President Obama Please Stop The War | You Promised You Would

What a shame. Today the House voted 368 to 60 to spend billions more of our tax dollars ($96.7 billion) for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. While we walked the halls of Congress all week urging a "NO" vote, Congressmembers were being lobbied hard by the White House to vote for it. President Barack Obama met with the Progressive Caucus to push the war funding, and each member who showed skepticism received phone calls from the White House.
"Did you know that President Obama is more popular than Jesus Christ?," Cong. Emanuel Cleaver asked us. "I didn't like this bill, but I voted for it. It's hard to stand up to such a popular president."

Fifty-one courageous Democrats (list below), however, did just that. "The pressure was intense," said freshman Cong. Donna Edwards. "But I just returned from Afghanistan and people there kept saying that the solution is not more troops but more development assistance."

Cong. Lynn Woolsey agreed. "This bill has no exit strategy," she told us, "and it allocates over 90% of the money for the military and less than 10% for development. This even contradicts General Petraeus' own counter-insurgency doctrine of 80% non-military and 20% military."
While we were outside Congress with the banner "Stop Funding War," Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee stopped to talk to us." "I must tell you ladies that I voted for the bill this time but I don't feel good about it and I plan to revisit this. I want to thank you for being out here and tell you that you need to keep doing what you're doing, keep the pressure on--in fact, turn it up. That's the only way we'll ever get out of these wars."

Next week the war funding will be voted in the Senate. So please take Congresswoman Lee's advice and turn up the pressure. Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121, ask for your Senators, and say--loudly and clearly--that you want him/her to vote against more money for war. Say you want a surge in negotiations and development assistance, not troops. For more help see talking points below.

We know--and you know--that war is not the answer. Let's help Obama and Congress move us on a new path.
Yes we can, yes we will--end war.Allison, Audrey, Blaine, Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janna, Janet, Jean, Jodie, Liz, Lori, Lydia, Medea, Nancy, Pam, Paris, and Rae
PS. If you haven't seen the courageous team of Desiree Fairooz and Medea Benjamin taking on Rumsfeld, don't miss it.

Here are some key talking points:
At a time of economic crisis and multiplying domestic needs, the 2009 Supplemental is an appalling waste of our money.
The Supplemental funds the increase of troops to Afghanistan, escalating the war rather than ending it.
The Supplemental places no restrictions on American bombings in either Afghanistan or Pakistan, despite the disproportionate harm to civilian inhabitants.

The Supplemental maintains a high level of American troops in Iraq for the duration of FY 2009.

Nay Votes on H R 2346, Supplemental Appropriations, 5/14/09
Baldwin
Capuano
Clarke
Cohen
Conyers
Cooper
Costello
Doggett
Edwards (MD)
Ellison
Farr
Filner
Honda
Inslee
Kagen
Kaptur
Kucinich
Lee (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lofgren, Zoe
Markey (MA)
Massa
Matsui
McDermott
McGovern
Michaud
Payne
Pingree (ME)
Polis (CO)
Schakowsky
Serrano
Shea-Porter
Speier
Thompson (CA)
Tierney
Towns
Tsongas
Velazquez
Frank (MA)
Grayson
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Miller, George
Napolitano
Neal (MA) Oberstar
Waters
Watson
Weiner
Welch
Woolsey

Jamison Green | FtM Transmen and Partners Survey

In case you haven't yet heard the news from Twitter...here are two surveys that are going to offer some awesome vital resources for FTM folks and those who love them.

The surveys are being done by Jamison Green, author of “Becoming a Visible Man” and former President of FTMInternational. According to the survey "He is interested in the sexual health and satisfaction of all transmen, whether or not they have had hormones or surgery, and in the experiences of their partners. He will use the data as raw material for a book, tentatively entitled "The FTM Guide to SEX," plus academic presentations and journal articles to educate medical and therapeutic service providers about trans lives. Collaborating is urologist and surgeon Dr. Miroslav Djordjevic of Serbia. Dr. Djordjevic is interested in post-operative quality of life for all transmen who have had genital reconstruction. Dr. Djordjevic and Mr. Green plan to make professional conference presentations together and to co-author a journal article using the data collected here."
If folks have questions about who Jamison is: http://www.jamisongreen.com/

The surveys are designed for FTM or trans men and their partners. Partners do not have to be in a current relationship, and if a FTM person or trans man has been partnered to another FTM person or trans man they may of course take both surveys. In order to take the surveys you must be 18 or older. For these surveys the proctors are using the following definition for FTM or trans man: “a person who was born with a female body--and assigned female or intersex at birth--and who plans to initiate, has initiated, or has completed medical treatment to masculinize his body”, some examples of identities may include FTM, trans man, genderqueer, or intersex man.
Here is the survey for partners of FTM folks and trans men. It takes between 20-40 minutes based upon your life experience. Partners
And here is the survey for FTM folks and trans men. Again, takes between 20-40 minutes based upon your own life experiences: FTM folks
If folks have any questions about the surveys you can direct the questions to Jamison! (jamisong at earthlink.net.)

Cross posted from Coffee and Gender and Queers United

Former Catholic Achbishop is Gay | Welcome Rembert Weakland

Source : Associated Press

"NEW YORK (AP) - A Roman Catholic archbishop in Milwaukee who resigned in 2002 over a sex and financial scandal involving a man describes his struggles with being gay in an upcoming memoir about his decades serving the church."

" Archbishop Rembert Weakland tells The Associated Press that he wrote about his sexual orientation because he wanted to be candid about how it came to life in him, how he suppressed it and how it "resurrected again."

"Called "A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church: Memoirs of a Catholic Archbishop," the book is set to be released in June."

AP Story Former Catholic head of Milwaukee admits he's gay

Allen Andrade Sentenced To Life Plus 60 Years for Murder of Angie Zapata

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2009

CONTACT:
Heather Draper
The GLBT Community Center of Colorado
303.733.7743 x101

GREELEY - Allen Andrade has been sentenced to life plus 60 years for all counts related to murder of Angie Zapata.

Judge Marcelo Kopcow on Friday sentenced Andrade, 32, to the maximum 60 consecutive years for the additional charges in the Zapata murder case.

On April 23, a Weld County jury found Andrade guilty of first-degree murder and a hate crime in the killing of Angie Zapata, an 18-year-old transgender woman from Greeley.

At that time, he was sentenced to life without parole.

Because Andrade was a habitual offender with prior felony convictions, the law requires him to be given four times the maximum sentence for the three other convictions related to the Zapata case: a bias-motivated crime, identity theft and aggravated motor vehicle theft.

Andrade on Friday received 12 years for the hate crime conviction, 24 years for the motor vehicle theft and 24 years for the identity theft.

"I've observed this trial in its entirety and the tragedy inflicted on the Zapata family has been horrendous," said Mindy Barton, legal director for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado. "The court, by giving the maximum sentence served consecutively, shows the heinous nature of the crime."

- end -

The GLBT Community Center

Also on the web

Pams House Blend Breaking: Angie Zapata's Killer Sentenced To 60 Additional Years

Man Gets Life Plus For Killing Transgender WomanOn Top Magazine - Cleveland,OH,USA By On Top Magazine Staff Allen J. Andrade, the man convicted to life in prison last month for the murder of Angie Zapata, an 18-year-old transgender woman ...See all stories on this topic

Transgender Killer Gets 60 Years Added To SentenceTheDenverChannel.com - Denver,CO,USADENVER -- The man convicted last month of killing an 18-year-old transgender woman was sentenced to an additional 60 years in prison because he is a ...See all stories on this topic

Additional Sentence For Transgender Murderercbs4denver.com - Denver,CO,USARead more in our Privacy Policy The man who murdered Angie Zapata, a transgender, was handed an additional sentence Friday. Last month, the court sentenced ...See all stories on this topic

60 more years for man convicted in transgender murder9NEWS.com - Denver,CO,USAGREELEY - A man convicted last month of murdering a transgender teenager was sentenced Friday to an additional 60 years in prison. ...See all stories on this topic

Arkansas Grass Roots Group 'CAR' Partners With “Know Thy Neighbor” to Publish Act 1 Ballot Initiative Signatures

Who signed the anti-gay adoption and foster care petition in Arkansas? list linked at bottom of post

Repeal Act 1 March from Center for Artistic Revolution on Vimeo.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A conservative group says it may ask Arkansas lawmakers to block the release of petition-signers’ personal information after a group posted the list of voters who had signed petitions to put adoption and foster parenting restrictions on last year’s ballot.

KnowThyNeighbor.org on April 28 posted a list of voters who signed petitions to put an initiated act banning unmarried couples from fostering or adopting children on the ballot. Voters approved the act, which took effect Jan. 1.

The Arkansas Family Council, which pushed for the act, complained that placing that list online violated the privacy of voters who signed petitions. The council says it will ask Attorney General Dustin McDaniel for an advisory opinion on whether the information can be released.

On the Web

Gay and Lesbian Times AP Article "Ark. group seeks to restrict petition information"

Arkansas Ballot Arkansas Unmarried Couple Adoption Ban (2008)

Opponents of Act 1 Center For Artistic Revolution

Proponent organization of ACT 1 Adoption Ban Family Action Council Committee

Publisher of signatures of Act a Signatures Know Thy Neighbor.org

Who signed the anti-gay adoption and foster care petition in Arkansas? Click Here to Find OUT! "NOTE: CAR DOES NOT advocate any derogatory actions based on the publication of the Act 1 petition signatures information. Our intention in publishing the list is to shine the light while promoting and furthering the dialog regarding equality in Arkansas."

By Kelli Busey
May 8, 2009
planetransgender

Bay Area Faith Communities Prepare For Day of Decision

Updated schedule as of May 16th at bottom of post.
The ruling is expected to be announced by June 5, join others of faith and stand for equality at the following events.

1. Prayer Service on the EVE of Decision Day – Grace Cathedral (pictured right, 1100 California Street San Francisco) 7:00 – 8:30 pm The night before the announcement of the CA Supreme Court’s decision, we invite the Bay Area community to come for an evening of songs and meditation that will center our hearts on peace, healing and understanding.

2. Service/Blessing on Decision Day – St. Francis Lutheran Church (pictured left, 152 Church St. San Francisco, across from Castro Safeway) 8:30 – 9:15 am The morning of the day of decision, we invite the Bay Area community to come for encouraging music and words from community leaders, testimonies from married couples and blessings for those who will be doing civil disobedience. We will march in a procession from the church to Civic Center Plaza. Clergy are requested to come in their clerical garments.

3. Circle of Care – Civic Center Plaza If Proposition 8 is upheld, we will surround those who are willing to be arrested in civic disobedience as we sing, and move aside as they are arrested. See the following page for more information.

4. The “Sunday” After – The weekend following the court decision, clergy and worship leaders are encouraged to address the theological, social and emotional effects of the court decision during their worship service. Read the clergy Resource Kit that is attached to gain ideas on how to articulate your message. Marriage is not just a nice idea for some. To deny it is a form of bashing. On Decision Day, a group of people will participate in civil disobedience if the Supreme Court upholds Prop 8. In partnership with an interfaith group of clergy, we'll do a peaceful street blockade with the message SEPARATE IS NOT EQUAL! We're looking for people to participate in this action with us, and for friends who will support us as peacekeepers and legal observers. For more information, please email action@onestruggleonefight.com.

SPONSORED BY: Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations, California Faith for Equality Congregation, Sha'ar Zahav Fellowship of the Rainbow Progressive Jewish Alliance Jewish Mosaic - The National Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, California Council of Churches Colage, The Fellowship Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, Freedom in Christ Church of San Francisco Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies of Pacific School of Religion Equality California Marriage Equality USA Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry California Glide Memorial United Methodist Church Grace Cathedral St. Francis Lutheran Church One Struggle, One Fight Nueva Vida Ministries The Society of Franciscan Workers API Equality PANA Institute of Pacific School of Religion Network on Religion and Justice for API

CONTACT: Rev. Roland Stringfellow at rstringfellow@clgs.org

Facebook event page Prop 8 Decision Day Religious Events in the Bay Area


Subject: SF Day of Decision events - update as of may 16th - spread the word

The California Supreme Court's ruling is nearly upon us, and could come down any day now.Here's a rundown of all of the activities in San Francisco -- please spread the word far and wide:ON THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE RULING:- 7:00pm to 8:30pm: Interfaith Prayer service at Grace Cathedral (1100 California St). All peaceful loving people are invited to come together for this service, no matter what their position on the court case may be.

THE DAY OF THE RULING:- 8:30am to 9:15am: Service/Blessing at St. Francis Lutheran Church (152 Church St, across from Safeway).- 9:15am to 10am: March from Saint Francis to Civic Center Plaza.- 10:00am to 10:30: California Supreme Court steps (400 McAllister St) Everyone is invited to stand with us on the steps to receive the ruling.

If you are a couple that married, or wanted to marry and will speak to media, please email your name, contact information, phone number and story to media@marriageequality.org.

Please bring your families and allies with you.- 10:30am: Circle of Care at Civic Center Plaza. If the marriage ban is upheld, a group of Bay Area clergy and congregants will engage in nonviolent civil disobedience immediately after receiving the ruling go to http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.onestruggleonefight.org for details.

THE EVENING OF THE RULING - COMMUNITY GATHERING
Emceed by Stuart Gaffney, John Lewis, Lawrence Ellis, Molly McKay and Davina Kotulski- 5:00pm to 6:00: Pre-March Rally at SF City Hall (speakers include Terry Stewart, Kate Kendall and others)- 6:00pm to 7:00: March to MLK Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens (4thand Mission, next to Metreon). Follow http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://twitter.com/stop8dotorgfor live updates from the march.- 7:00pm to 8:30: Post-March Gathering at Yerba Buena Gardens, (speakers including Rev. Amos Brown , Dolores Huerta music, and next steps)(We NEED volunteers for SF's Day of Decision. Please email volunteer coordinator Dolores at d_lorlor101@yahoo.com. We need help with peacekeepers, handing out stickers, postcards and chant sheets.)For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.marriageequality.org or http://www.facebook.com/l/;dayofdecision.org

THE SATURDAY AFTER THE RULING:- Meet in the Middle for Equality in Fresno:http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/- Saturday: March from Selma to Fresno, meeting at 6:30am and kickingoff at 7:50amBuses leave from San Francisco - join your fellow love warriors for a road trip for justice you will always remember!- Saturday: Rally in Fresno; warmup at noon, kickoff at 1pmPLEASE INVITE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE!