Cinderella's Castle, Disney World (great restaurant)

Today is the final day of Central Florida’s six day “Gay Days” celebration. This is Gay Day at Disney World. According to the Florida Family Association, thousands of people enter the park, then turn around and leave when they see the same-sex couples. They say that mainstream America is offended. That’s total bull.

The event is twenty years old. I was living in Florida when the first Disney Gay Pride day occurred. This event is thoroughly advertised inside Florida – complete with all the usual Christian protests – and is part of the calendars of Disney events. Any unsuspecting Christian family who might be offended would have to have been living under a rock or in one of those Christian communities that wouldn’t go to Disney World to begin with.

Why do these people insist that they speak for the majority of Americans? Where do they get the arrogance? Over half of all Americans support same-sex marriage according to all the most recent surveys. That’s “support same sex marriage,” not just tolerate the presence of gays in our society.

One of these Christian organizations hired airplanes to fly banners over Orlando “warning” the unsuspecting that they would be entering a gay zone if they went to Disney World. The price for this protest of what they call “an immoral lifestyle” is $7,000. Now that’s immoral. If these people had $7,000 sitting around doing nothing, they should have donated it to the Red Cross for relief efforts in those states that have been devastated by tornados and floods this year. They could have donated it to Haitian orphans. They could have used it for just about any charitable purpose that would have honored Christ’s work, instead of using it in direct defiance of Christ’s words about tolerance, love and understanding.

In twenty years, these protesters have not had a serious impact on the event. That’s good for Central Florida. The week-long event pumps around $150 million into the region’s economy every year. Tourism has been suffering in Florida for the past few years – first because of the recession and then because of the BP oil spill which never really impacted the state. Disney World especially has suffered because it is seriously expensive to go there and the Universal theme park has Harry Potter. Florida is in deep trouble right now. They elected an idiot of a governor who is imposing a budget that takes almost two billion dollars away from education to give the rich and corporations an identical tax cut. Rick Scott isn’t solving the state’s budget problems, he’s increasing them by cutting off vitally needed revenue. If the Florida Family Association cared about real people, they wouldn’t be protesting an event that helps real people by pumping real money into their pockets.

These anti-gay Christian groups don’t care about “mainstream America” they care about themselves. They are so insecure in their own faith that they think they have to shut down anything that doesn’t match their narrow definition of the world rather than risk having their children exposed to contrary ideas. They don’t believe in their God enough to trust themselves to impart His Word and their morality to their own children.

As Chris Alexander-Manley, president of gaydays.com, said, “Our crowd behaves better than most convention crowds, so come on out and see what it is really about.” He’s right. No one from the Florida Family Association would be caught dead anywhere near Disney World today, so they have no way of knowing what people will see. I do. They will not see what they think gays do in public – the spectacle of some of our more Carnivale-like Gay Pride parades. No one except the staff will be running around in theatrical costumes. There will be some hand-holding by same sex couples, but no sex in the teacups. In fact, people at Disney World tend to meet and form groups rather spontaneously, instead of just hanging out as couples. It’s fun watching childless couples join up with families because it’s sort of embarrassing to be middle-aged and want to go on the kiddie attractions without kids.

To everyone who attended, we hope you had a great time and are sure the people of Central Florida appreciate your money.

Related articles

• Anti-Gay Group Flies Gay Day ‘Warning’ Over Disney World (towleroad.com)
• Vacationing At Walt Disney World With Food Allergies (thefoodallergymom.wordpress.com)
• JW Marriott Orlando Hotel Welcomes LGBT Community to Gay Days (prweb.com)
• Walt Disney World On Television (damouse.com)
• WDW: The Way We Were (damouse.com)
• Scotty McCreery Performs ‘I Love You This Big’ At Disney World (VIDEO!) (rightcelebrity.com)
• Disney World (Spring Break 2011) – Orlando, FL (travelpod.com)
• The Liberman’s: We’re Going to Disney World (cyclingroo.com)
• Lady Gaga Poses With the Evil Queen at Disney World (shoppingblog.com)

Image via Wikipedia

04/25/2011 – by Cynthia S. Wright

You have a picketing itch that you can’t seem to scratch? Do you have dreams of meeting members of the conservative right to shake tell them EXACTLY how you feel? Well, you might be in luck. Seems like the Faith and Freedom Coalition bought brought a lot of speakers that seem to have the most “friendliest” ties with the LGBT community in to give speeches at this year’s “Conference/Strategy Briefing” in Washington D.C. Wonder how many times they will discuss the “sanctity” of marriage as they eye the room for their new conquests? Mind-blowing, really.

Their nice friendly blurb from their website reads:

Don’t miss the Faith & Freedom Conference and Strategy Briefing at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel. The Conference and Strategy Briefing has quickly become a top destination for conservative activists who want to learn how to beat the Left! Invited speakers include: Sarah Palin, Marco Rubio, Michele Bachmann, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and FFC Chairman Ralph Reed! By registering now, you can lock in at our early bird rates, so sign up today!

Their little shin-dig will be taking place June 3-4 – one month away from Independence day – I guess the hotel will be busy then…

Remarks of Rabbi Andrew Baker,  AJC Director of International Jewish Affairs at Lithuanian Parliament :  “I want to thank you for the opportunity to be here today and to address you at this event marking the inauguration of a year of Holocaust commemoration in Lithuania.

In May of 1998, I had the occasion to be with a newly-elected President Valdas Adamkus and with Presidents Guntis Ulmanis and Lenart Meri at the summit meeting in Riga of the three Baltic States. At that meeting each of them announced that they would create a national historical commission. Such commissions would provide a means to examine openly and critically the history of the Holocaust in their respective countries. Since these countries were already forcibly annexed to the Soviet Union even before the end of the Second World War, it was understood that no objective analysis had ever taken place. Each president also recognized that an historical examination must also address the Communist period as well.

The process unfolded differently in each of the three states. But the commissions in Estonia and Latvia have by now finished their work. Only the commission here in Lithuania remains stalled. Let us speak candidly. It has faltered and fallen victim to critics inside the country who sought to derail it and to critics outside who from the beginning have sought to repudiate it.

When President Adamkus established the Lithuanian Historical Commission he was sensitive to charges that by grouping both the Holocaust and Soviet crimes under one umbrella it would somehow seek to draw equivalencies between the two. As we know, as a result of this the work was conducted in separate sub-commissions, and what has been produced so far-the combined work of historians from Lithuania and elsewhere in Europe and from the United States and Israel–can stand the scrutiny of historians anywhere. If it can be faulted, it is that there has been only a limited publication run of these first essays and documents, and they deserve wider attention and distribution.

We know from these works about the widespread anti-Semitism that was present in Lithuania prior to the Nazi occupation. We have documentation of the role of Lithuanians in the crimes of the Holocaust-perhaps less than what some critics abroad have asserted but surely more than what many here in present-day Lithuania want to believe.

Work would have continued had not the General Prosecutor opened an investigation into the wartime activities of Yitzak Arad, the historian and founding director of Yad Vashem and a member of the historical commission-an investigation that was initiated with political motives in mind.

It is not an easy process to confront the dark chapters in one’s history. Germany may have led the way, but it had little choice; its chapters were the darkest and confrontation with its past was the necessary step to return to the community of nations. Other countries came much later. It was only in 1995 that France acknowledged its responsibility for the deportation of its Jewish citizens, and in that same year that Austria conceded that it was not simply Hitler’s “first victim” but owed an apology and compensation to Austrian Nazi victims.

The Baltic States have also been singled out for not disciplining their own citizens who cling to the memories of a Nazi past. By way of example,Lithuanian Parliament on Year of Remembrance for Holocaust Victims veterans paraded in Riga and were received by senior government officials. Nazi war criminals were sent back to Lithuania, but prosecutors at the time were reluctant to bring charges. These were fair criticisms in the 1990s, but there has been definite if incomplete progress since then.

