THE LORD HAS MERCY...and so does Bishop Raul Vera Lopez, Catholic bishop of Saltillo, Mexico

Raul Vera Lopez, the Catholic bishop of Saltillo, Mexico

Raul Vera Lopez, the Catholic bishop of Saltillo, Mexico has vowed to continue his outreach to the gay community.

¨The Vatican had summoned the bishop to Rome to inquire about a gay-inclusive group of Catholics headed by Noe Ruiz.

Vera publicly affiliated his diocese with the group and sponsored its film festivals, which lead to harsh criticism from the Peru-based Catholic news agency ACI Prensa.

Vera told El Universal on Sunday that the Vatican had not reprimanded him.

“It is no surprise that the Church supports sexual diversity because there are at least 50 diocese in the United States serving gay communities,” Vera said.

He said that Vatican officials simply made observations about his work, but the bishop did not elaborate.

“I will not abandon these children,” he added, referring to children with gay parents. “We cannot abandon people who depend on us.”

Earlier, Vera chided ACI Prensa, which had claimed Vera supported groups that advocate for marriage between members of the same sex and abortion.

“In the Diocese of Saltillo, we have very clear objectives,” Vera told the Zocalo Saltillo. “We work with [the gay community] to help them recover their human dignity, which is frequently attacked at home and in society, and they are treated like filthy people.”

“Some would like to weaken my work on behalf of vulnerable groups, that is what they want, but I'm going to go ahead in the struggle for human dignity which is the principle of the Gospel,” he added. HERE

·  Thanks to On Top Magazine, sidebar
·  Thanks to Bishop Raul Vera Lopez, Saltillo, Mexico
·  Thanks to the Vatican

WICKEDLEAKS: Madame Deadly Despot, First Lady Janet Museveni, behind Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda

The First Lady of Uganda,  Janet ¨the extremist¨ Museveni

¨According to a newly released US diplomatic cable, the wife of the President of Uganda, Janet Musceveni, "is ultimately behind" the Anti-Homosexuality (AHB, 'Kill gays') Bill.

The cable is amongst those newly released unredacted by Wikileaks. It is signed by the US Ambassador to Uganda, Jerry Lanier.

It quotes a 2009 private conversation with Senior Presidential Adviser John Nagenda, who had just published a column in The New Vision newspaper comparing the AHB to McCarthyism and the Inquisition. He told an Embassy Political Officer:

"President Museveni is "quite intemperate" when it comes to homosexuality, but that the President will likely recognize the dangers of passing the anti-homosexuality legislation. He said First Lady Janet Museveni, who he described as a "very extreme woman", is ultimately behind the bill."  read it all, HERE

Malicious Janet Museveni, Member of Parliament and First Lady of Uganda

"In God's word, homosexuality attracts a curse, but now people are engaging in it and saying they are created that way. It is for money The devil is stoking fires to destroy our nation and those taking advantage are doing so because our people are poor," she said. Mrs. Museveni advised the youth not only to listen to messages on how they can make money but also focus on spiritual growth. "You know that you will lose everything else when you lose your soul.¨ Mrs. Janet Museveni, First Lady of Uganda HERE

·  Thanks to Paul Canning
·  Thanks to LGBT Asylum News, sidebar
·  Thanks to New Vision, Uganda
·  Thanks to Wikileaks

SALLY KERN, The Queen of American Vileness: “It’s [homosexuality] more dangerous [than terrorism], and yes I think that it’s also more dangerous because it will tear down the moral fibre of this nation.¨

¨Sally Kern makes Sarah Palin look like a smart, sane lady. If you want, you can email Sally at sallykern@okhouse.gov. BE CIVIL, this woman is crazy.¨

¨Ahead of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, Republican member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Sally Kern has renewed her claim that homosexuality has killed more people in the United States than terrorism...¨  HERE

22 INSANE Things Representative Sally Kern Has Said Politics Buzz A collection of quotes from the worst, most horrible, bigoted woman in the US government.  HERE

·  Thanks to Pink News, United Kingdom
·  Thanks to James Park
·  Thanks to Matt Stopera
·  Thanks to Buzzfeed

Bigots like Rick Santorum and NOM, the National Organization For Marriage, “are much more concerned about being perceived as bigots than whether they might actually be bigoted.”

