What, exactly, is an activist judge?

I have a friend, a decent one at that, that is really into religion. Totally. He sometimes surprises me when his mouth opens. Now, I know it probably shocks you, dear reader, that I have massively conservative friends. I do believe that there is something about practicing what you preach. I preach that all people are equal. And if the GOP and their cronies don't see it that way, well, to each their own. Change comes from within. I even went to a Christian (Lutheran, to be sure, which is two steps shy of being Cahthlic) college, where I made these friends, so I wasn't too far from them, I suppose. It shouldn't be a total shock that my friends and I have differing views.. But the fact is, I see them as my equals. I would never put them down for their views. I will argue their views, but not them.

For example....(understand this is from a conservative newspaper, so it's an evil read)

Strangely, however, my friends actually support gay marriage, even the conservative ones. Never really sure how that worked. However, I find it is best not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
But when my buddy opened his mouth this one time, about Prop 8 in California, he stated, simply, "what about activist judges?" I questioned his line of thinking and he felt that, even though he was in support of gay marriage, a state has the right to vote on things and, in the end, people decided what they want as a culture. And no judge can press their own agenda until the unwilling masses. And if they were, they were being an “activitist.”

Facinating.
 
I didn't argue with him.

Until now. I wanted to do a bit of research. Can a judge put their will on the people, like so many politicos have tried? I wanted to be educated.

First off, the judge in questions shot down Prop 8 as unconstitutional. He said, like Amendent 2 in Colorado, that no person can be denied rights of others by merely being gay or lesbian. Prop 8 should not have been put before the voters since it basically removes a right granted and pressed forward by the state's Supreme Court. I'm not going to elaborate on the details, as a reader, I'll go ahead and guess you're familiar with the details. If not?

Here:
It came to light, however, afterwards that the judge who tore down Prop 8 was gay himself. And this was where my friend was coming from. However, my research made me come across some things to prove to my buddy-

*) Depending on the jurisdiction, some judges are voted into offices, some are placed by mayors, governors and, in the case of the SCOTUS, the President. Several counties can elect their judges, making sure they represent the area that they are working within. Makes sense. That way, you are (supposedly) linked inherently to the community you work for. That isn't always the case. In order to run for the office, you need cash, so judges tend to be upper-middle-class (or higher) so they have the money needed to be elected. As such, they tend to be outside of the situations they are presiding over. Do you think a judge would ever understand what it means to steal to feed their family? Doubtful. The reason I wanted to find this out was see if my friend was right. Were judges just radicals waving their own private flag? Since they are assigned in most cases--no. They do not link to a party affilate. However, their voting history will belie any polictical leanings. However, that would be documented.

Interesting.

*) So I moved on to the actual job of being a judge. Their job, and several viewings of Judge Judy confirmed this, is to interpret the law. Period. They have to justify their choices in sentencing for appeal purposes. Their goal is to make sure all laws are being followed. Like a Christian defending their actions by using the Bible, judges' purposes are to make sure that they interpret the previously written words as being followed. One word can mean many things. The word schmuck has hundreds of connotations, and they aren't always positive. The judge needs to see all of those options and find out in what manner the terminology was chosen and for what reason.

Interesting.

*) Activitism means to make choices in support. For many, the reason the cause exists is because some feels they are being marginalized. An animal activist might see that animals aren't being fairly treated in the eyes of the law; a medical marjuiana activist would activitely seek that laws are changed to benefit their lifestyle.
Interesting.

*) So is this judge an "activist judge?" 

No. A judges' decision must be based on evidence presented (remember,there's no jury here) and the purpose of the laws that went before it. THe evidence is selected by the lawyers, no tthe judge. This is not always right, per se, but it is the way it is supposed to work. To blame a judge for voting in a manner that goes against your beliefs is like sueing your neighbor because it is raining. The two options are very separate. This judge had the capacity and honor to excuse himself from the case, but he felt, regardless of his sexuality, he could hack it. He took time before making his decision--proving it was not taken lightly.
He did not push his agenda. His reach is too short for that. He merely said this law is unjust, for it removes individuals who committed no crime (the only way you are removed from participating from the law fully) from participating in the legal process-in this case, marriage. Everyone should be equal under the law. Here is a group that isn't.