If we all are prepared to work together this Year of Remembrance for Victims of the Holocaust in Lithuania should provide an opportunity to address some of the unfinished issues which have become a source of irritation in Lithuanian-Jewish relations as well as a time to implement some new initiatives that can have lasting value.

1. The Prosecutor’s investigation into the wartime activities of the Soviet Partisans with its particular interest in the actions of its Jewish members is still not closed even if there is little active work taking place. After six years, it is time to bring it to a formal close. In any case, the subject is more appropriately addressed by historians.
2. By doing so, it would facilitate the reconvening of the national historical commission, which should take place this year. Once completed, the work of this commission-particularly its analysis and documentation of the Holocaust in Lithuania-should be published and widely disseminated.
3. After many years of negotiations and discussion about Jewish communal property claims, legislation that would mandate the payment of partial compensation for these properties now sits here in the Seimas. Lithuania stands alone among all its neighbors in not addressing this issue, and the legislation should be passed as soon as possible. The Lithuanian Jewish Heritage Foundation, which links international Jewish organizations with the Lithuanian Jewish Community, was established to facilitate the process of compensation, to guarantee transparency and to insure that there is ongoing support for Jewish communal activities and the restoration of Jewish heritage here.
4. All of you are aware that the long and rich history of Litvak culture came to an end with those murdered and buried in the mass graves at Ponary. This year can be the occasion to develop an appropriate plan for this site that befits its significance. It is a pilgrimage place for mourners and a heritage site of tragic history. The story of the Jews who perished there should be told, making use of the tools and techniques of modern museum design. I know that international institutions including the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and Yad Vashem are ready to offer assistance. I would also commend you to take note of the Belzec Memorial and Museum, a project carried out jointly by AJC and the Polish Government, for an example of what can be done at such a place of Holocaust memory.
5. These efforts will also reinforce the several initiatives already underway to bring forward an understanding of the lost Litvak culture, which include the virtual on-line project and the Centropa exhibition that will be inaugurated at the OSCE conference in Prague this evening.

In closing let me thank my dear friend, Emanuelis, for organizing this event for including me. I hope we will have a useful discussion.”

Yad Vashem, together with its partners, has collected and recorded here the names and biographical details of half of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their accomplices. Millions more still remain unidentified: It is our collective duty to persist until all their names are recovered.  Do you know of a Holocaust Victim? Submit Pages of Testimony and send photographs of the victims so they will always be remembered.

http://www.yadvashem.org/wps/portal/IY_HON_Welcome

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Today thousands of rainbow people marched through the Streets of the magnificent Cape Town – flanked by its signature mountain the magnificence of which belies any captured image. Table mountain endures beyond the snap shot, in the mind of any privileged visitor,  as its flat table beacons the Mother City and the Rainbow Nation its embraces. This is a place flourishing with possibility , yet tainted unless it accepts its charge – the charge of a Constitution that screams: – ‘USE me I am the example for Africa and the World.”

That was the underlying message of the week as, upon my return to the land of my birth, I stood on two stages, hoping to deliver a simple message:- You have an awesome Constitution South Africa, more inclusive than that of the United States of America, where Federal law bars same-gender marriage; however what good is it unless you live it.  You must turn your accomplishment into an achievement and you will only do that when you truly step up from the charcoals of oppression and understand your Constitutional rights, and assert them with the vigor that post Apartheid South Africa deserves.

Homosexuality is a birthright – citizenship is a birthright – love is a birthright – you are a birthright. Now Live it.

South Africa must embrace its Constitution on three frontiers:

At home in South Africa from Village to City to the steps of the Courts and Parliament – ensure that your rights are valued – speak up in large crowds – reform and educate that rape against women is a rape against your Constitution; (Amongst many other issues)

In Africa as a leading power – standing by your principles of all inclusiveness – be a light to Africa not only with your money and resources but with your hard learned principles, born from a struggle so profound – and do not be duped by those (UGANDA and the others) who say “do not interfere with our right to create sovereign laws such as criminalization and death penalties for homosexuality – because the rest of the world was not duped by the excuses for apartheid. Recall Ambassador Jon Qwelane from Uganda, he casts shame on the Constitution of South Africa through his lack of respect for it; and stop investing in Museveni until he directs his parliament to stop legislation that is un-African, discriminatory and fails to separate Church from State.

In the World -  When your house is on order – and you have truly swept out the last of the cobwebs of discrimination – the one that hides like a sleeping snake behind the excuse of ‘Africanism’ – go out to the rest of the World and say “look where we were thirty years ago – and look where we are today – we are a true Rainbow Nation – and you can come visit me in San Francisco and all my brothers and sisters and everyone in between and you can scream at us – “Republican Party – why do you fall behind South Africa – why dis you help us end apartheid and now you fail your own people – those who until they can marry and receive all federal benefits – are second class citizens – just the way we used to be?   US Congress, President Obama,  we are leaders in the world on LGBT rights and we are asking you to repeal DOMA now.

Pride, Cape Town, is more than just a party and when you yelled back and stood up today – I realized that you are ready to fight here for the rights you already own – and for the rights of all in Africa who suffer the hardship of hate and criminalization.

Thank you South Africa for teaching me, Cape Town Pride for inviting me, British Airways for getting me here and home again and to Cape Royale hotel and Victoria Junction.

Cape Town is a fantastic destination for Pride – Lets get the rest of the World here next year – watch out Sydney and San Francisco!
Melanie with Rev. Ekklesia D Lange – Kicked out of Methodist Church
For Being a lesbian when she married her wife.
Fighting the Arbitration of her Case.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Melanie Nathan with Ndumie Funda from luleki Sizwe

Table Mountain, Gareth Pride Organizer, Mel and SABC NEWS TV

Ms. Cape Town; Ms. Pride , Ms All

NEW SA Lesbian Magazine to Launch

=================================================================================================

Pride Soccer World Cup Stadium

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Related articles

• LGR’s Melanie Nathan To Speak At Cape Town (SA) Pride (lezgetreal.com)
• South African LGBT Activists Launch Unique Rainbow Flag (lezgetreal.com)
• South African Jewish Legendary Heroes Memorialized in AFRICAN Postal Stamps (lezgetreal.com)
• LGR’s Melanie Nathan To Speak At Cape Town (SA) Pride (pinkbananaworld.com)
• Sen Dianne Feinstein Commits to Repeal DOMA – While Activists Lunch in the Castro (lezgetreal.com)
• Mel Nathan Invited to South Africa For Pride & Advocacy Events (lezgetreal.com)

Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT)  will be hosting the second Transgender Caucus on March 6th from 2:00 to 5:30. TENT invites all Texans interested in the rights of the gender diverse to participate in this event. During the event TENT and participants will explore the issues that the community identifies as being of high concern.

“We will use this opportunity to engage in small group deliberative dialogue to explore these primary concerns and shape an organizational platform that can be used as a draft blueprint for future lobbying and educational efforts.” says Katy Stewart,  the Chair of Transgender Education Network of Texas.

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE:  info@transtexas.org

The Transgender Education Network of Texas is an organization dedicated to furthering the education of gender diversity in the State of Texas.   We work to accomplish this through education and networking in both public and private forums.   Through our efforts we strive to halt discrimination through social, legal, legislative and corporate education.

The Transgender Education Network of Texas is an organization dedicated to furthering the education of gender diversity in the State of Texas,  working to accomplish this through education and networking in both public and private forums.

“Through our efforts we strive to halt discrimination through social, legal, legislative and corporate education.” (Website)

Contact  – You may contact us via E-Mail at info@transtexas.org

Related articles

• Texas – Vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance (lezgetreal.com)

Image via Wikipedia

Posted by the  Editors. Feb 18-2011

State of Equality LGBTQ rights conference March 6 – Blue Ridge Pride and GetEqual NC will hold the State of Equality conference in Asheville, March 6.