Bigots More Concerned About Being Perceived As Bigots Than Whether They Are

Yep, you’re a bigot. by Zinnia Jones

¨...And no, your religion does not have the power to legitimize bigotry. Bigoted beliefs do not become excusable just because a church or a book endorses them. You don’t get a pass on bigotry by claiming that a god agrees with you. People came up with the very same justifications for all kinds of prejudice. It changes nothing. Like it or not, your religion will evolve. It might deny this, it might lag behind, but religions are dragged along with the moral climate of society at large. The Catholic Church doesn’t hold trials of alleged witches anymore. Mormon leaders decided that God changed his mind about allowing black people to be ordained. And some day, you will have to face the reality that your 2,000 years of moral theology are helpless next to a moment of moral reflection.¨ please read it all, HERE

Pick from a peck or pairs of prickly bigots

¨In the end, such people will learn that trying to isolate themselves from ideas they don’t like, particularly in today’s world, will be to no avail.¨  Dr. Lionel Deimel HERE

Canon Dave Doveton, Bigot HERE

Bigots: Old Birds of a Feather

Anglican Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi/Uganda, Bigot Extraordinaire HERE

TO THE AFRICAN ANGLICAN BISHOPS CONFERENCE/UGANDA: The persecution of LGBTI Anglicans/others ought not be ignored HERE

·  Thanks to New Civil Rights Movement, sidebar
·  Thanks to Zinnia Jones
·  Thanks to by David Badash
·  Thanks to Counterlights Peculiars, sidebar
·  Thanks to Preludium, sidebar
·  Thanks to Canon Mark Harris,   HERE
·  Thanks to Dr. Lionel Deimel

NO ANGLICAN COVENANT
¨...2,000 years of moral theology are helpless next to a moment of moral reflection.¨ 
Zinnia Jones

NOOSE AROUND ¨GAY NECKS¨ LOOSENED IN UGANDA: Anglican MP David Bahati´s ¨Anti-Homosexuality¨ bill ignored by Parliament Business Committee

¨Today Uganda's Parliament Business Committee discussed topics to be brought before the Parliament in the next quarter. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 was not included.

According to Frank Mugisha, Executive Director at Sexual Minorities Uganda, "information is that the bill can not be debated in a 2nd reading it has to be reintroduced and has to go through all the initial stages."

Frank Mugisha, Executive Director at Sexual Minorities Uganda, monitored the situation at Parliament today. He provided a brief report on Facebook.

There is no SIGN at all that the bill will be discussed today , and it does not appear on the order paper of parliamentary business today, will watch parliament and keep you updated , however information is that the bill can not be debated in a 2nd reading it has to be reintroduced and has to go through all the initial stages...¨ HERE

Behind the Mask contacted sources in Uganda's Parliament and believes that "debate on the anti-gay bill is postponed indefinitely."    HERE

·  Thanks to African Activist, sidebar
·  Thanks to Behind the Mask, sidebar
·  Thanks to Parliament Business Committee, Uganda
·  Thanks to Frank Mugisha, Sexual Minorities Uganda

JOYOUS MOMENTS IN THE THICK OF REALITY: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Democrat, Enters Into Wisconsin Senate Race

“From day one, I have always been open about my sexual orientation,” Baldwin said on the call. “I think that integrity is something that is important to voters.”

(Madison, Wis.) U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin entered the race Tuesday for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Herb Kohl, becoming the first Democrat to officially jump in the contest.

Baldwin would be the first openly gay U.S. senator.

The seat is one of at least eight open spots that will help determine the balance of power in the Senate, where Republicans need to pick up just four seats to take control.

One of the most liberal members of Congress, Baldwin had been saying since Kohl announced his retirement in May that she was seriously considering a Senate bid. Her congressional district includes the city of Madison, a liberal Democratic stronghold, and some surrounding rural areas.

Baldwin, 49, made her announcement in an email and video announcement to supporters early Tuesday. If elected, she would become the first openly gay member of the Senate.

Baldwin, the first woman whom Wisconsin voters sent to Congress, was also the first person elected to Congress after announcing they were gay. She was first elected in 1998.

She downplayed the historic significance of her candidacy during a conference call with reporters Tuesday. She said she supports equal opportunity for all people, regardless of race or sexual orientation, but that her focus of the race will be on fighting for the middle class.

“From day one, I have always been open about my sexual orientation,” Baldwin said on the call. “I think that integrity is something that is important to voters.”

She called for a new federal stimulus plan focused on improving schools, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in order to put people to work immediately.

“I hope we hear the president calling for that later this week,” she said.

Baldwin also used her video message to mention her opposition to the war in Iraq and her support for ending the war in Afghanistan, as well as to hint at the obstacles her candidacy will face as she seeks to win her first statewide election.

“I’m used to facing challenges head on,” she said. “When I first ran for Congress in 1998, people counted me out. But we worked hard, campaigned across south-central Wisconsin, and we won.”

