Creation Museum antics

Not long ago I posted a Facebook status about "science" textbook I had come across that mentioned the earth being about 4000 years old.

There is nothing remotely related to science in that belief.

But I was going to let it pass, with hopes that the Mennonite children that might read it would become better educated later in life. I realize that I have no control and no voice in what a private religious organizations teaches its kids.

In and around that time I was involved in a discussion about the replica of Noah's ark being built. This is being done at the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. This is to be a full scale replica, big enough to carry specimens of every species, including extinct dinosaurs, I presume, since they believe dinosaurs roamed along with Fred Flintstone and every Australopithecus species and other early human examples.


Photo from exhibit in Creation Museum

I'm not really writing about how ludicrous it is to think that one man could (or would) capture every microscopic species on the earth, and every species of disease carrying mosquito and every species of bedbug and keep those living, even though they might require different environments and micro-climates to sustain them. Remember, some parasites require multiple hosts to complete their life cycle, and for Noah to understand this and be able work out the logistics is just not believable.

No, I am writing about an event the Creation Museum sponsored, a "Date Night" where loving couples were supposed to have a $71 a person dinner and a lecture about what makes a relationship work.

But a gay couple was denied admittance.

They explained to us that the Creation Museum Date Night was a "Christian environment", therefore the presence of two men eating dinner together would not be allowed. The very sight of this would "add an un-Christian element to the event" and "disrupt the evening for everyone"

.

I assume the organizers of the event have never seen the famous picture of Jesus and his 12 disciples eating together, but I digress.

The gay couple's tickets were actually purchased by a straight couple. Here is the straight guy's account of the evening.

Let me just comment that my relationship with my partner is as strong as any straight couple's relationship that I know, and we can do without the ramblings of any prejudiced instructor on how to make it better.

But still, the gay couple should have been allowed to attend with their straight friends, it seems.

Notice in this photo of an exhibit from the museum that Adam was created as a totally (hot) white guy from that time long ago, the 1960's.

Maybe he was just ahead of his time...a foretelling of a future Republican congressman wanting to post his profile on Craig's list.

OK, I'm getting off subject and the Grammy's just came on so I'll stop there.

A confused gay republican

I've never understood gay Republicans. Actually, I've never understood Republicans, but let's stick to the gays.

GOProud is a group of Gay conservatives that have split the CPAC group wide open, and for that I commend them.

But they seem to be self loathing, or hypocritical, or something, as one of their members revealed at CPAC this weekend.

Matt Hissey, in an interview with Ebone Bell of Metro Weekly (at 1:39 in the video):

"I don't really like gay people that much. Gay people frustrate me, the stereotypical gay people, it frustrates me...someone who puts on a total act. I understand that some guys are feminine, which is fine. But some guys, at some point, are normal, straight-acting, whatever and the next minute they're jumping up and down. It just frustrates me. The whole conservative thing is just be yourself, be an individual and just don't be someone you're not. If someone does or does not accept you, that's fine but don't change who you are to look different to others."

A quick question, are you being yourself Matt when you highlight your hair like that, are you changing who you are to look different to others?



Now, let's dig a little deeper.

"Some guys...are normal, straight-acting, whatever and the next minute they're jumping up and down...."

So, he wants people to "be individual and just don't be someone you're not," but he wants them to act straight (whatever that means) while being yourself.

So is it OK for straight guys to jump up and down? He says, speaking of his fellow gays "But some guys, at some point, are normal, straight-acting, whatever and the next minute they're jumping up and down."

These are straight Green Bay Packer fans. Acting straight one minute, jumping up and down the next.



I don't know. Again, I can understand being conservative. I might disagree with their policies, but I understand that some people have conservative beliefs.

But to be gay, and support the party that wants to keep you from joining the military, keep you from legalizing your relationships, and wants you to be subject to discrimination in housing and employment, just does not make sense.

Put it to rest

Let's put it to rest.

It's not a choice.

Like Peter said,

While I don’t advertise being gay, I never steer away from an opportunity to educate the straight world that gay is who we are and it’s OK. That it’s the way God created us, and that they can either get over it - or spend their lives fuming about it. That is the only choice in the matter!

Many of you have seen my entry on Born This Way, a web site where ordinary people submit pictures depicting early signs that they were gay.

The site is full of mostly happy stories by mostly adults remembering mostly joyful times of their mostly innocent childhoods.

But then there are some that just make you think. The pictures don't always tell the whole story.

Here's John, age 5.

Somewhat typical of many of the photos, John's pose is certainly suggestive of a fabulousness that many gay kids exhibit at an early age.

But John goes on to explain that this photo was taken "before the taunting, before the indoctrination, before the forced sports, before the shame, before the Southern and the gothic."

And, John says the boy in the photo is clearly being himself, but that he "doesn't remember him," but takes "great joy in knowing that somewhere inside me is the boy in this photo."

Now, would a 5 year old boy "choose" to steer himself into situations that elicit taunting and shame?

Or take Matt, another southern boy, at age 6.


Matt joined the Cub Scouts that year. If I remember Cub Scouts correctly, it was about teaching boys the traits that make them into honorable men. Traits like honesty, and being truthful.

Matt was just being honest when he shared his dream of what he would be when he grew up at a scout meeting where they were all sitting around telling what they wanted to be (firemen, astronauts, bee farmers, or the Incredible Hulk).

He was just being truthful and honest when his turn came around.

When it came to me I honestly told the room: 'My husband is going to be a policeman, and I'll be living in a 3-bedroom house, with flowers and a beagle - and I'll make the best ice cream in the world.'

