KnowThyNeighbor.org

Rep. Brad Hill Is Pro Gay Marriage and Pro Fisting, He Should Easily Be Pro Repeal of The 1913 Law

Rep. Bradford Hill of the 4th Essex District Has No Problem with Gay Marriage and most recently KnowThyNeighbor has been made aware that the longterm Republican Representative from Ipswich Is Even a Proponent of Fisting, well actually "Double Fisting."  So shouldn't the Repeal of the Discriminatory 1913 Law that is before the Massachusetts House Be A Slide Into, ehem, Home Plate For Him?

**Important to Note, The below video of Rep. Brad Hill explaining the techniques of "double fisting" (in his own words) as a description of food service was published on YouTube.com by the Tri-Town Transcript of Boxford and then removed by Tri-Town Editor, David Rogers.  When KnowThyNeighbor asked Mr. Rogers many times and suggesting different scenarios as to why he chose to remove this video after we posted it, Rogers answered each time, "I had it removed" and refused to give an explanation.  Earlier today after having a lengthy conversation with Rep. Hill, I have concluded that the Tri-Town Transcript's removal of this published and recorded interview of an elected official throws this particular blog post out of context and gives no evidence of the intended parody of this blog post.  KnowThyNeighbor wants to make it perfectly clear that with regards to fisting and double fisting that at no time did we define, intend or suggest to define either term and believed that the originally published video by the Tri-Town Transcript would clearly allow viewers and readers to conclude the use of parody here and judge for themselves Rep Hill's definition.  KnowThyNeighbor is working to re-publish the video which the Tri-Town Transcript removed.          

Not according to the Gloucester Times Article from last Tuesday.  Rep. Brad Hill is undecided about the repeal of the infamous 1913 law which had been resurrected in 2004 by then Governor Mitt Romney to stop same sex couples from marrying here if their home state banned their unions.  Hill went on record to say that he is concerned about what the repeal of the Massachusetts law would do to the laws in other states.  This is a sharp contrast to Hill's colleagues in the House, Ted Speliotis (D-Danvers), Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), John Keenan (D-Salem) whose views in favor of this repeal regarded it as "symbolic," important for Massachusetts to wipe of the books and the next step to continue our Commonwealth's leadership on the issue of equal marriage rights.

Rep. Brad Hill did say that he was "uneasy about the law, which was put in place for 'discrimination purposes.'"  I hope that Rep. Hill understands that the 1913 Law was indeed put in place for "discrimination purposes" back in 1913 when it was used against African-Americans BUT AGAIN in 2004 when it was used for "discrimination purposes" against same-sex couples who hoped to come to Massachusetts not just to marry but to take part, for the first time, in what it means to be "equal" citizens of the United States of America.

KnowThyNeighbor hopes that Rep. Brad Hill will learn from his own self-proclaimed mastery of "double fisting" and see the irony in the analogy here.  Rep Hill, you clenched your teeth and took deep breaths during the fight for equal marriage here in Massachusetts, possibly expecting it to hurt alot, but it didn't.  As a matter of fact, it helped our Commonwealth.  Now you have the chance to do it again with the repeal of the discriminatory 1913 Law -- the second time is always easier.

The vote to Repeal the 1913 Law passed the Senate and should be before the House this week.

Tom Lang, Co-Director

Gay Marriage And Has Anyone Noticed ?

Something Quite Amusing Just Happened to My Husband, Alex, Today And I Thought I'd Share This

I have never been one to use the argument, "We have gay marriage in Massachusetts (and California) and the sky hasn't fallen."  I personally like to think that my fellow human beings (the straight ones) understand that there is so much more to this discussion for us gays, but I will let you all decide.

Alex just went to Dunkin Donuts to pick up some iced coffee to bring back to our gallery.  He parked our Jeep next to a car which sported a John McCain sticker.  Of course our vanity plate reads, " EQL MRG" which is lost to many, I must add, but not to the 70 year old man in the "John McCain" car.  This elderly man got out, looked at our license plate and asked what it stood for.  Alex responded, "Equal Marriage." 

The man's face got all twisted and he said, "I knew it, well that will never happen here!"  Alex asked the man if he ever reads the newspapers.  He said, "yes I do and all they keep writing about is that we will get to vote on it."  Alex said, "well I think I need to inform you that we have had equal marriage in Massachusetts for over 4 years now, and recently too in California."

The man turned bright red, stomped his feet and while my dear husband witnessed this man's reaction, Alex could not help himself but to add one more zinger..."it couldn't be so bad if you havn't even noticed!"

(The only thing that could have topped the moment was if Alex had told the John McCain fan "and one more thing, these aren't iced coffees I am carrying, they are iced lattes!")   

Tom Lang, Director

 

How Can We Celebrate The Fourth Of July Without The Gays?

This Weekend We are Celebrating What We Consider To Be This Country's Best  Attributes--Our Constitution, Our Freedom's, Our Diversity, etc...

We Americans celebrate what this country means to us.  Unfortunately, for some it is our ability to write our fellow Americans out of the dream which is supposed to be secured for us at birth.  I received a telephone call at 10:30 PM on the Fourth of July from a very articulate man who was "registering" with KnowThyNeighbor that not only did he sign the Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment in California, but he wanted to give me his name and the names of friends who also signed the amendment.

I asked him point blank if that is how he likes to celebrate living in "the greatest country in the world" by gloating in the fact that he is trying to hurt his fellow American citizens and their families and children.  I asked if that is really the best he can do on the Fourth of July holiday--to rub more salt in the wounds of a group of people who are only trying to be part of life, of America, of the world and to be able to protect themselves and their children.  What sort of American is this man?

This conversation was in sharp contrast to my day.  I spent the evening in the diverse town of Rockport, Massachusetts, marching with the "We Are One America" for Barack Obama contingency with a sign that was made for Alex and myself which read "Gay Citizens for Obama."  No one yelled at me or cat-called, of course there were people who were against Obama, but not against me--at least to my face.  There seemed to be one of everyone in that parade.  I could not help but think about a dear friend who is in the army, very high ranking, who does not feel comfortable at parades now that there are so many of "us" out there now as the "Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy" is still a very real problem for so many of "us" who serve, have given their lives or may give their lives for this country.  I just wanted to scream when at the beginning of the parade we were all asked to partake in a moment of silence for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, knowing that "our voices" are still silent.

"America the Beautiful"?  At least one person thought so when she wrote that song, lesbian Katherine Lee Bates.  I try Katherine, I really try to continue to love my country, even though it is difficult sometimes that I live with this terrible ailment--open eyes.  So I continue to cheer, I continue to march, I continue to hope for a better country, one that remembers what it is "supposed to be."  And I will continue to show up for the fireworks on the Fourth of July.  Why wouldn't I, they are synchronized with the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky.  And I owe it to that queen to be waving the rainbow flag in my heart for him while I wave that red, white and blue one for my fellow Americans.

Happy Birthday America!  I am still waiting for my invitation to your party.

Tom Lang, Director   

John Kerry Anti-Gay Marriage Anti-Massachusetts

Senator John Kerry Is No Friend to the Gay Community and Now That Election Season Is Beginning It Is Time for Massachusetts Gays and Progressive Democrats To Recognize How Much of an Embarrassment He Truly Is

In light of recent events of KnowThyNeighbor Co-Director and Democratic Delegate , Aaron Toleos, allegedly being forcefully dragged out of last month's Democratic Convention by John Kerry delegates for having a handmade sign which read, "John Kerry, Anti Gay Marriage, Anti Massachusetts," it is time that we have a little talk.

Up until now, most of the conversations in blogs have been about "the sign" and the hunt for the alleged perpetrators of the alleged assault on Aaron, and the possible connections of the alleged perpetrators with Democratic Party Chair John Walsh and the Kerry Campaign itself.  All to be determined, though John Kerry's State Director, Drew O'Brien, assured KnowThyNeighbor that no order was given from the Kerry Campaign to drag Toleos out of the convention, we are still waiting for a call from John Walsh to hear if the order came from him or others in the Democratic State Committee.  Toleos posted a still shot of one of the alleged perpetrators on BlueMassGroup and he and the other "gentleman" were subsequently identified, both as delegates.

But let's talk about Senator John Kerry.  I was prompted to call Kerry's State Director Drew O'Brien to request John Kerry's statement in writing regarding his official stance on same-sex marriage, which as I said, is not only the "law of the land in the Senator's home state" but has "made Massachusetts better, because now couples at least on the state level are able to protect themselves, their assets and most importantly their families, so Massachusetts IS much better now that we have marriage equality."  O'Brien provided KnowThyNeighbor with no statement in writing, however he assured me that he was speaking for John Kerry when he chose the statement, "Senator Kerry will not take your marriages away from you."   As a gay married man, in a relationship for over 20 years now, and having given up 3 1/2 years of my life and about 40% of my income during that period of time to fight for our Equal Rights and as a constituent of Senator Kerry's, I found that statement from Kerry's Director more than offensive.

Drew O'Brien was quick to assure me that his office had been speaking with Mary Breslauer and Marc Solomon about this very subject and he asked me if I read Laura Kiritsy's BayWindows article which he flaunted like that would somehow calm me down.  I have to give Marc Solomon credit on this one as Marc was very public in letting the readership know that he was no fan of Kerry's and that John Kerry's stumping for the "compromise amendment" (ie civil unions) really hurt our cause back in 2004.  But Mary Breslauer?  Seriously?  The woman speaking for the Gay Community and on behalf of John Kerry was a Senior Advisor for his Presidential Campaign!  How about an impartial voice?  This reminds me of the Breslauer quoted story when she came out against Deval Patrick, as a Gabrieli supporter.  Please!

And the LGBT Community should not be fooled by rumors being circulated by the Kerry campaign regarding John Kerry's "flipping" of Representative Brian Wallace during the last vote which killed the anti-gay ballot question.  As a matter of fact, State Director O'Brien used that exact term, Senator Kerry, "flipped Wallace."  My source who was close to the LGBT Lobby effort from the beginning told KnowThyNeighbor that the statement of Kerry having "flipped" Wallace was blatantly untrue, or as this unnamed source said, "that's bullshit!"  This source also confirmed that John Kerry was given "a pass" by the LGBT leadership and allowed to come out against the Goodridge Decision during his Presidential run back in 2004 (as was posted in Pat Gozemba's Courting Equality blog) and because of this, John Kerry's lack of support for Marriage Equality nationwide now is even more of a slap in the face to the LGBT community.

So here we have it...John Kerry, a Massachusetts State Senator running for re-election, whose actions proved detrimental to the marriage equality fight back in 2004, took from the LGBT community a free pass to speak out against marriage equality in his home state in order to have a "better chance" for election in 2004, in 2005 spoke out against the Democratic State Committee adding "marriage equality" to its party platform, equivocates when it comes to his public support of same sex marriage and insults us by saying "in Massachusetts, gay marriage is a matter of settled law and there is no reason to change the law,"  and to this day he still will not publicly support full Equality for LGBT people on a national level. 

Is John Kerry a Massachusetts State Senator or is John Kerry a Massachusetts State Embarrassment?

Tom Lang, Director

Barack Obama Clarifies His Position on Discrimination Within Faith Based Programs

In Response to Our Calls, the Barack Obama Campaign Issued a Statement to KnowThyNeighbor Clarifying the Confusion Caused by this Morning's Associated Press Article and Holds His Position that Where Federal Laws Exist, No Program Receiving Federal Money will Be Allowed to Discriminate Based on Religious Beliefs

It was interesting watching this morning's AP story by Jennifer Loven "evolve" from reporting that Barack Obama would "support" discriminatory hiring and firing practices by faith-based Federally funded programs to a much more Progressive view that only non-taxpayer funded aspects of the faith-based programs be allowed to hire and fire based on religious beliefs. 

This was the head paragraph of the first AP story from this morning (which you cannot find on-line anymore) : 

CHICAGO - Reaching out to evangelical voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is announcing plans that would expand President Bush's program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — support their ability to hire and fire based on faith.

And about two hours later, by the same writer:

ZANESVILLE, Ohio - Reaching out to religious voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called for expanding President Bush's program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — supported some ability to hire and fire based on faith.

I guess that Jennifer Loven is not a lesbian, because if she were, she would know that those two leads are quite quite different to people who have lived through the organized attacks by houses of faith on LGBT people. 

Jamie Citron, Barack Obama's LGBT Coordinator provided KnowThyNeighbor with the following statement from the campaign, so I am publishing it for you all to read.  The Obama Campaign also was very concerned about the AP article, the lead paragraphs and support statements.  Quite frankly, the AP should be the one issuing a statement moreso than Obama.  But at least, we know that Barack Obama will not allow these faith-based recipient organizations to step outside of Federal Laws regarding discrimination.

The Obama Campaign's Official Statement:

Partnering with Communities of Faith

Obama will create a President’s Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

• As Barack Obama has said many times, he believes that change comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up, and few are closer to the people than our churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques. And many of the challenges we face today—from saving our planet to ending poverty—are simply too big for government to solve alone. We need all hands on deck.

• That’s why Obama will help draw on the strength of these groups through the creation of a new President’s Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  The new name will reflect a new commitment. This Council will not just be another name on the White House organization chart – it will be a critical part of Obama’s administration.

• Obama does not believe that faith-based groups are an alternative to government or secular nonprofits, or that they’re better at lifting people but what he does believe is that we all have to work together to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.  Obama’s Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will help empower grassroots faith-based and community groups to help meet these challenges.

The partnership will not endanger the separation of church and state—but will harness the energy of these critical groups

• The new partnership will not endanger the separation of church and state, so long as a few basic principles are followed. First, if an organization gets a federal grant, it will not be permitted to use that grant money to proselytize to the people it serves, and the group will be forbidden to discriminate against them on the basis of their religion.

• Groups will also be forbidden to discriminate against them on the basis of their religion. And groups will be required to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws in their hiring practices—including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

• Second, federal dollars that go to faith-based organizations can only support secular programs. And Obama will ensure that taxpayer dollars only go to those programs that actually work. 

Innovative new programs: training larger organizations to support smaller ones, and expanding summer learning programs to serve one million students

• Barack Obama will work with the hundreds of religious and community groups that understand the process to train the thousands of groups that don’t. The Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will “train the trainers” by giving larger faith-based partners like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Services—and secular nonprofits like Public/Private Ventures—the support they need to help other groups build and run effective programs. 

• And the Council will target key challenges like closing the achievement gap.  Obama will expand nonprofit summer learning programs to serve one million students by developing partnerships with faith-based and community groups. This partnership won’t just help children learn—it will help keep them off the streets during the summer so they don’t turn to crime.

Q&A Concerning This Morning’s AP Story

Q:  Does Senator Obama believe that religious groups should be able to discriminate in their hiring practices?  The AP suggested this morning that he be open to this.

Not for government-funded programs that that receive taxpayer dollars.  Senator Obama’s position on this is clear:  If a faith-based group receives a federal contract or grant to provide a service, they should not be discriminating with taxpayer dollars.  Period.   

He firmly believes in the principle of non-discrimination in our hiring laws – principles that have been on the books for over four decades.  Taxpayer dollars should not be used to support hiring discrimination and religious organizations that receive federal dollars cannot discriminate with respect to hiring for government-funded social service programs – just like any other federal contractor.

.   

It’s important to remember that many faith-based organizations already hire diverse staffs, including many who don’t share their religious beliefs.  Head Start is a good example of this. 

Numerous studies demonstrate that the vast majority of religious nonprofits performing these services do not hire only people who share their particular religious views.   And Senator Obama saw this in his own experience as a community organizer, when his work was funded in part by the Catholic Church – even though he was not a Catholic.   

Whatever uncertainty there is about employment rights here reflects Bush administration executive orders, which Senator Obama would promptly reverse.

Obama says he doesn’t support discrimination in hiring or firing – what about on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity?

Let’s be clear:  Obama’s position on religious hiring rights is a return to the state of the law before the Bush Administration took office and muddied the waters with various executive orders.  There are of course difficult questions that will have to be worked out, but his position on the basic principle is clear.

At a minimum, Senator Obama believes that race-, sex- and pregnancy-based discrimination in federal funded programs are and should be prohibited.  Moreover, federal funding recipients – including faith-based organizations – should have to comply with existing federal, state and local laws, including laws prohibiting discrimination based on religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  To the extent that existing federal, state and local laws prohibit such discrimination in particular government-funded programs, the President Council's will help faith-based organizations comply with those laws.

Sexual orientation and gender identity are currently not protected categories under existing federal antidiscrimination law – and the Senator and others are working hard in Congress to ensure that we pass the Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA), so that employment discrimination on those bases is not permitted.  He will continue to fight for ENDA’s passage as president. 

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So what about LGBT that are not protected by Federal Laws fully?  Read the Obama Campaign's statement, last paragraph...Obama commits to fighting as President for passage of ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimnation Act.  He even goes as far as mentioning "sexual orientation" AND "gender identity."

(a much relieved) Tom Lang, Director

 

Barack Obama to Support State Sponsored Discrimination

Obama Intends To Expand Bush's Faith Based Programs, Providing Them Federal Money and Supporting Their Ability To Hire and Fire Based on Faith

***UPDATE--at 1:24 PM I received a call from Jamie Citron, Barack Obama's LGBT Coordinator. The Associated Press story that is cited in this blog is "full of mis-information," according to Mr. Citron. He and the Obama Campaign, in response to phone calls and emails from LGBT activists will be issuing a statement regarding corrections. KnowThyNeighbor will be receiving an email from Citron as soon as the statement from the Campaign is made and I will post it here. Mr. Citron was not able to clarify if any of the "mis-information" to be corrected would be that faith based programs and their sponsors would have to comply with Federal hiring and firing policies. So we in the LGBT community wait with anticipation until we here the Obama Campaigns response.***

In otherwords, Barack Obama is planning to give the tax money paid by All Americans to organizations for social programs while not only allowing them but "supporting" their right to DISCRIMINATE.  Does anyone remember the issue with the Salvation Army not hiring LGBT people?  Or what about in Massachusetts?  Remember Catholic Charities which felt compelled to stop all adoptions because it might be required (rightly) to place needy children with same-sex couples?   

According to the Associated Press Article today, yes, believe it or not, (potentially) our first African American President, a Democrat, will be, if elected, bringing back state sponsored Discrimination to the United States of America.  Good job Barack! 

And don't blame the fact that you recently "Found the Lord."  I was in that room with Him when you stumbled in.  I as a gay man and you as a Black man knew we were in the right place because of the sign on the door that read, "All Are Welcome."

If it's "okay" to not hire a person to work in a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter because he is gay, then it is perfectly "okay" for me to not hire a person because he is Black or Asian, or Jewish. Shameful Barack Obama, Shameful !!!

Call Obama's Campaign Office Now   866- 675-2008

LGBT and Decent Americans should NOT be marching in any of the 4th of July Parades for Barack Obama this weekend.  Hold them accountable!

Tom Lang, Co-Director