Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

One Step Forward, Two Giant Leaps Back

Openly gay? Ain't no way! - Once again, our openly gay brothers and sisters in uniform (and potential ones) have been tossed back under the Obama bus as the 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals has granted a temporary stay of Judge Phillips recent ruling striking down DADT as unconstitutional.

For the brief time DADT was not in force, the military's business of policing the world went on as usual with no apparent signs of collapse or breakdown of unit cohesion.

Now that you have accomplished to once again take away the right to serve honestly and openly Mr. President, can you say America is "once again" safer?

Change we can believe in, right?

Shame on you sir.

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

Out With Honor

Uncle Sam Want's You Too!

Truly a military of one - 10/19/2010, Pentagon issues orders to all recruiters to accept openly gay recruits & to halt all discharges in response to a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips striking down the 1993 law known as DADT as unconstitutional.

What does the future hold in sending this discriminative & destructive law into the history books as something of a distant memory?

What is know is that although the future of LGBT service members is not completely known yet, we can still celebrate a just victory!

Keep up the fight!

To all those serving, gay or straight, I say "thank you for serving to defend our liberties."

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

But, It's The Law...

Defending DOMA...

 

Flip Flopper - Tuesday, October 12th, the White House files a notice of appeal with the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts in support of the 1996 Defense Of Marriage Act.

"As a policy matter, the President has made clear he believes DOMA is discriminative and should be repealed," said Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler. The Justice Department is defending the statue, as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged."

Once again, as your president, I've decided to make the decision to stand up against you who believed in and supported me & for whom I've promised change and fairness. In doing so, I will remain a coward and defend the discriminative and hateful act known as DOMA.

So much for taking a stand against this statue of injustice, unlike the brave actions of California's republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger & Attorney General Jerry Brown (who's sworn to defend the laws of the state even though they are discriminative)!

And you thought the Democrats where our friends?

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

Discharge No More!

Federal Judge: "Stop Enforcing DADT!"

 

Once again, the courts have spoken up for justice when the cowards of State/Washington won't. This time, through the orders of U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips.

As our military continues to be overtaxed, the discharging of qualified and highly skilled soldiers continues for nothing more than the "crime" of who they love.

More than ever and as a constant reminder of the violent and deadly month between gay bashing's and teen suicides, our community must keep up the pressure along with our allies and those who say no more. Stop the hate!

When will being gay no longer be "illegal" outright in this land of the free?

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

Stonewalled

A Brazen Act Of Hatred

 

The famed Stonewall Inn In New York City was once again the target of hate (the second attack against our community in NYC in less than a week). This time, from inside the walls of the well known gay bar and "Ground Zero" of the gay rights movement as we know it.

The power of hate knows no boundaries as the 2 brazen homophobic punks Mathew Francis & Christoper Orlando proved.

May this be a wake up call to those who seek out and prey on the gay community. We will fight back and remain silent no more!

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

DADT Struck Down!

Serve Proudly!

Thursday, September 9th Federal judge Virginia Phillips rules DADT unconstitutional!

Judge Phillips, the ban is a violation on the First & Fifth Amendment rights of gays & lesbians.

In her ruling, judge Phillips said the policy doesn't help military readiness and instead has a "direct and deleterious effect" on the armed services. 

The judge said she will issue a stop order against further discharges.

The federal government has 1 week to respond.

As we march out from under the bus, Mr. President, remember our community? Where are you? Will you be celebrating this victory or will you planning an appeal?

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights! 

Gay Ol' Party?

Change To Believe In?

In a time where the left sentiment is at a big time low, could the new image of the right be known as "the Gay Ol' Party?" 

Riding a wave of change?

With the continued failure of the White House to come out (is there a pun here?) swinging in support of it's campaign promise of ending DADT and DOMA, it appears some powerful (and some gay) GOPer's like Ken Mehlman, Steve Schmidt, Dick Cheney & Laura Bush are coming out (another pun?) and riding the Democratic bunch of lies in hopes of loosening some support of the LGBT community from the usual dedication of the Democratic party.

With some will come no change, including the likes of Mike "puppy dog" Huckabee, Sarah "Russia from my back yard" Palin, Tom "I hate gays" Emmer to John "I'm just plain wrong" McCain, etc...

America's current political system is a system I will always believe that America's Forefathers never envisioned.