So now, I'm ready. Activism is not part of a judge's repetoire. I look to the next case to point out my concept a bit more clearer.

 Now Vaughn Walker is himself coming under fire.I’ve not found evidence myself if he was conservative or libareal in his voting records, so I could be off base here. However , many supportors of Prop 8 are saying that he was bias due to the fact he would benefit by the overturn of Prop 8, since he is gay. Whoa. Okay, I thought those who supported Prop 8 were saying that Domestic Partnerships were enough and there was zero gain by making marriage legal. Okay, so since Prop 8 passed--everything would be fine, and gays would stand nothing to gain since they already had domestic partnerships. Their very own statements are confusing me. SO gays WOULD benefit if they got married? That means they are missing out!

I so need the federal govenment to get involved!

DADT is repealed!

As you can tell, I’ve been a bit out of the loop. Queers the nation over were prosecuted, repeatedly, for just being themselves, and I got tired of the negativity I was trying to escape by moving away from Colorado.


You can’t seem to escape the bad news.

But then something happened. Here's the news item...

DADT was actually lifted. LIFTED. I won’t go into trying to explain the details of the situation. I never could understand the specifics of voting with congress. However, they did something. They actually got rid of that stupid blasted rule in the military. Now, I’ve decided to emphasize my positive vibes that come flying off of this decision.

Look, everyone...we're signing something!

I will admit my hesistantion about celebrating. For so long, they’ve just tried to pay us lip service so we’d vote for them and then they didn’t do squat for us, the queer-bear public. So here’s my goodies and why I’m so chipper, even now, several weeks after the fact:

*) Wow. CONGRESS DID SOMETHING. Everyone argues in politics. That’s a gimmie. And they argue so much that they don’t go anywhere…and then they go on vacation. Problems still exist, but they just pass it on. Or they pick on easy topics that everyone wants to improve. Pollution. Education. Straight teeth. And then make big statements. Then break for the weekend.

Here? They did something, or, at last, appeared to. It was born from the fact that polls showed that queers were voting for the GOP. Yes, even queers are tired of hearing the same shit. They would vote for the nazi party if it meant something would squiggle and we’d be heard a bit more. Anything is better than nothing.

And it finally worked.

*) McCain was shown as the dickless leader he would have been if he was actually elected into the White House. I mean really. It’s fun to make fun of each party during election time. Republicans, enslaved to the wealthy and Church/Dems try to appease so many little people they appear wishy washy. And McCain kept screaming about how whishywashy Obama would be. Bush used it to great effect on Kerry.

And the public bought it.

But here’s the thing…McCain stated to the public that if survey of the military stated that there would be no problem-he’d support removing the ban.

The survey said…no issues.

So he decided to filibuster. Guess who’s wishy-washy now, wafflehead? Even his own wife is a gay-rights supporter and his daughter. What a fucknut. Imagine the hatred he would have espoused if he were the Pres?

Here's a link just showing how warm and fuzzy he is about the whole thing. And he was almost our pres? I'd end up in a gulag, if he had his way...

*) The military is considered a federal position. So, Young Johnny from Des Moines marries his boyfriend before flying out to Iraq.

How are they going to handle the taxes? The Supreme Court might have to chime in. But now marriages are moved up on the list. Even Joe Biden, the freegin VP, has acknowledged it’s only a matter of time.

Joe, I think you're kinda cute too.  And your wife, a teacher like me, DESERVES to be the First Lady. And thanks for saying what I’m thinking.

*) When African Americans were integrated into the military, the same exact arguments were given. It would affect group cohesion. How would they handle the showers? And the same forks? And what if a person’s religion didn’t let them get close to another African American? However, this simple little situation was a step in the right direction for the nation in the throes of the Civil Rights movement. Now, during these Stonewall Days, we’re here again. The fact is the SYMBOLISM is powerful. With kids killing themselves because they’re queer—this couldn’t have come at a better time. It gives the illusion, an important illusion, that the government is aware of this group of individuals and wants to care. They may not understand, but they are trying.

Recently, whilst listening to XM radio, I heard, for the umpteenth time, a Christmaskkah ditty on the Holly station. It was a Dean Martin tune from the fifties, filled with innuendo about “Oh Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Here’s the catch. It was song from one gay boy to another on a public radio station. Teens who love to roll their eyes at everything little thing would be listening.

