As a parent, megachurch pastor comes out to help teenagers

A father of four, Jim Swilley, 52 had to finally come out. If it meant saving the life of a teenager, he was willing to risk his career as a pastor. His former wife--who had always know he was gay--convinced him to make the announcement.
This is a courageous and honorable man.
I hope that only good things come from his announcement. As a parent and a gay man he has a two-fold understanding of the importance of his decision.



Megachurch Pastor Comes Out

News
http://www.advocate.com/

Am I Purple!

After many submissions on marriage equality weren't acceptec by The Arizona Republic, finally my letter to the editor on "Bullying of gay children abhorrent," was published today.
Click on it below, and you can read it and see how bloggers can twist this issue into abuse of tea party people--completely insensitive to the issue.
That made my face as purple as my shirt.
But hey, I'm in Arizona. I heard that there were a lot of people in New York wearing purple.
That's progress!
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/9490146

Bishop Gene Robinson speaks out

It's hard to fight the hatemongering religious nuts who classify gays as an abomination, but one among them, Bishop Gene Robinson, has written an insightful article titled "How Religion is Killing Our Most Vulnerable Youth."
It is a worthwhile read.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bishop-gene-robinson/how-religion-is-killing-o_b_764568.html

The Mormons are at it again

They spent millions backing Proposition 8, now the Mormons have taken their anti-gay campaign to Facebook! So far 4,200 of their brainwashed followers have signed up as fans of Boyd K. Packer. The senior leader of the so-called "Church" is spewing his homophobic rhetoric to his choir of believers.
What happened to God created us equal? What about God created us in his image and likeness?
I just don't get religion.

It's up to parents of gays to defend them

What if one or more of those anti-gay homophobic demostrators has a child who is gay and hiding it? What if? What if that child has to stay closeted because of the venomous feelings of his/her parents. How sad is that!
As anti-gay demonstrators go, Rev. Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church is a disgusting example of the ministry. His own children describe him as a violent, angry man  He teaches them to call gays disgusting, evil freaks. Phelps is the evil freak.
Parents, Parents, Parents. We are the defenders of our gay children. Maybe the public will listen to us. We are the voice that needs to be heard.
Or, are you afraid to admit the fact that you are the parent of a LGBT child? Get over yourself and get your butt out there and protest this discrimiantion of our children.
It is shameful that you are hiding in the shadows. Shameful.

Gays working for non-profits have strong desire to serve others

A few weeks ago, I read an inspiring story in the Huffington Post, by Frank J. Miles, "Come out for Yourself--Stay out for Others." Today I read a recent piece on advocate.com, by Gregory Lewis, which proves Miles' theory. Lewis states that " Analysis of 2000 Census data suggests that smaller gay–straight pay disparities for men in the nonprofit sector, occupational choices, and ability to afford nonprofit employment explain some overrepresentation of partnered gay men but not of partnered lesbians."
"Even after controlling for all these factors, people with same-sex partners remain more likely than married people to work for NPOs, suggesting that a strong desire to serve others is an important factor."
I think that the strong desire to serve others should "stand out" for those of the gay community who have been underserved by society. In spite of that, the gay community is understanding and empathetic to the needs of others.
Good job!

Join We Give A Damn!

Like many parents, I am sickened by hate crimes against, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. These are our children being punished for who they are. It's heartbreaking and cruel. Cyndi Lauper has made a wonderful contribution to this fight against hate crimes. See the video at wegiveadamn.org and join today.

October 5, 2010 [NEW YORK] – The Give a Damn Campaign, a project of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund, has released its newest public service announcement focusing on hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Ricky Martin, Elton John, Idina Menzel, Rachael Harris and Wanda Sykes speak out about the need to bring an end to these senseless acts of violence and intimidation. The PSA saw its world premiere last night on CNN’s Larry King Live during an episode featuring the topic of anti-gay bullying.
In the U.S. one hate crime takes place approximately every hour of every single day. In 2008, the most recent year in which such data is available, 7,783 incidents of hate crime were reported to the FBI.1 out of every 6 of these hate crimes is committed on the basis of sexual orientation.

Give a damn!

Marriage equality isn't redefining anything

Go to the American Foundation for Equal Rights! Check out this great clip of Cynthia Nixon: “Gay people who want to marry, have no desire to redefine marriage in any way. When women got the right to vote, they did not redefine voting… When African Americans got the right to sit at a lunch counter alongside white people, they did not redefine eating out. They were simply invited to the table. And that is all we want to do.”
That's a perfect argument! More people are agreeing with marriage equality every day. What are we waiting for? (I guess it's the upcoming elections. Politicians love to use same-sex marriage as a tactical issue to get votes. Do politicians think we are ignorant?)
As Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon put it, gay people just want to marry like everybody else. They're not trying to redefine marriage.