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Baptists, Catholics Threaten to Withdraw Chaplains Over DADT

The Southern Baptist Convention, the Roman Catholic Church and other conservative denominations have threatened Defense Secretary Robert Gates and President Obama to withdraw their endorsements for military chaplains if "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed, reports the Associated Press.

"In the Army, the U.S. military's largest branch, the largest denomination is the Southern Baptist Convention, with roughly 450 active chaplains. Next is the Roman Catholic Church, with 270, followed by chaplains from the Full Gospel Pentecostal church; Presbyterian and Reformed churches; and Assemblies of God. A spokeswoman for the Pentagon said chaplains must have the endorsement of their church or religious organization to serve the role. If a chaplain's church withdraws its endorsement, the military begins processing the chaplain to leave the military.

"Several denominations have already threatened to take such a step, citing long lists of potential conflicts the chaplains could face with openly gay soldiers. The Southern Baptist Convention, the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church in America, the Presbyterian Church in America, and the Rabbinical Alliance of America have issued statements or written to the Obama administration this year with their concerns that repealing "don't ask, don't tell" could force their chaplains to choose between serving God and serving the military.

"The Orthodox Church in America, for example, condemns homosexuality and mandates that the appropriate action its ministers should take toward gay people who seek counseling is to steer them to repent and renounce the gay lifestyle. 'If such an attitude were regarded as 'prejudice' or the denunciation of homosexuality as 'hate language,' or the like, we would be forced to pull out our chaplains from military service,' the church informed the Pentagon in May."

The Defense Department says chaplains' religious beliefs "and their need to express them" will be respected.

Several dozen retired military chaplains are echoed the fear-mongering. Sixty-five retired military chaplains have signed a letter urging President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to keep "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The retired chaplains say that serving both God and the armed forces "will become impossible" for those whose faiths consider homosexuality a sin.

"[It's] absolutely stunning that church leaders would actually end their relationships with the Pentagon over this," notes AMERICABlog's Joe Sudbay. "It shines a light on just how rabidly these anti-gay religions are. Now, the gay community is used to this crap. But, that they're willing to give up on the U.S. military is beyond the pale."

Apparently for some religions, hating gays and lesbians takes precedence over ministering and feeding the soul.

Malawi Gay Couple Sentenced to Maximum 14 Years Hard Labor

A judge in Malawi has ordered the maximum 14 year sentence in prison with hard labor to the gay couple who has been publicly humiliated, jailed since December and detained in substandard conditions. After holding a public engagement ceremony to declare their love to one another, the judge says its the "worst" case he has seen and others "must not" follow in their example.

More than a thousand people packed the courthouse square for the circus-like atmosphere, reports Reuters.

The couple, Steven Monjeza, 26, and 20-year-old Tiwonge Chimbalanga, were arrested after they got engaged in a traditional ceremony in late December. "I sentence these two ... to a maximum sentence because I want us to stop Malawian sons and daughters from copying the same sex marriages which are un-Malawian and not in our culture and religious beliefs," Chief Resident Magistrate Nyakwawa Uisiwausiwa said. "This is the first case of its kind in Malawi ... this is the worst case of its kind," he added.

Dozens of people packed the court to hear the sentencing. Police closed roads around the building and a nearby bank was closed as more than a thousand people descended on the court. Tiwonge was calm as the judge pronounced the sentence, which includes hard labor, but Monjeza was visibly shaking at the prospect of going to jail. Police whisked the two away in armed vehicles shortly after the sentencing.

Monjeza (left) and Chimbalanga were convicted of "gross indecency and unnatural acts." That would be the public engagement ceremony.

Defense lawyers plead for leniency, report the BBC.

"Defence lawyer Mauya Msuku had argued for a lighter sentence, pointing out that the pair's actions had not victimised anyone. 'Unlike in a rape case, there was no complainant or victim in this case,' he said after the pair were convicted on Tuesday. 'Here are two consenting adults doing their thing in private. Nobody will be threatened or offended if they are released into society.' Michelle Kagari, deputy Africa director of Amnesty International, called the sentence 'an outrage', reports the AP news agency. She described the pair as 'prisoners of conscience'n and said Amnesty would continue to campaign for them to be freed."

Defense attorneys will appeal to Malawi's high court.

On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department said it was "deeply disappointed" in the conviction. No word yet will the conviction have any bearing on the State Department's $115 million plus annual foreign assistance budget to Malawi.

The Presbyterian Church in Malawi is pleased with the verdict.

African human rights and HIV/AIDS groups are slamming the ruling. HIV/AIDS activists say it will encourage anti-gay sentiment in the region and dissuade gay men who are HIV positive against seeking treatment.

Watch CNN's report from this week AFTER THE JUMP ...

Whitman Not Expecting "A Liberal Crowd", Grilled Over Prop 8 Vote

California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, the billionaire former CEO of eBay, was a major supporter of Proposition 8, the voter imposed ban that rescinded same-sex marriage. The San Francisco Chronicle's Leah Garchik writes the candidate recently invited a number of "high-profile high-tech Silicon Valley women" to "get acquainted" and was surprised to be ambushed by "such a liberal crowd."

