Tag Archives: spineless

Billie Jean King: Athletes Should Not Protest Against Anti-LGBT Laws at Sochi Winter Games

Featured, Gay News From Around The Globe, , , , , ,

Sochi Russia gay

 

Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who will be part of the official US delegation to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics is now saying that  athletes should not protest for LGBT rights at the games citing Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which bans political demonstrations by participants.

“I don’t want any athlete getting in trouble.” King said.  “Before I knew about Rule 50, I thought it would be sweet to wave some flags or something. But they can get in big trouble and have their medal taken away and also be sent home.”

King said she’ll walk in the opening ceremony, attend ice hockey and figure skating events and meet US athletes during her three-day visit to the Games.

“I’m all excited about meeting different athletes and watching them do what they do,” King said in an AP  interview  “The Olympics is foremost about the athletes coming together, and they have worked so hard for this moment to be representing their country and competing.

“That’s the essence of what it’s about.”

“Maybe we’ll help the LGBT community in Russia, I hope there will be a connection for them and help them not feel alone and disenfranchised,” King continued: “Personally, I hope it helps the movement take another step forward so people will realise we’re just like everybody else. It should be a non-issue. It’s just like people of colour in our country and other places, it has to be a non-issue.  I just think it’s important that we’re seen and we’re out and we’re free,” King said. “I hope that I’ll meet people, maybe in Russia, who are concerned and have discussions. There’s nothing like meeting people in person and just listening to them and exchanging information and building relationships. The Russian people have always been so wonderful to me, personally.”

Yes Billie Jean the medals are so much more important than the violence, persecution, and human rights abuses against members of your own community in Russia.

Disgusting.

Source: Pink News

Spineless KY State Attorney General Jack Conway Files Defense Of States Gay Marriage Ban

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , , , ,

Jack Conway

Jack Conway, the Kentucky Democrat and State Attorney General who lost the 2010 Senate race to Rand Paul and ran on a platform that support the repeal of DADT, but also cowardly stated  opposition to same-sex marriage because he did not want to lose any votes over it the bigot bourbon belt has filed his defense against a marriage equality lawsuit brought by a local gay couple.

In an 18-page filing in federal court in Louisville, Assistant Attorney General Clay Barkley asked U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Gregory Bourke and Michael De Leon. Barkley wrote that the men lack standing to challenge the law. Bourke and De Leon, who were married in Canada nine years ago, sued in July to force the state to recognize valid unions from other states and countries. The men are seeking an injunction to stop state and local officials from enforcing the ban written into the Kentucky constitution in 2004. Much of the state’s filing is boilerplate legal language. But, Barkley said same-sex couples seeking to marry “are just as willing as opposite-sex couples to assume the obligations of marriage” and, if allowed to marry, would “benefit equally from the legal protections and social recognition afforded to married couples.

Not a very compelling or interesting defense is it?

“Handsome Jack” as Conway is known in Kentucky could have simply refused to defend the state law like many other State Attorney Generals have but didn’t

Conway is know in private circles to support same sex marriage despite his public show. Is he only defending the discriminatory law so he can lose it?  Or is he still a coward and trying not to upset other politicos in the very Republican Kentucky?

You can contact Jack Conway at the Kentucky State House (502) 696-5300

GLAAD Issues Statement Over Lionsgate’s ENDERS GAME Response, Does Not Join Boycott

Featured, Opinions and Rants, , , ,

GLAAD meh

It may have taken 2 weeks but  GLAAD, formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (they changed it because it was too gay ) has finally written about GeekOuts and the  LGBT Communities boycott against the upcoming sci-fi movie Ender’s Game which is written and being produced by the virulent homophobic and National Organization board member Orson Scott Card.

Yesterday Lionsgate finally released a statement over the boycott which read:

“As proud longtime supporters of the LGBT community, champions of films ranging from Gods and Monsters to The Perks of Being a Wallflower and a company that is proud to have recognized same-sex unions and domestic partnerships within its employee benefits policies for many years, we obviously do not agree with the personal views of Orson Scott Card and those of the National Organization for Marriage.  However, they are completely irrelevant to a discussion of Ender’s Game. The simple fact is that neither the underlying book nor the film itself reflect these views in any way, shape or form. On the contrary, the film not only transports viewers to an entertaining and action-filled world, but it does so with positive and inspiring characters who ultimately deliver an ennobling and life-affirming message. Lionsgate will continue its longstanding commitment to the LGBT community by exploring new ways we can support LGBT causes and, as part of this ongoing process, will host a benefit premiere for Ender’s Game.”

