Violence erupts as the gay marriage vote nears

Tensions are running high over election 2008. In California there are growing number of dirty tricks, vandalism and threats of violence. Carmichael resident Marge Otto had a McCain sign in her front yard. She found a threat written on it "Bleep McCain, Bleep you, vote Obama or die." The message was handwritten, along with a warning that her house would be vandalized if she dared re-plant her lawn sign. Marge's family was intimidated and convinced her to remove any political placards.

The increasing number of attacks are becoming more bold. And they are not limited to presidential politics. In San Jose, supporters of Prop 8, which would ban gay marriage in California, were victimized by graffiti vandals who didn't like their message. A message was written on their car which read "Bigots live here."

The leader of Kern County's campaign in support of a ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in California was videotaped at a pro-gay marriage rally kicking and punching a protester.

Violence was also reported in other areas of California and isolated areas of Florida.

The latest prompted a response from Marriage Equality USA's President:

We must remember to take the high road, and not partake in any actions that result in violence. Marriage Equality USA has a very strong commitment to non-violence in its activities.

There have been some less than stellar instances of behavior on both sides of the issue ranging from stealing of signs, destruction of property, vandalism, and physical harm to individuals participating on both sides. Please remember to use caution and good judgment when canvassing and tabling at events. No one should be working alone, you should always be in pairs with others knowledgeable about your whereabouts.

Keep this in mind also when you watch the video:

"The plague of mankind is the fear and rejection of diversity: monotheism, monarchy, monogamy and, in our age, monomedicine. The belief that there is only one right way to live, only one right way to regulate religious, political, sexual, medical affairs is the root cause of the greatest threat to man: members of his own species, bent on ensuring his salvation, security, and sanity."


The Face of Proposition 8 from Theremina on Vimeo.

Time, and with it, the threat of losing civil rights is ticking away

Initiated Act 1, which Arkansas voters will decide on this November, would prohibit unmarried co-habitating couples from adopting or fostering children. Although this act is intended as an attack on the LGBT community, it also would prevent unmarried opposite-sex couples from adopting or fostering.

Act 1 has not received a lot of national attention. If it passes, right-wing groups across the country may try to replicate its success in other states. For additional information, visit www.arkansasfamiliesfirst.org.

Please also remember that we are fighting three (3) constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage this year! Check-out the following links:

• Arizona - Visit Equality Arizona for details.
• California - Visit VoteNoProp8.org or Marriage Equality USA's California Ballot Measure Committee for details.
• Florida - Visit say SayNo2.com for details.

We’re not “lovin’ it“

Kentucky Equality Federation unconditionally supports the Louisville Fairness Campaign in the following action alert:

Protest Against Anti-gay Discrimination at McDonald’s

WHEN: Friday, October 10, at Noon
WHERE: McDonald’s, 420 E Market St., Louisville

WHY: While 5 visitors waited for their food to be prepared, an employee behind the counter referred to them as "faggots" to another employee. The visitors asked to speak with a manager. As they waited for the supervisor on duty to appear, the employee who had called them "faggots" started arguing with them, repeatedly calling them "faggots" in front of other customers and calling one of them a "cocksucker" and "bitch."

The supervisor on duty refused to refund the group's purchase, claiming that only the restaurant's general manager could authorize a refund. All attempts to solve the issue with McDonald’s managers have been ignored.

• Kentucky Equality Federation handled a similar complaint against Steak n' Shake in 2006 (story), and Halloween Express in 2007 (story).

Kentucky Court of Appeals rejects adoption by lesbian couple

In a shocking ruling, the Kentucky Court of Appeals struck down another court ruling allowing a woman to co-parent her same-sex partner’s child.

The ruling also made clear: No more cases involving co-parenting by same-sex couples.

“It is not this or any court’s role to judge whether the legislature’s prohibition of same-sex marriage … is morally defensible or socially enlightened,” the appeals court said in a written ruling.

