Black HIV/AIDS Week

Sylvester died of complications from AIDS in San Francisco on December 16, 1988. He was 41 years old.

Yes. We know Black HIV/AIDS Day was yesterday. But who observes such things on a Sunday? And on Super Bowl Sunday at that? We thought it much more proper and practical if we saved our post on Black AIDS Awareness for today—Monday. Just seems to fit better in terms of setting the tone for the week.

This weekend we came across one of the most brilliant speeches we’ve heard on the matter of AIDS in the black community, homophobia, identity, self-esteem, sexuality and the black church.

We believe that all of the above things plays a major factor in why AIDS has been so and continues to be prevalent in the black community. The issues are complex and intertwined—–and unfortunately deadly.

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SF Chron Says Prop 8 Judge Vaughn Walker Is Gay

Very interesting….the developments from the Prop 8 trial never cease to amaze. Based on this last piece of news there will be more to come no doubt. Today the San Francisco Chronicle reveals that Prop 8 trial Judge Vaughn Walker is himself, gay. We’re not even gonna bore you with our thoughts on the matter. We’ll just turn you on to the source. Although we will say this much: if Judge Vaughn Walker’s sexuality was a non-issue in terms of the Prop 8 case, why wasn’t it revealed before now?

Read the following:

Judge being gay a nonissue during Prop. 8 trial

The biggest open secret in the landmark trial over same-sex marriage being heard in San Francisco is that the federal judge who will decide the case, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, is himself gay.

Many gay politicians in San Francisco and lawyers who have had dealings with Walker say the 65-year-old jurist, appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, has never taken pains to disguise – or advertise – his orientation.

They also don’t believe it will influence how he rules on the case he’s now hearing – whether Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure approved by state voters to ban same-sex marriage, unconstitutionally discriminates against gays and lesbians.

“There is nothing about Walker as a judge to indicate that his sexual orientation, other than being an interesting factor, will in any way bias his view,” said Kate Kendell, head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which is supporting the lawsuit to overturn Prop. 8.

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US Attorney General Sued By Christian Activists Over Hate Crime Law

American Family Association of Michigan protest Hate Crime Legislation 2010

Last week a group of Michigan Christian right activists and church leaders filed a civil law suit against US Attorney General Eric Holder over the Hate Crime Act of which they allege violates their civil rights.

The Complaint states that Christians can now become the target of federal investigations and charges based on the fact that an individual opposes the homosexual agenda.

“On account of … the Hate Crimes Act, plaintiffs are targets for government scrutiny, questioning, investigation, surveillance, and other adverse law enforcement actions and thus seek judicial reassurance that they can freely participate in their speech and related religious activities without being investigated or prosecuted by the government or becoming part of official records because of their Christian beliefs,” the lawsuit explains.

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An Afro American Queen: Legendary Civil Rights Icon Angela Davis Speaks In LA

Dreaming of Justice, Still in the Struggle
… An Afternoon with
Angela Y. Davis

February 21, 2010
WLCAC, Phoenix Hall
10950 Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90059

Black civil rights icon and social activist the extraordinary Angela Davis will be appearing in Los Angeles at a speaking engagement on Sunday February 21.  The event is a fundraiser for A New Way of Life organization, a not-for-profit that helps women transition from prison. The organization helps women reunite with their children, get jobs and stay sober while providing political education to help them understand the criminal justice system and how to change it.

Angela Davis’s life story is so amazing and bigger than life that is VERY easy to romanticize her —much like the public does a mythic super-star. But the fact is, that’s where she’s at historically—-the realm of superstardom in terms of activism, black consciousness and social revolution . She certainly was the most famous female figure of the civil rights movement. For LGBT activists and community members not in the know, Angela Davis, now a retired university professor, gained notoriety during the black civil rights movement in the ‘60s. A member of the Black Panther movement, Davis landed on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List in 1970 for her alleged involvement in the murder of Marin County Judge Harold Haley. She was eventually arrested and put on trial. After spending a year and a half in jail she was acquitted of any charges related to Judge Haley’s murder.

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SCOTUS Drama:Justices Stevens and Ginsburg Rumored To Be Stepping Down

ussupreme1

Thanks to a heads up from the Joshua blog, ABC News just posted a story on their Web site that claims the White House is working hard behind the scenes in preparation for a possible nasty round of musical chairs for the US Supreme Court if two of the judges step down this spring.

Justice John Paul Stevens is one of the rumored potential retirees. At 89, the judge admitted to the Associated Press last fall that he hadn’t hired a full complement of clerks for next term, according to ABC News.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as we already know,announced last year that she had undergone surgery for early stage pancreatic cancer. She is 76.

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Focus On Family Buys 2nd Superbowl Ad

tim-tebow

Tim Tebow

We have a feeling this party is just getting started. The LGBT community needs to start paying closer attention to these folks. They’re not playing. Christian right organization Focus On Family just purchased a pre-game slot for a new ad which  again features pro football player Tim Tebow and his mom. This ad is scheduled to run 4 times before the Superbowl starts.

According to Focus On Family CEO Jim Daly, the new Superbowl ad is “an open discussion” on the sanctity of human life — not just the issue of abortion,” Daly says. It was made for less than $100,000 with “a bit of humor in it — in fitting with the Super Bowl theme.”

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Under DOMA Married Same Sex Couples Can’t File Bankruptcy

Photo courtesy of 10thousandcouples.com

Does anyone else know about this? And if we’re late to the game well we’re writing a post about it anyway. According to the blog of New York city bankruptcy law specialists Dwyer & Associates, married gay couples and heterosexual couples in domestic partnership cannot file bankruptcy together unlike straight couples. This applies to ALL married gay couples in the US. Since filing bankruptcy is a federal law, the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) prohibits federal recognition of a bankruptcy filed by a gay or domestic partner couple.

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Full Transcripts Obama Speech At National Prayer Breakfast

Obama at National Prayer Breakfast: The transcript

nationalprayer1

President Obama’s remarks Thursday at the Hilton Washington, as he addressed the National Prayer Breakfast. (Transcript provided by the White House.)

Thank you. Thank you very much. Please be seated.

Thank you so much. Heads of state, Cabinet members, my outstanding Vice President, members of Congress, religious leaders, distinguished guests, Admiral Mullen — it’s good to see all of you. Let me begin by acknowledging the co-chairs of this breakfast, Senators Isakson and Klobuchar, who embody the sense of fellowship at the heart of this gathering. They’re two of my favorite senators. Let me also acknowledge the director of my faith-based office, Joshua DuBois, who is here. Where’s Joshua? He’s out there somewhere. He’s doing great work.

I want to commend Secretary Hillary Clinton on her outstanding remarks, and her outstanding leadership at the State Department. She’s doing good every day. I’m especially pleased to see my dear friend, Prime Minister Zapatero, and I want him to relay America’s greetings to the people of Spain. And Johnny, you are right, I’m deeply blessed, and I thank God every day for being married to Michelle Obama.

I’m privileged to join you once again, as my predecessors have for over half a century. Like them, I come here to speak about the ways my faith informs who I am — as a President, and as a person. But I’m also here for the same reason that all of you are, for we all share a recognition — one as old as time — that a willingness to believe, an openness to grace, a commitment to prayer can bring sustenance to our lives.

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