Yay

Something makes me think that one of Phread's sons turned out to be a friend of Dorothy.  I don't remember the details of how he was expelled from the family, removed from all family reports and even erased from the pages of the family bible.  I wasn't able to find what I'd consider to be a credible reference to it, but since the largest source of their new members is by generating family members, chances are high that they'd eventually get at least one of us.  According to CNN, as of March, 2006, he has 13 children, 54 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, and the Anti-Defamation site says the church has 71 members (January 2008).  3 of his children are "estranged", so the math looks pretty simple, until you consider spouses. Anyway, here's another site that has some interesting things to say: hXXp://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?sid=185 Edit: live link removed

The study in that graph at the bottom is at least 4 years old.  It was published in 2004, but we don't know what year the actual survey was done. As time goes by, more and more are becoming in favor of gay marriages, but it's a painfully slow process.  Even once the majority of people are in favor of gay marriage, we then need to get the politicians in favor of it.

Lovely how therapy seems to be a possible "Cure" by some. I find this part funny mainly because my first REAL lover at 16 had a similar experience. We were living in his house, sharing his bedroom- and bed for that matter. His parents chose not to see reality. His dad thought we should have "Bunk-beds" LOL. After coming out in an argument with his dad (Yelling at the top of the stairs as his his dad was downstairs) "I'm Gay", then slamming his bedroom door they thought it best for him, too go to a therapist for this. Oddly enough, the therapist turned out to be gay as well! I'll leave that at that, or perhaps start another topic about funny coming out stories etc.! Anyways, When my mom got married for the second time, we were pretty sure our pastor was Gay. This was confirmed when he was invited to the reception- he was told he could "Bring a friend". Well, sure enough that friend was more flamboyant than him. Maybe they WERE just "Friends" lol. In more ways than one! Nobody at our church seemed to really have any problem with his Lifestyle, so long as he performed his duties appropriately of course and did not get caught in some scandal. This guy was not caught in any scandal, he didn't make out in front of the church or display any inappropriate behavior- why was he fired? Pure hatred, one's inability for acceptance, and ignorance. Funny how when a minister, priest, etc. allegedly abuse an alter boy they get "Suspended with pay", or worse- Reduced pay pending an investigation- or even just "Re-assigned / relocated". This guy just gets fired from not lyeing about hearsay he was in a same-sex relationship. Cases like this need a great lawyer. God knows there are enough of them! After all, it is the American way! lol Why not add one more lawsuit here along with the long list of pedophile minsters and such.

HHmmmm. I actually wondered when I would start reading stories about Gay Divorce as soon as Gay Marriage was allowed. This is a tricky, to say the least, controversial topic for many reasons obviously. I actually do not believe in Gay marriage per se- I believe in the same rights, here in the US tax reasons, children etc. yes. However, in a church no- Christians, Catholics, etc. Have their beliefs etc. Gay Marriage goes against what those beliefs are. Now a religion such as pagan or wiccan on the other hand, with a proper ceremony, now you are talking fitting the bill. A few years ago a Rabbi commenced a ceremony for 2 older friends of mine. His synagogue, and from what I know most of the Jewish religion, is not so against Gay Commitments. At least here in FL, as the Jewish Population seems to be rather extensive.

I hate when people say "Sexual Preference". Lifestyle is much more PC. This is rediculous that this is happening- anywhere for that matter. Regardless of it being a hate crime or not, nonetheless it is a brutal crime if nothing else! The fact that it IS a hate crime, persecution should be at greater lengths. In MASS, where I am from (New England / RI) but I went to school in MASS this guy would be put in jail and the key would be thrown away!

I am glad to see someone, somewhere fighting for this. In the US if you are gay, as noted here, you can not donate- but you also cannot if you have a tattoo- or there may be a time limit I believe. Even though I hate needles- and am not a fan of donating blood, it is nice to see someone fighting for what they believe in. I wonder what this policy is actually if a loved one, non-relative, i.e. lover needs some blood if you can still donate it or not…

@Mayfair: I must agree, this is clearly a homophbic attack Nonsense !  As long as we dont know how they really behaved and acted , we cant consider this as a homophobic attack .

i rather wonder , why people get homophobic again , although many countries have established gay rights and people learnt to accept gays . Can it be that gays have to be blamed too ?

It sounds like someone is a bit insecure about their own sexuality and un-aware of his own countries lagalities! CHEERS for those enforcing the law! <not>The only earthquake any gays are causing are the ones where they have great sex!</not>

**Mass. and the churches that provided a meeting place for the Boy Scouts did not allow them to do this at all. They kept it very simple- you do not allow gays, find another place to congregate. I was a Boy Scout. Kinda funny when ya think about it. Reminds me of an all-boy school in fact. Let's put a bunch of boys all together and expect nothing anywhere near gay-related to happen AT ALL… haha hhmmm. I may be stereotyping a little here, but let's break it down... boys are: Curious Adventerous Mischievous Horny with dicks that randomly get hard The list could go on and on. Point is, You cannot put boys (especially under 18) together in almost any number for almost any period of time without something sexually occurring at some point. If you do, and nothing happens- I would check for abnormalities. lol Disclaimer: Not to say that if anyone else was in the boy scouts or with other boys etc and they didn't do anything sexual they are abnormal- it just isn't the majority. Might I add that my tenure in the organization was a great one. I surely learned much more than what they intended...  **

@raphjd: hXXp://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/06/061207porbus.htm Same-Sex Kiss Gets Teens Kicked Off Bus by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff Posted: June 12, 2007 - 4:00 pm ET (Portland, Oregon) Portland transit officials are investigating a complaint that two teenage girls were kicked off a city bus after exchanging a kiss. The 14 year olds say that they were on a TriMet bus on Monday, heading home from school when they kissed.  After another passenger complained the driver allegedly called them to "sickos" and told them to "knock it off". One of the girls told television station KTVZ that her friend was visibly upset by the driver and that she then tried to comfort her with a hug. At that point, the girl said, the driver ordered them off the bus. TriMet said it is investigating the complaint and wants to speak with the driver. Fetsch said it is against TriMet?s policy to kick minors and ?vulnerable? people off the bus. The girls parents say they are considering lodging a civil rights complaint against the driver. Last month Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed into law an amendment to the state's non-discrimination laws that includes sexual orientation. The law, however, does not take effect until Jan. 1. LGBT rights groups had been fighting for enactment of the change for more than 30 years. 365Gay.com 2007 **I am glad this was not me. It would not have been pretty. It is interesting how around the world, different areas are subject to different PDA (public display of affection) tolerances. If this story, among thousands more- including Matthew Shepard does not influence everyone to be wise of your surroundings, then I feel for you. These were two 14 year olds. Girls at that… you would think the guy would be okay with it lol (If he was str8?) I remember being 14... but I was in a very Gay Accepted state with a lot of very strict laws regarding hate crimes and such. We would usually make out just to scare old people! Naturally, I and any of my friends and acquaintences have always expressed careful PDA judgement when it has come to children being around. They are too vulnerable to influence- not that influencing them to love, and not to hate isn't such a bad thing... Only when the MAJORITY of the world does not hate, will the world be a better, safer place.**

This is really good news for gays in the UK. Under current law, work and private pensions {ISAs and the like} are exempt from handing out widower's benefits. Even some state pension benefits are exempt from paying out to gay widowers under current law.