Articles by E. Ross
E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.
Argentina Legalizes Gay Marriage!
“They are portraying this as a religious moral issue and as a threat to ‘the natural order,’ when what we are really doing is looking at a reality that is already there,” said President Kirchner. “It would be a terrible distortion of democracy if they denied minorities their rights.”
“MARRIAGE EQUALITY IS LAW IN ARGENTINA 33-27 FUCKYES!!!!”
“Today’s historic vote shows how far Catholic Argentina has come, from dictatorship to true democratic values, and how far the freedom to marry movement has come as twelve countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality. Argentina’s vote for the freedom to marry marks an important advance for fairness and family values as more couples around the world will now share in marriage, with families helped and no one hurt. Today’s vote adds momentum to the international movement to secure the freedom to marry for all loving and committed couples.”“Key to Argentina’s human rights achievement was strong leadership from legislators and the president. It is time we see more of our own elected officials standing up for the Constitution and all families here in the United States. America should lead, not lag, when it comes to treating everyone equally under the law.”
Prevo calls gay Christians "deadly" as Ray Boltz sings of love
The Ray Boltz concert in Anchorage was a hit with LGBT fans and mainstream Christians – but not with Jerry Prevo, who warned his flock to avoid the free concert and wrote a column attacking gay Christians, calling Boltz an “ex-Christian” with “deadly secrets.” Boltz took the high road and answered the hate with a new song about love:
“I will choose to love,
though they shake their fists at me.
And I will be myself with you,
living authenticity.
Though they wrap their hatred
in a message from above,
I will choose to love.”
Amen to that.
In June, Bent reported that Ray Boltz was coming to Anchorage and posted his hit song “Don’t Tell Me Who to Love”, featured in a video for marriage equality. Meanwhile, Prevo warned his followers about the concert in a special all-caps “BEWARE” message, and explained in the ABT bulletin why Christians should not attend the concert of one of their favorite Christian singers:
“Many of us are familiar with such Christian songs as “Thank You” and “Watch the Lamb” written by Ray Boltz. For years, Mr. Boltz performed before numerous crowds and churches, singing and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He sold over 4.5 million records before retiring from Christian music. Why did he retire?”
Prevo is very familiar with the song “Thank You” — in fact, his congregation chose the Boltz song as their special tribute to Prevo when they celebrated his 38 years of spreading fear and hate against gays. Oops! Boltz had already come out, but ABTers are notoriously behind the times.
“In December of 2004, Boltz revealed to Carol, his wife of 30 years, and his four children that he was a homosexual. Since that time, he has divorced his wife in lieu of his settling into his new-found lifestyle.”
Carol writes a blog in support of gay Christians, and gives advice to their former spouses. She also manages Ray’s website, and weeds out the hate mail from people like Prevo. Boltz lives with his male partner, as an honest gay man whose family loves and accepts him. He performs at gay-friendly churches around the country, and the tickets are often free.
“How does this happen? Paul gives us a look into this phenomenon. “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim 3:2-5). These are the religious people; these are the ones who exist in the community of believers; these are the ones who exhibit a “form of godliness.”
Do you think he has a special grudge against gay Christians? Blasphemers, traitors, brutal – he aims that whole list of sins at gay people of faith, just because they tell the truth about how God created them and continue to believe that God loves them. Prevo hates that truth.
“How hopeless can it be to know the truth and deny the power of that truth? How can we go through the motions day after day, coming to church, and even involved in ministry, yet “denying the sovereign Lord who bought us?” (2 Peter 2:1) “They profess to know God, but in works deny Him” (Titus 1:16). Jude wrote “They have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah” (v.11).”
Actually, these quotes apply perfectly to preachers who sell hate-for-profit disguised as religion. Just sayin’.
“Only an individual and God can know what deadly secrets he/she keeps. Don’t let them have power over you like Cain’s hatred for Abel (Gen. 4:7). Having a clear understanding of doctrine, attending church, and working in the ministry are vital to the Christian life, but they can also be counterfeited to fit a religious form. Jesus did not say the good branch sits faithfully in pews; He said, “It abides.” This is revealed in a continual desire to draw near to God, the expression of obedience, and a hatred for sin. Nothing would be more tragic than to say those hopeless words, “Did we not prophecy in your Name?” to the Lord who never knew you.”
Being gay is a “deadly” secret? Yes, says Prevo, a secret that will lead to the murder of good Christian Abels who are taken in by the “counterfeit” gay Christians.
THAT is HATE.
Hate laced with the threat of violence. Don’t let them have power over you like Cain… don’t let them murder you with their deadly secrets… defend yourself and your family… kill them first.
Crazy dangerous hate.
Why does Prevo hate Ray Boltz so violently? He should be happy that Boltz continues to believe and has not abandoned the church.
