KnowThyNeighbor.org

Tell KISS 108 Boston to Stop Hurting LGBTQ Youth

A CALL TO ACTION: As Published in BayWindows

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When I received that fateful phone call from 22-year-old Greg Kimball who told me what transpired when he called KISS 108’s Sunday Night "Teen Help Guru," Dawson McAllister Live, one of my first questions to Greg was, "Who is Dawson McAllister?" My lack of knowledge of this program (which is syndicated by 165 other radio stations across the country) astounded this young man. But why should I or anyone else over 30 know who Dawson McAllister is? He is on late night radio, gears his program to the problems of youth, promotes himself as a peer, a friend of those 13 to 25 and with a quick look at his "Hopeline" promo on YouTube, one can see that this is a fast-paced, modern, "I understand you like your parents could never" appeal to get kids to talk about rape, drug addiction, sexual abuse, and a wide variety of relationship issues. And Dawson McAllister’s qualifications to speak to kids as young as 13? Well, McAllister is a Christian Youth Minister, the very one in fact who directed ex-gay leader and now president of Exodus International, Alan Chambers, to head that organization and "repair" his own homosexuality.

But for me Dawson McAllister is much less Christian Youth Minister than he is Stephen King’s "It." There is something creepy about this man’s approach, rarely speaking about religion on air, and almost never talking about LGBTQ issues on his live talk show on KISS 108 and other stations. However, if a young person is unfortunate enough to call into Dawson McAllister Live and reveal that he or she is LGBTQ like Greg Kimball did, the nature of this program and McAllister shows its true fangs. Kimball was told, "God considers homosexuality the same as murder, incest, and drug addiction," and then was directed to Dawson’s favorite anti-gay organization, Exodus International, being provided its phone number, hours of operation, and URL. And it gets worse: these kids are only allowed to call in from a non-blocked phone number, are asked their full names, asked if their number is a cell phone, and asked if they can be called back. A week of phone calls and emails to KISS 108’s parent company, Clear Channel, by activists from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD); the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus (MGLPC); the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force; Parents, Friends, & Families of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG); KnowThyNeighbor; Change.org; the Human Rights Campaign (HRC); and Truth Wins Out were able to get Clear Channel to put pressure on McAllister’s show to remove links and to stop directing questioning youth to Exodus. While pressure to disassociate from Exodus was successful, McAllister’s "Hopeline" still directs youth to second stringer Focus on the Family as follow-up phone calls to the helpline by KnowThyNeighbor.org, Exodus’ blog, and McAllister’s own website proved. 

So where is KISS 108 in all of this? Shamefully absent in acknowledgment of what a program like Dawson McAllister Live is doing to not only LGBTQ youth but to all youth. While it seems that the LGBT community is supposed to be content with KISS 108’s content promoting people like KISS 108 personality, "Gay Jim," and DJ Matty in the Morning’s interviews of out gays such as Tim Gunn, our LGBTQ youth, at the most vulnerable time when they are reaching out for help, are being tricked into and subjected to such negative messaging as was experienced by Greg Kimball. And worse as they are then put into the hands of Focus on the Family. KISS 108’s lack of response and attempts to wash its hands of this by directing people to log complaints with Clear Channel are not acceptable. I personally have been banned from commenting on Matty In the Morning’s Facebook page about McAllister and what he is dong to LGBT youth though, if I had chosen another subject like "Tiger Woods’ Mistresses" (a common topic on KISS 108 FB Fan Pages) I would still be allowed to comment.

We need to tell KISS 108 directly that it needs to remove Dawson McAllister Live from its airwaves. Our youth cannot and must not be subjected to this. We will never be able to quantify the damage already done, but we can do something about what is happening here and now in our own backyard. Call KISS 108’s switchboard during normal business hours and leave messages with management, your favorite DJ’s, the producers of your favorite shows and tell them that this has got to stop. Tell KISS 108 to "Take Dawson McAllister Live off the air and stop hurting LGBTQ Youth."