My suspicion about not fitting in was solidified at that moment.

Everyone got upset, and the Scout Master started yelling at me - 'You can't do that! You're an abomination, a heathen!' - and my personal favorite - 'Devil Child!' (you know the drill).

The Scout Master then made me sit outside on the front steps of the church by myself, while they finished their meeting. As night crept in, I remember feeling so lonely and afraid. I must have been out there for a couple hours by the time the meeting ended.

When all the laughing kids came spilling out of the church and into their parents' cars, I asked the Scout Master about calling my mom to let her know the meeting had ended. And he loudly declared 'Oh, I KNOW whoever put you up to this is coming to get you!' Then he left me alone, at night, sitting in front of this locked church, in the dark. I had to get the janitor that came later, to call my mom.

So I guess all that talk of being honest and telling the truth...well maybe they were just trying to prepare him for Don't Ask Don't Tell. I mean, under that policy service members were expected to lie about who they are. Cub Scouts (and Boy Scouts) are expected to do the same, I guess.

And I don't think Matt would "choose" to continue on with being gay after this ridicule (and after what happened when his mom picked him up...click on his link and read).

Here is my little story on Born this Way. Nothing quite that dramatic.

Click on Born this Way and read a few of the stories. And then try to justify saying that being gay, or lesbian, or bisexual or transgender is a choice. You can't do it. Because it is not.

Presidential Biographies

At the White House site there is a slide show of the 44 presidents with brief biographies of each.

I was looking through the pictures, noticing things like when the first photos were taken, wondering why some of the paintings (or photos of paintings) are in black and white, wondering why they don't mention that James Buchanan, the 15th President, was gay.



What? Yes, gay. And it seemed pretty out in the open at the time.

In this book, Lies Across America, James Loewen disputes several things that we are taught in school, or brings up things that are true, but that are ignored.

One thing Loewen reveals is that at Wheaton, the historical home of President James Buchanan, his sexuality is denied. Buchanan was gay, and was partnered with Alabama Senator Rufus King for years. Read about it here . That link came from this post on Birmingham Blues about Tom Parker.

King was referred to as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy." I can see that. Check him out.

While there are other writings that suggest Buchanan was gay, I like these snippets from the book.

When King was leaving for France in 1844 after being appointed Minister, he wrote to Buchanan,"I am selfish enough to hope that you will not be able to procure an associate who will cause you to feel no regret at our separation."

And then Buchanan wrote to a Mrs. Roosevelt, "I am now 'solitary and alone', having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them. I feel that it is not good for man to be alone; and should not be astonished to find myself married to some old maid who can nurse me when I am sick, provide good dinners for me when I am well, and not expect from me any very ardent or romantic affection."

Of course the concept of "gay" or having different sexual orientations was not known at the time, and there were no organized anti-gay groups to rally against them. The D. C. elite seemed to take it in stride, using such terms as "better half" and "his wife" in referring to King in relation to Buchanan.

And Buchanan had other things to worry about as president. He certainly left a mess for his successor, Abraham Lincoln, (who, we now know, was bisexual) to deal with.

A Gift from God

Be sure and read my column about Marley and Me from The Western Tribune, which follows this post.

This is how I have felt since coming out. It was a spiritual experience for me. From time to time I have tried to convey this through my writings. But there it was on Oprah! , as part of her Best Life Series...yesterday.



Sedrick, the guy they are speaking with, is from rural Alabama, although he lives in Georgia now. Reverend Ed Bacon from All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena, and Reverend Michael Beckwith (author of Spiritual Liberation) explain it. Sedrick gets it. Oprah is getting it. There is nothing more I need to say.

When Gold and Gay Go Together

NBC, along with most of the rest of the media, provides glimpses of the families (Michael Phelps) of athletes, the soap opera romances (swimmers Federica Pellegrini of Italy and Laure Manaudou of France and their love triangle with Italy's Luca Martin), love interests (Sanya Richards and her fiancee). They even focused on the lost (and found) wedding ring of Kerri Walsh.

Then along comes the biggest story in diving, where the Chinese aspired to and were expected to go 8 for 8. The divers and the press were not expecting China's Zhoe Luxin to flub his final dive, nor Australia's Matthew Mitcham to score perfect 10's on his final dive to overtake the favorite and win gold in the 10 m platform.

Photo from yahoosports

While NBC announcers seemed in awe at Mitcham's accomplishment, they completely ignored that he is the only out gay male competitor in the Olympics, they ignored his partner sitting in the stands cheering him on, and they ignored the problems Mitcham had in getting his partner to Beijing.*

Some will say it is not the story, the athletic accomplishment is the story. But because the stereotype of gay men does not involve athletics (although the fantasies of gay men might...but that is a different story), and he breaks that stereotype, it is a story. A big one.

So Matthew, even though you said (in an article in The Advocate), "I just want to be known as the Australian diver who did really well at the Olympics," and I am sure that the people of Australia are thrilled at your capture of the gold medal, for gay people all over the world you an icon.

Why? You also said "It's everybody else who thinks it's special when homosexuality and elite sports go together." You are right. We do. Thanks for providing.

Here is Matthew, his mom and his partner after the win. Watch and hear how describes the win.



Matthew's partner Lachlan was able to travel to Beijing courtesy of a $5,000 travel grant from Johnson and Johnson's Athlete Family Support Program. His mom got there because Sydney gay men and lesbians offered to cover her expenses, according to the Advocate article linked above.

