TO ALL FLORIDIANS:

[Azrael]

Look at this
I stole this from Zeke at Pride Tampa Bay
Hello My Friends and Visitors

UPDATE: Anti-Gay Rally Coming to Tampa Bay in September

Local community leaders, activists, groups and organizations, from the state and across the country are working together to organize a response to the Family Impact Summit. This invasion of far right wing anti-gay zealots will be one of the largest such events to be held around the country. We must refuse to remain silent and allow this summit to happen in our own back yard without an organized "peaceful, non-violent and non-confrontational" response and have our voices heard.

We have been holding discussions to establish a coordinated action and plan to mobilize our community. We will be reaching out to other local activists, groups and organizations to invite them to participate. If you are interested in participating, drop me a line.

Even though the Family Impact Summit is being held in our back yard, it isn't just about us, it's about the whole country. This is why I am so very thankful and pleased that our local community is receiving so much support from organizations and groups throughout Florida and around the country.

I'll be posting updates, but, will not post detailed information until the time to do so arrives. One hint, save this date, September 20th., 2007.

Will be posting related articles, such as one below, as I find them. If ya'll find any of interest please forward them on to me. Be sure to check out comment link below, read others and add your two cents worth.

Take Good Care My Friends & Visitors
Zeke
Director Pride Tampa Bay

here's the upcoming event from the other side's mouth:
www.familyimpactsummit.org


it's fuckin' ON!!!!!!!! :bigrin:
will ANYONE else be there?
I'll fly solo, but damnit, I'm sick of that....

[Azrael]

oops- here's the rest of it:
TOP STORY

A Question of Company
Timothy Kincaid
August 20th, 2007

A "pro-family" crowd is gathering in Florida next month at something called the Family Impact Summit to "inform and empower involved Christian citizenship". They'll be talking about religious freedom, racial reconciliation, global warming (is it global whining?), and life issues. Oh yes, and homosexuality.

Lots and lots and lots and LOTS of homosexuality. In fact, there isn't a panel period that doesn't have at least one discussion on homosexuality including:

* Homosexual Agenda
* Homosexuality and Youth
* Homosexuality and Ministry
* On the FL Marriage Amendment and how to do a petition drive in your community or church
* New and relevant research on homosexuality

And who will be there? The speakers list includes some of the most strident homophobes in the conservative movement. Let me be clear - these are not just people who oppose homosexuality or same-sex couples for religious reasons. No, these are people who actively seek to dehumize gay persons by using derogatory language, lies, and false accusations. These are people who regularly campaign to exclude gay persons from the civil liberties and freedoms that they demand for themselves.

Let them speak in their own words:

Tom Minnery (Focus on the Family): There has been a recent attack on the freedoms of gay citizens in Poland. News reports indicate that many gay Poles are so fearful of the increasing violence and homophobia that they are leaving the country. In May, Minnery told a Polish "family" gathering, "

Tony Perkins (Family Research Council) - "homosexual men are more likely to abuse children than straight men" and "homosexual behavior is a "death-style" that is sending young people to an early grave."

Gary Bauer (American Values) –"Homosexual activity is not a civil right, it is a lethal and immoral behavior, and opposition to homosexual behavior is not a discrimination issue, but a moral one." Bauer supports sodomy laws and not only opposes anti-discrimination laws because of "threats to religious freedom" but actually supports anti-gay hiring and renting practices. Bauer is believed to be one of the principal reasons that the Reagan administration was not proactive in combating AIDS.

Ken Blackwell (failed Ohio gubernatorial candidate) – Homosexuality "is a lifestyle, it's a choice, and that lifestyle can be changed. I think it's a transgression against God's law, God's will." Blackwell also compared same-sex marriage to barnyard animals, saying "I don't know how many of you have a farming background but I can tell you right now that notion even defies barnyard logic … the barnyard knows better."

Don Wildmon (American Family Association) – this is the guy who lead the boycott against Disney for allowing gay people to organize Gay Days (an unofficial event) and against Ford for advertising in gay magazines. In the process he makes wild exagerations and unsubstantiated claims. His group also publishes the highly fictional and virulently anti-gay OneNewsNow. They push the video, "It's Not Gay", a rant about the evils of homosexuality masked as an ex-gay presentation. This video featured Michael Johnston who was later exposed as engaging in unsafe drug-fueled orgies while claiming to have overcome his same sex attractions.

