Rod 2.0:Beta

Benjamin Jealous: NAACP Doesn't Take a Position on Gay Marriage

This week, the NAACP celebrates its centennial, marking 100 years as the nation's oldest and arguably most high profile civil rights organization. President Barack Obama will address the conference on Thursday.

Long indifferent on LGBT rights and concerns, the NAACP has made some strides under Benjamin Todd Jealous, the newest and youngest president of the civil rights group. In February, for the first time ever, the national board of the NAACP took a position on marriage equality and called for the overturn of California's Proposition 8. And of course, National Board Chair Julian Bond—who has an excellent record on LGBT rights and marriage equality. But when will the group take a national position on gay rights and marriage, CNN's T.J. Holmes asked jealous over the weekend.

Jealous told CNN: "We don't take a position on that nationally."

JEALOUS: We have been steadfast advocates for the basic civil rights of gay people, making sure that, for instance, hate-crimes protection is extended to gay people. ... We want to make sure that - that our children and our family members who are gay is - basic civil rights and human rights are protected.

HOLMES: Is that not considered then, in you all's estimation, a civil rights? Some would call it that kind of civil right, a - a issue of equality, a gay person being able to marry who they want to marry?

JEALOUS: That's a very tense debate inside our association. You know, and there have been branches and state conferences - like, for instance, in California and San Francisco, come out very clearly on the issue. There are others, some of our national board members for instance, from the Midwest, who have taken an entirely opposite position. We're a democratic, small 'd,' organization, where issues are debated until a consensus is reached. And that one is very much still under debate amongst the membership of the association.

It's also worth noting despite the NAACP's recent movement on Prop 8 and August Provost—the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton—the organization is still largely controlled by the black churches and mkinisgters. Such as Rev. Keith Ratliff, Iowa's leading black pastor and the anti-gay chair of the Iowa/Nebraska chapter. Perhaps this explains why there are no seminars or topics on LGBT rights at this year's conference, and, HIV/AIDS is only mentioned as far as its impact on black women. 

AFTER THE JUMP, via Queer Isn't It?, watch Benjamin Jealous discuss the NAACP, gay rights and marriage equality. There is also some personal reflection by Jealous on growing up biracial, and, having a longtime friend who is gay (or transgender?). Jealous tells Holmes: "I've seen the homophobia he experienced in the black community. I've seen the racism he experienced in the gay community. No one should have to hide their identity."

August Provost's Family: Military Said Murdered Sailor was "Found Unconscious", Not Shot Three Times

More details to suggest the United States Navy is not forthcoming in the case of Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton on June 30th. The family offers a very disturbing timeline, saying the military did not tell them this was a homicide and neglected to reveal the manner of death. 

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, who represents Houston and Provost's family, tells the Houston Chronicle: "I am requesting a full investigation into the murder. This death appears bizarre, and more facts need to be uncovered."

Provost's mother, Melanie Provost, said Sunday the military originally told her simply that her son had been found unconscious in the guard shack and later died. "The only way I found out my son had been shot and burned was on TV," she said. Her son had mentioned to her before he died that he was being harassed by some fellow sailors, but he handled it stoically, she said.

Jackson Lee said the incident should lead the military to be less tolerant of similar harassment. "If he was being harassed, why was the bad behavior being covered up? Why was the person still there?" Jackson Lee said. The congresswoman would like to see the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy toward gay service members lifted, but says other changes are needed to prevent discrimination of all kinds. Family members say that policy played a part in Provost's poor treatment in the Navy, however.

"Because of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' he couldn't say anything," said his niece, Keonna Johnson-Jones. "He couldn't go to his superiors."

Provost was shot three times, apparently gagged and bound, and his body burned. Provost told his family he was harassed and ostracized at Pendleton for at least a year because he was gay and black. The family belives the 29-year-old Provost was the victim of a hate crime—and the Navy says the torture, shooting and burning of a sailor at military base was a "random act" of violence.

The seaman was laid to rest with full military honors on Friday.

If the United States Navy will not even tell Seaman Provost's family how their son died in the line of duty, do we really believe their so-called "investigation" will yield the "truth"?

After Days of Silence, Terrell Carter (Somewhat) Addresses "Gossip"

Five days after being "outed" across Twitter, the internets, and the gay-baiting black gossip blogs by his ex-boyfriend, singer/actor Terrell Carter finally emerges from his safe and undisclosed location to respond to ... the "gossip."

