Catholic Diocese Pulls Homeless Shelter Funding Because One Employee Supports Gays

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento no longer will fund programs at Francis House, a nonprofit agency that serves homeless people, because of its new director’s views supporting abortion rights and gay marriage.
In a letter last month, the diocese’s director of social services said the Rev. Faith Whitmore’s public statements on the issues clash with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Therefore, said the Rev. Michael Kiernan, the social services director, it is “impossible for the diocese to continue funding Francis House” as part of its annual Catholic Appeal.

Francis House provides has been providing people with access to transportation and housing in the Sacramento area for 42 years. 25,000 people in need receive care at Francis House each year.

“We serve the poor,” he said. “We don’t have a litmus test for homeless people when they come in. We don’t ask them for their position on choice and gay marriage. We just help them. But for whatever reason, the diocese made those issues a higher priority than the mission.”

My advice call Francis House today and make your donation!

Miley Cyrus Writes Gay Marriage Column for Glamour Magazine

She's just being Miley.

Miley Cyrus’ op-ed column in the March issue of Glamour Magazine explains why for her, gay marriage is a no-brainer. Sure, it reads like it was written by someone who spent her formative years in a blonde wig and pleather everything instead of in a classroom, but her earnest support for our personal liberties is of course appreciated.

Miley writes:

Imagine finding someone you love more than anything in the world, who you would risk your life for but couldn’t marry. And you couldn’t have that special day the way your friends do—you know, wear the ring on your finger and have it mean the same thing as everybody else. Just put yourself in that person’s shoes. It makes me feel sick to my stomach.

When I shared a picture of my tattoo on my Twitter page and said, “All LOVE is equal,” a lot of people mocked me—they said, “What happened to you? You used to be a Christian girl!” And I said, “Well, if you were a true Christian, you would have your facts straight. Christianity is about love.” The debate resulted in a lot of threats and hate mail to people who agreed and disagreed with me. At one point I had to say, “Dude, everyone lay off.” Can’t people have friendly debates about sensitive topics without it turning into unnecessary threats?

I believe every American should be allowed the same rights and civil liberties. Without legalized same-sex marriage, most of the time you cannot share the same health benefits, you are not considered next of kin and you are not granted the same securities as a heterosexual couple. How is this different than having someone sit in the back of the bus because of their skin color?

She goes on and on. You can read the column in full at Glamour.com or just pick up the March issue when it hits newstands.

 Activism looks good on you, girl. Let’s see some more of it.

What do you think of Miley’s marriage memo?

Obama Administration Institutes New Housing Policy That Protects LGBt

A new rule to be announced by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan this week mandates that owners of federally-funded or insured housing—as well as lenders offering federally-insured mortgages—cannot discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

The rule also specifies the term “family,” as used in HUD policies, includes LGBT families.

“Today, I am proud to announce a new Equal Access to Housing Rule that says clearly and unequivocally that LGBT individuals and couples have the right to live where they choose,” said Secretary Shaun Donovan (right) at the National Conference on LGBT Equality this weekend.

It’s worth noting the new policy also protects transgender Americans, who are at particular risk for housing discrimination. A survey conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force showed that that 19% of trans people had been refused a home or apartment and 11% had been evicted because of their gender identity or expression.

“We often hear from [trans] people who are experiencing discrimination in housing. These new rules will strengthen our ability to assist transgender people in advocating for their basic human rights,” says Danny Kirchoff, a lawyer at the Transgender Law Center. “And it will reassure them that our government has their back. This is about giving people the dignity and respect we all deserve.”

Pepperdine University Denies Request to Formally Recognize Student Gay-Straight-Allaince

A group of students at Pepperdine University is fighting back against a decision to not recognize a student-formed gay-straight alliance on campus.

Reach OUT on Nov. 9 applied to become an official student organization, but the Churches of Christ-affiliated university’s administrators denied the request in December. Senior Alexander Cooper launched a Change.org petition this week in an effort to make the Malibu campus a safer space for LGBT students and allies.

Change.org is an online advocacy platform that empowers anyone from anywhere to launch campaigns for social change.