Catherine Harris (Failed Florida Senatorial Candidate) – claimed the separation of church and state is "a lie". "Civil rights have to do with individual rights and I don't think they apply to the gay issues. I have not supported gay marriage and I do not support any civil rights actions with regard to homosexuality."

Bob Knight (Media Research Center) – for many years Knight was the voice of Concerned Women for America. There was never an anti-gay position too extreme or a notion to ridiculous for Bob Knight to spout it out in the press. "They are luring kids into a homosexual behavior" and "There is a strong undercurrent of pedophilia in the homosexual subculture."

Linda Harvey (Mission America) – "Professed homosexuals should not be allowed to teach or lead groups of youth" and "Open or suspected homosexuals should never be elected" and "The vast majority of people involved in homosexuality are projected by many studies to be people that are employed sporadically, because of their lifestyle. They are more unstable."

Bill Federer (author) – "statistics show[] 300% greater incidents of child abuse in homosexual households versus traditional marriage homes" and "There would be no way to protect children from sexual predators if homosexuals were allowed to marry and adopt".

Mike Heath (Christian Civic League) – this is the guy who tried to get others to help him identify elected officials who were suspected of being gay. "Homosexuality is a sin that arouses God's anger in a special way" and "Individuals who speak out against the homosexual agenda often lose their livelihoods. Worse, gay activists have attacked, beaten, and spat upon individuals who protest their politically-correct celebrations of 'diversity.'"

Peter Sprigg (Family Research Council) – "research clearly shows that homosexual behavior specifically and the homosexual lifestyle generally are associated with serious threats to the physical and mental health of those who engage in them". His book, Outrage, reveals "the tangible harms and significant costs to society wrought by homosexuality — including higher rates of promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse" and "Homosexuality is harmful to society, and young people have no business committing to a sexual identity until they're adults."

Get the idea?

Along with this virtual Who's Who of Homophobia there are a number of other speakers who seem to have been selected due to the one thing they have in common – extremist credentials. Surely, no one who is seeking to reach out to same-sex attracted people would want to have anything to do with this hate-fest.

Yet into that mix are added Scott Davis, Mike Ensley, and Alan Chambers of Exodus International and Dr. Warren Throckmorton.

Wait!! Really??

But aren't these the same guys who claim over and over and over that the church needs to welcome homosexuals and help them reclaim their heterosexuality? Don't they say that anti-gay language and bigotry have to go?

Huh? How does that fit with joining in a conference of noted homophobes which seems obsessed with a political agenda against the rights of gay people?

What do you have to say, guys?

UPDATE: Dr. Warren Throckmorton has responded indicating that he will not be attending the Summit. See his comments below.

Warren Throckmorton
August 20th, 2007

I was an invited speaker but am not going to attend the event. If I had attended, it would have been with the intent to offer those in attendance an alternative perspective.
For related information, see Anti-Gay Activists, Conversion Therapy & the "Ex-Gay" Movement, Family Research Council, Focus On The Family, Concerned Women for America, American Family Association, Exodus, Government, Policy & Politics

[Skater Boy]

Sounds like yer gonna be outnumbered, Tom! Better pack some ready-prepared Molotov Cocktails in the ol' Eastpak! :bigrin:

But seriously... you should gate-crash the party wearing a pink tutu and a tiara, blow kisses at all of the homophobe guys, and proceed to make out with the biggest bear you can find.

Its gotta worth it, just for a laugh! :bigrin:

[Azrael]

Sounds like yer gonna be outnumbered, Tom! Better pack some ready-prepared Molotov Cocktails in the ol' Eastpak! :bigrin:

But seriously... you should gate-crash the party wearing a pink tutu and a tiara, blow kisses at all of the homophobe guys, and proceed to make out with the biggest bear you can find.

