Human Rights Campaign Issued the following National Action Alert Against Misleading AFA Television Program On “Radical Homosexual Agenda”
HRC President Joe Solmonese: “At a time when America is striving to come together, the AFA continues to use LGBT Americans as a wedge issue to divide us from reaching our basic equality."
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today issued a national action alert against the American Family Association’s (AFA) one-hour television special called “Speechless: Silencing Christians,” which is promoted to “reveal the truth about the radical homosexual agenda and its impact on the family, the nation and religious freedom.” The HRC alert urges members to contact the station and ask that they pull the scheduled program and instead air a fair discussion or debate on both the issues and pending legislation.
The paid one-hour program, which uses Washington, D.C. as a backdrop, is also the centerpiece of a new AFA website which includes the video, a slanted online survey and a plea for donations. The paid program is expected to air on WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, MI this weekend, and may have already aired in smaller, regional markets. To view the action alert online, visit: www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/stopthespecial.
“Make no mistake. This is the opening salvo in a campaign designed to denigrate LGBT Americans and deny us our basic rights,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Just as our community is at a point where measures protecting millions of Americans heads to Congress and a willing President, the AFA unleashes 60 minutes of lies and distortions to scare voters. The AFA and its allies have never been 'speechless' when it comes to promoting their own agenda, and that's driving a wedge in the very places where LGBT Americans work, live and even pray.”
“It's telling that even the most basic forms of protection -- stopping violent crimes of hate or ensuring that people are judged not for who they are, but for their work -- lead the AFA to launch a national, paid campaign of hateful lies,” added Solmonese. “We welcome a debate on these issues and ask that WOOD-TV pull the program and instead devote it's Sunday program, 'To the Point' to a honest and fair discussion. Let's have a conversation that leads to understanding rather than paid advertising promoting lies and distortions about a single group of Americans.”
The AFA program is hosted by controversial talk show host Janet Parshall, who in 2006, suggested Matthew Shepard's lifestyle was responsible for his murder and called gay adoption “state-sanctioned child abuse.” (CNN’s Larry King Live, Jan. 17, 2006) In the new AFA program, the AFA and its allies purposely promote lies and distortions, including the following:
1. Lie: If hate crimes laws are passed, pastors will be prosecuted for preaching what the Bible says about homosexuality.
Truth: Pastors will not be held liable for hate crimes based on preaching anti-gay sermons. The First Amendment protects a preacher from being charged as an accessory to a hate crime simply because of their speech. The Matthew Shepard Act only punishes violent crimes, not a person’s speech, beliefs or thoughts. In fact, the legislation contains language specifically protecting free speech.
2. Lie: Legislation that will provide employment protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity will force churches to hire homosexuals.
Truth: The federal legislation contains language exempting the vast majority of religious corporations, associations and educational institutions, and permits all religious organizations to condition employment on compliance with its significant tenets, including ones barring LGBT employees.
3. Lie: Homosexual acts have a key role to play in the spread of all STDs and HIV/AIDS.
Truth: HIV and STDs don’t distinguish by gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic. Statements such as those made by the AFA in this video hamper efforts to prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases by spreading ignorance and misinformation.
4. Lie: Allowing the government to redefine marriage hurts children because studies show children need a mother and father to do well in life.
Truth: All scientifically reputable studies on the subject of same-sex parenting show that the sexual orientation of a child’s parent does not affect a child. Furthermore, all leading children’s welfare and rights organizations conclude that there is no measurable difference between children raised by loving lesbian and gay families and those raised by different-sex couples.
The station, WOOD-TV, was set to air the program on Monday to coincide with the President's economic address, but pulled it after concerns from local activists. The AFA and local member churches immediately reacted and launched a campaign, leading to the station's announcement that it would air the program on Saturday, Feb. 14.