Troy King Rumors in the Tuscaloosa News

Finally, the Troy King (troiking) story has been picked up by some main stream media.

After rumors about John Edwards affair hit the news, now answers are being sought about Troy King's . Tuscaloosanews.com has a piece.

This article posted on The Huffington Post (which has led to a lot of visits to Bessemer Opinions, thanks to a link in the story. Thanks, HP), invited people to seek out the skeletons in Republican's closets, and started the ball rolling again.

The Tuscaloosa paper urges a middle ground, reporting without getting sleazy. Hard to do when the subjects are sleazy, but their point I believe is finding ways to address rumors without sitting on them for years, as in the Edwards case.

King sure isn't going to do it. Afterall, this and this should have been enough to make him want to address the rumors.

So now we just need to see the biggie papers in the state pick it up and demand some answers.

Steve and Leah...and Dale

I sometimes listen to the Steve and Leah in the Morning show on WERC 960 AM if I am driving during their hours. Today I was fortunate enough to catch the show when Dale Jones, Editor of the Western Star was sub-hosting for Steve, who is stressed out by moving and taking the day off. Sorry Steve, but that is what they said.

I sometimes agree with Steve and Leah, but not often. And the show can be interesting, for instance, a few days ago they were discussing T. Boone Picken's energy plan, and Leah has a connection that surprised Steve. (She had dated someone who is key in his organization).

But today I had an appointment in Homewood, and when I came out around 10:00 I turned the radio on and a Toby Keith song was playing.



When the song ended they talked about Toby's upcoming movie, and although they didn't mention the name, one of them said something about "horses" so I assume "Beer for my Horses" is the movie they were talking about. Dale chimed in "He's going to be naked," in a voice expressing anticipation. I mean, like 12 year old boy anticipating seeing the high school senior prom queen next door through the blinds or something.

Leah seemed offended, "No one wants to see that," she said. "Not me," from news anchor Neal Vickers. Dale just said he was just reporting what he heard, but did not do anything to hide the excitement that was clearly evident.

Well that is what I am doing here. Just reporting what I heard. But it is always interesting when those who express hatred and homophobia regarding gay folks highlight their hypocrisy in this way.

Episcopals at Lambeth

Anglicans, including American Episcopals are gathering in Canterbury for the Lambeth Conference which begins in a couple of days.

In this photo and caption from Episcopal News Service, Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, primate of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, joins Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori in procession before the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist at Salisbury Cathedral July 13.



They are at Salisbury's Cathedral Church of St. Mary , consecrated in 1258, which boasts the world's tallest medieval spire, in the southern English county of Wiltshire. Wow, a 750 year old church.

Jefferts Schori, in an interview with Episcopal News Service, said earlier about the conference:

ENS: What message do you plan to bring to the Lambeth Conference?

KJS: That the mission of God is far larger than anything we disagree about.

She may have been thinking that when she said last week that she would explain the actions of the American Church, specifically, regarding Gene Robinson, the gay Bishop from New Hampshire.

In another interview last week, she said,"Some people think that you can read the Bible without understanding the original context and simply take literally what you read. We will interpret - and it's an important part of faithful living. To assume there is only one way of reading is hubris."

Anyone who reads this blog will realize that I share the Presiding Bishop's feelings precisely. And, I am not even Episcopal! But I have followed the denomination and its bold moves to be inclusive closely.

Robinson was not invited to the conference, and he is OK with that. But he is in town, attending and speaking at events nearby. At St. Mary's Church, Putney, ( another St. Mary's) he preached yesterday in the face of protesters:

Listed in the church bulletin as a "quiet and reflective" service, it was noisier than usual, with a couple of dozen journalists, television camera operators and a packed church in attendance. Two demonstrators were also present, one carrying a placard outside the church and handing out leaflets saying the Bible prohibits homosexuality and one attempting in the church to shout down Robinson as he began his sermon.

Shouting "Repent! Repent!" the demonstrator was eventually drowned out by the congregation, which rose and sang -- with organ accompaniment -- the hymn "Thine be the glory, risen, conquering son." He was escorted out by ushers.

"Pray for that man," resumed Robinson, his voice shaking slightly. "Fear is a terrible thing. How sad that the Anglican Communion would threaten to tear itself apart over two men or two women who choose to make a Christian family together."

Noting that several times in the New Testament, the words "be not afraid" and "fear not" appear, Robinson said "the Anglican Communion is going to be fine. Will it change? Probably. Is it going to be easy? Probably not."

Here is a link to The Gene Pool the entire sermon, which is much more than the protest that you will witness. h/t to JaninSanFran for this.

Google led me to an article about a rugby player titled Robinson on the edge and I believe that description fits Gene Robinson both literally and figuratively. Not invited to the conference, but invited to and attending and preaching at events surrounding the venue, "Robinson on the edge" represents gays who have been on the edge for all of history.

Some would push the gays over the edge, others would reach out and pull them into the fold.

Read this, from the 365 widget to the left, and see how Robinson may be on the edge, but his reach will be inside the conference in a big way.

It will be interesting to follow the Conference, but like both Jefferts Schori and Robinson, I don't expect any the debate to end at Lambeth.

Troy King Day 4

No word from Troy King. Seems strange that he would not make a public statement to deny the rumors, as homophobic as he has proven himself to be. "How could people be saying he is gay, and yet you say he is homophobic," you ask.

Troy King wrote homophobic articles while a student at the University of Alabama. He has made homophobic statements while attorney general.

