Deliverance: The True Story of a Gay Exorcism Critical Eye: Details.com

Deliverance: The True Story of a Gay Exorcism Critical Eye: Details.com

Anti-Gay Activist Caught with Male Escort

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Mike Huckabee Compares Gay Marriage to Incest

Huckabee Compares Gay Marriage to Incest

Mike Huckabee, a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2012, says the effort to allow gays and lesbians to marry is comparable to legalizing incest, polygamy and drug use.
Huckabee also told college journalists last week that gay couples should not be permitted to adopt. "Children are not puppies," he said.

If this wing-nut becomes President, we may need to form a Queer Malitia

Top 10 Anti-Gay Politicians Caught "Being Gay"

I'm not sure I would what they did "being gay," but here's a list of 10 conservative anti-gay activists who turned out to be gay themselves. (I call them Uncle Tom Republicans)

Top 10 Anti-Gay Politicians Caught Being Gay

GOP Prayer Guru Says Gays Possessed by Demons

As Rachel Maddow recently showcased, on December 16th the Family Research Council sponsored a "Prayercast" event, attended by GOP luminaries including Senators Jim DeMint and Sam Brownback, and House Representatives Michelle Bachmann and Randy Forbes. Lou Engle, Founder of TheCall led the prayer at the event. Besides leading the capstone stadium rally for pro-Proposition 8, antigay marriage organizers last November 1, 2008 at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, Lou Engle could also be found, at a special ceremony at a Virginia Beach megachurch last summer, anointing and blessing GOP presidential hopefuls Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich.

Meet the Republican Party's new spiritual guru, Lou Engle

Christian Reich's War on Gays

The Christian Reich continues to expand its war on LGBT people. In the United States, evangelical and fundamentalist Christians have united to make their anti-gay Manhattan Declaration against women's right to abortion and marriage for gays and lesbians.

The Declaration, released last week and signed by over 150 Christian leaders and social conservatives, identifies abortion, gay marriage, and religious liberty as the three most important issues facing modern Christians, and pleads with both believers and non-believers to stand up against the first two and in defense of the third.

Nathaniel Frank does a great job of deconstructing their hypocritical and irrational defense of "traditional marriage" from the civil unions of gays and lesbians: Christian Leaders Scapegoat Gays on Marriage

The religious war against gay people is an international endeavor. In Uganda a bill is being proposed by the parliament that would call for the execution of gays.

Britain and Canada today led Commonwealth protests against a law proposed by the Ugandan parliament which would introduce the death penalty by hanging for "aggravated homosexuality".

The suggested legislation would apply to sex between gay men or lesbian women in which one person has HIV.

The bill also proposes the introduction of a three-year prison sentence for anyone who knows of the existence of a gay man or lesbian woman and fails to inform authorities in Uganda within 24 hours.

Fury at Uganda Proposal for Gay Executions

Furthermore, the Anti-Homosexuality bill in Uganda is supported by U.S. conservative Christians known as "The Family." According to Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family, the Family has been very active in supporting Uganda's right-wing government and the anti-gay legislation.

Rachel Maddow on Uganda and the Family

Rick Warren Can't "Take Sides" on Gay Executions in Uganda

Values Voters Summit Highlight: "All Pornography is Homosexual Pornography"

Think Progress had someone videotaping at the Family Research Council's "Values Voters Summit" and they caught Michael Schwartz, the chief of staff for Republican Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), saying some bizarre things about homosexuality and pornography. During a panel discussion on "The New Masculinity", Schwartz denounced pornography as a "blight" and a "silent disease" before stating that it causes young boys to become homosexuals.
Homosexuality is inflicted on people... But all pornography is homosexual pornography because all pornography turns your sexual drive inwards. And that in fact is what it does. I know couples now who are struggling with the husband's addiction to pornography. It's a terrible thing. And that's what happens. And, you know, if it doesn't turn you homosexual, it at least renders you less capable of loving your wife. And it's something you need to be healed of."
From Huffington Post

What is it about Oklahoma and anti-gay homophobic religious bigots? I was born there, but now I wish the Cherokee had killed off all the White People in that territory!

