Box Turtle Bulletin

Internet Radio Appearance Tonight

Jim Burroway

May 8th, 2008

I will be a guest this evening on Peter Godbold’s “Strictly Confidential,” an LGBT internet radio talk show on the Head-On Radio Network. Sorry, I can’t help but be reminded of that “Head-On” pain relief commercial. Hopefully this will be much more entertaining. I expect to be on the air (or whatever the internet streaming equivalent is) at about 9:30 EDT / 6:30 PDT. See you there.

A Shameless Plug

Jim Burroway

April 24th, 2008

A slightly edited version of my article on ONE Magazine’s 1958 Supreme Court victory has been published in the March-April 2008 Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide. I’m excited for a couple of reasons. I’m proud of having raised awareness of the very first pro-gay Supreme Court ruling in history. And I’m a huge fan of the Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide because of the intelligence and depth of coverage of the important issues facing us. Since I let my Advocate subscription lapse, this is the only remaining LGBT print subscription I have. Believe me, the G&LRW is no Advocate; there are no fluff celebrity profiles here.

Okay, I stand corrected. Noël Coward is on the cover — but you the picture.

Blog Invasions

Jim Burroway

April 2nd, 2008

This is something we’ve never encountered before.

We try to maintain a certain amount of decorum on this web site while welcoming diverging points of view. We have a few regulars here who rarely agree with what we post, but I can say that I value their inputs. One commenter, the various incarnations of “qou,” is particularly adept at posting some very challenging and informative comments, and I always look forward to seeing input like his.

However, something has been occurring in comments lately which, frankly, is not particularly encouraging. And that is this: it appears we’ve been invaded.

The invaders appear to all come from one group blog that I had never seen before. If the number of comments on that blog are any indication (and the number of comments often aren’t), then it appears that perhaps that blog doesn’t have many readers. And if the commenters themselves are any indication (and in this, I think they are) they are limited largely to other authors of that group blog.

Now, look at the number of posts they’ve put up. Since last Wednesday, those eleven authors have put up eighteen posts. Not bad. But in that same period, four of those authors have dominated the comments on this humble web site, posting eighty individual comments on these two threads alone. Out of 246 comments as of this writing, they account for nearly a third of all comments.

I appreciate their passion. I really do. And I also appreciate a few of the issues they’ve raised. But as I have watched the sheer volume of these comments scroll past my desktop, it has become apparent to me that they’ve decided not to merely discuss, but to so thoroughly dominate a thread with an overwhelming number of posts as to effectively shout it down.

One beleaguered commenter said, “Rather than continuing this futility, I am going to go back to lurking for the time being.” That’s a shame, and it’s the last thing we want here. But if we allow this behavior to continue, others will follow that commenter’s lead and the argument will appear to have been “won” by silence. It appears to me that this is the intent of the members of this group blog.

In the midst of their eighty comments on this blog, that group has managed to log exactly one post on their blog that’s directly related to the posts by Dr. Chapman and Mr. Stanton. And you know what? It’s really not a bad post, although of course I don’t agree with it. I won’t be commenting there, but maybe some of you might look it over and share your thoughts. I would however ask that you show much more respect there than they did here. Be respectful, and don’t do unto them what they have done unto you.

Really, if someone is going to leave eighty individual comments on two threads of this blog, perhaps they should spend more of their time and energy on their own blog. To help encourage them to do that, I have made an update to our comments policy. I am also banning them from commenting on this web site for the time being. This applies to all members of that group blog.

More Ways To Stay In Touch

Jim Burroway

March 29th, 2008

We’re constantly on the lookout for ways to enhance your experience at Box Turtle Bulletin. You can see all of our posts through your RSS favorite newsreader, and we’ve enhanced the delivery of our RSS feed by switching to Feedburner. For those of you who already subscribe, don’t worry. The switch was automatic and you shouldn’t have to do a thing. We’ve also added an additional RSS feed to allow you to keep up with comments.

Also, in case you haven’t noticed, you can sign up for a daily delivery of Box Turtle Bulletin to your email’s inbox. Just submit your email address in the appropriate form on the sidebar below the search box. Rest assured, your email address is safe with us. We will never rent, share, sell, or in any way disclose anyone’s email address.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please share them with us. Thank you.