And for a gay boy who thought he’d never get crooned to—well, there’s that little hope.

Same with this vote. Kids? We do care. Someone cares. It’s why I live out and proud. And this vote is another moment to see that.

*) The Southern Law Poverty Center went ahead and labeled several Religious Right Organizations like the Family Research Council as hate groups. Finally!Fucking finally. The fact is, on news programs, everyone would step up to the mic and say, “I hate gay marriage!” and then follow up with nothing else. There is no argument in defense of opposite sex marriage. The only operative word was ‘hate.’ And since there was no legit argument to ban same sex marriage, these organizations were born to give church organizations a place to collect more money from their constituents. Children are starving and this is what the churches would argue over. Nothing more. So it was nice to see a STRAIGHT and LEGAL group call a spade a spade. These ‘Christian Groups’ do nothing Christian other then make themselves look really, really bad.

I know hear that several Christain groups are thinking about no attending the upcoming CPAC meeting. I think this is very telling. Apparently, after the most recent election in November, polls illustrated that many, many gays and lesbians, not satisifed with the way the liberals, dems and social open minded ones WEREN'T DOING SQUAT--went and voted with the GOP.
 
HA!
 
That's why DADT was repealed. The message was clear to the Dems party. You've taken us for granted as a promised vote and then gave us lip service. Nothing was done for us.
 
Yes, I'm growling.
 
When word about taht was reported--the Dems suddenly had to do SOMETHING.
 
They repealed the stupid thing.
 
Now, here comes CPAC, the planning meeting that all the conservatives go and decide who'll they'll take money from. But it seems some GOP members actually do read newspapers and media. They heard that the gay voting contingent actually voted for them--but have no representation at their meetings. One group, GOProud has asked to attend so that the GOP can meet some gays and lesbians and start a dialogue. But the churches, those large money making machines for the GOP have said--if the queers come, we won't.
 
Now the GOP has to do something.
 
I'll be interested to see what happens.

More Growling

Okay, so I heard that the Liberace Museum is closing. I’m sorry, but too bad. I went once, right after I came out of the closet. We were all twittered at how gaudy everything was and how little information was offered about his true nature. He survived, to be sure, during the those days when my people were put down for their mere existence. But times are different now. As I walked through and saw the Rolls Royce, I remember thinking, “aw, that poor guy. He was screaming for true attention-but he could never get it for being himself!”

Inside him was a drag queen, screaming to get out!

I also understood that he had to be closeted and since I had just accepted who I was, I could respect it. But now?

Fuck it.

I mean seriously. He was gay. The writing is on the wall. There’s no way to avoid it. But yet they still probably say nothing throughout the museum. Not a single word.

So the place is closing. Do you go to a Nestle museum and not mention chocolate? Not even in passing? I have little sympathy.

Doesn't really have much to do about anything, does it? But, whoaboy....

DADT was voted unconstitutional.  This is excellent news. But my real question is..now what? The senate has to vote on it? If I had more power, I’d have an uprising, seriously. Something like Ghandi or MLK. We can’t just stand here any more people. See? The courts are in our favor. But it will take forever for them to do anything. They (as in the powers-that-be) have zero vested interest unless we can give them something. They want votes. We can do that, that’s been proven. But why stop? Why not give them hell? Why not have more kiss ins at public restaurants or go get marriage licenses in states that won’t see us? Think of it! One hundred queers clogging the system. They’d notice us, finally.


But it’s not going to happen. So awesome this vote is…but I’ll believe it more when I see the first lesbian general. That’s a bitch who’ll take charge and blow up shit. She’ll hold water better in the desert!

Cool! A stereotype!

Gay adoption in Aussiland???Britain has created that great little nation and ours. Yet we’re more behind then the stone ages. Even Muslim nations had more science in the dark ages-and they were a total right wing state. But us? Even here in Florida, husOtter and I can’t have kids. Sure, it was voted down, but what does that mean? It means our possible dreams will have to be at the mercy of others-of people we don’t know.


But Australia is moving ahead? I guess a country that has Hugh Jackman playing an action hero and belting out Peter Allen tunes is proof that, damn, our country is behind the times.

