Paul Cameron is just fine with putting gay 'parasites' to death

Paul Cameron's Family Research Institute is one of the original SPLC anti-gay hate groups due to its dishonest characterizations of gay people. Cameron's dishonesty has caused him to be expelled from both the American Sociological Association and the American Psychological Association.

Now Cameron claims, in an interview with David Pakman (video follows), that he is open to the death penalty for gay people. His "reasoning:"

One must understand those who act on their homosexual desires or interests usually end up being parasites on society, and parasites that are very dangerous for society, not only because they take far more than they contribute to society, but they particularly injure children.

Elane Photography scheduled for March 21 SCOTUS conference

Elane Photography, represented by ADF, has been challenging New Mexico's anti-discrimination law since they refused service to a lesbian couple in 2006. Elane has already had numerous dips in the legal pool:

1. This matter was heard by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission. Elane lost.
2. This matter was appealed in federal court. The US district court moved it to state court.
3. This matter was heard before the state district court. Elane lost.
4. This matter was heard before the state appellate court. Elane lost.
5. This matter was heard before the state supreme court. Elane lost.

Ryan Anderson tells us why the federal judge in TX was wrong to strike down the state's ban on marriage equality

Ryan T. Anderson is Robby George's creature — presumably recruited into Opus Dei when Anderson was George's student at Princeton. Instead of being an intellectually curious critical thinker, Anderson reverse engineers logic to fit the conclusion required by the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Thus, we get (sentences are numbered):

<1> Yet another judge has struck down a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman. <2> These rulings claim that the equal protection of the law requires the redefinition of marriage. <3> It does not. <4> State laws that reflect the truth about marriage should be ruled constitutional.

From his Blog Blowhard Bill Donohue Fires Back "Where Are Examples of Gay People Being Persecuted?"

As you may be aware, Bill Donohue got his ass kicked this morning by CNN's Chris Cuomo. Cuomo asked him "How does gay marriage compromise your rights?" Donohue offers the standard conservative Catholic nonsense about procreation. Cuomo correctly says "You don't have to want to have kids to be married." That sets Blowhard Bill bumbling about "alternative lifestyles" and heterosexual "privilege."

NOM still seeking the impossible - A constitutional "marriage amendment"

National Organization for Marriage has reacted to the federal court ruling in Texas striking down the state's marriage equality ban. By now, we all know NOM's verbiage by rote. No need for extensive quotes as the headline pretty much sums it up: “National Organization for Marriage Laments Today's Ruling in Texas, Says Citizens' Values Are Being 'Trampled'.” They continue to express their "disappointment" and "anger" with an activist judge … (you know the rest of the rhetoric).

Perkins: 'Texas Ruling Striking Marriage Amendment is Attack on Rule of Law' - Oh the tyranny

I think that Tony Perkins' head has finally exploded today. The viscera hit the fan in the aftermath of a federal court ruling striking down the ban on marriage equality in Texas. Perkins, president of the hate group, Family Research Council, sent out an email late this afternoon.

The state of Texas is the latest victim of a judicial free-for-all in making a lawless mockery of the ideals that our Founding Fathers stood for.

Really? How is anyone victimized? Where is the catastrophe?

NOM, stop pretending that Bill Owens isn't your employee

William Owens can apparently
count to four

Today's money-grubber is titled “National Organization for Marriage Applauds and Joins with the Coalition of African-American Pastors in Calling for Attorney General Eric Holder’s Impeachment.” Eric Holder isn't going to be impeached and CAAP is a NOM front organization. I always want to type "CRAAP" but that would be sophomoric.

In addition to whatever NOM is paying Bill Owens, information filed with the IRS reveals that they are contributing $35,000 per year to the William Owens Ministry. Furthermore, Bill's wife, Deborah, claims to be NOM's “Church Outreach Coordinator” so she is on the payroll as well. While it does solicit donations, according to the Internal Revenue Service the Coalition of African-American Pastors is not a tax-exempt organization.

Florida Family Action seeks to intervene in opposition to FL marriage equality

John Stemberger
playing dress-up

The fact that our local hate group, Florida Family Action, opposes marriage equality was a given. I have included, below, today's email from John Stemberger, head of Florida Family Action, and their Motion to Intervene filed by Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel. Liberty Counsel was just named an anti-LGBT hate group by SPLC. John Stemberger is, perhaps, best known as the driving force behind an alternative Boy Scouts that excludes gays and effectively excludes non-Christians. A decision in our favor in federal court would represent an enormous loss for Stemberger who is heavily invested in marriage discrimination. Florida Family Action was one of the organizations behind Florida Amendment 2 which banned same-sex marriage in 2008.

NOM begging for recurring monthly donors - FLUSH!

National Organization for Marriage is out with a new email blast today titled “The Backbone of the Marriage Fight.” They are attempting is to get people (who will be called Sustaining Partners) to commit to recurring monthly donations. But here's the fun part:

The proclamations of federal judges across the country (in Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico...) and the disgraceful betrayal of duty by government officials to defend the law (in California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Oregon...) can be more than a bit discouraging. Judicial activism complicit with cowardice...

The Comedic Stylings of Christian Family Coalition

The quotes, below, are from Christian Family Coalition, a Miami, FL based fundamentalist group. I have no idea what an "anti-voting extremist" is. As for Windsor, these people tend to read only what they like. Justice Kennedy was perfectly clear when he wrote that state marriage laws must respect the constitutional rights of citizens. I am trying to imagine some drooling cretin saying to himself; "Yeah. They're right. Marriage equality already exists in Florida." They have not responded to email requesting clarification on their opinion on Windsor.

Anyway, here's your daily helping of bat guano (via an email blast). They cannot help themselves:

Liiberty Counsel, Ruth Institute designated as anti-LGBT hate groups by SPLC

Southern Poverty Law Center has quietly added Liberty Counsel and Ruth Institute to their list of active anti-LGBT hate groups. The list is widely used by private and government agencies, including law enforcement.

I'll update this post as these organizations react or SPLC provides a press release.

Al Mohler on the civil right to discriminate

Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has joined other right-wing Christians in calling for "freedom to discriminate" legislation. According to Mohler:

Several states are now considering legislation that would provide explicit protections to citizens whose consciences will not allow an endorsement of same-sex marriage. …

The cases are now piling up. A wedding photographer in New Mexico, cake bakers in Colorado and Oregon, and a florist in Washington State have all found themselves in this predicament. Each now faces the coercive power of the state. They are being told, in no uncertain terms, that they must participate in providing services for same-sex weddings or go out of business.

“What Mohler also fails to appreciate is that some of his fellow Christians are participating in a demolition derby. ”

Yet another scholarly study supports gay parenting

UCLA's Williams Institute reports — according to an article published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies:

Adolescents with continuously-coupled lesbian mothers had higher self-esteem and fewer conduct problems (such as rule-breaking, vandalism, or getting into fights ) than adolescents with continuously-coupled heterosexual parents. Across other indicators of psychological adjustment, substance usage, and relationships with their parents, the study found that adolescents from intact two-mother lesbian families were comparable to those from intact mother-father families.

In the end why Brewer will likely veto Arizona's "freedom to discriminate" bill

I don't know what Arizona's Governor Brewer is going to do about the latest attempt to discriminate against gay people. If she signs the bill into law, it would allow businesses to lawfully to discriminate against gay people if the owner had sincerely held religious beliefs to support such discrimination.

Talking Point: License to discriminate is a "civil right"

Many of the usual suspects are doing it. Tony Perkins does it. Brian Brown does it. The Arizona legislature did it. They frame discrimination as a constitutionally protected right. Religious fundamentalists have lost their minds.

According to Ryan T. Anderson, the Kansas right to discriminate bill was not discriminatory, but instead was designed to prevent “the kind of coercion that happened under Jim Crow” by protecting “what should be already protected: basic civil liberties such as freedom of association, freedom of contract, and freedom of religion.”