Possible solutions include:

1. Burning the whole political system completely to the ground and start anew like a Phoenix rising from the ashes.
2. Have candidates sign a "Contract of the People" in where they are evaluated & to see if they don't bring about beneficial change, are caught in the lies or fail miserably, they are fired just like at any other job instead of waiting for re-election.
3. Term limits of House/Senate.

I'm still not completely convinced I'm ready to see/support red just yet, but at the same time, I'm not feeling much love for blue either...

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

Sour Note

The Band Played On

 As part of it's summer season of "Music in the Parks," the beautiful grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, New York hosted a special performance of the prestigious, West Point Military Academy Band.

Such beautiful tunes of Tommy Dorsey, Irving Berlin and others from the big band era are enjoyed more in the likes of the company of that someone special while enjoying dinner makes it even more grand. The only exception was the sour note.

As the concert began to wind down, the maestro called special attention to "taking some time out to remember those who are sacrificing so that we may sit and enjoy this music." Also, "to those who served and who are awaiting to serve."

Immediately I began thinking to myself, "what about those who were serving proudly, only to be discharged for no other reason but DADT or those who want to serve but can't because of DADT?"

Following the concert, some came up and took pictures and gave their appreciation to the band. I decided (the shy and very nervous type) to head over to give "thanks and sorrow." As I approached the major, I said, "I enjoyed the music very much but at the same time was quite sadden to know so many who wish to serve can't because of DADT." His response, "I understand and sympathize." Hmmmmmmmmm...

For someone like me, it would be "double whammy" being I am not only queer, but disABLED too. We know how much the military has no use for individuals like myself even though, I too would fight for my country.

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

Setback.

Until Otherwise, Second Class Citizen You're To Remain.

After a recent victory of the lower court's decision to strike down anti-gay Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, an emergency appeal to stay was filed by the proponents of Prop 8 with the 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals.

Proponents of the discriminative Proposition 8 argument: "Gay marriages would harm the state's interest in promoting responsible procreation."  (Why then, when you file for a marriage license there isn't a section "are you planning, do you want or can you have children?") Shouldn't the state then deny your license application or have your marriage invalidated once they obtain this information at a later time?

Pending an appeal, the stay has been extended indefinitely, invalidating the lower court's decision to allow marriages to resume on August 18th. At this time, it is unknown if and when they would be allowed to continue.

State's interest in promoting responsible procreation???? Does anyone seem to remember the last time the state promoted procreation? Isn't that something decided on by 2 loving adults? Proposition 8 defenders are nothing more than a tyrannical bunch of bigots.

Now, the burden of proof of "harm to heterosexual marriages" lies solely on the proponents of Proposition 8 since neither Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) or Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) are willing to defend it.

May the sounds of wedding bells ring out once again for all citizens in the state of California and in the not to distant future, the rest of America.

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

$150,000 Victory!

On Target For Minnesota Governorship!

Thanks to your GENEROUS corporate gift, I, Tom Emmer am now one step closer to gaining control of the office of Minnesota Governor.

It would not have been made possible without the recent decision handed down from the Supreme Court Of The United States (Kudos to SCOTUS!), your support and that of numerous other anti-LGBT businesses and corporations.

As a favor to you, and to all the others who support me, I will do my utmost to keep the good citizens of Minnesota safe from any homosexual agenda. Second class citizens they are & second class citizens they will remain under my regime.

Again, thanks Target!

"Thank" Target by taking action!

What can we do you ask?

 Hit Target where it counts. Take aim at their bottom line.

Made any recent purchases at Target? Return them.

Cut your Target charge card in half and mail it back to them.

Contact friends, family, neighbors, your local LGBT community center, post messages on social networking sites encouraging to shop elsewhere.

Write a letter or contact Target's CEO Greg Steinhafel: EMAIL  

Phone (612)696-6234
Fax (612)696-6325
Guest Relations - (800)440-0680

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!

Denied

No Harm To Heterosexual Marriages

In yet another sweeping victory for LGBT equality, Judge Vaughn R. Walker has ruled to deny a permanent stay on the recent ruling that struck down California's Proposition 8 (the voter approved marriage equality ban).

Judge Walker wrote: "California is able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same-sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result."

He did however, extended the temporary stay which remains in effect until August 18th.

Although proponents of Proposition 8 have appealed to the 9th Circuit Court, a permanent stay is considered highly unlikely.

A new day has come to California and hopefully, the rest of America...

Standing up (ok, sitting down) for our rights!