Just some observations....

I’ve moved to Florida, if you’ve not noticed lately. I’ve not written due to the fact that any leftover energy has been used to the packing, and now, unpacking of boxes. I do think the move is for the better. I mean, look at the results—think of, just off the top of your head, of famous writers from this state.


For me, I can think of the drug addicted Hunter S. Thompson and Stevie King. And then, when I think of Florida, I think of Twain, Hemingway, Kerouac and Tennessee Williams. The pedigree is there. And Steven King lives here now. Hmmm…

Okay, the biggest queer-bear thing I can think of is this whole Prop 8 bit. California said that Prop 8 goes against the Constitution for much the same reasons most of these laws are. I had to laugh, however, at the losers’ side of things. Immediately, the varied churches jumped on the fact that the judge was queer and I was reminded of many other civil right cases over the years. Did they ever question the race of judges that voted in favor of civil rights laws? Doubtful. However, if he or she voted against it---race was immediately brought. I can’t think of a case, but it seems to make sense, doesn’t it? Of course, equal rights marriages were immediately quelled due to the fact that an appeal was made.

It’s weird, however. The President still says NOTHING. And that bothers me. Does he think he has the Christian Right voting for him? Nope. They are the blind followers of the GOP and TeaBaggers. Yes, I said blind followers. Folks, if they weren’t blind, they’d not follow those slick rogues with a silver tongue and penchant for pointing everyone’s mistakes…

On a side note, if you vote with your party-you’re a sucker too, frankly. Even Jesus questioned superiors folks, he didn't accept what those at the pulpit espoused.

I’m still registered independent. Not a “Perot” indie, but the kind that believes that politicians need to curry my favors. Yes, I tend to vote left-but I will not blindly follow people due to the party they hang with.

So where is the comment from Obama? I waited all that night when Prop 8 was voted down. Nothing was said. Squat. Grrrrrr.

I look at two Republicans in this wedding debate. Has Governor, representative of the people of California, set up the legal structure for this appeal? The state government is supposed to support voted on laws and such. Nope. He has called the state attorneys off as if the matter is settled. That Prop 8 is no more.

Way to go Arnie!

I even look to Glenn Beck. He even mentions that gay marriage isn’t an important issue right now. Okay, okay, the guy is a weird idiot but, like a train wreck, it is kinda fun to slow down the car next to him and watch the carnage. But when he mentioned it in his interview (see the link to YouTube, not mine, btw...)—I was like, that’s interesting that the GOP heads might actually be saying something like this.

I even turn to my new found homeland and noticed that there were two GOP nominees running for the Republican party’s rep for governor in the fall. One, McCollum made several anti-gay statements. The other? Scott? Squat. Guess who ended up on the ballot? Scott. Fascinating.

So you’d think that the President would chime on this. California is a huge state-and has huge influence on the culture wars of the United States.

And he says squat. Nada.

Kennedy was right in the heart of the Civil Rights Amendments of the sixties and, had he lived, he would have really had that feather shining out of his cap. Instead? That fame went to his predecessor. One of the reasons I voted for Mr. Obama was my hope that he would be the one to follow through on his promise of change. Guess he won’t. My hopes crashed a bit more.

However, I can’t say anything other than  that here. Why? When we let emotion run rampant, as opposed to honor and common sense—we get tea baggers everywhere. They are angry. And the dispossessed are easily led. As are the blind.

Nice Freudian Imagery...

Sounds like we have another victim of “Don’t Ask; Don’t Tell.” Two marines were arrested last week for gay bashing a young man—to the point that his skull is cracked and he suffers from headaches, probably forever—because he supposedly winked at them. And here’s the kicker, folks.

They’re not being charged with a hate crime. THERE IS NO FEDERAL PROTECTION FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS in the good old US of A. Fuck. Sure, individual places, workspaces and cities/states can vote for one or instate one. But nothing blankets the entire United States so that I’m migrating, as a good bear should, between state to state, I will not have the comfort of knowing that those who rise up against me merely because I’m absolutely fascinating, will be punished. So the law has the right in Savannah, Georgia to not call this a hate crime.

