Urge Your Family Doctor to Support Equality for Same-Sex Families!
On Sept. 29, 2003, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) will consider a resolution that seeks to overturn the Academy’s 2002 position statement in support of equal protections for same-sex parents and their children.
Please call your family doctor today and urge him or her to support equal protections for same-sex families.
Most helpful: Ask your doctor to express his or her support for same-sex families to the AAFP delegate in your state.
If you are a doctor and member of the AAFP, your voice is especially important. Please call your AAFP state delegate today. [See www.aafp.org]
The AAFP’s existing statement calls on the group to "establish policy and be supportive of legislation which promotes a safe and nurturing environment, including psychological and legal security, for all children, including those of adoptive parents, regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation."
The proposed new resolution, which was submitted by the Texas chapter of the AAFP, would eliminate the words, "sexual orientation."
The American Academy of Family Physicians represents more than 93,500 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is one of a growing number of medical, psychological and children’s welfare organizations that have issued position statements in support of equal protections for same-sex parents and their children.
For more information, visit the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s FamilyNet project at www.hrc.org/familynet
Friday, September 26, 2003
Thursday, September 25, 2003
MARRIAGE FORUM & LYNCHBURG PRIDE WEEKEND
from Soulforce
OCTOBER 10-12, 2003 – Lynchburg, VA
JOIN WITH SOULFORCE AND 20+ CO-SPONSORS FOR A WEEKEND OF PRIDE AND ACTIVISM in LYNCHBURG, VA – home of far-right anti-gay televangelist Jerry Falwell – who has said he is dedicating his talents, time, and energies to the passage of an (anti-gay) amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will "protect traditional families."
If you can’t be with us, send us your favorite picture of your family to carry with us to show Jerry that our families are families too!
OCTOBER 11 – NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY (see below for location details and sponsors)
9:00 am – CIVIL MARRIAGE EQUALITY FORUM – with representatives from GLAAD, People for the American Way, Interfaith Working Group, and Dontamend.com. We need your help to defeat the anti-gay marriage amendment. Learn how to talk about civil marriage, equal rights, justice, and protect our families!
12:30 am – PRIDE MARCH TO THE PARK – Be out and be proud, walk with us.
1:00 pm – COMING OUT AND ABOUT IN LYNCHBURG – A day of pride, entertainment, and camaraderie. This mini-pridefest includes merchandise from Lambda Rising Bookstore - Washington DC, information booths from many of our sponsors, and a variety of music – from female impersonator Ravyn Vega, Christian contemporary singer Marcus Young, electric guitarist Joe Osborne, and much, much more.
Other weekend activities include:
October 9-10, (Thurs-Fri) Soulforce local group grassroots training
October 10 at 7pm, (Fri. night) Soulforce Nonviolence training
October 12 at 7am, (Sunday morning) Vigil in front of Falwell’s church
(you must have taken part in a Soulforce nonviolence training to participate in the vigil)
SEND US A FAMILY PHOTO: We want to show Jerry Falwell that our families are families too, and we are going to blow up and laminate family photos to carry with us during the march, the pride fest, and the vigil. Please send one ( 1 ) picture to photos@soulforce.org as a jpg file with a brief description of the photo so the person carrying your picture knows something about you.
JOIN US: If you can join for the weekend, please let us know at www.soulforce.org/lynchburg1003/register.shtml . You do not have to register to attend the pride fest. It is free and open to the public!
Those who register and attend the nonviolence training on Friday and the marriage forum on Saturday will get a Soulforce t-shirt, a box lunch on Saturday, a rainbow sash to wear on Sunday, and tons of Soulforce information and literature.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on housing, locations, schedule, etc.. are available from our website at www.soulforce.org/lynchburg1003/ Coming to Lynchburg is a beautiful drive from the north, and quick train ride from Washington DC, and a short drive from many points south. Lynchburg does have a regional airport, but flights are limited. Rides can be available from the Roanoke airport if needed.
