President Obama Affirms He Is For Same-Sex Marriage

Yesterday, President Barack Obama made breaking news when announcing he indeed favors and supports same-sex couples marrying. 

Obama is the first president in the history of the United States to ever take this stance, and hopefully he won't be the last. This moment is just as important as when we elected our first Black president of the United States, because for the first time in history gay and lesbian people will be recognized as equals under the law.

Meeting with gay military families that put their lives on the line for American families everyday, and associating with same-sex couples whose kids are friends with his two daughters Sasha and Malia; President Obama's views fully evolved to what is morally and socially right for America.

After Vice President Joe Biden gave his favorable views on same-sex marriage, the media kept pushing the gay hot button until President Obama finally spoke out -- affirming his favorable opinion on the matter.

Questions began to swirl about why Obama chose to come forward now with his personal belief, while others believe this may be a political ploy for the Obama administration to gain votes. 

 The Illinois senator already had the majority of the gay vote; who do you think voted for him in 2008? Most gay and lesbian people would never vote republican, as it's obvious that they're not for us but against us. Even if republicans decided to one day change their anti-gay mantra, same-sex couples would still be leery of voting for them due to their previous anti-gay track record. 

Personally, I always felt President Obama was for gay marriage even though he never said it, as to not upset those who are strongly opposed to it -- such as the Black church. Although rumor has it that Obama, didn't originally plan to speak on this matter until two months before election day -- it was obvious that it happened right on time in order to give those opposed to it a chance to react, understand, and accept his position. 

It would seem that President Obama, took into careful consideration the positive impact marriage has on any family but most of all, the human right and validation it gives the LGBT community to not feel like second class citizens in our own country. 

It has always been about equality, civil rights, and human rights, when any specific group has been oppressed. It appears that republicans love to use religion to divide the American people, but religion has nothing to do with it. People choose to interpret certain parts of the Bible to fit their way of life, while using it to destroy and harm other people that are different from them. Anyone can follow a certain religion and believe whatever they want about that religion, but using religion to promote fear in order to gain a majority vote, or even using religion to oppress a certain group of people just because their different should never be okay.

Republicans have affirmed time and again that the purpose of marriage is procreation only, and that children are better off in a two parent household with a mother and a father. But what about the husband and wife who married and can not procreate due to fertility issues? Should they not adopt or use a surrogate?

Or what about the husband or wife that passes away, leaving behind children and one parent. Should that one parent give their children or child up for adoption, because the home no longer has two parents? 

What about the feminist woman who prefers to be a single mother, and can afford to take care of her children? Should she not raise a child because a man isn't present in the home? 

My point is, there are to many ways to define what a family is and for republicans to try and fit all Americans in one box just isn't realistic. We're all different, we all live in the same country, and we're all stronger together than apart. Eventually, the bigotry has to end.

During slavery times in the United States of America, African Americans were oppressed by religion as well. Black people were told they had no souls, that they weren't smart enough to learn, that God never wanted them to be financially well off, that they weren't good enough to marry a white person, and that they'd never be as good as any white person because that's the way God intended it to be. 

African Americans along with other minorities realized that slavery wasn't Gods plan for them, in which they fought harder to prove that very fact. Due to our ancestors' efforts we now have our first Black president who wishes to be fair with everyone across the board, and the only way to do that is with love, compassion, and fair laws; President Obama gets that and for those who still haven't, I can only hope that eventually you will.

President Barack Obama's LGBTQ Track Record:

1) 2009 - Signed Hate Crimes Prevention Act

2) 2010 - Expanded Family Medical Leave Act for LGBTQ Parents

3) 2011 -  Ended "Don't Ask Don't Tell" military policy

4) 2011 - Directed DOJ to Stop Defending Defense of Marriage Act

5) 2011 - Endorsed Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act

6) 2012 - Supports Employment Non-Discrimination Act

7) 2012 - Signed HUD bill that prevents Gay and Lesbians from being discriminated against when purchasing homes

8) 2012 - President Obama affirms he is for same-sex marriage

For the record: Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is set to speak this Saturday at Liberty University, an institution that forbids openly gay students from applying; yet this very institution received over $445 million dollars of federal taxpayer dollars in 2010, funds that should be used for any student trying to attain a higher education not just heterosexual students.

2012 LA

Republican Maureen Walsh Sides With Marriage Equality

Republican Maureen Walsh, speaks candidly about the acceptance of marriage equality.

2012 LA

Who Should Define Marriage?

Should marriage be defined for the people and by the people; before we get into that, we must first learn the history of marriage. 

The interesting thing about the history of marriage is that it has always evolved. The practices of marriage from centuries ago, still play out in the 21st century. 

