The battles over piece meal legislation are like ground hog day. Our youth will live to see the Civil Rights Code of 64 expanded to include the lgbT demographic. Sign the petition and read up on Towleroad and eQuality blog – Its time we clarified unified and focused on the real prize. That is not to say stop working on legislation that is in the hopper, however our issues are money makers for the racketeers of both parties in Congress; and this country is either gonna do right by us or not. – so far its been and continues to be a clusterfuck – let’s aim HIGHER,  what we really need is first class citizenship – not legal band aides. The eQuality blog is extremely informative blog with a blue print and a plan – WE the lgbtQ need Omnibus legislation , i am sick and tired of being played and played again.  – we either fight for total equality in all walks of life or we languish in second class citizenship. Our children deserve better. Its time we stopped playing into the games of Congress and made our demands clear. We want the whole enchilada – at this rate we will be fighting these same battles in all corners for the next century. Lets focus on full ( non incremental) equality. The States will then have to comply. We have a constitution that declares we have a right to equality, a Bill of Rights that applies to us as well.   I am personally sick of being exploited and “othered”  by the politicians. Sick of fighting little brush fires here there and everywhere – time to consolidate our resources. – enough piece meal crumbs which we haven’t even gotten anyway !  Demand  our piece of the pie.  A big full size slice.  Omnibus Legislation is the way.

Due to past history and trashing of the T in the lgbTq i am not one to link to America Blog however this post will make your blood boil and lift the veil  The Title of the Post is Obama Defends DOMA in Federal Court – if it hasn’t been lifted already about just how committed  ObaClinton is to our full social justice and equality..read this post and weep from RAGE .  Channel that anger constructively – through the hypocrisy and lies back in the face of our commander in chief – Change we can believe in – yeah right , a politician if their lips our moving its probably a lie. So corrupt is our system , our Theocratic Oligarchy- just read the post and post it yourselves..better to know the ugly truth , than to have false hopes..Pressure must be brought to expose this lie and why DOMA as well dadt has NOT been repealed when both could be done with the swoop of his executive pen. SHAME ON HIM ! and the Neo Libs.  jumping jeebus on a pogo stick even Clinton filed briefs declaring DOMA unconstitutional – NOT OBAMA. America blog is going to be updating that post with more quotes from briefs through the day apparently its over 50 pages long

Conservative estimate of the Gay Lesbian Bi  Transgendered population in our country, the USA,  is 35 million ( at least one in ten people) – 35 million people. WE have a huge plethora of  life styles , needs, talents , world views,  and come from every possible socio economic strata and circumstance…that being said, our issues are emmerse and varied  from marriage to military service, access to health care,  and INCLUSIVE Hate Crimes protections, and Employment Non Discrimination legislation. In short we need protection to ensure our full equality under the law – there are professional “gay” haters out there, in fact the KKK keeps us on their lists..Below is a letter written to the President regarding the promise broken to repeal Don’t ask Don’t Tell  which hopefully will not fall on deaf ears.. The reasons given for not repealing DADT are specious on the face of them. Other countries certainly deal with the issue with maturity. When will our country grow up ? When will our military grow up ? When will we lgbtq have the Federal Laws and policies that speak to our FULL EQUALITY and DUE PROCESS under the LAW, civil laws, as we are not a Theorcracy.  You don’t have to accept us, but you must Tolerate us – live and let live.  Religion, willful ignorance, fear and hatred  is not excuse for the prejudice we experience -

Here is my friend Renee Thomas’s articulate letter : regarding this latest refusal on a Presidential level to duck an issue important to thousands of gay lesbian, bisexual or Transgendered people in the military. So much could be done for equality with a swoop of the pen. And it ought to be done immediately in my opinion.

The Honorable Barack H. Obama

President of the United States

Re: DADT – End the Wasteful Policy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Mr. President,

With respect to this wrong-headed policy, I don’t need to remind you of your previous comments both as candidate Obama and subsequently President-Elect Obama. You’ll recall very well what you said. Likewise, you should not for a moment doubt my support for you and your administration. I should note that I changed my voter registration and a life-long affiliation with the Republican Party to support enthusiastically your candidacy. The fact that I am a gay woman is also, in my view, quite beside the point.