Of course, it could be because of the winking. You know that upsets me. I know once when I went out with some chums from college, a young lady touched my thigh. Since I’m gay, I took her outside and smashed her in the head with a baseball bat. I didn’t hate her, mind you, but I was uncomfortable with her advances.

See?

I tagged this as another victim of DADT because, let’s face it folks, when your superiors (generals, what have you) act afraid of gays in your military unit, it must be because the gays are bad, right? You get these young, impressionable men and this is the image they have painted for them. They come back from Iraq and feel free to beat people.

I’d like to bear claw their faces. Of course, I can’t. But I wanna.

So the former head of the GOP came out, Ken Mehlman. I suppose I’m happy for him. We should come out of hibernation early and enjoy the spring of our lives. But, well, maybe it’s the Zen panda in me, but the fact is---I have to live everyday with my actions. I will not hurt another person if I can avoid it. I will not live with the slightest regret. That means being good at all time.

But moments like Mr. Mehlman hit me. I am absolutely positive that his coming out  is a good thing. However, how many lives has he hurt with his permission of homophobic epithets that his party espoused for so long working with that bear hunter, W? Seriously. I’m thinking he did feel some guilt…that’s why he admitted this. But I look to Germany. They were killing people. Many people just let it happen--they were working, they had a life, regardless of the fact that people were dying. Now, in full respect to my Jewish family-we aren't dying physically. But how many marines were gleefully gay bashing during Emperor W's time in the kingdom? He was killing us by saying nothing.

The damage is done. Think of the world we would have lived in had Bush not been encouraging hatred? Articles mention that Bush even called him and congratulated him! Wait, wait, wait…That means, inside, Bush couldn't have give a rat's ass about us bears and our kin? Aha! So it was for votes and money.

It’s also further proof that those who oppose us are truly US in some kind of costume. And further proof we should not be blind followers.



Okay, I gotta do something positive here. All this negative talk has got this bear all itchy. So, on a positive note—many colleges are upset that their football teams etc are taking ‘beefcake’ photos. Awww, I feel for them. For years, the men in charge have made sure the cheerleaders leapt and pranced in short skirts, but as soon as they realized the men were being objectified, they got upset. Turnabout is fair play! And, in a way, I think that’s why the patriacal society is so nervous around gays. We turn them into objects-and they don’t like it. It means they aren’t in control any more.

So how is this positive? Really hot pictures are in this article!

Coming Out of the Comic Book Closet

Over in my mainstream blog, Squirrelvision, I came to terms, verbally, with my comic book love. Even as recently as yesterday, I purchased several graphic novels that I cannot wait to finish. Now, I probably should point out, I’m not alone. If websites like gayleague.com and pinkkryptonite.com can attest, by their mere presence, many gays and lesbians can really link to the universe of superheroes that Marvel comics and DC comics write about.
Now, I’m sure, if were to study the numbers, we’d come to the realization that gays and lesbians are no more likely to love comic books any more then African-Americans or Hindus, but those numbers aren’t what I care about.

I just care about how the latest issue of Justice is going end!

The fact is, however, as I recently watched Iron Man 2 two weeks ago, I noticed that the comic book world is changing ever-so-slightly to fit the times. I believe, and hear me out on this, that gay men are attracted to superheroes due to several items. One of those items is the hot, tight clothing.

Okay, so it's not a super tight costume...but did you see those arms?????????

The other?

Living two lives. Superheroes, have two sides that they must reconcile in order to be successful. Some come to grips by accepting who they are. Think of the students at Xavier’s School. Those kids come to grips with their superpowers through working together and slowly interacting with the world around them.

Some, like Superman, really do keep both worlds at bay. No one knows Superman. He flies out too quickly before the press can snap a picture. But he still can contribute to the society at large. Batman too.  Batman uses his secrets to creep out his opponents.

So why bring this up now? Well, in the last three years, as queers have gained some ground in equal acceptance, so have superheroes—albeit symbolically.

I’m drawn to the end of Iron Man, the first one. In 2008, good old Tony Stark does something that doesn’t happen in many comic book adaptations.

He admits he’s Iron Man without irony or shame. The crowd goes wild.
And, that continues into that most recent movie. He’s living his life and helping others and doing what he set out to do. He is not condemned for being himself. Well, wait. He IS, but those individuals were the villains, interestingly enough!
Basically, folks, he came out of the closet. And he’s all the more awesome because of it.


