melanie Nathan and Lezgetreal © -  Can be re-blogged with the following accredation:
Article  at www.lezgetreal.com, by Melanie Nathan. (Include direct Link)

©Photos. Copyright  N. Collins /Melanie Nathan.

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“After billing themselves as a grassroots organization meant for the common queer activist, so far what I’m seeing is wealthy funders giving two recently successful organizers quite a bit of cash to raise hell with no concrete strategy, deliverables, standards or apparent benefit to the LGBT community. While the group seems to know their place in this insiders/out strategy they’re playing with HRC, some of the similarities are still too obvious to be overlooked.

The majority of the orgs’ money comes from large donors, we’ve got no input into the direction of the orgs, the leadership is self-selective, and they both purport to represent our community while making important decisions on our behalf without permission or serious regard to the effects their actions can have on the rest of us.”

In other words, Get Equal takes a lot of money, does a little hell raising, and that is it. They get the bulk of their money from a few large donors and very little input from the community. Now, our little site has been running for just shy of two years (twenty-two months to be exact) and most of us have not been paid. Those lovely ads that you see around us pay for our server. I, personally, have gotten a small amount of money from a singular ad buy a while back, but that was not much.

In the attempt to obfuscate the reality, Mr. Talon tried to scream about how “The fact is that GetEQUAL’s top salary, paid to the co-founder and co-director of this new, start-up advocacy org, is $92k. Do you know that $92k is about the average salary in the U.S. for a Project Manager for a Construction Co, an Executive Pastry Chef, and Country Sheriff.” As I stated in my original piece, Ms McGehee and Mr. Williams made just shy of a hundred thousand dollar salaries, which is what they are doing. They are earning $8,000 less than $100,000 salaries.

Now, I am not a petty person, nor am I on a diatribe. If I were, this would be worded a lot more strongly. I am, however, interested in setting the record straight. Get Equal has done a wonderful job of throwing a wrench into the push to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell with their antics, and have made it harder to take them seriously because they have been more than willing to attack President Barack Obama and not go after Congress either through direct action or lobbying. They have also been unwilling to attack Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, despite his holding the same positions as President Obama.

Up until Lt. Choi and others chained themselves to the White House fence in uniform, we were making headway with the military heads and Congress over the repeal. Once they stepped up and did that, they disrespected the uniform and lost us ground. In the end we had to settle for a compromise that galled many of us to have to sell as the only solution available.

Recently, Jane Hamsher of Fire Dog Lake praised Lt. Choi’s actions never understanding that the reason we had to take the compromise that was offered to us was because of these unwise, and strategically unsound actions perpetuated by Lt. Choi. His disrespect for the uniform and for the office of the President resulted in a hostile and uncooperative feeling among the military regarding repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Many of his pet peeves about the legislation may have been addressed if Get Equal had lobbied instead of sitting around trying to figure out how to get thrown in jail again.

The problem stems from the fact that there are ways in which direct actions do work, but they rarely work on Congress, and often create more problems than they solve since the egos of people who run for Congress tend to be pretty big and they prefer to be flattered. This is usually why it is far better to flatter and contribute one’s way to legislative success instead of gathering a bunch of signs and protesting Congress or the President.

Direct action works against businesses. Bad publicity drives down business. Boycotts can work if they can be sustained.

This is not about whether or not I dislike or hate Get Equal, or the fact that they do not have their place in this. The fact of the matter is, their strategy is just not working. It is, in fact, making it far harder to get things done. The American people know about the issues. What they do not know is about Exxon Mobile’s lack of LGBT protections, or the exclusion of lesbian and gay couples from the Today Show’s contest. Those can be taken care of by direct action.

Yesterday, we received an email from one activist who has gotten fed up with Choi’s antics, especially with his so-called DignityFast, which lasted seven days. He stated that this whole business was the last straw for him. Lt. Choi is a grandstander and an attention seeker. He apparently believes that he is the Gay Dahli Lama or the Gay Messiah. For most of us, he is little more than a pain in the backside who is raking in the dough making speeches and getting himself arrested.