I found some of his statements Here:

As a law student at the University of Alabama, King wrote frequent editorials for The Crimson White in condemnation of gays, affirmative action and abortion. In his editorials for the student newspaper, King called homosexuality the ‘downfall of society’ and said AIDS could be cleansed from America if “this nation’s current purveyors of perversion would refrain from committing sodomy.”

King also slammed the idea that gays and lesbians could provide loving, normal families for children, saying: “I often hear the argument that homosexuals who live together create a loving, caring family environment, perhaps an environment which is even superior to that which can be provided by a heterosexual couple. In this day of rampant decadence, many homosexuals would misled society into believe that three men, an armadillo and a house plant create a functional family.”

It is because of blatantly homophobic and untrue statements like those that I have no respect for the man.

Often men whose true desires are for other men, yet for a multitude of reasons feel they must hide those desires, put on the appearance of being virulently anti-gay as a front.

Then there is this: UGA Study .

I have referenced this study before, but basically what is says is that in some men those who go out of their way to exhibit anti-homosexual views are indeed suppressing their own sexuality. The study tells how the authors came to the conclusion, and it makes sense.

Some men who are deeply closeted practice risky behaviors, and some even have a desire to "get caught."

So, we have the attorney general, who formerly was John McCain's Alabama campaign chair, but now no longer has that position, at least the reference to such has been removed from the McCain web site, according to Fishbowl America. What does that mean? Is King's world shrinking?

Why have no Republicans of note said anything about this? *(I don't consider former lieutenant governors who pee in jugs to be of note, although I heard that Windom said King would not resign).

We are "Inquiring minds" and we want to know.

Here is what a commenter on Thomason Tracts says:


To be honest, I’ve been saying Troy was a closet homosexual for years. But that’s a far cry from being caught by his wife with his young aide.
I’ve always kinda thought Troy was in denial. In a perfect world, where he didn’t grow up hating himself for being gay, he’d be a balanced, open individual. But as it is, he’s a little troll.

By the way, his gayness is based solely on my personal gaydar which hasn’t been calibrated lately.

There are others on numerous other blogs whose gaydar has been set off by King, dating back to his college days and up to the present.

We will continue to follow the story.

In and Out of Step With Jesus

The title of an opinion column in the Birmingham News certainly caught my eye this morning. "Modern Christianity out of step with Jesus' teachings."

Ok, many of us have recognized this for years. Many of us have been driven away from churches or denominations for this reason. Many of us are appalled at the modern "church's" influence on society and politics. Many of us have found Jesus' teachings to be inspirational, along with the teachings of other spiritual leaders, and have learned to use them to guide our lives without the need to be controlled by a man pretending to be God (whether that is what many pastors and priests claim or not).

So this column by Leonard Pitts Jr. was a must read.

Pitts starts out by quoting Rev. Hayes Wicker of (no surprise) First Baptist Church of Naples, Florida, who called same sex marriage a "tremendous social crisis, greater even than the issue of slavery." Who is more insulted there? American blacks for whom our history is tainted with their sweat and blood, and without whom this country would never have reached the status that it did, or gays whose inequality is championed as being even worse?

Pitts says that remark is in step with much of modern Christianity, and I agree. One does not have to look far to find a preacher demonizing gays; local television one Sunday morning recently had a local church broadcast where a black pastor was sending gays to hell right and left.

Pitts quotes James Lawson, an icon of the civil rights movement, who supports gay rights, "The human rights issue is not a single issue. It is about all humankind. And all humankind has been endowed with certain inalienable rights." Responding to the Wicker quote, Lawson said "Obviously he does not know anything about 250 years of slavery or the 143 years since slavery as the nation has largely failed to deal with the issue of slavery and its consequences...And he knows even less about the gospel of Jesus."

I will continue to quote Lawson. "Much of Christianity in the United States has been more influenced by violence and sexism and racism and greed than by the teachings of Jesus."

Amen.

Pitts closes with "Lawson is out of step with modern Christianity. Thank God someone is."

OK. But Lawson is not getting the headlines, Jeremiah Wright is. Gee, if we study the teachings of Jesus and begin to apply them to America, we might just realize that Wright's sermons irritate us not because they are so radically anti-American, but because they expose the truth. America is embarrassed by much of its history (as well it should be) and we have a strong desire to ignore that which pains or embarrasses us.

I for one am glad Rev. Wright has begun to explain his statements. Listen and learn, America.

Cheyenne Jackson

Now I really want to see Xanadu. Cheyenne stars as the leading man... struggling artist Sonny Malone in the Olivia Newton John remembrance. He's part Native American and 100% handsome. He spoke about his gayness in The Advocate and his story, of coming out to his family at 19, of getting turned on by Popeye and Brutus bondage at 7, and of being in a loving and understanding relationship for 9 years is nothing but sweet and uplifting.

Of course he went through what we all do, whether we come out at 7 or 19 or 40, but of particular merit is the importance that celebrity or well known role models hold for young gay people. One teenager asked for a picture, and later clutched it as he told his parents he was gay "because it gave him strength." He even loaned the picture to a friend a couple of weeks later when he coming out.

I might even watch the Tony's this year...well, if he's nominated.

At least click on the link and read the first of the article. What he says about Popeye will crack you up.

