NCAA Pulls Right-Wing Conservative Ads

2/24: Under pressure from LGBT activists the NCAA has decided to rescind the Focus on the Family ad.

"The decision by the NCAA came in response to vocal protests from a small number of advocates for gay and lesbian athletes, who complained that the group's views that homosexuality and abortion are immoral are inconsistent with the NCAA's stated nondiscrimination policy. 'Focus on the Family did have a banner ad on NCAA.com. Today, it was decided to remove the ad from the website as a result of concerns expressed by our membership,' Bob Williams, an NCAA spokesman, said via e-mail late Tuesday." (Towleroad)

---

2/23: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is running ads on their website for the anti-gay, anti-choice 'Focus on the Family' organization. The organization has recently aired an anti-choice ad during the Super Bowl.

The NCAA has a non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation. Demand these advertisements be retracted by the association.

You can reach the NCAA via:

Call NCAA Public Relations: 317-917-6762
Call NCAA Main Number: 317-917-6222
Email NCAA Public Relations: pmr@ncaa.org

H/T to OutSports

CBS Accepts Anti-Gay Org's Ad While Rejecting Pro-Gay Ad Five Years Ago

CBS has accepted a controversial ad from anti-gay & anti-choice Focus on the Family despite having rejected an ad five years ago from the United Church of Christ a pro-LGBT and affirming denomination to air during the Superbowl. At the time CBS said it has "a longstanding policy of not accepting advocacy advertising."



Allowing this ad to go on without allowing UCC to air their ads is hypocritical because it allows advocacy by anti-gay organizations but not by pro-LGBT Churches.

Thank Grand Valley State University for Hosting Panel discussion on "Ex-gay" Industry.

Focus on the Family is bringing their notorious "ex-gay" road show, Love Won Out, to Grand Rapids, Michigan this week. In response, Grand Valley State University is hosting Wayne Bessen of Truth Wins Out's presentation, followed by a panel discussion on the danger of "ex-gay" programs.

If you are encouraged that Grand Valley is offering this program -- "Religion and Homophobia: Spiritual Violence in our Community" -- then let the university know: 616-331-2221.

Crossposted via Truth Wins Out.

'Focus on the Family' Going Back on Dr. Phil Show!

Dr. Phil must really love discussing anti LGBT sentiment and playing into the notion that our identities are nothing more than a mental illness. As evidenced by his previous show on "Gender Confused Kids" where "expert" Glenn Stanton from the notoriously anti-gay and transphobic Focus on The Family expressed his unscientific point.

Dr. Phil continued his crusade against LGBT Americans by playing into transphobia more by scheduling more offensive shows.

Now, as reported by Good As You, he is bringing Glenn Stanton back, as well as "ex-gay" proponent Joseph Nicolosi as a guest.

The show is scheduled to air Tuesday. It is time that Dr. Phil stop putting unscientific, anti-psychology "experts" on his show. People look to him for advice, and it is wrong to feature these voices on his show. This is not a debate on gay/trans rights, this is a discussion about how to deal with these identities, and the debate is over on that matter.

As always, we encourage you to call and email the show.

E-Contact Form to leave feedback for the show.

Phone: 1-323-9563393

Dr. Phil Hosts Program on "Gender Confused Kids"

Dr. Phil hosted a program today entitled "Gender Confused Kids" and even had an "expert" Glenn Stanton from the notoriously anti-gay and transphobic Focus on The Family. Transgender affirming voices were also heard on the show, but it is the title and the selection of Focus on the Family that concerns me most.

The website goes on to talk about "gender confusion" and also links to Focus on the Family.

There is also a poll on the website:
"What do you think causes gender confusion? Should a parent let their child dress as the opposite sex?"

E-Contact Form to leave feedback for the show.

Phone: 1-323-9563393

"Love Came Out" Rally in Colorado Springs

According to Box Turtle Bulletin a coalition of gay rights groups are protesting the Focus on the Family's "Love Won Out" conference which is an "ex-gay" gathering that puts out lies and misinformation about gender and sexuality. The demonstrations in Colorado Springs are listed in the graphic with contact information.

Discussion panel with “ex-gay” survivors, and PFLAG families; peaceful vigil/demonstration at Focus on the Family; and presentation of the acclaimed film “HoMo No Mo”.

Activities are free and families and individuals seeking affirming information about sexuality and/or faith are encouraged to attend.

Bigots Should NOT be in the Radio Hall of Fame!

As we reported earlier in a contest by the National Radio Hall of Fame, James Dobson was nominated to be awarded as an influential and important figure. To non-christians, and to the LGBT community James Dobson represents lies and bigotry.

Activists are still encouraging the Radio Hall of Fame not to honor this right-wing extremist bigot.

The protest is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, 1 W Wacker Drive.

4 steps of action YOU can take:

* E-Mail Radio Hall of Fame CEO Bruce Dumont, brucedumont@museum.tv, and urge him to withdraw Dobson’s honor.

* Sign our letter to the Radio Hall of Fame urging them to reverse their foolhardy decision to celebrate Dobson’s shameful and ignoble career.

* If you live in the Chicago area, please sign up to participate in our protest.

* Donate to Truth Wins Out or Donate to the Gay Liberation Network to help us stand up to James Dobson and the Radio Hall of Fame.

Stop The Radio Hall of Fame from Honoring Anti-Gay Bigot James Dobson

"TruthWinsOut.org (TWO) launched a campaign to keep Focus on the Family founder James Dobson out of the Radio Hall of Fame. The Museum of Broadcast Communications nominated the anti-gay leader even though Dobson has been accused of distorting research and smearing gay and lesbian people for political gain. For example, Dobson told The Daily Oklahoman on Oct. 23, 2004, “Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth.”

Sign the Truth Wins Out Petition!

"To fight back against this offensive decision, TWO strongly urges fair-minded people to take three actions. First, sign TWO’s formal request to have James Dobson removed from consideration.

Second, contact Museum of Broadcast Communications CEO Bruce DuMont directly, brucedumont@museum.tv, to express your displeasure.

Third, as an option, vote for nominees other than James Dobson or Laura Schlessinger (the general public may vote, and the other nominees are Bob Costas and Howard Stern). It is urgent to act now, as voting comes to a close on July 15."

Put Away That Remote - TiVo Signs up For Bigotry!

UPDATE: The contest has been pulled from the TiVo website. TiVo has been feeling heat from activists, thanks guys! Focus on the Family still has the contest on their site. Stay tuned for updates and keep up the pressure on TiVo to make sure their partnership ends with FOTF for now and for good!

---

We told you about TiVo's Super Dad Contest and how their partnership with right-wing group Focus on the Family which is notoriously anti-LGBT will not allow for submissions of gay/bi/queer/trans dad entries.

Contact TiVo and tell them to drop the right-wing hate group "Focus on the Family" and be inclusive of all families.
http://www3.tivo.com/abouttivo/pressroom/contactpr/contact_public_relations.html

*Photo courtesy of manu contreras off of Creative Commons.

TiVo Sponsors “SuperDad” Contest with Right-Wing Focus on the Family

Join the Family Equality Council in making Gay/Bi/Queer & Trans Dads visible.

"Nominate the GBTQ Dads in YOUR Life Today!

TiVo, the home entertainment company servicing millions of families nationwide, is working with James Dobson’s Focus on the Family on a “SuperDad Essay Contest” for Father’s Day. As you can imagine, Focus on the Family is only looking for one type of “super” dads and they certainly are not part of our community. That a national company many of our families send checks to each month would sponsor a Father’s Day contest with Focus on the Family is horrendous. I need you — all of you — to help us respond.

I won’t often ask you to visit Focus on the Family’s website, but today I am. The Family Equality Council is organizing a response to this discriminatory contest, asking you to nominate yourself or the GBTQ dads in your life. To do so, you have to visit http://www.family.org/fathersday/, sign up for their parenting forums (message boards), and submit your nomination (100 words or less) through the boards. I’m encouraging two-dad families to submit joint stories, highlighting the greatness of both dads in one entry!

In addition, I’m asking that you copy the text of your nomination and email it to OUTSpoken@familyequality.org, so we can feature your beautiful stories and hard work on Family Equality Council’s Blog and with others in our community!

This is a great opportunity for GBTQ dads in our community and their family members and friends to share the real stories of their lives and let TiVo and Focus on the Family know that all dads can be Super Dads!

Others can and should participate, as well. The Family Equality Council has created a petition for parents, family and friends to sign. The petition is aimed at TiVo and will let them know just how many LGBTQ-parented families and supporters are out there! Click here to sign the petition now!

Last summer more than 50 families sent their stories to Adoption.com in response to their discriminatory actions online (read about it here). I want to increase that number 10-fold this year. Let’s send 500+ nominations to Focus on the Family’s “SuperDad” contest and show them how truly super our GBTQ dads are!

Thank you for your time and for celebrating all loving families with us each and every day!"

*Picture courtesy of RandomlyRoaming off of Creative Commons.