The Daily Agenda for Monday, May 20
Gay Man Shot To Death In NYC Hate Crime
The Daily Agenda for Sunday, May 19
French President Hollande Signs Marriage Bill
The Daily Agenda for Saturday, May 18
Fox News Ignores Marriage Equality Wins
The Era of Civil Unions Is Coming To An End
Orthodox Priests Lead Violent Attack On LGBT Rights Rally in Tbilisi, Georgia
Featured Reports
What Are Little Boys Made Of?
In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.
Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate
When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.
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
The 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.
News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric
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John
February 17th, 2011 | LINK
When I was in the service I didn’t trust the chaplains and there wasn’t a chance in heck I would have told them I was gay – this goes especially for the “Evangelical” ones. Those SOBs were nothing more than the “eyes and ears” of the CO and considered it their duty before God to turn in gays. I’m really glad that DADT is going away so no one else in the service has to go through that crap or even worse. It’s not right when you have to view the chaplains and even NIS (pre-NCIS) as the “enemy” because you are forced into that position by them.
Rob San Diego
February 17th, 2011 | LINK
Should we really be surprised? I mean their whole argument being that they couldn’t comfort a gay soldier before battle and death because just before battle they would tell soldiers just how evil homosexuals are. Wait a minute, aren’t Chaplains Catholic? So aren’t most of them gay anyways?
jafuf
February 18th, 2011 | LINK
Rightn on (as we used to say), Mr. San Diego!
Richard Lewis
February 18th, 2011 | LINK
I am a VietNam era Vet – 4 years in the USCG. My best friend is a Sgt.USArmy about to retire. We are both hetero. He tells me of the “problems” of implementing this new law. And I asked him, “Instead of ‘Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell’ just ask yourself “Who gives a shit?” It only makes a difference to Homophobes and We’re much better of people than Homophobes. He agreed, but admitted he HAD to “sound” that way to hold a strong position and keep a race of rank proceeding (until retirement). There you go. We had some of the greatest guys with me in the Coast Guard. NEVER did I not include them in anything or any job I was told. They were my friends. And I was their friend. We didn’t give a damn. I am hopeful this DADT crap just dissipates over time and molds into the 21st Century without a hitch. I’m hoping we don’t worry or think or fear what others do beyond me. As a VietNam era vet – 50,000 + killed in action? And they imagine Non of them were gay? That’s just crazy talk.
Reed B
February 18th, 2011 | LINK
San Diego -
Chaplains come from all faiths, and there are Jewish and Wiccan chaplains, as well as the many varieties of Christians. And, clearly, from Col. Birch’s account, even “evangelicals” take the concept of “confessional information” seriously.
The specious fuss over implementation of DADT by “chaplains” came from a group of retired chaplains and senior officers whose actual influence on the DADT appeal process was approximately zilch. Zero. Zip. Nada. “Sound and fury, signifying . . . bupkiss.”
Regan DuCasse
February 18th, 2011 | LINK
Amazing, that a contract of privacy between a soldier and their spiritual advisor is breached if that soldier reveals they are gay.
That this is considered something worthy of breaking, more than revealing a soldier is an adulterer, a murderer, a thief, just shows the conflicting perception on who are the most harmful people and who is doing harm.
Privilege is invoked for all the OTHER so called sins, except homosexuality.
That’s so disgusting and patently dangerous it can take one’s breath away how the military can function at all with such BS influencing what happens to soldiers and who they can confide in.
mikenola
February 18th, 2011 | LINK
As a Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer who is gay I am greatly relieved that the DADT era is ending.
I am writing this because some of you seem to have a misconception about the role and requirements of Military Chaplains as it applies to “confession” of sins.
The Chaplain services are required by military law a.k.a. the UCMJ, to report any “confessed” breaking of the law, military or civilian, to the appropriate military authority.
This caveat is built into their standing orders and is part of their agreement to be able to “minister” to members of the military.
That said, like anywhere else or any other group, some will not completely obey that agreement in certain matters. That unequal behavior/decision making is part of the problem with a “free” society concept. (I am not saying we should not be a free society, just pointing it out.) Some of these chaplains have steadfastly refused to report gay military members, others refuse to report adulterers or child rapists or thieves. The free society thing is a blade that swings both ways.
As another poster pointed out, most of the most vocal opponents of DADT repeal came from retired personnel and otherwise discharged/discredited individuals who demand as a right, the ability to be bigots.
What the LGBT community has failed to do in this aspect, and other areas of hate legislation from the fundies, is focus on getting out the message that YOUR RELIGION IS A CHOICE YOU MAKE!
Great that you chose one, but YOURS cannot be used as a sledge hammer against ME! Your “choice” does not give you the RIGHT to make me a second class citizen.
Take note next time one you hear one of the rabid anti-gay religious types speak. You will NEVER hear them say their religion is a choice, they will say they choose to obey their gods law (as interpreted through bigotry).
They want you to assume (and agree) that not following THEIR god is the choice, not that religion is a choice.
RELIGION IS A CHOICE and YOUR choice of religion cannot be allowed to run MY LIFE!
FSM preserve us!
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