Representative Jane Cunningham (R) District 86 in Missouri who runs the ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION committee recently made some disturbing comments regarding "The Missouri Safe School Legislation" that her committee will decide on.
The bill is intended to protect students from discrimination based on "actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, intellectual ability, physical appearance, or mental, physical, or sensory disability or disorder."
"Two youth attempted to speak with Representative Jane Cunningham (R-86) regarding Safe Schools Legislation because of her position as chair of the House Education Committee. Upon entering Rep. Cunningham told the youth to leave, as she "couldn't look at [them] anymore," because their appearance "offended" her. Both youth have facial piercings as many students do. The youth thanked Rep. Cunningham for her time and left the office.
Directly following the youths dismissal by Rep. Cunningham, another group of Volunteer Lobbyists met with the Representative and in asking why the last group of students were asked to leave the office, Rep. Cunningham stated:
"I don't see how any human being could look at them for any prolonged period of time without getting physically ill... I thought I would throw-up if I looked at them any longer." (http://www.pamshouseblend.com)
This kind of language from the chairperson of the education committee is disturbing and dangerous. Her role is to protect and educate children of Missouri. Please contact her and tell her to apologize for her comments and swiftly move forward to pass the "Missouri Safe Schools Legislation".
Phone: 573-751-1186
Email:Jane.Cunningham@house.mo.gov
MO House of Representatives
201 West Capitol Avenue
Room 313
Jefferson City MO 65101
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Rep: Jane Cunningham feels "physically ill" Looking at Gender Non-Conforming Students
Diversity Lesson 101: Asexuality
Part of activism on behalf of the Queer community is understanding the different communities it consists of, and we can be better advocates for other minorities by being educated and going out and seeking to educate others.
Asexuality is often misunderstood but it does in fact lie on the sexual continuum. Asexuals simply put do not experience sexual attraction. Like sexuality itself many people do not identify as strictly heterosexual or homosexual but line up on the continuum somewhere in between the Kinsey scale.
(Homosexual)-------------------(Bisexual)-----------------(Heterosexual)
Some asexual's have some desire for aspects of sexuality while others have no desire to engage in intercourse.
(Asexual)----------(Some degree of sexuality)---------(Sexually driven)
Is Asexuality sexual dysfunction or abstinence?
Asexuality is different from sexual dysfunction because Asexual's are healthy and sexually functioning people without the sexual drive. Asexuality is also different from celibacy because abstinent individuals desire sex but choose not to engage for various reasons, whereas the asexual person has no desire for sex at all.
So Asexuals just want to be alone?
Many asexuals enjoy romantic encounters and are happily partnered, one can be involved and in love without having sex. They enjoy one anothers company and enjoy physical contact, showing affection for one another through kissing, holding hands, and being romantic without needing intercourse. On the other hand like some sexual people, some people do not feel the need to be in a relationship and prefer the single life.
Why don't they change?
Asexuals do not need to change, that is the way they were created. People cannot change their sexual orientation and asexuals cannot help the way they are. Asexuals do not feel depressed about their lack of sexuality, it isn't a component of their life and therefore they do not feel they are missing anything.
How many people are Asexual?
It is hard to estimate how much of the population is Asexual, either because people are unaware they are asexual, or do not come out with this information. A recent study in the U.K. determined up to 1% of the population self identified as asexual. With more education and outreach, more people are classifying themselves as asexuals.
Short clips on Asexuality:
Asexual Resources:
http://www.asexuality.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asexuality
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/10/14/asexual.study/index.html
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sally Kern Gone Wild? Rep: "Gays Shouldn't Be Fired Because of Sexual Orientation"
Pop out the champagne, Sally Kern who just a few days ago said the "gays are worse than terrorism" and said the "gay agenda is spreading like a cancer" now has a change of heart. In front of P-FLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) she has said she does not rescind her previous comments but does not feels gays should be discriminated against with regards to employment.
We at Queers United applaud any positive step in the right direction, its small but it is something. Please contact Ms. Kern to thank her for her pro-LGBT sentiment, and also push for her to apologize for her previous offensive comments.
UPDATE: This is an email response I have received from Sally Kern after thanking her for her more progressive comments.
"For the record, I said a homosexual should not be fired from their job just because they are a homosexual. Meaning that if they are doing their job just the same as a heterosexual does their job, they should not be fired. Those from PFLAG misinterpreted my comments to mean that I think homosexuals should have equal rights as they interpret equal rights. I told them that as US citizens they already have equal rights but want special rights. Employers should not go on a witch hunt to fire homosexuals. I do not support laws that would force employers to check their First amendment rights to freedom of religion, speech, and association at the workplace. " -Representative Sally Kern
Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105
District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.
Phone: (405) 557-7348.
Email:sallykern@okhouse.gov
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Give Jay Leno the Bird!
http://www.mygayestlook.com
Jay Leno on the Tonight Show a nightly TV program interviewed Ryan Phillipe who back in 1992 played the first ever gay teen on a sitcom One Life to Live. "During the interview, Leno hounded Phillippe, telling him to look into the camera, pretend it was his "gay lover…Billy Bob," who "has just ridden in shirtless from Wyoming" (still milking the Brokeback jokes), and give it his "gayest look." (My Gayest Look)
Jay Leno has been infamous for making jabs at the gay community and this is unacceptable. Show him how you feel by visiting the above website and giving him, your gayest look ever!
‹^› ‹(•¿•)› ‹^›
With Love,
Queers United
Bill O'Reilly Wants "Gays Turned into Salt", Dennis Miller calls "Homosexuals Morons"
Another day and another task we have in combating blatant homophobia. The O'Reilly factor had a segment about "Hunky Jesus" an event in San Francisco where men dress up as Jesus. The event is hosted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Whether you like the event or are personally offended by it, people have the right to exercise their right to free speech and so do O'Reilly and Miller. However, I prefer to call them out on it and let them know they are wrong to talk about gays in this manner.
Dennis Miller refers to gays as "homosexual morons who want to throw a parade" and O'Reilly says "Wouldn't you love to see these people turned into salt" and Miller responds he "doesn't know, and just doesn't care"
Please watch the video here on PageOneQ http://pageoneq.com/news/2008/oreilly032708.html
Millions of people tuned into this homophobic crap.
Please contact O'Reilly and Miller and let them know homophobia on our airwaves is not welcome.
Bill O'Reilly
Email: oreilly@foxnews.com
Phone # 1-888-369-4762
Dennis Miller
http://www.dennismillerradio.com/pg/jsp/general/contact.jsp#form2
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Rep: Sally Kern Defends her Vicious Homophobia
Please contact her and urge others to do so as well. The mainstream media is not covering this story and it is the obligation of LGBT groups to hold this woman responsible for her actions.
Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105
District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.
Phone: (405) 557-7348.
Email: sallykern@okhouse.gov
Monday, March 24, 2008
Senator Storms Won't Allow Gay Adoption Bill Come up for a Vote
Please call and email Senator Ronda Storms (R- Florida) who heads the committee that is responsible for a newly introduced bill to ease the Gay adoption ban in Florida. She maintains she will not allow the bill to come up for a vote in the committee.
District Office:
313 E. Robertson Street
Brandon, FL 33511
Email: storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (813) 651-2189
Representative Thatcher Doesn't Believe in Oregon Equality Act
"Many of my constituents tell me they don't believe sexual orientation should be considered a protected class like race or religion," Thatcher said. "The new law has vague definitions of sexual orientation, which will lead to expensive litigation and there are already measures in place to deal with discrimination." -Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer).
http://www.kimthatcher.net
Email: kim@kimthatcher.net
Contact #: 503-932-1291
PO Box 9111
Salem, Oregon 97305
Homophobic Rhetoric from Oregon Senator Gary George
Check out the exclusive interview the Senator had with Just Out Magazine http://www.justout.com/pt/blog/default.aspx?id=860&t=Just-Out-exclusive-Explosive-interview
The senator believes "Gays should SHUTUP and not talk about their sexuality", and he is leading the effort to repeal the Oregon Equality Act.
Feel free to send the senator your thoughts on his homophobic comments.
Contact Tel. (503) 986-1712
or email at: sen.garygeorge@state.or.us
Address:
900 Court St. NE, S-214
Salem, OR 97301
Contact the entire house and senate to censure and fight off his bigoted comments and attempt to repeal the Oregon Equality Act.
http://www.senatorgeorge.com/contact.html
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Rep: Sally Kern: "Gays Worse Than Terrorism"
Please watch this clip of Oklahoma state represenative Sally Kern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFxk7glmMbo&eurl
Feel free to contact her by phone and email and let her know that her bigoted views do not represent you.
Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105
District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.
Phone: (405) 557-7348.
Email: sallykern@okhouse.gov
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Asexual Pride Graphics
This is a compilation of several Asexual pride/ally graphics I have found that you can use to promote awareness about Asexuality. The graphics link back to my blog, if you want to link elsewhere just change the URL when you copy the html coding. I have not created these graphics and at the end of this post is a shout to some people who were generous to give permission for use. Please notify me of any new graphics and I will gladly update. For the 1024 x 768 version, Click here. For the 1024 x 768 version, Click here.
Asexual Pride Graphics - Perfect for websites, blogs, or to print out as stickers
Asexual Bars - Perfect for Forum Signatures or Emails
Asexual Desktop Background Photos (Click to see full size):
For the 800 x 600 version, Click here.
For the 800 x 600 version, Click here.
Thank you to the following for permission to use the above graphics:
Ace of Hearts
AVEN Forum Members:
LaLunaVerde, HealthyChoice, and Spinneret.
Thank You
Thank you for contacting us with your feedback, news/activist tips, etc we will seek to get back to you with your concern/question as soon as possible.
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Hotlines/Support:
GLBT National Help Center
Free national GLBT hotline for support - 1-888-843-4564
Free national GLBT youth hotline - 1-800-246-PRIDE
The Trevor Project
Free 24 hour suicide prevention hotline - 866-4-U-TREVOR
GLBT Near Me - GLBT National Resource Database
LGBT Community Center Directory - Listing of LGBT centers around the world
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Monday, March 10, 2008
About
Queers United is the blog uniting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, & Asexual communities in an effort of education and activism on issues of importance to sexual/gender minorities.
We believe in the vision and greatness of former civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King J.R., Mahatma Gandhi, and those who seek to topple oppression through activism and non-violence.
The blog will seek to put out action alerts to hold those who have a homophobic, transphobic, or deal unfairly with the LGBTQAI community responsible for their unfair and discriminatory actions.
It is our belief that through a united voice of all sexual/gender minorities that we can be a powerful force to lobby with and to bring equality to all!
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