Prevo hates Boltz because he knows that when Christians hear a believer they respect singing heartfelt songs about being gay and knowing God’s love, they will forget to be afraid of him and will be touched by the truth and humanity of his music.
And when they stop fearing gays, they won’t pay Prevo to protect them from a non-existent threat.
Try it for yourself. Watch the video below and the other videos from the local concert, and see if his songs move you. “Who Would Jesus Love” from the new album True is especially appropriate for Anchorage in the aftermath of the ordinance.
“Would He only love the ones
who look the same as me?
Would He only offer hope
when He saw similarity?
Would he leave the others waitin
like a stranger at the gate?
Would He discriminate?
Tell me, who would Jesus love?”
The following video opens with photos of his Alaska visit set to “Don’t Tell Me Who to Love”, then switches to the concert. Boltz tells about coming out to his supportive family, and sings the new song “I Will Choose to Love.” (The song starts around 4:20 and it’s worth waiting for.)
The haters in Anchorage need to hear this message, even more than the gays and allies do. I hope a few disobeyed Prevo and went to this incredible concert. Perhaps they will also choose love.
Go GaGa for Monster Ball tickets with KFAT & Myrna’s
Grand prize winner receives:Round trip tickets for two to Tacoma, WashingtonHotel stay and tickets to Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball TourCome to all the dates! We’ll also be playing games for other prizes at each event. You don’t want to miss it!**Must be at least 21 years old to enter****Must be present to win**EVENT DATES:SATURDAY, JULY 17TH FROM 8 – 10 PMSATURDAY, JULY 24TH FROM 8 – 10 PMSATURDAY, JULY 31ST FROM 8 – 10 PMSATURDAY, AUGUST 7TH FROM 8 – 10 PMOfficial rules are HERE. (pdf)
Firing of transwoman because coworkers might feel "uncomfortable" is discrimination, Court rules
U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story handed down a decision finding the firing of Vandy Beth Glenn—a former Georgia state legislative editor who announced that she would be transitioning from a man to a woman—unconstitutional.Born Glenn Morrison, the plaintiff alleged that her boss, Georgia Legislative Counsel Sewell Brumby, dismissed her after two years of employment because the gender transition she was about to undergo would make coworkers feel “uncomfortable” and be seen as “immoral” by Georgia lawmakers. In Glenn v. Brumby et. al., Sewell argued that lawmakers “would no longer trust his office if a transgendered person worked there,” states UPI.com.But in a 50-page decision, Story wrote: “[A]voiding the anticipated negative reactions of others cannot serve as a sufficient basis for discrimination and does not constitute an important government interest.”
… In this case, “the court proved that the Georgia General Assembly isn’t above the constitution,” says Lambda Legal transgender-rights attorney Dru Levasseur, who is co-representing Glenn, in a press release. “The evidence was clear—Vandy Beth was fired because her boss didn’t like who she is, and that kind of treatment is unfair and illegal.”
Watch: Robosexual Marriage
| Futurama | Thursdays 10pm / 9c | |||
| No on Infinity | ||||
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| Futurama | Thursdays 10pm / 9c | |||
| Bender and Amy’s Taboo Love | ||||
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Watch: The Kids Are All Right
This Week (and next) in LGBT Alaska 7/9/10
Juneau
“Life’s a Drag” show and flogger making party 7/9, 8:30 p.m. at the Rendezvous Bar, $10 benefit for Four A’s & the ICOAA.
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Jaded Lounge.
SEAGLA and PFLAG Annual Pride Picnic, 7/17, 4-8 p.m. at Skater’s Cabin.
Fairbanks
Brandi Carlile concert at The Blue Loon, Thursday 7/15, 8 p.m. Tickets HERE.
Angry, Young & Poor 2010, 7/17 noon-midnight, a (gay-friendly) music event at Ester Community Park.
ICOAA Ducal Ball XVIII: The Duck Awards, Pioneer Park, 7/17, doors at 7 p.m. show at 8. $15 for food and show.
Mat-Su Valley
Coyote Gardens Open Garden 7/17 from 10-5 and 7/18 from noon-4, garden tours by Les and Jerry to raise funds for The Alaska Rock Garden Society and the Willow Garden Club.
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.
Anchorage
EverReady plays the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River, 7/10, 1:00p.m.
Comedy Hypnosis (Summer Hump) Show 7/10, 9-10:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s. Tickets HERE.
Seven Deadly Sins 3.0, on 7/11 at 5:30p.m., Mad Myrna’s. Tickets $25 in advance for the 7 course meal and entertainment. Proceeds to benefit NE2010 and Identity Inc. Tickets HERE.
