February 15, 2005

The Liberty Line is a monthly e-communications update from the Liberty Education Forum. 

2005 National Symposium Update

Time Running Out for Symposium Registration!

You don't want to miss the 2005 Liberty Education Forum National Symposium.  To be a part of this historic event, please register TODAY!  Space is quickly filling up.  Hundreds of fair-minded Americans will gather in New Orleans at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter on Bourbon Street from March 31-April 3, 2005. 

LEF's National Symposium is being held in conjunction with the Log Cabin Republicans National Convention.  Log Cabin has announced that former Governor Christine Todd Whitman (R-NJ) will be speaking in New Orleans.  Also, Chris Matthews, the host of MSNBC's Hardball, will bring a special version of Hardball to Log Cabin's 2005 National Dinner during our convention.  We're also planning a special Gospel brunch on Sunday April 3rd at the House of Blues, a New Orleans landmark. 

The National Symposium, scheduled for April 1st, will offer hundreds of inclusive, fair-minded Americans an opportunity to discuss strategy and learn about the key issues affecting gay and lesbian Americans.  The National Symposium's primary focus will be a discussion about our effort to reach the Heartland and make new allies among conservatives and people of faith.  Jimmy Creech, the Chairman of the Board of Soulforce, will help motivate and inspire people to join the dialogue about faith and sexual orientation.  Our National Symposium also will bring together a panel of experts and activists to discuss how we can more effectively reach the Heartland.  Click here to see a brief video promoting the 2005 Symposium.  Click here to see the latest Symposium agenda.  Click here to register. 

Please note—time is running out to guarantee a room at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.  You have until February 27th to reserve a room.  We have a large block of rooms set aside at a rate 1/3 lower than usual.  However, we must release our block of rooms on February 27th so you should reserve your hotel room now.  Call 504-586-0300 and ask for the special Log Cabin rate.   This hotel sells out 50 weekends a year, so be sure to book by February 27th or rooms may not be available for you at the Royal Sonesta.

Keeping the Faith

Pastor Speaks Out Against Discrimination

An Evangelical minister from Maryland recently spoke out against efforts to pass an anti-gay state constitutional amendment.  The Rev. Jason Poling writes in The Baltimore Sun that "It is the commitment involved in marriage that makes it so fulfilling when it is pursued faithfully. It seems ironic that at a time when marriage is threatened by the lack of commitment, those who want to uphold marriage are seeking vigorously to oppose those who pay this noble institution the honor of participating in it." Click here to read the entire op-ed. 

Gay Marriage Divides Church

With the Episcopal Church continuing to debate with how best to recognize gay and lesbian relationships, some churches are being torn apart by division over this issue.  The New Haven Register recently reported, "While the leaders of St. Thomas's Episcopal Church are now openly supporting same-sex marriages, some longtime church members are leaving the parish because they believe it has gone too far on the gay rights issue.

"The Rev. Michael Ray recently announced in a letter to the church's 100 or so families that he will soon begin a moratorium on performing any wedding ceremonies as long as Episcopal Church policy forbids him from marrying gays.

"Ray's decision affects the pending wedding of his own daughter, Catherine, who had planned to be married at St. Thomas's. She and her future husband have decided to support him by having a civil ceremony instead.  Click here to read the entire story.

Episcopal Bishops Express 'sincere regret' for Handling of Bishop Robinson's Consecration

The Associated Press recently reported, "Episcopal bishops expressed 'sincere regret' yesterday for consecrating the denomination's first openly gay bishop without full consideration for overseas Anglicans who objected, and said they prayed for forgiveness so they could maintain ties with sister churches around the world.  However, American church leaders took no action on requests from Anglican leaders for a moratorium on consecrating gay bishops in same-sex relationships and on authorizing official prayer services for same-gender couples.  The bishops said they did not want to 'act in haste.'

"The bishops issued their statement after a private, two-day meeting in Salt Lake City, where they discussed recommendations from an emergency Anglican panel on how the 77 million-member Anglican Communion can remain unified despite deep disagreements over homosexuality. The 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of Anglicanism.

