You can purchase an autographed copy of Anything But Straight by sending a $35 check or money order to:
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Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
I will be on KABC's The Al Rantel Show today at 2PM EST to debate a yahoo from the American Family Association about the right wing's new boycott of Ford. Please call in, if you can, and ask the hick, why the AFA is still selling a video of failed "ex-gay" poster boy Michael Johnston.
And also ask what they are doing about Mississippi's failed child welfare system, where children are dying. After all, they are based in the state.
14 Comments:
They have as much right to boycott Ford as we have in supporting gay-friendly businesses (as the HRC has given us a list on their website).
Pass the Mobil/Exxon station and only pump Chevron gas into our Fords.
(I do like the looks of Fords new F150 truck and their interiors are much better.)
posted by cowboy, at
3/15/2006 12:23 PM
I just had a hell of a time with Al on air at KABC myself over a polygamist suing for plural marriage in Utah and how it's now their civil rights at stake like gays who want to marry. Al had their lawyer on.
I will tune in and listen. Al gave me a hard time. I'll send you the email. I'm seeing a pattern in conservatives on gay issues. Supporters get interrupted and belittled, and it's hard to get what needs to be said articulated.
Good luck, brother. I love Al, he's been my friend for years. But to fire up their audiences, sometimes you take a a few lashes.
posted by Regan, at
3/15/2006 12:27 PM
Regan,
How did the lawyer say that polygamists' rights are different than GLBT ones?
posted by Anonymous, at
3/15/2006 1:57 PM
Hello Anon, He didn't say they were different. And that's the problem. The polygamists are in part, basing their argument on the Lawrence vs. Texas issue of privacy. The lawyer believed that the private behavior of polygamists shouldn't be subject to the law.
What I said on Al's show, was that gay men and women are distinct as people with a personal characteristic that transcends all cultures, religions, families and traditions. I mentioned that virtually the ONLY people wishing for plural marriage is MORMONS and the other part of their legal argument is religious freedom. Polygamists aren't basing their arguments on it's own merits.
I also said that gays and lesbians are the ONLY citizens who, in this argument are not changing marriage for people of unique characteristics, they are still basing their marriage rights on the two consenting, non related adult standard. The difference between NO marriage option at all, as opposed to marriage REDUNDANCE, which is unnecessary to secure custody of spouse and children.
I also mentioned that the only persons with the privilege in the sect represented, are higher up elders. Who create fierce competition for the younger men in their communities. To eliminate that competition, they excommunicate the younger men, effectively banning them from their own homes and families. In taking more wives, they in effect...break up families.
This is why the state cannot support plural marriage, it takes away primacy and custody from one person married to the other and makes decisions and support for a spouse less powerful.
Religious power, it's abuses and corruption against women especially are well documented. I would also argue, that polygamists had their chance in history, and generally, in advanced Western culture, it's unpopular as well as impractical. Gay men and women, are not a culture, have decided to take custody of significant others and children they have every right to protect through marriage.
The couple that the polygamist is representing are both in their 60's. The husband wants to take another wife. The lawyer failed to mention the age of the new wife, or how many children the older couple already had. I mentioned on Al's show, that the closest cousin of polygamy-serial divorce and remarriage (for whatever reason), although legal...is problematic for many people. And gay marriage, although legal in one state in America and several countries, is not.
I have to say also, that Al constantly interrupted me, and when I answered his questions would respond with a "so what?" or "so...having two mommies and one father in a plural marriage could be called good too." Although I said that Heather's two mommies are her primary parents and are specifically gay.
Where the plural situation is only ONE mommie and a stepmother and biological father. Which still is a two parent, MARRIED situation. Where the two gay mothers are NOT married at all.
Howeve, Al acted like my answers were stupid or invalid. His callers who responded, including a Mormon woman who was trapped in a plural situation validated exactly what I'd said, were treating the debate like a joke.
And AL as many other do every time the gay marriage issue comes up, keeps saying you allow gays to marry, people will demand to marry a couch or three wives and a cousin.
I had to tell him that the change in marriage to include gay peole isn't a BAD change, as usually inferred. It's a much needed and legitimate change for marriage and inclusion for people who happen to be intrinsically different. Mormons choose their lifestyle, and religious faith. The other big difference why no gay person's ability to marry should be legally banned.
posted by Regan, at
3/15/2006 2:31 PM
Besen.. get a job.. and a life. You sound like a fool on Rantel's.
posted by Anonymous, at
3/15/2006 2:38 PM
I've seen Wayne on TV, he's not a fool; you're a homophobic asshole!
posted by Anonymous, at
3/15/2006 2:46 PM
:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: Wayne - I tuned in via the web and listened into the show. Good Job highlighting their failed Disney boycott ... overall great job!
Dued..congrats. You kicked ass. As a 17 year old trying to come out, all I an say is THANKS!! :)
posted by Anonymous, at
3/15/2006 3:15 PM
"Lawrence vs. Texas"...remember when that was used to overturn an obscenity charge in a case involving films of women being gang raped, defecated on and having their throats slit? (All simulated, of course.)
posted by Anonymous, at
3/15/2006 3:51 PM
So what's your point? Any law can be misused! Gay rights has nothing to do with the simulation of violence against women; something you heteros enjoy!!
posted by Anonymous, at
3/15/2006 4:52 PM
Sex is private, marriage is public. For the polygamists to take the L vs. TX precendent and use it as a marriage issue is wrong. Polygamists obviously are having all the sex they want to without action from the law. They only get in trouble when they marry someone underage, extra maritally, abuse their wives and children or commit welfare fraud.
Gay men and women don't misuse marriage by inclusion in it. However, religious excuses are getting old to do whatever the hell you feel like doing, especially to other people whether they share your belief or not!
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