Oh, and Mr. Talon, next time, I would recommend if you want to keep your name from my knowledge, do not leave a Facebook notification taking calling out my work. It is quite easy to follow the style of post.

7-6-10  Rachel Wahba -

Freud was wrong when he said girls had penis envy. Me, I had penis rage! Rage that my baby brother got special, very special, attention for having a penis. The special status of being a boy drove me crazy.  I was four and a half at his birth and I was enraged.

Not only was I no longer the only child, this one was “a boy” with a special celebration because he had a penis. I became a second- class citizen despite my parent’s attempts to tell me I was overreacting…

In his blue lace gown, he was the center of attention. Never mind his cries or barbarism of the act, special boy prayers sealed his entry into the sacred covenant of Jews.

I never gave it much thought after that. In fact I have not been to a ‘brit milah’ (bris in Yiddish) since I was a child. Not too much of that going on in my lesbian feminist world; and I had a girl child thank G-d! I remember thinking, ‘I don’t have to deal with circumcision and my parents…’

So it was not until last week, in conversation with my new friend Rabbi Natan, did I think about baby boys and their cut penises.  A few years ago, Natan came out against circumcision to face an onslaught of rage from a distraught community of liberal non – mainstream Jewish rabbis.

Jewish Renewal rabbis for G-d’s sakes outside Mainstream Jewish Organization, they wanted his ordination rescinded. Fear had taken over, Natan’s position paper received as if it had heralded the end of Judaism. They wanted him ostracized. Blackballed.

Now I have to admit, I have not thought much about this issue since childhood, not since the brit milahs, of the little boys born into our small Jewish community in Kobe Japan.  Girl babies didn’t even have baby naming. We visited, brought some pink present (my Granny was famous for her knitted blankets and booties) and cooed. In a Middle Eastern community (or any traditional community) be it Jew, Muslim or Christian, you can expect to hear at least one well meaning visitor utter “and may you have a boy the next time.”  I heard it every time.

And the circumcision ceremonies, what I do remember, as we kids stood waiting for the ceremonial throwing of the treats, once the daddies with their sweat soaked shirts survived the ordeal of their screaming infant sons on their laps while the mohels did their job? The packets of Jordan almonds wrapped in blue cellophane, tied with shiny blue satin ribbons, sweetened our mouths and covered up the hideous ritual just performed. I loved those sweets.

By Rachel Wahba

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7-6-2010  Melanie Nathan -

Soccer veils reality of South African poverty and homelessness – Grandstanding the Perpetrator while Victims are abused by a heartless system.

Melanie Nathan from San Francisco:-  Drawing attention to oneself is an act of courage and one that cannot be emphasized enough, especially if the victim is one whose rape is termed   “corrective rape” where the odds are ,that the victim could be re-victimized again and again. This term is used to describe what is truly a hate crime and slips unnoticed into the bigger picture of what also seems to be a disregard for the 500,000 rapes of  South African Township women each and every year.

Years ago, Lesbians would never have come forward to tell their stories, but now with the unrelenting support and loving assistance from an extraordinary human being, Ndumie Funda, a lesbian woman living in a South African Township, near Cape Town, women and lesbians are telling their stories, willing to be named, photographed and to stand up on our pages to say:- “This is what happened to me!”

Ndumie Funda ran a two room home for victims of ‘corrective’ rape through an unfunded non-profit, Luleke Sizwe  that has been named for the deceased partners of its founders, all who succumbed to AIDS related deaths, the merciless threat that this hate crime delivers its victims. Yesterday they were ALL evicted.

Each time there is a new victim, Ndumie shoots me an e-mail, here in the USA, and in some way I believe it helps her to know that maybe, just maybe if I publish their cry the world would hear. The question right now is “who is listening?