Whitman, who had described herself earlier as objective, admitted she had voted for Prop. 8. She said that decision had to do with both her religion—Presbyterian—and her emotions. "What happened to the objective CEO lady?" asked her challenger. "Now you're emotional. ... You're all objective about everything; this issue you talk about emotions."

To the questioner, Whitman's blaming her vote on her religion didn't make sense. "I'm also Catholic; that's not going to fly for me. ... 'I have children who are unprotected. It's a matter of legal rights. It's a legal issue. I pay taxes just like you. Why do you get more rights than I do?' "

The discussion was civil, said the questioner, who admitted, "I was testy. She was not. ... When Whitman said, 'You know, I just wish we could have one term for everything: civil unions,' I said, 'Bingo, sold, I'll take it.' "

Would Whitman propose this during the campaign asked her challenger. That question wasn't answered. "She wouldn't say anything. ... She wouldn't say yes. ... She would not say, 'OK, I will do that.' "

Whitman—branding herself as a centrist, technology-friendly successor to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger—initially supported anti-gay right-wing technocrat Mitt Romney and later John McCain in the 2008 election. "She wasn't expecting such a liberal crowd," said her challenger. "She said she didn't want it to be about social issues. I think she hates dealing with these issues."

Awww poor baby. Does Meg only want to talk about micro-lending and TIFF increment financing? Welcome to politics. Oh and good luck convincing millions of Californians to trade in their "marriage" for a "civil union."

(via Queerty)

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Prop 8 Supporter Whitman to Run for California Governor [R20]
Cali. Gov. Candidate Whitman Modifies Positions on Gays [R20]

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News: Lesbian Prom, Asafa Powell, Gay Adoption, Nick Cannon

· Asafa Powell ready to challenge Usain Bolt and regain title as fastest man in the world.

· Congressman: Army fires 11 soldiers in January for violating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

· Seventeen-year-old lesbian senior files lawsuit against Indiana high school after principal says she cannot wear a tuxedo to the school’s prom. "The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis says that the principal told the girl that, while the school’s dress code does not contain gender-based requirements, there is a special dress code for prom that requires female students to wear a formal dress." 

· Governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) for Kentucky votes to overturn ban on gay ministers, marking "the first time a local presbytery rejected the ban, which has been in place since 1996." Meanwhile, gay adoption ban bill dies in Kentucky senate.

· Nick Cannon to become a father?

· Georgia Senate bill requires HIV testing among prison inmates prior to release.

· Popnography updates the GLAAD Awards: "This morning they announced that Clay Aiken will present entertainment mogul Tyra Banks with the Excellence in Media Award and T.R. Knight will present financial guru Suze Orman with the Vito Russo Award. Talk show host Phil Donahue will also receive a Special Recognition Award.

Prop 8 Supporter and California Gubernatorial Candidate Meg Whitman Modifies Positions on Gays

California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, the billionaire former CEO of eBay, was a major supporter of Proposition 8, the recently passed ban on same-sex marriages. But in her first policy interview since declaring her intent to run for office, Whitman now says marriages before the ban should be recognized.

Confused? So was the Los Angeles Times which described Whitman's grasp on policy as that of an "ill-at-ease novice" whose newly-found "positions are likely to complicate her run for office in 2010."

"I don't know the answer to that question," Whitman responded when asked her stand on school vouchers, a perennial issue of importance to the conservatives who dominate her party's primary.

Views that could potentially attract or alienate all manner of voters emerged on the subject of gay marriage.

Explaining her support for Proposition 8, the November measure that banned same-sex marriage, she called it a "matter of personal conscience and my faith."

But Whitman, a Presbyterian who supports gay civil unions, said the thousands of same-sex marriages that took place last year before the ban should be legally recognized—a sentiment opposed by many Proposition 8 backers. Moreover, she said, gay and lesbian couples should be able to adopt children.

Whitman did not register as a Republican until 2007 and says she was too "busy" to vote in many California elections. "As an 'extraordinarily busy' mother and traveling executive, she said, she 'didn't vote as often as I should, and it's something I regret. And no good excuses for it. Wish I had. Should have.' " 

Coulda woulda shoulda ...

Adoption by gay couples in California is not necessarily a controversial issue in California. Whitman's triangulation on gay marriages performed before the ban—now that's bound to cause some problems in the primary. It is timely to note that Whitman described herself as a Presbyterian who supports civil unions. This week the Presbyterian Church USA announced it was forming a committee to study same sex unions and would issue a report by 2010. 

GOP Gov. Candidate Whitman Outlines Stands [LAT]
Presbyterians to Study Same Sex Unions [NCR]

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Prop 8 Supporter and Billionaire Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman to Run for California Governor [R20]

Personal injury lawyers

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Lesbian Denied Bed at Chicago Homeless Shelter, Investigation

Just last week on Rod 2.0, we discussed the problems of young black gay, lesbian and transgendered youth who are homeless and looking for housing. Now, yet another unfortunate example of the many problems facing low income gay men and lesbians: A woman is denied a bed at a homeless shelter after counselors discover she is lesbian.

