Monday, November 22, 2010

GAYS & LESBIANS MOST LIKELY TO SUFFER HATE CRIMES

From LGBTQNation, comes this fascinating ... and troubling ... report.

Report: gays, lesbians more likely to be victims of violent hate crime than any other minority.

Gays and lesbians are far more likely to be victims of a violent hate crime than any other minority group in the United States, according to a new analysis of federal hate crime statistics released Monday by Southern Poverty Law Center.

The SPLC’s Intelligence Report, released today to coincide with the scheduled release of the FBI’s hate crime statistics for 2009, provides analysis of 14 years of hate crime data found that homosexuals, or those perceived to be gay, are more than twice as likely to be attacked in a violent hate crime as Jews or blacks; more than four times as likely as Muslims; and 14 times as likely as Latinos.

The findings are based on FBI hate crime statistics from 1995 to 2008, the period for which there is complete data. The basic pattern also holds true in individual years.

The report also explores how the hard-core anti-gay movement in America is becoming more extreme in the face of gay rights advances.

“As Americans become more accepting of homosexuals, the most extreme elements of the anti-gay movement are digging in their heels and continuing to defame gays and lesbians with falsehoods that grow more incendiary by the day,” said Mark Potok, editor of SLPC’s Intelligence Report.

“The leaders of this movement may deny it, but it seems clear that their demonization of homosexuals plays a role in fomenting the violence, hatred and bullying we’re seeing,” Potok said.

Eighteen anti-gay groups are profiled in the Winter 2010 issue, which also contains an article debunking 10 key claims spread by the anti-gay movement to demonize homosexuals. These claims – ranging from the myth that homosexuals don’t live nearly as long as heterosexuals to the utterly bizarre claim that gays helped orchestrate the Holocaust – are examined in detail.

The Intelligence Report also profiles 18 anti-gay groups whose influence reaches far beyond what their size would suggest, because the “facts” they disseminate about homosexuality are often amplified by certain politicians, other groups and even news organizations, according to the SPLC.

Among the list of 18, the SPLC specifically lists 13 “hate groups” based on their propagation of known falsehoods; the list includes:

Abiding Truth Ministries — its founder, Scott Lively, is responsible for a book, widely cited by gay-bashers, accusing homosexuals of running the Nazi Party.

American Family Association — specializes in “combating the homosexual agenda.” Bryan Fischer, the group’s director of analysis for government and policy, has proposed criminalizing homosexual behavior and has advocated forcing gays into “reparative” therapy.

Americans for Truth About Homosexuality — compares the alleged dangers of homosexuality to those of “smoking, alcohol and drug abuse.” Its website carries essays describing homosexuality as a “lethal behavior addiction,” a “dangerous” practice that is “neither normal nor benign.”

Family Research Council — headed by former Louisiana State Rep. Tony Perkins, the FRC has been a font of anti-gay propaganda throughout its history. Earlier this year, board member Peter Sprigg said he believes that “gay behavior” should be criminalized, and that allowing gays to serve openly in the military would lead to an increase in gay-on-straight sexual assaults.

Faithful Word Baptist Church — its leader, Steven Anderson, said “The biggest hypocrite in the world is the person who believes in the death penalty for murderers but not for homosexuals.” He has described gays as “sodomites” who “recruit through rape” and “recruit through molestation.”

The remaining 8 groups on the hate list: American Vision, the Chalcedon Foundation, the Dove World Outreach Center, the Family Research Institute, Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment, the Illinois Family Institute, MassResistance, and the Traditional Values Coalition.

The remaining 5 groups make up the balance of the 18 anti-gay organizations identified by the SPLC: the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, Concerned Women for America, Coral Ridge Ministries, Liberty Counsel, and the National Organization for Marriage.

SPLC’s report also includes an article debunking 10 key claims spread by the anti-gay movement to demonize homosexuals.

The complete SPLC Intelligence Report is here — it’s a fascinating read.

'LOVER" -- Tom Goss

Very moving new song by Tom Goss, inspired by the DADT controversy.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

LEATHER ARCHIVES - VISITING SCHOLAR PROGRAM

Leather Archives & Museum Press Release


Leather Archives & Museum announces 2011 - 2012 Visiting Scholar Program


November 20th, 2010

Chicago, IL - The Leather Archives & Museum [LA&M] announces the 2011 - 2012 Visiting Scholar Program at the Leather Archives & Museum for the Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 academic terms. A stipend of $1,000 to $1,500 will be awarded to one recipient scholar to conduct research using the collections of the LA&M. The amount of the award will be dependent on the scope of the proposed project. A $500 travel allowance and up to four weeknight accommodations will also be provided to the recipient.

The award is available to three types of scholars:

1) Scholars with academic appointments

2) Graduate students pursing an MFA or PhD

3) Independent scholars with an established research agenda


The LA&M is seeking projects that may enhance the institution's mission to disseminate information to the public about the history of the leather / fetish / BDSM community and its culture. Toward that end, we are particularly interested in proposals that may provide materials for display in its galleries, as a traveling exhibit or as an online exhibition.

For more information and to apply:

Applications for the program must be postmarked by March 15th, 2011. For information on how to apply, please visit the program's website.



About Leather Archives & Museum
The Leather Archives & Museum is a library, museum and archives pertaining to leather and alternative sexual communities. The geographic collection scope is worldwide and includes all sexual orientations and genders. The library collection contains books, magazines, scholarly publications, films and electronic resources related to the subject matter. The museum collection contains original erotic art and artifacts from alternative sex organizations and individuals. The archival collection contains unpublished papers and records from notable activists, artists, businesses and organizations related to the subject matter. For more information about the LA&M, please visit http://www.leatherarchives.org.


Leather Archives & Museum
Rick Storer
Executive Director
773.761.9200

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thirteen Protest DADT at WHITE HOUSE FENCE



Thirteen protestors, members of GetEQUAL, chained themselves to the White House Fence on Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

Monday, November 15, 2010

STOP THE BULLYING, pt. 2 - From the Mouth of a Child

Listen to this appeal from a fourteen-year old boy to his school board. Gay youth are coming out earlier and earlier, and they need our support and protection. They need us to listen and stand up for them.


Thursday, November 11, 2010

No H8 -- Stop the Bullying Video

This very powerful anti-bullying message comes from the No H8 campaign and features numerous celebrities, including Cindy McCain.

"Modern Tribalism" at the Leather Archives


Leather Archives & Museum Press Release



Leather Archives & Museum announces Fakir Musafar celebration
Fakir as The Perfect Gentleman, 1959

November 10th, 2010

The Leather Archives & Museum announced today that it will host a celebration of Fakir Musafar on June 24th, 2011 at its 6418 N. Greenview Avenue location in Chicago. The event will celebrate Fakir's fifty year's research and exploration of primitive body decoration and rituals and the addition of the Fakir Musafar collection to the museum. An exhibition of this collection will coincide with the event.

Fakir, the Father of the Modern Primitive Movement, has contributed to spirituality, body modification and SM culture through books, photography, films, lecture and performance. He has appeared on NBC's Faith Daniels Show, CBS's People Are Talking, CNN's Earth Matters and the Discovery Channel (Beyond Bizarre). He has also appeared in documentaries for The Learning Channel, TBS, FX, and the 2001 film "Modern Tribalism". For more information about Fakir Musufar, visit http://fakir.org.

This event is made possible by a generous grant from The Cumulus Fund.

About Leather Archives & Museum
The Leather Archives & Museum is a library, museum and archives pertaining to leather and alternative sexual communities. The geographic collection scope is worldwide and includes all sexual orientations and genders. The library collection contains books, magazines, scholarly publications, films and electronic resources related to the subject matter. The museum collection contains original erotic art and artifacts from alternative sex organizations and individuals. The archival collection contains unpublished papers and records from notable activists, artists, businesses and organizations related to the subject matter. For more information about the LA&M, please visit http://www.leatherarchives.org.


Leather Archives & Museum
Rick Storer
Executive Director
773.761.9200

Monday, November 1, 2010

Vote Tuesday - Vote Democratic!

I've wanted to say something about this for weeks, but haven't found the right words. People talk about an "enthusiasm gap," and much of the gay community is angry at Obama for moving so slowly on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and on the repeal of DOMA. A lot of gay people are talking about sitting this mid-term election out. You must not do that!

Progress on some key issues has not happened as fast as we'd all hoped. But there has been genuine progress. And none of that progress, not one piece of it, would have come with a Republican administration. And if Republicans take either the House or the Senate because we sat the elecction out, any further progress on gay rights will come to a screeching halt. Please go vote. Vote with your rights in mind, and vote with your families in mind.

I can't say it well enough. Instead, listen to these words from John Berry, who is the highest ranking gay man in the Obama administration. An administration that has appointed over 150 gay and lesbian people, more than any other president in history, to high positions on his team.

"In under two years, President Obama and his record number of LGBT appointees have accomplished so much for LGBT Americans. His and Congress’s historic achievement of securing health care reform finally cements the most important protections for those in our community who need them most – especially those living with HIV and AIDS.

"Hospital visitation rights for all Americans, expanded benefits for the same-sex domestic partners of Federal workers, enactment of the hate crimes law, increased coverage for those living with HIV/AIDS, Federal support for LGBT community-based organizations, anti-bullying programs enacted in schools, support for our aging LGBT population, and so much more. These are real, concrete achievements that are saving and improving the lives of countless LGBT Americans right now.

"I realize that this subtle – but dramatic – change is hard to appreciate when full equality is in sight. It’s understandable. I’m not taking my eyes off the goal or asking you to. Indeed, the President is the first to say that change hasn’t come fast enough. But he has called on all of us to charge full speed ahead. The Tree of Liberty grows only by adding rings. From the Revolution to the Civil War, to women’s suffrage, the Civil Rights Movement, and onward, our entire nation has been enriched by every added ring. Now is our time to complete our ring."

"All Administration officials, me included, are accountable to that goal; to the principles upon which our Republic was founded – liberty and justice for all. We will not rest until discriminatory laws like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act are ended once and for all. And because no one should be denied a job because of discrimination, a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act must be enacted as well.

"So hold us to account. Let us know when we’re right, be the wind in our sails when our momentum flags, and pull us back to the path when we go astray. But whatever you do, don’t turn away. Don’t give up. Don’t relent." - Office of Personnel Management director John Berry, the highest-ranking openly gay Obama appointee, in a coming issue of Philadelphia Gay News.