On Saturday, Carter, the uber-talented performer who co-starred in a number of Tyler Perry's "Madea" productions, was the top-billing in "The Lost Son." This was a gospel play at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur, outside Atlanta. In a stirring rendition of "Never Would Have Made It", Terrell Carter improvises and sings he "never would have made it through the last five days and the gossip" without Jesus.

Okay. That's about the "gossip". What about the "truth"? Or is Carter still insisting in public he is very! straight!, while semi-publicly involved with men and a regular at gay clubs like The Abbey (comments)? Or does this pass for an an apology on the gospel musical circuit?

WHEN YOU JUMP, via AndresFlava, watch Terrell Carter's incredible and undeniable talent. It's too bad he cannot tell the audience, "It's true, but it doesn't change who I am. I still love Jesus and God loves me." Now THAT would change the conversation in the black church. Oh and while we're at it, maybe there will also be an explanation (or a song) for why Terrell Carter posed as homothug Raheim on the cover of the B-Boy Blues novels—finally confirms author James Earl Hardy—after he initially denying that too? 

TAKE ACTION: Please Report YouTube User "Execute the Gays1"

UPDATE: GLAAD reports the YouTube accounts have been suspended! Thanks so much to everyone for your quick action.

A vile and disturbing user on YouTube advocates killing gays, killing "niggers" and more disgusting far-right hate speech. "Faggotry is the most severe form of mentall illness to infect the human race in history," says ExecuteTheGays1, who also posts as FagsRFilthy and GayButtRapist.

Please visit the YouTube profiles and report. If you're on Twitter, reTweet this and this message or please Tweet your own. Oh and please post to Facebook, too. Thanks.

Thanks @GLAAD and @JustinCole!

Murdered Seaman August Provost Laid to Rest, Racist and Homophobic Comments in News Coverage

U.S. Navy Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton ten days ago, was laid to rest with full military honors in Houston,

Although the family maintains the 29-year-old Provost was the victim of a hate crime—and the Navy says it was a "random act" of violence— Seaman Provost's mother, Melonie Collins, set that question aside at the funeral, reports the Houston Chronicle.

"At one point, she left her seat at his funeral to stand beside another sailor, who broke down singing a song he had written about Provost. Her presence seemed to give the sailor, Jack Hunter, strength to finish. "We loved your smile. You made every day worthwhile. Oh, how we miss you. And we wish you were here," sang Hunter.

Friends and family praised Provost for his “powerful love” of all people, never caring about sexual orientation or race. Only one longtime family friend, Allie Harrison, alluded to concern over whether the gay sailor's death was a hate crime. "I believe with all my heart the truth will be revealed and any lies uncovered," she said from the pulpit.

Provost was shot three times, apparently gagged and bound, and his body burned. The seaman told his family he was harassed and ostracized at Pendleton for at least a year because he was gay and black. Provost's commander at Camp Pendleton, Capt. Ed Harrington, attended the service and said "he was unaware of any such complaints" being made. Harrington tells KHOU-TV (video): "I don't think it was [a hate crime] but no one is ruling that out yet .... because the invesgtigators want to be absolutely thorough. But the evidence does not point to that."

Under the military's failed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, if  August Provost reported the harassment, that would have been considered "telling" and lead to immediate discharge, notes San Diego City Commissioner Stampp Corbin, who also is black and gay. "August Provost, and others like him, are often harassed because of the perception they are gay or lesbian ... That is the quandary gay and lesbian military personnel face in these situations."

Perhaps not-so-ironically, as the Houston Chronicle reports on the funeral services for this distinguished seaman who quite likely was killed because he was black and gay, many of the readers' comments are homophobic and at least one is racist. Several readers quite Biblical passages against homosexuality. Reader Argon96 writes: "The mi8llitary is full of weirdos today,straight and gay...I doubt he was targeted for being gay,but who knows." Another comment by ULoveHuessein, apparently deleted by the newspaper, said there were "many fags" in the Marines and a reference to "jungle fruit." Provost was a U.S. Navy Seaman serving at a Marine Corps base, which is standard procedure.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, who represents Houston, says she will demand a congressional inquiry into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III. The Secretary of the Navy has also dispatched 20 investigators to Camp Pendleton.

Opposition Grows to Anti-Gay, Rev. De Jesus as Chicago Alderman

There is growing opposition to Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, the influential anti-gay Chicago evangelical minister being considered by Mayor Richard Daley for the vacant 26th Ward alderman seat. Despite the specious claim to the Chicago Tribune earlier this week that he will not let his "religious beliefs influence policy", a group of Chicago Latino LGBT activists met with the good reverend and found just the opposite, the Windy City Times reports.