'We as the House of Bishops express our sincere regret for the pain, the hurt and the damage caused to our Anglican bonds of affection by certain actions of our church," the bishops said. "We express this regret as a sign of our deep desire for and commitment to continuation of our partnership in the Anglican Communion.'

"Utah Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish said the statement was not an apology for consecrating New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, who lives with his longtime male partner, but for the tensions that his election created within the Communion."  Click here to read the entire article.

Conservative Rabbis May Expel Colleague

The New York Times reports, "A rabbi who has officiated at the marriage of gay and lesbian couples has been threatened with expulsion from the Conservative movement's rabbinical association, though movement officials say it is not her activism that is at issue but her repeated defiance of the movement's rules.

"Ayelet S. Cohen, the junior rabbi at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, a largely gay and lesbian synagogue in Greenwich Village, says she is being punished for her openness in performing the ceremonies. Officials of the association say it has nothing to do with the gay marriages. Rather, they say, she faces expulsion because she has repeatedly defied long-established rules for taking a job at a synagogue.

"The Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative movement, with 1,600 rabbis, voted in 1992 not to ordain gays as rabbis and said that rabbis should not perform same-sex marriages. But the assembly stopped short of declaring the ban on marriage or commitment ceremonies a binding standard, tacitly allowing individual rabbis some discretion. Various rabbis within the movement have estimated that 20 to 40 rabbis have performed these ceremonies. Both the Reform and Reconstructionist movements ordain people who are gay and allow rabbis to marry gay people. Orthodox Jews neither ordain nor marry gays.

Defending Freedom

More Gay Linguists Being Booted from Military

As our nation continues fighting the war on terror, there's more evidence how the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy is harming military readiness.  Nathaniel Frank, a researcher with the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military (CSSMM), recently reported in The New Republic that gay Arabic linguists are being discharged from the military, even though they're desperately needed to fight the war on terror.  Frank writes, "The Pentagon continues to dismiss trained linguists—people whose skills are desperately needed in Iraq and elsewhere around the world—for being gay. In fact, newly obtained data from the Department of Defense reveals that these firings are more widespread than previously known. Between 1998 and 2004, the military discharged 20 Arabic and six Farsi language speakers under the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. The new data are not broken down by year, but additional figures from other reports suggest that about half the Arabic discharges came after September 11."  Click here to read the entire article.

Gay Veteran Claims Bias

The Associated Press reports "A gay disabled veteran of two wars claims he has been denied a property tax break afforded straight veterans because he owns his home with his longtime partner, not with a wife.

"Louis Paul Hennefeld and his companion contend they are being treated unfairly by their hometown of Montclair because they received half the tax break that a similarly disabled straight person would be granted.

"The case, which appears to be the first of its kind in New Jersey, is an example of marriage-based discrimination, according to one gay-rights advocate.

"State Tax Court Judge Vito L. Bianco questioned attorneys for the couple and for Montclair yesterday. Bianco made no immediate ruling and said he would issue a written opinion 'as soon as I can.'"

Gay and Lesbian Families

More Evidence of Gay Gene Discovered

There's more material for the mountain of growing evidence that sexual orientation is not a choice.  Fox News recently reported "The genes a man gets from his mother and father may play an important role in determining whether or not he is gay, according to a new study likely to reignite the 'gay gene' debate.

"Researchers say it's the first time the entire human genetic map has been scanned in search of possible genetic determinants of male sexual orientation. The results suggest that several genetic regions may influence homosexuality.

"'It builds on previous studies that have consistently found evidence of genetic influence on sexual orientation, but our study is the first to look at exactly where those genes are located,' says researcher Brian Mustanski, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago."  Click here to read the entire story.

Civil Unions Become Part of Vermont Fabric

The Associated Press reports, "Less than five years ago the idea of gay couples joining in a legal union akin to marriage was enough to rip apart the very social fabric of this small New England state that prides itself on its sense of community.

