New Poll Shows Support For Gay Marriage Growing

The latest Poll by the Pew Research Center shows that support for gay marriage is increasing across the board.

Since I'm always leery of polls unless I know who the pollster is, I should tell you that the Pew Research center is a non-partisan, Washington based organization and is often cited by policy-makers, journalists, academics and advocates from across the political spectrum.

The poll results were released last Tuesday (6/10/08) and show dramatic changes in attitudes towards gay marriage between 2004 and 2008.

According to the poll, there has been a marked decline in opposition toward gay marriage among women, college graduates, and senior citizens. Opposition among women has dropped from 56% in 2004 to 46% in 2008. While 46% of college graduates opposed gay marriage in 2004, only 38% oppose it now. Opposition among senior citizens (ages 65 and up) has dropped 10% since 2004, from 68% to 58%.

BUT --- according to the study, civil unions still prove to be much more popular than gay marriage. 38% of Americans support full marriage equality but a majority of 51% favor civil unions. Although that's not exactly what we want since civil unions only give us some of the rights of heterosexual couples, it does show that a majority of Americans now favor some sort of legal union between same-sex couples.

What is clear is the fact that people's attitudes are changing and seem to be changing at a faster pace than at any other time in our history. This bodes well for the eventual acceptance of fully protected, same-sex marriages.

Full story at  Advocate.com.

Full Poll results at Pew Research Center.

DON'T ASK DON'T TELL - TO BE OR NOT TO BE

There have been several articles lately zeroing in on the democrat's failure to do anything about the infamous Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy now that they control congress. Many activist want them to take action NOW. But I'm not so sure that would be the smartest thing to do while "the bush" is still in the oval office and would certainly veto whatever congress might pass. And, there are still enough homophobic republicans left in office to block a veto override.

''We know this is an issue that would not be met with a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the administration. That's a big reality,'' said Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., chairwoman of the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee. ''You want to spend time on the things you can move.''

Although that's a somewhat insensitive way of saying it, I do agree with Rep. Davis' comment. It would be much more politically astute to wait until after the November elections. I strongly feel that by then there will not only be a sane, rational and intelligent person in the White House but there will also be a substantial change in the senate and congressional make-up. If by some fluke or political underhandedness that doesn't happen then, yes, of course, we comeback at them in full force and with every political and activist trick we have.

One thing I learned from being one of the radical gay activists of the 70's is that the most effective approach to achieving our goals is a balanced combination of in-your-face radicalism and well thought out political strategy. At this point, I feel that between now and November it would be much wiser to put our considerable talents, energy and know how into getting ALL of those people who support us into office. Including local level offices!

If you disagree with me, post a comment or send me an email. I'll make sure your voice is heard here as well. Unless, of course, you start spouting religious fanaticism. In that case, you won't make it onto this blog. Ever.

The above quote was from a AP story posted on 365gay.com.

Brazilian President calls homophobia a "perverse disease"

I hope that Obama is as vigorous in his support for our community after he becomes President as Brazilian President Lula da Silva is being. It would be nice to have support from the White House instead of the incessant gay bashing we've been experiencing for the last seven and a half long years.

Brazilian President calls homophobia a "perverse disease"

From PinkNews
By Sophie Picheta • June 11, 2008 - 16:57

The president of Brazil has become the first nation leader to launch a conference with the sole purpose of promoting gay equality.

The First National Conference of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals was inaugurated by president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who called for a "time of reparation" in Brazil.

At last week's conference President Lula announced his support for gay rights, and stated he will "do all that is possible so that the criminalisation of homophobia and the civil union may be approved."

He also called homophobia "the most perverse disease impregnated in the human head."

Like all countries, homophobia still exists in Brazil but at least their President is trying to do something about it.

Read the full story at: PinkNews.

Once Again Republicans Protect Oil Companies!

In an attempt to confront the obscene profits the oil companies are making, the Senate proposed legislation that would tax any "unreasonable" profits made by the five largest U.S. oil companies. The legislation would also give the federal government more power to address oil market speculation that many experts believe has added to the crude oil price surge.

"Americans are furious about what's going on," declared Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and want Congress to do something about oil company profits and "an orgy of speculation" on oil markets.

Sounds like a much needed, fair (to you and I) and reasonable response to the blatant greed and astounding arrogance of those oil companies and speculators doesn't it? Well, guess what -- the senate republicans have blocked that effort!

According to Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., "If taxes are increased on the oil companies they (the sponsors of the proposal) will get exactly what they don't want. The bill will raise taxes and increase imports."

How incredibly idiotic is that!? Of course it will raise taxes -- ON THE OIL COMPANIES!! Increase imports? Isn't that the very foundation of the so-called market philosophy of supply and demand that the republicans are so fond of preaching? Wouldn't more oil available bring prices down? I'm certainly no expert on the world economy but even I can see the absurd hypocrisy and disturbing illogic of Senator Domenici's comments. According to him, we should just leave the oil companies and speculators alone or - heaven forbid - they'll punish us. As if paying well over $4.00 a gallon for gas isn't punishment already! Gimme a break!!

Whoever said that most republicans aren't in the pockets of big oil and pharmaceutical companies either isn't paying attention or are secretly in those pockets themselves!

I just hope that voters will remember this ON ELECTION DAY in November.

Click here for the full AP story

WAY TO GO KYLE!!

Mesa is right next door to Tempe where I live and beside its conservative Christian population mentioned in the article below, it also has a very sizable Mormon community and you don't get much more conservative than that. My partner, Peter, is Mormon - or rather ex-mormon since he resigned from the church and had his name taken off their membership roster so they couldn't claim him as a member. Their very homophobic teachings and policies just became too frustrating for both of us. We've been partnered for 7 years and have been friends for over 10.

The following is from Box Turtle Bulletin and I include it here in its entirety.

BOOS AND CHEERS FOR A HOMECOMING KING
Jim Burroway
June 9th, 2008
Eighteen-year-old Kyle Hutchinson accomplished something that no one at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona, has ever done before. He was crowned king of the high school prom as an openly gay man.

Kyle’s parents were present when he was crowned king Saturday night amid cheers and boos:

“He kept telling me he was going to win, and he had convinced me,” said his mother, Doreen Hutchinson. “When they called his name, we heard the cheering, but then we immediately heard the boos,” she said. “My heart went into my stomach. It was so awful. My husband said he was expecting it, but I wasn’t prepared. It was so sad.”

Hutchinson said he felt bad that his parents had to hear his classmates who weren’t supporting him. But he also said their reaction is something he has known his whole life, and he wasn’t about to let it ruin his moment.

Kyle said he had always been picked on for not fitting in with the other boys in school. He came out to his parents on his sixteenth birthday, and he moved from his former high school to Red Mountain the following year, he started his first day of class being open about his sexuality. And while Mesa is known for having a large conservative Christian population, Kyle found that he had very few problems until his prom night.

Kyle was crowned king after winning the contest in a landslide, which is perhaps indicative of the changing attitudes among the younger generation — even among young conservative Christians, 80% of whom thought the church was “too anti-homosexual” in one recent survey.

By the way, there is a very good Gay Mormon support group called "Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons" and if you're Morman and are having trouble coping with being gay and reconciling the contradictions between that and your church's teachings, I suggest you check them out. They have chapters all over the country and their website is www.affirmation.org. You are definitely NOT ALONE.