"This is the fourth time that a gay-straight alliance has been denied or discouraged from applying," said Cooper in a message that accompanies his petition. It had received 5,448 signatures as of Friday morning, with a goal of 6,000.

"Pepperdine students often struggle to be honest about their sexual orientation because they fear rejection from their peers as well as the risk of losing their scholarships and leadership opportunities," reads the petition. "Moreover, professors do not feel comfortable speaking on the issue, worrying that they will be denied tenure or research grants. Until now, the university’s policies have created an atmosphere of silence and anxiety that alienates not only the LGBT student population but also anyone concerned for their well-being."

 

Shane Windmeyer, founder and executive director of CampusPride.org, a national non-profit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer college campuses for LGBT students, applauded the Pepperdine students’ efforts.

"Safety and inclusion should not be left on the backs of students," he said.

Pepperdine officials view the controversy differently. As a private religious institution, it is not required to adhere to non-discrimination policies to which public schools must adhere.

"Since Reach OUT has been forthright that it does not affirm the university’s traditional sexual ethic, Pepperdine has decided that official university recognition would imply endorsement and funding of a position inconsistent with our Christian heritage," said Pepperdine Senior Director of Public Affairs Jerry Derloshon. "We are committed to maintaining our long-standing commitment to our heritage and traditional biblical view of sexuality."

Derloshon stressed that Pepperdine respects the right of individual people to hold different viewpoints, and affirms that those who differ with the administration’s official policies should be treated with dignity and respect. He said a committee has been formed to promote open and safe dialogue and better understanding of all perspectives. The committee is also working to develop common ground initiatives that include the addition of a set of FAQs to the university’s sexual relationship statement (e.g., making it clear that students will not lose scholarships based on their sexual orientation.) Administrators have also strengthened Pepperdine’s harassment policy to make it more clear that harassment of LGBT students will not be tolerated on campus.

"There is no doubt that Pepperdine is failing its’ LGBT students," said Windmeyer. "Just because the campus has the right to deny the group, doesn’t mean it is right."

Coretta Scott King: “Make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.”

“My husband, Martin Luther King Jr., once said, “We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny… an inescapable network of mutuality,… I can never be what I ought to be until you are allowed to be what you ought to be.” Therefore, I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.
Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Ga. and St. Augustine, Fla., and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement. Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions.”  – Coretta Scott King, -November 9, 2000.

Dan Savage On the GOP Field

Dan Savage On the GOP Field

"America is waking up to the fact that we're not bogeymen, and we're not coming to do any harm, and that we're your daughters and sons and neighbors, sometimes your parents, your co-workers, friends, colleagues. The Republican party, in this desperate [nod] to its dying evangelical base, is just ramping up the homophobia, and they're doing themselves real long-term damage.

"What's interesting is that, you look at who's been doing the most hate speech: Bachmann? She's out. Herman Cain? He's out. Perry? He's all but out. Santorum? He's running fourth, he's trailing even in conservative South Carolina. It's not winning them the election anymore. It's not 1992; Pat Buchanan can't get up and give a 'gay rights never, family values forever' speech at the Republican National Convention anymore. Times have changed." - Dan Savage, speaking to MTV News.

Renault Ad; AMAZING!

Israel looks to Gays to Improve Image

When it comes to stating its case internationally, Israel is tired of playing it straight: It is recruiting gays and lesbians as unofficial envoys.

In a bid to boost its international image, the country’s ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs has established a cadre of diverse volunteers who speak about Israel around the world.

In a recent post on its website, the ministry encouraged minorities and members of the gay community to step forward.

Ministry spokesman Gal Ilan said Thursday that the goal was to highlight Israel’s diversity. He said when people think about Israel, the gay community is often overlooked.

There are no details yet on how many people have volunteered.

Israel has recently been promoting itself as a gay friendly oasis in an intolerant Middle East.

 

 

Hillary Clinton's Historic UN Speech - Now with Music and Visuals

 What an absolutely INCREDIBLE clip done with excellent music and stimulating visuals. Thank you Hillary Clinton for being an International voice for to those who have no voice.

Being Gay Is A Gift From G-d! So says Oprah!