Ray Boltz Concert at MCCA, 7/11 from 7:15-9 p.m. Register HERE for FREE tickets.
LGBT Caucus of the Alaska Democratic Party meeting 7/13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at ADP headquarters, 2602 Fairbanks Street in Anchorage.
Operaoke! 7/13, 9-10:30 p.m. at Myrna’s.
Identity & PFLAG Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, 7/15, 6 p.m. at Goose Lake Park.
Brandi Carlile concert at The Discovery Theater 7/16, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT.
DOMA Section 3 ruled Unconstitutional, violates equal protection
“In one challenge brought by the state of Massachusetts, Judge Joseph Tauro ruled that Congress violated the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when it passed DOMA and took from the states decisions concerning which couples can be considered married. In the other, Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, he ruled DOMA violates the equal protection principles embodied in the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.”
This court has determined that it is clearly within the authority of the Commonwealth [of Massachusetts] to recognize same-sex marriages among its residents, and to afford those individuals in same-sex marriages any benefits, rights, and privileges to which they are entitled by virtue of their marital status. The federal government, by enacting and enforcing DOMA, plainly encroaches upon the firmly entrenched province of the state, and, in doing so, offends the Tenth Amendment. For that reason, the statute is invalid.
DOMA fails to pass constitutional muster even under the highly deferential rational basis test. As set forth in detail below, this court is convinced that “there exists no fairly conceivable set of facts that could ground a rational relationship” between DOMA and a legitimate government objective. DOMA, therefore, violates core constitutional principles of equal protection.
[T]his court notes that DOMA cannot possibly encourage Plaintiffs to marry members of the opposite sex because Plaintiffs are already married to members of the same sex. But more generally, this court cannot discern a means by which the federal government’s denial of benefits to same-sex spouses might encourage homosexual people to marry members of the opposite sex. And denying marriage-based benefits to same-sex spouses certainly bears no reasonable relation to any interest the government might have in making heterosexual marriages more secure.What remains, therefore, is the possibility that Congress sought to deny recognition to same-sex marriages in order to make heterosexual marriage appear more valuable or desirable. But to the extent that this was the goal, Congress has achieved it “only by punishing same-sex couples who exercise their rights under state law.” And this the Constitution does not permit.“For if the constitutional conception of ‘equal protection of the laws’ means anything, it must at the very least mean that the Constitution will not abide such a bare congressional desire to harm a politically unpopular group.”
But even if Congress believed at the time of DOMA’s passage that children had the best chance at success if raised jointly by their biological mothers and fathers, a desire to encourage heterosexual couples to procreate and rear their own children more responsibly would not provide a rational basis for denying federal recognition to same-sex marriages. Such denial does nothing to promote stability in heterosexual parenting. Rather, it “prevent[s] children of same-sex couples from enjoying the immeasurable advantages that flow from the assurance of a stable family structure,” when afforded equal recognition under federal law.Moreover, an interest in encouraging responsible procreation plainly cannot provide a rational basis upon which to exclude same-sex marriages from federal recognition because, as Justice Scalia pointed out in his dissent to Lawrence v. Texas, the ability to procreate is not now, nor has it ever been, a precondition to marriage in any state in the country.
In the wake of DOMA, it is only sexual orientation that differentiates a married couple entitled to federal marriage-based benefits from one not so entitled. And this court can conceive of no way in which such a difference might be relevant to the provision of the benefits at issue. By premising eligibility for these benefits on marital status in the first instance, the federal government signals to this court that the relevant distinction to be drawn is between married individuals and unmarried individuals. To further divide the class of married individuals into those with spouses of the same sex and those with spouses of the opposite sex is to create a distinction without meaning. And where, as here, “there is no reason to believe that the disadvantaged class is different, in relevant respects” from a similarly situated class, this court may conclude that it is only irrational prejudice that motivates the challenged classification. As irrational prejudice plainly never constitutes a legitimate government interest, this court must hold that Section 3 of DOMA as applied to Plaintiffs violates the equal protection principles embodied in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Glitter Parade & Pride Picnic in Fairbanks
My oh my, can we have fun with that! Come out and join us all you Queens, Kings, and Princesses. Bring your tiaras and your glittery best. Tell your friends and anyone else who’ll be interested, and let’s show Fairbanks our Pride!
This year’s Fairbanks Pride Picnic will be held July 24th at Growden Park directly after the Golden Days Parade. Join us for BBQ, performances, booths, and games galore! The fun starts around 1pm and they don’t kick us out until 8pm. Bring your friends, your family, and your need to have a good time.Want to get involved and help your local community? We are looking for organizations and groups who would like to share their information, performers who don’t need a real stage, and anyone else who may want to lend a hand.
Pride Float destroyed & rebuilt for July 4th parade wins Grand Prize (video and links)
