5 Potential Benefits Of Separate Showers For Gay Soldiers

5 Potential Benefits Of Separate Showers For Gay Soldiers

Besides the irony of a mixed race commander-in-chief overseeing a military that's even considering the possibility of segregating straight and queer troops, maybe there's an upside to the chance gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers will be able to serve openly but separately?

Update: The Pentagon insists they were never considering separate but equal.

After repealing DADT — which, under the current Congressional legislation, would need the signature of military chiefs — the Pentagon was, months ago, considering having The Gays use separate showering and/or living facilities. The idea is still on the table! Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters Friday, "We think it would be irresponsible to conduct a survey that didn’t address these questions because when ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is repealed, we will have to determine if there are any challenges in those particular areas, any adjustments that need to be made in terms of how we educate the force, or perhaps even facility adjustments that need to be made to deal with those scenarios. But we won’t know any of that until we get a sense from the force of their attitudes. “It could turn out, based on this survey, that there are far fewer concerns than we are led to believe. There could more or different concerns than we had anticipated."

It could also turn out they ignore common sense and let homophobia win the day! But can't something good come from this? Sure, if you're a ridiculous optimist.

Fewer people to fight off from the TV remote. RuPaul's Drag Race. The Real L Word. Project Runway. These are the shows gay soldiers want to watch, but far too often the common televisions are hijacked by sports-loving, WWE-watching goons. No more of that. But you can still watch White Collar together, that's cool.

Your shower supplies will go untouched. That $260 you just dropped on Perricone MD Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer goes to waste when an unknowing straight soldier grabs a whole glop to use as aftershave. A gays-only wash room would never permit such cosmetics fouls.

The background noise will improve. Turn up the volume on that Lady Gaga person. Stop shielding your iPod when Kylie comes on. And best of all, no Nickelback. Ever.

Your sex toys are safe. Gone are the days when pearl dildos and perineum ticklers are mistaken for neck massagers or a place to hang your hat. Still stow them away, but worry less about anyone rifling through your stash.

Most of those misunderstandings will disappear. Now when your bunk mate walks into the room, and you've got the lights off while "wrestling" with a buddy, you won't have to fumble for excuses to explain why you're holding an about-to-be-ripped-open condom wrapper. He'll just get it. And he'll ask to join. CAUSE WE'RE ALL WHORES, I've heard

Read more: http://www.queerty.com/

Disturbing New Report for Anti-LGBT Violence in 2009

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has issued their annual report on the number of reported violent crimes against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people in 2009. While the findings are disturbing enough, keep in mind that such statistics are notoriously under-reported, with many law enforcement agencies not collecting, reporting, or recognizing anti-LGBT animus in violent crimes or including crimes in which perceived (not actual) sexual orientation or gender identity are factors.

NCAVP's conclusions are still extremely worrying:

• Murders at second-highest rate in a decade
• Spike in anti-LGBTQ violence at time of federal hate crimes law passage
• Economic crisis depletes resources for LGBTQ survivors of violence

Even more telling are how the crimes disproportionally effect communities of color and transgender women or feminine-presenting people in the LGBT community.

Communities of Color and Transgender People Targeted for Hate

While the actual number of murders is 22 (the second-highest rate in a decade), the NCAVP makes sure to stress that they know that number is likely extremely low due to "the coalition's member reporting groups suffering funding cuts last year." But the way even those numbers break down show which part of the community is being hit the hardest and targeted with violence:

Of the 22 reported hate murder victims in 2009, 79% were people of color, and most were transgender women or were feminine-presenting. As evidenced in this report, members of traditionally marginalized communities continue to be disproportionately targeted for severe violence. "These facts are deeply disturbing as these are the same people who are more likely to face discrimination, criminalization or further violence when interacting with criminal legal and social service systems. What we see is that they are less likely to seek and access support from these institutions," said Maria Carolina Morales, Intervention Director of Community United Against Violence (CUAV) in San Francisco.

The most marginalized parts of an already marginalized group like the LGBT community are being targeted in horrific numbers. And the lack of access to to support and services that could help are only compounding the problem.

Backlash for Pro-Equality Legislation

Also disturbing is the seeming backlash from the Hate Crimes Act signed into law in 2009:

Notably, NCAVP saw the highest spike in reported incidents of violence in October 2009, coinciding with the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This statistic seems to reflect a correlation between increased visibility and increased vulnerability and targeting.

