Washington Post columnist Colbert I. King notes that some of the African Anglicans so vehemently opposed to blessing committed gay couples and ordaining openly gay bishops (and with whom anti-gay Episcopalians are now aligned) have defended polygamy in their own neck of the woods, arguing the need to show respect for African culture. Moreover, the Church of England mother church has an heir apparent to the pivotal role of "Defender of the Faith" who is an avowed adulterer (Prince Charles, of course). But gay couples and gay bishops are somehow beyond the pale.
The Empire Strikes Back.
Yes, the religious right is making its top priority passage of an anti-gay constitutional amendment to ban not only same-sex marriage but also same-sex civil unions, the Washington Post reports.The effort is led by "Christian family groups" such as James Dobson's Focus on the Family, which has more than 1,300 employees -- including 150 people who answer more than 15,000 calls and letters daily.
Coalition Politics (1).
New York Democratic State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx has filed a lawsuit to block funding for New York City's Harvey Milk High School for gay (lesbian, bisexual, transgender ") students, reports the New York Times. Diaz claims the school discriminates against heterosexuals and takes money away from black and Hispanic students at other public schools.
Coalition Politics (2).
The big Aug. 23 rally at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 1963 civil rights march on Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has adopted a platform that endorses the federal Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and a federal hate crimes law, but is silent on supporting same-sex marriage rights or opposing the proposed anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment. "This is a coalition march for jobs, peace and freedom," Atlanta gay activist Lynn Cothren told the Washington Blade. "This is not a gay march, although we've had involvement at every level."
But considering that past gay marches on Washington have devoted
seemingly unlimited space to endorsing all aspects of the civil
rights "social justice" agenda, including such un-gay related
issues as support for race-based preferential treatment and
opposition to welfare reform, might our national gay lobbies have
expected just a wee bit more from the civil rights establishment in
return?
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