Asheville, NC –Blue Ridge Pride and GetEqual NC are partnering together to hold an LGBTQ rights conference on March 6, 2011. The event will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 1 Edwin Place in Asheville from 2:30-4:00pm and is free to the public. The event has been titled as “State of Equality” and will include open discussion about national, state, and local trends affecting LGBTQ individuals.

Headlining the panel for the event are renowned ACLU attorney Christine Sun who assisted in writing the anti-bullying legislation for North Carolina, Constance McMillen who made headlines when she challenged her Mississippi school district’s discriminatory decision to bar her from being her partner to her senior prom, as well as national GetEqual activist Dan Fotou. The event will also include the opportunity to network with local and state groups with opportunities to address barriers and you can help make a difference. Following the conference, Pack’s Tavern will be hosting the panelists with an opportunity for more casual discussion for attendees.

After receiving feedback from the community, Amy Huntsman of Blue Ridge Pride was looking for opportunities to partner with other groups to bring education and awareness to current trends within the LGBTQ community. “In light of several actions that have taken place since the elections, we felt it pertinent to bring more education about the changes that could have devastating outcomes on our community. GetEqual NC was also looking to do something similar and we are fortunate to partner together to bring this event to the community. We are pleased to be able to have such esteemed panelists to discuss the state of equality for North Carolina.”

Blue Ridge Pride is an all-volunteer organization with a five-person Board of Directors. It was formed in spring of 2009, and is established as a non-profit. Blue Ridge Pride strives to be inclusive of all LGBTQ populations, families, and friends; and to create opportunities that educate, support awareness, and celebrate the overall community at large.

GetEqual NC is an all-volunteer organization that derived after the national organization GetEqual contacted local activists to organize for equality. It was formed in December of 2010 and seeks to empower the LGBTQ community and our allies to take bold action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way.

Related articles

• Six Queer Activists Arrested, Charged with Tresspassing At Marriage Bureau on Valentines Day (chicagonow.com)
• GetEqual Activists Arrested on Valentine’s Day (pinkbananaworld.com)

Melanie Nathan; nathan@privatecourts.com Dec 29-2010; – A creditor called me one particularly bad month asking me to pay a debt I could not afford at that time. I told him I had  no money to pay the amount needed for the month and that food on the table for my kids was more important.  As he persisted, I asked the caller if he had a wife and a family and he said he did. I asked him if he understood what I was experiencing, just having lost my paying work; he responded “yes ma’am but you incurred the debt;  you knew what you were doing,” he said.  My response came from goodness knows where: Which of my kidneys do you want me to sell;” I implored, exasperated with his persistence; “my left kidney or my right one?”  To which he answered ” I don’t care which one you sell madam, your left or your right – it makes no difference to me.”

In Washington each February, the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, (CPAC)  draws thousands of conservative activists (is that an Oxymoron?) –including potential presidential candidates.  The presence of the gay Republican group GOProud, which was (along with many other groups) a co-sponsor of last year’s CPAC is planning to play a similar role this year’s event, yet to a foray of objections and boycotts of the event.

The American Principles Project announced that it would not participate in 2011, because it believes that the gay group’s “purposes are fundamentally incompatible with a movement that   - has long embraced the ideals of family and faith in a thriving civil society.”

I ask  “where is that  ‘thriving Civil society Pray show me? ” and how come it is still a thriving civil society,  given that the LGBT community has yet to see its equality under the law of the USA?  Have we ever truly seen a thriving civil society?  Not since the demise of the Bush erosion.   Gays and Lesbians have had no impact on whether society is thriving or not as without civil rights, including marriage and employment protections,  LGBT have not fully participated.

The conservative group GOProud wants a seat at the Republican and conservative table at CPAC.

At the behest of conservatives the words ‘Republicans/ conservatives’ and ‘Gay Group’ are simply unable to coexists – or at least we are told.   The  Republicans and  conservatives consider each and every American who is lesbian, gay or transgender  ‘persona non-grata’- unworthy of sitting at a table to talk issues and politics.

Several other groups have joined the American Principles Project, and the conservative news website WorldNetDaily has reported this latest development in the increasing numbers who will boycott the next CPAC  Conference.

Two of the nation’s premier moral issues organizations, the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America, are refusing to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in February because a homosexual activist group, GOProud, has been invited.

Deciphering: “has long embraced the ideals of family and faith in a thriving civil society” -  Do you think the society that hosts the  Kidney collector – oops I mean debt collector is a ‘thriving civil society?’ The one George W. Bush left us – and guess what -queers had no rights then too- specifically excluded.

Here we are in the Post BUSH years, after a lengthy time in the  hands of conservatives – conservative principles – no LGBT rights : how come we were not living a thriving  civil society at that time or even now for that matter? A ‘thriving civil society?’   That is precisely what our forefathers had in mind when they separated Church from State, whilst seeking religious freedoms.  Did gay people cause Bush-Cheney-Rove and their administration to bungle it up – hell we could not even serve in the military at that time, let alone get married.

In fact  that admin and now continues to effect the sending of LGBT Americans packing, exiled to foreign soil, just for falling in love with a same-sex foreigner!

A civil society is one where people share equally in the civil laws; a thriving society is one where people have healthy good full bellies and stress free lives, where money is earned and taxes are paid.  Where years of savings are not washed down the drain and where everyone has an equal shot at cures, remedies and transplants. Look at the Wall Street crooks and resulting debacle, the housing crash, mortgage meltdown,  the unemployment, dried up unemployment benefits;  what the hell is is thriving about all of that?

Now these very conservatives, who purport to have the answer for our ideal thriving society – which by their definition – such cannot be unless gays are excluded from sitting at their table;  do not want to sit at the table with GOProud because they are destroying the ideals that do not exist? How did that happen?

I have a suggestion for CPAC cowardice – why not pick the brain of a queer or two – you may just get an idea about “HOW TO” ensure and run an effective thriving civil society; from those who will appreciate the civility of separating Church law and dicta from State law and rights and not bitch slap it around the way the conservatives have done.

Okay, so now you are thoroughly confused – no worries you are in good company – so am I!

Bottom line guess what in case you did not notice, there was NO same sex marriage nor any LGBT rights while all this mayhem went on and while it continues to drench us as a society seeking our last pound of flesh, straight or queer flesh! No discrimination on the end result.

After all these years without any civil rights for the LGBT community, nor same-sex marriage, – millions of Americans are denied their basic civil rights and the ‘cowardly boycotters’ will have us believe we live in a civil society?  Civil for whom and thriving about what?

People have had their physical freedom and rights, stolen from them, such as United States Army Private Bradley Manning – what about Private Manning – waiting inside military  solitary confinement for 8 months without any charges.  I suppose that is our civil society and the ideal that the queers are going to mess with!

What is thriving about Africa right now, the rapes, the coups, the hunger, the malaria?  What is thriving about the Middle East – terrorism, bombings, kidnappings, nuclear threats, antisemitism, stoning of women, murder of lesbian daughters? What is thriving about Russia, Belarus, Europe…..  China ………..Central and South America  pray tell!  How did the queers cause all this?  Conservatives how are YOU  going to fix this entire universe of societies if you keep wasting your time with petty nonsense such as this boycotts such as this.

In conclusion sit at the table with those who share your ideals – and don’t give me that BS that you are backing out  because if you do “we will not have a thriving civil society.”  Try and find a better reason – this one does not work – and then face the fact there is no reason.

As far as my kidney is concerned – I still have both – There can never be a thriving civil society without full civil rights for all – anyway you choose to look at it, until that happens we are incomplete and you may as well take my Kidneys …..