"Yawning rifts opened between neighbors and even families under the symbols of the two sides in the debate: black and white "Take Back Vermont" signs among opponents and green and white "Vermont: Keep it Civil" stickers for supporters of the state's first-in-the-nation civil unions law.

"Now, though, after 7,364 same-sex couples from around the world have been legally joined as spouses, civil unions have become a part of that social fabric."  Click here to read more about this story.

Retirement Homes Without Closets

There's a growing market for retirement facilities geared specifically for gays and lesbians.  The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported on the trend. "After decades of snubs and false starts, the need and the market have happily collided, and gay elder communities have quietly begun to spring up internationally and around the country, in states from Florida to Arizona, North Carolina and California. 'The field is reaching a critical mass,' said Gerard Koskovich of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network, a constituent group of the American Society on Aging.

'There's been more sophisticated market research and probably just a change in attitude. ... With the aging of Baby Boomers, people can more realistically imagine that there will be a market for this housing.'  He counted at least four gay senior developments in the United States, three more that are under construction and 18 others that are in some state of pre-development. The housing in question runs the gamut from glitzy 'resort- retirement communities' for active seniors to mobile home parks to nonprofit outfits that offer affordable housing and health services."  Click here to read the entire article.

Unmarried Gay Couples Lose Health Benefits

With gay marriage now legal in Massachusetts, many of the largest employers in Massachusetts are dropping health benefits for unmarried gay couples.  The Boston Globe reports," Massachusetts companies, some of which pioneered so-called domestic-partner benefits for unmarried, same-sex partners, said they are now withdrawing them for reasons of fairness: If gays and lesbians can now marry, they should no longer receive special treatment in the form of health benefits that were not made available to unmarried, opposite-sex couples.  Large employers terminating or phasing out domestic-partner benefits for some or all Massachusetts workers include IBM Corp., Raytheon Co., Emerson College, Northeastern University, the National Fire Protection Association, Boston Medical Center, Baystate Health System, and The New York Times Co., which owns The Boston Globe and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.  Click here to read the entire article.

Workplace Changes Aimed to Help Gay Parents

U.S. businesses are providing growing flexibility with schedules and benefits for gay and lesbian people with children.  USA Today recently reported on the trend.  "As the number of same-sex couples with children reaches records, more are confronting challenges about how to balance work and family. Gay dads are quitting work to stay home with kids, lesbian mothers are going part time — and employers are responding by offering work-life programs and benefits to gay employees. Nearly half of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partner benefits.  But many are going beyond the basics. Of companies that provide such benefits, 90% cover a domestic partner's dependant children. Sixty percent extend adoption assistance to the domestic partner. And 72% also allow employees to take extended family leave to care for a domestic partner or their dependents.  Click here to read the entire article.

Financial Advice for Same-Sex Couples

Research shows that many relationships, gay or straight, end because of conflicts over household finances.  To help smooth things out, the Gay Financial Network has some insights about the best way to proceed on a range of issues including taxes, real estate and charitable contributions.  Click here to read more. 

Anti-Gay Ohio Amendment Being Used to Challenge Domestic Violence Laws

Opponents of Ohio's anti-gay state constitutional amendment warned voters the about unintended consequences that might be caused by the amendment's scope and vagueness.  Three months after Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved the measure, those warnings are coming true.  The Associated Press recently reported, "Some attorneys are attempting to use Ohio's new gay marriage amendment to defend unmarried clients against domestic violence charges. The constitutional amendment, which took effect on Dec. 1, denies legal status to unmarried couples.

"In at least two cases last week, the Cuyahoga County public defender's office has asked a judge to dismiss domestic-violence charges against unmarried defendants, arguing that the charges violate the amendment by affording marriage-like legal status to unmarried victims who live with the people accused of attacking them.

"Advocates for victims of domestic violence have worried about the effect of the amendment since it passed in November, and they fear defense attorneys around the state will copy the tactic used in Cuyahoga County.