(Host a benefit of Ender’s Game.  Are you fucking kidding me?)

Well after Lionsgate finally chimed int GLAAD finally broke it’s silence of the boycott by responding to LG’s statement..

“Lionsgate is right to repudiate Orson Scott Card and the National Organization for Marriage’s divisive and anti-LGBT tactics that make NOM a toxic organization, with which no fair-minded company or individual would align. At a time when well-funded activist organizations like NOM inflict harm on countless American families, corporate America and the entertainment industry are increasingly supporting efforts lead by the LGBT community to work against their anti-LGBT agenda.” – Rich Ferraro

That all.  No standing up and officially supporting the boycott of course.  Just props to Lionsgate for “repudiating” it.

Whats absolutely amazing about Ferraro’s statement is he compliments them for saying something against the National Organiztion for Marriage but nothing about Cards profits that will come from the film to further thier cause while adding that  “the entertainment industry are increasingly supporting efforts lead by the LGBT community to work against their anti-LGBT agenda.”

So  Rich how  is Lionsgate doing this with Ender’s Game does their damage control statement actually help anyone?

By making a statement when Card stands to make millions that he will put back into the anti-LGBT civil rights effort?  By throwing a benefit that might make a few thousand dollars that I am sure which that  GLAAD has already been on the phone to them  so they could benefit from it despite the fact that they have done nothing.

And while GLAAD would not “officially” stand with the boycott it did provide a link to the Geek’s Out petition but it did also add that they had checked the “script” and found nothing homophobic about it.   Which was their way of  not getting involved and perhaps pissing off Lionsgate or the LGBT community.

Well I for one am pissed off that pnce again GLAAD will not make a stand.

Maybe.  Just maybe.  If GLAAD would finally step up to the plate and show some fight instead of playing its passive aggressive game of playing both sides against the middle as to not upset anyone in hopes of getting sponsorship’s and donations down the line they might be in a better financial shape and less irrelevant than they are today.

-30-

 

 

Dems Move ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) Back To July or Later

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , ,

ENDAAfter facing a major setback this week by the Democratic party when the Senators caved to Republican bullying and moved to keep protections for same-sex couples and LGBT dreamers out of immigration reform, Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin, the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has announced  that the LGBT community will now have to wait until after the Fourth of July holiday to see any action on one of its most important and longest fought for piece of bill ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) which would ban workplace discrimination against LGBT people.

According to Harkin he has ““I’ve got a couple, three things on my agenda right now” but Harkin would not go into specifics of what exactly is more important than the civil rights of American citizens.

Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, had hoped that ENDA would have had its mark up by May or June.  Tico Almeida executive director of Freedom to work called the delay “disappointing.” adding that policy makers in Washington, D.C. have a philosophy that nothing should be done on any gay rights issue until after the Supreme Court rules in the marriage equality cases,  “[M]any people in this town have decided to put all LGBT issues on hold until the Supreme Court rules.”

Meanwhile the Human Rights Campaign that has led the most disastrous campaign to get ENDA passed over the past 20 years would not push Harkin or criticize the move.  Michael Cole-Schwartz told Chris Geidner of Buzzfeed, “We have been pressing the chairman to bring up for a markup and have every confidence that he will make good on that pledge. We expect that ENDA will be marked up with plenty of opportunity for the majority leader to bring it for a vote as well. Our hope is that ENDA will receive a floor vote this year.”

It has been no secret that HRC wants to wait until after midterm elections before ENDA hits the Senate floor and moves to the House in hopes of Democrats taking over Congress.  But also now after this weeks spineless display of key Democrat Senators throwing the LGBT community under the bus in order to move on immigration reform. and allowing themselves to bullied by Republican thugs not only is Congress taking the lets wait until SCOTUS rules attitude it’s also quite possible that this move is being done to assure that gay money and gay votes get behind them in the midterms knowing quite well that many in the LGBT Community are getting very disgusted with the Democrats all talk, no action on the most important issues facing the LGBT community like ENDA and the FULL repeal of DOMA.

What The F*#k Chuck? – Democrats Ready To Throw LGBT’s Under the Bus Over Immigration Reform

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , , ,

LGBT Immigration Reform

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is feeling the heat from the LGBT community and NY LGBT politics for his cold feet and lack of spine over the voting for a provision sought by same-sex couples and progressives to be included in the immigration reform bill.

 The Uniting American Families Act, would allow American citizens to apply for green cards on behalf of their foreign spouses.  Under current law, citizens can get a green card for a foreign spouse in a traditional marriage with relative ease, but cannot apply for a green card for a gay spouse or partner.