Its gotta worth it, just for a laugh! :bigrin:

My straight friend (manbear in my top friends) is coming with me! It's guh' be tight, y'all!!!!!!!!!
I'll probably go in cargo shorts, camo head-wrap, purple plaid sox, enough chains to be confused w/Mr. T, maybe my vampire bush shirt, and of course, the steel-toes. Nothing special, that's pretty much what I wear everyday :bigrin:
As for the pink tutu, well, I plead the fiz-ifth :bigrin:
I EXPECT SOMEONE OTHER THAN ME FROM THE BAY AREA TO BE THERE, DAMNIT! not to come off as pushy, but everytime I post something that's happening locally a bunch of people from the area reply to say "we'd love to, but....."
I'm not giving anyone shit, really, but this is the time to let out a feral cry of rage and say "this is bullshit and we don't have to stand for it!"
17 days and counting.............

[HighEnergy]

Ann Coulter came to visit Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio recently. The local gay pride and equality groups from around the state along went together on a campaign to have folks send $5 each in in her honour to the campus groups working for equality. They raised thousands of dollars and intended to stand at her speech with one of those huge checks made out to the equality groups and sent her a thank you for helping them raise money for equality awareness. Not sure how it turned out in the end, but it may be a very nice thing to add to your protest. Nothing to piss 'em off more than to know they raised awareness and money for equality! :bigrin:

[Azrael]

Ann Coulter came to visit Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio recently. The local gay pride and equality groups from around the state along went together on a campaign to have folks send $5 each in in her honour to the campus groups working for equality. They raised thousands of dollars and intended to stand at her speech with one of those huge checks made out to the equality groups and sent her a thank you for helping them raise money for equality awareness. Not sure how it turned out in the end, but it may be a very nice thing to add to your protest. Nothing to piss 'em off more than to know they raised awareness and money for equality! :bigrin:

Tasteful move, that *tips hat*

[pasco_lol_cpl]

But seriously... you should gate-crash the party wearing a pink tutu and a tiara, blow kisses at all of the homophobe guys, and proceed to make out with the biggest bear you can find.
On a serious note though we should gate crash this event, but instead of doing so in outrageous wear, instead everyone should dress in business formal or at least business casual. And what to do when they get there..nothing more than simply hold hands. It accomplishes two things...drives the other side nuts while showing that gays are normal people.

[TaylorMade]

Is this a private event? If it is (heck, even if it isn't)... if you gate crash, you're not going to change their minds... trust me, they're expecting this...you think you're gonna catch them by surprise? Nope.

They know you're coming... and they're praying for you. . .and you'll make great footage for the tape they'll make to get people to give them money for next year.

Sorry to be a downer.

*Taylor*

[pasco_lol_cpl]

Good point. SO instead, modify what I said earlier. Go with the same dress (probably business casual though since it is September in Florida) and hold up signs that say "We Forgive you" and "What does God think of bigotry?". Dont chant, dont flaunt, dont antagonize. Just be there

[MetaSexual2]

Hi Az,

Good for you, these people need to be confronted. Choose whatever method of protest suits you best, but realize that by a convincing argument you may do more good than a direct confrontation. Even if you can't convince them, simply showing them to be the purveyors of hatred and intolerance that they are is very instructive to the wider world.

The vast majority of Christians, and I would venture to say nearly all right-wing Christians do not understand their respective bibles: literally, theologically, or historically. So arm yourself with some knowledge and let them know that, in terms of their own religion, they don't know what they are talking about. In persecuting gay people they are spreading a message that is deeply anti-Christian.

[Azrael]

Hi Az,

Good for you, these people need to be confronted. Choose whatever method of protest suits you best, but realize that by a convincing argument you may do more good than a direct confrontation. Even if you can't convince them, simply showing them to be the purveyors of hatred and intolerance that they are is very instructive to the wider world.

The vast majority of Christians, and I would venture to say nearly all right-wing Christians do not understand their respective bibles: literally, theologically, or historically. So arm yourself with some knowledge and let them know that, in terms of their own religion, they don't know what they are talking about. In persecuting gay people they are spreading a message that is deeply anti-Christian.

Absolutely. I'm not doing anything stupid, just making my presence as well as my opposition known.

[TrimBeardHairyBod]

Ridicule can be a powerful weapon.

How about having your people infiltrate the anti-gay demonstrations and carry placards with outrageous slogans such as the following:

- No Votes for Women
- Bring Back Slavery
- The Earth is Flat

This tactic was employed over here as religious zealots demonstrated outside a registry office when Civil Partnerships for same-sex couples were introduced. The demonstration within a demonstration was duly reported on the TV news and made a laughing stock out of the anti-gay element.

[TaylorMade]

Ridicule can be a powerful weapon.

How about having your people infiltrate the anti-gay demonstrations and carry placards with outrageous slogans such as the following:

- No Votes for Women
- Bring Back Slavery
- The Earth is Flat

This tactic was employed over here as religious zealots demonstrated outside a registry office when Civil Partnerships for same-sex couples were introduced. The demonstration within a demonstration was duly reported on the TV news and made a laughing stock out of the anti-gay element.

While ridicule may feel good and even be VERY justified... all you're doing is sinking the postives in your message, and leaving yourself open for charges of hypocracy.

All this sounds great, but it's more RE-active than PRO-active. Start a rally of your own... reach out to a local UU or MCC (Christian gay-friendly denominations) and have them help sponsor it. Speaking as someone who did grow up in the church, it wasn't non-Christians who change minds on this... it was fellow Christians who treated them with respect, listened to their objections and gently showed them where error might be found.

*Taylor*

[12voltman59]

Well Az--we know where there is gonna be a gathering of a large group of repressed, self-loathing homosexuals in a few weeks---

Wow-those people must hate to go sleep-when they do--they have visions of themselves engaged in homosexual bacanalias----

They are just trying to use the levers of power to crush what they most likely hate in themselves and since they can't convince others to stop--they have to try to stop the things they hate with the use of force---

They don't care that if they were successful---freedoms would be restricted not only for the targeted group---but for all----

They are dangerous folks----no freaking doubt!!!!

[HighEnergy]

Update on Ann Coulter's visit to Xavier University: They've raised $26,000 for progressive campus groups so far and are hoping to hit $30k by Thursday in time for her speech. Muahaahaa.

[TaylorMade]

Well Az--we know where there is gonna be a gathering of a large group of repressed, self-loathing homosexuals in a few weeks---

Wow-those people must hate to go sleep-when they do--they have visions of themselves engaged in homosexual bacanalias----

They are just trying to use the levers of power to crush what they most likely hate in themselves and since they can't convince others to stop--they have to try to stop the things they hate with the use of force---

They don't care that if they were successful---freedoms would be restricted not only for the targeted group---but for all----

They are dangerous folks----no freaking doubt!!!!


I love you, but that's exactly what I'm talking about!

And when you take it to it's logical conclusion, it proves their point that gay=evil. Constantly railing that people that are out to get you are actually part of you is dumb at best, and counter productive at worst... how much sense would it make to tell every gay person that hates bi people that they must be bi deep down?

*Taylor*

[12voltman59]

It just seems to me that with so many people---the thing they seem to hate the most in others is what they really, secretly hate in themselves---

Look at Jimmy Swaggert--he rallied for years at the evils of pornography and prostitution --then lo and behold---he got caught taking part in those very same things---

Jim Baker was another example----he rallied about adultery and such and wow---he got caught stepping out on Tammy Faye---

Now we have all of these Republican conservative types who rally so vociferously about the evils of homosexuality and it seems that so many of them are getting caught with their pants down to their knees getting head or giving it----

My observation is reallly more of a humorous take on it---my main man--Bill Maher says much the same thing----and even Robin Williams made some of the same or similar observations in his recent film--"Man of the Year"----

I am sure that not all of the folks attending the anti-gay rally are secretly gay--and that they really do find homosexuality to be the perversion they say they do--it just that life has shown me--I will say this again-especially with these folks---the thing they seem to hate the most in others is what they most hate in themselves--

And to repeat my most important point--irrespective of whatever motivates them---they are a "clear and present danger" to the freedoms and rights of everyone---because they won't be satisfied with just knocking out "gay rights"--I have heard some fundamentalist preachers state very clearly "freedom is a dangerous thing and people should not have so much freedom" or something to this effect----I believe the most extreme of such people would have no problem in curtailing most of the "rights" most of us have come to enjoy and expect----

To them--life would be best if everyone was always in church and prasing Jesus all day and night long---and everything one did was to "glorify God" of course---God as defined by their narrow parameters and so would the way we live our lives----sort of like life as described in the novel, "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood.