Category: RELIGION

Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

April 29, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 29, 2013 Here on this BLOG Thursday, we reported that directly preceding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2013, a press release came out expressing “very grave concerns” about the religious exemption clause contained in the Bill. The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, the National Center for … More Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

Nice Jewish Girls

April 25, 2013

First Published on September 2, 2010. By Rachel Wahba; September 01, 2010 Yes we were; nice Jewish lesbian feminist girls and we made a book. The first one of its kind – decades ago and it is still being used in Women’s Studies classes, to this day!  And now, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis is … More Nice Jewish Girls

John Paulk’s crushing blow to Ex-Gay movement calls for religious right to make amends

April 24, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2013. It was indeed another crushing blow for the mythological story that the religious right has been touting, as poster child of ex-gay therapy John Paulk comes out as persona non-ex-gay, and apologizes for his years of misrepresentation. But not all may be quite so forgiving, as his apology and … More John Paulk’s crushing blow to Ex-Gay movement calls for religious right to make amends

NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days

April 24, 2013

And you thought refusal of service ended in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 23, 2013 In Massachusetts one of the legislative campaigns we are working on is the Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public. … More NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days

WND promoting anti-gay Scott Lively’s revisionist Pink Swastika and the call to kill gays

April 20, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 20, 2013. The News Publication, WND, with an extreme right wing slant describes itself on its about page as  “an independent news company dedicated to uncompromising journalism, seeking truth and justice and revitalizing the role of the free press as a guardian of liberty.” And continues to note: “We remain faithful … More WND promoting anti-gay Scott Lively’s revisionist Pink Swastika and the call to kill gays

What do we call Christians who call for death of Gays in the name of the Bible?

April 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013. Well there are many of these types of people. I could write for a month pointing out their sites, Facebook pages, and the vitriol of the minority  that seems to be increasing as we achieve more and more progress toward equality. These people hate and they shoot their venom … More What do we call Christians who call for death of Gays in the name of the Bible?

Pat Buchanan calls for new era of civil disobedience in response to UN’s calls for equality

April 17, 2013

Is this a tacit call to violence? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 17, 2013 Yesterday was day two of the United Nations International Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.  A conference at which Ban Ki Moon, its Secretary General, said: “Religion and culture cannot justify discrimination against gays and lesbians“. Also yesterday, Pat Buchanan penned a … More Pat Buchanan calls for new era of civil disobedience in response to UN’s calls for equality

Keeping the UN Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference Opening Remarks Lively

April 15, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 15, 2013 “Ladies, gentlemen, and all those in between” is how Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the United Nation’s Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’ conference today in Oslo.  Potential for something good, I thought. He spoke not only of grave human rights violations (in general … More Keeping the UN Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference Opening Remarks Lively

Zambia doubles-down with threats to ‘stiffen laws against homosexuality’

April 13, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 13, 2013 Very early this morning (7am BST) HIV/Aids activist Paul Kasonkomona was to speak on the Crossfire BlogRadio program about his recent arrest for advocating for gay rights. Due to legal issues surrounding his going on the radio similar to the TV appearance which sparked his arrest, along with death … More Zambia doubles-down with threats to ‘stiffen laws against homosexuality’

Albany N.Y. teacher assignment asked students to argue that Jews are evil

April 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 13, 1013. Haaretz is reporting that a high school English teacher could face disciplinary action for giving a writing assignment that asked students to make a persuasive argument blaming Jews for the problems of Nazi Germany, as noted by Albany school district officials on Friday. School district spokesman Ron Leskosaid administrators … More Albany N.Y. teacher assignment asked students to argue that Jews are evil

Outrage at detention of Zambian gay human rights defender

April 10, 2013

“My sisters and brothers, Jesus calls us to love even our enemies. Demeaning the humanity of another person is not a virtue but a vice. You don’t need reminding that the first step to genocide is demeaning your opponents’ humanity.” Reverend Kapya Kaoma By Melanie Nathan, April 10, 2013. This week we reported the detention … More Outrage at detention of Zambian gay human rights defender

