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Friday, November 7. 2008One Step Forward, Two Steps Back The election of Barack Obama, who included the phrase "gay and straight" in his acceptance speech on Tuesday night, is a cause for celebration in the LGBT community, as the next president likely won't be writing us out of the Constitution anytime soon. But this week was also marked by several ballot initiatives that impinge the progress gays and lesbians have seen in regard to marriage and family. Despite a state Supreme Court ruling that granted same-sex couples the right to marry and opposition by Obama and Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger, California voters passed Proposition 8, which amends the state constitution by defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. A staggering $74 million was spent on the proposition, including millions raised by the Mormon Church. Prop 8 wasn't the only dark cloud hanging over Obama's victory: Amendments banning same-sex marriage were also passed in neighboring state Arizona as well as Florida. The Sunshine State already prohibits gays from adopting children and now Arkansas can be added to that list. The state passed an initiative prohibiting unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children, a victory for religious fundamentalists and homophobes but a loss for gay couples that want to start a family. The biggest losers however, are the children currently living in the state's dismal foster care system. If you live in California, Arkansas, Arizona or Florida, you can take action by contacting your local representative.
Thursday, August 7. 2008Obama Addresses Gay Families Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama has responded to an open letter (view the PDF) sent to both presidential candidates by the Family Equality Council regarding John McCain’s statement to The New York Times that he does not "believe in gay adoption." (Side note: Is that like not believing in Santa?) In his letter, Obama acknowledges the needs and desires of families of all stripes and, of course, outlines his plan to strengthen American families—by doubling spending on after-school programs for children, expanding the Medical Leave Act and encouraging flexible work schedules for parents—but he doesn't really address issues facing LGBT families specifically until the final paragraph. Obama pledges to stand up for all American families and we should demand that the next president, whoever he is, keep that promise. Contact Obama here. Contact John McCain here. Monday, March 31. 2008What's in a Name? (Hint: A Whole Political Platform!) Last night, as I was watching a recent edition of CBS News on Logo I could not believe the news of an Idaho Strawberry farmer who changed his name to Pro-Life (yes, that's his full, and only name.) Formerly named Marvin Pro-Life Richardson is running for the Senate seat held by Larry Craig and wanted to make sure that the ballot would clearly reflect his platform. You can read the full article on CBS News online.So, as I enthusiastically ponder on the easiness of changing one's name in this country, any suggestions on how I could best communicate my support of marriage equality? Thursday, September 27. 2007The Matthew Shepard Act Has Passed the Senate!!!
But we're not done yet. Before I get into that, though, here are some links to news stories: Senate attaches hate crimes measure to Iraq spending bill, Guardian Unlimited, September 27, 2007 U.S. Senate Passes Hate Crimes Bill By Huge Margin, But Bush Veto Looms, EdgeBoston, September 27, 2007 Senate Passes Matthew Shepard Act, Queerty, September 27, 2007 The important thing to note is that this is as far as the MSA got in 2004. It then got stripped when the House and Senate were putting together the final war spending bill that would actually get on the President's desk, because they knew he would veto it (and all of the attached essential legislation). So what do we do now? Continue reading "The Matthew Shepard Act Has Passed the Senate!!!" Saturday, September 22. 2007Larry Craig and the ACLU Want You to Lick Your Lips at a Police Officer Just when you thought the world couldn't get any weirder, a homophobic, anti-Marriage Equality, conservative, Republican senator might just make it safe for queers to cruise in public bathrooms, parks, rest stops, truck stops, saunas, gyms, and locker rooms!When the whole Larry Craig thing started going down, I was (as you've all probably guessed or read) pretty cranky about the whole thing. And by cranky, I mean royally, er...senatorially pissed! Pissed at Craig, at the police, at our sex-panicking society, and at other queers for actively participating in the latest faggot freakshow simply because it would get an anti-gay senator out of the Senate. Two weeks ago, the only silver lining I could find on this cloud was that the word "toe-tapper" was ironically reclaimed in about the same short time that it had become a slur. I, for one, get tired of spitting out bitch, cocksucker, fudgepacker, cum slut, and fag -- thank god for the addition of toe-tapper to my repetoire! And then came the ACLU. Continue reading "Larry Craig and the ACLU Want You to Lick Your Lips at a Police Officer" Tuesday, August 28. 2007This just in: Senator Larry Craig is NOT GAY!!!Thursday, July 5. 2007Altar-ed to Fit
On top of serving on some artsy-fartsy cultural panels, I of course put on my Big Mouth pants and headed over to observe some queer stuff including a workshop called "Sex, Queer Relationships, and Radical Politics." There was good stuff and bad. I want to focus on the good, so give me just a second to pump out the bile before getting down to business. In fact, to skip the bile, just don't read the following paragraph in brackets. [So despite the awesome title of this panel and it's seemingly inherent promise of hard political discussion, this event turned into a really annoying, "I'm OK, you're OK" lovefest/group therapy session. "I'm polyamorous, but I get really jealous, what do I do?" and "How do I reconcile my lesbian identity when I'm dating two men named Joe?" You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. It was all I could do not to stand up and scream, "This isn't Oprah, mofos! THIS ISN'T OPRAH!!!"] OKAY - so now, get ready for the good stuff. Continue reading "Altar-ed to Fit" Wednesday, May 9. 2007UAFA reintroduction Thanks to Congressman Nadler and Senator Leahy for bringing the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) back to the Congress on Tuesday, May 8, 2007. The reintroduction of the Act could bring all same-sex couples a step closer to equal immigration rights, so citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration purposes. Please tell your Congresspersons and Senators to support this important Act. Continue reading "UAFA reintroduction" Sunday, March 25. 2007Hey, Hillary. Remind me why I'm supposed to go to the mat for you againThursday, March 16. 2006Mitt Romney: Baby Hater
In what is surely a move to pander to religious conservatives in preparation for his 2008 bid for the Republican Presidential nomination, Romney seeks to create an exception to Massachusetts law that will allow Catholic Charities - the charitable arm of the Roman Catholic Church (unfortunately cuffed by the not-so charitable arms of Joey the Rat, err...Pope Benedict XVI) - to refuse to place children in the homes of gay and lesbian couples. The exception would dance right around a Massachusetts anti-discrimination law. In hopes of becoming the Political Pandering Panda, Romney also stated that he would sign a bill banning all abortions (including those for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest) if it were presented to him. Which it hasn't been. He just wants all those religious conservatives to know that this Panda is ready to politically pander post-haste - pre-haste really. In Massachusetts or South Dakota or Mississippi - where ever they'll take his Pandering Panda Ass, as long as he can be President. Which has led me to the following conclusion: Mitt Romney hates babies. Continue reading "Mitt Romney: Baby Hater" |
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About Big Queer |
The third time truly is a charm! After not passing in 2002 and then passing the Senate but getting stripped out of a larger spending bill in 2004, the push to condemn hate crimes against GLBTQ 'n' Q Americans has been validated on a Federal level.
I had the good fortune this past week of attending the first 
Republican Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts has decided to take on queer parents. Not directly, of course - that would make him a bigot. Instead he's hiding in the Forest of Wonking Policies and allowing Catholic Charities to wear the bigot pants. Don't get me wrong, they fit them quite well, I'm just sure that there is a pair of bigot pants out there that will fit Mitt perfectly, too.
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