For example: In ancient Greece it's written that inheritance is more important than actually having feelings for your partner. Females were forced to divorce their husbands and marry male relatives in order to keep the family name going if there were no more male heirs. This practice still happens today but it is now called, "inbreeding."

Have you ever heard of the hit show Wife Swap, where men trade their wives for several weeks and then report back on the outcome? 

Wife swapping was a normal practice in ancient Rome; it was often done as a career move for men to strengthen family bonds. This practice still happens today but it is now called, "swinging."

Are you familiar with the TV show Sister Wives, where one man co-exists and procreates with as many wives as he can handle? 

This practice of marriage was very popular in 6th-century Europe -- among men for political and strategic purposes. Some men would even marry their sister-in-laws! This practice still happens today and it's called, "polygamy."

If you're into politics I'm sure you've seen many a scandal when it comes to politicians and their cheating ways. 

In 12th-century Europe, upper class marriages were often arranged -- as many cultures today still participate in arranged marriages. And wealthy men in those days believed love shouldn't be apart of a marriage, but that love could be found outside of the marriage with other people. This cheating practice still happens today and it's called, "adultery."

Today, gay and lesbian individuals are fighting for marriage equality. Thus far only 8 states have followed suit; it's a start but we have a long way to go. 

With regards to politics, republicans have been the strongest opponents of marriage equality although many republican Mayors, Congressmen, and Governors have recently been outed as homosexual. 

Which brings me to 14th-century Europe, when people were not allowed to pick their own mates but instead was forced to marry a mate that government chose for them. If a person went against the government's rule and married who they wanted to marry, the government made the couple pay a fee; gay and lesbian couples pay the fee of oppression, higher taxes, violence, and degradation with no relationship validity or acknowledgement.

During the Victorian era in the United States of America, marriage was again all about currency. Some men were well off but others sought out wealthy heiresses to marry, while still turning to family, friends, and other lovers for intimacy. In the 1690's Protestant ministers, would warn couples not to love each other to much; after all marriage was to be strictly business.

In 18th-century Europe, women began finding their voices and speaking out against loveless marriages while being forced into them. Also, in the 18th-century in the United States due to horrific racism and prejudice, Black people were not allowed to marry White people and vice versa. White men were adamant about race mixing but had no qualms about raping Black women and impregnating them -- therefore, mixing races.

The 1950's in the United States brought on mandatory marriages. Everyone had to get married and have a picture perfect nuclear family. If a person chose to not marry they were considered "sick", "immoral", or "neurotic." Today, these are the same degrading words used against gay and lesbians for wanting to get married.

In the United States in the 1970's, women became more self-sufficient and began changing social rules by cutting the umbilical cords that their husbands used to strangle them. As a result, the divorce rate catapulted to the highest it had ever been.

And in the 21st century marriage is the ultimate expression of love, and everyone wishes to have a wonderful wedding. And again, no one should be able to define that wonderful wedding except for the two people it's happening too.

In conclusion: the history of marriage seems to stress obedience, and always obedience to the men who controlled every aspect of their spouses life. 

History seems to preclude love as if it were the most revolting thing, but history also shows that women and ordinary people had no say over their lives and were always controlled by a bigger entity. 

What I find amazing about this information is that no matter how BIG the entity, in the end, women and ordinary people stood their ground and demanded change for the better; defining every moment in time by the people and for the people.

Let's keep the marriage equality momentum going shall we?!

2012 LA

Bernice King Gives "Gay" Unity Speech

At Atlanta, Georgia's, annual Martin Luther King Jr. rally Bernice King (seen above) daughter of assassinated civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., included gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people among the various groups she said needed to come together to fulfill her father's legacy.

Bernice King was passionate with her message. She stated that she didn't care if people were Hindu, Buddhist, Islamist, were from the North side or the South side, were black or white, were “heterosexual or homosexual, or gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender” — that all people were needed to create unity.

LGBT people who attended the rally said they were shocked that King – who has a long anti-gay past — actually acknowledged the community in a public speech, but said they were also glad because it shows people can evolve. But sometimes it takes something bigger than you, to realize it isn't about you.

Ms. King was a member of Bishop Eddie Long's (seen above-l) New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and the two led a march of thousands through the streets of Atlanta to protest among other issues -- gay marriage. She has also said that her father "did not take a bullet for same-sex marriage."

The civil rights activist may have had an epiphany when realizing that the same Bishop Eddie Long she worked side by side with, was the same Bishop brought up on charges for a sex scandal in which he was sued by young men who accused him of coercing them into sexual relationships.

There are many gay pastors that hide behind churches, wives, and lies, in order to mask the fact that they are gay. These pastors are scared to come out for fear they'll be publicly condemned by the church. In Bishop Longs' case him being gay isn't a crime; but pedophilia is a crime and should be handled as such.

Kudos to Bernice King for evolving and making such a strong statement that unity requires all people, and not just a select few.

2012 LA

Gay Marriage Is A Threat To Humanity!

While addressing diplomats from 180 countries on economic and social issues facing the world today, Pope Benedict was clear on one mantra; gay marriage is a threat to humanity.

Pope Benedict's exact words, "This is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society. Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself," he said.

The Vatican and Catholic officials around the world have protested against moves to legalize gay marriage in Europe, and other developed parts of the world. 

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that while homosexual tendencies are not sinful -- homosexual acts are, and that children should grow up in a traditional family with a mother and a father.

This is also the same Pope Benedict, that ostracizes the use of birth control and wishes it never existed! This is also the same institution that argued the world was flat when in fact the world is round.

My point is, the biggest threat to humanity is ABSOLUTELY not gay marriage. 

The biggest threats to humanity are: liars, cheaters, conscious ignorance, thieves, murderers, pedophiles, rapists, global warming, war, famine, and disease. Isn't it interesting that for decades the Catholic church, seemed to always fall under the pedophilia category?

Marriage is a civil right not a lucky win at poker. Gay and lesbian couples wish to marry for love as anyone else; the Pope acts as if one wishes to make a mockery of what marriage truly means. If he needs mockery of marriage I suggest he tune in to Keeping Up With The Kardashians (hint Kim), or The Bachelor.

How is gay marriage a threat to humanity, when gay people have been around since the beginning of time? 

There's been constant pro-creation in the world and being gay didn't stop it from happening. Billions of people have been born and they didn't all get here through intercourse, or by being born into a heterosexual family. 

Homosexuals and heterosexuals both have gay and straight babies, period. Since no one is at fault for actually birthing a gay person, how can a gay person be at fault for being gay? 

But how many Catholic priests are caught molesting little boys, defying their celibacy by having children, and siphoning funds from their parishes? To many to count!

Why just today, Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe age 59, who's a Roman Catholic priest, was recently sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for siphoning some $650,000 dollars from his Northwest Las Vegas parish, in order to support his gambling habit. Need I say more?

2013 Update: Pope Benedict resigns from the Vatican, to be openly gay with his longtime partner. Ay dio mio!

#Smh #Hypocrite #Lies

2012 LA

A Historical Kiss On The Docks

Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta won a raffle on the dock landing ship Oak Hill, to be the first to kiss a loved one on its return to Virginia Beach; Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell was waiting.

It's truly amazing seeing a couple who hasn't seen each other in months, come together to embrace what brought them to each other in the first place; love. Without judgement or prejudice...simply love.

2012 LA

Gay Airman Comes Out To Dad

Today officially ends the era of 'Don't ask, Don't Tell', which was a law put in place by our government to discriminate, humiliate, and degrade all gay and lesbians serving in the military. Under the watchful eye of President Obama, this law exists no more.

Click here to see an airman calling his father today September 20, 2011, to tell him he is gay. 

This is a huge moment for many gay and lesbian military individuals, and I hope watching this video will encourage others to hold their heads up high while owning their truths.

2011 LA

Gay Student Protests for LGBT Rights At Michelle Bachmann Rally

Kudos to Gabe Aderhold (seen above), a seventeen year old gay student who stood his ground during a speech given by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann on the campaign trail earlier this month. 

Aderhold stated that before heckling Michele Bachmann at the Iowa State Fair, his mission was to help educate the representative about how harmful her rhetoric is against gay and lesbians who are also her constituents. 

As a state Senator Michele Bachmann also led aggressive efforts to amend the state’s constitution, to prohibit same-sex couples from marrying.

But Aderhold seemed adamant in bringing awareness to gay issues, due to the death of a family friend who committed suicide in 2009 after being bullied. The friend was only 15 years old. 

Aderhold expressed that,“It is her responsibility to address social issues in her area, and there have been six suicides in the last year from being bullied in her district,” the student commented to The Des Moines Register -- prior to heckling Michele Bachmann today at the Iowa State Fair.

Bachmann spoke for three minutes at the soapbox today. When she stopped talking Aderhold stood up and shouted: “You treat me like a second-class citizen,” before chanting. “Shame on you!”

Bachmann’s husband Marcus, operates a mental-health clinic in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. He has faced scrutiny for the clinic’s purported efforts to help clients “pray the gay away."

The young activist also made sure to mention Bachmanns' senate efforts, in keeping the ridiculous praying techniques. “You can’t pray the gay away,” he screamed at Marcus Bachmann, who turned away and did not respond. 

The congresswoman commented earlier that she would shake hands with people in the audience, but after being heckled she quickly left the area.

Gabe, thank you for standing up not just for yourself but for all LGBT people. You are a hero! Keep up the good work!

2011 LA