Mehdi Kazemi's petition for asylum is being reconsidered by the UK, after a high court in the Netherlands denied him the same treatment. This is the second time the UK has considered his proposal; they have already denied him asylum once. What's all the fuss for? Mehdi Kazemi is from Iran and is a homosexual. Under Iranian law, if he returns to his country he will be executed. His lover has already been hanged for crimes of sodomy, and named names under interrogation (obviously, his).

Returning to Iran is not possible for Mehdi. He will be killed. There has been too much media attention for him to return and be 'discreet', as the UK's government suggests. Sending him back is equivocal to a death sentence.

Let's keep Mehdi in our thoughts and prayers.

One Step Closer to My Vote

I admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Senator Obama. Maybe it's just the ears, but something puts me off about the guy. Still, ever since Giuliani dropped out he's gotten a little bit closer to getting my vote (I'm sure he's waiting on edge). This is the newest development on his stance with the GLBT population and he gets a big thumbs up from me. Read it after the jump.

I’m running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It’s wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans. Equality is a moral imperative. That’s why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBTAmericans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation.

In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage.

Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system. The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.

We also need a president who’s willing to confront the stigma – too often tied to homophobia – that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones – and that’s what I’ve done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention.

I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign – from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached. Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBTAmericans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary. Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, What You Going to Do....

...what you going to do when the gay cops come for you?

This is the question that former television news anchor Alycia Lane faces. After downgrading her charge from felony to misdemeanor, a gay police officer organization has begun criticizing the judge and the court. The whole thing follows an alledged attack Lane made against an undercover cop (while uttering some choice homophobic remarks). You can read the article here, if you like.

My question is, what is this gay police officer organization and how do I sign up? I do love a man in uniform.

Fears in Fort Lauderdale

In Fort Lauderdale, police reported the beating of a gay man outside of an all-night diner last Saturday. The victim, Melbourne Brunner, was having a quick bite with his partner when a man verbally accosted the two. They tried to leave, but he followed them to the car and there phsyically assaulted Brunner. This only raises fears in Lauderdale, where barely a week ago 17-yr. old Simmie Williams, Jr. was killed in what is believed to be another hate crime.

The local gay organizations and activists are calling for increased police involvement and compassion in these crimes and is calling out the local mayor due to previous statements about the gay community. But here's my rub...these comments that Mayor Jim Naugle made (a YEAR ago, mind you) simply stated (according to this article) that he thought gays were promiscuous and unhappy. Well, I kind of have to agree with Mr. Naugle on the promiscuity note. As for unhappy, he has the right to his opinion. If that's all he said, I fail to see how that created a so-called atmosphere of gay hate. Also, remember that these coments were a year ago. I guess the perpetrators of these crimes needed twelve months to let the message sink in. I'm not trying attack the activists and concerned gay population, here. I guess I'm just saying: don't let the fear create more antagonism. Now is a time for the community to come together and stop these actions from continuing. Cooperate with the mayor instead of blaming him offhand, I suppose is what I'm trying to say.

And, of course, remember the young man whose life was lost, and the other whose life was forever changed. Mourn, and let their lives touch yours.

Sincerely,
Your Spy

I've Heard of Earth-Shattering Sex.....

...but this is ridiculous. This guy, Shas MK Shlomo Benizri, says that recent earthquakes in Israel are the fault of the gay population. Since laws prohibiting homosexual behavior have been a little lax, God is punishing Israel by sending earthquakes. I dunno, it's a little flattering that God pays so much attention to us, if you ask me.

Read the article here.

P.S. He's a handsome devil, too, isn't he?

R.I.P., Lawrence King

If you haven't heard or read about this yet, Lawrence King was a student in a California high school who was killed by a fellow classmate, reportedly because of his sexual orientation. Lawrence was open about his sexuality and, according to some classmates, walked into school with makeup and feminie jewelry. His family,
especially, is in my prayers, as are all of his friends and loved ones. With all the inevitable media coverage of this tragedy, I think it's easy to lose sight of the person who's life ended so abruptly. Just remember, as you read news articles about gay community's involvement or the response from the political sector, you remember Lawrence King and honor his life by observing his death. May you rest in peace, Lawrence.

With love,
Your Spy

Senegalese Nightmare

I read this article off the Google Gayfeed last night. In the West African country of Senegal, there have been riots over the publication of photos from a gay wedding in a magazine. In this strongly Islamic country, homosexuality is illegal. The published photos have spurned arrests, riots by anti-homosexuals, and the sudden attention of the entire world. The article is pretty cut and dry, no different from accounts of civil disobediance and strife in our own country. But my fingers were trembling as I scrolled down the page, and my heart was beating faster as my instincts jump-started the old fight-or-flight response. It scared me. I can't even remember the last time I got that scared over something as plain as a newspaper article.

I think the fear really hit in when a man was quoted as saying: "Homosexuals are not welcome in our country. They're not tolerated in Senegal." Around him, the protesters chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest). I can't explain, but as I read those words I could see this man in my mind's eye: a dark-skinned man, his face held in tension as he screamed at the police, and his eyes filled with such anger that the blood vessels had begun to stand out, giving him a red-eyed impression.

That night, I had a nightmare. See, I have some next-door neighbors in my apartment complex who are "Christian soldiers". This is a direct quote; this is what they call themselves. I once overheard them outside my front door, referring to themselves as such and talking about a brother who had strayed away. At the time, I thought it was funny, ironic even. But last night, I dreamed that one of them was knocking on my door, and when I answered he grabbed me by the shoulders roughly and called me a faggot, saying that I would not be tolerated in our apartment complex.

Just a dream, but it was strong enough to wake me up in the middle of the night with an aching feeling in my shoulders. I think this kind of fear, this fear that the majority will come one day in the night to take us away, sits at the emotional core of every minority member. Beneath all the derision of frat boy fashion, all the anger at George Bush's gay marriage ban, and all the suffering that those in the closet undergo is this very palpable fear, this realization of weakness. We see the vast majority of those against us and think to ourselves that any action is undeniably futile, that we will be overwhelmed.

I guess we just have to fight through it. Find someone to care for us, someone to take care of, and make the best of what life or God or, yes, even Allah has given us.
Accept the fear and try to rise above it. And hope that one day we'll wake up and the nightmare will be over.

Sincerely,
Your Spy

The Gays Are Coming! The Gays Are Coming!

So this is pretty funny, in a dark humorish sort of way. The American Family Association (AFA), a conservative group based in Mississippi, are calling on residents of the town of Eureka, Arkansas, to recognize the invasion of the queer population into their community.

That's right, folks, we're invading. Robert Knight, an anti-gay researcher, hit the nail on the head: "I can't help but think they get a special delight in taking over a place that has been known for its Christianity." You got us. Actually, we had invasion plans ready so as to take Rome by storm, but I guess the jig is up. Actually it's a little known fact, but San Francisco was once the epicenter for the California Christian Association of Conservative Christians. Never heard of them? That's because we invaded their asses...literally. Ouch.

Quick aside here: what exactly is "anti-gay", anyway? If he's an anti-gay researcher, that means he's studying the opposite of homosexuality. Which must mean he's studying...heterosexuality. So, he researches straight people. So why is he quoted in the article? What's a straightologist have to do with anything?

Full article here. Special thanks to the Dallas Voice for reporting.

Could It Be?

This is kind of cute. Apparently, Colin Farrell is going to be the best man at his gay brother's big, fat gay wedding. He helped pick out the ring and everything! He's even paying for the wedding or the bar tab or something. Take this news with a healthy tablespoon of salt, though...the source is the National Enquirer. Who knows, though, maybe they've hit this one on the head. And maybe Cow Boy really is in Wisconsin trying to get restaurants to boycott cheese. You never know.

R.I.P., Heath Ledger

Rest in peace, Heath Ledger. I think Heath's death can yet serve a great purpose by opening the door to debating the availability and misuse of prescription drugs in today's makret and homes. Our thoughts go to his family, of course, but let us also keep all those children, men, and women who have lost their lives from overdose in our hearts and prayers.

With deep respect for those who have passed,
Your Spy

Obama Makes the GLBT Community Happy....

“If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King’s vision of a beloved community. We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them."

-Barack Obama

So spoke the presidential candidate at a sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Is Senator Obama our community's best chance for greater equality on a national level? Survey says yes, since, right now, he seems like a safer bet than Hillary at getting the Democratic nod. However, this race is wild (and it hasn't even started yet!) so that could always change...stay tuned.

Update

So apparently the CDC reads my blog. They must have been the Big Number Twelve. Ha

Click http://http//www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2008/t080116.htm to read their official statement.

P.S. I love how they have initials for us. MSM. Men who've had sex with men. Obviously, they have to to cover everybody, but still, it's a little too close to S&M for my taste. Guess I'm just weird like that.

Here We Go Again...

You may have seen this picture or something similar recently. This, as I understand it, is a photo of the new staph strain that appears to be completely drug-resistant. Many articles have been appearing on the net, but so far I haven't seen that much coverage on the national news nor the political arena.

According to an article on npr.org, the drug resistant restrain has been noticeably apparent among gay and bisexual men, due to the high numbers of sexual partners and questionable sexual practices. It's cropped up in San Fransisco, Los Angeles, New York, even Boston. Sporadic cases were noticed six years ago, but now the number seems to be on a sharp incline. Across the country, a few men have died. Does any of this sound familiar?

It should. The problem is, it doesn't seem to be hitting home. I suggest reading And The Band Played On by Randy Shilts. This pattern seems to, terrifyingly, correlate directly tot the early days of the HIV/AIDS plauge that afflicted America most noticeably in the '80's. Then, as now, early cases were underreported and doctors' cries went unheeded. Unsafe sexual practices continued to rage on. Taking the fact that this new strain appears to be concentrated among the gay population, appears to be spread through sexual contact, and carries with it a risk of death, we are faced in the seemingly same predicament as we were some thirty odd years ago. My how soon we forget.

However, it should be noted that it's not the same. There are several factors that we have going for us. The first is that simple soap and water may prove to be the best way to inhibit the spread. The second is that we, as a community AND a country, have gone through something like this before. Wiser heads may prevail. Finally, we have something that the 1980's didn't have: the Internet. Already, the information is spreading in a wonderfully efficient way. We already know about the infection, and interested parties are probably already taking heed. Medical personnel can spread information more quickly, providing more efficient treatments. In short, we know that we can survive. Hopefully, though, we do more than just survive...we help those, gay, straight, bi or asexual for all I care, to relieve the pain and find a cure, or at least a treatment.

Please take some time to read this article, it's very informative: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18086925

Sincerely,
Your Spy