I probably won't make it to New York to see Xanadu, but I did see this on Thanksgiving Day and did leave the oven unattended for a few minutes:



Here is Cheyenne's web site Cheyenne Jackson

My other connection (yeah right, like that was one) to Xanadu is:

In Xanadu did Kubla Kahn
A stately pleasure-dome decree :
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
So twice five miles of fertile ground
With walls and towers were girdled round :
And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,
Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree ;
And here were forests ancient as the hills,
Enfoldingsunny spots of greenery.

The link takes you to the entire poem. I wrote a term paper in high school about Samuel Taylor Coleridge's drug use and how it influenced his poetry.

Nice pictures (of flowers and such) are due Friday.

Oscars...Gay after all

Back in business. Don't forget the Bessemer Neighborhood Associaiton meeting tonight at 7:00 at Food World.

This week is midterm week and last week was worse, as far as time was involved, so I was buried in books and meetings, but I can't resist commenting on the Oscars.

Some gays still aren’t over the loss of Best Picture two years ago when Crash beat out Brokeback Mountain. They feel they were robbed (but hey, can’t that happen anytime votes are cast?..2000?). Personally, I think Brokeback Mountain garnered so much positive hype that not winning the Oscar is not a big deal. Disappointment, yes.

But this is 2008, and a year that there was not expected to be a big gay component to the Oscars (as if the ceremony could take place without a “big gay component", but I digress). If you stayed up to the end of the show, however, you were not disappointed.

First, though, let me mention my favorite Oscar moments. I always love the surprise and joy exhibited by those who are not expected to win and do. Marion Cotillard, who won best actress for her performance of Edith Piaf in the French language film La Vie En Rose certainly did not disappoint. “…thank you life, thank you love, and it is true, there is some angels in this city. Thank you so, so much.” How can you argue with that for a magic moment, especially her joyful unbelieving walk off stage?

And while we are on the best performer categories (supporting actor), Javier Bardem - No Country For Old Men (who brought his mother to the event), rattled of part of his acceptance speech in Spanish (how long before republicans introduce a bill that award ceremony speeches have to be given in English?). Yes, Bardem is a hunk, and yes he has played gay roles a couple of times (Second Skin, Before Night Falls) and he has answered the “are you gay” question…but Javi…bringing your mother to the Oscars does not help to dispel rumors.

Another favorite moment was Diablo Cody winning for original screenplay for Juno. She had to hold her dress closed because of the slit that might have exposed her um… well, no one was looking because all eyes were focused on the great tat on her arm of a woman in a bikini. And what a character…she drew on her own life for Juno (minus the pregnancy), her first effort at screenwriting.

Oscars three gay moments (oh there were more, I know).

John Stewart’s relaying of backstage humor when two winners wanted their Oscars to kiss and one remarked that they were both men and admitted well this is Hollywood or something to that effect. I don't have the transcript for this one.

But, not the first time two men have kissed backstage I am sure.

Shortly after that the Short Subject Documentary Freeheld, The Legacy of Laurel Hester, which is about a dying woman’s effort to get her pension awarded to her life partner. Here is part of director Cynthia Wade’s acceptance speech, “Thank you. It was Lieutenant Laurel Hester's dying wish that her fight for, against discrimination would make a difference for all the same sex couples across the country that face discrimination every day. Discrimination that I don't face as a married woman...”

Thank you Cynthia, both for telling this story, and for telling over 1 billion people (those watching last night) around the world about discrimination.

Finally, the Oscars ended with the best remark of the gay evening, producer Scott Rudin who along with Joel and Ethan Coen, won best picture for No Country for Old Men. Scott ended his acceptance speech and the evening with this, “This is also for my partner John Barlow. Without you, honey, this would be hardware. Thank you so much. Thank you.”

Being able to thank the one you love and who gives you support, priceless.

An Alabama Quiz and Birmingham on "The Edge"

Gary left link in a comment yesterday to this site. Talk about the future of transportation! Thanks, Gary. I don't see any problems with a system like this, other than the transition from the current system. That is addressed on the web site, however.

And Kathy at Birmingham Blues had an interesting link to an article in The Edge about Birmingham and its progress in the gay community by Cody Lyon. Here is a quote:

"There is a large, visible, albeit loosely organized gay community in Alabama’s largest city. There are 24-hour gay bars, social, religious and political organizations, annual events, even entire neighborhoods that gays have transformed into friendly enclaves.

In fact, according to the 2000 United State Census, the city of Birmingham was home to a higher per capita concentration of same-sex couples than cities of comparable or larger sizes like Memphis, Charlotte and even more liberal northern cities like Columbus, Ohio."

The article is a couple of pages long and worth reading if you are interested in Birmingham's progress. Progress is progress, so you should all be interested.

Cody is from Wilsonville, Alabama and now lives in New York as a writer and such.

OK here is a quiz from the Hartselle Enquirer. Test your knowledge of Alabama. Answers on tomorrow. I scored a lowly 12 out of 30.

1. When was Alabama's great seal adopted?
2. What does Alabama's flag look like?
3. What is our state bird?
4. What is our state song?
5. What is our state motto?
6. What is our state tree?
7. What is our state amphibian?
8. What is our state fruit?
9. What is our state spirit (liquor)?
10. What is our state mammal?
11. What is our state tree fruit?
12. What is our state saltwater fish?
13. What is our state flower?
14. What is our state mineral?
15. What is our state rock?
16. What is our state horse?
17. What is our state saltwater fish?
18. What is our state game bird?
19. What is our official American Folk Dance?
20. What is our state nut? (Clue, it is not Roy Moore)
21. What is our state fossil?
22. What is our official mascot?
23. What is our official state butterfly?
24. What is our state reptile?
25. What is our state gemstone?
26. What is our state shell?
27. What is our official State Barbecue Championship?
28. What is our official Horseshoe Tournament?
29. What is our official State Historic Theater?
30. What is our offical State Quilt?