Read more about Schwartz's homophobic history at Think Progress

See also: The Washington Independent

Republican candidate for Virginia governor, Bob McDonnell cites Michael Schwartz in his 1989 thesis!

Will the Christian Right take down the Republican Party?

Anti-Gay S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford Admits Affair

Well who didn't see this coming??
Anti-Gay SC Gov. "Defender of Marriage" Busted for Infidelity

After misleading his staff and family, turns out Sanford was not hiking the Appalachian trail after all.. he was in Argentina practicing his "family values" with his mistress! He ditched his four kids on Father's Day to sneak away with his mistress!

Yes, this is the same right-wing Republican governor of South Carolina who was praised by conservatives for standing against Obama's stimulus money for his state, and for being a defender of family values and marriage. Here he is several months into his affair opposing the real enemy of marriage--Gay Marriage!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"There's Nothing Wrong With Discrimination," Shelby Co. Commission Committee Votes Down Discrimination Ordinance

MEMPHIS FLYER
Discrimination Protections for Gays Voted Down in County Commission Committee
POSTED BY BIANCA PHILLIPS ON WED, MAY 27, 2009 AT 3:56 PM

"There's nothing wrong with discrimination," said Shelby County Commissioner Wyatt Bunker, while addressing the county commission committee charged with a vote on an ordinance that would prevent discrimination toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender workers in Shelby County government.
Though audible gasps from the audience followed Bunker's statement, five other commissioners apparently agreed, as they voted down the ordinance in committee. The ordinance will still go to the full commission for a vote on Monday.

The original ordinance, proposed by commissioner Steve Mulroy, would protect Shelby County employees, workers with county contractors, and employees of large private businesses in unincorporated Shelby County.

Commissioners Deidre Malone and J.W. Gibson proposed an amendment to the ordinance removing protections for all but Shelby County government employees.

"We need to get our own house in order before we can start regulating other people," said Malone.

Gibson also had concerns about the cost of enforcing the ordinance, if passed.

"This will require time and more people," Gibson said.

But Mulroy disagreed, stating that no additional investigators would be needed in the county's human resources office.

"It's not like we're going to have investigators roving the hallways looking for discrimination problems," Mulroy said. "The [Equal Opportunity Employment] Commission investigates based on complaints, just like they already do with other issues of discrimination."

Religious convictions guided the votes of several commissioners, including Mike Carpenter and Bunker. Bunker blamed the ordinance on a "homosexual agenda" and compared protections for gays to "the seven deadly sins."

"Once [homosexuals] get their foot in the door, they push their way through society until [homosexuality] becomes the norm," said Bunker.

Supporters and opposition for the ordinance filled the committee meeting room. Brad Watkins with the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center pleaded with commission members to consider God’s love when using Christian faith to justify their opinion on the ordinance.

"Our faith is one of inclusion and love. We can't say that we love someone and then sit back and discriminate against them," said Watkins.

COMMERCIAL APPEAL: Anti-Discrimination Bill Fails in County Committee

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This is scary! If we can’t get this passed, my partner and I are leaving Memphis, Tennessse and the Confederate South!
Jim M.
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OK, Here are my responses to the anti-gay bigots, or, HOW TO TALK TO HOMOPHOBIC BIGOTS:

Quit trying to quote the Bible! First, you are picking out verses to suit your political agenda. If you really want to follow the Levitical Code, then just go all the way and say your support putting people to death for homosexuality, adultery, disobeying parents, and eating the wrong foods! And if you want to follow the New Testament literally, you need to make your women shut up and be quiet. After all, Paul says, God made Adam first gave him dominion over the earth--and women! Second, what the Bible says is irrelevant to CIVIL rights and laws in the United States. Thanks to Thomas Jefferson and other enlightened founders of this country, we have a SECULAR constitution! If you want to live in a country where gay people are put to death, move to Iran or Saudi Arabia!

