http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/lavendermafia/ en-us Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:50:05 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069867/posts When William Bolthouse, a California philanthropist, donated $100,000 in March to support a proposition to ban gay marriage in California, calls and emails poured in -- not to Mr. Bolthouse, but to the corporate offices of a company that bears his name -- even though he sold it three years earlier. "It wasn't us, it's not our fault," says Jeffrey Dunn, now the chief executive of Bolthouse Farms, whose juice bottles are sold at upscale markets such as Whole Foods. Bolthouse Farms is the latest target in what has become an increasingly bitter political fight in California. As gay-rights activists... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069867/posts#comment Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:50:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065990/posts Gay Democrats talk strategyKristen Wyatt The Associated Press Aspen, CO Colorado DENVER — Gay and lesbian Democrats are gathering early to prepare a strategy for next week's convention, and their marching orders are the same for all states: Make sure other delegates know who you are and what gay voters want this fall. The Stonewall Democrats started a four-day "boot camp" in Denver Thursday. At the top of their agenda for the convention, which starts Monday, are pushing Democrats to fight proposed gay-marriage bans in three states and passing federal anti-discrimination laws. With a record 370 lesbian, gay and transgendered... Aspen Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065990/posts#comment Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:05:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2064239/posts San Francisco calls the Catholic Church's teachings hateful, defamatory and insensitive.The liberal 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether a scathing anti-Catholic resolution from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is unconstitutional. The resolution, passed unanimously in 2006, accused the Vatican of operating as a "foreign country" and called the Church's teachings "hateful," "defamatory," "insensitive," "ignorant" and "insulting to all San Franciscans." It was issued in response to the Church's requirement that adoptive children be brought up by families with a mom and dad. "They’re condemning the Catholic Church as 'hateful' and 'harmful,' and that is clearly a... citizenlink.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2064239/posts#comment Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:43:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2060704/posts Recently on Fox's nationally-syndicated Morning Show with Mike and Juliet we debated a New Mexico case where a man who had donated sperm to a lesbian couple is now on the hook for child support to the children's biological mother. The case is detailed in New Mexico Court Orders Sperm Donor to Pay Child Support (Fox News, 7/31/08): A court battle over whether a sperm donor should pay a higher rate of child support has ended with a ruling that the man is liable because he has taken an active role in raising the children. Kevin Zoernig had argued he... GlennSacks.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2060704/posts#comment Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:47:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059654/posts After more than two decades on the books, a little-known yet strictly enforced federal law barring foreigners with HIV or AIDS from entering the country is on its way out. Tucked in a bill pledging $48 billion to combat the disease, signed into law by President Bush last week, was language stripping the provision from federal immigration law. But that change didn't fully lift the entry ban on visitors with HIV or AIDS, which applies whether they're on tourist jaunts or seeking longer stays. The secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services still needs to delete HIV from... My SA News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059654/posts#comment Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:09:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2050042/posts Ithaca, N.Y. — The Best Of Everything? By REBECCA JAMES   The Commons is a popular gathering place in downtown Ithaca, N.Y. (Photo by Gloria Wright)     ITHACA, N.Y. — When your town has made more than 25 lists that call it one of the best cities in America, you might be surprised that one magazine would call it one of the "Twelve Great Places You've Never Heard Of."But along with that 2006 designation from Mother Earth News, Ithaca seems to make the grade no matter what's being ranked. It's one of the "lesbian friendliest cities," has the "best... Newhouse News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2050042/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:44:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047496/posts Fifty-one percent of likely voters in the state oppose Proposition 8 on the November ballot, a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage by defining marriage as only between a man and woman, according to a Field Poll released today. The poll shows voters are divided by where they live, their age, gender and political party. For Prop. 8: "I see nothing wrong with gay marriage. It's only controversial to narrow-minded people. ... I think the opposition (to same-sex marriage) has to do with being close-minded about homosexuality. Or maybe people are afraid of it." San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047496/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:35:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046803/posts COLUMBIA, S.C. — The flap over an ad promoting South Carolina as “So Gay” will cost the state tourism dollars, according to an industry expert. Gay and lesbian travelers will likely be turned off by the political posturing surrounding the ads, which were pulled by the state tourism agency and led one employee to resign. “We experience discrimination every day, so we certainly don't want to when we travel,” said Wesley Combs of the Washington-based communication firm Witeck-Combs, which specializes in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travel. Combs noted that national media attention about the ad, including jokes on Conan... Atlanta Journal Constitution http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046803/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:45:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043572/posts Gay Activists Ascendant by: Audra Taylor, July 10, 2008 Anticipating unprecedented victories in the United States, gay rights groups in America are raising their profile at home and abroad. “It’s a really exciting time to be an LGBT American,” Rob Anderson, who edits the web site for Campus Progress, said at the group’s fourth annual national conference last week. The progressive student organization held its annual meeting at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The panel was entitled, “Is LGBT Activism Obsolete?: Assessing the goals and methods of the LGBT movement,” and offered a particularly notable presentation. The panel of four LGBT... Campus Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043572/posts#comment Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:34:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041037/posts The American Family Association, whose earlier boycott of Ford Motor Co. over its promotion of homosexuality was dropped after company sales fell 8 percent per month for two years, now is asking consumers to stop buying Big Macs and Happy Meals at McDonald's. In a brief announcement today, AFA, whose constituents number in the millions, said it is "asking its supporters to boycott the restaurant chain." "This boycott is not about hiring homosexuals, or homosexuals eating at McDonald's or how homosexual employees are treated. It is about McDonald's, as a corporation, choosing to put the full weight of their organization... WorldNetDaily.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041037/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jul 2008 11:31:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039328/posts “While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.” — Senator Barack Obama pride.barackobama.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039328/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 19:00:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039332/posts Barack Obama may be talking up his Christian faith like he's doing today in Ohio and trying his best to appeal to Evangelicals with a “new kind of politics,” but he’s got a problem. Many of his positions are the same liberal positions that have turned off Evangelicals for years. Obama delivered another speech about faith Tuesday. He’s done a few of these concerning his faith and how it shapes his public policy. But Sunday his campaign and the Democratic Party were handing out pro-gay rights flyers at the Pride Festival in St. Louis. How is that going to play... CBNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039332/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 19:10:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034230/posts SAN FRANCISCO -- Gay-rights advocates asked the California Supreme Court on Friday to remove a proposed state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage from the November ballot, saying it would destroy fundamental rights that cannot be legally altered by a voter initiative. The suit was filed by organizations representing gay and lesbian couples in the case that led to the court's May 15 ruling striking down the state law that excluded them from marriage - a ruling that the Nov. 4 initiative would reverse. Like one of the laws that the court overturned, the initiative declares that "only a marriage between... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034230/posts#comment Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:16:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032412/posts When you search Google for gay, you will see special rainbow colors next to the AdWords ads to the right side. Rainbow colors are a globally recognized gay symbol and there’s Pride Week coming up. On a related note, Google also sometimes dresses up AdWords for holidays, and they’ve also had their own wagons at gay parades before. Within Google, gay employees call themselves “gayglers.” Google Blogoscoped http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032412/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:35:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032386/posts Conservative and pro-family groups spoke of an outrage Friday after a coalition of Republican and Democratic lawmakers joined to create the House’s first Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus. Democrats Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin – the only openly gay members of Congress – were key backers of the new caucus and were successful in gathering bipartisan support for the new initiative. Altogether, 52 House representatives signed on as members of the new caucus, including two Republicans. House members and supporters of the new measure were optimistic of their future plans and what they said was... The Christian Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032386/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:49:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027946/posts Controversial actor Rupert Everett has accused British soldiers risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan of being "whining wimps", it emerged today. --snip-- And comparing troops from now and then he said: “In Burton's day they were itching to get into the fray. “Now it is the opposite. They are always whining about the dangers of being killed. Oh my God, they are such wimps now! "The whole point of being in the Army is wanting to get killed, wanting to test yourself to the limits. Now you have to fly 15,000ft above the war zone to avoid getting hit.... Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027946/posts#comment Sun, 8 Jun 2008 17:51:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2027142/posts Actor Rupert Everett has criticised Americans in an interview with a TV listings magazine. He has described them as "whiny victims" whose entire language is taken from US TV series Friends and Sex And The City. "I'm totally off the States now. The reaction to 9/11 and then George Bush - really, they've got very blobby as a nation" - Rupert Everett Everett told the magazine: "I'm totally off the States now. The reaction to 9/11 and then George Bush - really, they've got very blobby as a nation. itn.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2027142/posts#comment Fri, 6 Jun 2008 16:37:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022745/posts A state lawmaker from New Albany backed a bill this year that would give employment and housing protection to Ohio's gays and transsexuals. That took some courage because the Senate leaders of his party, the Republicans, have no patience for the legislation. And similar bills never have received much attention in Ohio, let alone on-the-record hearings. But Sen. David Goodman said his active endorsement of Senate Bill 305 was a no-brainer after a conversation in March with his father, a prominent Harvard-trained lawyer. That day, he reminded his son why Jewish law firms first opened in Columbus: No one else... The Columbus (OH) Dispatch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022745/posts#comment Thu, 29 May 2008 01:38:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022583/posts San Francisco (AP) -- California officials are telling county clerks that they can start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on June 17. The state Office of Vital Records says it chose June 17 because the state Supreme Court has until the end of business on June 16 to decide whether to grant a stay of its ruling legalizing gay marriage. AP via SFGate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022583/posts#comment Wed, 28 May 2008 19:36:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022549/posts A Home Depot store in Utah plans to celebrate Gay pride in the Store with decorations of Rainbows and employee Tee shirts announcing gay pride. Inside sources say that this is something that will be devastating to business as most of the customer base tends to be on the Right side of the issue as they are mostly religious people. I am actively involved in this business and i dont want to be a part of it bacuae this is contrary to my belief and would like advice from more experienced FReepers on how best to disrupt these outrageous plans... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2022549/posts#comment Wed, 28 May 2008 18:36:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2022302/posts You don't know where it will happen. You don't know when it will happen. You don't know who it will happen to. But if you own a business or believe in conservative societal norms, at some point you will feel the impact when the TRANSSEXUAL MAFIA STRIKES!!!! Geeks On Caffeine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2022302/posts#comment Wed, 28 May 2008 04:49:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2021921/posts Boy Scouts File Federal Lawsuit Over Dispute with City of Philadelphia by KYW's Mike Dunn The local Boy Scouts organization has filed a federal lawsuit against the Nutter administration over the mayor's ultimatum that the scouts renounce the group's national policy on gays or leave their city-owned headquarters. Mayor Nutter has told the "Cradle of Liberty" Boy Scout council to renounce the Scouts' national policy on gays, start paying fair-market-value rent, or vacate its city-owned headquarters -- on Winter Street near 22nd, just off the Benjamin Franklin Parkway -- by June 1st. Currently, the scouting group gets the office space... KYW1060 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2021921/posts#comment Tue, 27 May 2008 15:22:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015594/posts With only six primaries left - and Barack Obama’s resounding lead over rival Hillary Clinton - many people have basically declared the delegate selection over. That, however, would be premature. While the majority of the states and overseas regions’ delegate numbers have been determined, most of them must still decide which individuals will head to Denver this August. have ruled which candidate gets how many delegates, most of them still must decide who will head to Denver this August. And, like so many things in this election, there’s loads of drama surrounding the process. Infighting, allegations, personal homophobia and potentially... Queerty http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015594/posts#comment Wed, 14 May 2008 01:59:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2013697/posts Sacramento, CA (AP) -- Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson upset local gay and lesbian leaders after saying he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. The former NBA star made the statement in response to a question during a candidate debate this week. Gretchen Bender, vice president of the Sacramento County Board of Education, says Johnson's statement shows that he is not ready to lead the city. Bender and a half-dozen other gay and lesbian leaders held a news conference to express their concern about the former Phoenix Suns star. AP via SFGate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2013697/posts#comment Fri, 9 May 2008 18:31:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012212/posts "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!" Dozens of lesbian activists at Smith College climbed in through windows and stormed the podium in a riot scene shortly after Ryan Sorba began a speech on his upcoming book, The Born Gay Hoax. The melee forced an end to the speech before a packed hall in the library on the Northhampton campus. Uniformed police officers and a plainclothes security guard were in the room but mostly just stood and watched. Rather than take action against the rioters, the officers and a university official walked to the podium and ordered Sorba to... Mass Resistance http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012212/posts#comment Tue, 6 May 2008 23:28:15 GMT