Three Things

Three things that don't surprise me.

1. That Iran's unpopular (here and there) president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would deny that there are homosexuals in his country. First, as has been pointed out, he hangs them when they are identified. So, maybe he should say there are not "out" homosexuals in his country.
Secondly, why should we be surprised at anything the dictator says. After denying the holocaust, I would think he would have no cred left. He doesn't need to be listened to he just needs to be monitored.

There are gay Iranians. Here are some news reports and stories of how they are treated.
Gay news from Iran Scary. Scroll down to read reports

Besides, his views are not that different from some American politicians. Remember Roy Moore. This is from a opinion he wrote ending a lesbian custody case here in Alabama in 2002:

The State carries the power of the sword, that is, the power to prohibit conduct with physical penalties, such as confinement and even execution. It must use that power to prevent the subversion of children toward this lifestyle, to not encourage a criminal lifestyle...

Wikipedia is not my favorite source, but it's easy. You can read more about Roy and this case at Roy Moore in Wiki. Scroll down to DH v. HH

2. Bill O'Reilly has old timey views on race. Don't most conservatives/republicans? Trent Lott comes to mind.

Zennie Abraham has a message for O'Reilly. Bill, you aren't the first white person to ever visit Sylvia's. Message from a Black American, Bill I love how O'Reilly says when Al Sharpton and he walked in there was a big commotion. It wasn't about you Bill, I am quite sure.

3. The leading democratic presidential candidates hold back on pulling troops outof Iraq. While some think appeasing the so-called base is what Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards should be doing, the realities are we don't even know what will be going on in some 400 or so days when one of them takes office, so I think not committing to troop withdrawal is smart. We know how they stand on the war, and on ending it. They are not going to get trapped into being called to task if advisors or special forces or even air strikes are needed in the future. And contrary to what most pundits are saying this morning, I think Hillary did just fine last night in the debate, and I think polls during the next week or so will reflect that.

The Never Ending Parade of Stupid

This is going to be a long post, not because of my writing ability and thoughful opinions, but rather because of the ability to copy and paste.

I read an opinion by John Corvino about the "never ending parade of stupid," Motormouth Maybelle's (Queen Latifah) line from Hairspray predicting the problems her son Seaweed and his white girlfriend Penny might encounter because of their interracial relationship.

Then I remembered reading yesterday about state (Florida) representative Bob Allen (R) who was recently arrested for soliciting gay sex ($20) in a washroom in a park.

Allen has a history of supporting legislation against LGBT equality. He was also the co-chair of John McCain's presidential campaign in Florida. Was.

In statements released by the police Allen admits to the charge but says he only did it because he was afraid of the high number of blacks in the park. What?

So while sufering from "black panic" (he was afraid he was "about to be a statistic,") (and, as opposed to the "gay panic defense" often used in assault and murdercases where gays are targeted) he propositions "a pretty stocky black guy" (Allen's words) for oral sex, and suggests a place where they can go. Trouble is: the stocky black guy is a cop.

Now if this is not part of the "never ending parade of stupid" I don't know what is.

Here is the whole story:
But I copied it here:
(Tampa, Florida) State Rep. Bob Allen (R), a longtime foe of LGBT rights in Florida, has a bizarre excuse for being charged with offering a male cop $20 for oral sex in a washroom at a park.

He was busted last month in a sting at Veteran's Memorial Park in Titusville, Florida.
In taped statements made by Allen to police following his arrest and released by the force Allen admits to soliciting the male officer but claims that it was the result of being nervous by the high number of black men in the park.

"I certainly wasn't there to have sex with anybody and certainly wasn't there to exchange money for it," Allen told officers.

Of the arresting officer Allen said in the tape, "This was a pretty stocky black guy, and there was nothing but other black guys around in the park."

He claimed he feared he "was about to be a statistic" would have said anything just to get away.
But on the tape Allen also admits warning the undercover cop that "undercover cops" were in the area and the man should be careful.

"I said they're around here, you ought to know about that."

He only realized he was talking to an officer when he flashed his badge.

The arresting officer's handwritten report on the arrest also was released by the force.
Titusville Officer Danny Kavanaugh who was on plainclothes duty says he observed Allen entering the washroom twice. Kavanaugh said he was drying his hands in a stall when Allen peered over the stall door.

The officer's report said that after peering over the stall a second time, Allen pushed open the door and joined Kavanaugh inside. Allen muttered "'hi,'v" and then said, "'this is kind of a public place, isn't it,'" the report said.

Kavanaugh wrote that he asked Allen about going somewhere else and Allen suggested going "across the bridge, it's quieter over there."

"Well look, man, I'm trying to make some money; you think you can hook me up with 20 bucks?" Kavanaugh wrote in the report that he had asked Allen.
The Republican lawmaker, the report said, replied, "Sure, I can do that, but this place is too public."

According to Kavanaugh's statement, the officer said, "do you want just (oral sex)?" and Allen replied, "I was thinking you would want one."
It was at that point Allen was arrested.

Ironically, Allen was the Police Union's 2007 Lawmaker of the Year.

In the last session of the Florida legislature he sponsored a failed bill that would have tightened the state's prohibition on public sex. He also has been a supporter of amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage and has opposed a bill to curb bullying of gay students.
Allen has been charged with solicitation for prostitution, which has a maximum penalty of one year in jail.

