Don’t Protect Children – This Isn’t a Fairy Tale

One may think that if you’re going to take a stand against equality, you may want to get creative in your rhetoric as to why LGBT citizens should not be covered under the same protections historically provided to other minorities. You may want to come up with solid disputes as to why it’s detrimental to society as a whole to prevent LGBT people being equal.

Now, when it comes to children, one may think regardless of color, gender, sexual orientation, weight, height, learning or physical ability, that because they are children…they should always be protected…right?

The way I see it, this country owes it to our children to do everything we can to make sure that discrimination is eliminated from our schools, but, just as during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, children unfortunately are not off limits to hate and bigotry.

According to a post on the Unfair and Unbalanced FOX Faux News:

A bill in Congress that would prohibit discrimination in public schools based on sexual orientation or gender identity could stifle free speech and even lead to “homosexual indoctrination” in the nation’s classrooms.

The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA), or H.R. 4530, was introduced late last month by Colorado Rep. Jared Polis, with 60 co-sponsors. Polis, the first openly gay man elected to the House as a nonincumbent, said the legislation will put lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on “equal footing” with their peers, much as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did for minorities and Title IX did for women.

But some critics say the bill, if passed, could lead to murky definitions of harassment and provide a universal approach to the nation’s public schools despite regional differences on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

“The real danger is how this will be interpreted,” said Neal McCluskey, associate director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, a Washington-based libertarian think tank. “The definition of harassment could be broadly interpreted that anybody who expressed a totally legitimate opinion about homosexual behavior could be made illegal.”

So Mr. McCluskey, exactly what is a “totally legitimate opinion?  Key word…OPINION!  Opinion is not fact.  What would be a “legitimate opinion about homosexual behavior”? Is telling a child they are an abomination legit? Is telling a child they’re going to burn in hell for being gay legit? Is beating a child for being gay legit? Is murdering a man, woman or child OK as long as you have a “legitimate opinion”? According to your version of the Bible it is…but Mr. McCluskey, you are not everyone, and not everyone bases their religious ideology around hate, and if you were uncertain Mr. McCluskey, let me reassure you that not all children, or their parents, subscribe to your chosen religion. So, why should you be able to use your religion against children who don’t choose their sexual orientation? Mr. McCluskey, I would remind you that federal civil rights statutes explicitly address discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability and national origin. Yes RELIGION Mr. McCluskey. That means that if you tell someone you think fags are going to hell because that’s what your religion tells you, then you are protected. That means if someone beats the living hell out of your for carrying a bible, they are going to be punished…yet a gay child shouldn’t receive that protection…because your Bible and your beliefs think being gay is wrong? Mr. McCluskey, why are you better than anyone else? What gives you the right to determine who should or should not be bullied? Are you advocating for bullying against LGBT youth Mr. McCluskey? It certainly sounds that way to me!

And he continues:

“That’s a violation of those kids who want to express opposition to LGBT opinions or behavior. People have a legitimate reason to be concerned about this — not because they’re ‘haters’ but because you’re now trying to balance different rights.”

So, Mr. McClusky, the white children who wanted to express opposition to allowing children of color from attending their all white schools in Alabama and Mississippi back in the 1960’s were justified in doing so? The white children who bullied, beat and even murdered children of color in the South prior to and during the Civil Rights Movement were justified in doing so because their white Baptist preacher was telling them segregation was God’s command and used the Bible as the base of their bigotry? So those white people who abused people of color weren’t ‘haters’? Weren’t the white people simply “expressing opposition” to desegregation?

And still worried about being able to say he hates fags, Mr. McCluskey adds:

“If this is passed,it’s going to almost certainly in some places be interpreted far too broadly, and free-speech rights will be trampled.”

You’re right Mr. McCluskey…this bill most certainly changes the U.S. Constitution and eliminates the First Amendment. You will no longer be able to say anything…to anyone…ever! Mr. McCluskey, I’m having a difficult time believing you’re really that stupid!

Of course, then we have those who believe were all out to recruit…and make the whole world gay.

The post continues:

Other critics, meanwhile, say the bill will be used to push what they say is a homosexual agenda in public schools.

“It seems pretty consistent with Kevin Jennings being appointed in the Obama administration,” said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit public interest law firm, referring to the controversial founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network who now serves as the assistant deputy secretary for the Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

“When [Jennings] founded GLSEN, his idea of a safe school was one that pushed a radical homosexual agenda by even encouraging first and second-graders to engage in homosexual activity,” Staver said. “So I think that’s the impetus behind this bill. We have an administration that wants to push a radical social agenda.”

Yes Mr. Starver…you’re right! Gay people are lurking outside of every second grade classroom just waiting for the right time to tell the students to have same-sex relationships and even provide them with “how-to” pamphlets. And yes Mr. Starver, you’ve finally figured it out…the “radical social agenda” of the gay community is to turn the world gay…it has nothing to do with equality. Mr. Starver…we are out to turn you gay! Be careful where you roam Mr. Starver…we’re watching you…lying in wait…ready to sprinkle that fairy dust on your head so you magically wake up gay tomorrow!

But wait, there’s more!

Staver, of the Liberty Council, said the legislation is intolerant of any “opposing or traditional” views and called on Congress to be more focused on the country’s economic woes, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the threat of terrorism. “Those are serious matter that I think American people are concerned with,” he said. He said he doesn’t think the bill, which has bipartisan support, will pass, saying it’s “completely contrary” to American values.