But among the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” currently considering comprehensive immigration reform California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer have indicated that they will not vote for two amendments proposed by committee by Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy that would allow married LGBT Americans to sponsor their foreign-born same-sex spouse for citizenship and are  caving into the Republican threats of killing immigration reform entirely if LGBT families are included

On Monday Schumer called a meeting with prominent New York gay elected officials and activists about his fear that the inclusion of the UFWA act  would  because Republicans involved in the reform talks have said would be a deal killer for the entire immigration  reform bill.

“Sen. Schumer called the meeting because he is in trouble with a key constituency,” said Rachel Tiven of the group Immigration Equality.

One source who attended the meeting said some attendees told Schumer that once when people are left out of legislation, it becomes hard to catch up later, something that which the gay community has witnessed before in other iterations.  Others made it quite clear to Schumer they don’t believe the Republicans would walk away from immigration reform as a whole, comma even with a same-sex provision in it.

Many in the LGBT community are now in fear of being scape-goated AGAIN and have little faith in Schumer to do the right thing considering his record of  being late to support same-sex marriage and to repealing DOMA — remains a real concern.

President Obama also seems comfortable in throwing LGBT community under the bus signaling that he is unlikely to veto immigration reform simply because it excludes LGBT Americans.  Also it is being reported that Obama has contacted Leahy and suggested tha he table the LGBT reform provisions “for now” and try to include it when the Bill hits the Senate floor which would be almost impossible since it holds little chance of getting 60 votes.

And where is Human Rights Campaign in all of this you may ask?

Nowhere.

Sources tell me HRC has had little to no involvement with the push for LGBT immigration inclusion on Capital Hill  saying and I quote:  “they are just hanging out waiting for the Supreme Court decision.” 

SF Pride Caves In, Bradley Manning WILL NOT BE Grand Marshall – Read the Statement

Featured, Gay News From Around The Globe, , , , , ,

Bradlee Manning Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

After 24 hours of intense debate both critical and supportive SF Pride Board President Lisa Williams has issued a statement saying that PFC Bradley Manning who is charged with leaking of releasing more than 750,000 documents of various levels of governmental classification through WikiLeaks WILL NOT BE an honorary SF Pride Grand Marshal after all.

Williams who released the  statement late Friday blamed the “snafu” on an  employee of SF Pride saying that had prematurely notified imprisoned intelligence specialist Bradley Manning this week that he had been selected for the distinction but noted that the committee of former San Francisco Pride grand marshals who make the decision did indeed select the 25-year-old Manning, who is openly gay, for the honor, but the Pride Board decided his nomination would be a mistake.

“In point of fact, less than 15 people actually cast votes for Bradley Manning,” Williams said. “However, as an organization with a responsibility to serve the broader community, SF Pride repudiates this vote. The staffer has been disciplined and does not now, nor did he at that time, speak for SF Pride,”

Rainey Reitman, a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network who had cheered the short-lived recognition.

“I and many other LGBT Manning supporters are deeply disappointed by this sudden change in position on the part of the committee,” Reitman said. “Bradley is a gay American hero who sacrificed a great deal so we could learn the truth about our government, and he was fairly elected to serve as grand marshal in the parade

You can read San Francisco Pride President Lisa Willams full statement below.

“Bradley Manning will not be a grand marshal in this year’s San Francisco Pride celebration. His nomination was a mistake and should never have been allowed to happen. A staff person at SF Pride, acting under his own initiative, prematurely contacted Bradley Manning based on internal conversations within the SF Pride organization. That was an error and that person has been disciplined. He does not now, nor did he at that time, speak for SF Pride. 

Bradley Manning is facing the military justice system of this country. We all await the decision of that system. However, until that time, even the hint of support for actions which placed in harms way the lives of our men and women in uniform — and countless others, military and civilian alike — will not be tolerated by the leadership of San Francisco Pride.  It is, and would be, an insult to every one, gay and straight, who has ever served in the military of this country. 

There are many, gay and straight, military and non-military, who believe Bradley Manning to be innocent. There are many who feel differently. Under the US Constitution, they have a first amendment right to show up, participate and voice their opinions at Pride this year.  Specifically, what these events have revealed is a system whereby a less-than-handful of people may decide who represents the LGBT community’s highest aspirations as grand marshals for SF Pride. This is a systemic failure that now has become apparent and will be rectified. In point of fact, less than 15 people actually cast votes for Bradley Manning. These 15 people are part of what is called the SF Pride Electoral College, comprised of former SF Pride Grand Marshals. However, as an organization with a responsibility to serve the broader community, SF Pride repudiates this vote. The Board of Directors for SF Pride never voted to support this nomination.” – Lisa Williams

Sen. Mary Landrieu: I Support Gay Marriage Personally NOT Publically, I Might Get Voted Out Of Office

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , , ,

Marie Landreau won't backgay marriage

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) stated publically today that while she personally supports same-sex marriage she won’t in the Senate until the voters of her state also evolve, so she won’t be be backing the issue with her Senate vote if a repeal of DOMA comes up for vote

Translation: I won’t do whats right because I might be voted out of office.