The statement from the court is shocking since the judicial branch of government has oversight of legislative acts. Since the founding of our nation minority groups have turned to the courts for equal treatment.

Hopefully, this ruling will be challenged (to the Kentucky Supreme Court). But, a study published in 2007 by the Supreme Court of California found that of all state supreme courts in the United States, the decisions of the Kentucky Supreme Court were the least followed by other states' appellate courts.

FYI.... Governor Beshear declares emergency to prevent price gouging

Governor Steve Beshear has declared a state of emergency to prevent price gouging on gasoline and other items as hurricane Ike moves closer to the Texas coast.

“I am outraged by the voracious practices of price gouging we are seeing,” Beshear said in a statement. “Today, I have taken an extraordinary step to protect the consumers of the commonwealth from these predators.”

The declaration triggers several consumer protection measures, including authorization for the Kentucky Attorney General to investigate and prosecute those who engage in predatory pricing during a disaster.

Speaking to reporters outside the Lexington Health Department, Beshear said he had spoken with Attorney General Jack Conway, who is beginning to investigate complaints that have been pouring into both of their offices all day.

Beshear said taking such measures wasn't politically motivated.

"I would ask folks to look at the gas pumps. It's anything but politics," he said. "I think it is an emergency when folks wake up in the morning and all of a sudden they're having to pay 50 cents, 60 cents, 70 cents more at the gas pumps than the day before when the hurricane hasn't even hit anything."

Conway, the attorney general, has scheduled a briefing later Friday. Anyone with specific complaints about specific gas stations are encouraged to email information to gaspricecomplaints@ag.ky.gov.

In Lexington, people lined up two to three cars deep at area gas stations.

“It’s been busy all day long,” said Jacqueline Wilkinson of the Thorntons on Winchester Road near Interstate 75. “Usually on Fridays we’re busy, but nothing like this.”

Lerry Campbell of Lerry’s Hair Design left work to fill up after hearing concerns that stations might run out. Sure enough. He stopped by the Speedway at Liberty Road only to learn it was out of regular unleaded because of the unexpectedly high demand.

“I was almost on empty,” he said.

Some people brought in extra gas cans to fill up. Beside Campbell at Shell was Jean May of Lexington who heard talk that the price might go up a dollar as Hurricane Ike approaches refineries along the Gulf Coast.

She initially passed the Shell and Thorntons, which was charging $3.729, in favor of checking the station at Wal-Mart because “they’re usually cheaper.” Nope. It was more than 10 cents higher and by the time she returned, Thorntons and Shell had raised their prices.

“Wouldn’t you know it,” she said laughing.

Actor Matt Damon rips Sarah Palin

Money quote: "I need to know if she really thinks dinosaurs were here four thousand years ago....I want to know that -- I really do; because she's going to have the nuclear codes."

Florida Judge Rules Gay Adoption Ban Unconstitutional

A Florida judge has found the state's 31-year ban on gay adoptions to be unconstitutional, reports the Miami Herald. The ruling from Judge David Audlin Jr. will allow a gay Key West resident to adopt the teenage boy he has raised as a foster parent since 2001.

Judge Audlin said the adoption was in the child's "best interest" and asserted that barring gays from adopting conflicted with the state constitution since it targets a specific group for punishment. Audlin had appointed the foster father to be the boy's legal guardian in 2006. At a hearing earlier this year, the order says the boy testified that he wanted the man to be his "forever father...because I love him," the Herald reports.

''Contrary to every child welfare principle,'' Audlin wrote in his opinion, ''the gay adoption ban operates as a conclusive or irrebuttable presumption that...it is never in the best interest of any adoptee to be adopted by a homosexual.''

Florida and Mississippi are the only two states that currently forbid gays and lesbians from adopting children. (The Advocate)

Gay Rights Groups Condemn Gov. Palin's Church; Palin's Position on the Issue Sought

Gov. Sarah Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer. "You'll be encouraged by the power of God's love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality," according to the insert in the bulletin of the Wasilla Bible Church.