Religious Right Blames Gays for Newtown Shooting

Well, we knew this was coming..

Conservative icon James Dobson links Newtown shooting to same sex marriage | The Raw Story

The Religious Right's Shameful Exploitation of Newtown Massacre

Tenn. activists rally for ENDA executive order

Glenn Ramsey speaking at TEP Rally in Memphis Sunday

Tenn. activists rally for ENDA executive order | Washington Blade 

A group of Shelby County TEP activists gathered at the Federal Building in downtown Memphis to call upon President Obama to sign an executive order banning anti-LGBT discrimination in federal employment.

Sign the Petition!

Supreme Court Takes Gay Marriage Case

Supreme Court Takes Gay Marriage Case, But Don't Hold Your Breath For An Epic Ruling | Alternet

Risk to Same-Sex Marriage Very Great in this Supreme Court (Mother Jones)

University of Memphis faculty advances same-sex benefits

University of Memphis faculty advances same-sex benefits » The Commercial Appeal

Lloyd Blankfein is the Face of Class Warfare

Sen. Bernie Sanders: Lloyd Blankfein is the Face of Class Warfare - YouTube

AIDS activists arrested in nude protest at House Speaker John Boehner's office

AIDS activists arrested in nude protest at House Speaker John Boehner's office - NY Daily News

Good Night for LGBT Equality

An Look at LGBT Election Results

Tammy Baldwin becomes first Lesiban/Gay U.S. Senator

Marriage Equality wins by popular vote in Maryland & Maine...

And President Obama breaks a historic barrier by winning election after supporting same-sex marriage and being the most pro-gay President in U.S. history.

The Beginning of the End for the Anti-Gay Marriage Movement

PRESIDENT OBAMA REELECTED WHILE SUPPORTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY

PRESIDENT OBAMA REELECTED WHILE SUPPORTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY | Advocate.com

Despite some mistakes along the way, Obama has been re-elected, and has broken a historic barrier by winning after supporting Marriage Equality and LGBT civil rights... the barrier is torn down.

Updates on LGBT Races to Watch

Check Here for Updates on LGBT Races to Watch | Advocate.com

The Presidential election is not the only thing to watch tonight.. lots of LGBT candidates and ballot initiatives on Marriage...

Republican Defeats Antigay Democrat in Tennessee US Senate Race

Republican Defeats Antigay Democrat in Tennessee US Senate Race | Advocate.com

Thanks to everyone who wrote my name in! Waiting on vote totals..

Jim Maynard for U.S. Senate

Tammy Baldwin-the First Gay/Lesbian Senator

This Is How a Supposedly Radical Lesbian Wins in Congress | Advocate.com

Looks like a good election night for gay and lesbian candidates..

Obama vs. Romney on Gay Rights

The choice for LGBT Americans SHOULD be pretty clear in this Presidential election

Obama vs. Romney on LGBT issues | Gay News | Washington Blade - America's Leading Gay News Source

Obama vs. Romney: 4 Ways they differ on Gay Issues

Obama vs. Romney on Gay Rights:


From Romney’s official campaign website:

As president, Romney will appoint an attorney general who will defend the Defense of Marriage Act – a law that defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman.

Romney will also champion a federal marriage amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Romney Pledges Opposition to Gay Marriage

From Obama’s official campaign website:

First sitting president to publicly announce his support for marriage for same-sex couples.

Believes LGBT Americans should be treated fairly and equally.

Obama repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” so that gay and lesbian service members no longer have to lie about who they are to serve the country their country.

Endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act, a proposed bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and require the federal government to recognize gay marriages.

Signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, expanding the U.S. hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Extended hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights to LGBT couples.

Obama: Progress for LGBT Americans

The "Churches of Christ" Attack Gays

Here is a FULL PAGE ad, ran multiple days, in the Commercial Appeal by Memphis area "Churches of Christ," attacking gays and lesbians:

Here is my response in a Letter to the Editor:

So the self-proclaimed "Churches of Christ," thought attacking "homosexuals" was so important they had to spend thousands of dollars to put several full page ads in the Commercial Appeal promoting their ant-gay bigotry.  I was once a Church of Christ "preacher."  I realized I was gay while I was a freshman Bible major at Harding Unviversity.  In time I realzied that the "Churches of Christ," were much like the Scribes and Pharisees Jesus spent most of his ministry attacking.

Like the Pharisees, the Churches of Christ think following a literal interpretation of scriptures, written by men, is the path to heaven.  Like the Pharisees, the Churches of Christ use the Old Testament Levitical code to condemn others (homosexuals, etc.) while they do not follow the Levitical code themselves.  They also misuse the storty of Sodom and Gomorrah to condemn gays, when the sin of Sodom was not homosexuality, it was mass rape, inhospitality and violence towards strangers.

When they turn to the New Testament, the Churches of Christ do much the same thing the Pharisees did with the Levitical Code, they take scriptures out of context to support their prejudices.  Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, and neither he nor any of the early discriples, including Paul, had any concept of a "gay" person.  Paul condemned specific acts of pederasty (that is what the original Greek words refer to) and temple prostitution practiced among some of the "heathen" religions, not to attack gays and lesbians, which he had no knowledge about.

Of course, the Churches of Christ also think the Apostle Paul was speaking the literal words of God when he said women should be silent in the church and not have any authority over men, thus they don't allow women to be ministers or even lead prayer. They even think it is a sin to use musical instruments in worship, and condemn other churches who do not follow their narrow literal interpretation of the Bible.  The "Churches of Christ" represent Christianity as well as the Taliban represents Islam.

I suggest any gay or lesbian person in the Church of Christ should leave immediately.  There are some real Christian churches who follow the real Gospel of Christ, and not the legalistic Pharisees in the Church of Christ.  Or better yet, look beyond Bible-based religions, which nearly all oppose equality for gays and women, and embrace secular humanism and reason like I did.

And if the Churches of Christ really want to be disciples of Christ, they should have spent all that money on feeding the poor and hungry in Memphis.

Jim Maynard

Log Cabin Republicans Endorses Mitt Romney

The Uncle Tom Republicans throw the gay community under the GOP bus again..
Log Cabin Republicans Endorses Mitt Romney | Advocate.com

They believed this lie:  Romney Secretly Supports ENDA

Yea right...

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down DOMA

Federal Appeals Court Rules DOMA Unconstitutional - The Advocate

Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down DOMA in Opinion by Republican-Appointed Judge (Think Progress)

Memphis Approves LGBT Inclusive Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Memphis City Council Approves Non-Discrimination Ordinance - Memphis Flyer

Memphis approves protections for sexual orientation » The Commercial Appeal

Council Approves Non-Discrinination Ordinance - Memphis Daily News

TEP Holds Town Hall Meeting on Nondiscrimination Ordinance

TEP Holds Town Hall Meeting on Nondiscrimination Ordinance | Memphis Gaydar

Memphis City Council Delays Vote on Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Memphis City Council Delays Vote on Non-Discrimination Ordinance (ABC 24)

Confusion Over City Charter Leads Council to Delay Nondiscrimination Ordinance (Memphis Gaydar)
Opponents of including sexual orientation and gender identity in the Memphis non-discrimination ordinance put up a procedural road block, and delayed the final vote pending research into the City Charter.

Is the City of Memphis, particularly the office of Mayor Wharton, behind the delaying tactic?

Dogs, Ponies, and a Shelved Initiative: The Sexual Orientation Vote for Dummies | Politics Beat Blog
Jackson Baker write in the Memphis Flyer about how the City of Memphis, including Mayor Wharton's office, is blocking the LGBT inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance.

Memphis Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Hinges on a Head Count

Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Hinges on a Head Count | Politics Beat Blog

Memphis City Council still debating protecting LGBT employees from discrimination.

TEP Rallies in Memphis for Non-Discrimination Ordinance

GLBT groups march downtown, protest city discrimination policy - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Tennessee Equality Project (TEP)

Memphis City Council should vote for LGBT- inclusive workplace protections without delay

Grand Divisions: Memphis City Council should vote for LGBT- inclusive workplace protections without delay




Wendi Thomas (CA): Equality for Gay/Lesbian Citizens Overdue

Barney Frank Doubles Down, Defends Calling Gay GOP Group ‘Uncle Tom’

Barney Frank Doubles Down, Defends Calling Gay GOP Group ‘Uncle Tom’ | The New Civil Rights Movement

Hurrah Barney Frank! I've been calling them Uncle Tom Republicans for years..

Fresh Research on HIV Urges New Approach to Gay Men

Fresh Research on HIV Urges New Approach to Gay Men | NationofChange
We need to get HIV/AIDS back on the LGBT radar

3 States Take Up National Fight Against DOMA, Federal Anti-Gay Marriage Law

3 States Take Up National Fight Against DOMA, Federal Anti-Gay Marriage Law | Common Dreams

Democrats Approve Marriage Equality Platform

BREAKING: Democrats Approve Marriage Equality Platform | Advocate.com

Not only did the DNC approve marriage equality in their platform, there are LGBT delegates from EVERY state at the convention.  (Marriage equality was also included in several convention speeches, including the first lady Michelle Obama's, on the first night of the convention.

LGBT Delegates Sharing Excitement of Democratic Convention

Democrats Include Gay Marriage in Convention Platform

Jubilant LGBT Delegates Vow to Support Obama

Racist Website Denounces Tennessee Equality Project

Racist Website Denounces Tennessee Equality Project | Memphis Gaydar

Martin Luther King - I Have A Dream Speech - August 28, 1963

GOP lawmaker: LGBT teen suicide is the 'biggest lark out there'

GOP lawmaker: LGBT teen suicide is the 'biggest lark out there' 

Remember Tennessee's "Don't Say Gay" Republican Senator Stacey Campfield?  Here he is again

Group of Memphis area clergy call for marriage equality

Group of Memphis area clergy call for marriage equality » The Commercial Appeal

Clergy Defending Rights for All, an interfaith group comprised of roughly thirty clergy members from the Greater Memphis area, announced itself to the community at a press conference on Thursday, calling upon congregations everywhere to join them in support of marriage equality.

Thursday's press conference was intentionally planned to coincide with a fundraiser for the Memphis-based Coalition of African American Pastors — a group whose founder, Rev. William Owens, has been prominently featured in the national media for his condemnation of President Barack Obama following the president's declaration of support for same-sex marriage last May.

"Family Research Council" BLAMES Southern Poverty Law Center for Shooting

Tony Perkins says Southern Poverty Law Center gave ‘license’ for shooting | The Raw Story

Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council are trying to take advantage of the shooting at their office in D.C. by blaming the Southern Poverty Law Center for giving "license" for the shooting because of their designating FRC an anti-gay hate group.

LGBT organizations roundly condemned the shooting, but SPLC defends it's designation of FRC as a hate group, and rightly so.  FRC promotes fear, hate and hostility toward LGBT people.

SPLC: Family Research Council License-to-Kill Claim "Outrageous":

"The SPLC has listed the FRC as a hate group since 2010 because it has knowingly spread false and denigrating propaganda about LGBT people — not, as some claim, because it opposes same-sex marriage. The FRC and its allies on the religious right are saying, in effect, that offering legitimate and fact-based criticism in a democratic society is tantamount to suggesting that the objects of criticism should be the targets of criminal violence.

As the SPLC made clear at the time and in hundreds of subsequent statements and press interviews, we criticize the FRC for claiming, in Perkins’ words, that pedophilia is “a homosexual problem” — an utter falsehood, as every relevant scientific authority has stated. An FRC official has said he wanted to “export homosexuals from the United States.” The same official advocated the criminalizing of homosexuality.

Perkins and his allies, seeing an opportunity to score points, are using the attack on their offices to pose a false equivalency between the SPLC’s criticisms of the FRC and the FRC’s criticisms of LGBT people. The FRC routinely pushes out demonizing claims that gay people are child molesters and worse — claims that are provably false. It should stop the demonization and affirm the dignity of all people."

TRUTH WINS OUT Responds to FRC:
“...yesterday’s senseless act of violence does not exonerate the Family Research Council and other anti-gay hate groups from the decades they’ve spent slandering, demonizing, and actively lying about the LGBT community,” added John Becker, TWO’s Director of Communications. “The Southern Poverty Law Center – a venerable civil rights organization that monitors and documents extremism across the country – rightfully labeled the Family Research Council an anti-gay hate group because of its extensive history of spreading malicious, hateful falsehoods about gay people. FRC is not a hate group because of its public policy views, as Mr. Perkins has alleged. It is a hate group because it earned that designation.”

