Compiled and with commentary by Dennis McMillan
Fort Wayne, IN – Delegates to Indiana GOP Party Convention Overwhelmingly Approve Platform Opposing Same-sex Marriage – 6.7
The Indiana GOP voted at its state convention to declare marriages between a man and a woman the basis of strong families and the foundation of society, which some delegates found divisive.
The language officially adopted by the party emphasizes strong families are founded on marriages between a man and a woman. It also recognizes the value of diversity in family structures. It reads: “We believe that strong families, based on marriage between a man and a woman, are the foundation of society. We also recognize that some families are much more diverse, and we support the blended families, grandparents, guardians and loving adults who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full potential every day.”
Those opposing the GOP’s decision to include the statement about marriage in its platform held up signs that read “GOP = Grow Our Party!” indicating they did not want a platform that excluded same-sex couples. Many who supported the original platform language wore stickers that read, “Pro Pence, Pro Marriage,” referring to Republican Gov. Mike Pence, who has supported a national ban on same-sex marriage.
But some delegates wanted to amend the platform and instead replace it with a statement indicating the importance of “strong families” but would not qualify marriage as “between a man and a woman.” Delegate Tom John of Marion County proposed such an amendment to the platform during the convention.
“This amendment is not about whether we support gay marriage or we don’t support gay marriage,” John said. “There are a diversity of widely held, very personal opinions in this room, all of which are valid. What this is about, is party unity.”
His amendment was easily defeated in a floor vote, and the platform was adopted. Same-sex parents are apparently excluded in GOP diversity.
Source: indianapublicmedia.org
Washington, D.C. – US Armed Forces Color Guard to March in Gay Pride Parade in D.C. – 6.5
Shortly after Dykes on Bikes rumble across the starting line of the Capital Pride parade in Dupont Circle on Saturday, an expected 150,000 spectators will witness something never before seen on an American city street—a US Armed Forces color guard marching alongside rainbow flags in a gay pride parade.
The Department of Defense has authorized what military gay rights groups and organizers of the Capital Pride parade say is a first nationwide—a color guard that will present the red, white and blue as well as flags of each branch of the military.
The eight-member team is scheduled to help lead off the one and a half mile parade, immediately preceding the Capital Pride lead banner and Grand Marshal Chris Kluwe, a former National Football League punter and the author of the book Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies.
While no policy has precluded a US Armed Forces color guard from participating in gay rights events since the 2011 repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, gay rights organizations from D.C. to Hawaii say they have routinely faced rejection from local military offices, saying the color guards were otherwise occupied on the days of pride parades.
In D.C., the color guard will be provided by the US Army Military District of Washington, which presents colors for the president, members of Congress and countless official state functions. Bernie Delia, president of the Capital Pride board of directors, said he was thrilled to have the color guard participate; but members of OutServe and other groups warned Capital Pride officials that they might receive a rejection letter. “We knew we might get turned down, but we asked and they said yes,” Delia said. “I think that’s very significant.”
Yes, and it’s an act that the GOP (Grand Obstructionist Party) can’t prohibit!
Source: washingtonpost.com
Los Angeles, CA – UC President Janet Napolitano to Appoint Advisory Group on LGBTQ Issues – 6.9
Janet Napolitano, the current president of the University of California university system, announced that she will appoint a President’s Advisory Group on LGBTQ issues to advise her on how best to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for queer students, faculty and staff across the UC system.
A press release was issued through UCLA that stated:
“The UC Task Force and Implementation Team on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Climate & Inclusion, a system-wide task force that has been meeting for two years and has just concluded its work, presented its recommendations to Napolitano. The task force made eight recommendations, ranging from collecting data to increasing cultural competency training, along with its call for a permanent, system-wide group to advise the president on LGBT issues and advance the well-being of LGBT students, faculty and staff.”
“The task force recommendations are a concrete next step to advance UC’s efforts to create more welcoming and inclusive campus environments for members of the LGBT community,” said co-chair Barbara J. French, UCSF vice chancellor of strategic communications and university relations.
The task force was convened in May 2012 as part of efforts to enhance the campus climate. The task force includes representatives from the 10 UC campuses, the UC office of the president and the community. Campus participants include undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff and LGBT resource center directors.
“The task force definitely feels we were heard,” said co-chair Ralph J. Hexter, UC Davis provost and executive vice chancellor. “The university is showing its commitment to being a leader in LGBT issues.”
Many of the UC university system campuses—including Berkeley, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Riverside and UCLA—have regularly been given five stars, the highest rating, by the Campus Pride Index. As usual, California is the leader in LGBTQ education issues.
Source: lgbtweekly.com Fort Worth, TX – Texas Republicans Favor ‘Reparative Therapy’ Platform for Gays – 6.8
Texas Republicans have adopted a party platform that includes support for voluntary psychological “therapy” targeted at converting homosexuals to heterosexuals.
Almost 10,000 attendees gathered in Fort Worth at the annual Texas GOP Convention to vote on a platform ahead of the 2016 race for the White House. Supporters of “conversion” or “reparative” therapy believe the treatment is effective in turning gays straight. Props to California and New Jersey for having banned the treatment for minors.
The Texas Republicans’ measure states, “We recognize the legitimacy and efficacy of counseling, which offers reparative therapy and treatment for those patients seeking healing and wholeness from their homosexual lifestyle. No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.”
But an array of professional organizations oppose gay conversion therapy—including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association.
“The most important fact about these ‘therapies’ is that they are based on a view of homosexuality that has been rejected by all the major mental health professions,” said the APA. “To date, there has been no scientifically adequate research to show that therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation … is safe or effective.”
“I do not think homosexuals are born as homosexuals,” Cathie Adams, president of the conservative Texas Eagle Forum, said. “To say this is an unchangeable thing, there are too many people who’ve changed their mind about homosexuality. No one can change the color of their skin or change the place they’re born, but they can definitely choose their lifestyles.”
New Jersey Gov. Christie noted the APA has found this “therapy” can pose critical health risks including depression, substance abuse, social withdrawal, decreased self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. One wonders, is there a reparative therapy to change some Republicans’ lifestyles?
Source: cnn.com
Madison, WI – Several Clerks Deny Wisconsin Gay Couples Licenses – 6.9
Gay couples seeking marriage licenses were turned away in some Wisconsin counties, with clerks waiting for guidance from the courts or state government before accepting applications.
Hundreds of couples married over the weekend in Milwaukee and Madison after a federal judge declared Wisconsin’s ban on gay marriages unconstitutional. County clerks in the state’s two largest cities extended office hours to allow couples to take advantage of what most believe will be a narrow window before the judge’s decision is put on hold.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb has scheduled a hearing on Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s request for an emergency stay to keep more licenses from being issued. Van Hollen also has appealed Crabb’s decision to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and asked it for a stay.
Clerks in several counties said they would not issue licenses until they have received directions from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, which keeps marriage records. Jennifer Miller of the Department of Health Services, which oversees vital statistics, said it would not issue any guidance until it received directions from Van Hollen.
Brown County Deputy Clerk Justin Schmit turned away about 15 couples in Green Bay, and an employee in the Racine County clerk’s office said she had too. Crabb’s decision created some confusion among clerks, because she declared the ban unconstitutional, but also said she wanted the American Civil Liberties Union to tell her exactly what it wanted her to block in the gay marriage law. The ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the ban in January on behalf of eight gay couples.
“Phones have been ringing off the hook. We’ve probably fielded 20 calls from couples interested in applying for licenses,” La Crosse County Clerk Ginny Dankmeyer said.
When will people finally realize
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