Bryan Fischer - Christian v. Christian

I usually relegate Mr. Fischer, American Family Association's anti-gay blockhead, to the crackpot spike but this seems entertaining. It was posted to Allen Keyes' website (not exactly a mental hygiene preserve to begin with). My comment follows the batshit.

In something that is difficult even to believe, Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Ministries, the second largest church in America, said in USA Today that laws that offer legal protection to such Christian businessmen are actually "offensive." Wow.

About Liberty Counsel's new hate site

I generally do not comment on AFTAH. I doubt that I will ever comment on posts appearing in unhinged front man Matt Barber's new website, barbwire.com. The sole purpose of this post is just to clarify some misconceptions. Today even RightWingWatch (which is one of my first-reads) erred by referring to “a column for right-wing activist Matt Barber’s new website.”

In point of fact this website is provided by Liberty Counsel. This site, alone, is cause for Liberty Counsel to be designated a hate group. 

The whois information follows:

With a strangely worded press release NOM finally concedes defeat in Indiana

National Organization for Marriage claims that they will not pursue legal options to get an Indiana "marriage amendment" on the ballot this year. In a press release they say that they will hold legislators accountable and shoot for 2015.

On Monday, the Indiana legislature approved a constitutional amendment that would ban on gay marriage. Ordinarily that would be viewed as a defeat for equality. However, the legislature made a change to the wording of the bill. The change prevents the bill from going to voters this year. Under state law, the earliest that the bill could be on the ballot would now be 2016.

NOM's Brown is aptly named

Brian Brown, head of National Organization for Marriage continues his dishonest assault on state officials who proclaim their disdain for marriage discrimination. These days the press releases are fill-in-the-blank boilerplate. Yesterday's communiqué from HQ:

"Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is shamefully abandoning her constitutional duty to defend the marriage amendment overwhelmingly enacted by the people of Oregon. She swore an oath of office that she would enforce all the laws, not just those she personally agrees with." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

Todd Starnes and Christian persecution - "gay rights trump religious rights"

Todd Starnes is Fox News' unhinged culture warrior. He is known primarily for his consistent misrepresentations of facts to further his Christianist agenda. Starnes is also a reliable anti-gay bigot.

Today, Starnes wrote a lengthy piece about all those victimized Christians. According to Starnes, white-heterosexual-Christian-men are in constant peril of discrimination. It amounts to a "poor us" diattribe. Starnes goes on and on claiming that he has documented "hundreds of instances of religious persecution." Just to give the piece a drivelectomy, I'll focus on a single passage:

Washington Times editorial refers to transgender woman with male pronouns

Facebook software engineer Brielle Harrison

The Washington Times is not exactly a purveyor of intellectual honesty. It is content to provide far more heat than illumination. This evening it has shown itself to be petty and mean spirited.

Writing about the new options provided by Facebook to accommodate transgender and intersex users, the title of their editorial is “Facebook’s gender confusion — Social-networking site panders to the loony left.” It manages to go downhill from there. One portion strikes me as particularly offensive:

Serpent worship or a death wish

Cody Coots, 21, says his father’s death was “God’s way” of taking him home, and the family will embrace the deadly snake again at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name Church in Middlesboro, Ky., this Saturday.

“It was God saying, 'This is how you wanted it, and it's your time to go.' ... If he didn't plan [to die this way] he would have stayed alive,” Cody Coots told TMZ.

Tell that to the snake. When the kid gets killed by the same rattler, they'll claim that it was God's way of giving his father some company.

LaBarbera and Lively schedule press conference in support of Russia's bigotry

According to PR Newswire:

…the purpose of this press conference is to announce the formation of a new organization, the Coalition for Family Values, whose purpose is to unify and coordinate pro-family groups around the United States and the world to more effectively oppose the now global LGBT agenda.

The coalition is being organized by Dr. Scott Lively of Defend the Family International, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, based in Naperville, Illinois, with the assistance of other existing pro-family groups in the U.S. and abroad.

The first action of the coalition will be to issue a statement of support for the Russian pro-family laws of 2013 and 2014 and to urge other nations of the world to follow the Russian example.

