Box Turtle Bulletin

Box Turtle BulletinNews, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric
“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
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Latest Posts

The Baptist Standard calls out Texas Baptists on their hypocrisy

Canada's Anglicans oppose Uganda's 'Kill Gays' bill

Gillibrand, a willing ally

A review of the Manhattan Declaration

NJ Democrats Wiggle and Waffle

NOM's biblical Illiteracy

Texas kid beaten with metal pole, entirely preventable

Austria gets civil partnerships

Featured Reports

David Benkof: Behind the Mask

At first glance, David Benkof appears to be a young gay man who believes that same-sex marriage will damage the institution of marriage, that there are better options for gay couples than marriage, that the community should join him in prioritizing other more pressing issues, and that the marriage discussion is harming the efforts of gay couples in red states to get recognition for their unions. He also claims that he’s a gay columnist, that he speaks for an influential collection of gay thinkers, and that he is part of the gay and lesbian community and that he shares our goals and dreams. But none of that is true.

“Repeat After Me”: The Reparative Therapy Echo Chamber

The April 2008 edition of the pay-to-publish vanity journal Psychological Reports featured a new report from NARTH. Written by NARTH president A. Dean Byrd, past president Joseph Nicolosi, and Richard W. Potts, the report carries the unwieldy but self-descriptive title, “Clients perceptions of how reorientation therapy and self-help can promote changes in sexual orientation.” While the title describes what the authors meant to show — how clients describe the benefits of reparative therapy — the report itself actually illustrates something very different: the ex-gay movement’s remarkable ability to instill an almost robot-like parroting of ex-gay rhetoric among their clients.

Testing the Premise: Is MRSA The New Gay Plague?

The Toronto Star said that a new study “discover[ed] a new strain” of a super-bug “hitting gay men.” Headlines in Britain screamed, “Flesh-eating bug strikes San Francisco’s gay community,” and anti-gay extremists across America spread the alarm that gays were introducing another plague into “the general population.” But there was a small problem with all of this: None of it is true!

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

 

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don't miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Review: The Gay Report

When Karla Jay and Allan Young published The Gay Report in 1979, it quickly a favorite source of statistics for many anti-gay extremists. But before you accepts these statistic at face value, you should examine the inner workings of this survey very carefully. What you learn might surprise you.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.

Uganda Religious Leaders All Calling for Anti-Gay Bill… But Maybe Not Death

Timothy Kincaid

October 29th, 2009

From New Vision

Leaders from the Church of Uganda, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, unanimously supported the Bill, but called for a change in the penalties.

“Can death as a form of punishment help one to reform? Some people are convicted of murder but after they have been killed, it’s proved they were innocent. What would be done in such circumstances? We should emphasise life imprisonment,” said Aron Mwesigye, the secretary for the Church of Uganda.

So there is the call from the Anglican Church in Uganda: life imprisonment.

Seventh Day Adventist’s John Kakembo noted that homosexuality has been in Uganda since the 1960s. He called on Parliament to quickly enact the Bill into law, so as to curb the vice.

And what does the Seventh Day Adventist Church parent denomination in America have to say about this? I’ll let you guess.

We are still waiting for them, or any American Christian denomination, to denounce the bill…

yep, still waiting…

feel the love.

Who knows, maybe some mainstream press reporter will feel inspired to ask Jan Paulsen, the Seventh Day Adventist president, or Rick Warren, Martin Ssempa’s good buddy, or Rowan Williams, the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, just why it is that their brothers and affiliates in Uganda are calling for the cessation of freedom of speech or assembly and the life sentence – if not death – of all gay people.