The Chicago Tribune reports the incident happed during a cold November evening at New Life Interim Housing, a city-funded shelter run by a ministry on the city's North Side.

The staffer for the homeless shelter didn't seem to understand Michelle Wang's explanation why she needed a place to stay. Wang offered again over the telephone how she had broken up with her girlfriend and moved out of the apartment they shared. The staffer appeared to become agitated, raised her voice and continued to profess confusion, Wang said.

Finally, Wang blurted out that she was a lesbian. The staffer immediately put her on hold. After a long wait, Wang got the word she feared: There were no beds available.

"As much as I wanted a place to sleep, I didn't want to lie," Ms. Wang says. "I am disturbed that I was denied shelter, left to the cold and the danger because of something so trivial."

Wang became homeless after moving from Indianapolis with her girlfriend—whose job had transfered her to Chicago—and subsequently being kicked out and left penniless. However, she maintained a job in retail and since then found her own apartment. Her attorneys have filed complaints with the city and state agencies that regulate shelters and may sue the city.

The Rev. Bud Ogle, the Presbyterian minister who founded the shelter and Good News Partners Ministry, denies any discriminations. "Some of our staff are less comfortable with homosexual, gay and lesbian folks than others are. Our policy as a ministry is to welcome every single person as a child of God."

Lesbian Alleges Shelter Left Her Out in the Cold [Tribune]

Some Background ...

NYT Profiles Black LGBT Youth Center [R20]
"New Generation" in the West Village [R20]
Homeless Gay Youth an "Epidemic" [R20]
Pier Kids [R20]
GLAAD's Ad Targets Black Families [R20]
Would You Stop Loving Him? [R20]
(Virtual) Sex and the City [R20]

Religion News: Homophobia In Black Churches, CT Episcopalians OK Same-Sex Blessings

A new book argues pervasive homophobia in historically black churches has reached "crisis" proportions for black lgbt Christians. Comparing their plight to "a game of Russian roulette" where they are no longer welcomed by the church, black lesbian and gay Christians find themselves in "no-win situations," says Rev. Horace L. Griffin, author of Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbian and Gays in Black Churches.

Griffin is black, gay and an Episcopal priest who grew up in the Missionary Baptist Church. He says black church leaders use the Bible to oppress gays and lesbians similar to the approach once used by white church leaders to oppress blacks during slavery and Jim Crow.

· Episcopal parishes in Connecticut may now bless same-sex couples, according to Bishop Andrew Smith. The decision does not allow Episcopal clergy to officiate at civil unions. However, it allows parishes to acknowledge lgbt couples who had a civil union granted by the state. The bishop told the New York Times he acted because Connecticut began recognizing civil unions last year and the national Episcopal Church has done nothing in response.

· The new, pro-gay policies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has meant regional bodies are protesting by sending less money than expected to national headquarters. The Presbyterian financial office said the national church will receive about $400,000 less than anticipated. In June, a Presbyterian national assembly voted to give local congregations some leeway to install gay clergy and lay officers.

One year after its roll-out, Logo says that it can now be seen in over 20 million homes and is supported by more than 50 top-tier advertisers.

· More than 100 black churches signed a statement supporting gays and gay rights for the National Black Justice Coalition.

· Real Christians Don't Gay Bash. It's a wonderful op-ed at The Huffington Post by the Rev. Jim Rigby, a Presbyterian pastor and activist. Money quote: "Gay bashing is not just an opinion, it is an assault. Just as the Klan did, religious fundamentalists have a right to believe that homosexuality is a sin. They even have a right to preach a message of hate. But when they harass people in public, it is time for Christians to rise to challenge their intolerance."

News: Black Gay Men in Brazil, Honey Dijon, Episcopalians

Js Theater interviews Oséas Santana, a Brazilian activist and educator. For nearly two decades, he has worked to improve life for black gay men in Salvador and Bahia: "During Carnaval, in the afoxés and in the street, black gay men are beautiful and marvelous; in the rest of the year, they pass by unnoticed. Not everything is happiness and pleasure."

· The New York Times runs a short but poignant profile of Pernessa C. Seele, founder and chief executive of the Balm in Gilead. The Harlem-based nonprofit advocates HIV/AIDS awareness across faith-based communities and was somewhat of a novelty when it began 18 years ago. Seele recalls that many "folks stopped on Lenox Avenue to see all these black people being comfortable with their individual faiths."

· Miss Honey Dijon, the international DJ and downtown personality, says the Kevin Aviance gay-bashing is not surprising and reflects the conservative political climate:

"Just because we have gay TV shows and all that, these things are just a fantasy. It's like two different realities. It's like The Matrix, the virtual reality and what's happening in the real world. And what's happening on the street is a reflection of what our larger government and religious institutions are doing."

· Episcopal clergy and lay delegates rejected a demand from fellow Anglicans for a temporary moratorium on gay bishops. Meanwhile, the newly-elected and first female leader of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, says she believes homosexuality is not a sin. "I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us."

· The national assembly of the Presbyterian Church has approved a controversial law that upholds the nationwide ban on gay clergy but allows local presbyteries leeway to ignore the rule.