Join with us to help empower the people of Lynchburg to come out and be out, despite the hurtful rhetoric of Jerry Falwell.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Observe Marriage Equality Week October 12-19, 2003
Sign The Pledge
Metropolitan Community Churches has prepared a RESOURCE KIT with
1. Introduction from Rev. Troy Perry
2. Twelve Action Ideas To Promote "Marriage Equality Week"
3. On-Line Resources and Websites for Same-Sex Marriage
4. Sample News Release To Promote Your Event
Contact me if you would like a Word.doc copy of the Resource Kit or if you believe King of Peace MCC should be more involved in this issue.
Observe Marriage Equality Week October 12-19, 2003
Sign The Pledge
Metropolitan Community Churches has prepared a RESOURCE KIT with
1. Introduction from Rev. Troy Perry
2. Twelve Action Ideas To Promote "Marriage Equality Week"
3. On-Line Resources and Websites for Same-Sex Marriage
4. Sample News Release To Promote Your Event
Contact me if you would like a Word.doc copy of the Resource Kit or if you believe King of Peace MCC should be more involved in this issue.
Suspending Disbelieve...
At Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC recently the sergeant Major of the Army, Jack Tilley (the highest ranking enlisted officer), was with a group of people visiting the wounded soldiers.
He saw a Special Forces soldier who had lost his right hand and suffered severe wounds of his face and side of his body. The SMA wanted to honor him and show him respect without offending, but what can you say or do in such a situation that will encourage and uplift? How do you shake the right hand of a soldier who has none? He decided to act as though the hand was not missing and gripped the soldier's wrist while speaking words of comfort and encouragement to him.
But there was another man in that group of visitors who had even brought his wife with him to visit the wounded who knew exactly what to do. This man reverently took the soldiers stump of a hand in both of his hands, bowed at the bedside and prayed for him. When he finished the prayer he stood up, bent over the soldier and kissed him on the head and told him that he loved him.
What a powerful expression of love for one of our wounded heroes! What kind of a man would kneel in such humility and submission? It was the wounded man's Commander-in-Chief, George W. Bush; a true leader.
This story was told by the SMA at a Soldiers Breakfast held at Red Arsenal, AL, and recorded by Chaplain James Henderson, stationed there
Purported to have been reported by the California National Guard, this is from the Praise In The Morning radio broadcast. Hear their reading of the story here
At Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC recently the sergeant Major of the Army, Jack Tilley (the highest ranking enlisted officer), was with a group of people visiting the wounded soldiers.
He saw a Special Forces soldier who had lost his right hand and suffered severe wounds of his face and side of his body. The SMA wanted to honor him and show him respect without offending, but what can you say or do in such a situation that will encourage and uplift? How do you shake the right hand of a soldier who has none? He decided to act as though the hand was not missing and gripped the soldier's wrist while speaking words of comfort and encouragement to him.
But there was another man in that group of visitors who had even brought his wife with him to visit the wounded who knew exactly what to do. This man reverently took the soldiers stump of a hand in both of his hands, bowed at the bedside and prayed for him. When he finished the prayer he stood up, bent over the soldier and kissed him on the head and told him that he loved him.
What a powerful expression of love for one of our wounded heroes! What kind of a man would kneel in such humility and submission? It was the wounded man's Commander-in-Chief, George W. Bush; a true leader.
This story was told by the SMA at a Soldiers Breakfast held at Red Arsenal, AL, and recorded by Chaplain James Henderson, stationed there
Purported to have been reported by the California National Guard, this is from the Praise In The Morning radio broadcast. Hear their reading of the story here
Political Commentary
I receive e-mails every day that ask me to participate in political action involving the people who are trying to control our social and economic environment.
There are some links on the side here that may interest members and friends of the KOPMCC congregation especially.