Prior to his arrest Allen was a co-chair of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign in Florida, a position he has since resigned.

*************
And here is John Covino's column:

Hairspray, Race and Gays

John is a philosophy professor at Wayne State University in Detroit.

The Western Tribune

The Western Tribune this week contains my column regarding the resolution of inclusion recently passed by Birmingham's City Council. To my knowledge, this is the first gay positive column or report pubished in a Bessemer newspaper in history. I know there are homophobic people in western Jefferson County, I ran across several while I was campaigning, but whether they read the Trib or not I don't know. But just in case, it would be nice for the Tribune to hear from readers of this column (and the paper) who support diversity in our community. I am sure they will hear from those who don't. Dan titled my column "One Vote for Diversity in Bessemer." Mine may be the first vote, but I am sure it is not the only one. Let them know. The mailing address is The Western Tribune, 1530 Third Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020, and their email is thewesterntrib@bellsouth.net. For those who do not have the newspaper (you can subscribe at 425-7171) the column is repeated here:

One Vote for Diversity in Bessemer

A few weeks ago I was critical of the Birmingham City Council because they failed to pass a resolution of inclusion proposed by Councilperson Valerie Abbott. The resolution would promote tolerance and respect for all residents and visitors and condemn racism, bigotry, homophobia and other forms of discrimination, and would encourage the city of Birmingham to embrace diversity.

Birmingham’s history, like Bessemer’s, does not always shine when the issues of tolerance and inclusiveness are brought forth. The words of intolerance and division that filled the chamber just weeks ago are evidence of a past that lingers, one of mistrust and hatred.

A city that has been divided has no business promoting intolerance when wounds are still healing and fences are still being mended. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” And Coretta Scott King echoed her husband’s feelings by saying “Like Martin, I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others” when she was speaking against discrimination against gays and lesbians in 1994.

On May 15 Birmingham righted this wrong by passing, unanimously, a modified version of the resolution for inclusion. The council members who had voted no the first time realized that voting to exclude people because of who they are presented a negative image for their city. One councilor who changed his vote, Steven Hoyt, said this was the right thing to do, after doing some research and having discussions with spiritual leaders. By voting now to reverse that decision, all residents and visitors can feel welcome and appreciated.

I wonder if the Bessemer City Council, if presented with a similar resolution, will behave like the Birmingham Council did in March with hateful speech and divisive votes, or will they show unity with a progressive vote for inclusion and tolerance. With the contributions that gays are making toward improving our city, I would hope for the latter. Bessemer is a diverse community and has been mentioned more than once by the Birmingham News as a community where gays are helping to revitalize the city by preserving their historical homes and contributing to efforts to bring cultural events and art shows. And history shows that revival of fading communities across the nation is often heavily influenced by the contributions of gays in those communities.

Resolution or not, let’s hope the leaders and followers in our community appreciate the efforts of everyone to improve our city.

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Hatred in Alabama, from a Trailer in Bay Minette to Goat Hill

I know I live in Alabama. I know I live right on the buckle (of the bible belt). But really, how disgusting was it, to re-hear the details on the radio, and re-read them in the paper, of another horrific murder of a man because he was gay, and on the very same day, have our state house of representatives fail to pass a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation.

Christopher Gaines had already pled guilty to the murder of 18 year old Scotty Joe Weaver of Bay Minette in 2004, after his girl friend and accomplice gave him up. Those two recruited another man who they knew hated gays, to help them. But Chris is the one that tightened the rope around Scotty's neck, as Scotty, in vain, cried, "Chris, please stop." Then they beat him. That is before Chris and his two friends carried the body away and set fire to it. Oh yeah, as reported on the radio, after urinating on it. Because Scotty was gay. But in Alabama that is not a hate crime.

Billy Jack Gaither was 39 years old when he was bludgeoned to death in 1999 in Coosa County, because he was homosexual. His body was set on fire too. Why do they burn them? To burn away their own sin? I went to Billy Jacks memorial service at Covenant Metropolitan Community Church that year, and it was standing room only. Across the street was Fred Phelps, the Baptist preacher known for his "God Hates Fags" web site and his followers, including small children, with degrading signs about Billy Jack and all homosexuals. In Alabama killing and burning Billy Jack because he was gay is not a hate crime, however, hatred, as displayed by the Baptist preacher Fred Phelps, is protected.

There have been other people murdered in our state because they are gay. But our legislature continues to ignore this, saying it is OK to act on your hatred. Oh I know murder is murder and its already against the law to kill, why single out this group to protect, etc. Well if that is true, shouldn't we just do away with the current laws that includes people based on race, color, religion and national origin, which is what Alabama's 1994 hate crime law says? I say "No."

Here are the Birmingham area legislators who voted no: G. Canfield of Vestavia Hills, P. DeMarco of Homewood, O. Drake of Leeds, B. Galliher of Gadsden, J. McClendon of Springville, M. S. McClurkin of Indian Springs, P. Moore of Pleasant Grove, A. Payne of Birmingham, E. Thomas of Oneonta, A. Treadaway of Morris, C. Ward of Alabaster, J. Williams of Homewood, and R. Wood of Anniston. If one of these people represents you, you need to call them and let them know that they missed an opportunity to make something positive come from the murders of Scotty Joe Weaver and Billy Jack Gaither. If you live outside of the Birmingham area, find out how your representative voted and let them know how you feel about it.