This isn't the first study to see a link between LGBT-related legislation (both pro and anti-equality) and increases in violence. For example, Florida saw an uptick in anti-LGBT violence after the nasty, anti-gay campaign to pass Amendment 2 in 2008 (the so-called "Marriage Protection Amendment" to the state constitution that banned same-sex marriage and any related relationship recognition), as did California after the Prop 8 battle. The increased visibility of the LGBT and allied communities in these fights, along with the increased animus stirred up by anti-equality forces in campaigns filled with wild claims against the LGBT community, often leads to explosive and deadly results.

Slashes in Services for Hate Crime Survivors

Also worrying is that support and services for hate crime survivors have been hit hard by the economic downturn:

Despite these disturbing trends, financial support and much needed services for hate violence survivors have only declined due to ongoing economic conditions.

During the past year, NCAVP member organizations lost crucial staff and programming in the wake of the fiscal crisis. In a survey of members participating in this report, 50% of respondents laid off staff (at an average decrease of 56% of all positions), 70% reported budget decreases, and others could not expand positions, staff hours or programming, despite a demonstrated need for such growth. We believe that this drastically limited the ability of LGBTQ people to report violence and access vital support and services in 2009," said Lisa Gilmore, Director of Education and Victim Advocacy at Center on Halsted in Chicago.

These deep slashes are leaving people with no place to turn or no assistance in the event they fall prey to hate crimes, especially the most targeted, marginalized groups like communities of color and the trans community. The ability to report crimes, help those affected, and educate about such acts have been severely compromised as funding dollars get cut and priorities shift to other places.

Stopping the Climb in Hate-Based Incidents

It is important to remember that many of the incidents reported to NCAVP, such as intimidation, harassment and other forms of discrimination (62%), may not fall in the category of criminal acts and aren't included in these already troubling numbers of reported hate crimes. This type of harassment, which too often can escalate into violent acts, is an everyday fact for many in the LGBT community, especially those that live in marginalized sub-groups of the queer community.

Too many, these acts aren't statistics or numbers, they are everyday life.

Some of the best tools we have to raise awareness of these crimes (and thus help shift funding priorities and discussions to an area of the fight for equality too often swept under the rug) is to report the incidents and to keep pointing out the increasingly desperate and violent rhetoric from those that oppose equal rights for LGBT people:

Ann Atkins, Program Director of SafeSpace at the R U 1 2? Community Center in Winooski, VT, states, "Hate violence can be challenged by everyone, on all levels, by working with and reporting even what seem to be the slightest acts to local anti-violence programs. This sort of reporting supports efforts to prevent the escalation of incidents as well as document the scope of anti- LGBTQ hate in our communities."

NCAVP's report strongly recommends that the federal and state governments and criminal legal systems support anti-violence programs by ceasing cutbacks, releasing allocated funding and increasing funding for prevention, education, and data collection. Most critically, NCAVP calls upon these institutions to end discriminatory practices that further promote anti-LGBTQ hate violence.

"Ending anti-LGBTQ hate violence will require nothing less than a profound cultural shift supported at all levels of society," said Crystal Middlestadt, Director of Education & Advocacy at the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. "Educators, lawmakers, service providers and the general public must support the work of anti- violence programs and LGBTQ people to transform a culture of hate into one that is inclusive, healthy and safe for all."

This report certainly shows what many have been saying for years- there are direct lines that can be traced between the efforts and rhetoric of anti-equality forces and bias-based crimes against the LGBT community. And the targets of this violence end up being the most unprotected, yet visible, groups- communities of color and trans or feminine-presenting people.

The need to stop the cycle of hate with education, outreach, funding, and honest discussion of the tactics and outcomes of those that oppose equal rights is clear. We may be making slow strides as the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice for LGBT people, but there are still many paying the price in the struggle whose stories are never heard and whose voices are silenced by violence.

 

Follow Waymon Hudson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WaymonHudson

What Would Happen If The Republicans Gain control Of Congress?

• Meet Congressman Paul Ryan. Ryan is the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee. If the Republicans once again take control of the House, he will be the Chair of the Budget Committee. Ryan believes -- and says out loud -- that Medicare, one of the most popular Federal programs in history, should be abolished and replaced with vouchers for private insurance. Let's recall that one of the ways Republicans stirred up opposition to health insurance reform was by falsely accusing Democrats of wanting to cut Medicare. They convinced some unwitting seniors that "Government" should keep its hands off Medicare -- which is, of course, a "Government" program. Democrats need to make it crystal clear in this campaign that Republicans -- who opposed Medicare from its inception -- actually want to abolish the program and hand over control of health care for America's seniors to the same private insurance companies responsible for driving up rates three times faster than wages while their profits have exploded.