South African Arts Academy guilty of human rights violations by claiming gay cure

April 9, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 09, 2013. In January we reported that an Arts School in Bloemfontein, South Africa, claimed in its prospectus that it could cure homosexual students. We reported that a “South African Christian arts academy, Creare Training Centre may be breaking the law by advertising that it can “cure” homosexual students, and that … More South African Arts Academy guilty of human rights violations by claiming gay cure

Dutch Pride flags at half mast, thousands set to protest Putin visit

April 8, 2013

Putin’s  proposed ban on homosexual ‘promotion’ just as Scott Lively drew it up… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 08, 2013 Update from Amsterdam press conference: When asked today about whether gay rights are violated in Russia, in true bigot form Putin responded with a comparison to pedophilia: “Can you imagine an organization promoting pedophilia in Russia? … More Dutch Pride flags at half mast, thousands set to protest Putin visit

Gay-hating Pastor Scott Lively finds new foothold in Oklahoma

April 7, 2013

Lively’s new mission is to secure the 1st amendment for religious bigotry By Cathy Kristofferson, April 07, 2013 A year ago last April, some of us, ever vigilant on “Scott Lively Watch” and his rein of hate towards the gay community, were poised to warn those next in his path. So when we noticed that … More Gay-hating Pastor Scott Lively finds new foothold in Oklahoma

Anti-Gay Pastor Rick Warren’s son committs suicide

April 6, 2013

The 27-year-old son of the Rev. Rick Warren, one of America’s most influential religious anti-gay leaders, committed suicide, Mr. Warren said in an e-mail released on Saturday to staff members and congregants at his 20,000-member Saddleback Valley Community Church. NBC News reported that Warren was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound around 10 a.m. … More Anti-Gay Pastor Rick Warren’s son committs suicide

A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

April 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. There was no keeping me away from Washington D.C., on Tuesday 26th, the day that The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) would be hearing the Prop 8. arguments.  I was there ‘wearing many hats; activist, blogger, co-producer of Gay U.S.A. the Movie, and the most important of … More A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. as a leader in equality for all

April 4, 2013

Believing that Dr. Martin Luther King would have stood for marriage equality. By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. When Dr. Marin Luther King, Jnr. was assassinated on April 04, 1968,  I was a small child in South Africa, living apartheid.  I came to the United States in 1985, before apartheid ended, expecting a country that … More Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. as a leader in equality for all

Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

March 23, 2013

Civil rights,  religious,  Republican, military leaders and families to speak at historic event By Cathy Kristofferson,  March 23, 2013 Supporters of marriage equality will gather at 8:30am Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme Court before the first of two marriage equality hearings. The speakers will include an impressive collection of civil rights activists, … More Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

Exclusive: Father Anthony Musaala speaks about his suspension by Ugandan Catholic Archbishop

March 20, 2013

“I realized that it was good old fashioned c\Catholic prejudice towards homosexuality, or those who seem to be homosexual.” By Melanie Nathan, March 20, 2013. After Ugandan Catholic cleric Fr. Anthony Musaala authored an open letter To Bishops, Priests and Laity, entitled “The failure of Celibate Chastity among Diocesan Priests” accusing his Catholic Church colleagues in … More Exclusive: Father Anthony Musaala speaks about his suspension by Ugandan Catholic Archbishop

Ugandan Catholic Priest suspended for speaking out against sexual immorality and crimes

March 20, 2013

In a bombshell “Open Letter To Bishops, Priests and Laity: The failure of Celibate Chastity among Diocesan Priests” By Melanie Nathan, March 20, 2o13. The Archbishop of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has suspended cleric Fr. Anthony Musaala, who authored a document criticizing Catholic Church colleagues in Uganda, accusing them of sexual immorality and crimes. … More Ugandan Catholic Priest suspended for speaking out against sexual immorality and crimes