Contact:
Dr. Scott Lively, President; sdllaw@gmail.com
Peter LaBarbera, Communications Director; americansfortruth@gmail.com

Just what the country needs. Another anti-gay hate group organized by two crackpots.

Louisville billboard touts reorientation snake oil

This billboard is at a very busy intersection in the heart of Louisville, Ky and it will be there for 90 days. It is the handiwork of Daniel Mingo, the founder of Abba's Delight - a Christian ministry that "help" people with "unwanted same-ex attractions." Sure Daniel, Sure. According to the IRS, Abba's Delight is not a tax-exempt organization. Sadly the organization's website seems targeted at parents of gay children.

2/18 results: Bid to overturn CA Transgender Protection Law continues to lose ground

The referendum to overturn "Non-Discrimination Requirements for School Programs and Activities" continues to lack enough valid signatures to put the measure on the ballot. Earlier this year, the counties submitted results based on a random sample which showed that organizers had just barely over 95% of required valid signatures. This moved the process to a full check by each county clerk.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, results from 42 of California's 58 counties are in. The verification rate is now at 78.62%. Proponents of the initiative require 81.5% to put the measure on the 2014 ballot. The remaining counties have until February 24 to submit their results to the Secretary of State.

The bigots are complaining about "a climate of intolerance and intimidation "

Ryan T. Anderson - balding
and bearded.

Our old friend and Defender of the Faith™, Ryan T. Anderson, along with his research assistant, Leslie Ford, have penned an article in the National Review titled Bake Us a Cake, or Else! The subtitle to this little opus is “Marriage laws should not treat religious believers as bigots to be purged from the public square.”

When did the Mad Hatter substitute pity for tea?

According to these two geniuses:

Now comes government coercion and discrimination. Laws that create special privileges based on sexual orientation and gender identity are being used to trump fundamental civil liberties such as freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion.

LaBarbera flunks basic science comprehension

Conservative Christians simply do not recognize how comical they can be at times. If you are not familiar with the Northwestern University study, researchers have identified two genetic markers that they claim are 40% responsible for our (male) gayness. The other 60% comes from environmental factors which they caution should not be confused with anything that is "socially acquired."

So here's the headline and sub-heading on American Family Association's blog:

Replication is Achilles' heel of 'gay gene' argument, says LaBarbera

A theory that a gene predisposes people to be homosexual isn't true, according to an authority on the subject who is reacting to a recent study supporting that theory.

Newark Archbishop completing tax-exempt 7,500 sf retirement mansion

John J. Myers - Archbishop of Newark

Newark Archbishop, John J. Myers lives in a rather nice 4,500 square foot home. It has five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a three-car garage and a large swimming pool. But that wasn't roomy enough for him. Anticipating his retirement, the archdiocese is in the process of completing a three-story 3,000 square foot addition complete with an indoor lap pool, a hot tub, three fireplaces, a library and an elevator.

We all subsidize this largess. 

• This is all paid for by tax-deducted contributions.
• The residence is exempt from property taxes.
• No sales tax has been paid on any of the materials and furnishings. 
• Fees for licenses and permits were likely waived.

NOM Claims That Their Defeat in Indiana is a Victory

Today the Indiana senate approved HJR3, a bill to ban marriage equality. The bill was stripped of a provision banning civil unions by the Indiana house and approved by the senate in that form. Originally, this was intended to go to voters this year. However, because the language changed, the earliest that the bill can now go to voters is 2016.

Today's blog headline from NOM is: “Indiana Legislature Affirms True Marriage in HJR 3 Vote.”

Jamie Coots, co-star of Snake Salvation, dies of a snakebite

The Late Jamie Coots

I know that this is in bad taste. I also know that you know why I am posting this. It requires no explanation.

Coots suffered the snakebite during a church service on Saturday. He subsequently refused medical attention claiming that God would heal him and that, should he succumb, it would be part of God's plan. He was found dead at 10:00 PM that evening.

President Obama sharply critical of Uganda's anti-gay bill

From the President's remarks today:

I am so deeply disappointed that Uganda will shortly enact legislation that would criminalize homosexuality. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, once law, will be more than an affront and a danger to the gay community in Uganda.

