8/14/08

What Does Religion Teach Us?

Today I had the opportunity to reflect on the way religion teaches society to treat the GLBT community. For those of us within this outcast segment of society, this will come as no surprise, but for those who do not define themselves as a member of our community, I'm sure that this will either be a source of surprise that I could equate these seemingly disparate issues, or an outright denial.
What started me on this topic was a news release I read about the plea bargain in the murder of Amancio Corralles’ (a female impersonator in Yuma Arizona). Here is the case of Ruben Solorio, someone who stabbed and beat a person to death and then dumped the body. Ruben confessed to the crime, so it should be a no-brainer that he at least goes to jail for life right? No, in fact he isn't even facing murder charges. Not even manslaughter, he plead guilty to attempted manslaughter with aggravated circumstances, this for a man that has a violent criminal past. What was it about the case that caused such a light plea deal, was it a lack of evidence, some technicality? No, it had nothing to do with the strength of the case at all; it's all about the victim. The victim tricked him into thinking "he" was a "she", after all, shouldn't we all expect anyone to go into a rage over being "tricked" like this. Obviously, it was the victims fault, just like it's the rape victims fault for getting raped if she was dressed provocatively, right (sarcasm)? It's funny that society does it's best to keep us in the closet. Society finds us sick and even repulsive. Society says we are second class citizens, our lives aren't worth quite as much as those in the straight community, just like this case exemplifies. Is it any wonder that a transgender person isn't always forthright about themselves? Do all straight people tell everything about themselves at their first meeting? If I went into a rage because I was with a straight person that represented him or herself as a trans person, would it be more understandable if I killed him or her?

So now back to religion and what does this case have to do with religion? The views that many (not all) organized religions teach society is that all GLBT people are sinners, we are all immoral, we should not be afforded the same rights as a "moral" society just for who we were born to be. It is exactly these teachings, these exclusionary policies that are the reason society allows death to persevere in the GLBT society. Through the churches teaching of "morality", here is what it is promoting:

· 40% of the homeless youth living on the streets are GLBT, there because "moral" parents kicked them out.
· 30% suicide rates among gay and lesbian youth. Why would anyone want to continue living as the "abomination" they are taught that they are, knowing they will never be able to change?
· 50% suicide rate for transgender teens, for the same reason listed above. (These rates do tend to be cut in half for those that actually live through their teen years.)
· For some people, these same "moral teachings" lead them to shooting incidents like in Knoxville Tennessee, and violent murders like the one that killed Corralles'.

I don't want to give the impression that I don't believe in God, I am a practicing Christian and I am comfortable in my relationship with God. I am a transgender woman that is willing to face God's judgment of me when the time comes, knowing that I have done my best to make the world a better place. For all those people trying to live moral lives according to the religious principles that they learned from their church:

· Are you ready to tell God that you did your best to make the world a better place by ignoring the suicide rates of GLBT people because "they are sinners, so their lives don't really matter"?
· Are you ready to tell God that you made society better by excluding GLBT people from the basic rights afforded to straight people like same sex marriage? To tell him that by marginalizing all those "sinners", making it easier to discriminate against them, that the world is better off?
· Can you look upon God and tell him that "I rejected GLBT people just like the Bible told me to, I wouldn't look at them, I turned away from them and let everyone else know that are an abomination. I helped society reject and discriminate against them."

Anytime that GLBT people are excluded from any aspect of society, the people that took part in their exclusion told society that their lives don't mean as much. They told society that it's OK to reject them. It's OK for parents to kick their children out. It's OK that GLBT people kill themselves in large part because of the message these same people espouse. They even helped send the message of hate that causes incidents like the shooting at the Knoxville Unitarian Universalist Church. The same message of hate that caused a transgender woman in Greeley Colorado to be beaten in the head with a fire extinguisher until the killer "thought he killed it" but then when he heard a gurgling noise, so he hit "it" again. I always thought that the Bible was a book of learning, yet what I see in society is the Bible being used as a weapon again and again. When you practice your faith, when you decide how to treat others different than you, ask yourself if God really wants your actions to result in the death of many. Should you be their judge, or leave it to someone with a higher authority.