Memphis Pro-Gay Clergy To Protest Anti-Obama Pastors

Pro-Gay Clergy To Protest Anti-Obama Pastors | Memphis Gaydar

Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center

The LGBT Rights Record of Paul Ryan

Here Is the LGBT Rights Record of Paul Ryan Who Is The Romney Pick for Veep | Advocate.com

Anti-Obama black pastor group has serious credibility problems

Anti-Obama black pastor group has serious credibility problems | Pam's House Blend

Democratic Platform Committee Unanimously Approves Marriage Language | Advocate.com

BREAKING: Democratic Platform Committee Unanimously Approves Marriage Language | Advocate.com

Romney Picks Anti-Gay Paul Ryan as VP

Romney pics anti-gay Republican Rep. Paul Ryan

He is not too keen on gay people or lgbt rights:
Romney Picks Rep. Paul Ryan As VP - Poliglot

LGBT Rights Record of Paul Ryan

Despite his Anti-Gay Record, Uncle Tom Gay Republicans Praise Ryan Pick

Paul Ryan on Marriage Equality

U.S. Senate candidate Clayton urges Obama to back off support of same-sex marriage

U.S. Senate candidate Clayton urges Obama to back off support of same-sex marriage | timesfreepress.com

This Imposter won the Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate in Tennessee.  He doesn't think I should have the same civil rights he has because I'm gay.  He doesn't think my partner and I should have the same legal rights he and other straight people have.

I'm running a write-in campaign against him, gay bigotry, and the Republican Bob Corker, who agrees with  him.

And we have other disagreements about equality, freedom and social justice...

TN Dems Nominate Anti-Gay Conspiracy Theorist for Senate

TN Democratic Party Disavows Senate Nominee

Jim Maynard: Gay Activist Write-In Candidate For U.S. Senate

Memphis Gay Socialist Jim Maynard Running for U.S. Senate (Again)

Since the TN Democratic Party has basically forfeited the 2012 U.S. Senate to Republican Bob Corker, I'm offering my name as a write-in candidate to those who want their write in vote counted. (Paperwork is being filed with the TN Election Commission to make the write-in votes count.)

 I'm a 48 year old gay, humanist, democratic socialist activist in Memphis, Tennessee. I've been fighting for economic and social justice, LGBT equality, separation of church and state my whole adult life. In 2004 and 2006, I ran a write-in campaign against Harold Ford Jr., who betrayed the Tennessee LGBT community and progressives, and ran for Congress as a right-wing Democrat, opposing LGBT civil rights and siding with Republicans on many issues.

 I have no illusion of winning this election. Neither does the Tennessee Democratic Party, which could not find and support a viable candidate to oppose Republican Bob Corker, and allowed an unknown anti-gay right-wing nut to "win" the primary. The TNDP has urged everyone to write-in a "candidate of your choice," I offer my name if you want to stand up to the right-wing Tea Party Agenda of Bob Corker and the Republican Party, and if you want your write-in vote to be counted.

TN Dems Nominate Anti-Gay Conspiracy Nut for U.S. Senate
TN Democratic Party Disavows  Senate Nominee

Jim Maynard Write-In Candidate for U.S. Senate 2012
FACEBOOK PAGE

Here's My Progressive Platform

Same-sex supporters join protest of Chick-fil-A outlets in Memphis area

Same-sex supporters join protest of Chick-fil-A outlets in Memphis area » The Commercial Appeal

Chick-fil-A Kiss-Ins Divide LGBT Movement

Chick-fil-A Kiss-Ins Divide LGBT Movement

DOMA Unconstitutional: Federal Judge In Connecticut Says Marriage Definition Violates Equal Protection

DOMA Unconstitutional: Federal Judge In Connecticut Says Marriage Definition Violates Equal Protection

Jeanne Richardson Soldiers On in a New District

Jeanne Richardson Soldiers On in a New District | Politics Beat Blog

Memphis pro-gay lgbt civil rights progressive Jeanne Richardson is in a primary election against an anti-gay conservative "democrat" for the Dist. 90 TN legislature seat.

Democratic platform draft includes marriage equality plank

Democratic platform draft includes marriage equality plank: sources | Washington Blade - America's Leading Gay News Source

The DNC has approved a plank for marriage equality in the Democratic Party platform!