Evidently some black preachers didn't get the message of the Civil Rights movement. They think Civil Rights are only for them! Dr. Martin Luther King said Injustice anywhere is an injustice to everyone. He didn't limit the struggle for social justice and equality to just one race. If it is a disgrace to the civil rights movement and black people to compare gay rights with other civil rights, you better correct Civil Rights leaders like Rep. John Lewis and Rev. Joseph Lowery, and rebuke the words of Coretta Scott King who said:

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the civil rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother-and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."

Quit trying to impose your religious beliefs on me! You have the freedom to CHOOSE your narrow-minded archaic religious dogmas, I have the freedom to CHOOSE to be a gay, atheist!

And if you don't think gays and lesbians need protection from discrimination, maybe we should rescind all civil rights laws, including those covering race and religion! I don't see any evidence that racist Southern Baptists and homophobic black preachers are being discriminated against! Why should you be getting "special rights" because of your race or religion?

Let's make a deal--you respect my CIVIL rights (to be a gay atheist) and I will respect your right to be a religious fanatic or a bigot. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights protects all of our rights! Don't try to take away MY rights!

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On the Non-Discrimination Ordinance (The Civil Rights Argument)

Religious Bigots Protest Ordinance to Protect Gays

Former civil rights activist protests ordinance to protect gays

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC-TV) - Although he marched for civil rights in the 1960's, Rev. William Owens of Memphis says he's opposed to a proposed ordinance that would prohibit Shelby County employees from being discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

"We don't want San Francisco, Shelby County," he said.

Owens says he's against giving gays equal employment rights.

"I don't see where these people are being discriminated against. If so, it's very isolated," he said.

Owens and several other ministers plan to hold a news conference Tuesday outside the Shelby County Administration Building in Downtown Memphis.

Although he marched for civil rights, Owens said,"I did not march one inch, one foot, one yard for this type of legislation."

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy says he expected the opposition. Mulroy is behind the potentially groundbreaking measure that would not only protect gay employees of the county, but also those who work for county contractors.

"If you're against my ordinance, then what you're saying is you believe people ought to be able to discriminate in employment on the basis of sexual orientation," said Mulroy."If you think that, you're entitled to your opinion. But I think it's profoundly misguided, and I think the tide of history is against you."

Mulroy says his intent is for the county to protect the employment of gays in the same way African Americans, Hispanics and women are protected from discrimination.

"They want to be treated under the law like everybody else. And who can blame them?" said Mulroy.

Opponents say commissioners will be to blame if the measure passes, and they say they'll voice their displeasure loudly come election time.

"We're gonna do everything in our power to see they don't have a seat on that commission the next time," said Owens.

Mulroy says he hopes his colleagues on the Shelby County Commission don't bow to the pressure.

All content © Copyright 2000 - 2009 WorldNow and WMCTV, a Raycom Media station. All Rights Reserved.
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UPDATE: Memphis Pastors, County Commissioner, Speak Against County Anti-Discrimination Measure

Six Memphis Pastors Oppose Equal Protection for Gays
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TAKE ACTION: Contact Tennessee Equality Project!

County Ordinance Targets Discrimination Against LGBT People

National Black Justice Coalition: King Would Stand With Us Civil Rights Belong to ALL People!

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Anti-Gay Bigots LIE!

Anti-gay religious bigots get all worked up over a "sin" that is not even in the Top Ten Commandments, but they sure piss all over one of the biggies: THOU SHALT NOT LIE!

The Christo-Fascist "World Net Daily News" has been stirring right-wing opposition to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (Hate Crimes Bill) by confusing "sexual orientation" with paedophilia, and calling the bill the "Pedophile Protection Act."

Faith2Action's anti-gay crusader Janet Porter has been leading the right-wing campaign to kill the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, falsely claiming that the hate crimes bill would infringe on the religious freedom and freedom of speech of Christians and would protect pedophiles and other "sexual deviants."

First, there is nothing in the Hate Crimes Bill to infringe on any one's freedom of speech! The bill clearly targets CRIMINAL ACTS that target people based on race, gender, religion, handicap, sexual orientation or gender identity. People can say or think whatever they want about gays, or Jews, but they cannot commit CRIMINAL ACTS! If someone commits CRIMINAL ACT, like physically attacking or killing someone because they are Jewish or gay, the bill will provide FEDERAL resources to prosecute the crime and enhanced penalties. (Our criminal justice system takes motivation into account in sentencing crimes.)