• Congressman John Boehner, the House Minority Leader, has endorsed another Ryan proposal to raise the retirement age of Social Security to 70 years old -- a proposal that might go over fine with a guy like Boehner who makes speeches for a living. But it won't be very popular at all with someone who has laid bricks, or run an earth mover, or waited tables for forty-five years.

• The whole Republican crew wants to resurrect the failed Bush proposal to "privatize" Social Security. The defeat of Bush's privatization plan was the turning point in the Bush Presidency. It was all downhill from there. Yet -- whether it's to pad the investment accounts of their friends on Wall Street or because they are "private markets uber alles true believers" -- the Republicans want to try it again. Only this time retirees won't have to work very hard to imagine what it would have been like if their Social Security checks had plummeted in value the way their 401K's did when the market collapsed just two years ago.

• The Republicans want to weaken and repeal the new law to rein in the recklessness of the big Wall Street banks. Most Republicans and Democrats voted to bail out the big banks to prevent a 1930's style market collapse. The difference is that Democrats supported legislation to rein in their recklessness -- that had cost 8 million Americans their jobs -- and assure that a bailout was never allowed to happen again. But with very few exceptions, the Republicans voted to a person against holding Wall Street accountable. Given a chance, they plan to team up with their pals on Wall Street to free them to return to their reckless ways at will. In fact, they told the titans of Wall Street as much in fundraising meetings, where those "masters of the Universe" were asked to ante up. Republicans claim to oppose more Wall Street bailouts, but they refuse to support legislation that would prevent one in the future and hold Wall Street accountable. That -- coupled with those big contributions from Wall Street -- is a position that is very difficult for average voters to swallow. In fact, the polling says it's down right toxic.

• Republicans have consistently voted against extending unemployment benefits to workers who have been laid off because of Bush-era policies and the recklessness of Wall Street. Remember, people who get unemployment benefits -- by definition -- are looking for jobs that the economy doesn't provide. In addition, many Republicans actually believe that the best way to spur employment is to lower the minimum wage.

• Finally, meet Congressman Joe Barton. If the Republicans win back control of Congress, he would once again most likely serve as the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee -- the Committee that oversees the oil industry. Congressman Barton has never met an oil company he doesn't like. In fact, he's the guy who actually apologized to BP when they were forced by the Obama Administration to take economic responsibility for the disastrous Gulf oil spill. As a political matter, that's like apologizing to Jack the Ripper.

These are politically radioactive positions that do, in fact, define the core of Republican policy if they were once again to control the gavel in either House of Congress.

We hear a lot about how Democrats have to "localize" the elections to have a chance of victory in November. And it is true that people vote for people in elections -- and the quality of Democratic candidates will give them a major edge in many races. So while it is a good idea to "personalize" the races for Congress, the last thing Democrats should do is to "localize" them, because the party that nationalizes a midterm -- and dominates the national dialogue -- almost always comes out ahead.

Instead, Democrats need to take the offensive and dominate the national conversation by talking about what the Republicans actually believe and what they would do if they win in November. Voters must be offered a stark choice between Democratic and Republican policies in the fall. If they are, "Conventional Wisdom" that keeps predicting a Democratic disaster will be proven wrong, the same way it was when it predicted that America would never elect a tall, skinny African American guy named Barack Obama.

Robert Creamer is a long-time political organizer and strategist, and author of the recent book: Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win, available on Amazon.com.

Major Issue in Florida GOP Governor Primary: Who Hates the Gay More?

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Major Issue in Florida GOP Governor Primary: Who Hates the Gay More? (Updated)

posted by: Scott P. 

Scott P

I HATE THE GAY MORE THAN HE DOES is apparently the new message of millionaire Rick Scott as he unleashes his latest attack on Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum in the run up to the Republican Primary for Governor in Florida.

For those not following the race in Florida (I live here so I am paying close attention), Bill McCollum was the presumed Republican nominee for the upcoming Florida Governor's race, (much like Governor Charlie Christ was the presumed Republican nominee for the upcoming U.S. Senate race before Tea Party favorite Marcos Rubio edged him out of the primary and the party), but recent polls have shown that Rick Scott is taking the lead—not unexpected considering he's spent at $20 million of his own money running television attack ads against McCollum.

McCollum finally decided to strike back recently by attacking Scott's pro-life credentials in a mailer that says Scott, who made his millions as the CEO of Columbia HCA, "profited from abortion," thanks to the fact that the procedure was performed at some Columbia-run hospitals. 