Beyond Gay Marriage

Beyond Gay Marriage - In These Times

Is the gay movement walking down the wrong aisle? Is marriage really the most important issue for the LGBT community?

First American Woman in Space Sally Ride Leaves Behind Partner

First American Woman in Space Sally Ride Leaves Behind Partner | Advocate.com

‘Mitt Gets Worse’ campaign warns of Romney’s bad policies on LGBT rights

‘Mitt Gets Worse’ campaign warns of Romney’s bad policies on LGBT rights | The Raw Story

Mitt Gets Worse

Huckabee battles ‘militant homosexuals’ with ‘Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day’

Huckabee battles ‘militant homosexuals’ with ‘Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day’ | The Raw Story

Boy Scouts Reaffirm Discrimination Against Gays

Boy Scouts Reaffirm Discrimination Against Gays

Boy Scouts leadership affirms policy of excluding 'open or avowed' gays - CNN.com

Bryan Fischer: Gays are driven by a ‘Dark, Venomous, Demonic Hatred’ – LGBTQ Nation

Bryan Fischer: Gays are driven by a ‘Dark, Venomous, Demonic Hatred’ – LGBTQ Nation

AFL-CIO Backs Marriage Equality in DOMA Case Brief

AFL-CIO Backs Marriage Equality in DOMA Case Brief

IN OBAMA WE TRUST

IN OBAMA WE TRUST | Advocate.com

Barney Frank Marries Longtime Partner | Advocate.com

Barney Frank Marries Longtime Partner | Advocate.com

BREAKING: House GOP Leaders Ask Supreme Court to Review DOMA Case - Poliglot

House GOP Leaders Ask Supreme Court to Review DOMA Case - Poliglot

Lesbian, Allegedly Assaulted At Memphis Celtic Crossing Bar

Jackie Lloyd, Lesbian, Allegedly Assaulted At Memphis Celtic Crossing Bar

How LGBT People Benefit Under the Affordable Care Act

Since the SCOTUS upheld the Affordable Care Act, let's look at what it does for LGBT people...

Brad Jacklin: How LGBT People Benefit Under the Affordable Care Act

Queer Issues Are Class Issues: Where Next for the LGBTQ Movement?

Queer Issues Are Class Issues: Where Next for the LGBTQ Movement? | The Nation

Gay Pride 2012: Celebrations Around The World (PHOTOS)

Gay Pride 2012: Celebrations Around The World (PHOTOS)

Happy Gay Pride Day!

A message from Harvey Milk on "Gay Pride"

Disaffected and Disconnected: Gay Teens Face Tough Times Growing Up in America

Disaffected and Disconnected: Gay Teens Face Tough Times Growing Up in America | BuzzFlash.org

Denmark’s legislature approves same-sex marriage – LGBTQ Nation

Denmark’s legislature approves same-sex marriage – LGBTQ Nation

Defense of Marriage Act Loses in Court Yet Again | Advocate.com

Defense of Marriage Act Loses in Court Yet Again | Advocate.com

Why It Matters That a Tennessee County Party Endorsed Marriage | Advocate.com

It Matters That a Tennessee County Party Endorsed Marriage | Advocate.com

Obama’s gay marriage endorsement resonates around the U.S.

Obama’s gay marriage endorsement resonates around the U.S. |

Backed by a Failed Economic Theory, Republicans Turn to Religious Extremists

Backed by a Failed Economic Theory, Republicans Turn to Religious Extremists

Shelby Democrats back gay marriage

Shelby Democrats back gay marriage » The Commercial Appeal

The Shelby County Democratic Party was the first in Tennessee to voice approval of President Barack Obama's recent announcement in support of gay marriage.

The Defense of Marriage Act and States' Rights

The Defense of Marriage Act and States' Rights | Mother Jones

Why it makes sense to use the "states rights" argument to defend the the freedom to marry and overturn DOMA

Federal appeals panel agrees with lower court: DOMA unconstitutional

Federal appeals panel agrees with lower court: DOMA unconstitutional – LGBTQ Nation

Kansas pastor calls on U.S. government to kill LGBT people

Kansas pastor calls on U.S. government to kill LGBT people | The Raw Story

Colin Powell: I Have 'No Problem With' Gay Marriage

Colin Powell: I Have 'No Problem With' Gay Marriage