App Cpac Letter

11-16-10 CPAC Opt Out Over GOProud

Related articles

• CPAC 2011 Boycott Grows Over Event Sponsorship By GOProud (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• Anti-gay boycott of conservative powwow gains steam (salon.com)
• NOM & Liberty Counsel Join CPAC 2011 Boycott Threat Over GOProud’s Presence (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• Out and About at CPAC (talkingpointsmemo.com)
• CPAC Too Pro-Gay For Many Conservative Groups (alan.com)

Melanie Nathan- Dec 14-2010 -Bernice Sam, Ghana’s National Program Coordinator of WILDAF (Women in Law and Development), spoke to the Ghana Constitution Review Commission about limiting Ghana’s definition of marriage to opposite-gender couples only; her fear is that unclear constitutional provisions on marriage make it impossible to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.

Sam, who was speaking at a public forum organized by the National Constitutional Reform Coalition on the 1992 Constitution in Accra on Monday December 13, stated that if Ghana is serious about scrapping off same sex marriages, the time is now. This according to a post in African Activist .

Sam said: “Article 11 that lists the laws in Ghana includes Common Law and under Common law it says customary law is also part of the laws of Ghana. And we know that when we define marriage, it is left to the definitions under customary law.  She then went on to show the “danger” of such leading to other countries accepting same-sex marriages for legal purposes.

Bernice Sam Anti Lesbian = Anti Woman

“We believe it is time for our constitution to define marriage clearly because we cannot hide from the fact that these kinds of unions may catch up with us in the future. This is the time to say that we don’t want same sex marriages.

The Constitution Review Commission should make proposals that clearly define marriage such that we do away with the possibilities of people bringing up arguments that say that our Constitution is gender neutral so we can now make the argument that same sex marriages are allowed. We don’t want same sex marriages in Ghana”

Apparently without specifying gender in marriage, it may make it “almost impossible for the act of homosexuality to be considered criminal.”

Women in Law and Development (WILDAF), a pan-African human rights NGO working for women’s rights. I guess lesbians are not women.

WILDAF is funded by the following overseas donors:

Clara Wichmann Instituut
Daphne – European Commission
European Initiative for Democratisation and Human Rights
HIVOS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Netherlands (MFS)
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science Netherlands
Ministry of Foreign Affairs France
PSO

Accra Ghana Independence

read more….

Posted by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

————————————————————————

Ghana’s Motto Coat of Arms – Freedom and Justice – whatever happened to Scientia et Veritas?

Melanie Nathan – Dec 07, 2010 -  – David Bahati, the  Member of the Uganda Parliament, who authored the Anti- Homosexual Bill in Uganda, calling for the death sentence of Gays and their allies,  obtained a single event visa to come to the USA to attend the International Consortium of Governmental Financial Management Conference. Today a college Professor , Dr. Warren Throckmorten  reported on his website that he had spoken twice to Behati and that Behati is indeed in the USA.

Unlike other MPs, the American mission in Kampala gave Bahati a single-entry visa specifically for that one event, as previously reported on this site.   LezGetReal learned that Bahati was in fact denied entry to the Conference Tuesday.  This is the Conference upon which  his Visa is based.  His motives are suspect and it is believed that he may have entered the USA fraudulently with an ulterior motive.

BAHATI arrived in the USA this morning and attempted to register at the CONFERENCE.

Doug Hadden, spokesman for the International Consortium of Governmental Financial Management,  just informed Dr. Warren Throckmorton-  that David Bahati, author of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill attempted to enter the Financial Management Conference this morning, saying:

“He arrived mid morning and was informed of the decision. It turns out that we didn’t have his proper e-mail address for his phone. There was a frank but calm discussion and Mr. Bahati was not able to enter the building.  “

Previously Hadden had provided LGR with this e-mail

—– Original Message —–

From: Doug Hadden

Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 8:36 PM

Subject: Response from Doug Hadden

“There seems to be some interest into the whereabouts of David Bahati. In my volunteer role as VP of Communications for ICGFM, I can confirm that he is not at our conference, nor will he be permitted to enter the conference. As you can imagine, from a very non-political organization, doing good work in sharing good practices in public financial management, we have been placed in a very uncomfortable position.”

“I cannot speculate whether Mr. Bahati is in the United States. And, if he is in the United States, I cannot speculate on whether this is considered legal or illegal entry”

Doug Hadden

VP of Communications ICGFM

However LezGetReal has evidence of the fact that Bahati knew he would be barred from the Conference, that he ad been told such prior to leaving Uganda and that he said he would come to the USA regardless.  Does this mean that Bahati has entered the USA under false pretenses?  Is his entry into the USA on a single event VISA legitimate ? I was informed today on the phone  by a State department spokesperson, that the Dept. is unable to discuss individual Visas and that if Bahati is here on a visa they would presume it to be legitimate.   However one wonders if Behato should be ordered to leave the Country based on the fact that he has been barred from attending the Conference that he was issued the visa for.

Interesting claim that Bahati’s visa is specifically for the event he now cannot attend. What happens when he is unable to enter? The Uganda Monitor covered our article about the a Petition on Change. org to have Bahati denied a Visa, Bahati commented on the situation:

“I know US as a defender of democracy in the world and can differentiate between the efforts of a legislator in a democratic parliament from acts of dictatorship,” he [Bahati] said.”

“The gays also want to demonstrate at the venue of the meeting to show their distaste of the Bill and Mr Bahati. But Mr Bahati said he would continue with his trip.”

It is clear that Behati’s request for the Conference related VISA was a ploy to visit the USA, with a different agenda.  Bahati is known to have friendships with anti-gay Evangelical Fundementalists in the USA, including   Scott Lively .  Scott Liveley is the Evangelical missionary who gave a seminar in Uganda,  promoting anti-gay teachings in the name of religion,  which in effect led to Bahati’s Bill.    Bahati is currently campaigning  for the February 2011 elections   to the Ugandan Parliament.     Bahati needs the support of the Christian right here in the USA. The Bill is currently lurking and could be pursued to legislative passage.

In a recent October 2010 interview Behati stated that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill,  will “soon” be law. The Bill is currently lurking and could be pursued to legislative passage. In a recent updated October 2010 interview Behati stated that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, as it’s formally known, will “soon” be law.  “We are very confident because this is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family here in Africa, and also protect the future of our children,” says Bahati .  Does this have a ring to it; like Evangelical parroting? Read more: http://www.queerty.com/ugandan-lawmaker-david-bahati-kill-the-gays-bill-will-be-law-soon-20101028/#ixzz178VixWYb

Bahati is expected to use this denial of entry as an excuse to leave D.C. and to travel to New York where he will stay at UGANDA HOUSE, where he has been before.

LezGetReal has reached out to the State Department and to DHS for an official comment.

UPDATED Note: Bahati Will be a Guest on the Rachel Maddow Show tomorrow Weds, 12/08-2010

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles

LGR Quoted  in Uganda – http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1067082/-/ckit9uz/-/

• Time to Take to the Streets – DAVID BAHATI the UGANDAN MP – Author of KILL the GAYS BILL IS in D.C. (topix.net)
• BREAKING: LGBT Community Time to Take to the Streets – DAVID BAHATI the UGANDAN MP – Author of KILL the GAYS BILL IS in D.C. (lezgetreal.com)
• Is David BAHATI in US Illegally to Peddle his Ugandan KILL-GAYS Bill? (lezgetreal.com)
• Ploy & Agenda for D.C. Visit by Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ M.P. David Bahati (lezgetreal.com)
• Uganda’s “Kill The Gays” Bill Author Coming To Washington, D.C. Next Week… GET HIM!!!! (lezgetreal.com)
• Is David BAHATI in US Illegally to Peddle his Ugandan KILL-GAYS Bill? (pinkbananaworld.com)

Members on panel at NLJGA By Melanie Nathan

San Francisco: The throng of hotel security stood by as my colleague and I pulled into the Hyatt Regency in downtown San Francisco, early Thursday morning. I was invited by the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) to speak on a panel at their annual Summit.