Islamists preaching hate against gays blocked at East London University

March 18, 2013

University & student union fail to publicly condemn preachers London – 18 March 2013 – The University of East London (UEL) blocked an Islamist meeting that was due to be held on the Stratford campus last Friday, 15 March. The meeting was billed as featuring hate preachers Khalid Yasin and Jalal Ibn Saeed. The meeting … More Islamists preaching hate against gays blocked at East London University

Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

March 16, 2013

You MUST come OUT and Rally for Marriage Equality | Let the SCOTUS Justices hear your voice | Join United for Marriage: Light the Way to Justice in rallying for equality! By: Cathy Kristofferson and Melanie Nathan On March 26th and 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, respectively,  which are fundamentally … More Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

National Organization for Marriage insults all adopted children by calling adoption ‘second best’

March 14, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, March 14, 2013. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) specializes in insults.  Usually such insults are directed at the gay community – our love, our marriages, our families.  But today they struck out against adopted children.  And not just children in gay adoptions, but all adoptions!  NOM’s chairman, John Eastman, said: “Certainly … More National Organization for Marriage insults all adopted children by calling adoption ‘second best’

The Pope who led the failed crusade against gay marriage in Argentina

March 13, 2013

Just Another Anti-Gay Pope By Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson,  March  13, 2013. When white smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel today, heralding a new Pope, LGBTI communities around the world were not expecting anything more than another religious leader to work actively against secular legal rights. Choosing the name Pope Francis,  Cardinal Bergoglio, of … More The Pope who led the failed crusade against gay marriage in Argentina

God Forbid Equality | Same-Sex Couples’ right to immigration equality attacked by Hispanic Catholic Evangelical Coalition

March 8, 2013

Gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents may lose the possible inclusion in immigration reform that would allow them to apply for visas and green cards – Catholic Hispanic, and Evangelical Coalition says inclusion would  be an Immigration reform deal-breaker. By Melanie Nathan, March 08, 2013. You would think that marginalized group would find … More God Forbid Equality | Same-Sex Couples’ right to immigration equality attacked by Hispanic Catholic Evangelical Coalition

Judge releases convicted anti-gay pastor who says he would aid in custody kidnapping again

March 5, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, March 05, 2013. A U.S. District Court Judge released convicted felon, Pastor Kenneth Miller, pending his appeal, after he was sentenced to 27 months in prison, for aiding and abetting a mother to flee the U.S. after she had kidnapped her daughter, to defy Court ordered visitation with the other lesbian mother. … More Judge releases convicted anti-gay pastor who says he would aid in custody kidnapping again

Pastor sentenced to federal prison in Vermont lesbian custody dispute

March 4, 2013

Virginia pastor Kenneth Miller receives up to 27 months but is released pending appeal By Cathy Kristofferson, March 04, 2013. The Burlington Free Press is reporting that Virginia pastor Kenneth Miller has been sentenced in the lesbian custody case that led to one mother, Lisa Miller, fleeing the country with the pastor’s help rather than share … More Pastor sentenced to federal prison in Vermont lesbian custody dispute

Scott Lively’s desperation means multiple marriage partners for bisexuals

March 4, 2013

Mere Stupidity or myth and lies;  Lively’s lack lustre impact in the LG community denotes time to tackle the BT community – Read this article and indulge in a big LMFAO By Melanie Nathan, March 04, 2013. “Is “bi-sexual marriage” really relevant?” asks fervently anti-gay pastor Scott Lively, in a recent post which appeared on … More Scott Lively’s desperation means multiple marriage partners for bisexuals

Scott Lively’s lies may spell perjury at trial and should result in dismissal of summary judgment motion

March 1, 2013

 Boston Globe  highlights lies from the man charged with Crimes against Humanity and should result in Judge dismissing motion by Scott Lively  for summary judgement By Cathy Kristofferson, February 28, 2013. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Sexual Minorities Uganda, a non-profit umbrella organization for LGBT advocacy groups … More Scott Lively’s lies may spell perjury at trial and should result in dismissal of summary judgment motion