I woke up to this e-mail this morning -

“Meza, my sister, we are sleeping in the car because no money and we got evicted from the rooms. our furnisher is been keept by our neighbour. there’s lot of drama. we wish could get someone with good heart.al we need now is office space in a form of a house .house are available money to rest is what we need.i accomodate 6 gals plus me and partner so makes 8 people.i’m not giving up not matter what.”

This weekend we reported that Millie Gaika, the lesbian soccer player, raped in a third crime, will be testifying against her perpetrator after a date for trial is set on July 13th. The Perpetrator will receive a public defender and the best legal advice available. (Thanks to South Africa’s Bill of Rights!)  He will also remain in prison (he has yet to post bail) where he will be well treated, have a mattress and a bunk bed, a clean bathroom, and three decent meals a day.  If he does not feel well and aspirin doe not cut it, he will see a doctor. It is winter and it is cold. He will be warm enough too!

So as you hear the cheers and watch your TVs that much anticipated  World Cup Final, from whatever country for whichever team, remember you are cheering while the warm and comfortable perpetrator awaits trial in the comfort of his warm, albeit, prison shelter and the six victims of brutal rape huddle, freezing and hungry, with no money for medical help or food, sheltered in a vehicle, victim holding victim.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/04/corrective-rape-the-courage-of-south-african-lesbians/

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/07/sa-corrective-rape-accused-bail-set-at-68-00-as-soccer-masks-the-truth/

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“I’ve gotten [shit] from other activists. I know a lot about initiations and traditions that people have to sort of pay your dues — in the military, there are procedures and protocols. You gain rank. Here, you don’t have that as much, but there are different traditional ways, that we have paid dues within the community, at least from what I’m understanding, and so a lot of people have pointed out that. I wouldn’t go to the point of saying that I don’t deserve to be in this role, but they say, “You sort of came out of nowhere,’” he is on record as saying.

Really? Well, we here at Lez Get Real kind of came out of nowhere and we have managed to make enemies from people on both sides. We have been hit with attacks from the Catholic Church and Liberty University. We are disliked by the Human Rights Campaign and Get Equal. We will call people out for being stupid if they do stupid things like handcuffing themselves to the White House fence.

Lt. Choi may be trying desperately to distance himself from Gay, Inc., but the reality is that he is already part of that machine. He is part of the ineffective disaster which constitutes the major LGBT groups. Get Equal, of which Lt. Choi is part, has leaders who pull down just shy of hundred thousand dollar salaries from a very wealthy gay man. Lt. Choi is, in effect, telling himself to shut up. Many of us who have gotten tired of his antics do not earn so much as a dime. We do not earn any money from the activism that we engage in, or if we do, it is hardly five or six figure salaries.

The problem for Lt. Choi is that the moment he started taking donor money to live off of, since all the information we have is that he has no job, he became part of Gay Inc. and not part of the netroots and grassroots movements. We, at least we here at LGR, certainly have not called on Choi to shut up. We have just called upon him to use his noggin a bit more.

I find it rather amusing that Lt. Choi is busy trying to distance himself from the people who make a fortune with their “advocacy” despite having speaking engagements and running around claiming how coming out to his parents was harder than going on Dr. Rachel Maddow’s show. This is on top of reports I have been given that Lt. Choi and his fellows at Get Equal constantly confuse Dr. Paula Brooks with me. I certainly understand the origin of the mix up since I do not get to DC very often and none of the people at Get Equal or the HRC know my face. Unlike Dr. Brooks, I suffer from a rather severe case of androphobia, a very specialized form of social anxiety, and find it painful to be in any large crowd and to be near men for any lengthy of time at all even singlely. I am not a social person the way Dr. Brooks is. While Dr. Brooks and I are often on the same page with regards to the world, we are not the same person, and any competent linguist would notice the differences in our speech and writing patterns. Dr. Brooks and I have certain similarities in our writing styles because we are both women and we are both academically trained; however, I retain a certain amount of British grammatical idiosyncracies that I learned from my mother. I also tend to be far more aware of the rhythm of my writing since I have a tendency to fall into the more natural iambic pentameter which underlies the English Language. My understanding of Greek is limited to one word, and I know that only because of its similarity to the Celtic word “sgatha”, and I am far more interested in learning Japanese since I am dyslexic/dysgraphic and it is easier to write in a syllabic alphabet than it is in a Latin scrpit.