Mr. President this IS the point – gay men and women have agreed to put on the uniform of the Armed Forces of the United States and risk losing their lives to defend everything that you and I hold dear. They serve, to the man and woman, with honor, distinction and singular bravery. They want so badly to serve this nation and we it’s people that they agree to lie about who they are at the behest of a government that gratefully accepts their service – until they can no longer be complicit in this lie. Some of them tragically will give “the last full measure of their devotion” to a nation that they so clearly love but a nation that heretofore has not allowed them to serve and be honestly who they are. They are combat pilots, mechanized infantry commanders, front line combat nurses and doctors, Arabic, Pashtu and Urdu linguists and a thousand other military specialties. They are exactly the people we need with precisely the skills and dedication to serve our nation anywhere around the world. They are the tip of the spear in the defense of this nation.

What do we, a grateful nation, owe them in return Mr. President? We owe them our steadfast support, we certainly owe them our sincere gratitude and you Mr. President, as their Commander in Chief, owe them to end this foolish and wasteful policy. You know, as I do, that you can draft an Executive Order today that will stop implementation of the policy pending a comprehensive review by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. You can direct that the Pentagon review produced establish as fact and not merely conjecture, that openly gay service people do not undermine “good order and discipline.” Concurrently, you can encourage Congress to draft legislation to revise the Uniform Code of Military Justice and applicable law to allow gay men and woman to continue to serve this nation with distinction. Public support for the repeal of DADT is far ahead of your stated resolve to end this discriminatory policy. Spend your political capital Mr. President. Now is the time for bold leadership. Now is the time to repay fully that devotion, which our service people have so freely and consistently given us.

Respectfully,

Renee Thomas

Member of The Board of Directors of Phoenix AZ Pride

here is a the declaraton by the Ifge (the International Foundation for Gender Education) read at the recent Demonstration by GID reform ,  to protest the continued pathologicalization of the Gender variant in the Diagnostic Statistic Manual or DSM – which pathologizes just about everything except the missionary position and the Leave it to Beaver model of living. For more in depth information about the DSM reform process, and the lgbTq response to it, see

Dr. Kelly Winters web  site , Her recently published book Gender Madness in American Psychiatry is a must read.  Our bench in this battle is  deep with talent and wisdom,  no shortage of passion people this is a TEAM effort, people from all across the country , every walk of life. We are a cross section of the larger society at large who have their eye on what’s   going on with  the DSM reform process.  To those who sew the seeds of education unity and empowerment. Kudos  are due.  We have so much to be proud of – so many many people who take a stand for us and with us – the list could fill a book. literally. so many people , whose names  not  well known but whose passion and work is  vital – together we all are moving some mountains.  40 yrs out the spirit of STONEWALL is alive and well. Personally i just want to thank them all. For speaking truth against power.

, when one  knows with certainty that they are right, that they  are the authorities on our own lives. (think about it this way, if you happen not be queer , when did you”decide” to be who you are, to love who who you are attracted to, to dress, and live in the mannerisms that were natural to you ? when did you decide that you had not distress with your assigned birth sex ? )   You didn’t choose any of it. Inside your own self you knew your own truth.  Its the same for those that do experience what society deems not normal regarding gender – We didn’t choose not feel right in our birth assigned sex and body.  It just happened to us. its our inborn nature.  And nobody but nobody can deny that and be a better authority on who you are than YOU. Only you know if you feel congruent in your own body. Having to explain this to someone who never experienced gender dissonance , someone steeped in bias, invested in seeing through a lens of pathologizing is daunting at best.