Scott fired back by releasing his own attack tying McCollum to Rudy Giuliani, a "pro-abortion" politician" and possibly even worse...a "pro-homosexual rights candidate."

I was already going to oppose McCollum based largely on his opposition to fair adoption laws in Florida—we are the only state the specifically bans members of the LGBT community from adopting.  I wrote about the case that will soon be at the Florida Supreme Court in a past blog posting:Everybody Run, That Homosexual Wants a Son, wherein I repudiated McCollum's support for the law. 

Additionally, I wrote another piece on George Rekers, the Gay Anti-Gay Activist Paid $120,000 for Anti-Gay Testimony by FL in the adoption case led by McCollum. So I find it fascinating...nay scary, that Scott is trying to one up him on fear and hatred of "the gay."

It's not that I am surprised, I really didn't expect anything less from a man who was forced to resign as CEO Columbia HCA due to the massive systematic fraud and felonies committed by the company while under his guidance up until 1997. The company pled guilty and paid a $1.7 billion fine—at that time the largest government fraud settlement in U.S. history.

Scott did not get charged, in fact, he left with a substantial golden parachute consisting of $10 million and $300 million in stocks. Whether he actively participated in the fraud or somehow managed to operate a large company where he was blissfully ignorant of the company’s practices makes him a far from perfect candidate for governor to me.

• To help you understand how big this was and how unlikely it is that Scott was unaware of the massive mega-fraud that Columbia HCA perpetrated on insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, and even TRICARE, the health plan that covers our veterans, here is a list of offenses:
• Intentional year-end record fraud alleging payments from the government less than actually received, leaving the government with the burden of overpaying them.
• Payment of kickbacks to providers to inflate claims billed to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE.
• Billing costs to the government which were not allowed.
• Inflating the cost of transferring patients from HCA facilities to other, non-HCA facilities.
• Inflating claims for indigent patients.
• Paying kickbacks for diabetes patients.
• Overbilling states for Medicaid patients
• Columbia billed Medicare, Medicaid and other federal programs for tests that were not necessary or ordered by physicians.
• The company attached false diagnosis codes to patient records to increase reimbursement to the hospitals.
• The company illegally claimed non-reimbursable marketing and advertising costs as community education.
• Columbia billed the government for home health care visits for patients who did not qualify to receive them.

The entire list and summary of the case is on the DOJ website.  And of course, let’s not forget the shareholders who lost massive amounts of money because of the fraud and abuse that happened on his watch.

According to the New York Times:

"Though Mr. Scott was not directly implicated in the fraud scandal — with whistle-blower suits filed against some hospitals before his acquisition of them — critics said his drive for profits had created incentive for fraud."

"The practices did pre-exist Rick Scott,' said Stephen Meagher, a lawyer who represented some of the ex-employees whose complaints prompted the initial investigation. "They were aggravated by the pressure he put on HCA employees."

As I said previously, this is too pervasive for Scott not to at least know about it, if not actually have a hand in the practices.

Scott was the CEO, so he bears more than a little responsibility and while he has admitted that he made a "mistake" nobody has yet been able to discern how much he knew, and when he knew it.  I'd prefer not to hear that phrase while he is in the Governor's mansion.

As if all that weren't enough, Scott chastised Crist for vetoing the state bill that would have REQUIRED a woman to get a medically unnecessary and extremely intrusive vaginal ultrasound accompanied by a lecture on abortion that could not be covered by private or government health insurance i.e. SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INDIGNITY.

Scott also supports Arizona's "Breathing While Brown Law" which he hopes to bring to Florida.  Considering how many Puerto Ricans (they are U.S. citizens--dontcha know) and Cubans (they get automatic immigration rights if one foot touches U.S. soil) populate the state, I am not sure how he will tell the good brown from the bad brown.  Looking at how much money Arizona has lost in tourism and how much Florida is likely to lose this summer due the oil spill in the gulf, I think it would be simply brilliant to give people another reason not to visit Florida (note my heavy sarcasm).

Adamfoxie Attends a Meeting on Hate violence in Staten Island, New York

Gay victims of Stapleton hate crime denounce brutal beating as supporters call for vigilance

Published: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 6:44 AM     Updated: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 6:47 AM 

byKiawana Rich SILive.com

Before we go below to read the report from The SI Advance,  I would like to relate a few facts about this meeting. The writer was there, both as a Gay man and a Casualty Of Hate Crime in New York City and in this case one of New York City Boros, Staten Island.  Staten Island has been a close knit community with many branches. Each branch not touching any other of the branch.  But in this case we have a tree canker that it's killing some parts of the tree.