Second, religious fundamentalists are free to preach their anti-gay bigotry, as long as they don't preach VIOLENCE against people who are gay, Jewish, etc. Why are bigots like Janet Porter defending violence against gay people as "freedom of speech" or "freedom of religion"???

These Christo-fascist anti-gay campaigns are not just targeting the U.S. Congress, they are sowing their anti-gay bigotry across the states. Here in Tennessee they are using the very same radical right-wing propaganda against a state hate crimes bill and against a non-discrimination ordinance here in Memphis!

A group of anti-gay preachers have formed an ad hoc group, Memphis City Churches, to fight the Shelby County non-discrimination ordinance, using the same lies they used against the hate crimes bill. Memphis City Churches is a front group for the Christo-fascist Traditional Values Coalition

If you live in Memphis or Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Equality Project to take action against this anti-gay bigotry and support LGBT civil rights in Tennessee

Take Action on the Shelby County Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Take Action on the Tennessee Hate Crimes Bill

See Also:

American Family Assocaition: Senate Poised to Give Special Protection to Pedophiles

RIGHT WING WATCH: A HATE CRIMES THOUGHT EXPERIMENT

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

Grand Divisions: News and Comment on TN Politics: A refresher course on the Ten Commandments needed for some Shelby Co Churches

Anti-Gay Bigots Respond to Marriage Equality with Ad Full of LIES and Fake Actors!

The anti-gay bigots (National Organization for Marriage) (sic), have responded to the recent victories for marriage equality in Vermont and Iowa with an ad full of scare tactics and lies, and they use actors, not real people, to LIE about gays and lesbians and our right to marry!

Here's the awful ad:


The Human Rights Campaign publicized the auditions of FAKE actors who were paid to make the ads! (The NOM has removed the audition videos from YouTube.)

The basic argument of the Ad and the "National Organization for Marriage" (sic) is that if gays and lesbians are allowed to marry, the rights of those who oppose gay marriage will be taken away. There will be no freedom of religion, etc..
(Of course, the same arguments were made about inter-racial marriage by the racist bigots!)

The Human Rights campaign has set up a website to country the LIES of the National Organization for Marriage:
End The Lies!
Here's HRC President Joe Salmonese debating NOM Anti-Gay Bigot Maggie Gallagher

Sponsor of TN Gay Marriage Ban BUSTED

ARRESTED: Former State Senator who Pushed Ban on Same Sex Marriage
Jeff Miller, the former Tennessee state senator who in 2005 successfully installed that state's ban on same-sex marriage, was arrested Wednesday for defrauding his home county in his position as tax collector.

Out & About Notes:
Miller’s advocacy for the sanctity of marriage rang hollow at a time when his wife of 15 years sued him for divorce, citing behavior that suggested Miller was guilty of extramarital philandering. Bridgett Suzanne Miller filed divorce papers in Bradley County Circuit Court on February 25, 2005 and accused her husband of “inappropriate marital conduct.”

U.S. Signs On to UN Declaration on Gay Rights

Finally, the U.S. Will (Finally) Sign UN Declaration on Gay Rights
According to the Associated Press, the Obama administration will endorse a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that then-President George W. Bush had refused to sign.

The Roman Catholic Pope will join other anti-gay religious fundamentalists and Islamic countries which behead or hang gays to oppose the inclusion of gay people in the UN Declaration on Human Rights

But, Why is the Obama Administration pandering to the Christian Right?

Right Wing Watch: White House Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for the Religious Right

Tennessee "Don't Say Gay" Bill is Back

Tennessee Legislature Considers "Don't Say Gay Bill"

Rep. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) has introduced HB-821 which would ban any discussion of any "sexual orientation other than heterosexuality" in grades K-8.

