Smart Phone Apps Promoting Homophobia: The Latest- Is My Son Gay?

We all remember when the Huffington Post reported on Apple’s allowing an anti- gay iPhone app from the ex- gay organization Exodus International got past the app board, and the resulting outcry, resulting in Apple pulling the app from the iPhone app store. Now, we have another, this time from Google, to be loaded onto their Android Smart Phones. The Is My Son Gay? app claims to be a  one stop shop to playing detective with your son’s sexual orientation.

Once again, Huffington Post reports on the controversy currently arising. This time, the developer says it was done  in good humor, but this is hardly funny. The app promotes dangerous stereotypes about what makes people homosexual, all the while forcing any parents who take the app seriously to consider that perhaps it is their fault, if, indeed, their son turns out to be a homosexual. It also insinuates that something is wrong with being gay, and we all know that we have enough of that in this society. Here, the ladies from the daytime talk show The View, discuss the app.

Credits: Huffington Post

Another Teenager Commits Suicide Over Bullying

Fourteen year-old Jamey Rodemeyer from Buffalo, New York  committed suicide in the early morning hours of September 18, 2011.  Jamey’s parents, Tracy and Tim Rodemeyer, believe he took his own life because he could no longer tolerate the bullying and taunts he had endured for years.

According to Jamey’s “It Gets Better” video, when he came out as being “bi” he received numerous hate messages, some calling him a faggot, others telling him that gay people go to hell.  He offered hope in the video though, by stating, “I have so much support from people I don’t even know online… they’re so nice and caring and they don’t ever want me to die.” 

His parents intervened early on by going to his school where measures were taken to stop the harassment through a bullying prevention program.  Jamey’s parents had also gotten him into counseling where they believed he’d learned how to deal with it better.  Although his parents were aware that the bullying continued when he entered high school 3 weeks ago, they weren’t concerned with the way he was handling it.  They thought he was doing fine.

He wasn’t.

Just days before his death, Jamey blogged, “I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens.  What do I have to do so people will listen?”

Unfortunately for Jamey and for so many other LGBT youth, people listened a little too late.

Watch Jamey’s “It Gets Better” video:

End of an Era of Bigotry: DADT Repeal is Official

This is an emotional day for me and for many LGBT Americans, particularly those who wish to serve their country in the military just like their straight counterparts, openly and without fear of being “found out,” without losing their livelihoods, being shamed with a dishonorable discharge, just for being who they are. Yes, America, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is officially repealed. People can no longer be discharged from the military for being openly Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual. It is a happy day indeed.

Tide Jumps on the Lesbophobic Wagon

Yes, I acknowledge that the company that owns Tide has long been a supporter of LGBT rights. But even advocates and allies slip, and they need to be made aware of why their tactics are harmful. In its newest commercial, Tide berates a tomboyish little girl, while praising her pretty in pink mother, who wishes the girl would dress in pink and other more feminine clothing.

While I am sure no harm was meant, we are not yet at a point where these sorts of commercials are harmless. Gender non conformity is still something people get teased for, even murdered over. So, until there is a safer climate for people who do not follow the heteronormative gender binary, commercials like this, that re enforce gender non conformity as something abnormal, are simply irresponsible.

President Obama Support the Respect For Marriage Act

While many in the LGBT community have been questioning whether or not Barack Obama has used us for votes due to his refusal to officially endorse marriage equality, he has come further than we could ever have imagined, by endorsing and supporting the Respect for Marriage Act. This act would repeal the Defense of Marriage Ac t(DOMA), which became law in 1996 under then President Clinton, which defines marriage as strictly between one man and one woman. Obama has long since said that his feelings on Marriage Equality and the definition of marriage are “evolving,” (his word), and now he is finally living up to what he said. Hopefully, upon re election in 2012, he comes out in full support of Marriage Equality for ALL Americans, not just those like himself.  Hopefully, in 2012, a change comes indeed, this time, once and for all.

The Bachmanns’ Ex-Gay Lies Exposed

Thanks to an extensive investigation from our friends at Truth Wins Out (TWO), there is now definite proof that Marcus Bachmann’s clinic, Bachmann & Associates, has been practicing Ex- Gay therapy. This is a clinic that receives state funds, so their practices should strictly be in line with with what the American Psychiatric Association teaches, and homosexuality has been off the books as a mental illness since 1973. Furthermore, it is questionable as to whether Marcus Bachmann is indeed lying about having 23 years of experience with a PhD. Queerty reports that not only does the math not add up, but the university he claims to have graduated from doesn’t even offer the degree he claims to have earned.

Politician believes homosexuality is more harmful to the U.S. than terrorism

Democrat, Ruben Diaz, voted against marriage equality stating in his anti-equality rally that gay people “are worthy of death.”

He is reaching out to show his thanks for all those who supported his bigotry, such as Archbishop Timothy Dolen:

…and Oklahoma State Representative, Sally Kern:

Read full article:

Why we bother!

Court Orders Immediate Ban on Discharging Gays in the Military

It is finally done, it seems. ABC News reports  that a federal appeals court has reversed the decision to keep the ban on open gays in the U.S. military, effective immediately, since the Obama Administration decided that the ban is unconstitutional late last year. In a two- page long order, a three- judge panel concluded that the U.S. military will now allow openly LGBT members for the first time since “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” became law in 1996.

Michele Bachmann’s Husband: Gays are “Barbarians” Who Need to be “Disciplined”

This comes as no surprise, but it sheds light on just how dangerous it would be for Michele Bachmann to land in the Oval Office. Her own husband, Dr. Marcus Bachmann, has made some most disturbing statements about America’s LGBT community. Think Progress published the comments, and Connexion ran a story with his full remarks, as follows:

We have to understand: barbarians need to be educated. They need to be disciplined. Just because someone feels it or thinks it doesn’t mean that we are supposed to go down that road. That’s what is called the sinful nature. We have a responsibility as parents and as authority figures not to encourage such thoughts and feelings from moving into the action steps…

This is the man whose wife wishes to be Commander in Chief of this country. It comes as no surprise, but, combined with the fact that she actually has a rather rabid following of religious bigots, it could happen. These are dangerous times, and the only way to stop this travesty is to take action. If, for no other reason, please get out and stop this for our youth. Spread the word on what kind of people could wind up in the White House if we are complacent. Use the following video as your evidence and proof as you tell the nation what sort of people the Bachmanns really are.