Yesterday, Community Health Action send out invitation for a meeting in regards to the acts of  not just intolerance and hatred, but violence towards Gays and Immigrants in this community . Both class of people that have been targeted by hoodlums in this city. 

The meeting was well attended by the media and where the media goes the politicians follow. 

The police department had 3 community liason officers. No seniors or semi senior officials that could answer questions were there.  Some of the politicians, such as a local  Matthew Titone a Gay Assemblyman for the area was there to make a speech. This writer was insistent in asking Matthew Titone the following: 

 Why is it that this writer went to his office and ask for help in getting assistance or suggestions on how to get to see the 120th Police Pct. Commander., because of a non response from his Police force.  I was a victim of a Hate Crime and I needed assistance. The writer was promised by a senior member of his staff that they were going to get back to him in regards to this issue. 

I was very curious to find out why there was no email, call, letter or anything to give some support to this writer. after seveeral weeks. Titone had no answer except he was argumentative of how busy he was in  Albany (The Capital) with issues dealing withe budget.

As disappointed as I was in never hearing from Titone, it was more disappointed to hear his humor and non responsiveness.

As a matter of fairness, all he could have said was sorry.  I never heard it from his mouth. It was obvious that he saw this as a police business and he did not want to get involve in police business.  As far as I know we elect public officials to help us in all matters that affects the constituent as a citizen of the city.

The Office of Christine Quinn the Speaker of the Council. She sent Erik, a senior staff member for Gay Affairs.  Her office had been both helpful and supportive. As a matter of fact, it was the Speakers office that call me shortly after my violent incident, being that she keeps track of Hate Crimes in the City. How about that!!! for an example of what a public servant should be doing. I wish her office would put that on paper on things a Public servant should do and send it to Assemblyman Titone. 

During this meeting we heard from the latest victims, Luis and Richard Vieras. I was so impressed to see them there all black and blue with injuries, but affirming that they are who they are and there is no way to go but forward. 

The community was impressive with ideas on how to take a handle on  this walking time bomb, which is Hate crime.

The rest you will read below from the local paper. But I wanted to take you where my eyes where as a hate victim and hoping that you also put your self on any hate victim. Knowing that it could be you next time! 

adamfoxie

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Two gay men from Stapleton put the community and their assailants on notice last night: They are not afraid, and justice will be served.

Luis Vieira, 47, and his partner, Richard Vieira, 39, addressed a meeting organized by the Staten Island LGBT Center, Tompkinsville, in response to the brutal beating to which they were subjected last week by a large group of African Americans at the White Castle restaurant on Bay Street.

The NYPD is investigating the early-morning July 7 attack as a hate crime.

Staten Island Advance/Hilton FloresLuis and Richard Vieria, who were assaulted last week by a large group at the White Castle in Stapleton, at last night's meeting at the Staten Island LGBT Center.

In the presence of 70-plus supporters, the couple of 13 years' standing held hands and overcame some initial discomfort. Richard Vieira's eye was blacked and his arm was in a sling.

"There are a lot of questions that need to be answered" in respect of the assault, said Luis Vieira, who noted that he grew up in Alabama when pro-segregationist George Wallace was governor.

"[Do] you honestly think you can intimidate me or my partner to not put our face out there and let it be known what is going on in the community?" he asked rhetorically.

The outrage has lit a fire under the LGBT community. "The fact we can still have hate crimes based on race, gender, ethnicity and sexuality -- it's disturbing," said Imani Rodriguez of Stapleton. "It is disturbing that my children are growing up in these times that I still have to watch my back and the back of my lesbian lover."

Some speakers discussed their experiences as victims of bias crimes. Several complained that the response by police and the district attorney is frequently inadequate.

Diane Arneth, executive director of the Community Health Action of Staten Island, which runs the center, outlined a plan for creating groups to reach out in such key areas as education and law enforcement. Ms. Arneth, who admitted the plan was ambitious, said the efforts would include creating a Google page to stay connected, staging a vigil and attending the upcoming National Night Out Against Crime.

She added that the owners of the bookstore Bent Pages on Van Duzer Street would open their doors Saturday to continue the conversation.

Among those attending or speaking last night were: State Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) and representatives of City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore, Rep. Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn), the NYPD, Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the city Anti-Violence Project.