BTB’s complete coverage of recent anti-gay developments in Uganda:
Nov 14: Anglican’s Communion’s Tangled Ties To Uganda’s Anti-Gay Extremists
Nov 11: Nigerian calls on Anglican Communion to oppose Ugandan “Kill Gays” bill
Nov 9: Uganda’s Most Wanted
Nov 9: Uganda’s “Kill Gays” bill is “Providing Leadership to the World”
Nov 9: More American Evangelical Ties To Uganda’s Anti-Gay Politicians
Nov 7: The “Biblical” Worldwide Anglican Communion
Nov 6: Australian Senate Refuses to Oppose Uganda’s “Kill Gays” Bill
Nov 6: Uganda Women’s Group: “Kill the Gays”
Nov 2: Throckmorton Appeals to Ugandan Christians
Nov 2: US Reps Condemn Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Nov 2: Uganda Parliament Committee, Religious Leaders Weigh Death Penalty for LGBT People
Oct 28: Uganda Religious Leaders All Calling for Anti-Gay Bill… But Maybe Not Death
Oct 28: A Call for Christian Action in Uganda — A Time to Show the Love
Oct 23: Uganda Civil Rights Coalition Denounces Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Oct 22: Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill Put Off Until 2010
Oct 18: Take Action: Tell Uganda To Respect Human Rights And Dismiss the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Oct 17: Uganda’s Daily Monitor: All Ugandans Should Fear Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Oct 16: Does Exodus Support Criminalizing Homosexuality?
Oct 15: Human Rights Watch, Sexual Minorities Uganda Condemn Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Oct 15: Here It Is: The Text of Uganda’s Proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Oct 14: Uganda Parliament Takes Up Anti-Gay Bill Adding Death Sentence and Bans on Free Speech”
Sep 15: Draft Anti-Gay Bill Circulating In Uganda
Jul 26: Uganda Parliament To Take Up Bill Banning LGBT Free Speech
Jul 6: Sports Figure Latest Victim Of Ugandan Anti-Gay Offensive
Jul 3: Uganda May Ban All LGBT Advocacy
Jun 1: Nazi Comparisons
May 14: Uganda’s Anti-Gay Campaign Snares LGBT People and Rival Pastors, Tabloid Promises More “Outings”
May 4: Uganda Gays Arrested, Blackmail Attempts Reported
Apr 24: Uganda Anti-Gay Activists March, “Storm Parliament”
Apr 20: Alan Chambers Addresses Developments In Uganda
Apr 19: Uganda’s Anti-Gay Vigilante Campaign Is Now In Full Swing
Apr 17: Uganda Government Attacks Human Rights Groups for “Promoting Homosexuality”
Apr 10: Uganda Columnist: “Happy Easter …Irrespective of Sexual Orientation”
Apr 6: Uganda Press Crank Up “Predator” Rhetoric
Apr 3: Uganda to Ban LGBT Advocacy?
Apr 2: Exodus Maintains Month-Long Silence Amid Ugandan Gov’t Calls For LGBT Arrests
Apr 2: Press Release from Ugandan LGBT Advocacy Group
Mar 31: Forced Outings Continue As Uganda LGBT Advocates Allege Oundo Is In It For The Money
Mar 31: Uganda Activist Cites Disbarred “Therapist” As Authority on Homosexuality
Mar 30: Uganda Situation Continues To Deteriorate; Exodus Washes Their Hands
Mar 27: Videos Surface of Ugandan Activist Stirring Anti-Gay Fervor; Fears of Violence Grows
Mar 26: Ugandan Gov’t Poised to Take “Stern Action” Against Gays
Mar 26: The “Ex-Gay” Star of the Uganda Anti-Gay Campaign
Mar 25: More on Uganda Anti-Gay Vigilante Incitement
Mar 25: Another Anti-Gay Vigilante Campaign May Have Begun In Uganda
Mar 23: Schmierer’s & Lively’s Uganda Talks Continue to Reverberate
Mar 17: Lively Defends Forced Therapy Proposal
Mar 16: Commentary: When Good Men Do Nothing
Mar 13: Sanctimony Alert
Mar 13: Scott Lively and Alan Chambers Respond to Questions About Uganda Conference
Mar 13: Exodus Applauds Schmierer’s Part in Uganda Conference
Mar 12: South African LGBT Advocates Condemn Exodus
Mar 12: Ex-Exodus Minister Condemns Uganda Conference
Mar 12: Ugandan Conference Leaders Call For Another Meeting While Pushing Pedophilia Theme; Exodus Continues Silence
Mar 11: Open Letter To the Exodus International Board of Directors
Mar 10: Scott Lively: The Gay Agenda Is “To Turn The Whole World Gay”
Mar 9: Exodus Removes Link To Scott Lively From Its Web Site
Mar 9: EU Group Condemns Ugandan Conference
Mar 8: Uganda Anti-Gay Conference: Day Three — Gays Blamed For Rwandan Genocide & Pedophilia; More Exodus Ties To Holocaust Revisionism
Mar 6: Uganda Anti-Gay Conference: Day Two
Mar 6: Exodus’ Silence About Uganda: Day Five
Mar 6: Exodus Board Member Participates In Uganda Conference Calling For Forcing Gays Into Conversion Therapy
Mar 5: Anti-Gay Conference Kicks Off In Kampala
Mar 5: Warren Throckmorton Speaks Out Against Uganda Conference
Mar 5: International LGBT Group Expresses Concern About Uganda Conference
Mar 2: Anonymous Ugandan Blogger Wants Answers From American Anti-Gay Activists
Feb 24: Exodus Board Member Joins Nazi Revisionist At Uganda Conference

Comments

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Rich
October 29th, 2009 | LINK

Maybe someone will ask our President. After all, Rick Warren is one of his buddies.

werdna
October 29th, 2009 | LINK

@Rich-It’s not Obama, but according to this article at least the US embassy in Kampala is making some noise against the bill:

The US embassy in Kampala said on Thursday that if Uganda’s recently tabled Anti-Homosexuality Bill became law, it would mark a major setback in the promotion of human rights.

“If adopted, a bill further criminalising homosexuality would constitute a significant step backwards for the protection of human rights in Uganda,” the embassy’s public affairs officer, Joann Lockard, said in an e-mail.

“We urge states to take all necessary measures to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention.”

Not that it’s calming the bill’s supporters down at all:

Buturo balked at the notion that the proposed bill… constituted a human rights violation.