“Most lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans have been raised in an organized religion — and many continue to cherish their faith community. But religion is a source of both solace and suffering for most of us. This video outrageously promotes spiritual violence against LGBT people,” said Harry Knox, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion & Faith Program. “Despite what the AFA claims, a growing number of mainstream denominations have endorsed hate crime legislation, including the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church USA and the Episcopal Church USA.” To learn more about the Religion & Faith Program at the Human Rights Campaign visit: www.hrc.org/religion.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Help Stop the Anti-LGBT Television Special!!!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Same-Sex Marriage Foes Want Donors Anonymous
In a recent article put out by the Associated Press, it was announced that supporters of California's Proposition 8 are trying to have all records of their campaign donations blocked from public view.
Supporters stated that revealing their campaign donations has led to death threats and other forms of harassment against those who donated money to the gay marriage ban.
Prop 8 campaign donators announced their lawsuit on Thursday, just one day after it was filed in federal court in Sacramento. They have also requested that the secretary of state's office remove the donator's names already reported on their Web site.
The lawsuit also asks that the court prohibit the state from requiring Proposition 8 supporters to file final reports detailing donations made shortly before and after the election.
Now don't get me wrong, I do not condone harassment or threats of any kind, but with GLBT hate crimes up all over the US, maybe it isn't so awful for the prop 8 supporters to feel a little fear and perhaps get a tiny glimpse of what it is like for some of the GLBT community everyday...just a thought.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Four arrested in Richmond lesbian gang rape case
Yahoo news reported that teo men and two teens have been arrested on suspicion of gang-raping a woman last month in the Richmond, CA, while allegedly taunting her for being a lesbian, police said Thursday.
Officers arrested Humberto Hernandez Salvador at his Richmond home Wednesday night, Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan said. The 31-year-old is being held without bail on gang rape, kidnapping and carjacking charges.
On Wednesday, police also arrested a 15-year-old Richmond boy and a 16-year-old Hercules boy, who were being held at a juvenile detention center on similar charges. Their names were not released.
Josue Gonzalez, 21, turned himself in Thursday after police announced they were searching for him. He was wanted on a $1 million arrest warrant on charges of gang rape, kidnapping and carjacking.
Gagan said Gonzalez asked for an attorney when he turned himself in, but said nothing about his alleged role in the attack.
Police would not detail each person's alleged involvement in the attack but said tips from local residents led to the arrests.
Detectives say the 28-year-old victim was attacked on Dec. 13 after she got out of her car, which bore a rainbow gay pride sticker. The alleged attackers made comments indicating they knew she was a lesbian, police said.
Authorities have characterized the case as a hate crime. Police said the victim lives openly with a female partner.
The 45-minute attack started when one of the men approached the woman in the street, struck her with a blunt object, ordered her to disrobe and sexually assaulted her with the help of the others, according to detectives.
When the group saw another person approaching, they forced the victim back into her car and took her to a burned-out apartment building. She was raped again inside and outside the vehicle and left naked outside the building while the alleged assailants took her wallet and drove off in her car, police said.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Remembering Lawrence King
15-year-old student, Lawrence King, was shot and killed at school last week. Friends say the reason was his sexual orientation and gender expression.
Vigils in memory of Lawrence King, calling for an end to violence and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in schools, are being organized in communities across the country this week. Check below to find a vigil in your area, or fill out the form to list a remembrance event in your community. This page was created to support the efforts of organizations and individuals nationwide. The more events we organize, the louder our collective voice. Please help make sure that what happened to Lawrence never happens again.