Landrieu told CNN National Political Correspondent Jim Acosta in an interview Friday that she personally believes “people should love who they love and marry who they want to marry,” but that her obligation rests with the people of Louisiana who elected her. “My state has a very strong constitutional amendment not only against gay marriage but against gay partnerships. So I’m looking at the people of Louisiana trying to represent their interests,” she said.

Landrieu might as well just said “I’m perfectly willing to vote against your civil rights as long as I get to keep my job.”

Who needs spineless Democratic politicians?

The DNC really needs to clean its own house and replace hacks like Landrieu with stronger Democratic candidates who can do whats right and still win elections.

DNC Bows To GOP and the Religious Right Inserts “God” Into Platform, Creates Riff Among Delegates

Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, Gay News From Around The Globe, Religious Morons and Anti-Gay Idiots, , , , ,

After complaints from the GOP and the Right Wing Christian extremist that the Democratic National Committee 2012 Platform did not contain the word “GOD” or a clear statement about American policy towards Israel and Jerusalem.  The DNC yesterday scrambled and  made the unprecedented move at the Convention in Charlotte to suspend the rules to take a vote and add an amendment to the current platform which was voted and passed by delegates on Tuesday to include both.

And to make matters even worse after taking the vote 3 times and not getting clear 2/3rds vote the DNC chairman still passed the amendment to the horror of many of the DNC delegates

After a brilliant first day of the convention this was a  disgraceful display by the Democratic party. The DNC just showed the world that Democracy can be overruled by religious oppression and foreign policy dictated by religious extremist.

First The New York Times, Now The Washington Post Tells Obama To "Evolve Already" On Same Sex Marriage

Uncategorized, , ,

Earlier in the week the New York Times took President Obama to task about his lack of support of same sex marriage. Today the Washington Post also takes aim on Obama on the subject and joins the chorus of many voices out there screaming at Obama to “evolve already” on the issue and to back same sex marriage in the United States.

PRESIDENT OBAMA had plenty of nice things to say about equal rights for gay men and lesbians at Wednesday’s news conference. He rattled off his administration’s record, including making the determination that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional and would no longer be defended in court. And he said that the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York last week was “a good thing.” But what Mr. Obama didn’t say and steadfastly refuses to say is that he believes that gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to legally wed.

When asked about same-sex marriage last December, the president said that his views on the issue were “evolving.” At the time, this was viewed as a step forward. Not anymore. Not after New York became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage (as the District has also done). Not after the leadership shown by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to get it done. With 53 percent of the American people in separate polls by The Post and Gallup supporting gay marriage, Obama is effectively behind the country on this equal rights issue.

Obama just do it and stop trying to satisfy the same people who aren’t going to vote for you anyway.  Sometimes I wonder if you are smart enough to be President, which you need to be since you obviously have no balls.

Cindy McCain Flip-Flops On The NOH8 PSA And Now Supports Her Husband John on DADT Stance – REMOVE CINDY McCAIN FROM THE NOH8 CAMPAIGN!

Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

Lass than 24 hours ago Cindy McCain was heralded as by the LGBT Community for standing up to her homophobic husband Se. John McCain and speaking HER mind during an appearance in a NOH8 Campaign PSA in which Mrs. McCain stated:

Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future……….They can’t serve our country openly………….Our government treats the LGBT community like second class citizens, why shouldn’t they?

Well in less than 24 hours Mrs. McCain has turned her back on that and last night tittered the following tweet:

Perhaps her homophobic husband, who is leading the charge on trying to filibuster the effort to repeal DADT, got to her.  Perhaps it wa the GOP itself.  But Ms. McCain cannot have it both ways.  She cannot stand by her husband on DADT and still support NOH8 and LGBT Rights.  It’s like saying I am just a little bit bigoted.

Cindy McCain’s video snips and portrait picture MUST BE REMOVED from the NOH8 Campaign IMMEDIATELY,

If she cannot stand up and support us and bows to pressure to support her husband who is amongst our Number 1 enemies right now she has no right to be a part of the campaign.    Not to mention, the really great message she just sent to others.

If someone pressures you, cave and support hate