“We are really getting tired of this phrase ‘human rights’,” the minister snapped. “It is being abused. Anything goes, and if you are challenged? ‘Oh, it’s my right.’

“Anal sex? Human rights. Robbery? Human rights. All sorts of nonsense? Human rights,” an exasperated Buturo went on.

John
October 29th, 2009 | LINK

I didn’t see it listed in this news article, but I have to wonder where the hell is the Catholic Church in Uganda?

*chirping crickets*

Funny, bishops in the United States seem to discuss homosexuality in the political arena quite often. Perhaps their brethren in Uganda are just a bit shy. Then again, it’s probably difficult to defend those whom you condemn.

Perhaps His Lordship Matthias Ssekamanya and Bishop of Lugazi Diocese or one of his brother bishops can explain their silence? Well for anyone who is curious to find out:

Uganda Catholic Secretariat
Plot 672, Hanlon Road,
Nsambya Hill
P.O. Box 2886,
KAMPALA, Uganda
Tel: +256 414 510389, 510570/510544/510571
Fax: +256 41 510545
E-mail: uec@infocom.co.ug
http://www.uecon.org/

Dan
October 29th, 2009 | LINK

Christianity is an evil cult. Silence is consent!

GreenEyedLilo
October 29th, 2009 | LINK

Sweet of them. Really. And yes, I want to see the churches step up, too. I believe I may win the lottery first.

Lynn David
October 29th, 2009 | LINK

Despite the homophobic reactions of some Catholic bishops in the past, the policy of the Catholic Church is to NOT criminalize homosexuality.

The Holy See continues to advocate that every sign of unjust discrimination towards homosexual persons should be avoided and urges States to do away with criminal penalties against them.

However, if you read that entire statement at the link it is the Vatican’s policy not to affirm that anyone is homosexual and needs their rights protected…. it’s a rather schizoid statement.

John
October 30th, 2009 | LINK

Great, Lynn. That’s the official policy on the books. Again, where’s the Catholic Church in Uganda? The Church is quick to take action in many areas but is strangely silent when it comes to this…

Pam Chamberlain
October 30th, 2009 | LINK

Check out the new petition demanding that Rick Warren renounce the anti-gay bill in Uganda. Challenge his hypocrisy and spread the word!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/rick-warren-please-denounce-anti-gay-bill-in-uganda

Priya Lynn
October 30th, 2009 | LINK

Lynn said “Despite the homophobic reactions of some Catholic bishops in the past, the policy of the Catholic Church is to NOT criminalize homosexuality.”.

That’s what they say Lynn, but they opposed the U.N. resolution that called for the end to criminal penalties for gayness. Actions speak louder than words.

Priya Lynn
October 30th, 2009 | LINK

http://aidanmaconachyblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/vatican-opposes-un-resolution-to.html

shivadog
October 30th, 2009 | LINK

“homosexuality has been in Uganda since the 1960s” Um,yea,Sure. Probably was imported by those damn hippies.
Nice that the christians just want us thrown in jail for life and not killed, kind of warms the heart.

Henry
October 30th, 2009 | LINK

John Kakembo noted that homosexuality has been in Uganda since the 1960s.

i presumed that the british colonialists introduced the anti-sodomy laws in the first place . perhaps they witnessed something in the society upon their arrival and became alarmed . fast forward to 2009

Rick
October 31st, 2009 | LINK

In my life, this is the first time I viewed, before my eyes, a developing form of genocide/pogrom in this evolving attempt at the eradication of LGBTQ Ugandan people. I grew-up post WWII Nazism, but I see the influence of America’s Christian religious right, before my eyes, within a calendar year, exporting by their rhetoric, genocide to a group of Ugandans. How dare they/we in America cause purposive death in the world in the name of American Christianity? I hold ALL the religious right accountable, for in this unbelievable situation before all our eyes, they are all guilty of this act. Everyone who lives in the Christian right, homophobia arena, are joint participants in this egregious exported act of hatred and animus toward LGBTQ peoples. Before our eyes! Think about it. Think of all those religious right churches filled to the rafters tomorrow as they sit, stand, and rolling the aisles with the spit of pure animus in their mouths. They speak through the words of the named culprits. Utter blasphemy was unleashed on the Ugandan people, and we know who sits among the instigators. Shame on the entire religious right.

David C.
October 31st, 2009 | LINK

There has not recently been a more compelling argument for separation of church and state.

In the United States, freedom of religion includes freedom from religion. The Government of the US should only ever materially support regimes that are constituted to include religious freedom in this sense.

werdna
November 1st, 2009 | LINK

He’s not a “mainstream press reporter” but Dr. Throckmorton did ask Rick Warren about his relationship to Ssempa. Warren’s underwhelming response can be read here.

Elliot
November 1st, 2009 | LINK

Criminalizing homosexuality? Yes, that’s definitely a priority.

Not killing them? Wellll…we’ll get back to you on that one.

Gary Brewton
November 2nd, 2009 | LINK

Message to all the conservative Anglican churches and priests in the United States who wish to leave the Episcopal Church and submit to the authority of African prelates: welcome to your new neighborhood.

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