President Obama said that the legislation:

…will be a step backward for all Ugandans and reflect poorly on Uganda’s commitment to protecting the human rights of its people. It also will mark a serious setback for all those around the world who share a commitment to freedom, justice and equal rights.

Anti-gay violence in Nigeria to "cleanse the community"

Flag of Nigeria

We are now learning that, late Wednesday, a mob attacked more than a dozen gay men in Abuja, Nigeria, the nation's capital.

According to the mob, they were “cleansing the community.” Apparently cleansing occurs when gay people are beaten with whips and nail-studded clubs. One victim was beaten nearly to death. When they were finished with the men in the street, after some of their victims had fled, they dragged four of the less mobile prey to a nearby policy station — where the police proceeded to further beat them.

AFA: "Chevrolet mocks God's plan for marriage and family"

The anti-gay hate group, American Family Association, is quite perturbed that a couple of Chevrolet commercials include fleeting glimpses of gay couples. Chevrolet is demonstrating its recognition of diversity. The ad shows, what appears to be, a single male parent and a number of interracial couples of various compositions. AFA doesn't like interracial marriages either I suspect. According to AFA:

NOM & FRC condemn . . . EVERYONE

National Organization for Marriage and Family Research Council are busy condemning all those "activist" judges who support the Constitution of the United States of America. Eric Holder, President Obama and numerous politicians are receiving criticism as well. Every day, sometimes more than once, these two organizations are lobbing shells at anyone and everyone who doesn't see things their way. All the "poor us" might appease their base. It seems as though, that they actually believe that they are scaring others into compliance. How's that working out?

FRC was the first to react to the judge's ruling in Virginia. At 12:14 this morning they sent out an email titled “Arrogant Judge Strikes Down Virginia Marriage Amendment.” By the time NOM gets around to it, every paragraph will include the fact that Virginia Judge Arenda L. Wright is an Obama appointee.

The author of FRC's marital study is a chemist

Henry Potrykus

Family Research Council is out with its “Fourth Annual Index of Family Belonging and Rejection.” I am not at all sure what that means nor what the research protocol was. I do know two things about this study:

1. It is not published in a peer reviewed scholarly journal and;
2. The primary investigator, Henry Potrykus, holds an M.S. in chemistry and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.

Doctorates are not interchangeable. Obtaining a Ph.D. requires an extremely narrow focus in a particular area. Even in related fields there is little overlap in erudition. Someone with a doctorate in business administration has considerably different knowledge than someone with a Ph.D. in economics.

Giving money to NOM will prevent Eric Holder from ... something ...

National Organization for Marriage has a new Gimme this afternoon. It uses the same old tedious "redefinition" drivel and is titled Enough is Enough. By the second paragraph they are asking for loot:

The Obama Administration is at it again — forcing a redefinition of marriage upon states and people who have overwhelmingly voted to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. NOM needs your immediate help to stand up to the lawlessness of this administration that is dead set on doing everything in its power to impose a radical redefinition of marriage on every citizen of the United States.

Won't you please click here to make an immediate $35, $50, $100, $500 or even $1,000 donation to help us stand up to the Obama machine and its extremist allies determined to redefine marriage?

The had their shot.

NOM: Long and Wrong on Nevada

It has become almost unsporting to criticize National Organization for Marriage. The organization, a proxy for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, has become increasingly inept and irrelevant if not delusional about marriage equality and their own influence over elected officials.

Last night's long winded headline is: “National Organization for Marriage Sharply Criticizes Nevada's Governor and Attorney General for Misreading Court Precedents and Abandoning Marriage, Voters and Their Constitutional Duties.” This is followed by a subtitle which reads “'In the end, this is simply an act of cowardice, with these officials bending to the false narrative of 'inevitability' projected by the radicals determined to impose marriage redefinition nationwide.' — Brian Brown, NOM president —”

Pampered Prelate:
SF Archbishop
Sal Cordileone

Poor Tony: It is so hard to be part of the oppressed white-Christian-heterosexual-male minority

Tony Perkins, President of FRC

A hate group leader with ties to the KKK is apoplectic over equality for gay Americans, his fellow citizens. Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council (a position that paid him over $230,000 in 2012), seems to be most comfortable when he portrays himself as a victim — usually at the hands of “homosexual activists” and their allies.