To join others online:
MySpace: www.myspace.com/rememberinglawrence
To join others in person:
California
Lawrence King Remembrance Vigil
San Francisco, California
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sign-making at 5 pm, Vigil begins at 6 pm
Location: Lobby of the SF LGBT Center
1800 Market at Octavia
Co-Sponsored By: CUAV, GSA Network, LYRIC, SF LGBT Center, Transgender Law Center
Remembering Lawrence Candle Light Vigil
Ukiah, California
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
5:15 PM
Location: State and Perkins Streets
Ukiah, Ca
Co-Sponsored By: GSA, PFLAG, MEUSA, PAN, United For Safe Schools, GLAM
Remembering Lawrence Candle Light Vigil
Willits, California
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
5:30 PM
Location: Parking lot next to 38 S. Main St
Willits, CA
Co-Sponsored By: GSA, PFLAG, Marriage Equality USA, Pride Alliance Network, GLAM and United for Safe Schools
Candlelight Vigil
Fresno, California
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
7 pm
Location: Corner of Shaw & Blackstone
Co-Sponsored By: GSA Network, Community Link, Fresno City College Diversity Club
Questions: 559-268-2780
Sacramento, California
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
5:30 PM
Location: Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center
Co-Sponsored By: GSA Network, Sac Stonewall, Senator Darrell Steinberg, Sac BOE Member Gretchen Bender, CAPPAC, Respect Sacramento, Mariko Yamada Yolo County BOS
Candlelight Vigil Remembering Lawrence King
West Hollywood/Los Angeles, California
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
gather in the park at 7:00 p.m.
Location: West Hollywood Park
647 N San Vicente Blvd.
Co-Sponsored By: GSA Network, Transgender Law Center, Equality California, City of West
Port Hueneme, California
Friday, February 22, 2008
3 pm
Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church of Hueneme
755 Bard Road
Co-Sponsored By: The King Family
Questions: www.rememberlarry.com
Talk With Your Kids About Guns dedicated to memory of Lawrence King
Aliso Viejo, California
Thursday, February 28, 2008
7 p.m. Admission is free
Location: Aliso Viejo Public Library
Co-Sponsored By: National Council of Jewish Women - Orange County, GLSEN Orange County, Women Against Gun Violence
Gay American Heroes Foundation
Miami Beach, Florida
Friday, February 29, 2008
7:30 - 10:00 pm
Location: Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (next to Lincoln Road)
2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach
Co-Sponsored By: Gay American Heroes Foundation; Freedom Democrats; National Gay and Lesbian Task Fore; Stonewall Library and Archives; Safe Schools South Florida
Questions: www.gayamericanheroes.com gayamericanheroes@yahoo.com 321-506-8738
Illinois
Straight and Gay Alliance
Chicago, Illinois
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
2 p.m. Room A207
Location: Wilbur Wright College
Montrose and Naragansett
Co-Sponsored By: Michael Christopher Oboza
Questions: coextra@hotmail.com
The L.King Memorial
Weston, Massachusetts
Friday, February 22, 2008
10:30
Location: The Rivers School
333 winter street
Co-Sponsored By: The Rivers School GSA
Questions: b.laukien@rivers.org, or v.pacheo@rivers.org
Raytown High GLBSA Lawrence Vigil
Ratown , Missouri
Thursday, February 21, 2008
2:30-3:3
Location: Raytow High School Room 224
Co-Sponsored By: Royal Daily Raytown High School
Questions: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Raytown0High0GLBSC/ Raytown0High0GLBSC@yahoo.com 916-358-0907
Kansas City Vigil in Remembrance of Lawrence King
Kansas City, Missouri
Friday, February 22, 2008
7:00 PM
Location: Broadway Church
39th Terrace & Broadway
Co-Sponsored By: Broadway Church, Campfire, EQuAL, GLSEN-Greater Kansas City, Harmony, Kansas Equality Coalition, PFLAG-Kansas City, PROMO, Scouting for All,
Questions: http://www.glsen.org/kansascity kansascity@chapters.glsen.org 816-237-6686
North Carolina
Lawrence King Memorial Speak Out
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Friday, February 22, 2008
3:00pm
Location: UNC Chapel Hill Pit in front of Graham Student Union
South Rd.
Co-Sponsored By: UNC Chapel Hill LGBTQ Center
Jersey City Vigil
Jersey City, New Jersey
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
7 pm
Location: 34 Wayne Street
Outside of Star Bar
Remember Lawrence King
Albany, New York
Friday, February 22, 2008
All Day
Location: 140 Academy Road Albany NY
12208
Co-Sponsored By: The Albany Academies
Questions: tobinc@albanyacademyforgirls.org