Republicans are sure to go after Baldwin’s liberal voting record, hoping to sway independent and moderate voters their way in a state that has swung between handing President Barack Obama a 14-point win in 2008 and kicking Democrats out of power in the Statehouse in 2010...¨ please read all about Congresswoman Baldwin, HERE

·  Thanks to 365 Gay, sidebar
·  Thanks to LOGO Online
·  Thanks to Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
·  Thanks to The Associated Press

NO SALE: Focus on the Family´s anti-LGBT Rhetoric

Gay scapegoating not the cash cow it once was
by Jeremy Hooper

¨Focus on the Family's Citizenlink, the political action arm from whence most of the organization's most pointedly anti-LGBT rhetoric comes these days, is in desperate of a cash influx:

CitizenLink this week sent an email to constituents pleading for $2.3 million in 30 days to avoid a budget shortfall. If the money is not raised, “our ability to act on your behalf will be severely, and perhaps irreparably, hurt,” wrote Tom Minnery, CitizenLink executive director.

Citizen Link sends plea for $2.3 million to stay afloat [The Gazette],   HERE

·  Thanks to The Gazette
·  Thanks to Jeremy Hooper
·  Thanks to Good As You, sidebar
·  Thanks to Flickr Photosharing
·  Thanks to Joe.My.God., sidebar

¨UNITY IN DIVERSITY¨ : The Anglican Diocese of Waiapu requests the New Zealand General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui to decline the Anglican Covenant

The Anglican Diocese of Waiapu

¨The Diocese of Waiapu affirms its desire to remain a member of the Anglican Communion, valuing highly our common faith, mission, tradition and liturgy. We do not believe that the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant will enhance the life of the Communion and request that the General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui declines to sign the Covenant...¨ HERE

Welcome to Waiapu

¨Stunning vistas, picturesque landscapes, art deco buildings, rolling surf beaches, and above all vibrant, passionate people make up our diocese in the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are known within our Church as a diocese committed to youth, social services, unity in diversity and, as our Mission Statement says, ‘Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known’. Watch the video message from our Bishop below to discover more about this place of abundant waters...¨ HERE

·  Thanks to The Anglican Diocese of Waiapu, HERE
·  Thanks to Bosco Peters, HERE
·  Thanks to Comprehensive Unity, The No Anglican Covenant Blog, HERE

ARE YOU *LISTENING* ARCHBISHOP ROWAN WILLIAMS? Most African countries, including Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ghana – all of have been accused of witchhunts against gay people.

Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, off to visit President Magabe, Zimbabwe,  in October HERE

Forty of the 54 Commonwealth member states retain a ban on homosexuality

¨Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has called for next month’s Commonwealth heads of government meeting to discuss gay rights.

The meeting, to be held in Perth, Australia, should discuss issues such as the decriminalisation of homosexuality and legal protection from harassment, Mr Tatchell said...¨ HERE

·  Thanks to Gay Kenya, sidebar
·  Thanks to Pink News, United Kingdom
·  Thanks to Peter Tatchell

DANCING WITH DEATH IN GHANA: ¨As evangelical Christianity has seen its fastest growth on the continent, gay communities have simultaneously grown more open...¨

¨...At seaside dance parties where beer and reggae flow to all and sundry, it’s no longer uncommon for men and women in Ghana’s capital city, Accra, to test the waters and try to pick up companions of the same sex. Even in conservative Ghana, it seems that gays and lesbians are taking steps out in the public domain, at least at night.

But like elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, a backlash to that new openness has erupted as well. Since late May, it has spilled out onto the radio. Hours are spent debating whether gays should be allowed to exist here. Then Ghanaians wake up to national headlines screaming that gays and lesbians are dirty and sinful and ought to be locked up.

The pattern is becoming a familiar one throughout sub-Saharan Africa. As evangelical Christianity has seen its fastest growth on the continent, gay communities have simultaneously grown more open. The parallel developments have led to a growing list of countries in which politicians and media outlets have both incited and exploited social panic around sexuality. In the late 1990s, a beleaguered Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe drew global attention as he invited violence against gay people and blamed the country’s growing troubles on the European deprivation he said they symbolized. Since then, similar moments have struck in places stretching across the continent. Most recently, Uganda has been embroiled in controversy over a proposed law that would, among other things, allow the death penalty as a punishment for homosexuality. The authors of that law are closely tied to the U.S. religious right...¨ please read it all, HERE

·  Thanks to LGBT Asylum News, sidebar
·  Thanks to Frankie Edozien
·  Thanks to Colorlines