Pulling up in my car, handing keys over to the valet,  and then bam sudden surprise when I realized we had landed in the middle of labor dispute.

Flanked by two sides of picketers – members of the San Francisco chapter of Pride at Work, an LGBT labor group affiliated with the AFL-CIO, to the right with LGBT signage and who had joined the city’s hotel workers union, UniteHere  Local 2, in calling on NLGJA to honor the union-initiated boycott of the Hyatt in an effort to win a union contract for hotel employees.

There were mixed feelings amongst the gay community as attendees who supported the all important event. While some knew that NLGJA had declined a request to withdraw its annual convention, a would be act of solidarity, from San Francisco’s Hyatt Regency Hotel in connection with a labor union boycott of the hotel, others were surprised by the fuss outside.

The NLGJA had posted a statement on its website, saying a cancellation of its contract with the hotel, which was signed three years ago, would result in a $150,000 penalty that could bankrupt the group.  A boycott of this Hotel had been called only a few months ago.

Here is a small excerpt of a note that appeared on the Journalist group’s website: “As you may have seen, one of the four unions at this year’s NLGJA convention host hotel has recently been engaged in a labor action.  We wanted to brief you on what the union has asked of NLGJA, and how NLGJA is responding.

First, and most important: While workers have called for a boycott of the host hotel and other Hyatt properties, and while the possibility of informational pickets exists, please be aware that the union currently remains in negotiations with the hotel, and has not gone on strike except for a brief walkout in June. It is our understanding and expectation that NLGJA members, sponsors and invited speakers will not need to cross a picket line of striking workers to attend the 20th anniversary conference.

As to the boycott: Although NLGJA understands the importance of collective bargaining and recognizes that worker actions are not to be blithely ignored, it is simply impossible at this late date for us to move this year’s convention to another hotel. Our contract with the Hyatt was signed three years ago. NLGJA was contacted by organizers from UniteHere Local 2 in June, and we have had conversations with them for more than a month.”

Israel Alvaran, community outreach organizer for Unite Here! Local 2 and a member of Pride at Work agreed that NLGJA would likely be “faced with some added expenses for moving its convention to another hotel.”  But he said the “union would have intervened” to help NLGJA challenge a penalty fee from the Hyatt on grounds that the hotel most likely did not inform NLGJA of labor disputes and the possibility of a hotel boycott at the time the gay journalists group signed its contract with the hotel;”

This irresponsible, meaningless and uninformed statement would surely not  be one upon which the NLGJA could ever rely. While the Union now suggests it would have helped the NLGJA in moving the conference   - supposedly to fight a breach of contract action, I say unless the Union put such in writing to include a full indemnification of all legal fees as well as a deposit for such in an escrow account, the NLGJA leadership did the right thing in holding the summit and avoiding the risks.  They owed that to their own membership – far above any perceived statement of solidarity to the Labor Union.

Noting criticism of the lesbian and Gay Journalists, and as the VP of a prominent non-profit Bay Area Board of Directors,  I would be remiss to not share this extremely significant observation yet to be noted in any reports I have read to date.

Any organizational Board which is tasked with, inter alia, the fiscal duty to maintain the heartbeat of an Organization has critical decisions to make and must as a matter of  fiduciary duty and honor place the interests of their organization at the fore. These directors have a responsibility first and foremost to its own membership and the life of the organization.

The responsible decision has to be to act in the best interests of the group one serves. In the case of the NLGJA, it involved more than risking the $150,000 loss for a breach of a three year old contract, it involves letting down the membership, failing to accomplish organizational goals, progress for the group, and always a great risk would be extensive legal fees.

This in no way derogates from the fact of solidarity and the leadership of NLGJA suggested that the LGBT journalists in attendance bring cameras to report the boycott.  However criticizing the attending members and journalists who could have written the labor union story has proved to be counter- productive.

And while impassioned Union members and labor activists may feel their organizational interests and livelihoods are more important than others, evidenced by such reports as the following, I sympathize with the cause but disapprove the connection and lashing out at the journalists see – http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20100903051531345-

“Gay and Lesbian Journalists to Bust Strike by Hotel Workers – by Suzan -9/02/2010

My grandparents on my father’s side came here from Poland. At Ellis Island they got a different name. From Ellis Island they were taken to the iron mines of a company town called Mineville with company housing and a company store. They were paid in company money called script good only for that company house and the company stores. They were illiterate and the doctor who delivered my father spelled his name differently from the rest of his brothers and sisters. My grandfather died of miner’s lung.

My other grandmother worked as a seamstress in the clothing and textile factories.

After my father came home from WW II he got a union job as a welder. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union. Good pay, good benefits and a pension for hard body breaking work.

I grew up in a union house and learned early on that only the lowest forms of life cross workers picket lines. Rats, louses and scabs…

I am working class and proud. I believe every worker should belong to a union and that unions should be able to break a corporation as easily as the corporations now break unions.”

The writer expressed what she termed “imagine my utter shock and disgust” when she read the   The Washington Blade:   article, “Gay journalists to face Union Picket Line” by Lou Chibbaro Jr. | Sep 01, 2010; where he mentioned that  The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association has declined a request to withdraw its annual convention from San Francisco’s Hyatt Regency Hotel this weekend in connection with a labor union boycott of the hotel.

“Today when I listen to so many people who transition in middle age I am struck how many have class privilege. They have professions and degrees, economic security that so many of us who were runaways or throwaways, people of color who grew up poor will never have.

I listen to those who carry on about ENDA, which for them means keeping that professional job. But ENDA doesn’t mean so much when the jobs available to members of your class are part of the new servant economy. When you are a barista with a degree.

For some of us the Employee’s Free Choice Act, benefits that include part time and contract/temp worker as well as issues like a “Living Wage” mean as much or more than things like ENDA. Big fucking deal if you get a job where you aren’t discriminated against if you can’t afford to keep a roof over your head, eat, dress well enough to meet the dress code. And I might add have enough left to enjoy living if only a little.

When the Textile workers in Lowell, Mass. went out on strike in the early 20th Century they demanded not just bread but roses too.

The LGBT/TQ movements owe much to the idea of Unions. Harry Hay was a union organizer and many of us who have fought long and hard for LGBT/TQ rights are the children of union parents.

So I say to those of you who are journalists attending this conference. Shame upon you if you do not honor the worker’s picket lines.” http://womenborntranssexual.com/2010/09/02/gay-and-lesbian-journalists-to-bust-strike-by-hotel-workers-in-order-to-hold-their-conference-as-planned/”

And that is where I fail to make the shame -connect.

Journalists attending 2010 NLGJA Conference, Pic by melanie Nathan

Instead of garnishing the LGBT journalists support such critics and Union members have lashed out at them for fulfilling their own fiduciary duties and acting in the best interests of their own Group.  Why would another group in essence “die” for the cause of the Union?

Through this criticism the Journalists are not likely to write about the labor dispute and so what could have been a great opportunity serving as PR on the merits itself, has been lost. I did not see a single interview or photograph taken by a Journalist.

So the Unions criticized, the Picketers yelled and nobody in attendance has written anything in solidarity for the labor cause. Why would individual Journalists be outing themselves for having attended if they are being accused of breaching a picket line?

To say that the Union would probably have helped and to ignore the fact of legal fees and expenses for NLGJA which would have been inevitable, amounts in my opinion to a selfish expectation on the part of Unions involved.

While I have told of the passion and evidenced the attack, and also provided the ultimate defense for NLGJA having the conference – I have yet to note what the dispute is about and what it is the Labor Union wants and is not getting. That is the real shame!!!

Melanie Nathan

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

Related articles by Zemanta

• Why NLGJA Membership Matters (pinkbananaworld.com)
• NLGJA Encourages Fair, Accurate Coverage of Prop 8 Decision (pinkbananaworld.com)
• News Release (07-20-10): NLGJA Announces Speakers for its 7th Annual LGBT Media Summit (pinkbananaworld.com)

LezGetReal features two key LGBT events for the Month of September, the State of Balck Gay Summit and Out on The Hill:-

The 4th Annual STATE OF BLACK GAY AMERICA SUMMIT with SHARON LETTMAN Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition giving  the Keynote speech. This one day event  will include panelists Rep. Simone Bell, APD LGBT Liaison Patricia Powell, Sandra Lawson, Maurice Jamal  as well as others. It  will be held on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 11am-3pm, Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel, at the time when Atlanta enjoys a myriad of Pride events.

In October 2009, Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks became the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

Since 2003, NBJC has provided leadership at the intersection of mainstream civil rights groups and mainstream LGBT organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of the African-American LGBT community that are often relegated to the sidelines.

NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully-empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation. In concert with NBJC’s mission to eradicate racism and homophobia, her personal goals are to make the Black family the focal point of NBJC; to tell compelling stories about the Black LGBT community; and to see Black LGBT people understood, embraced and respected for their valuable contributions to society.

The National Black Justice Coalition’s First OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit.

September 15-18th in D.C.  – A gathering of the Black LGBT leadership during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 40th annual Legislative Conference.

OUT on the Hill convenes the nation’s top Black LGBT thought leaders, faith leaders, philanthropists and activists to participate in social action that empowers our communities while educating our Congressional leaders, the Obama Administration and federal agencies about our public policy concerns. We plan to come together annually to let the powers that be know that we exist, we are organized and informed, and we have the ability to move the masses towards an America that is more inclusive of Black LGBT people.

OUT on the Hill, September 15-18, features a Lobby Day, which serves as an opportunity for Black LGBT leaders to discuss important policy issues with their Members of Congress and Congressional Leadership; a White House Briefing, which will include presentations from key White House Officials and representatives from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Health & Human Services.

http://www.nbjc.org/outonthehill/NBJC-OUT-on-the-Hill-package_2010.pdf

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Melanie Nathan; 8-18-10

Almost 50 at the time, back in In 2007 tennis great Martina Navratilova signed with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) as the group’s Health & Fitness ambassador.  Navratilova continues in this capacity, where she makes appearances at AARP events and offers online tips for AARP members on things like diet and fitness for the senior (that word?) crowd.

Navratilova, has won 59 grand slam tennis titles (the last one six weeks shy of her 50th birthday). Martina has been named “Tour Player of the Year” by the Women’s Tennis Association, “Female Athlete of the Year” by the Associated Press, and one of the “Top 40 Athletes of All Time” by Sports Illustrated.

“Because I’m in my 50s, I’m very concerned about flexibility. I know how much it helps me recover from tough matches or workouts and prepare for exercise the next day. And there are other benefits, too. Staying flexible can help you prevent injury, as well as avoid muscle knots and tightness brought on by daily activities. It improves your posture, reduces stress, and generally keeps your body feeling youthful and agile.” asserts Martina on site in one of many articles available to non members as well.

Here is a Video from the AARP website showcasing an example of the health and fitness advice offered
by the now over fifty ambassador.

http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-08-2010/martina_stretching.html

Navratilova will be at the AARP Orlando@50+ in Orlando, FL: September 30 – October 2, which thousands of AARP members and their friends are expected to attend

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• CNN to Air Martina Navratilova Documentary (lezgetreal.com)
• Martina Navratilova Kicks Ass at Wimbledon Weeks After Radiation Therapy (lezgetreal.com)
• Navratilova’s inspiring fight with cancer (cnn.com)
• Martina Navratilova’s busy life: Senior doubles in Paris, TV commentating, and radiation therapy for cancer (pinkbananaworld.com)
• How much does it pay to be married to Martina Navratilova? Apparently about $3 million (pinkbananaworld.com)

“We were pointing a big finger outside the room, when there was a big finger that needed to be pointed within the room”

In an Article by Jan Stevenson of Pridesource.com, Detroit an insightful view of Sharon Lettman, the new executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition; she is someone with a clear sense of purpose and vision. She’s not someone who loses her way, but Detroit’s Renaissance Center was maze enough for her to become quite lost.

Lettman was a panelist at that April 30 forum, held during the NAACP’s Freedom Weekend at Cobo Hall, on the topic -”Is Gay the New Black?”

“Lettman joined NBJC in October 2009 after eight years at People For the American Way Foundation. As executive vice president of PFAWF, Lettman led the Homophobia in the Black Church program where she developed an understanding of how the radical right-wing strategists used LGBT issues to co-opt the black vote.

As leader of the nation’s largest African-American LGBT organization, Lettman is committed to make the black family the focal point of NBJC and to put a face on the black LGBT community.

Lettman comes to the LGBT movement not as a member but an ally. She is straight, married to an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force. She shared why she is so committed to LGBT rights, and how she sees the LGBT movement connecting to the civil rights movement.”

quotes of Interest :

“It was an honest opportunity for us to have a very needed conversation and pull back the curtain on some of the ignorance in the African-American community and focus on ‘How do we build power for the black LGBT movement within the African-American community?’

and

“People wanted to say that (gay is the new black) came from the white gay movement, and it was provocative. OK, but you didn’t have anybody from the white gay movement on the panel. So to me it wasn’t relevant. I didn’t want to be on a panel at the NAACP when I represent the black LGBT movement, and be beating up on the white gay movement.”

• This is a worthy read – article can be found at… http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=41403 – The right wing in Michigan has been successful in recruiting black ministers in the anti-gay campaigns.
• At the panel discussion, you said that gay is not the new black – that it’s like the old black. What did you mean by that?

Originally printed 5/13/2010 (Issue 1819 – Between The Lines News)

Related articles by Zemanta

• Gay community loses black civil rights ally Dorothy Height (pinkbananaworld.com)
• NBJC’s Sharon Lettman: Gay Is the Old Black (queerty.com)
• Gay community loses black civil rights ally Dorothy Height (bilerico.com)

4-20-10- Melanie Nathan; The Women’s Conference® community is a global network of women who gather every year at the nation’s premier forum for women, hosted by California First Lady Maria Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. For two full days, more than 100 internationally-acclaimed leaders, visionaries, authors, journalists and artists come together with more than 25,000 women from all walks of life to be educated, inspired and empowered to be Architects of Change in their own lives, within their communities and around the world.

Beyond the annual event, The Women’s Conference community gathers daily online at www.WomensConference.org and throughout the year at events that serve, support and strengthen the larger community. The mission of The Women’s Conference is to create Architects of Change – people who see a problem and seek to create the solution, be it in their homes, their communities, their states or the world.

The Women’s Conference has become a “must attend” transformational event and full day passes sell out in record-breaking time each year. In 2009, tickets sold out in less than two hours. In response to this surging popularity and demand, The Conference expanded the event to two full days with the addition of A Day of Transformation and Night at The Village.

May 14-16:      I Can Do It! San Diego Conference

The Mind, Body & Soul Retreat featuring dozens of your favorite speakers including Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Cheryl Richardson, Joan Z. Borysenko, Ph.D., Louise L. Hay, and many more workshops ranging from health to spirituality.

• San Diego Convention Center

For more information visit www.icandoit.net or call 800-654-5126

June 9:     The Women’s Conference Press Announcement

Two weeks prior to registration, The Women’s Conference 2010 announces conference events, speakers & ticket information. Information will be available at www.womensconference.org.