KISS 108 Contact Page: http://www.kiss108.com/pages/jobs.html?feed=105118&article=301026 
KISS 108 Switchboard: 781-396-1430
KISS 108 DJ’s:
Matty in the Morning: [email protected]
Billy Costa: [email protected]
Romeo: [email protected]

Tom Lang

Director of KnowThyNeighbor.org

KnowThyNeighbor.org To Be Challenged in Supreme Court "Doe v Reed" Tomorrow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KnowThyNeighbor.org

Director, Tom Lang

Cell:  978-335-0477

April 27, 2010 Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

KnowThyNeighbor.org, the Massachusetts LGBT Rights Organization that made headlines back in 2005 when Co-Directors Tom Lang of Manchester-by-the-Sea and Aaron Toleos of Boxford became the first to ever publish the names of signers of an initiative petition online in a fully searchable public database, are not only the subject of Wednesday's Supreme Court Hearing on Doe v Reed, but are the reasons for the court challenge.

Back in June of 2009, with much similar strategy as that in the 2005 gay marriage petition here in MA,KnowThyNeighbor.org joined forces with Brian Murphy of WhoSigned.org in Washington State vowing to publish the names of the signers of Washington's Referendum 71 which if it had been successful would have limited domestic partnership rights for same sex couples in that state.

Almost immediately, KnowThyNeighbor.org met the ire of Ref 71's sponsors, Protect Marriage Washington, which began various court challenges blocking Tom Lang's, Aaron Toleos' and Brian Murphy's attempt to acquire the names and addresses of signers of the anti-gay petition.  Washington's Open Government Laws require the release of this information to the general public and in state history, the release has never been stopped.  Protect Marriage Washington was able to win District Court favor in Washington State which then was challenged and over-turned in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  However, Protect Marriage Washington caught that attention of the United States Supreme Courtand Doe v Reed will be heard Tomorrow.

Twenty Attorney Generals including Massachusetts have submitted Amicus Briefs on the side of Reed which is the name of Sam Reed, Washington's Secretary of State who ultimately would release the names to the public if the SCOTUS sides with Reed.  Local LGBT organizations and National ones submitted Amici also on the side of Reed, including the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, GLAD and Lambda Legal, the latter two, writing to SCOTUS that KnowThyNeighbor's strategy of name posting should be allowed as "Public access to petition records provide a much needed procedural check on Anti-Minority Initiatives" and "an opportunity to lobby the persons who legislate using such measures."   .  See Amici HERE

Tom Lang, Director of KnowThyNeighbor.org, is concerned deeply about the greater implications of a win for Doe and a loss for Reed.  "Wednesday's hearing and subsequent outcome will have a major effect on state election laws nationwide.  If the Initiative Petition process is allowed to fall into the shadows of anonymity based on Protect Marriage Washington's false claims of electoral 1st Amendment restrictions, then the general public will have absolutely no ability to scrutinize the process for signature theft or be able to know who and what is behind major public legislative actions.  The only ones who will win if signatures are blocked from public access are the multi-million dollar signature gathering companies who dupe signers, forge names and the campaigns that turn a blind eye to this while forcing their agenda on unsuspecting voters."

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KnowThyNeighbor to Charlie Baker: Anti-Transgender Press Conference Unacceptable!

Tom Lang of KnowThyNeighbor Slams Charlie Baker, Massachusetts GOP Gubernatorial  Nominee For His Anti-Transgender Rights Bill Sentiments In Press Conference at Republican Convention

It certainly did not take long for the GOP in Massachusetts to anger gay activists and this time coming from the Baker Committee just moments after its nomination of Charlie Baker for Governor and Richard Tisei for Lt. Governor.  In a nut shell, electioneering at the Republican Convention on Saturday to persuade delegates to vote for Charlie Baker and knock out Christy Mihos resulted in flyers being circulated stating, "Charlie Baker Opposes 'The Bathroom Bill' and If It Came To His Desk He Would Veto It."

Now rumors are circulating that this may have been a last minute attempt by the anti-gays such as Kris Mineau of the Massachusetts Family Institute or one of many other anti-gay Republican activists on the Convention Floor to drive a wedge between Baker and openly gay Senator Richard Tisei.  Tisei not only supports The Transgender Rights Bill but he is a co-sponsor.  We know that the days leading up to the Convention where Tisei needed the votes to be nominated were not easy for the openly gay Republican prospect and sentiments among Republican activists may have indicated that they had wished Charlie Baker had chosen a more "straight" candidate. 

And KnowThyNeighbor is also hearing that this may have been done by Christy Mihos reaching for votes but what is being thought a more likely reality that Tim Cahill's people did this to discredit Baker.  But the flyers read also, "Paid for by the Baker Committee."  So ownership or not, ownership is implied and finger pointing at this point when once again, members of the LGBT Community are attacked and treated with a "less than" status is not acceptable.

In terms of full disclosure and on a personal level, I was posturing to support the Baker/Tisei candidacy We had committed to a fundraiser at our house in Manchester-by-the-Sea.  My Co-Director, Aaron Toleos, cautioned me last summer before Charlie Baker's announcement that he would seek the nomination and long before Baker considered Richard Tisei for a running mate, that a Director of KnowThyNeighbor could never support a candidate who may be excellent on "gay" issues but turns a blind eye to the issues faced by Transgendered People.  Now let me make this perfectly clear to our LGBT Community, as early as last Fall I spoke with Charlie Baker and discussed with him my support based conditionally on his reaching out to the trans community.  I was impressed with Baker's upfront and honest support for same sex marriage, his love for his own gay brother, and Baker's committment that he would NOT support any sort of anti-gay marriage ballot initiative seeking to Repeal or Restrict Goodridge.  

On Sunday night just a little after Midnight and having received the disturbing news of a Boston Globe article written from the Convention Floor that stated Baker's opposition to the Transgender Rights Bill and Charlie Baker's reference to it as demeaningly, "The Bathroom Bill" (something the anti-gays use to belittle the messaging of the truth about what trans people face everyday), I emailed Richard Tisei on his cell phone.  My message laid it out to Tisei that Charlie Baker's handling of the reporter's questions about the Transgender Rights Bill came off as "cocky, entitled and arrogant."  And I told him that seeing Kris Mineau's name all over that Globe article put him a little too close for my personal comfort.

Monday, sparked multiple phone calls by me to Richard Tisei and Republicans as I was being asked to supply a quote to the press.  For me this was unacceptable that anyone running for higher office in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts would dare address a group of people in the abstract.  I made it perfectly clear that this is NOT about polls, this is NOT about the Transgender Rights Bill, this is NOT about a section of the Transgender Rights Bill, this is NOT about the steps necessary to secure a nomination.  THIS is about a group of people who, just like the rest of us, want to be protected from being fired, from being thrown out of public accomodations and rental housing, from being attacked or worse, just because someone does not like who they are or what they look like.  And this group of people, the Trans-Community deserves recognition and address by Charlie Baker as human beings and as citizens of the Commonwealth. 

I do not want to hear or read some campaign press statement generated to cover Baker's ass on this one.  If there is a problem with the Transgender Rights Bill, in how it was written, address that separately from the need of this group of people to expect the same protections that everyone else has.  It seems Democrats are backing away from this bill too.  Any wonder why, when haters and spoilers like Kris Mineau are still afforded an ear and given such undeserved access in the State House from BOTH SIDES of the aisle?

If Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei represent a new Massachusetts Republican Party, one that Gives a Damn about its fellow human beings, and one that drew me back in and gave me hope, then Charlie Baker needs to prove it.  Every day waiting for his response, is a day of loss of countless votes and support that he needs for this Fall's election.

Tom Lang,

Director of KnowThyNeighbor.org  

Top 40 Radios Stations Nationwide Including Kiss 108 in Boston Promoting Ex-Gay Movement, Exodus International

Who Is Dawson McAllister and Why Should You Care?  If You Have Children or Care About Their Well Being You Should!

Sometimes my Sunday nights consist of listening to Dawson Mcallister on Kiss 108 in Boston. McAllister is the host of the syndicated radio talk show, "Dawson McAllister Live", which is featured on over 160 radio stations around the country . The Radio Time Website through Kiss 108 in Boston describes his show as encouraging, "Those 25 and younger to call and talk about their lives deepest needs and issues, such as broken families, abuse, depression, addictions etc. DMLive is fast paced, compelling radio that draws listeners in as they share their hopes, fears and problems."

So what's the big deal? On the air his show seems helpful and genuine. He gives the number of his Hopeline 1-800-394-HOPE (4673) frequently throughout the show, saying that you can speak with one of their trained Hopeline representatives. His website, dmlive.com , seems to reflect his show and it offers several other methods of getting in touch with his show. In addition to calling him or the Hopeline, you can text, Facebook, or tweet.

This past Sunday, I was listening to the show when I began to wonder how they would react to a teenage boy questioning his sexuality. I decided to call the Hopeline and ask. On the automated menu, it stated that I had to be between the ages of 13 and 29. I thought it curious that the show could speak with children that young. Upon confirming that I was of said age, I was presented with the option to speak with either a trained Hopeline representative or Dawson McAllister. Because I knew I would never get through to McAllister, I opted to speak to a representative. Pretending to be a 16 year old boy (I am really 22), I told him that I had recently begun to question my sexuality and that I thought I might be gay. The first thing he told me (which he told me several times throughout our conversation) is that they get a ton of calls like this. He then asked if I had been raised religiously. I told him no, and that is where things began to explode. He told me that it is common for "children raised with no God to question their sexuality." He went on to say that "if I embraced God, I could be cured." He continued, comparing homosexuality to "alcoholism or pornography or drug addiction." He said that"homosexuality was not natural." He then quoted several Bible verses, saying that homosexuality was just as bad as "adultery, theft, or murder." He agreed that I was "broken and needed to be cured." This conversation lasted for 20 minutes. When I couldn't take any more, I thanked him for his time and hung up on him while he said that he would be praying for me.

 

After calming down, I called again, hoping to get a different representative. I had to know if this was just one person or if this is what the radio show and the Hopeline believed. Thankfully I did get a different representative. Still posing as a 16 year old boy questioning his sexuality, I told him about the conversation I just had and that I was frightened because I didn't want to go to Hell. He confirmed that the Hopeline gets many calls like that and went on to refer me to the Exodus International program and Live Hope Ministries. For those of you who don't know, the Exodus International is not only a program that attempts to "cure" homosexuality from "infected youth," it has ministers who have been in Uganda preaching that the murder of homosexuals is not only acceptable, but should be made into law. **(see correction below)

I did a little research and found that Dawson McAllister Live has strong Christian Right ties.

 

Despicable. Can you imagine the number of gay or questioning children that, because of this advice, have hurt of killed themseves? Who have lived a lie for the rest of the life? This makes me sick. When McAllister is on the air, he never overly stresses religion or gives the impression that he is hosting a religious show. But a quick look on McAllister's Partner's Page will show that he doesn't try to hide this.  EXODUS INTERNATIONAL IS RIGHT THERE!!

I called and spoke with Kiss 108 Boston's Program Director, Chris Tyler, and he stated that not only was he unaware that McAllister's show was giving out this advice, but that he was unaware the show had a religious foundation!  Kiss 108 is Boston's most popular radio station, it has been for decades and is part of Clear Channel Radio and the Premier Radio.  Take a look at the other 165 stations that have contracted Dawson McAllister's sleazy little enterprise--most of which are radio stations serving younger audiences.  

Dawson McAllister is an evil, calculated sneak who is reaching out across the country and hurting our gay youth while pretending to be a good person who just wants to help people.

-Greg Kimball, Knowthyneighbor

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** Correction to "It (Exodus) has ministers in Uganda preaching that murder of homosexuals is not only acceptable, but it should be made into law."  While there is no evidence that indicates that Exodus International with its presence at the Ugandan "Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009" Conference in March of 2009 actually "preached" for the murder of homosexuals in that country, it did participate in the conference and allegedly provided its core talking points -- that homosexuality is a curable disease, which was used to give validation to the Ugandan Bill. Readers should note that the Ugandan Bill adds to existing Ugandan law of life imprisonment for "being" a homosexual, a mandatory 7 year jail sentence to anyone (ie those who are or claim to be straight) who commits an act of homosexuality AND it demands HIV testing of those arrested with death administered to the HIV positive.  Exodus International later responded to Truth Wins Out's accusations

with this press release.  

Tom Lang, Director of KnowThyNeighbor