8/13/08

LAMBDA LEGAL and SAX FIFTH AVENUE


INVITE you for an evening of food, fashion and music.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
6:30 Cocktails and Light Bites by Screen Door Restaurant
7:30 Fall Evening wear Fashion Preview.

Galleria Mall Dallas Texas on level three in Sax Fifth Avenue

Please RSVP to Carla McKinzie at 214-219-8585
or
cmckinzie@lambdalegal.org

Lambda Legal is proud to be a beneficiary of the Black Tie Dinner

8/12/08

Advocates For Youth



What We Believe
Advocates for Youth envisions a society that views sexuality as normal and healthy and treats young people as a valuable resource.

The core values of Rights, Respect, Responsibility® (3Rs) animate this vision—

RIGHTS: Youth have rights to accurate and complete sexual health information, confidential reproductive and sexual health services, and a secure stake in the future.

RESPECT: Youth deserve respect. Today, young people are largely perceived as part of the problem. Valuing young people means they are part of the solution and are included in developing programs and policies that affect their well-being.

RESPONSIBILITY: Society has the responsibility to provide young people with the tools they need to safeguard their sexual health, and young people have the responsibility to protect themselves from too-early childbearing and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

Click Title for Advocates for Youth Home page

Stonewall Democrates proposed party platform to be brought to Denver


The Stonewall Democrats were in Pittsburgh this weekend to work with members of the Democratic Platform Committee as we pressed for - and passed - the most pro-LGBT proposed platform in Democratic Party history.

Here is what the proposed platform calls for:
- A united, comprehensive strategy on ENDA that includes both sexual orientation and gender identity.

- An end to the failed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy

- Security in adoption rights for all caring parents

- More inclusive Census reporting

- Passage of Hate Crimes legislation

- A National HIV/AIDS strategy

- Opposition to the "Defense of Marriage Act" and similar initiatives

- Opposition to voter ID laws which unfairly target transgender voters

Those are just some of the policy areas addressed. More importantly, for the first time the platform amends the Democratic Party's description of family to include same-sex couples. This enables Democrats to reflect their commitment to pro-equality positions in host of areas including health care, retirement, family care and medical decisions.

In just two weeks, Stonewall Democrats will gather with LGBT delegates from across the country at the Democratic National Convention. There, we will show delegates, party operatives and elected officials how our inclusive platform translates into a winning strategy and successful public policy. Through briefings, press events and lobby visits, our members and delegates will use this opportunity to push our party forward to victory in November. But, we need your help to make that happen.

You've seen our success this summer. The largest number of LGBT delegates in history. The most pro-LGBT party platform ever. Strong statements from our candidates on issues of equality.

Take this moment to keep our momentum going. Don't let it stop in these closing weeks of summer. We need your support to push our efforts through August and on to victory in November.

Please take a moment and click the post title to donate towards the political success of our community in its bid to include a fair representation of all LGBT concerns in the national agenda.

8/11/08

questioningtransphobia

Adult Content
Cross Posted from "Questioning Transphobia and other bigotry" click title for link

to alix olson and all women who go to michigan women's festival

8/10/08

Say No 2 by Florida Red and Blue


Help us defeat the so-called "Marriage Protection Amendment" to the Florida Constitution that will take away important rights from ALL non-married Floridians

Say No 2 urges voters to Vote No on Amendment 2, which will be on the November ballot. Amendment 2 is also known as the “same sex marriage ban” amendment, but it’s really a benefits ban that will harm ALL unmarried couples in Florida, whether they’re gay or not.

Say No 2 taking away existing benefits and legal protections.

Say No 2 hurting Florida’s seniors who are unmarried by choice.

Say No 2 eliminating shared health care and pension benefits.

Say No 2 someone else deciding who can visit you in the hospital.

Say No 2 more government intrusion into our private lives.

Florida Government has more important things to do than take away rights and benefits from non-married Floridians.

http://www.SayNo2.com
Posted by Florida Red Blue (Creator) Click Title for Facebook Link