Tennessee Equality Project Is On It

"Ex-Gay" Blogger Says COGIC Bishop Backs Gay Marriage; COGIC "Denounces the Practice of Homosexuality"

"Ex-Gay" Blogger Says COGIC Bishop Backs Gay Marriage; COGIC Denounces "the Practice of Homosexuality"

The world's largest African-American Pentecostal denomination is entangled in a cyberspace fist fight with a conservative blogger.

DL Foster, a self-described former homosexual, says Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake supports gay marriage.

Foster runs the blog, Gay Christian Movement Watch at gcmwatch.com, which monitors the "unbiblical acceptance of homosexuality" among pastors and churches.

The longtime critic has accused the Los Angeles pastor repeatedly of sympathizing with homosexuals and has called for his resignation.

Foster's latest objection focuses on the bishop's endorsement of the 2008 Faith in Human Rights Statement in the Netherlands.

"He endorsed a document that is an affirmation of gay marriage," said Foster, an Atlanta-based pastor.

This time, Blake, along with other COGIC officials and parishioners, are fighting back on COGIC.com, where pages of testimonials have been posted stating both Blake's and Memphis-based COGIC's position on homosexuality, as well as questioning Foster's character. COGIC "utterly rejects and uncompromisingly denounces the practice of homosexuality," writes Blake.

The bishop was invited in December to attend the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The United Nations' General Assembly first adopted the document in 1948. In essence, it pronounces that true religion irrespective of denomination, gender or race defends the human rights and freedoms of every person.

However, Foster, who is third-generation COGIC but not a dues-paying member, says Blake has opened the door for gay-rights organizations to use the document to support gay marriage. "He's saying one thing to COGIC but to the ecumenical world it's another story," Foster said.

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It's a shame COGIC, probably the Christian fundamentalist church with the largest percentage of closeted gay people, has to be prove how anti-gay it is by not only opposing the rights of gays and lesbians, including civil marriage equality, but to even get worked up about a Bishop supporting "human rights" along with other civilized groups in the world.

On the one hand, COGIC Supports the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, but they don't seem to consider gay rights to be "human rights"!
"The interjection and inference of homosexuality and the rights for gay marriage was a gross exaggeration and literary leap for truth that is incomprehensible, immoral, and reflects all that is wrong with the witness of the Church to the world we
seek to win for Christ! This is truly lamentable. The Church of God in Christ consistently, utterly rejects and uncompromisingly denounces the practice of homosexuality. Our biblical interpretation of the sanctity of marriage as a sacred relationship
between a man and a woman uncompromisingly views homosexual relationships as a contradiction and
violation of the biblical teaching on marriage and are strongly condemned in the scriptures. ” (Romans 1:
26‐27; Leviticus 18:22; 1 Co 6:9‐10, 1 Kings 14:22‐24 Ephesians 5: 25, 32‐33). Furthermore, this
statement is in accordance with the policy on Same Sex Marriage adopted by the General Assembly of
the Church of God in Christ (read www. cogic.org)"

Maybe COGIC should learn something about Human Rights from real spiritual human rights leaders like Archbishop Desmund Tutu
who include gays and lesbians in the "human" family who are entitled to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Maybe if every gay COGIC member would just come out of the closet, or leave the cult, the church would be forced to shut down or join the 21st Century.

For a different African-American perspecive, see the National Black Justice Coalition

RNC Chair on Civil Unions: "Are You Crazy?"

RNC Chair Michael Steele Asked About "Civil Unions" for Gay Couples: "Are You Crazy?"

Last night, actor Sean Penn and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black both won Oscars for their work on “Milk,” which told the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official. Today, the right wing expressed its disgust that the movie received such acclamation. On his radio show, Mike Gallagher slammed Penn for ignoring “the majority of Americans” by supporting gay marriage rights, saying it went against America’s “fundamental values.”

Gallagher asked guest Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican Party, if he thought the party “ought to consider” something like civil unions. Steele replied immediately, “No, no, no,” adding, “What are you, crazy?” He made it clear that the party would not budge on gay rights:

GALLAGHER: Is this a time when Republicans ought to consider some sort of alternative to redefining marriage and maybe in the road, down the road to civil unions. Do you favor civil unions?

STEELE: No, no no. What would we do that for? What are you, crazy? No. Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country? I mean this isn’t something that you just kind of like, “Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on marriage.” […]

GALLAGHER: So no room even for a conversation about civil unions in your mind?

STEELE: What’s the difference?

So much for the "Big Tent" Republican Party. Wonder how the Log Cabin Republicans will spin this one?

Sharpton: Churches Persecute Gays But Ignore Poverty

Hurray for Al Sharpton!

Sharpton: Churches Spend Money to Persecute Gays But Ignore Poverty

On Sunday, Rev. Al Sharpton slammed major faiths for using their resources and power to pass California's Proposition 8 while showing indifference to issues affecting Americans such as poverty, social inequality and economic sabotage. The Church, he said, was silent until California affirmed marriage rights for its same-sex couples.

Sharpton was the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Ecumenical Service held at Atlanta's Tabernacle Baptist Church to welcome the Atlanta-based Alliance of Affirming Faith-Based Organizations, whose mission is to unite gay-friendly churches.
"There is something immoral and sick about using all of that power to not end brutality and poverty, but to break into people's bedrooms and claim that God sent you," Sharpton told a full house on Sunday.

"It amazes me," he said, "when I looked at California and saw churches that had nothing to say about police brutality, nothing to say when a young black boy was shot while he was wearing police handcuffs, nothing to say when they overturned affirmative action, nothing to say when people were being [relegated] into poverty, yet they were organizing and mobilizing to stop consenting adults from choosing their life partners."
As a presidential candidate in the 2004 election, Sharpton made his stance on marriage equality clear while opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment and defending the LGBT community against what he saw as "gay-baiting" for votes by the Bush campaign. "This is an issue of human rights," he said. "And I think it is dangerous to give states the right to deal with human rights questions. That's how we ended up with slavery and segregation going forward a long time...Whatever my personal feelings may be about gay and lesbian marriages, unless you are prepared to say gays and lesbians are not human beings, they should have the same constitutional right of any other human being."

Another memorable Atlanta visit for Sharpton was as keynote speaker for the National Black Justice Coalition's first annual Black Church Summit in January 2006. There, he criticized black denominations that preached against their gay and lesbian members rather than embracing them.

It's time for African-American leaders to follow Al Sharpton's example and stand up to the anti-gay bigotry in their community and churches.

Al Sharpton was one of only 3 Democratic presidential candidates (with Kucinich and Gravel) to publicly support same-sex marriage.

Too Bad Obama didn't stand up for his beliefs about marriage equality:
President-Elect Obama Once Supported Gay Marriage

How Rick Warren Is Undermining AIDS Prevention in Africa

Rick Warren has been lauded for his work on AIDS in Africa, but what has he done? According to Max Blumenthal, Warren's AIDS work in Africa is horrifying!

Condom Burning and Anti-Gay Witch Hunts: How Rick Warren is Undermining AIDS Prevention in Africa

Blumenthal's investigation into Warren's involvement in Africa reveals a web of alliances with right-wing clergymen who have sidelined science-based approaches to combating AIDS in favor of abstinence-only education. More disturbingly, Warren's allies have rolled back key elements of one of the continent's most successful initiative, the so-called ABC program in Uganda. Stephen Lewis, the United Nations special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, told the New York Times their activism is "resulting in great damage and undoubtedly will cause significant numbers of infections which should never have occurred."

Warren's man in Uganda is a charismatic pastor named Martin Ssempa. The head of the Makerere Community Church, a rapidly growing congregation, Ssempa enjoys close ties to his country's first lady, Janet Museveni, and is a favorite of the Bush White House. In the capitol of Kampala, Ssempa is known for his boisterous crusading. Ssempa's stunts have included burning condoms in the name of Jesus and arranging the publication of names of homosexuals in cooperative local newspapers while lobbying for criminal penalties to imprison them.

Dr. Helen Epstein, a public health consultant who wrote the book, The Invisible Cure: Why We're Losing the Fight Against AIDS in Africa, met Ssempa in 2005. Epstein told me the preacher seemed gripped by paranoia, warning her of a secret witches coven that met under Lake Victoria.

"Ssempa also spoke to me for a very long time about his fear of homosexual men and women," Epstein said. "He seemed very personally terrified by their presence."

When Warren unveiled his global AIDS initiative at a 2005 conference at his Saddleback Church, he cast Ssempa as his indispensable sidekick, assigning him to lead a breakout session on abstinence-only education as well as a seminar on AIDS prevention. Later, Ssempa delivered a keynote address, a speech so stirring it "had the audience on the edge of its seats," according to Warren's public relations agency. A year later, Ssempa returned to Saddleback Church to lead another seminar on AIDS. By this time, his bond with the Warrens had grown almost familial. "You are my brother, Martin, and I love you," Rick Warren's wife, Kay, said to Ssempa from the stage. Her voice trembled with emotion as she spoke, and tears ran down her cheeks....

In August 2007, Ssempa led hundreds of his followers through the streets of Kampala to demand that the government mete out harsh punishments against gays. "Arrest all homos," read placards. And: "A man cannot marry a man." Ssempa continued his crusade online, publishing the names of Ugandan gay rights activists on a Web site he created, along with photos and home addresses. "Homosexual promoters," he called them, suggesting they intended to seduce Uganda's children into their lifestyle. Soon afterward, two of President Museveni's top officials demanded the arrest of the gay activists named by Ssempa. Terrified, the activists immediately into hiding...

When Uganda's Anglican bishops threatened to bolt from the Church of England because of its tolerant stance towards homosexuals, Warren parachuted into Kampala to confer international legitimacy on their protest.

"The Church of England is wrong, and I support the Church of Uganda on the boycott," Warren proclaimed in March 2008. Declaring homosexuality an unnatural way of life, Warren flatly stated, "We shall not tolerate this aspect [homosexuality in the church] at all."

Wonder if the Obama people looked into this?

Obama Invites Anti-Gay Preacher to Give Inaugural Invocation

Obama Invites Anti-Gay Preacher to Give Inaugural Invocation
The Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force have denounced the selection of Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the Jan. 20 inauguration. Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in California, is an outspoken opponent of marriage equality, reproductive choice and stem-cell research. Warren has gone so far as to equate marriage between same-sex couples with incest and pedophilia.

Watch this video of Warren supporting anti-gay Prop. 8 in CA



Why is Obama reaching out to anti-gay bigots like Rick Warren and anti-gay groups like Focus on the Family?

Like many progressives who are concerned about Obama's "center-right" choices for economic and state cabinet positions, gays and lesbians have reason to be concerned. Obama has yet to show any political spine to stand up to the religious and political right.

While Obama felt obligated to denounce his pastor Jeremiah Wright (who supports equality for gays and lesbians), but does not feel obligated to denounce anti-gay religious bigots like Rick Warren? Why is Obama more afraid of offending the Religious Right than he is of offending progressives who supported him?

Bill Clinton made made many promises to gays and lesbians and campaigned to support our rights. Once in office, however, he broke every promise he made. He not only dropped his pledge to sign an executive order lifting the ban on gays in the U.S. military, he signed on the the anti-gay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which even makes publicly identifying as gay grounds for dismissal from the military. Even worse, Clinton supported the anti-gay "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA), probably the most anti-gay piece of legislation in modern American history, and ran ads on Christian radio stations bragging about it!

Will Obama *uck the gay community the way Clinton did? We should learn from the Clinton experience that just electing a "gay-friendly" liberal is not enough. We have to organize to force the "Change" we want. Electing Obama was a good thing, but it is only the beginning of a long hard fight.

If the Democrats blow this opportunity, again, it may be the last chance they have to deliver on their promises not only to gays and lesbians, but to all progressives.

Read the HRC Letter to Pres. Elect Obama on Rick Warren

More:
Obama Invocation Choice Causing Rift with Progressives

Obama: Views on Gays Consistent Despite Warren Invite

What's the Matter with Rick Warren?

Warren: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing