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The EqSD Blog
Who Has the Right to Judge?
Written by Leonard Pitts Wednesday, 11 August 2010 14:39
He had no right to judge.
That, in a nutshell, is the gist of last week's uproar over a ruling by Vaughn Walker. Walker is the federal judge, originally appointed by Ronald Reagan and generally regarded, according to the Associated Press, as ``a conservative with libertarian leanings,'' who struck down Proposition 8, California's ban on same sex marriage.
It turns out there is a rumor -- never confirmed or denied -- that Walker himself is gay. That has launched proponents of the ban into a full-fledged tizzy.
Maggie Gallagher, chairwoman of the National Organization for Marriage, blasted him as ``an openly gay federal judge . . . substituting his views for those of the American people and our Founding Fathers . . .''
Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association called for Walker's impeachment and said the jurist should have recused himself because ``his own personal sexual proclivities utterly compromised his ability to make an impartial ruling.''
Matt Barber of something called the Liberty Counsel accused Walker of ``extreme bias in favor of his similarly situated homosexual activist plaintiffs.''
Read more Here...
Gay Marriage Makes the World Shrug
Written by Mark Morford, Saturday, 07 August 2010 11:08
Gay marriage makes the world shrug
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Friday, August 6, 2010
Argentina, at last check, is not yet writhing in flames. Canada, as far as I can see from my window, is still right up there, stoic and mild, smelling of pine trees and bitumen, watching lots of hockey, shooting guns, being Canadian. The Netherlands? Why, still crisp and clean, efficiently blonde as ever. It's shocking, really.
After all, you'd think they'd be downright miserable. You'd think they'd be in country-wide group therapy, hating and hurling and spitting, maybe a few riots, some stabbings, panic in the streets, the very fabric of their various shell-shocked societies unraveling like Mel Gibson at a bat mitzvah.
In fact, it would appear that millions of people across a surprisingly large number of dashing, industrious countries all over the world -- including Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal and even adorable little Iceland -- are still not yet imploding, not yet suffering the furious wrath of God, not yet dying in unchecked anguish before our very eyes.
Is America no longer relevant? Read more Here...
Roy Ashburn - My Journey and LGBT Rights
Written by R. Ashburn Tuesday, 20 July 2010 18:38
My journey, my party and LGBT rights
Roy Ashburn - California State Senator
Startled by the blurry reality of a red light glaring in my rear-view mirror at 2 am on the morning of March, 4, 2010, I knew my life was about to change. The California Highway Patrol stopped me as I was driving drunk after leaving a gay club in Sacramento, California’s capital. With my arrest and the media inquiry that followed, my deeply-held secret was no longer my own business. My private life as a closeted gay man was now the public’s business, and I had a lot of explaining to do.
I should begin with an apology. I am sincerely sorry for the votes I cast and the actions I took that harmed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Just as important to me, I am sorry for not stepping forward and speaking up as an elected official on behalf of equal treatment for all people.
Read more Here...
GetEQUAL - Obama, Disavow Pentagon's Homophobic Comments
Written by getequal.org Tuesday, 13 July 2010 19:06
GetEQUAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
Brad Luna: 202/812.8140 (cell) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
GetEQUAL Calls On President Obama to Immediately Disavow Pentagon Spokesman's Homophobic Comments
Silence Equals "a Tacit Approval of an Incredibly Ignorant and Fundamentally Homophobic Point of View"; Joins Servicemembers United in an Online Petition Highlighting Survey's Waste of Taxpayer Money
WASHINGTON - Today, GetEQUAL, a direct action lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, called on President Barack Obama to immediately and unequivocally speak out against comments made last Friday by a Pentagon spokesman suggesting that "facilities adjustments" may be necessary to accommodate gay and lesbian troops, should "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" be fully repealed.
The comments, made by Department of Defense Spokesperson Geoff Morrell, were in relation to a highly criticized survey released last week, and sent to over 400,000 servicemembers, gauging their comfort level around "homosexuals" and seeking input from active duty troops and their families. However, the design of and questions in the survey do nothing to solicit feedback from those most truly affected by the policy - gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers and their families.
Repealing Law (DADT) Shows Respect
Written by James S Taylor Tuesday, 13 July 2010 13:08
My Voice: Repealing law shows respect
James S. Taylor • July 4, 2010 Sioux Falls Argus Leader
James S. Taylor, 30, of Dakota Dunes, is a former imagery intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy.
It is imperative for our country that the failed law known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell be repealed this year. Since 1993, more than 14,000 brave service members have been abruptly fired simply for their sexual orientation, and tens of thousands more voluntarily have left the armed forces because of the unnecessary burden of serving under this outdated law.
Numerous patriotic Americans who happen to be gay are ready and willing to serve in critical military positions that our country needs filled. At a time when our nation is facing so many challenges around the world, we need all who are willing to defend us.
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