Now it didn’t stop there. For those of you following the Marvel titles, 2007 saw the famed “Civil War” story arc. Several heroes had to stand up when the government requested anyone with powers to register and be in military training—so no one would ever be hurt. The storyline was fascinating. A “Civil War” broke out between heroes. Some upheld the new law. Tony Stark was one. Some fought against it---Captain America being their leader. BTW, this ended up with him being killed and, yes, it shook up the Marvel Universe.

But I look to one point in the storyline that also shook the comic book world and, well, mine as well. Young Peter Parker ‘came out’ as the savior of NYC, Spiderman. Yes, his family was threatened. Yes, he had to help them escape—and he even went from working with Iron Man to working with Cap’n America, but the boy was gone. He grew up in one single title’s issue.
And now? His adventure continues and the City still loves him!

Now last week, I brought in my laptop and watched a few DVDs at work while I graded papers and got my lesson plans in order. Being the geek that I am, I decided to watch Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. I loved the movie, and will be honest with you, I didn’t really read the title, just copies of the story arc as people said, “check this out…” The movie starts off with the CIA continuing to keep him a secret as he fights for the public. They insist the world-at-large isn’t ready for him to ‘come out’ yet and so they work on keeping him a secret. Yet he is working for the people, banishing evils left and right. His small family aches and twitches with petty arguments (he and his pyrokinetic girlfriend) and they look to be on the brink of separating.

“HB” decides enough is enough. He leaps out of a window during one mission, effectively forcing himself on the unready public. They freak, to be sure, but they don’t kill him. They don’t accept him (he’s a reformed demon, after all), but they start to see him for what he does and he doesn’t have to hide. His family grows and finds a peace they didn’t have before.

He had ‘come out’ As well.
As life reflects art and art reflects life, I am massively hopeful this means something for all of us. That, maybe, as more and more heroes accept their truth, more in my community will as well.

Espeically now. I've learned that our first, major, gay character, Northstar, in the title of Nation X, will be elaborating on life with his non-super-powered lover in San Francisco. Please, dear God, let this be a sign!

The "Rent-Boy" Scandal

Coming out of the closet was hell. There was so much I didn’t know. I didn’t know how my friends, who had been so decent up to till that point, would react. They never had spoken about homosexuality before, so I had no idea how they would respond. Same goes for my family. The press? Only the negatives really made headlines, so I couldn’t rely on that.


But I had to do it. I was lying to everyone by pretending to be someone I wasn’t, and, even if they wouldn’t talk to me afterwards, I would, at least, live with the person I was—not some facsimile that others wanted. I never felt bad about my love for my fellow man. My family had taught me volumes about acceptance about individuals and individualality that I knew I could be who I was meant to be.

Coming out would also let me focus on being myself and not worrying about what lies I had to create to make sure others were happy and content. It was beyond measure and important…

…to myself.

However, a large part of me wishes that it was a nonissue. That, during elementary school, I could have said “I’m gay” and the teacher would let me write my purple-and-red Valentine’s to Brian in the front of the classroom and not Melissa who kept wanting me to go to her birthday party. And when someone said to me in my dorm years, “do you have a girlfriend?” , I could answer, “no, but I am looking for a boyfriend!” without fear.

An excellent role model-friend of mine advised me to live as everyone already knew I was queer and I’ve been doing that since she suggested it.

And I’ve been confident ever since. No coming out necessary!

Recently, someone was forced out of the closet and it has a national impact on us all. Ever hear of George Rekers?

He’s a pretty famous American “psychologist” and Christian minister. I put the quotes on that comment, because, well, it’s come to light that he doesn’t practice good psychology these days, that’s for sure. Mr. Rekers is what some might refer to as an “ex-gay.”

I hate the words “ex-gay.” For it’s an untruth. Homosexualty happens in your brain, folks. I speak from experience. I knew I was gay before I even touched another man. I knew I was gay before my first haircut review. I knew I was gay before getting the lead in the musical. It has nothing to do with the physical or interactions; it has everything to do with your brain. I dreamt about men when I was kid, not women. I only felt comfortable on dates with guys, I only felt normal in the company of a decent man. So the term ex-gay is misleading. Unless someone has gone into his head and removed part of his brain that makes his sexual impulses he’s what we should be calling a “non-practicing-gay.”