On June 3, a network of about 30 LGBT activists and community leaders met with De Jesús at La Bruqueña restaurant, 2726 W. Division. “People asked him very pointed questions about his Web site, which has a page about homosexuality and how it's sinful and wrong. They asked him if he would change that, and he said absolutely not,” said Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois, who attended the meeting.

“Somebody asked, 'What if your daughter told you she was a lesbian?'. And I looked at this guy's reaction and it was sad. He looked like somebody threw cold water on him. He said something to the effect of, ‘That's not how my wife and I raised our family.' Then she pushed him and he said ‘Well, I would want to know who did that to her.'“ “I have to say that I don't think he swayed anyone in that room in his favor,” said Garcia.

“Many of us at the meeting were not confident that Rev. De Jesús would be able to separate his religious views from his role as an alderman,” said Lourdes Torres, president of Amigas Latinas, an organization that advocates for lesbian, bisexual and questioning Latinas, and their families. Torres said her concerns go beyond his stance on sexuality and include his position on other hot-button issues, including a woman's right to choose.

Earlier this week, Rod 2.0 questioned the Tribune's claim that "some gay residents" supported De Jesus and our response was: "It's difficult to imagine they would be welcome at De Jesus' church." WCT quotes one former congregant, a lesbian, who attended New Life Covenant Ministries during the time De Jesus was leading the charge against the Chicago Public Schools' proposed Pride Campus.

Esmeralda Román, said she left his church because of a sermon that he gave about the school that she said felt more "like an anti-gay rally." Román, a lesbian, had asked De Jesús just weeks prior if she and her partner and their three children were welcome to worship at New Life Covenant. De Jesús said they were. "We didn't go back because we didn't feel safe there," said Román. "I have sat in churches and seen people being hypocrites, people lying, people stealing—but I never felt hate like that at church. That's exactly what I felt."

De Jesus is the senior pastor of 4,000-member New Life Covenant Ministries, which is affiliated with the charismatic and very anti-gay Assemblies of God/Pentecostal movement.

Mayor Daley has until August 1 to fill the 26th Ward City Council seat, which was vacated when former Ald. Bill Ocasio became an adviser to Gov. Pat Quinn.

Thanks ANDRES!

Some Background...
Anti-Gay Pastor: Beliefs Will Not Influence Role as Alderman [R20]
Will An Anti-Gay Minister Be Appointed as a Chicago Alderman? [R20]

2 Arrested in Brutal Attack on New York City Transgender Woman

Two men are behind bars after the brutal attack on a 22-year-old transgender female walking down the street in St. Albans, Queens. Carmella Etienne, who has lived in the neighborhood for years, says the attack happened on the corner of 116th Avenue and 199th Street. Police and prosecutors say thugs attacked with rocks, beer bottles and even threatened to sodomize her with a baseball bat ... all while a crowd watched and did nothing.

Nathaniel Mims, 25, and Rasheed Thomas, 22, allegedly screamed anti-gay slurs and threatened to cut the woman's throat Wednesday night in St. Albans. They face charges of assault as a hate crime, menacing and harassment. "I didn't know you could get locked up for calling somebody names," Thomas said after his arrest, according to prosecutors. "I called her a bunch of names. I called her a [expletive deleted], but she didn't see me throw anything."

Etienne, hit in the leg, told cops she saw the men throwing things at her."They were yelling homophobic slurs at me. They threatened to kill me. Chunky rocks and empty beer bottles they were throwing at me," she said. "Don't ever walk that block anymore or we will slash your throat," one of the defendants said, according to cops.

The aspiring fashion designer.moved to Queens from Haiti six years ago and soon after began her transition. Etienne, who has medically and legally transitioned to female, was treated for a deep gash to her leg and has been released from hospital. She tells the Daily News: "The law will hopefully put them to justice. I love being myself."

For bonus points watch the video at NY1. The young woman interviewed never says she lifted a finger to help Carmella Etienne and complains that police arrested the "wrong" thug.

Author and activist Nathan James lives only one block from where this happened and tells Rod 2.0: "I am so upset by this, because it once again reminds me that I cannot be out, proud, and safe walking the streets of my own neighborhood. God forbid I am being beaten by my neighbors—or their children—for being gay, and people will stand around and watch it happen."