However, depending on your personal and political interests, you might also be interested in Fire Rumsfeld and Change Course and Michael Moore's "And Now a Chance to Bid Farewell to Mr. Bush"
I receive e-mails every day that ask me to participate in political action involving the people who are trying to control our social and economic environment.
There are some links on the side here that may interest members and friends of the KOPMCC congregation especially.
However, depending on your personal and political interests, you might also be interested in Fire Rumsfeld and Change Course and Michael Moore's "And Now a Chance to Bid Farewell to Mr. Bush"
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Tell CNN, Larry King Live to Stop Promoting James Dobson's Anti-Gay Attacks!
The Sept. 5, 2003 edition of CNN's Larry King Live featured an hour-long interview with James Dobson, the virulently homophobic founder of the anti-gay industry's largest organization, Focus on the Family. Dobson used his hour-long appearance to insult and denigrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and families.
Go to http://www.glaad.org/action/alerts_detail.php?id=3485 to write to Larry King Live executive producer Wendy Walker Whitworth using GLAAD's TAKE ACTION function. Tell her that you expect Larry King to stop allowing Focus on the Family and James Dobson to launch one-sided, unchallenged attacks on the LGBT community. Let them know that after Dobson's anti-gay diatribes on Sept. 5, you expect Larry King Live to produce a show featuring individuals and/or couples who can challenge Dobson's attacks on our lives and talk about the harm caused by our nation's refusal to extend basic protections, rights and dignity to same-sex couples and families.
CNN - Septemer 5, 2003
"Larry King Live with Dr. James Dobson"
Following a diatribe against the Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas, King asked Dobson why he seemed so interested in dictating LGBT people's private lives. Dobson responded by attacking civil marriage equality for same-sex couples, claiming, "that will destroy the family, which will destroy the nation, and I think eventually have a major impact on Western Civilization. Homosexuals can be, you know, committed to each other. And they have freedom to behave in the ways that they do, but they cannot be a family."
Dobson also repeatedly claimed same-sex couples "want to destroy marriage." After King asked Dobson why he believed that, Dobson claimed, "Many, many homosexuals are not committed for life. The research shows that they have as many as 300 to 1,000 partners in a lifetime. Why would they want to commit themselves to a binding relationship that prevents that?" King did not challenge either Dobson's claims or his highly dubious statistics. Please visit www.glaad.org for updates and more information.
The Sept. 5, 2003 edition of CNN's Larry King Live featured an hour-long interview with James Dobson, the virulently homophobic founder of the anti-gay industry's largest organization, Focus on the Family. Dobson used his hour-long appearance to insult and denigrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and families.
Go to http://www.glaad.org/action/alerts_detail.php?id=3485 to write to Larry King Live executive producer Wendy Walker Whitworth using GLAAD's TAKE ACTION function. Tell her that you expect Larry King to stop allowing Focus on the Family and James Dobson to launch one-sided, unchallenged attacks on the LGBT community. Let them know that after Dobson's anti-gay diatribes on Sept. 5, you expect Larry King Live to produce a show featuring individuals and/or couples who can challenge Dobson's attacks on our lives and talk about the harm caused by our nation's refusal to extend basic protections, rights and dignity to same-sex couples and families.
CNN - Septemer 5, 2003
"Larry King Live with Dr. James Dobson"
Following a diatribe against the Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas, King asked Dobson why he seemed so interested in dictating LGBT people's private lives. Dobson responded by attacking civil marriage equality for same-sex couples, claiming, "that will destroy the family, which will destroy the nation, and I think eventually have a major impact on Western Civilization. Homosexuals can be, you know, committed to each other. And they have freedom to behave in the ways that they do, but they cannot be a family."
Dobson also repeatedly claimed same-sex couples "want to destroy marriage." After King asked Dobson why he believed that, Dobson claimed, "Many, many homosexuals are not committed for life. The research shows that they have as many as 300 to 1,000 partners in a lifetime. Why would they want to commit themselves to a binding relationship that prevents that?" King did not challenge either Dobson's claims or his highly dubious statistics. Please visit www.glaad.org for updates and more information.
