Birmingham Blues

My brother is a gay rights activist here in Alabama. He was one of the founders of Equality Alabama, the only statewide gay rights organization in our fair state. EA has accomplished some great things since its inception in 1999, and it’s done it all with volunteers. A while back, a friend of EA donated some office space in Montgomery, an old house that needed a good bit of rehab. Since then, EA members, students, and other volunteers have worked incredibly hard to spruce up the place, and my brother has been the crew boss (not to brag or anything).

The building is strategically located on Perry Street, just north of the Governor’s mansion and right next door to a family planning clinic. We joke that the protesters will have a two-for-one picket opportunity. It’s also close to the home of John Giles, the head of the “Christian” Coalition of Alabama. My brother had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Giles recently when she was handing out anti-abortion leaflets in front of the clinic.

Now, I have no idea whether or not Mrs. Giles knew with whom she was consorting. My brother is the most inoffensive person I know. He’s soft-spoken and polite, and those of us who have known him the longest still can’t believe that he has become the gay poster child for our state.

But it appears that the Christian Coalition has become aware of the terrible threat to the people that has insidiously sprung up in their midst. This email, featuring a picture of the new EA office, and pointing out its proximity to the “abortion clinic” next door, is clearly designed to rile up the faithful with fears of feather boas and Gloria Gaynor songs. Note that the “inflammatory gay” pictures have nothing to do with Montgomery. It also mentions that the Gay Pride Festival is “invading” Montgomery. Hang on for a minute while I lie down – I think I might have the vapors. Because we all know that there aren’t any gay people actually living in Montgomery. So read all about it. And be afraid, very afraid.

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Gays Gearing Up for 2006
Marriage Protection Amendment Vote

July 14, 2005
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Gay and Lesbian Groups Advance Montgomery Presence

Abortion Clinic and the 821 South Perry Street Equality Alabama Building

Gay Pride Festival Invades Montgomery

Saturday July 16th
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Montgomery AL
821 South Perry Street

The gay and lesbian interest is stepping up their Montgomery presence by moving next door to The Reproductive Health Services abortion clinic at 821 South Perry Street (just a few blocks from the Governors Mansion).

The Montgomery Gay and Lesbian Association, formed last fall, is hosting the festival along with the gay rights activist group Equality Alabama.

REUTERS/Christian Charisius

The Gay Pride Festival held by the Montgomery Gay & Lesbian Association will start at 10 a.m. and last til 4 p.m. Saturday July 16th. Location: Equality Alabama headquarters, 821 S. Perry St.

Events include Live music, speakers from Equality Alabama and Soulforce Alabama and a drag show (In a drag show individuals dress up as the opposite sex.)

REUTERS/Jorge Uzon

Goals of Equality of Alabama (Gay & Lesbian Activist Group in Alabama)

Equality Alabama was formed by a group of concerned citizens who agreed to merge the efforts of GALAA, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Alabama, EBaH, Equality Begins at Home of Central Alabama and various private citizens who became concerned with the anti-gay rhetoric from Alabama’s increasingly conservative politicians.

Our goal is to return civility to Alabama and tolerance and good will to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity - to provide true freedom to the oppressed.

We seek an end to state sponsored religion in the Judiciary (as was the intent of our founding fathers).

We seek the addition of the term “real or perceived sexual orientation” to the existing Alabama Hate Crimes Law.

We seek the passage of ENDA in Congress.

We seek an end to archaic sexual misconduct laws that are specifically written to target homosexuals.

We seek spousal rights (not necessarily gay marriage) whereby a domestic partner has legal inherence rights and hospital visitation rights.

We hold it to be self evident that these are not “special rights” but they are inalienable rights granted to all Americans by the United States Constitution to advance “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness and Free Expression.” (Taken From Equality Alabama website).

http://www.equalityalabama.org

Action:

Let’s be prepared for the June 2006 constitutional amendment vote that will preserve the sanctity of traditional marriage.

1. Become a CCA Church Liaison
2. Register every Christian To Vote
3. Educate Christians on current issues

If you have not already provided your information in the past, just visit our Volunteer Page to let us know you would like to help defend traditional marriage.
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The Christian Coalition of Alabama is a 501(c)(4) education and lobbying organization. We believe people of faith have a right and responsibility to be involved in the world around them. That involvement includes social, community and political action.

To be removed from this email distribution, email cca@ccbama.org with the word “Remove” and the email address in the Subject line.

http://www.ccbama.org

500 Adams Avenue, Suite 18 Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 832-4688

I am so angry and disgusted right now that I can barely keep from throwing up or crying. It seems that at least one so-called father thought he could beat the gay right out of his three-year-old son. Now that son is dead, and the “father” has been convicted of second-degree murder.

According to the Tampa Tribune, Ronnie Paris, Jr., “would box with the 3-year-old, slapping him in the head until he cried because he didn’t want his son to grow up to be ‘a sissy’, the boy’s mother testified on Monday.” The boy’s aunt said, “He was trying to teach him how to fight. He was concerned that the child might be gay.” And, unbelievably, a “Bible-study friend” of the father told the court, “He really did what other fathers do – slap box. He always said he didn’t want his son growing up to be pushed around.”

This precious baby, also named Ronnie, was placed in protective custody in 2002 after he ended up in the hospital several times for vomiting. An exam showed he was underweight and had a broken wrist and a broken ankle. According to his foster mother, he thrived when he was with her. He didn’t vomit, he ate well, and he didn’t break any more bones. She wanted to adopt him and make him a permanent part of her family.

But for some unfathomable reason, the Florida Department of Children and Families returned him to his “parents” on December 14, 2004. The father continued to abuse him. The mother says she didn’t speak up for fear someone would take away her baby. Six weeks later, he was dead.

This story is horrifying on so many levels. How did the system fail little Ronnie so completely? Why didn’t the state terminate parental rights and allow the foster mother to adopt him? And yes, I know all about “family reunification”, but exactly how many bites at the apple are we supposed to give child abusers? The Tampa Tribune also reports that prosecution witnesses “portrayed Ronnie Paris, Jr. as a man who wanted more of his wife’s attention, who complained about not having enough sex since the child was around and who openly questioned whether the boy was his.” Clearly, there were plenty of people who were aware of what was happening to the little boy. How could they possibly think it was okay? Why didn’t they run screaming back to DCF and demand action?

And how about the homophobia so deeply ingrained in our society that would lead a father to think he could or should beat his son into heterosexuality? Or the stupid stereotype that tough equals masculine?

The “ex-gay” movement has been on my mind lately. My adopted nephew and fellow blogger Zach at Unconventional Voices survived his family’s attempts to de-gay him several years ago. The case of another Zach, a 16-year-old who was forced into reparative therapy by his parents has precipitated an investigation of Love In Action that questions the organization’s credentials and its habit of encouraging involuntary counseling for minors. And Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out road show is coming to Birmingham in September to brainwash desperate people into believing that homosexuality is an ill that can be cured (more information soon on the progressive faith community’s plans to respond to this kinder, gentler gay-bashing).

I believe the death of little Ronnie Paris can be laid at the feet of James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Alan Keyes, D. James Kennedy, Rick Santorum, Paul Cameron, and all the rest of the preachers/phony therapists/politicians who malign the gay community to raise money and win votes. Shame on every single one of you!

Thanks to Pam’s House Blend and Paul the Spud (posting at Shakespeare’s Sister) for the heads-up on this horrific story.