The suspects are being held on $5000 bail. They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted

Jackson Lee, NBJC, NAACP, Cong. Black Caucus Demand Investigation into Murder of August Provost

In an historic and perhaps unprecedented show of solidarity, the nation's leading black civil rights organizations join with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) to demand a congressional investigation into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton

The 29-year-old sailor from Houston—who was represented by Jackson Lee in Congress—was found brutally murdered on June 30 in a guard shack on base. Provost was shot three times, apparently gagged and bound, and his body burned. The seaman told his family he was harassed and ostracized at Pendleton for at least a year because he was gay and black. The Navy maintains there is "no evidence" to suggest this was a hate crime and insists it was "random act" of violence. Jackson-Lee—who has a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign—made the initial calls on Tuesday. Now the congresswoman, other members and organizations are demanding a full investigation by the Department of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the national black LGBT advocacy organization, coordinated with the Black Leadership Forum, an alliance of over thirty national black civil rights and social service organizations, to denounce the incident. The member organizations include the NAACP—which has recently came out against California's Proposition 8—the Congressional Black Caucus, National Urban League, 100 Black Men,  and other leading groups. In denouncing the Provost murder and the slow response by Pentagon brass,  the groups said they "are joining forces to stand for equality and against discrimination and hatred toward ALL African-Americans."

The statement reads in part: "We are deeply troubled by the continuing pattern of incidents across the country—hate crimes, police misconduct, and racial intimidation—that are all-too-often tolerated and ignored by law enforcement officials and courts. Moreover, despite significant progress in the treatment of LGBT people, the targeting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals remain a persistent and widespread problem in the US." The entire statement can be read here. 

The joint statement and call to action comes on the same day sources tell Rod 2.0 the Secretary of the Navy has dispatched 20 investigators to Pendleton. One "person of interest" remains in custody at nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Two others are being sought. No formal charges are filed yet, and, there are unconfirmed reports the military is investigating a white supremacist angle.

Thanks JASPER, JASON BARTLETT and R

Personal injury lawyers

Free accident claims advice

26 AIDS Activists Arrested in Capitol Hill Needle Exchange Protest

UPDATE: John Aravosis at AMERICAblog reports the "White House website pledge to support repeal of the federal ban on needle exchange appears to be gone."

Can't say you didn't see this coming. Capitol Hill Police arrest 26 HIV/AIDS who shut down the Capitol Rotunda to protest the Obama Administration's reversal on campaign promises to overturn the ban on funding needle exchange programs.

[Police] said the group entered the rotunda, located beneath the Capitol dome, and linked themselves together with a white chain at about 10 a.m. The area is usually crowded with tourists, but police restricted the traffic while they made arrests. The activists carried signs in support of funding for needle exchange, HIV/AIDS housing and programs aimed at fighting AIDS. They chanted, "Fight global AIDS now," and, "Clean needles save lives." They marched in a circle before lying down on the floor.

Omolola Adele-Oso of DC Fights Back questioned why lawmakers were bailing out financial institutions instead of devoting more dollars to AIDS programs. "HIV is not in a recession," Adele-Oso said in a written statement from the coalition about the demonstration.

As soon as two weeks after the election of President Barack Obama, Rod 2.0 reported the new Administration was backing away from campaign promises to overturn the ban. In May, the Administration reversed itself and banned federal funding for needle exchange programs in the FY 2010 budget this year.

Far from a recession, HIV/AIDS has dramatically increased in the inner cities and the South. Black gay men are the most likely to become infected with the virus. Perhaps the White House and Congress are just waiting for a "better time" and are "too busy" to fund needle exchange programs "now"?

Anthony Woods Raises More Than $100K in Q1 of CA-10 Campaign

Fabulous news to report on Anthony Woods. In the first two months of his first campaign, the West Point graduate who earned the Bronze Star serving in Iraq and discharged under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy has raised more than $100,000 for the recently scheduled Special Election in California’s 10th Congressional District.

Woods is running to replace the outgoing Rep. Ellen Tauscher in the East Bay. For the fundraising quarter that ended June 30th, the two tour Iraq War Veteran also recruited more than 800 donors, more than "more than twice the number of donors as Lt. Governor John Garamendi", according to numbers released by the Garamendi.

Key to Woods fundraising success: The Facebook and Twitter generation. Woods has organized more than 4,700 supporters on Facebook, described as "more than every other CD 10 candidate combined."

If you have never heard Anthony Woods speak, he is incredible. AFTER THE JUMP, Woods talks to AMERICAblog's Joe Sudbay. If you can, please donate to Anthony Woods' campaign or his ACTBlue page. Join Anthony Woods on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@Woods4Congress). Wouldn't it be great to have a member of Congress who is black, gay, a veteran and knew what it was like to grow up without health care?

Thanks LANE HUDSON (@TlaneHudson)