More opposition to Dr. James Holsinger, the Bush Administration's controversial nominee to become the next surgeon general. Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former Surgeon General in the first Clinton Administration, told Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Religion Editor Frank Lockwood, "It would be very difficult for me to feel that this is the person that we should be confirming in this day and time with all the problems we have, related to sexual heath and all the problems we’re getting into ... It’s very disturbing to me when someone does not feel that all people are equal, irregardless to our sexual orientation."
Also, some frank discussion on HIV and black gay men, often ignored in the media and especially on the religion pages: "When 56 percent of the young black gay men in our
nation’s capital are HIV positive, that’s higher than in sub-Saharan
Africa. How can we say that we’re a sexually healthy nation."
Holsinger's record includes opposition to a lesbian pastor, a 1991 position paper that described gay sex as unnatural and unhealthy, and, his role in co-founding a congregation that operates an "ex-gay" ministry. Dr. Joyceleyn Elders is no stranger to controversy; in 1994, President Clinton fired her Jafter she told a forum on AIDS that children “perhaps should be taught” masturbation.
Joycelyn Elders on Surviving Nomination [Bible Belt Blog]
Some Background ...
Senate GOP Leader Supports Nominee [R20]
Surgeon General Warning [R20]
Clinton, Edwards Oppose Surgeon Genl Nominee [R20]
Thank god for Elder's voice of reason in this "faith-based" wilderness the country continues to wander in. And shame on Bill for not sticking up for her in that stupid, stupid controversy.
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 19 June 2007 at 15:45
Yeah shame on you Bill. Elders was terminated for advocating open discussions about masturbation...and we know that's much worse than cumming on somebody's blue dress. As much as some Black folks love to call Bill the first 'Black President', he sho' had a problem supporting Black women. Didn't stand by Elders and remember he backed away from Lani Guinier's nomination to the Justice Department. Real punk ass bitch move, Bill. But he's steppin' it up in terms of HIV prevention and meds in Africa so I give him a pass...kinda.
Oh yeah this is about Elders...right on sista!
Posted by: Otis | 19 June 2007 at 17:51
Otis,
Please don't give Bill a pass. He was the one who sent Al Gore out to carry water for the pharmaceutical industry, to keep Africa from being allowed to import inexpensive generic AIDS drugs from India, Brazil, and Thailand.
Posted by: Jim | 20 June 2007 at 00:32
Jim,
So Al's doin the dirty work...not cool. I might be confusing my Bills. Bill Gate's Foundation is doing HIV vaccine trials there...my bad.
Posted by: Otis | 20 June 2007 at 09:43
Great statement. But "irregardless" is not a word.
Posted by: Robert Jones, Jr. | 20 June 2007 at 13:24