June 23:    The Women’s Conference 2010 Online Ticket Registration

(Please note: Date is subject to change.)

To learn more about The Women’s Conference 2010, click HERE.

**Check out The Great Giveaway for a chance to win 2 free Special Guest Passes to The Women’s Conference 2010.

September 10-12:    Best Buddies Challenge

JOIN TEAM MARIA on a cycling adventure along the Pacific Coast Highway from Carmel to the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, which also includes an optional 5K & 3K walk. For more information, click HERE.

October 10:     Pier del Sol

JOIN US at a family festival & fundraiser for Special Olympics, Southern California

• Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park
• 10am – 2pm

October 25-26:     The Women’s Conference 2010

The Nation’s Premier Forum for Women

• A Day of Health, Wellness & Transformation and Night at The Village – Oct. 25
• A Day of Empowerment & The Minerva Awards – Oct. 26
• Long Beach Convention Center
• To learn more about The Women’s Conference 2010, click HERE.

**Check out The Great Giveaway for a chance to win 2 free Special Guest Passes to The Women’s Conference 2010.

December 7:    Season of Giving Event – Sacramento

The Women’s Conference supports a statewide holiday food drive and tree lighting event.

• California State Capitol, Sacramento

December 14:    California Hall of Fame Event – Sacramento

To honor legendary people who embody California’s innovative spirit.

• The California Museum, Sacramento
• Visit www.californiamuseum.org

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The Women’s Conference 2010

October 25 & 26

Posted by Melanie Nathan

from Site of Womens Conference

Anti-gay groups such as the Christian-based Focus on the Family Action, Phyllis Schlafly‘s Eagle Forum and the Catholic Advocate will speak on a range of social issues, including one panel titled Saving Freedom from the Enemies of our Values.

Earlier this year when it was announced that the conservative gay group GOProud would be serving as a co-sponsor of this year’s CPAC conference, some Religious Right groups threatened to boycott. However, only Liberty University Law School the Christian-based university founded by the late Jerry Falwell, actually followed through.  Maybe they are still hosting Ms. Lisa Miller and were truly too busy to attend and are simply using GOProud as a crutch.

Well if all those courageous gay Republicans succeeded in accomplishing was to keep the Liberty crew away – I say job jolly well done!  But no, I for one appreciate the visibility, albeit adorned in a cloak of oxymoron visibility. 

So can someone please explain to me, since I am thousands of miles from the real action,  sitting here in PJH blogger mode, with license to “SKILL!”  What were the GOPRIDES trying to do – convert the ‘other’ conservatives to the unfathomable depths of acceptance?  Hey gay GOP’s it will take a lot more than a cute name, and a few Million bucks to do that.

.On the exhibition floor, the gay Republicans have set up their Little Shop of Whore-rers mere booths down from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the nation’s most ferocious opponent of gay marriage.

So to illustrate the fun, here are two Video representations of  the show – all drama! Did I say  drama?  I say yes, GO drama GO, because ‘drama is as drama does’.

 California Young American’s for Freedom’s Ryan Sorba better hold on to his tuchus after his display of fundamental inaccuracy  - and maybe I was wrong, maybe the OXY- is no longer Moron…. And the GOPriders were welcome in some way, anyway…..  you be the Judge…  

Melanie Nathan

thought i would use my conservative picture for this one not the cute lesbian one!

By Melanie Nathan, nathan@privatecourts.com 
 www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com

This conference is starting on his very day when I broke this story “Shocking Reality” - many of my readers called Senator Schumer’s office only to be shunned off with comments such as “Oh yes, Melanie Nathan’s article is just an opinion piece… and said that Senator Schumer is a sponsor of UAFA anyway…. “ 

Well, well as if we did not know that and if  so why not then include us? Is that a message that we should pursue UAFA as a stand alone only?   We will be looking for answers…     That said, my source was informed of this directly by the Senator himself. 

I am hoping that when the conference attendees get together and realize that the entire movement is screwed by lack of cohesive planning,  and piecemeal legislation, our brothers and sisters will, ‘carpe diem’ and all come to a simple conclusion – 2 words “OMNIBUS BILL.”   Amend the Civil Rights Act to include all Americans.   This rediculous state of affairs with a Senator sponsoring a bill and then possibly thwarting its progress through an alternate venue, is illustrative of my point…. piecemeal be damned – we want our CIVIL RIGHTS and now.  “The Color of my skin Senator, is GAY!!!”

The Creating Change conference at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel downtown will feature Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran who faced discharge after announcing on television that he is gay.  They seem to be focusing a lot of attention on DADT because Lt. Dan Choi will be speaking.  This is great and hopefully more Americans will be reached through further visibility. ( I am not sure how much more visible Dan can get in our community.)

Also on the agenda this week: gay marriage, which will probably be top of mind among conference attendees. In California, a trial is under way seeking to overturn that state’s voter-approved measure that bans same-sex marriage – a case that could make its way to the Supreme Court.   

Other sessions will feature workplace equality, HIV in older adults and creating safer environments for gay youth.  They will also explore aging issues among gays and lesbians and homophobia in nursing homes and extended-care facilities, according to the spokesperson Sue Hyde.  Great! But…. 

I researched interviews and comments with Task Force’ the organizers - noting some basic information in  articles in Dallas Press, including  The Dallas Morning News  and then also the Task force Press Release about the Conference  which I quote below:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 — National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey will present the annual State of the Movement address at the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, in which she will present a vision for the year ahead in the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. 

Just a week after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address, 2,000 LGBT activists will converge in Dallas, Texas, for the 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, Feb. 3-7. Activists will strategize on how to advance LGBT equality and acquire the skills needed to build the political power of the LGBT community in 2010 and beyond. 

“This is a critical and exciting time in our struggle for LGBT equality,” says Carey. “Having 2,000 LGBT rights supporters come together to plan and strategize is an unparalleled opportunity to create change.”

 The State of the Movement address is an opportunity to take stock of the past year and lay out a plan to move forward in the year ahead. It is one of the most anticipated events of the Creating Change conference. Carey will address critical legislative issues specifically affecting the LGBT community, including passing an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Other broader areas of focus will include the need for access to quality/affordable health care and racial and economic justice-related issues. Carey’s State of the Movement address will take place on Friday, Feb. 5, at 1:45 p.m. (CST) in the Dallas Ballroom of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in downtown Dallas, Texas.  

I was unable to find any publicity that specifically referred to the three most important things our community could possibly address right now, especially given the fact the Conference, according to its Executive Director (above),  will be an unaparalleled opportunity to strategize.    I am hoping these issues are in the State of the Movement Address – and if not that those at the Conference make the most of the opprtunity for transparent, reflective, remedial and productive co-ordination of efforts.  Its not a race to the finish line, my friends, its an opportunity for a hole in one!  

The Course…  

1. Piecemeal Legislation is working against us; our limited resources are too wide spread, affecting zero result;  

2. The need for a comprehensive and cohesive plan where we work to accomplish the repeal of DOMA – the inclusion of Sexual orientation in the Civil Rights Act;  

3. Immigration Reform for Gays and Lesbian spouses/ DP’s etc.  

My contribution to the Conference is breaking of the news about Senator Schumer’s Bill – that gay and lesbian immigration reform will be excluded from the Bill, just as it was by Guiterrez in the House Bill for comprehensive immigration reform.  My suspicion is that this fact may have been well known to some, yet not revealed.   The imprtance of this revelation is a call out to the entire LGBTQI community and America that this is unfathomable.  I dont give a continental brick about long term strategies, I want my inequality recognized for exactly what it is and NOW!!  So the 2,000 of you there in Dallas – pick up your courage and go for the BIG one!!

 Maybe my preceding , SHOCKING REALITY- article could help change Schumer’s stance – even though Senator Schumer’s staffers are informing callers that my article is merely an opinion piece.  I can tell you that it was the Senator himself who told my source that this was his plan.  

Wake up you guys at the conference – forget the bits and pieces and talk about CIVIL RIGHTS for us…..   Once same is accomplished everything else that smacks of LGBT discrimination will fall into place – because the law will then require, via one bill, that we be treated equally.  

How much louder can I yell..” THE   COLOR  OF   MY   SKIN   IS   GAY!”

Conference details : What: The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change  When: Today through Sunday at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel Highlights: Speakers include Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; and Rea Carey, executive director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Kai Wright, a writer and editor, will moderate a panel of youths.  Cost: Full conference rate $350; daily rate $75

 

 Posted by Melanie Nathan,  

 nathan@privatecourts.com
www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com  
 www.privatecourts.com 

 @oblogdeeoblogda – I Twitter too! 

Related articles by Zemanta

• First DADT Hearings In a Decade Scheduled for February (lezgetreal.com)
• Jerrold Nadler v. Barney Frank = LGBT UNITY? (lezgetreal.com)

Butch Voices is a grassroots organization dedicated to all self identified Butches, Studs, Aggressives, other similar identities, and their Allies. We, at Butch Voices, feel it is important to bring together our diverse communities, build bridges, make connections, and use our collective voices to gain better understanding of each other and promote positive visibility. We are holding the first Butch Voices Conference on August 20th – 23rd, 2009 in Oakland, California. The conference will be held at the Marriott City Center Hotel Complex in downtown Oakland.

Keynote speakers for the event include:

* Jeanne Cordova, Feminist Butch/Activist,/Publisher & Author
* S. Bear Bergman, Author/Theatre Artist/Gender-Jammer
* Malkia “Mac” Amala Cyril, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Media Justice

Scheduled workshops include a panel discussion on Stud/Butch images in the media moderated by filmmaker Cheryl Dunye (Stranger Inside, The Watermelon Woman). Other conference events will include a meet and greet, networking dinners, evening entertainment, a spoken word performance, and a night of karaoke fun.

To find more information on the conference including workshops and presenters, please vist ButchVoices.com.

The program includes 34 sports tournaments, 17 official parties, several LGBT themed art shows and exhibitions, an international choir festival, a tango festival, a film festival, a leather festival and a number of special performances featuring cabaret, theatre and opera, and the Love of Freedom – Freedom to Love Human Rights Conference.

OutCities is part of the program. It’s a cultural feast, an international collaboration with LGBT artists from different parts of the globe: Antwerp, Mexico City, Tel Aviv, Rio de Janeiro and Aarhus (a Dannish city) will fill the streets of Copenhagen with music, installations, events and performances on gender, identitu and diversity.

Visit www.copenhagen2009.org for complete program information. Tickets to all parties except the Grand Opening are now on sale. For more information about the parties and tickets, click here. If you can’t make it to Copenhagen, The next edition of Outgames will be held in 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Lezzie is half-closeted Brazilian Philosophy High School teacher writing on everything she has the opportunity to read, listen to and see (as a good Gemini).You can find out more about here by checking her profile at http://lezgetreal.ning.com/profile/Boudecca.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA—February 10, 2009—

Lara Taubman, eminent freelance international curator and art critic, is creating the exhibition of prized works donated to HRC Arizona for the 2009 fundraiser. The annual black-tie gala takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2009 and features renowned speakers, honorable guests and entertainers to help raise critical funds necessary to continue HRC Arizona’s efforts to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community and achieve fundamental fairness and equality for all. Tickets for the gala dinner and silent art auction are available www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc.

“This year’s HRC event will feature downtown Phoenix artists, a small but vibrant community of diversity and fearlessness whose art work reflects the complexity of the social and political situation of the city while engaging the distinctive design and architectural communities, downtown development and the visual art that is made many times in these renovated, historic buildings,” said Lara Taubman, Honorable Curator for HRC Arizona Gala. “For individuals, who support development through the arts or the support of their local businesses, the HRC event is more than a silent auction to support the worthy HRC cause, it also supports the downtown Phoenix community by spreading the word and giving exposure to artists who similarly believe that art is a tool that can create communities.”

Ms. Taubman is the Southwestern correspondent for internationally acclaimed art journals such as Artnews, Contemporary, Modern Painters and Sculpture magazines and has written for numerous others. She has curated exhibits at the Heard Museum for Native American Art, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and also creates exhibits worldwide. She recently closed a three-year exhibit of Abstract Expressionist Art curated through the Art in Embassies Program in the United States Embassy residence in Bucharest, Romania.

Assisting Ms. Taubman are Honorary Auction Co-Chairs for the 2009 HRC Arizona “Believe” Gala Dinner Claudine Sanchez and Jon Westbrook. In addition to the artwork, there are various items in the silent auction including exciting travel, healthy, beauty and various services packages that will be showcased online at http://hrcazdinner.org/index.php/auctions prior to the dinner. To make donations, contact the Co-Chairs for information at auction@hrcarizona.org. Corporate sponsorships are also available.

HRC contributed over $150,000 in Arizona in 2008 to its advocacy of equal rights. This included funding the NO to Prop 102 campaign in addition to providing dedicated, experienced staff to work with the campaigns of local candidates supportive of equality and with allied organizations.

To attend the 5^th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, visit www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc for tickets or call 800- 494-8497. Individual tickets are $200 if purchased before February 14, 2009 and $250 if purchased after this date. Student tickets are available for $100 with a school ID. Visit phoenix.hrc.org for more information about HRC Arizona and www.hrcazdinner.org for updates about the dinner.

ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations.

Lezzymom has two kids and a wonderful partner. Her political commentary has appeared on C-Span and CSPAN.org. Visit her Lezzymom blog for more of her insights.

We will come together to rebuild a multi-issue, multicultural women’s health movement focused on long-term strategic goals for lesbian/bi/queer women’s health and wellness that is reflective of the diversity of our community.

San Francisco, California March 6th-9th
For more information or to register check out National Lesbian Health Summit

Queers United is the activist blog uniting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual community & straight allies in the fight for equality http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com

Held at the beautiful Courtyard by Marriott , in Shelton, CT.
780 Bridgeport Ave
Shelton, CT 06484

Celebrate, Connecticut!!

RainbowWeddingNetwork.com has added a new GLBTQ Expoto it’s 2008 Event Calendar, in honor of the recent CT Supreme Court landmark decision.

RainbowWeddingNetwork.com & the Same Love, Same Rights® team proudly join in the excitement regarding the CT Supreme Court decision to transform civil unions into full marriage rights for same-sex couples! This historic moment deserves an ongoing, jubilant celebration!

Join Us Sunday December 7, 2008 at our upcoming GLBTQ Wedding Expo hosted by the Courtyard by Marriott in Shelton. Meet face-to-face with wedding professionals who share in your joy and are ready to work with you and your partner as you plan Your Special Day. Wedding coordinators, officiants, invitation companies, jewelers, DJs and Entertainment Companies, Travel Agents, Reception Venues, Limousine Companies, Legal Representatives and Real Estate Professionals and much, much more!

Spotlighting over 40 screened, gay-friendly businesses plus Informative Presentations, Samples, Tips and Trends, the Same Love, Same Rights® GLBTQ Wedding Expo promises to be an elegant event to bridge couples with the resources they need to make their Dream Wedding a reality. Advocates and allies are also welcome! -The Expo is designed as a celebratory occasion and also a powerful networking opportunity. Join us December 7th from 12:30-3:30 to meet other Equality Advocates in your area working everyday on behalf of marriage and family rights throughout Connecticut and the nation.

Free to Attend!

See you on December 7th!

All details at www.SameLoveSameRights.com