About Comments

Jim Burroway

March 7th, 2008

One of our favorite supporters asked for it, so here it is: You can now keep up with comments in your RSS reader with our genuine, certified RSS Feed for comments. This joins the regular RSS Feed for all of BTB’s posts. And of course, you can always follow the comments for a particular post via each post’s Comments RSS 2.0 link.

And speaking of comments, we’ve recently updated our Comments Policy. The previously nebulous ban on name-calling has been replaced with more precise definitions and examples of derogatory terms which will not be tolerated. These changes are in response to a few recent comments which drew warnings of banning or moderation. Fortunately, no actions were taken, but it did leave me to conclude that perhaps not everyone knows what is considered derogatory. Hence the changes. Your comments, suggestions and criticisms are welcome.

An Inspiration’s Swan Song

Jim Burroway

February 15th, 2008

Mike Airhart founded Ex-Gay Watch in 2002, and I became an avid reader and commenter somewhere around 2003 or 2004. I always admired his concise and compact style, particularly his ability to condense a complicated set of ideas into their fundamental essence. While I only wish I could write as directly and compactly as he does (do I hear a volunteer to be my editor?), I am grateful for his contributions to the debate. I also have to confess that Ex-Gay Watch was one key inspiration for my decision to found Box Turtle Bulletin. In many ways, Ex-Gay Watch and Mike Airhart are this humble site’s blog-daddy.

Today, Mike Airhart has announced that he is leaving Ex-Gay Watch, which will continue in the very capable hands of David Roberts and a team of writers as Mike pursues “a more activist approach” to the problems which lay before us. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike at the Ex-Gay Survivor’s Conference last summer, and I look forward to seeing where his future takes him.

Actor Heath Ledger Is Dead

Jim Burroway

January 22nd, 2008

Actor Heath Ledger, Oscar-nominated actor of the groundbreaking film Brokeback Mountain, was found dead in a Lower Manhattan apartment. He was 28.

Ledger is survived by a young daughter, Matilda, with actress Michelle Williams, who played his wife in Brokeback Mountain.

Early reports indicate a possible drug overdose or suicide, although those reports have not been confirmed. He was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m.

Heath Ledger talked about why he chose to take the role of Ennis Del Mar, saying that he did it for his gay uncle, Australian tough guy Neil Bell:

Ledger said his uncle’s difficult early life and tough personal experiences helped him forge what is being acclaimed as one of the strongest and most emotionally powerful performances in recent cinema history.

…

“I had a dear friend of mine, who’s my uncle,” explained Ledger. “He’s a big guy. He goes to bare-knuckle fighting out in the Nevada desert, and he’s gay.”

As a young man, Bell was told to leave home by his father because of his sexuality and, many years later, he told Ledger of some of the painful events in his life.

Problems With Comments?

Jim Burroway

September 3rd, 2007

Web sites like this one get a constant stream of “comment spam” — bogus, computer generated comments with links to porn sites, Viagara vendors, penile enhancement scams, and questionable stock tips. This web site runs an anti-spam module which does a pretty good job of filtering out dozens of bogus comments each day.

Unfortunately, legitimate comments sometimes gets caught in the dragnet from time to time. I found three such comments in the past two days alone. When I find them I release them as soon as possible, but I don’t always catch them. If your comment doesn’t appear right away, please e-mail me and I’ll try to get to it as soon as possible.

Interview On Sirius OutQ With Michelangelo Signorile

Jim Burroway

August 8th, 2007

I will appear on the Michelangelo Signorile Show today at about 4:30 EDT (1:30 PDT) on Sirius OutQ 109 to talk about Exodus’s recent moves in the political arena. We’ll be talking about my post “Exodus Sharpens Its Political Presence” and Timothy Kincaid’s follow-up, “Is Exodus a Lobbyist Group?”

I Get Email…

Jim Burroway

July 27th, 2007

Date: July 5, 2007
Subject: Love Won Out

Mr. Burroway,
I am anticipating ‘Part 5′ of your series after having read the first four. Will it be released any time soon?

That’s much better than the emails I usually get. Not a single clobber passage anywhere.

Yes, I’m terribly delinquent. I responded to that message by saying Part 5 was in the works and should be ready the following week. That was four weeks ago. But I promise Part 5 will be arriving sometime next week. Probably not Monday. Maybe Tuesday. It better be by Thursday or I’ll be deeply embarrassed.

But if you want a small preview of what will be in Part 5, you can mosey on over to Peterson Toscano’s blog. He already stole a little bit of my thunder with the quote he selected from Alan Chambers. (Actually, he didn’t exactly steal it; I sort of lent it to him.) And he bounces that quote against his own experience in trying to change in Part 2 of his three part series, “Change Was NOT Possible.” And unlike this humble scribe, he actually appears to be completing his series.

Tammy Faye, March 7, 1942 — July 20, 2007

Jim Burroway

July 22nd, 2007

Tammy Faye Messner passed away peacefully Friday after an eleven year battle with colon cancer. A private family service was held Saturday in a private cemetery, where her ashes were interred. He death was announced Saturday evening.

Rest in peace.

Here is her final interview:

 

LARRY KING: We have an e-mail question from Jimmy, Sherman Oaks, California: “Unlike many of your Christian contemporaries, you have been a very positive influence in the gay community. Why do you think you found it in your heart to love and accept us?”

TAMMY FAYE MESSNER: Well, you know when I went — we lost everything — it was the gay people that came to my rescue and I will always love them for that.

Holsinger Confirmation Hearing Is Scheduled

Jim Burroway

July 3rd, 2007

I’ve learned through Bible Belt Blogger (the pre-eminent source for all things Holsinger) that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has scheduled a hearing for Dr. James Holsinger’s Surgeon General nomination for Thursday, July 12 at 10 a.m. (EDT) in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

I’m sure part of the hearing will delve into Holsinger’s 1991 white paper “Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality.” Perhaps some of the points in my analysis of that paper might be useful to members of the Senate committee. This might be a good time for you to make sure your Senator knows what kind of “scientist” is being considered for the job.

Interview on Sirius OutQ

Jim Burroway

June 18th, 2007

I will appear on the Michelangelo Signorile Show at about 3:30 EDT (12:30 PDT) on Sirius OutQ 109 to talk about my analysis of Dr. James Holsinger’s 1991 paper, “Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality.”

Update: What a blast! You can find my analysis of Surgeon General nominee Dr. James Holsinger’s paper here.

I said several times during the interview that he could not have written what he wrote by accident or in error. If you want to know how I know this, it’s simple. Last fall, I wrote an “anti-straight” tract using the same methods he and others use in writing their anti-gay papers. You can read about all the nasty thing those heterosexuals do in The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing the Myths.

Interview on “Democracy Now!”

Jim Burroway

June 15th, 2007

As I write this, I’m waiting to go on the air for an interview on Democracy Now! They’ve asked to have me on to talk about Dr. James Holsinger’s report. The show is live, but it’s often carried on radio stations throughout the country on tape delay. Check your local listings for more details.

Update: It’s done. My part was very brief. Never having done this sort of thing before, I learned a valuable lesson. Once you’ve been given a chance to speak, don’t stop.

Update: Democracy Now! has posted a rush transcript along with a link to the audio and video.

Comments

Jim Burroway

June 2nd, 2007

You may notice that comments appear differently on this web site now. You may also notice that some of the older comments are missing. That will be temporary. I’m in the process of transitioning all the comments from Haloscan to Wordpress. I have re-loaded all of the comments that have been left here since May 1 so far. Since there are nearly 600 comments altogether, this will take a while. But the effort will be worth it since the new system will allow greater flexibility for new features in the future.

Jerry Falwell is Dead

Timothy Kincaid

May 15th, 2007

Jerry Falwell, the founder of the Moral Majority and the face of the Religious Right during the 80’s, is dead at 73.

Falwell was known for his opposition to gay rights and his harsh language towards gay people.  After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, he blamed the attack on “the pagans, the abortionists, and the feminists and the gays and lesbians”.

However in his later years he did mellow some and in August 2005 he made some statements that seemed to endorse some limited protections for gay and lesbian citizens.  Falwell stated that equal access to housing and employment are basic rights, not special rights and said that he supported civil rights for gay people.

“I may not agree with the lifestyle,” Falwell said. “But that has nothing to do with the civil rights of that… part of our constituency.

“Civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or conservative value,” Falwell went on to say. “It’s an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on.”

We send our best wishes to the family and loved ones of Jerry Falwell and hope that they find peace during this time of grief.

Thinking Bloggers

Jim Burroway

April 11th, 2007

A couple of weeks ago, Terrance Heath tagged me and four others with the Thinking Blogger Award. The first response on my part, of course, should have been to thank him. If I had to come up with a short list of five thinking bloggers, he would definitely be on the list, without question. I wouldn’t have to think twice about it. And so I am very honored and flattered that he thought of me.

But the second response I should have made was to respectfully, but gratefully, decline. You see, the TBA really isn’t an award so much as a meme that’s called an award. And while it’s very generous — and altogether proper — for people to recognize others who make them think on a regular basis, memes have a way of circulating around the internet until they hit just about everybody. And while this meme may be dressed up like an award — you even get a little award badge to put on your blog — it’s still a meme. And because of that, eventually all it means is that you’ve managed to get yourself entangled in a web we call the Internet.

That same meme that circulated around the internet and tagged Terrance and me also found its way eventually to Exodus Vice-President Randy Thomas. He unthinkingly passed on an internet rumor whose original source was the discredited Paul Cameron, then half-heartedly retracted that post while continuing to justify it. (”I have to chuckle,” he says.)

And — get this — the meme, err, award also made its way around to Stacy Harp. Stacy thought enough to try to round up support for Stephen Bennet’s latest commercial venture, a parent’s support group for those “struggling with homosexuality” (for only $15/mo or $200/year). She also links homosexuality with pedophilia.

Being named by someone I admire is very flattering, and I really do appreciate it. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not ungrateful in the least. In fact, I’m very flattered, coming from Terrance and all. But if it’s alright with you, I’ll respectfully decline the invitation to join that august company.

Thank You for Your Responses

Jim Burroway

March 5th, 2007

I’d like to thank everyone for your comments on my four questions I was quite surprised and gratified at how many of you took the time to answer the questions thoughtfully and honestly.

I posed those questions because the terms that I quoted were used quite heavily at Love Won Out. I knew how those terms were understood by those who attended that conference, but I wanted to get a sense of whether those same terms are understood the same way generally. The answers you provided seem to come from a pretty wide range of perspectives and backgrounds, but for the most part, they generally agree — although “homosexual” as a noun carries an awful lot of baggage on both sides for different reasons.

The thing I was trying to assess was whether the phrases they used, many of which are quite euphamistic, were deceptive or not. For the most part, they’re not — at least according to your responses. Whether these terms are complete or whether they reveal more than they conceal is another matter and subject to debate. But by themselves, and in the very limited context in which I presented them, it appears that your interpretations broadly match those of the participants at Love Won Out. But it’s the nuances — especially those surrounding the first one, “homosexual” that are key.

I’ll talk more about that in another post in a day or two. But you’ve helped give me some direction on where to go on it, and for that, many thanks.

And if you haven’t had a chance to comment or if you have more to say about it, please feel free do so.

Update: Something else I should add. The word “change”, for the most part, was understood more or less the same way by commenters here and many of those who attended Love Won Out — but with a twist that most non-Evangelicals miss. Surprised? I was too. I’ll have more on that next week.

Update and Clarification: I think I see a point of confusion in some of the comments. The confusion is my fault. I’m really only talking about how these terms were used at Love Won Out, and whether the terms conveyed by the speaker 1) match how that audience interpreted the term and 2) match how we would interpret the terms. I’m not talking about how they are used by Exodus or Focus on the Family elsewhere. Nor am I talking about how any other ex-gay groups use these terms.

2006 Weblog Awards

Jim Burroway

December 15th, 2006

Voting for the 2006 Weblogs award is winding down. Today is the last day. I want to offer my congratulations to all the nominated websites, and I especially want to congratulate the irrepressible Pam Spaulding for her commanding lead for Best LGBT Blog.

This humble site is also one of the nominees. Not a bad showing for a blog in its first year still trying to find its legs. Thanks to those of you who have voted so far. If you haven’t voted yet (and even if you have, you can vote again once every twenty-four hours), you can still vote until midnight tonight.

The 2006 Weblog Awards

Jim Burroway

December 9th, 2006

If you’re new to this site, please have a look around. According to site visitor statistics, the three most popular destinations are:

• The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing the Myths, a parody modeled after popular anti-gay tracts.
• What The “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples, where I examine one of the anti-gay activists’ most popular and effective statistics.
• Testing the Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children? where I look into what the research really says about the supposed link between homosexuality and child sexual abuse.

If you like what you see and think this work is worthwhile, I invite you to vote for this web site as Best LGBT Blog for 2006. Remember, you can vote once every twenty-four hours. I appreciate your support.