Our Truth  is empowering and the truth will OUT – we will tell it. and Tell it again and again for the slow learners out there. We will tell it in the cities, we will tell it in the country and small towns all over america.  And our allies , who get it , will stand proudly by us because they “get it” without justice there can be no peace.  Inequality for one group means a prejudiced , stunted and ignorant culture. A dishonest culture, an unhealthy culture and its hard to be sane in an insane society. Everyone of sound mind has this issue lately – its Orwellian our culture. The lgbtq will not be “othered” we pay taxes, have families, need jobs, need our humanity recognized and our difference if not accepted , tolerated – and we need this codified in the LAW of the land.

However : to the subject of the DSM and the pathologizing of the Gender Variant -

No one steeped in *cisgendered”  bias without at least recognizing this in themselves,can safely deliver medical or psychiatric services  to the gender variant as they to perpetuate the psychiatric industrial complex of Patholigicalization of people they do not understand.   Gender variance, sexual variance is a naturally occurring phenomenon.  WE do not need to be repaired. We do not need insult added to injury – we do not need to be harmed by those who are entrusted  to help us.

There is nuance  of course, however there is also a pernicious lack of intellectual curiosity , when it comes to the willful “othering” done historically to the Queer. Its all rather medieval from my point of view.  soooo.  We will continue  to educate all who will listen :  doctors , psychologists, pastors, those who would seek to “cure us” do more harm – you cannot cure something inbuilt. Something  that doesn’t need curing.  We’re not broken – not the problem at all !   a society that doesn’t take a stand against  hate, takes the words of biased zealots,   what harms us all. Willful ignorance harms us. and the entire culture for that matter.  WE will take this to the Congress, to the streets, On the 40 th anniversary of Stonewall – our song remains the same – we are NOT going to take  crap sitting down. There are many fronts in the battle for equality , the legal system, the medical system, the religious intolerance (now that is a disease imo)  educational and social service systems, and probably a few more …finally let no one who has died of a bias crime , have died in vain. We fight on in their memory.  WE are peaceful warriors – and we are here , we’re queer , get used to it. And for the love of mary we are not predators , no indeed we are the prey.  Please re read that sentence.

Learn more, there is no reason to fear or shun us, bully our kids, gender variance is not the downfall of western civilization , nope. Look to greed and the lust for power , that is what ends empires. Corruption of the Congress etc.  The hated minorities are only the canaries in the coal mine.

*cis = same side of.  trans = across from.  its that simple. no baggage just the root of the word. So most transgendered people are being evaluated by clinicians steeped in cisgendered privilege and bias. Honest clinicians will admit this , its just a fact. and issue in themselves they need to be aware of not let get in the way of the proper view of the gender variant.

In her quiet tones, and soft speech Erica says it all pretty much here in this video. Lets remember too that those who judge us, those who make laws about the lgbtq are not lgbtq themselves in the “large majority” (or so they say )and its for this very reason , so much of what is said by them about us is biased  and uniformed. soaked in their own priviledge. cisgendered. (look it up, a non gender outlaw, How  can a person of apparent white privilege know what it is to be a person of  color, to desire to wear a turban vs. a cross  in this culture ??? no we cannot.

Until we have walked a mile in the shoes of someone else, lets walk in compassion, err on the side of love. Religious fanatics , read your new testament !  Its got the words of the person you claim to follow ! Stop forcing your views upon the entirety of our diverse culture – We are not your enemy , willful ignorance, lust for power , hypocrisy these are the true enemies of humanity.

Wake up its not the middle ages anymore. Your preachers are exploiting you !!    No one is threatening your religious views , we as a nation have some laws about the notion of shoving  religion down people’s throats….we as a nation , are not a theocracy.  Historically,  we systematically as a nation have had to pass laws , to ensure equal access and protection to counter  hate filled tendencies as a society.   We blame the poor for their troubles, we blame the victims of crime for being victims..its completely twisted.  And for the umpteenth time – a crime is not just a crime. It  never has been and it never will be – the judicial process always takes into account motives – crimes against lgbtq people can be random and by the same token , they can be bias motivated crimes..that is what the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Bill is all about , giving states and localities to ability to investigate what exactly was the motive.

