GLBTQ: Combined Gay News Headlines (T5T-1)

Much has been said about Lady Gaga's lady parts. Namely, that they supposedly include some male parts. But one thing is for sure: She's definitely sporting plenty of female accoutrements in Japanese Vogue. CONTINUED Â» CONTINUED Â» Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us Tagged: Lady GaGa, Photos, Vogue

THE SHOT — "Judgment Day," a piece from digital artist Troy Dunham and photographer Jeff Eason, created for the 2009 GLAAD Art Auction, up for grabs next Sunday. It's a "a modern day re-interpretation of the classic Paul Rubens painting 'The Last Judgement,'" Dunham tells us. CONTINUED Â» Permalink | Post a comment | Add to del.icio.us Tagged: [...]

The Fresno Gay Men’s Choir will be having their annual Advent Lessons and Carols on November 29th at 5 PM on 519 Douty Street in Hanford, CA. This is a traditional service of readings, carols and choral pieces. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Kyle Anderson at saviour_sercretary@sbcglobal.net [...]

The perennial complaint about Fresno is that there’s nothing to do. Yet in my experience that’s only true if you don’t know about the Fresno Beehive, The Fresnan or Fresno Famous and of course Queer Fresno.Â Between the lot of us I think we have every night here in the valley covered three times over. [...]

The envelope, please... and the winner is CATHOLIC DEMOCRATS!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2009

Catholic Democrats Celebrates Passage of Health Care Reform by House of Representatives and Applauds Speaker Nancy Pelosi for Her Leadership
Urges All Catholics to Support Adding Provisions to Senate Bill that Expand Health Care Coverage as Human Right
Boston, MA - Catholic Democrats applauds the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night by a vote of 220 to 215. We congratulate and thank Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for her leadership in passing this historic legislation which will expand health care coverage to an additional 30 million people (covering an estimated 96% of all Americans), prevent insurance companies from denying health insurance for pre-existing conditions, and provide for a public option to compete with private insurance plan.

"This is a day for celebration among Catholics and all Americans who believe that life's greatest test is how deeply we care for one another," said Dr Patrick Whelan, president of Catholic Democrats.
"We urge the Catholic members of Congress who have not supported the passage of this bill to follow the courageous example set by Representative Joseph Cao (R-LA), a Catholic and former Jesuit seminarian, and support this landmark legislation now. This reform represents progress in helping our nation to realize the Gospel imperative of making health and healing available to all Americans."

The Catholic Church has been at the forefront of advocating for health care as a right for decades, including pastoral letters issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 1981 and 1993. Passage of an amendment by Bart Stupak (D-MI) resolved the abortion issue to the bishops' satisfaction so they can now support legislation that will bring the nation closer to universal coverage, especially for poor people and immigrants.

"Now that suitable language addressing abortion funding has been agreed to in the House bill, it opens the way for all Catholics - Democrats, Republicans and In and Independents - to support the provisions of this bill, which are in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching," said Steve Krueger, national director of Catholic Democrats.
"Catholics have an innate understanding of the role universal health care coverage will play in promoting the common good. Now is the time to build on the success of the House bill and pass legislation that codifies our belief that health care is a fundamental human right."

About Catholic Democrats
Catholic Democrats is an association of state based groups representing a Catholic voice within the Democratic Party, and advancing a public understanding of the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching and its potential to help solve the broad range of problems confronting all Americans. For more information about Catholic Democrats please go to www.catholicdemocrats.org

Honestly, does ANY of this surprise anyone?

"Papa Razi Co" made it clear yesterday they hate all women; that the nuns are being investigated is just more of the same.

LARGEST PROGRESSIVE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE ISSUES STATEMENT ON NUNS INVESTIGATION ONE WEEK BEFORE U.S. BISHOPS MEET IN BALTIMORE;
Two weeks before Investigation Questionnaires Due to Vatican
In anticipation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops meeting in Baltimore, the largest annual gathering of progressive Catholics issued a statement of support to nuns during this time of investigation by the Vatican and called the bishops to do the same.
The bishops' meeting takes place next week, the same week that women religious are asked to submit their responses to the Vatican-issued questionnaire that is part of the investigation. The deadline for the questionnaire is November 20th.
More than 2,000 Catholics gathered in Milwaukee as part of the Call To Action conference and on Sunday morning unanimously affirmed a statement of support for women religious:

"Since January of 2009, the Vatican has investigated and sought to silence Catholic sisters in the United States. They have set a deadline of November 20th for the women religious' communities to respond to its probing questionnaire. Now more than ever we must speak out against the few bishops who continue to wield the sword of division, rather than extend the hand of unity.
To our fellow Catholics in the United States and around the globe, women religious have taught us how to live the gospel and open our arms until they embraced all of God's people. It is now our responsibility to put into action the lessons we have learned and ensure that our sisters in faith are not ripped from the church's embrace,
To our courageous sisters, you who have been the bedrock of our church and country, know that the people you have faithfully served stand beside youide you as you have stood with us.
To those who are doing the investigation, your actions do not reflect the welcoming and embracing love that Jesus demonstrated in the gospels. We invite you to have a conversion of heart and join us in standing with the women religious.
In every generation God raises up prophets to point the way towards the gospel vision of inclusion. Women religious are these prophets. Today we stand not with those who cling to the gates of exclusion but with the prophets who open the gates and call us to live as one."

###
Call To Action (CTA) is a Catholic movement working for equality and justice in the Church and society. An independent national organization of over 25,000 people and 50 local chapters, CTA believes that the Spirit of God is at work in the whole church, not just its appointed leaders.

And just in case anyone missed it, below the fold is the letter the USCCB sent out regarding HR-3962's Stupak Amendment.

Remind me again why the Catholic Church has tax-exempt status???
Here is the link.

The letter was signed by Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the bishops' Committee on Pro-life Activities, and Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

Dear Representative:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we strongly urge you to vote for the Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment and to support a fair process in the House of Representatives to consider this essential improvement in health care reform legislation. The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections in the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962).
Despite some claims to the contrary, H.R. 3962 does not reflect the status quo on abortion. It fails to explicitly and clearly include the longstanding policy prohibiting federal funding of elective abortion and plans which include elective abortion (Hyde Amendment), Medicaid, Medicare, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other federal health legislation include this provision. Currently H.R. 3962 has some helpful provisions on conscience protection and non-preemption of state laws, but it utterly fails to maintain current prohibitions on abortion mandates and abortion funding. Instead it creates elaborate measures requiring people to pay for other people's abortions with their taxes, private premiums or federal subsidies. Significantly, the Federal Employee Heath Benefit Program, which covers all members of Congress and their families, has long been governed by the Hyde amendment in all its aspects and is widely seen as a model for reform.
Additionally, H.R. 3962 allows the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to mandate that the "public option" will include unlimited abortions. Millions of purchasers will be forced to pay an "abortion surcharge," which requires purchasers of many plans to pay directly and explicitly for abortion coverage. This is unprecedented in federal law.
The Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Amendment will not affect coverage of abortion in non-subsidized health plans, and will not bar anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion prtion policy with their own funds. Thus far, H.R. 3962 does not meet President Obama's commitment of barring use of federal dollars for abortion and maintaining current conscience laws.
If the Motion to Recommit focuses on denying immigrants needed health care, as reported, we strongly urge Members to oppose the Motion to Recommit.
Our Bishops' conference has been working for many years to support health care reform legislation that truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Adopting this amendment will help move us move toward this essential national priority and moral imperative.
Sincerely,
Bishop William Murphy
Diocese of Rockville Centre Chairman
Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
Cardinal Justin Rigali
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Chairman
Committee on Pro-life Activities

File this recent email under "you have GOT to be kidding me"...

This evening, at 11:15 p.m., the House of Representatives voted to pass their health insurance reform bill. Despite countless attempts over nearly a century, no chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform. This is history.

But you and millions of your fellow Organizing for America supporters didn't just witness history tonight -- you helped make it. Each "yes" vote was a brave stand, backed up by countless hours of knocking on doors, outreach in town halls and town squares, millions of signatures, and hundreds of thousands of calls. You stood up. You spoke up. And you were heard.

So this is a night to celebrate -- but not to rest. Those who voted for reform deserve our thanks, and the next phase of this fight has already begun.

The final Senate bill hasn't even been released yet, but the insurance companies are already pressing hard for a filibuster to bury it. OFA has built a massive neighborhood-by-neighborhood operation to bring people's voices to Congress, and tonight we saw the results. But the coming days will put our efforts to the ultimate test. Winning will require each of us to give everything we can, starting right now.

Please donate $5 or whatever you can afford so we can finish this fight.

Tonight's vote brought every American closer to the secure, affordable care we need. But it But it was also a watershed moment in how change is made.

Even after last year's election, many insider lobbyists and partisan operatives really thought that the old formula of scare tactics, D.C. back-scratching and special-interest money would still be enough to block any idea they didn't like. Now, they're desperate. Because, tonight, you made it crystal clear: the old rules are changing -- and the people will not be ignored.

In the final phases of last year's election, I often reminded folks, "Don't think for a minute that power concedes without a fight," and it's especially true today. But that's okay -- we're not afraid of a fight. And as you continue to prove, when all of us work together, we have what it takes to win.

Please donate to OFA's campaign to win this fight and ensure that real health reform reaches my desk by the end of this year:

https://donate.barackobama.com/History

Let's keep making history,

President Barack Obama

In the days leading up to my departure for Maine, I wasn't sure what to expect from the people I'd meet here. I'm no stranger to ballot campaigns; we've had our share of those in Oregon. I rode on Tuesday to a suburb outside of Portland, Maine with another volunteer staff to meet with nine high school students about their interest to get involved with the No On 1 campaign. Our goal was to start a â€œFriends and Familyâ€ Volunteer Recruitment Phone Bank with them on the spot, and to organize a few times when they and their friends could volunteer together, canvassing door-to-door the weekend before Election Day. We rolled up to their neighborhood Starbucks at about 3 o'clock and met the students inside. They'd come straight after school, and had heard about the campaign at an all-ages concert, where they'd been watching their favorite local band. Three of the youth were band members! A few of them had worn thw of them had worn their No On 1 buttons to school that day, and mentioned that they'd started conversations with other students about the issue, and what it meant to them. After introducing ourselves and briefly describing the state of the campaign, we read through a script and role-played it, making sure to arm the students with the facts needed to express to their friends and family members how much this means to them and why we need their help in the last two weeks of the campaign. When we asked the students to get out their mobile phones and start calling to sign their friends up for volunteer shifts with the campaign, they excelled at the task! After about a half hour, the students made a plan to gather together with their newly signed up volunteers for a morning canvass on Halloween, knocking on doors to get out the vote. None of the nine students were affiliated with the Gay Straight Alliance at their school, (and none mentioned that they identified as LGBT,) but all shared a sense that whoever you are and whomever you love, couples deserve to be recognized equally under the law.

We are 11 days away from the November Election. The Portland, Maine office is humming with volunteer activity. Every day, volunteers drop off food provisions for all the other volunteers. The firsr activity. Every day, volunteers drop off food provisions for all the other volunteers. The first day we had homemade chili, yesterday egg salad sandwiches, and this morning someone brought in some carrots from their own yard. Mainers are chipping in any way they can. My time has been spent in the office working in the communications department while Travis Prinslow and Meleanie Altaras have been adopted into the Data and Campus Outreach departments. We work 9 to 9, when we're lucky and have been working on a variety of projects. From confirming volunteers, to getting people to vote early and in person volunteer recruitment. The amount of work that goes into a campaign is astounding. You walk into any office and you hear typing, people on the phone, stapling, paper shuffling and people being directed. It's a small preview of what Oregon will be dealing with soon enough. However, Oregon's fight will be much larger-- Maine's population is a third the size of Oregon's. I'm grateful that Basic Rights Oregon is starting early and getting all our ducks in a row before we enter our own fight. Maine's latest YouTube celebrity goes by the name of Phillip Spooner. Mr. Spooner is 85 years old, a WWII vet, and a lifelong republicanâ€"he is also in favor of marriage equality. Click here to watch his testimony in April during the Marriage hearings. His video has officially gone viral, with close to 500,000 views. Mainers are excited to have someone like Mr. Spooner speaking up for equality, so much so that he has unofficially become the face of the campaign. Click here to watch a segment of Mr. Spooner being interviewed about his views on Marriage Equality. The opposition is using children to scare voters into voting against equality. They are running ads claiming that "gay sex education" will be taught in schools. Fortunately, the Maine campaign has been very diligent about countering their ads and has caused a stir by featuring a French catholic woman who supports her son's right to get married. Yolande Dumont is also a Maine celebrity and has inspired Catholics and other religious denominations to come out and support the No on 1 campaign. Of course the Catholic DIoces is bankrolling the opposition's campaign along with National Organization marriage and Shubert Flint of prop 8 fame. When Yolande first came on the airwaves the Catholic Diocese was up in arms and started to spend resources countering Yolande's message. This is exciting because the opposition is now on the defensive. Not only do they have to counter multiple legislators, and educators on the whole "Teaching gay in Schools" issue, now they have to make sure that other fair minded Catholics reject Yolande's message. If the No on 1 Campaign wins on Election Day it will be a model on how to defeat the oppositions' vitriol and lies. Although, Maine is literally the farthest place from Oregon in the country, their efforts will have a huge impact on our work. They need all the help they can get. If you have not donated to the NO on 1 campaign you can do so by clicking here. If you cannot afford a donation but have some extra time on your hands you can phone bank from Oregon with their Call for Equality Program sign up here. I'm going to get back to work now but feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions about getting involved in the Maine campaign. In solidarity, Alejandro Juarez Communications Coordinator Basic Rights Oregon Oregon (503) 222-6151 x 105 alejandro@basicrights.org

â€œYou Have Always Been Welcome Hereâ€ here Presented by PFLAG Pendleton in cooperation with Communities of Welcoming Congregations & The Drama Queens Â Â - â€œYou Have Always Been Welcome Hereâ€ portrays the lives of four transgender people as they explore their relationships to family, gender, Christianity and spirituality. Â Rev. Tara Wilkins, executive director of Community of Welcoming [...]

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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Combined Gay News Headlines (T5T-1)

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