So, this non-practicing-gay, goes ahead and preaches that homosexuality can be cured and with everyone’s favorite polictal pundit, James Dobson, starts the Family Research Council. This group uses the guise of maintaining the family as a manner to push their own agenda and businesses. They lobby the government and get laws made to make sure the cash flow stays secure. George even goes a step further and establishes a group called NARTH, the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality. This group continues specific treatments to “cure” people of being gay.

The therapy works on the concept that being gay is bad, very bad. And through your self-loathing, you can fight the impulses of wanting to go shopping and wear great colors. And in order to keep getting cash for this therapy, the organization does it’s best to make the general public feel that being gay is a bad thing and that gays hate themselves as you do.

Obviously, they’ve never been to a PrideFest! I’m sorry, I don’t see any self hating there.

If you can wear this with a broad smile...you do not hate yourself. No matter what a therapist is telling you from their cell phone on their yacht!

The therapy is something of a joke. Far from research, you can check out a documentation of one of their weeklong session here. During the workshop, you see a bunch of weird encounters that kinda freak me out. One young man, you can read, is encouraged to beat senseless a effigy of his own father—a man who wasn’t man enough to raise him to be true man. Another encounter is relay of men holding men shirtless. Both of these things didn’t happen to my older brother and yet he’s as manly as they come. So, ah, well, WTF? I’m thinking the therapy is merely a reason to say they are doing something and then collect your cash for your own misunderstood homosexuality.

Alright, on and on I go, so here’s George, right? And he is a non-practicing-gay and he gets back to America after a workshop of the coast of Florida. And, well, he has a male prostitute with him. Right there in the airport. A young twenty something, standing there, not holding any baggage for him or anything. People immediately recognize the young man as a post-er on the website “Rent-boy.com” where men can find companionship for a few nights.

Please notice who's lifting the luggage...he hired the prostitute to do it, yet.....

George had apparently fallen off the wagon and likes boys again.

He’s OUT for now!

He made the usual denials, trying to keep his cash flowing, but the truth is, his own therapy seems to be failing.

You’d think, after all I’ve said so far, I’d be more open to this poor man with bunches of cash. Something I’ve not elaborated on, folks. George, in trying to support his version of a family, has destroyed many, many others. He is called on as a witness for several court cases to make sure that gays and lesbians are put down and out. For example, this ‘expert’ made sure that discrimination was institutionalized by testifying that gays are permitted to be excluded by the Boy Scouts back in 1998. He also just gave testimony that states that anyone with a gay man in a household cannot adopt children (the gay adoption ban) in the state of Florida due to a high rate of alcoholism. That was as recently as 2008.

And now this. He tells others to hate gays but is one himself.

I guess for me, it’s the money issue. This man made thousands of dollars off of people who are having trouble with being gay—telling young men and women to hate themselves and to act a way that was contrary to how they feel.

And yet, secretly, he was indulging in the same thing.

I should pity him, but I think back to Ted Haggard who is also supposedly fixed. How many teenagers tried to kill themselves due to his angry words against gays from his pulpit? And now, and now, this man takes a spill???How many families has he destroyed as well?

I am having a hard time find sympathy.

As a bear, I wanna buy him a drink and fix him up with a friend of mine.

Jon Paulk, see, he worked for Focus too, and had his own therapy, “Love Won Out.” And then was caught buying drinks at a gay bar in Washington DC back in 2000. Another poster child for these stupid ministries. There’s the Paul Crouch fiasco, where he was bonking one of his Trinity Television boys back in 2004. Paul Barnes was sleeping with his church members, men, in 2006 in nearby Douglas County. And yeah, he was a big supporter of ex-gay ministries.

And I want the government to ban these horrid things.

That's my growling this time around!

Another update for this week....

Don't Ask Don't Tell Crap, again...

Okay, okay, this is like, what, the one hundredth post about this stupid policy? Well, yes it is, folks. The fact of the matter is, in order to achieve equality, it has to be across the board. And the military is a big step. When the military intergrated, there was no denying that change was coming for civil right in America. You can't deny this. This week's travesty? A letter from Mr. Gates, one of those honchos in charge of the military. Here, take a look here to take a read.

Now, I'm confused. Basically, theya re saying the military should be given time to think about changing over to letting gays and lesbians being equal. I hate to go all emotional on their butts, but the fact is, we've always been in the military. What is there to think about, exactly? For all my IQ, I can't really find much.  Separate housing? Hmmmm. Doubt it. Living in a dorm as a queer, there was nothing wrong with it. You learn your space. In fact, you learn to shut off that part of your brain. Military benefits for partners?
Are you fucking kidding me? Of course. Equality means that. If you're uncomfortable, it means you're scared.  You have a bunch of Boomers in control who still think the Cold War is going on, I'm thinking.

Now before anyone gets all "You're getting all antimilitary, Bardy, there's no reason for that." 

I have to disagree. You are only seeing these words I type. The fact of the matter is, when I taught public high school,  I encouraged those for whom they weren't sure of their future that the military is an excellent opportunity to excel. In fact, I wrote a paper ENCOURAGING war in Afghanistan in the late 80's, specifically for the reasons we invaded in 2001.

Right now, I have a family member overseas. To me, he is more than a hero than I'll ever see. Right now, the Republicans are trying to illustrate those who are having a problem with this policy as unpatriotic. Makes sense, I suppose, if you want to encourage voters to vote against anyone with left leanings. However, those in the G.O.P., Boomers who lived through the Vietnam Conflict, see the protesters as extensions of the Hippies. My own mother, when I said something negative about the Desert Storm invasion in 1990, mentioned, "Bardy, you don't call them Baby--Killers, do you?"

That's the mentality we're dealing with here, an inability to escape the past. A want and need to maintain what happened before. In a world that changes every few minutes, it makes sense to try to. But the fact is, Dear Mother and Boomers, I never spit on a solider. In fact, I wore a huge button on my pancho (it was college!) and made it clear, as much as I hated the war and the politicians involved, I SUPPORTED OUR TROOPS.

And the same deal with this repeal.

I WANT more troops. I want the military to be big and strong. Our work overseas isn't completed yet. And I can't help thinking that repealing DADT will encourage men and women to join-those who didn't before. I doubt it will be a tidal wave, but it would be a step forward.

Frankly, I think the G.O.P. can really encourage further voters to move in their direction if they rid themselves of the DADT bit and legalize marriage. Watch what happens....

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this picture means nothing, I just needed some happy and cute..

Speaking of the military, I gotta say something about the following video:

Telephone Remake

First off, my first thought is, um, shouldn't they be doing more work over there in Afghanistan? I mean, here I am arguing for them and their placement there (if you want me to elaborate on my own personal reasons for the invasion, just ask!) and they're making Gaga videos!

But I found out the little red-headed hottie actually has two moms! That's freegin' awesome! He's straight, to be sure, but is probably a bit cooler than most due his family.  However, as you'll see, suddenly there's a link between him and the military and all this stuff. Like we have to somehow remove DADT to let this stuff happen.

Um, what?

The only reason I am calling attention to it is because, well, it's funny and cute and positive. The fact is, folks, we need moments to celebrate every moment of every day. I just wanted to share it with you as well. I didn't mean for it to follow the DADT whine I just made.

Besides, there's nothing hotter then a Red Bear with the moves, ya know? I just like seeing happy people doing happy things.

Speaking of which, I like to read happy things too...like this post  from one of his two mothers. You can see the pride. And a competeing Disney Board, other than MiceChat, but, something this fun should also be recognized.

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A BEAR NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE

Nancy Pelosi's recent declaration that the President needs to get moving on DADT (there it is again, folks, so you're going to see me reporting more and more about it...) means she's on her side. She must also have a thing for your Bear fans. Looks like she went hunting for a ursa major and boy, did she find one! 

Ladies and Gentlebears, I give you Joe Novoty, the House Reader!

Can you believe it?

Now, really, I know it's not that big of a deal, but there's something to be said here. He'll be a confidant to Mrs. Pelosi. His responsiblity when it comes to the House will be huge. And he'll be OUT and proud.

And he's a BEAR!

Again, like the video, we need to celebrate every moment of positive-ness we can these days!

Just thought I'd point that out.

Alright, take care and I'll growl again next week.