Suffice it to say, Lieutenant Choi, we do not want you to shut up. We just want you to start being a strategist. A good strategist is one who knows her target, takes her armies to it via the best- not easiest- route, and is effective. Right now, sir, you remind me of the Major General in Pirates of Penzance. “I know more of strategy than a novice in a nunnery/when I can tell at sight a Mauser Rifle from a Javilin.”

7-4-10  Melanie Nathan.

Anyone remember Carrie Prejean; the fired Miss America winner-after sexually suggestive tapes appeared, defying her holier than thou anti-gay marriage stance, the latter happily announced  in response to the Judge’s question on the competition itself?

Scooped up by NOM, as well as other groups, hell bent on claiming marriage their  heterosexual birthright and domain, had no choice but to drop little Ms Hypocrite like a boiling hot cinder when her exploits were revealed.

But think about this  ….so what…she gets to get married; and guess what …in the Hotel of the Guy that paid $125,000 to deny us our  LGBT marriage rights in California.  Mr. Hotel Del Mar Prop 8 Money Man!

Well now Prejean married Oakland Raiders’ quarterback Kyle Boller. The two were married in a reception at The Grand Del Mar hotel, which is owned by a Prop. 8 supporter, Doug Manchester, who donated $125,000 to passing California’s gay marriage ban.

Do you anticipate a connection – at all now in the future….. Perhaps the idea would be to have a married Carrie spokesperson for Grande Del Mar:  “Hey look where I got married.”

However given my journalistic / advocacy experience in the world of hypocrisy – brace your very dear good selves; here is another one of those karmic moments in the making and may I wrote the script:-

When things become a little too coincidental and timing beckons on winged flight 666-and  the jet steers a faster formidable course,  the Blog Brigade blows its horn and prepares its smoke and blanket because we are on Planet Reker right now. Toot Toot!

We have all you hippos covered – hide your lies harder and faster; turn your secret daemons back from butterflies to the worms they once were; but do not morph clockwise – do it anti-clockwise.

Oh what the heck..my camera is behind you and I am about to take the shot. Click!  Gotcha!

So now what does this have to do with Prejean or  the man of her dreams…. besides the fact that she has 1,138 more legal rights than I do?  Well she still gets to have affairs, as does he, they are allowed to divorce, hell, they can even cheat on their taxes if they so choose; those sexy tapes may serve up very fine aperitif during some bored moment and hey they are marries after all… it does not matter what the F*&^% happens even if there is a child or 3!

By Melanie Nathan  – nathan@privatecourts.com
Hell Bent On winning  Marriage Back
And Civil Rights For all.

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Citing it as an alleged obstacle to cleaning up the  continuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Senator McCain proposed legislation to repeal the Jones Act.   According to CRS Report 97-905, the Jones Act is , “The common reference for Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (41 Stat. 988), which requires that all water transportation of goods between U.S. ports be on U.S.-built, -owned, -crewed, and -operated ships. The purpose of the law is to support the U.S. merchant marine industry, but agricultural interests generally oppose it because, they contend, it raises the cost of shipping their goods, making them less competitive with foreign sources.”

As can be expected from ‘The Maverick’, McCain has morphed his arguments on why the Jones Act is bad for the US.  Previously, to include during his failed bid for president, McCain claimed the Jones Act increased the cost of goods being shipped to US consumers outside the continental US.  Though there may be some fiscal merit to that argument, he has now associated repeal of the Jones Act with the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, courtesy of BP and Deepwater Horizon.  From his website, McCain said, “Within a week of the explosion, 13 countries, including several European nations, offered assistance from vessels and crews with experience in removing oil spill debris, and as of June 21^st, the State Department has acknowledged that overall ‘it has had 21 aid offers from 17 countries.’  However, due to the Jones Act, these vessels are not permitted in U.S. waters.”

Senator Dan Inouye (D-HI) is one of the current opponents of repealing the Jones Act, based on its lack of relation to the oil-spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Jones Act is a key component in protecting the US Merchant Marine, a critical shipping service directly involved in our national security.  In McCain’s latest attempt to repeal the Jones Act, which would undermine the existence and capability of a domestic merchant marine, he claims that Act has hampered oil-spill clean-up efforts.  Unfortunately for Senator McCain, Admiral Allen, the National Incident Commander for the oil-spill response, said clearly the Jones Act has not been a factor in allowing foreign vessels to support the clean-up effort.  The transcript from Admiral Allen’s press conference, where the Jones Act was raised, is available here.  Additionally, there is an information paper from the National Incident Command for Deepwater Horizon clearly stating 15 foreign-flagged vessels are supporting the clean-up efforts as of 18 Jun 2010.

If McCain wants to help reduce the costs of goods in outlying US states and territories, I am not going to fault him for it.  What I do have a problem with is when he changes his arguments in the typical DC slight-of-hand fashion by latching political goals onto unrelated factors.  I also am concerned in this case when, rather than just helping those economically impacted by the cost of Jones Act shipping, he proposed legislation that would weaken the US maritime industry and merchant marine.  As noted by Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, “A privately owned, U.S.-flagged fleet is vital to our economic, military and international political security.”  With over 95% of our imports and exports being moved by water, and most of these shipments already being handled by foreign-flagged vessels, are we as a nation ready to cede our remaining capability in the maritime industry?  Repealing the Jones Act would only turn us into a slave to foreign-flagged shipping, even in our own waters.  To my fellow Arizonans, isn’t it time we put ‘The Maverick’ out to pasture?

Having been raised in South Africa I share the viewpoint that associating Israel with apartheid given the different nature and history of the struggles of each Country is tantamount to bashing those who indeed suffered apartheid. The association of that word with Israel is divisive at a time when we should all be seeking solutions and peace. Bringing it into any pride context is clearly contrary to the nature of Pride and its intent. There is nothing to be proud of when your organization banners the LGBT community together with divisiveness.

Noah Gurza is a Canadian Jewish gay male residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Currently serving as a consultant with the Ontario Provincial Government working on engaging youth in volunteerism and community activities, particularly youth from newcomer and diverse backgrounds. Noah is a proud and out gay male who has been very vocal over the years about legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada and wrote numerous letters to national and local papers on the subject.

Noah has asked for your support in his complaint to Toronto Pride which speaks for itself through his letter:
Dear Tracey Sandilands and the Pride Executive Committee:

We are proud gay and gay-friendly Torontonians. Proud to be living in a city, a province and a country that is a bastion of tolerance. We are proud that our gay rights are upheld both in law and in practice. We are also proud to promote, watch and march in a parade year after year that is known across the world to be inclusive, respectful, fun and which above all showcases our diversity both sexually and ethnically.

It is with outrage that we learned about your decision to overturn the ban on Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) This cowardly reversal to now allow this group to March in this year’s Parade, is in direct violation of your own core philosophy, thereby allowing the participation of group rooted in hate and demonization. Their mere presence undermines Pride’s claim that it stands for equality, dignity and tolerance.

As Justine Apple, executive director of Kulanu Toronto and Bernie M. Farber, CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress, state in their editorial in this weekend’s Toronto Star, “discrimination, intimidation and hatred must not be given license to hijack the parade and turn it into a propaganda tool for inflammatory vitriol”.