Once again, Perkins is a casualty of the "politically correct elites." This time it is Eric Holder who is Perkins' tormentor. That is because the AG is perfecting the DOJ's application of the decision, last summer, in United States v. Windsor. In an email yesterday, Perkins writes:

Frank Bruni has a news flash for straight guys

Writing for the New York Times, Bruni is the writer that many of us would like to be. The full article is a great read. Here's a teaser:

A news flash for every straight man out there: You’ve been naked in front of a gay man.

In fact you’ve been naked, over the course of your life, in front of many gay men, at least if you have more than a few years on you. And here you are — uninjured, uncorrupted, intact. The earth still spins. The sun rises and sets.

Stupid is persisting with a dumb idea

My local Starbucks on Ocean Drive
during pride week

Starbucks Corporation (000 omitted):

Year Ended:	Sep 29, 2013	Sep 30, 2012	Oct 2, 2011
Total Revenue	14,892,200	13,299,500	11,700,400
Cost of Revenue	6,382,300	5,813,300	4,915,500
Gross Profit	8,509,900	7,486,200	6,784,900

---

Jeremy notes that, once again, National Organization for Marriage has trotted out their "Dump Starbucks" campaign. Christians everywhere might be dumping their Starbucks coffee. Who knows? What we do know is that the corporation during this little fit (which started in early 2012) has grown from a 12 billion dollar enterprise to a 15 billion dollar enterprise. That's an increase of 25% over a two year span.

Kilpatrick: 'What GLAAD and Muslim Extremists Have in Common'

It's worth noting that William Kilpatrick has an affiliation with the far-right Shillman Foundation which supports ultra-right Zionism. Kilpatrick, who was formerly on the faculty of Boston College, seems to think that all Muslims are extremists. He probably believes, as many do, that all gays are activists. A disinterested observer might consider Kilpatrick a Catholic extremist.

Kilpatrick explains in Crisis Magazine that “the mission of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) is to protect Islam from criticism. Its main focus over the last ten years has been a campaign to create universal anti-blasphemy laws…” He also tells us that “the mission of GLAAD to protect the gay community from derogatory criticism.”

I don't know much about OIC but GLAAD's mission is far more complex. It does hold the media accountable for false and derogatory narratives  — defamation. If Kilpatrick finds commonality in opprobrium for suggesting that gay people are, for example, pedophiles and an effort to make criticism of the Prophet Mohammad a criminal offense then Mr. Kilpatrick is more intellectually dishonest than I thought. He goes on to explain:

Sherif Girgis releases part 3 of his Witherspoon manifesto - calls for new Roe

I wrote about this yesterday. I seriously hope that this is the last part because I simply cannot read any more of this vapid stuff. We only have so many brain cells. Part three is titled “Why Fight For Marriage?” After reading this, I have no idea. Nor do I think that anyone else is going to learn anything from the conclusion of this profoundly puffy polemic. Girgis is a true Defender of the Faith®. Perhaps, for him, that is all the reasoning that one needs.

Girgis is heavily invested in marriage discrimination. Towards the end Girgis calls for sustaining this conflict (and what appears to be his favorite hobby) well past our achieving national marriage equality, should that occur:

Backholm: They are going to jail your pastor, close your church and take your kids away from you!!!

The Christianist Family Policy Institute of Washington was already on the losing side of the battle for marriage equality in their state. Lately they seem to have taken cues from FRC and National Organization for Marriage and we have victims galore.

The latest is a post from their head, Joseph Backholm, breathlessly titled “Now They're Suing Churches.” That “They” would be us of course. Backholm claims that we have been dishonest:

The news here is that they’re suing churches, something they assured us would NEVER happen because they just respect religious freedom far too much.