Tag Archives: #p2

Video – Hillary Clinton’s Human Rights Day Speech to the UN on LGBT Rights: VIDEO

 
Edit by Peter Thomas.
A few significant quotes:
“Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human.  And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.”

“Being gay is not a Western invention; it is a human reality.  And protecting the human rights of all people, gay or straight, is not something that only Western governments do.  South Africa’s constitution, written in the aftermath of Apartheid, protects the equality of all citizens, including gay people.  In Colombia and Argentina, the rights of gays are also legally protected.  In Nepal, the supreme court has ruled that equal rights apply to LGBT citizens.  The Government of Mongolia has committed to pursue new legislation that will tackle anti-gay discrimination.”

“Costs are incurred whenever any group is treated as lesser or the other, whether they are women, racial, or religious minorities, or the LGBT.  Former President Mogae of Botswana pointed out recently that for as long as LGBT people are kept in the shadows, there cannot be an effective public health program to tackle HIV and AIDS.  Well, that holds true for other challenges as well.”

“It was not only those who’ve justified slavery who leaned on religion, it was also those who sought to abolish it.”

“We need to ask ourselves, “How would it feel if it were a crime to love the person I love?  How would it feel to be discriminated against for something about myself that I cannot change?””

“…when we see denials and abuses of human rights and fail to act, that sends the message to those deniers and abusers that they won’t suffer any consequences for their actions, and so they carry on.”

She went on to call on leaders of anti-gay countries to address their laws and stated that “it should never be a crime to be gay”.

And finally, she addresses the LGBT community, pledged the continued support of the Obama administration, and said, “…please know that you are not alone.  People around the globe are working hard to support you and to bring an end to the injustices and dangers you face.”

Clinton declared that the USA has increased its efforts on the international LGBT front:
“In our embassies, our diplomats are raising concerns about specific cases and laws, and working with a range of partners to strengthen human rights protections for all.  In Washington, we have created a task force at the State Department to support and coordinate this work.  And in the coming months, we will provide every embassy with a toolkit to help improve their efforts.  And we have created a program that offers emergency support to defenders of human rights for LGBT people.
This morning, back in Washington, President Obama put into place the first U.S. Government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses against LGBT persons abroad.  Building on efforts already underway at the State Department and across the government, the President has directed all U.S. Government agencies engaged overseas to combat the criminalization of LGBT status and conduct, to enhance efforts to protect vulnerable LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, to ensure that our foreign assistance promotes the protection of LGBT rights, to enlist international organizations in the fight against discrimination, and to respond swiftly to abuses against LGBT persons.”

To see a full transcript of the interview, visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/hillary-clinton-gay-rights-speech-geneva_n_1132392.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

OxyMORON of the Decade – Michelle Bachman Named To U.S. House INTELLIGENCE Committee!

As oxymorons go this just might beat out “gay republicans”

Incoming House Speaker John “Boo Hoo Boner” Boehner has appointed  Michelle “Crazy Bitch” Bachman to the House Intelligence Committee.

I kid you not.

The committee has oversight jurisdiction of the CIA, the National Security Agency, other intelligence agencies within the Department of Defense, and the Departments of State, Justice, and Treasury, and the FBI. This is the perfect reward for a member of Congress who thinks that Barack Obama spent $200 million a day on a trip to India, wants the president and Congress investigated for being anti-American, and who thinks the Charge of the Light Brigade was a military victory? Given that she’s already enlisted Justice Antonin Scalia to teach frosh teabaggers about the Constitution, perhaps we can expect her to nominate George W. Bush to instruct them on foreign intelligence.

Everybody run. the Atzecs were right.

Only 366 days until December 21, 2012!

Video – Watch John McCain and Mark "I’m Not Gay" Kirk Share an Evil Laugh Over Killing Omnibus Spending Bill

“Dr. Evil “aka Senator John McCain and his minion “Mini Me” Senator Mark “I’m Not Gay” Kirk had high fun times on Thursday as they killed the the omnibus spending bill which was what led Senator Harry Reid to file cloture on the DREAM Act and DADT repeal.

Rumors now have it that McCain is so angry about the DREAM and DADT votes that he pooped his Depends and he’s threatening to push back on the START treaty ratification. (Any excuse)

As for Senator Mark “closet case” Kirk will the long line of tricks and ex-boyfriends PLEASE come forward to tell their tales of their times with Marky and lets nip this little problem in the bud from the giddyup.  PLEASE send your pics and stories to me, or hell anyone gay blogger  and we’ll be happy to publish them.

So

John Boehner Signs Hate Group Petition – FRC Debuts "Stop Hating/Start Debating" Website To Martyr Themselves.

As scooped last week by the most awesome Jeremy Hooper over at “Good As You” last week, the officially recognized hate group, The Family Research Council (who supposedly didn’t care about such a label) has launched a new website called “Stop Hating/Start Debating” to prove their intolerance, I mean innocence by asking haters across America to sign their petition to, now get this…..“Tell the radical Left it is time to stop spreading hateful rhetoric attacking individuals and organizations merely for expressing ideas with which they disagree.”

Really I kid you not. 

Slanderous tactics have been used against voters who signed petitions and voted for marriage amendments in all thirty states that have considered them, as well as against the millions of Americans who identify with the Tea Party movement. Some on the Left have even impugned the Manhattan Declaration–which upholds the sanctity of life, the value of traditional marriage and the fundamental right of religious freedom–as an “anti-gay” document and have forced its removal from general communications networks.

This is intolerance pure and simple. Elements of the radical Left are trying to shut down informed discussion of policy issues that are being considered by Congress, legislatures, and the courts.

Tell the radical Left it is time to stop spreading hateful rhetoric attacking individuals and organizations merely for expressing ideas with which they disagree. Our debates can and must remain civil–but they must never be suppressed through personal assaults that aim only to malign an opponent’s character.

You can take action by adding your name to the following statement:

“We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with Family Research Council, American Family Association, Concerned Women of America, National Organization for Marriage, Liberty Counsel and other pro-family organizations that are working to protect and promote natural marriage and family. We support the vigorous but responsible exercise of the First Amendment rights of free speech and religious liberty that are the birthright of all Americans.”

Not surprisingly the petition signatures looks like a “Who’s Who of Hate In America”.  Concerned Women of America, The Eagle Forum, The Illinois Family Institute, Coral Ridge Ministries, The CCV, AFA, and The National Organization of Marriage.  Interestingly though it also includes the name of some Unites States politicos like:  (please notice all the “R’s”

U.S. Congress
Speaker-designate John Boehner – (R-OH)
Senator David Vitter – (R-LA)
Senator Roger Wicker – (R-MS)
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann – (R-MN)
Majority Leader-elect Eric Cantor – (R-VA)
Congressman John Fleming, M.D. – (R-LA)
Congressman Trent Franks – (R-AZ)
Congressman Louie Gohmert – (R-TX)
Congressman Jeb Henserling – (R-TX)
Congressman Jim Jordan – (R-OH)
Congressman Steve King – (R-IA)
Congressman Donald Manzullo – (R-IL)
Congressman Kevin McCarthy – (R-CA)
Congressman-elect Alan Nunnelee – (R-MS)
Congressman Mike Pence – (R-IN)
Congressman Joe Pitts – (R-PA)
Congressman Peter Roskam – (R-IL)
Congressman Steve Scalise – (R-LA)
Congressman Lamar Smith – (R-TX)
Congressman Fred Upton – (R-MI)

Again no real surprises there except the arrogance to actually sign a petition from a hate group to support them which is signed only by other haters. 

Will this spin into martyrdom work for the FRC?  Lets hope not.  And  that will be up to us by fighting back and exposing them for what they truly are/

Thankfully their hate and lies will always be cached on the Internet and that’s something that we should always use to our advantage because we are never going to be free until these groups are shown for what they are and destroyed.

Lt. Dan Choi Hospitalizes Self, Seeks Mental Health Assistance Due To Stress and Depression

Lt. Dan Choi who has been the leading activist in the fight to repeal DADT is seeking help from mental health practitioners at a Veterans Administration to deal with stress and depression.
Dan wrote in an e-mail to Pam Spauding over at Pam’s House Blend:

I did not initially want to publicize this but I now realize it is critical for our community to know several things: veterans gay or straight carry human burdens, Activists share similar burdens, no activist should be portrayed as super human, and the failures of government and national lobbying carry consequences far beyond the careers and reputations of corporate leaders, elected officials, High powered lobbyists, or political elites. They ruin lives. My breakdown was a result of a cumulative array of stressors but there is no doubt that the composite betrayals felt on Thursday, by elected leaders and gay organizations as well as many who have exploited my name for their marketing purposes have added to the result. I am certain my experience is not an isolated incident within the gay veteran community.

At the same time, those who have been closest to me know that I truly appreciate their gracious help and mentorship. I am indebted to their hospitality and leadership.

I am glad that Dan realized the stress and depression and is seeking help.  One can only imagine what this man has been through.  Fighting honorably for his country in Iraq, then being told he can’t because he’s gay, and then fighting for the right to return and dealing with the liars and homophobes in Washington and within our community (Hi HRC!) only to be fed bullshit over and over and run into brick walls.  I can totally relate.  It’s hard enough and sometimes extremely depressing just blogging about the depressing state of and news with the LGBT Community and our fight for civil rights.  I can only imagine what choi has had to go through being on the front lines of both this dirty war and the front lines of Washington LGBT activism.

Get some rest and fell better Dan.  And thank you for all the hard work.