Is this a victory for Free Speech? Not in the least. No one is stopping QuAIA from voicing their vitriol – but how does this group belong in a Gay Pride parade, whose very essence is to celebrate sexual preference, sexual diversity and inclusiveness, and fighting discrimination?

It simply, without question, DOES NOT.

The affairs of the State of Israel and the Israel/Palestinian conflict are so far removed from a parade on sexuality and gay rights, that one wonders if the parade will become a vehicle for all human rights issues to be voiced. Why are we not seeing Gays for a Free Tibet? Gays for a Free Pays Basque? Or Gays for a Free Corsica march alongside drag queens and hot cops?

Let us remind the executive as to where gays in the Middle East are tortured and murdered for daring to express their sexual preference. The reality is that in the Middle East, Israel is to be admired for its gay rights and equality, amidst being surrounded by countries which condone violent and murderous homophobia.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Israel are considered the most developed in the Middle East. Israel also has one of the highest percentages of support for same-sex marriage in the world, with 61% of Israelis supporting civil marriage for same-sex couples. Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Cyprus are the only countries in the Middle East where homosexuality between consenting adults in private is not illegal and homosexuals are not persecuted under the law.

In most other Middle Eastern countries homosexuality is illegal, often punishable by flogging and even hanging. Homosexuality is one of the biggest taboos in the Arab world. The words “Luti,” or “Shaz,” are the most commonly words used to describe gays. Those terms essentially translate as “pervert” or “deviant” in Arabic.

Homosexuals in the Middle East are ostracized almost everywhere in the Muslim world. Gay rights organizations estimate that more than 100,000 gay men and women are being discriminated against and threatened in Muslim countries. Thousands of them commit suicide, end up in prison, or go into hiding.

As a result of this, oftentimes state-sanctioned homophobia, should we not be seeing a group or inviting a group to take the defense of gays in the Arab world entitled “Gays against Homophobia in the Middle East”?

As Justine Apple and Bernie Farber argue in their editorial, “apartheid” is not a term to be thrown about lightly. Apartheid is a crime against humanity, a despicable, discriminatory and disgusting regime supported only by irredeemable racists. Thus, Israelis and the vast majority of Diaspora Zionist Jews are tarred by the brush of horrific racism, systemic oppression of human rights and visceral hatred. QuAIA targets Israel with this dangerous and invidious libel, positioning the world’s only Jewish state as the racist successor to white supremacist South Africa. International pressure brought down apartheid’s racist oppression. Now, anti-Semites use these same tactics to soften up international public opinion and pave the way for Israel’s destruction.

The term “Israeli apartheid” utterly disrespects and disgraces the memory of those – including large numbers of Jews – who risked their lives to topple South African apartheid.

It is hard to fathom how you, the organizers of the Pride Toronto parade have come to this decision with this despicable and cowardly reversal on QuAIA’s place in the upcoming Pride Parade this Sunday.

We would have hoped that after all your courageous struggles to overcome intolerance and achieve the mainstreaming of LGBTQ equality rights in Toronto, Ontario and across the country, you would be able to recognize hatred when it is at your doorstep and stares you squarely in the face.

We are gay and gay-friendly Torontonians, cognizant that there is still a lot of work to be done for gay rights, not only in other countries, but at home, right here as well.

Just like the “Black Bloc” criminals who hijacked the protesters’ important cries out to the world’s leaders at this weekend’s G20 gathering in Toronto, so too does QuAIA, threatening to take over with messages that are contrary to Pride’s essence.

What are we marching for? To sell beer and mortgages? To listen to hate mongerers? Or rather to bask in the freedom that this city and, indeed, this country, enshrines for us.

QuAIA’s place in the Pride march sends a disturbing message. A message with which we do not want to be associated. A message which will result in us staying as far away from this year’s Parade as possible.

Shame on you,

Noah Gurza

Support Noah and the Toronto letter by clicking here :-http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132845070069329&ref=mf

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