Would you want creed taken out of the protected classes of people ? See it protects you to be fundamentalists – think i like that ? i don’t but i tolerate it. Just like you will when the lgbtq are included as a protected class. So if its good enough for you , its good enough for me. Got that ?  You have a right to believe what you want – i have a right not to believe. WE do not have a right however to murder doctors , or beat on people who don’t believe like you do in order to  terrorize whole communities of people.   we are supposed to live in a society that may not agree with each other , but we have to co exist.  Bible thumpers read what your guy said about Hypocrites..it would do you some good. You spend to much time evangelizing , and its getting really really old. You don’t know us  , Your hate is ugly. Your ignorance is breath taking , your lack of intellectual curiousity dangerous !

True seekers, are supposed to question …religion is not spirituality. remember that ! – enjoy your spirituality , and stop being cookie cutter clone troopers. Sow peace , go read the Gospel of Christ the NEW testament for fuck sake,  and take it to heart.  Quit cherry picking the bible in order to perpetuate hate. And stop shoving your fundamentalist interpretations spoon fed to you by the Huckstes that play you like fiddles , down everyone’s throat – you give your savior a bad name.

Fresh Scent is a an excellent blog for reporting poor Maliegned Mary Jane’s struggle for justice.

Police stormed into California state run growing faciility in Bakersfield – the is not ok. It is against public policies regarding these pharmacy herbal providers.  I mean the raid on Ed – totally illegal and they kept vital evidence Away from Jurors.  Local Police Forces need to get the Memo.

and a big Hat Tip goes out to Russ !

Much more here, than meets the eye. In my day..Newman Centers were places where Catholic Students could go for a simple traditional mass. They had socials,did charitable works, i don’t recall this political evangelism , and NOW its viral. Catholic Universities across the country are following suit,

Seems the usual suspects. (Newt Gingrich , a “recent” convert) knows there are votes to be had ,and emotions to stir. TAX ALL THE CHURCHES NOW – granted student orgs may fall out of category , but the Church in the larger sense all of em are meddling in public discourse and affairs – good gawd , Separation of Church and State must be re- visited.

The Newman Society in its evengelicalized form is a force for whipping up young Zealots who are more involved in DOGMA and following marching orders, than spirituality. Forget Christ go for those whose opinions , you cannot bare even while you  are at a university supposedly to get a well rounded education.  (deep exasperated sigh)

Rove referred to them as the “third Chromosome people”.  I call ‘em pod people. (liberation theologans excluded)    And for what ? Patricia Nell Warren’s post is chilling expose of how wide spread this problem is and growing in the Catholic Churches. Who seem more then ready to have the Inquistion Redux.

And

We call ourselves a democracy  not a Theocracy.  We are too tolerate the creeds of others but none is to supercede another. Co existance is the idea.

Fundamentalism of any religious stripe is always extremely dangerous.   – People who cannot think things  on   are also extremely dangerous. A closed system is a stangent unhealthy system.

If anything, spirituality seems to me, would  asks us to question, explore , enjoy metaphors, meditate,  and think more deeply, seems to me. Cookie cutter Clone Troppers scare me. So ripe for fascism are we as a country. … but i digress.

HR1913 has a Senate Bill its S 909   it has got to  PASS there, to become the law of the land. ***call your senators and find out exactly where they stand.    nothing wrong with a  just “vote yes on S909 , because its the right thing to do.

If you can educate a legislative assistant all the better, together we will get this bill passed.

Find your senators here and follow the bill here

They may need education , one my personal fav’s is We call ourselves a Democracy not a Theocracy.  You probably have a few of your own. use em !!! call. write. visit if you can.

This bill is so so SO,  Not.About.Free.Speech. or so called “thought” crime. HATE CRIMEs are violent acts motivated to terrorize a particular community. Big difference between having your house vandalized with a  smiley face vs. a Swastika. etc. As one rep said this bill has about much to do with   free speech as  slip knots did with  Lynching laws  Barney Frank Floor arguments below  are  actually spot on.