Mr. Starver. Fact: over 85% of LGBT children experience harassment at school due to their sexual orientation. Is that an “American Value”? Is protecting our children…who are our future…not just as important as bombing Iraq and Afghanistan? I have an idea Mr. Starver, perhaps we should lift the ban on gays serving in the military, reduce the age for those who enlist in the military to 5 years of age if the child is gay, then send those gay children to Iraq and Afghanistan to kill those children. Just think, no more Gay, Iraqi or Afghanistani Children. They’re all dead. We could rid of the world of the anti-Christian plague, and all would be perfect.

So there you have it. The ultimate plan to eradicate the problem of protecting gay children, and insure your right to say you hate people different than you. Now THAT, is a new song and dance…but pardon me if I sit this one out.

Of course, this isn’t the only story about our youth I bring to you today.  It looks as though yet another Bible beating lawmaker, this time from Virginia, has something to say about our youth…but perhaps not gay youth, that is unless perhaps you consider being gay a disability.

According to a post on Seattle PI:

Disabled children are the Lord’s punishment for women who “abort the first born,” a Republican state legislator from Virginia has argued in calling on state officials to eliminate state money going to Planned Parenthood.

State Delegate Bob Marshall, from the Washington, D.C., suburb of Manassas, told Planned Parenthood foes:

The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children.

In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There’s a special punishment Christians would suggest.

The News-Leader newspaper reported that about 20 people, “mostly Christian pastors and clergy” heard Marshall’s remarks at the General Assembly Building in Richmond.

And this…is an elected government official that decides what is, or is not, law!

Poll Shows Strong Support for DADT Repeal

According to a new poll conducted by Quinnipiac University from February 2-8, a solid majority of Americans believe that gays and lesbians should be allowed to openly serve in the military, and a larger majority feel the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is discriminatory.

From the Quinnipiac University website:

Homosexuals should be able to openly serve in the U.S. military, American voters say 57 – 36 percent. Voters also say 66 – 31 percent the current policy of not allowing openly gay men and women to serve is discrimination, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

But by a 54 – 38 percent margin, American voters say gays in the military should face restrictions on exhibiting their sexual orientation on the job, the independent Quinnipiac University poll finds.

Voters from military households with an active or reserve member or a veteran in their family split 48 – 47 percent on ending “don’t ask; don’t tell.” Support for repeal is 72 – 23 percent among Democrats and 56 – 37 percent among independent voters. Republicans oppose repeal 53 – 40 percent. Men support repeal 51 – 44 percent; women support it 62 – 29 percent.

On other related questions, American voters say:

* 82 – 10 percent that the military should stop pursuing disciplinary action against gays who are outed against their will;
* 57 – 38 percent among voters in military families, that ending “don’t ask; don’t tell” will not be divisive;
* 50 – 43 percent that the Pentagon should not provide for domestic partners of gay personnel;
* Split 45 – 46 percent on whether heterosexual personnel should be required to share quarters with gay personnel.

“By a solid margin, American voters say go ahead and allow gays to openly serve in the military,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Voters think 2-1 that keeping gays from serving is discrimination. But they are much more mixed on exactly how the transformation of the military will occur and how the Pentagon should adjust to the needs of gay soldiers, sailors and Marines.”

Open Mic Night on Blog Talk Radio

Are you ready for the holidays? What’s on your agenda? Whatever it is make sure you listen in Wednesday nights from 8-9 pm EST as yours truly host the best hour of gay talk on gayagenda.com’s Blog Talk Radio show with weekly special guest.

This week we were joined by Focus On The Rainbow’s Lyndon Evans and Micheal from Michael in Norfolk!  Topics of discussion included Peter LaBarbera, Uganda, Gay Marriage, GLBT Rights, and much more!

Missed the show, no worries, you can listen to it on the player below, but make sure your voice is heard…join us next Wednesday on Blog Talk Radio by clicking here!

Frank Schaeffer Speaks OUT on Blog Talk Radio

What’s your agenda? Listen live every Wednesday night from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EST as you host James Hipps, managing editor of gayagenda.com brings you the latest in LGBT news and issues with special guest  on Blog Talk Radio.

This week’s guest was former Religious Righter Frank Schaeffer, author of: “Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back“and “Patience with God: Faith for People Who Dont Like Religion (or Atheism)”

Missed the show?  No worries, you can listen on the player below as Frank discusses the religious right and how they are wrong!

Smiletone Speaks OUT on GA’s BTR Show!

These are trying times to say the least.  The political arena is filled with hate, intolerance, discrimination and oppression towards the LGBT community.  The financial world around us is as unstable as it ever has been, and as there should be, there’s a real tone of somberness when it comes to struggling for equality.  It’s so easy to get caught up in all the negativity that abounds and let ourselves become consumed with the seriousness of the issues surrounding us that we sometimes forget to do one of the simplest, most important things we can do for ourselves mentally and physically…and no, I’m not talking about sex (even though I’m sure that doesn’t hurt).  Sometimes we just have to find it within to take a giant breath…and smile, and that IS the goal of this weekt’s guest on gayagenda.com’s Blog Talk Radio show.

Join us every Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. EST (by clicking here) to listen live!

According to Smiletone:

My three most favorite things to do are smiling, helping people, and dancing! My favorite things are my Blackberry, Coca-Cola, and Cosmopolitan Magazine! I was born in NY, but I have lived all over! I am now a youtuber with the mission to give good advice and make people smile!

Smiletone is just what the doctor ordered to help us get through the trials and tribulations that maintains our sense of seriousness, so don’t miss the opportunity to live a little and forget about the serious side of life for a while.

Missed the show? No worries, you can listen on the player below…but log on next week, call in to be part of the show and join us in the live chat room!

For more about Smiletone, check him out at:

• www.youtube.com/user/smiletone
• www.twitter.com/smiletone
• www.facebook.com/smiletone
• www.myspace.com/augustusjr
  

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