"'It's a bad, bad thing,' said Cathleen Alexander, director of the Domestic Violence Center in Cleveland. 'We're very worried that some victims will not be granted the protection they need because they're not married. That could jeopardize people's lives.'"

Reaching the Heartland

Kansas Amendment Creating Debate in the Heartland

In the wake of a decision by the Kansas legislature to put an anti-gay constitutional amendment on ballot, some residents of the state are questioning their state's priorities.   Click here to read a story about this from The Lawrence Journal World.

The Wichita Eagle reported about why people have certain opinions on the gay marriage issue.  "The Rev. Titus James is the pastor of North Heights Christian Church.

He's a minister's son.  He grew up in towns throughout the South and Midwest. He had gay and lesbian friends in high school and college, and while working as a flight attendant for Pan-American Airlines.

"He wrote a paper during seminary about Sodom and Gomorrah, concluding that scandalous lust, not homosexuality, led to God's wrath against those cities. A lesbian friend worked on that paper alongside him and 'opened my mind to a lot of things,' James said.

'I don't know why folk are gay, but they are. I would affirm their desire to live as they have to live. That's what I do."

"He speaks with passion about moral values:  He wonders why gay marriage is such a priority for some church leaders and lawmakers when the rest of society is falling apart.

"The amendment to ban gay marriage in Kansas is rooted in fear and intolerance, he says. He wishes people would focus on important issues -- war, poverty, divorce, families in crisis."  Click here to read the entire article.

Healthwatch

Generic AIDS Drugs Approved for U.S International Treatment Imitative

After months of contentious debate, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic triple-therapy AIDS cocktail, opening the way for American taxpayer dollars to be used to buy cheaper medicines for use in poor countries.  The New York Times reports, "Assuming the drugs made by the approved company, Aspen Pharmacare of South Africa, are priced at a third to a half of brand-name ones, charities and poor nations getting Bush administration money will be able to treat two or three times as many patients.  The goal of the United States is to underwrite the treatment of two million patients internationally by 2008, said Randall L. Tobias, who administers the $15 billion President Bush promised two years ago for the fight against AIDS."  Click here to read the entire article.

Researchers Cautiously Optimistic about new AIDS Vaccine

The Associated Press reports that "A potential HIV/AIDS vaccine developed by Merck & Co. that uses synthetic genes to prepare cells to fight the deadly virus is moving into the second stage of testing.  An approved vaccine would be about a decade away if the trial and a third study are successful, said officials with the international coalition that is collaborating on the work. 'It is the most promising candidate that we've seen so far,' said Sarah B. Alexander, associate director of the coalition, known as the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.  She cautioned, however, 'something better could come along tomorrow.'"  Click here to read the entire article.

Gays Rising Meth Use Tied to New HIV Cases

The Los Angeles Times recently reported about the growing problems caused by rising crystal Meth use among gay men.  "Health officials and AIDS activists nationwide are alarmed at the increasing correlation between new HIV diagnoses and methamphetamine use among gay men. The drug's ability to heighten arousal and erase inhibitions is proving a deadly combination — leading to sexual behavior that increases the chances of infection with HIV and syphilis.

"Methamphetamine has been in the gay party mix on the West Coast since at least the mid-1990s. But, more recently, the trend has pushed east, galvanizing health officials and gay activists in Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and New York. Meanwhile, other circumstances have conspired to make the flare in use by gay men particularly harmful to public health.

"The Internet has made it easy to arrange liaisons and score drugs from the safety of home, while erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra allow for encounters to last for hours and even days. Meanwhile, activists said, improved HIV treatment regimes have lulled some gay men, particularly those who did not experience the AIDS epidemic at its worst, into lax attitudes toward condom use.

'We've had Ecstasy, pot, acid — but this is the crack of the gay community,' said Jason Riggs, spokesman for San Francisco's STOP AIDS Project, which recently launched a campaign aimed at casual users and those tempted to try the drug.  Click here to read the entire article.