All violent crime is subjected to motive investigation re: thought process of litiganst its part and parcel of the judicial system. This bill doesn’t change that,  The entire spectrum of charges stays ,  for example defence attorneys as well they should, will still have so called ” crimes of passion” involuntary manslaughter etc. defense, which translates in our world to gay or trans panic (in this day and age that  excuse that grows lamer by the day) for violence.

When this becomes law  AND it will PASS, it will be a milestone in lgbTq  legal history.

My hope, Senate bill 909 passes , then :

In the  next congressional session , next yr,   let the ink dry the fundi’s  take their medication, then ,  ENDA will be introduced  – Make those calls though , Inclusive Bills.

no act is to small, get an answer have a legislative assistant call you back leave your name and number – they will. Tell em you aren’t a big lobby , you are a person who needs to know this country is striving to be a more equal and just place.  Civil Rights are Human Rights.  You probably have a dozen personal reasons share them,   Tell your Senator VOTE YES ON S. Bill 909.  srsly.

Bring the change you want to see.

In efforts to lobby  Congress people , the Senate of course being next.

THE BILL’s number is S. 909 - (hat tip to Abigail Jensen attorney whose blog can be found on blog roll here check it out ) The bill  has 34 co – sponcers already but this in no time to sit back on our laurels the fight is far from over.

Barney Frank  gives the many talking points should one find themselves at a loss for words. Also , insist that they call you back. Don’t take no for an answer. Tell them you need to know where they stand , remind them you are not a rich lobbiest,  YOU ARE A PERSON, and NEED TO KNOW. Tell them they work for We the People.

Remind them of their  enhanced protections  for members of Congress, tell them that you know we cannot legislate the heart, but if this makes one hateful maniac think twice its worth it – Hate Crimes are under reported.  And we expect the Congress to do something for the lgbtq – we vote, we pay taxes , we too desire to live decently and prosper in the usa. (at least as much as it can be said anyone is prospering here , these days) We will be insisting on an inclusive ENDA , the repeal of DOMA and DADT – our agenda is not for special rights its about full justice and equality under the law. There is no denying that the hatred some people hold towards the lgbTq results in our lack of access, and having our community targeted for violence.  Enjoy this video especially if you did not see him deliver these comments on the House Floor.

It needs to be NOTED, and so it is on J.D’s most excellent blog the Modern Left - people don’t miss this blog. He notes that the Department of Homeland Security is warning of the dangers of it. The right wing extremism can incite erractic violent behaviour in people, more Hate groups, looking for scapegoats, lemming like behaviours case in point this tea bagging business, Did you see some of those people ! (truly alaming) but don’t take my word for it – no, no,

see :

“Tea Baggers” see Christopher’s post as well on From the Left regarding the definition of a “tea bagger” DO NOT read with beverages in your mouth. Who loves ya ?

But really its no laughing matter as JD also points out in a prior post , titled Right Wing Rhetoric has its Consequences – look at history, extremists, xenophobes, jingoistic mindless lemmings have always been at high risk , for the banality of evil. teh stupid can kill, Moranism gone wild, there is a history. Many Americans are ripe for fascisism, yes draped in the american flag, oozing Theocracy,marriage of corporations and the government. Propagandists vs. journalists. Not to mention the inplementation of Disaster Capitalism and Shock Doctrine right here. NOW. People are desparate , never a good sitch.

It behooves us to continue making intensive use of the right to free speech , to educate ,to speak out , ACT UP, explain the dangers of hate and ignorance to whom ever will listen.

Right Wing mega propagandist conglomerates (the Becks, the Hannities, THE LYING LIARS , Its ALL SO TWISTED) in every state of the Union, do incite people to mindless , misinformed , emotionally inflamed, scapegoating and Action, from murdering family planning doctors, to setting off bombs in Oklahoma. Nutbags. (honestly they do scare me – mass hysteria can grip a nation, its happened to other nations through out history , unique to each country.

These fucks , this , ” RIGHT WING ” extremism and rhetoric is Dangerous ! will rogers. There is no denying people are going bonkers, slaying people, getting out on the streets , off of their couches , the pod people, ditto heads moving..

Hate Crimes are on the rise.