Monday, September 22, 2003
Equality Florida Voter's Guide for St Petersburg City Commission
District 3 Primary Sept 23, 2003
Candidates:
David W. Bill Foster
William H. Dudley
John Thomas McQueen
Voting History:
Foster is the incumbent. In 2001, he voted against the St Petersburg human rights ordinance. The ordinance, which passed, bans discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accomodations.
Questionaire:
All candidates were sent the following questionaire. The responses below each question are verbatim from the candidate.
Personal Non-Discrimination Pledge
1. During my campaign, I will refrain from making any appeals to prejudice based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes.
2. If elected, I would pledge to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression within my office.
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: I do not believe in discrimination nor do I condone it. I would definitely pledge to prohibit discrimination on sexual orientation. However, I need to learn more on the gender identity/expression issue to provide a complete response.
Dignity for All Students
3. The Dignity for All Students bill would ban bias-based harassment in schools statewide. If elected, would you support a resolution encouraging your legislative delegation to vote for this bill? For more information, please see: http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Year=2003&billnum=1498
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes. I believe our children should be provided a safe environment to learn, free from discrimination. I understand that Pinellas County Schools already have such legislation. I need to learn more on the "Dignity for All Students" proposal, but would support legislation to prevent discrimination in schools.
Domestic Partnership
4. Domestic partner benefits would allow unmarried public employees to designate a beneficiary for programs including pension, health, and life insurance benefits. Do you support providing domestic partnership benefits to unmarried public employees?
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes.
Training
5. Do you favor including specific training regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in diversity training programs for public employees?
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes.
Non-Discrimination Policy
6. Would you support an ordinance banning discrimination against individuals based on gender identity and expression in housing, employment, public accommodations and other vital areas?
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Currently I am undecided on this issue. I do not believe in discrimination based on sexual orientation, but I need to learn more with respect to gender identity and expression. I would welcome your comments or assistance in learning more so that I could make an educated decision.
District 3 Primary Sept 23, 2003
Candidates:
David W. Bill Foster
William H. Dudley
John Thomas McQueen
Voting History:
Foster is the incumbent. In 2001, he voted against the St Petersburg human rights ordinance. The ordinance, which passed, bans discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accomodations.
Questionaire:
All candidates were sent the following questionaire. The responses below each question are verbatim from the candidate.
Personal Non-Discrimination Pledge
1. During my campaign, I will refrain from making any appeals to prejudice based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes.
2. If elected, I would pledge to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression within my office.
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: I do not believe in discrimination nor do I condone it. I would definitely pledge to prohibit discrimination on sexual orientation. However, I need to learn more on the gender identity/expression issue to provide a complete response.
Dignity for All Students
3. The Dignity for All Students bill would ban bias-based harassment in schools statewide. If elected, would you support a resolution encouraging your legislative delegation to vote for this bill? For more information, please see: http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Year=2003&billnum=1498
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes. I believe our children should be provided a safe environment to learn, free from discrimination. I understand that Pinellas County Schools already have such legislation. I need to learn more on the "Dignity for All Students" proposal, but would support legislation to prevent discrimination in schools.
Domestic Partnership
4. Domestic partner benefits would allow unmarried public employees to designate a beneficiary for programs including pension, health, and life insurance benefits. Do you support providing domestic partnership benefits to unmarried public employees?
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes.
Training
5. Do you favor including specific training regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in diversity training programs for public employees?
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Yes.
Non-Discrimination Policy
6. Would you support an ordinance banning discrimination against individuals based on gender identity and expression in housing, employment, public accommodations and other vital areas?
Foster: Did not respond.
Dudley: Did not respond.
McQueen: Currently I am undecided on this issue. I do not believe in discrimination based on sexual orientation, but I need to learn more with respect to gender identity and expression. I would welcome your comments or assistance in learning more so that I could make an educated decision.
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