Those who are reading this may not be gay. But you might have a son or daughter, or brother or sister, or cousin or other relative who is. Whether you know it or not, chances are that you have a gay relative. And there still are a number of people who hate gays; such talk is heard everyday from pro basketball players to rappers to certain Baptist preachers and to those we elect to serve us. A very few carry their hatred to extreme, sometimes influenced by alcohol, resulting in violence. Others exhibit their hatred in more subtle ways such as by pushing a button while voting on a piece of legislation.

All of those listed above who voted no are republicans (no surprise). All the "yes" votes in our area came from democrats. They are: M. Coleman of Midfield, P. Dunn of Bessemer, E. Hilliard of Birmingham, M. Moore of Birmingham, D. Newton of Birmingham, O. Robinson of Birmingham, J. Rogers of Birmingham, R. Scott of Birmingham, and P. Todd of Birmingham. Let these representatives know you appreciate their efforts.

Lum Weaver, Scotty Joe's older brother, who is also gay, said "They think this is going to drive us away, but it only makes us stronger" when talking about the murder and a previous attempt to strengthen the Alabama hate crimes law. That is true, and this year more representatives voted for the change than ever before. The fight will go on, in the chambers of the Birmingham City Council (and possibly in Bessemer, stay tuned), on Goat Hill and on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Anderson Cooper examining spirtuality, and the Trevor Helpline

Anderson Cooper on CNN is currently doing a series on spirituality, and on Wednesday night the discussion inlcuded science and global warming. He showed a clip of Jerry Falwell,saying that global warming is "phony baloney." "It is Satan's attempt to redirect the church's primary focus," he said in a videoclip. Does he mean that Satan is causing global warming, maybe by cracking open the gates of Hell and letting some heat out? Or does he mean Satan is making up the science of global warming. Falwell needs to get his head out of the sand and ...well.



This is Auguste Rodin's Gates of Hell. Commissioned in 1880, the Gates were largely complete by 1900, but were not cast in bronze until after the artist's death in 1917. Photo link: http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/rodin/rodin.html. See the "thinker" sitting there? I wonder what he is thinking about. "Maybe he's contemplating how not taking care of God's creation landed him here at the gates of hell.



Rev. Joel Hunter is an evangelical, who was once considered to lead the Christian Coalition, has seen the light, and since proclaiming that humans have a responsibility for taking care of the earth, he has been virtually demonized by other evangelicals.



On last nights show they talked about homosexuality, and had this liar on there saying that all homosexual males were that way because of a bad relationship with their father, or because of abuse of some kind, and that all homosexual males could escape homosexuality and become heterosexual. Of course, he is ignoring all that is known about homoseuxality from a scientific, medical and psychological perspective. Think of the damage people like this are doing to people struggling to accept themselves. No wonder kids who are questioning their sexuality are more likely to attempt suicide. A government study found that homosexual youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. Several researchers suggest that bisexual and youth uncertain of their sexual orientation may be at higher risk for suicidal behavior than self-proclaimed homosexual teenagers. Instead of confusing them with misinformation that may cause them to kill themselves, why not teach them to embrace themselves and accept them for who they are. The blood of these adolescents who kill themselves is on the hands of preachers like this who drive them to it.




The Trevor Helpline was established in 1998 to coincide with the HBO airing of the award winning short film Trevor, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. The Trevor Helpline is the only national 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention hot line aimed at gay and questioning youth. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/staging/helpline.aspx (this picture comes from their site so I am not "outing" anyone)


And I will not even get into the irony of Anderson Cooper interviewing a preacher about the evils of homosexuality and whether or not its a sin.


Today is Good Friday and this Sunday is Easter, and maybe I should be writing about how jesus died for all of us, not just the straight ones. But you probably already know that. The ones who need to hear it are unlikely to be reading this blog anyway. Happy Easter!

Pace is off the Mark

The top U. S. military officer, Gen Peter Pace, was quoted yesterday by the Chicago Tribune as saying “"I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts. So the 'don't ask, don't tell' [policy] allows an individual to serve the country ... if we know about immoral acts, regardless of committed by who, then we have a responsibility.”

Pace was stating his opinion as the debate over the current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy continues. The majority of Americans believe that homosexuals should be allowed to serve openly, and many retired and current military officials agree.

Two problems. First, according to many, adultery and even divorce, as described by Jesus, could be considered immoral. Pre-marital sex is also a common practice that many consider immoral. Should all divorced or sexually active applicants for the armed services be turned down? If their divorce or their extra-marital sex occurs during their service, should they be discharged? Some consider actions of "self pleasure" immoral. Soldiers, watch out.

Second, we often hear that our moral authority comes from the Ten Commandments. While homosexuality is not mentioned, killing certainly is. Is it not hypocritical for someone who makes their career based on war and killing to be making arguments based on morality? This is not the time to debate the morality of war or of this war in particular, but many religious leaders came out against this war in particular as being unjust and un-biblical. That would make the killing in this war, immoral.

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (http://www.sldn.org/templates/index.html) there are over 65,000 gay and lesbian troops now serving in our armed forces. From 1993 to 2005 there were 11,092 gay and lesbian service personnel dismissed. The cost for administering this policy has been reported to be between 200 million and 364 million dollars. The lower figure comes from the GAO (http://www.gao.gov/htext/d05299.html) and the higher figure from the Center for Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. (http://www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu)

What a waste of taxpayer dollars, and what a waste of qualified personnel. Oh, but this administration is not concerned about taxpayer dollars (other than returning them to the richest of the rich) or qualified personnel (from the top down).