Box Turtle Bulletin

NC Gay Couple’s Home Destroyed By Arsonist

Gay couple's home was destroyed by arson in Clayton, N.C.

Fire investigators in Clayton, N.C. are investigating a fire that was set last Saturday that destroyed the home of a gay couple who had been victims of anti-gay harassment for more than a year. The couple were out of town when the fire was set, and was reported by a neighbor.

A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of backlash against her, said there have been at least three separate incidents of anti-gay harassment at the home. A note with derogatory language was left in the mailbox, an anti-gay slur was written on the house with marker, and the tires of a car parked in the garage were slashed, the neighbor said.

…”I felt sick to my stomach. I felt so sorry for the two gentlemen. They lost everything,” the couple’s friend and neighbor said. “We do believe that this is a hate crime.”

The Red Cross is supplying the couple with food, clothes and contacts for insurance. Clayton is located about 15 miles southeast of Raleigh.

On Vacation

Hey box turtles, I am on vacation (soaking up the sun in the Caribbean) and will not be commenting here until I return. I’ll be back on the sixteenth and I’m sure I’ll be glad to join the conversation again at that time.

The brilliant Zach Wahls

You’ve probably seen this before, but if not, Zach Wahls gives testimony to the Iowa House on being raised by two mothers.

Scott Lively endorses anti-gay violence in Uganda

It is not by coincidence that the three organizations with which anti-gay activist Scott Lively is associated are all deemed by the Southern Poverty Law Center to be Hate Groups. Lively has earned that well-deserved designation. And his latest commentary is not an exception. (RyanSorba)

Having accused gays of orchestrating Hitler’s Nazi regime and being responsible for genocide in Rwanda, it certainly isn’t beyond him to take the opportunity of David Kato’s horrific murder to declare that it is “lavender Marxists” that are murdering Uganda.

Uganda is being murdered. The nation once called “The Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill, a lush and beautiful country as fertile as the Nile Delta.

It is the nation that retained its self-rule through centuries of African colonialism, the society that survived even the atrocities of the cannibal cultist Idi Amin, the culture that has been thriving in Christian revival for over a dozen years.

This great and honorable nation, alone in Africa to have all but conquered the scourge of AIDS through abstinence – and whose First Lady led a holy gathering of thousands of believers on the eve of the millennium, dedicating her homeland “to Jesus Christ for a thousand years” – this Uganda, a shining light in the Dark Continent, is being murdered.

But while this nonsensical rhetoric is troubling, even more so is Lively’s endorsement of anti-gay violence in Uganda:

It is as if the militant ranks of “Code Pink” were transported back to 1890s America to agitate for “sexual freedom.” Our great grandparents would not have countenanced this. There would have been violence, as there has now been in Uganda. [emphasis added]

Lively claims that it is the gays themselves, “agents provocateur”, who deliberately goad naive innocents to murder them so as to “poison the gullible against the Ugandans.” It’s all a George Soros sponsored plot.

So violence is justified. Murder is justified. Pogroms are justified. Such things aren’t evil, just “reactions” to the murderous gays.

There is indeed evil in Uganda today, but it is not the reaction of Christian and Moslem citizens to the rape of their culture. It is the pink-gloved hand of western powers that are cutting the throat of Africa’s most God-fearing country, and one of the world’s most promising Christian democracies.

“If Everyone in the World Were Homosexual…”

Just a pet peeve of mine:

If everyone in the world were homosexual, the human race would die out.

This is tiresome.  Unfortunately, most people on our side focus on the implausibility of the sentence’s first part:  “It’s not going to happen so don’t worry about it.”

That’s tempting, of course.  I’ve got trouble with that approach, though.

First, many of our opponents don’t view this hypothetical as implausible.  They think the homosexual agenda is to recruit straights and turn the whole world gay.  But to harbor a fear like that, they have to believe that such a thing is possible.  That makes me wonder how secure they are in their own sexuality.

But…

I don’t think  that line of reasoning gets us anywhere.  It’s too subtle for someone with full-on homosexual panic to follow.  It also sounds a bit like the tired and unconvincing argument that everyone who opposes homosexuality is a secret homosexual.

Some of them are, of course, but I bet a lot more oppose us precisely because they’re not closet gays.  It’s morally lazy and morally satisfying to oppose things you’re not tempted to do.

I mean, it’s easy to picture some dude reclining like a sloth in the La-Z-Boy chair he’s so proud of, stuffing his greedy face with chips and beer, lusting for his neighbor’s wife, so consumed with envy that he’s full of wrath at her husband.  But he feels virtuous anyway because, hey, he’s disgusted by the fairy across the street.

The other problem with pointing out the implausibility of their panicked scenario:  It doesn’t dispute their implicit condemnation, which, if you spell it out, goes like this:

If everyone in the world were homosexual, the human race would die out, therefore homosexuality is bad.

I’ve got a solution for that.  It’s quick and easy, and will probably confuse the hell out them — in a good way.  Just answer with something like this:

If everyone in the world skipped having kids and devoted their lives to the poor like Mother Theresa, the human race would die out.  Does that make Mother Theresa bad?

or…

If everyone in the world spent their days trying to cure cancer, no one would be growing food and the human race would die out.  Does that mean trying to cure cancer is bad?

I doubt this will convince the person you’re talking to, but in conversations like this, your best bet for impact will be on the other people listening.  And they’ll probably get a kick out of your opponent rebutting you with, “What?  What? No, that’s not the same — no, um, what?”

David Kato Murdered Again

As Timothy reported yesterday, Ugandan police have arrested a “suspect” in the murder of LGBT activist David Kato. Even though they had yet to interrogate him, police are certain that they already know the suspect’s motives and certain defense in court:

“We have taken him to Mukono Magistrate’s Court to record an extrajudicial statement,” the source said. “He told us that he killed Kato after he failed to give him a car, a house and money he promised as rewards for having sex with him,” the source said.

Kato is alleged to have bailed the suspect out of Kawuga Prison on January 24, where he been remanded on charges of theft of a mobile phone. The suspect told police that he stayed with Kato for two days. He accused the deceased of having sex with him and promising to pay him during the period.

The suspect allegedly told the police he got tired of having sex with Kato but the latter would not have any of his excuses. “The suspect said he left the bedroom, went to a store and picked a hammer which he used to hit him [Kato] while he was still in bed,” the source said. The death of Kato was condemned by the international community as an attack on the gay community.

Anyone who has been watching events in Uganda over the past few years can easily spot the national anti-gay mythology in action: The chimera that gays have immense wealth, provided by foreigners, that they can use to coerce and recruit unsuspecting straight people into homosexuality. It’s a common propaganda that is regularly exploited by American anti-gay Evangelicals in their rallies and conferences in Uganda:

The ex-gay narrative fits neatly into the propaganda as well. According to the ex-gay narrative, homosexuality is nothing more than behaviors (criminal behaviors in Uganda, at that) which can be stopped as simply as deciding not to rob a bank on a given day. That, too, is a common message, that “homosexuality can be learned and unlearned,” despite all of the well-established scientific evidence to the contrary.

But facts be damned. When coupled with rampant corruption — Uganda was ranked at number 118 in transparency in 2010, worse than Zimbabwe, Belarus, Yemen and Kazakhstan — all of this propaganda makes for a very deadly brew.

And all of this doesn’t even begin to approach the question of whether the suspect actually had anything to do with Kato’s murder. Given Uganda’s abysmal corruption, the possibility that those arrested were just easy scapegoats cannot be taken too lightly. But for those arrested, whether they are guilty or easy targets, are low-risk arrests for them. The s0-called “gay panic defense” often makes conviction of open-and-shut cases of cold-blooded murder difficult here in the U.S. In Uganda, this defense not only guarantees freedom, but will confer upon the suspect hero status.

When we see the national mythology become the official police line, we can be assured that no actual investigation is taking place and that the stage has now been set to blame Kato for his own murder. Which means that it is business as usual in Uganda.

Judge does not drop charges in Palm Springs entrapment case

From the Desert Sun:

Judge David B. Downing said that, prior to the hearings, he had been inclined to dismiss the charges, but the testimony of two Palm Springs police officials — outgoing Chief David Dominguez and Sgt. Bryan Anderson — changed his mind.

Palm Springs police showed no discriminatory intent, Downing said.

I guess it was coincidence that they made no attempts to entrap sting heterosexuals.

Arrest made in Kato murder

Last week the police in Uganda were certain that the murder of gay activist David Kato was a robbery gone wrong and arrested his driver. Now they have a brand new explanation and a brand new suspect under arrest. (Reuters)

“The prime suspect, Nsubuga Enock, was arrested today at around 4pm when he went to visit his girlfriend,” police spokesman Vincent Ssetake told Reuters.

“He has confessed to the murder. It wasn’t a robbery and it wasn’t because Kato was an activist. It was a personal disagreement but I can’t say more than that.”

Frankly, I think the new story is about as believable as the last.

Uganda is a country run by a corrupt government which has a vested interest in downplaying the possibility that Kato, who has been targeted by anti-gay death threats, was murdered for his activism. It’s hard to take anything the police present as credible.

Kittleman (R – MD) endorses marriage bill

Last month, Maryland Senate Minority Leader Allan Kittleman announced plans to sponsor a bill that would legalize civil unions. He said that he thought that marriage should only be a religious institution for all couples, gay and straight, and that the state should just recognize civil unions for everyone.

Besides being impractical (no one is voting to deny heterosexuals marriage any time soon), this angered some other Senate Republicans who oppose civil unions. Kittleman stepped down from leadership, saying that this would allow him the freedom to support goals that do not have the backing of the Republican caucus.

And it now appears that marriage is one such goal. (WaPo)

Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard) formally announced his support Wednesday morning for legislation that would allow same-sex marriages in Maryland, saying he would vote for the bill “because of my firm belief in equal rights.”

With the announcement, Kittleman became the first — and will probably be the only — Senate Republican to back one of the most high-profile bills of the 90-day session. When the full chamber considers the bill in coming weeks, the vote is expected to be very close.

Kittleman sees this as an extension of the legacy of his father, a state senator who was a civil rights activist and president of the local NAACP chapter.

He also demonstrates that some people are capable of distinguishing between their personal faith and beliefs and the rights of citizens.

I know that some may contend that since the Bible teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman, Maryland should continue to prohibit same sex marriage. First, let me state that I am a strong follower of Jesus Christ. I worked in youth ministries for many years. However, while my faith may teach that marriage is between a man and a woman, our government is not a theocracy. As the state senator from District 9, I represent everyone in my district, regardless of their faith. Therefore, while my spiritual life is extremely important to me, it cannot be the sole basis for my decisions as a state senator.

Although Democrats have a greater than two-thirds majority, the vote is expected to be close and Kittleman’s support is much welcomed.

Iowa house passes anti-marriage constitutional amendment

From OneIowa

The Iowa House today, by a vote of 62-37, passed an amendment (House Joint Resolution 6) that would deny any form of legal recognition for gay couples. The amendment seeks to prohibit not only the freedom to marry for gay couples, but also civil unions or domestic partnerships.

The bill now moves on to the Iowa Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to fight attempts to pass the amendment. If passed through both legislative bodies in two consecutive General Assemblies, the issue could be on the ballot as soon as 2013.

As the Democrats hold a majority in the Senate and have already demonstrated their support for Gronstal on the issue, barring some bizarre turn of events, this amendment will not pass the Senate.

Bush twin endorses marriage equality

Barbara Bush, one of George W. Bush’s daughters, has recorded an endorsement for marriage equality. (NYTimes)

Ms. Bush, 29, has taped a video calling on New York to legalize gay marriage. A bill to do that was defeated in the state in 2009. She describes the issue as a matter of conscience and equality.

“I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality,” she says in the brief message, sponsored by an advocacy group. “New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love.”

The video ends with Ms Bush, who lives in Manhattan, imploring the state’s residents to “join us.”

Barbara joins her mother, Laura Bush, and Cindy and Meghan McCain in taking a public stance in favor of marriage equality. This visibility is of tremendous importance as it gives elected Republicans, especially women or younger representatives, visible examples of “good Republicans” who support equality and helps break down partisan presumption on the issue. In New York, we very much need the vote of some Republicans in the Senate.

UPDATE: Here’s the video

Civil unions bill signed in Illinois

Governor Pat Quinn has now signed Illinois’ civil unions bill into law:

Moments ago Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law the Illinois Religious Freedom and Protection and Civil Union Act at a signing ceremony in downtown Chicago. His signature represents a long-fought victory toward fairness for thousands of gay and lesbian couples in Illinois.

The law becomes effective on June 1st.

Welcome out, Graeme Obree

Graeme Obree is a bicyclist with an impressive record (bikeradar.com)

Both Obree’s private life and his achievements on the bike have combined to make him one of cycling’s most enigmatic figures. The Scotsman claimed the World individual pursuit title in 1993 and 1995 but is best known for his innovative and pioneering attempts at the World hour record.

He claimed the hour record twice, in 1993 and 1994. The first successful, in Norway, saw him best a nine-year-old record held by Italian Francesco Moser using a hand-made bike constructed from spare parts dubbed ‘Old Faithful’. That record lasted only a week as Englishman Chris Boardman improved on Obree’s effort in Bordeaux, France during a rest day of that year’s Tour de France.

Obree reclaimed the record in April, 1994 on the same track used by his English rival after making adaptations to ‘Old Faithful’. That record was improved upon by Spaniard Miguel Indurain five months later.

But Obree’s accomplishments did not bring satisfaction. Because Obree had as issue nagging at him, one which he desperately sought to hide from himself. It led him to two suicide attempts before seeking professional help. (PinkNews)

“I was brought up thinking you’d be better dead than gay,” he said. “I must have known I was gay and it was so unacceptable.

“I was brought up by a war generation – they grew up when gay people were put in jail. Being homosexual was so unthinkable that you just wouldn’t be gay. I’d no inkling about anything, I just closed down.

“People say, ‘How can you be gay and be married and have kids and not know it?’

“But when I went to my psychologist she reckoned I had the emotional age of about 13 because I’d just closed down.”

But now the hiding is over. Obree came out to his ex-wife and children several years ago – and more importantly, to himself. Today he made his orientation public in a Scottish newspaper.

Action Alert from Sexual Minorities Uganda

Frank Mugisha of Sexual Minorities Uganda sent out this action alert, offering practical advice of actions you can take in the wake of David Kato’s murder. I think one of the most salient pieces of advice he can give is this: In whatever you do, please, please not spread misinformation. “A highly political and delicate investigation is underway in a dangerous environment in Uganda,” he writes, “and therefore misinformation could be seriously damaging.”

Several resources are available to help you avoid inadvertently spreading disinformation. Val Kalende has an excellent update on the events and background surrounding David Kato’s murder. (Val was bravely featured in this Ugandan newspaper article here.) You can also review our own coverage of events in Uganda from 2009 through the Spring of 2010.  For more recent events, you can follow our tags for Uganda and David Kato. Warren Throckmorton also has excellent coverage under his Uganda category.

ACTION ALERT
HOW GLOBAL ALLIES SHOULD RESPOND TO THE MURDER OF DAVID KATO
29 JANUARY 2011

Our dear friend and colleague, David Kato, was brutally murdered on Wednesday, the 26th of January 2011. David was the advocacy officer of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and a longtime leading activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights.

The condolences and offers of support from the global community have been tremendous. On behalf of David’s family, colleagues and friends, we thank all of you.

We fully understand that many of you are full of sadness and anger and would like to take action on David’s behalf. However, we believe that first and foremost Ugandan civil society must be respected in leading and coordinating events and actions over the coming weeks and months. We also believe that it is crucial that we as Ugandans are able to document the national and international response to David’s brutal murder, which requires your regular communication with us.

WHAT ACTION TO TAKE

• Send letters urging the Government of Uganda (contact information below) to take the following steps:
  • Publicly condemn David’s murder;
  • Carry out a full and fair investigation into David’s murder;
  • Prosecute the perpetrator(s) to the fullest extent of the law;
  • Investigate David’s hacked email account in the days preceding his death;
  • Assume that, until proven otherwise, David’s death was motivated by homophobia and not routine or arbitrary violence;
  • Communicate frequently with LGBT leaders throughout the investigation into David’s murder;
  • Ensure that members of Uganda’s LGBT community have adequate protection from violence;
  • Take prompt action against all threats or hate speech likely to incite violence, discrimination or hostility toward LGBT Ugandans;
  • Eliminate any possibility of consideration or passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
• Contact your own governmental authorities and urge them to communicate these concerns to the Ugandan authorities in direct and private advocacy.
• Continue to expose and denounce U.S conservative evangelicals spreading homophobia in Uganda
• Organize respectful and non-violent vigils at the Ugandan embassy or consulate in your country.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION:

• Inform SMUG of all action you take around David’s murder, so that we can monitor all developments. Send copies of your press releases, statements, audio/video recordings of vigils, pictures, and action plans on this subject to SMUG email: justicefordavidkato@gmail.com
• Ensure that you do not spread misinformation. A highly political and delicate investigation is underway in a dangerous environment in Uganda, and therefore misinformation could be seriously damaging.

We call for respectful responses towards David Kato’s murder and NOT to use this tragic incident for fund raising campaigns. We thank and encourage everyone who has supported SMUG’s work to continue with us in the fight for LGBT rights.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE UGANDAN GOVERNMENT:

President of The Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Museveni
Parliament Building
PO Box 7168
Kampala, Uganda
Email: info@govexecutive.net
Fax: + 256 414 346 102
Salutation: Your Excellency

Inspector General of Police Major Kale Kayihura
Police Headquarters
PO Box 7055
Kampala, Uganda
Fax: + 256 414 255 630
Salutation: Dear Major

Minister of Justice Hon. Makubuya Kiddu
Parliament Building
PO Box 7183
Kampala, Uganda
Email: info@justice.go.ug
Fax: + 256 414 234 453
Salutation: Dear Minister

SMUG Contacts:

Frank Mugisha: fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org

Val Kalende: mailto:fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org

Pepe Julian: mailto:fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org

In solidarity together as one

Frank Mugisha
Executive Director
SMUG

Highlights from One Colorado’s civil union campaign kick off

Things have been ramping up for a while now but yesterday was the official kick off press conference.  Here are some highlights I shot and edited:

If you want to see footage of the full event click here.  Of all our local publications, Gayzette has really done the best job of covering civil unions.  Here’s their post of yesterdays event.