How Ridiculous Can It Get?

It seems that Lesbian and Gay issues are moving more and more to the forefront of my own political agenda. It may be that this is a political time - what with the elections and all. I mean, everyone is courting everyone. And everyone is putting their issues out there in expectation of being courted. Or it may be we are on the brink of some real and profound (dare I say it?) change? That always scares the status quo folks. The idea that their way might no longer be the way terrifies them. Maybe it is just that I'm getting braver as I get older. In any event, a couple of LGBT relevant items struck me today when I, a self-professed news junkie, was trolling various media for current events. The first is:

AFA Warns Against Day of Silence

The American Family Association is urging parents to keep their children home from school on April 25, the National Day of Silence. The Day of Silence, first organized in 1996, encourages students to remain voiceless for a day to represent the silence faced by LGBT people and their allies. Today, hundreds of schools across the country participate in the event.

"DOS leads the students to believe that every person who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual, or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing, unrelenting harassment and hate," the AFA said in its mass e-mail. "Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change. Those who oppose such teaching are characterized as ignorant and hateful bigots."

The AFA is asking parents to inform their school that they will not allow their children to attend that day. They also want parents to explain to their children that "homosexual behavior is not an innate identity; it's a sinful, unnatural, and destructive behavior."

Can you believe it the AFA is asking parents to keep their children home from school on the National Day of Silence? This news item pissed me off. They want to turn what should be a sign of solidarity into a show of intolerance. It is no wonder that little Larry King was killed for a crush. Now even silence is provocation for the bigots to vent.

The other item - and this one would be just plain silly if it weren't so sad - comes from the Advocate today:

Mississippi: Partnered Gays Not Good for Kids

A bill in the Mississippi senate would bar cohabiting unmarried couples, including gay and lesbian couples, from adopting children. The proposed law is an effort to close a loophole that allows gay couples to adopt. WLBT TV in Jackson reports that the state's department of human services has 533 children in its custody who are eligible for adoption. Current guidelines for a prospective adoptive parent are that he or she must be either single -- sexual orientation is not mentioned -- or married for at least two years, 21 years old, and have sufficient income and insurance to care for a child.

"We're talking about taking a child and putting them into an environment where they are taught habits and exposed to lifestyles that are clearly detrimental to the child," state representative Phillip Gunn said to WLBT in reference to adoption by gay couples.

Gunn said, however, he does not want to prevent singles from adopting. "Obviously there are a lot of single people out there with a lot of love to give an adoptive child, and we certainly don't want to prohibit that, and that is not a bad way to raise a child," he continued.

Apparently, gays make poor adoptive parents only when they're partnered. (The Advocate)

How ridiculous is that!

I'm Lovin' Ellen DeGeneres

Last Friday, I watched Ellen DeGeneres stand up for gay Americans. I watched as she, in her subtle, humble way, said, "Stop the Hate". She was moved by the story of a 15-year old murdered for asking a 14-year old classmate to be his Valentine. She was moved because she knows that being gay shouldn't be a death sentence in the U.S. or anywhere else.

What was remarkable to me wasn't that Ellen was moved. It was that she decided finally to stand on her platform and make herself heard. All too often she has played the role of the harmless "not political" don't-get-offended by me gay. But every once in a while something moves her. The murder of Lawrence "Larry" King did it.

“Larry was not a second-class citizen,” DeGeneres said in her remarks. “I am not a second-class citizen. It’s okay if you’re gay.”

You're right, Ellen. And I'm grateful you were moved not just to feel but to speak!

In love and struggle,

Val