Skating on Thin Ice

Last week two French Canadian broadcasters for the Winter Olympics criticized American figure skater Johnny Weir, saying his costumes and "body language" set a "bad example" for male skaters. See what they said below:

"This may not be politically correct, but do you think he lost points due to his costume and his body language?" "They'll think all the boys who skate will end up like him. It sets a bad example." "We should make him pass a gender test at this point.”

The announcers then compared Weir to female South African runner Caster Semenya, who was forced to take a gender test after there was speculation that she might be a man. One of them even suggested that Weir should be competing against women. In fact, all across the world, it seems Johnny Weir has been hit hard with a myriad of homophobic slurs and derogatory statements! Dallas radio personality for KRLD-FM, Gregg Henson referred to Weir as a "queen" not too long ago, also saying "It's your choice to live that lifestyle"! Australia's Channel Nine is also under fire for homophobic remarks made while broadcasting - even going as far as to say "They don't leave anything in the locker room with these blokes, do they?" and referring to some of his costumes as "a bit of Brokeback"!

As you can imagine, these comments have made their way around the internet and a lot of people are very offended and calling these people homophobic and sexist. A Quebec gay rights group promptly filed a complaint against the two French Canadian broadcasters, who later issued an apology.

Guess who is the one person keeping their cool in the midst of all this hate?

Johnny Weir.

Weir, who was interviewed in lieu of the commentators' jabs, was poised and positive as he held his head high and said, very plainly:

“I want that to be public because I don’t want more boys and girls to have have their whole lives questioned for no reason other than to make people watch a program. I hope more kids can grow up the same way I did, and can feel the freedom to be themselves and express themselves. There’s a whole generation of people who aren’t defined by their sex or their race, or who they sleep with. You know what your values are and what you believe in, and I think that’s the most important thing."

Check out the rest of the interview below:

Well played, Johnny.

And to the two broadcaster bigots, I have one thing to say; let’s see YOU guys do a triple axle followed by a triple lutz... and then maybe we’ll listen to your homophobic slurs.

-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page atwww.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Guess Where Lauren Ashley's Foot Is....

Looks like the gay-bashing beauty queen, Lauren Ashley, was at it again in this latest interview with NBC...

Honestly- there's not much to say with regard to this that I've not already said. But I just couldn't resist posting this clip so we could all appreciate Miss Ashley's staggering intellect and theological savvy.



-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Because What We Really Need is Another Beauty Queen Bigot....

Well, yet another beauty pageant contestant is under fire after speaking out against gay marriage... and let me tell you, the self-titled "Miss Beverly Hills" AKA Lauren Ashley, makes Carrie Prejean look...oh, I don't know...like LESS of a bigot...

Anyway, if you've not heard- the Miss California contender blasted equal rights marriage stating:

"In Leviticus it says if man lies with mankind as he would lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death and their blood shall be upon them. The Bible is pretty black and white."

Suffice it to say, people are outraged... particularly the very tolerant people of Beverly Hills! The city released this statement yesterday in response to the beauty queen's slam:

"The City of Beverly Hills today denounced statements made by Miss California USA contestant Lauren Ashley, the self-described Miss Beverly Hills. Ms. Ashley resides in Pasadena and is currently a contestant for the Miss California USA title. She does not represent Beverly Hills in any capacity," the city said in a news release issued Wednesday. "The City of Beverly Hills strongly condemns Ms. Ashley's recent statements and has contacted pageant officials to determine ways to formally prevent any beauty contestants claiming the title of Miss Beverly Hills in the future."

Let me just say as someone who spent a good portion of my childhood in the city of Beverly Hills and as a Los Angeles native, this is the LAST person on Earth I want representing the state of California. And I am not at all surprised that a city which houses the Museum of Tolerance is deeply upset by Ashley's horrific insinuation that gay people should be killed. I'd like to remind Miss Ashley that during WWII homosexuals were in fact put to death alongside 5 million Jews and whoever else Hitler thought was an "abomination".

Ashley went on to tell her friends at Fox News "If he (God) says that having sex with someone of your same gender is going to bring death upon you, that's a pretty stern warning, and he knows more than we do about life." I pose this question to the beauty queen, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LIFE?" More to the point- what do YOU know about living as a gay man or woman? What do YOU know about being subjected to hate crimes and verbal abuse? What do YOU know about feeling so isolated that you cannot even continue attending your church because you know you'll never be accepted?

Another question Ashley's disgusting comments brings to light is this: Is the Bible as "black and white" as she seems to think it is? Well, Dan Savage took to his blog to tackle this one!

Here is an excerpt :

The same God that allegedly scribbled out that stern warning for the gays—a God who wishes us only the best!—also condemned to death all young women who aren't virgins on their wedding nights. So a follow-up question for Miss Beverly Hills: Are you a virgin? If not, should you be put to death? And a former Miss California—Carrie Prejean—isn't a virgin. Should she be put to death? Would you like to cast the first stone?

Well done, Dan! Couldn't have said it better myself! Although I would like to know if Miss Ashley ever eats shrimp, minds polygamy, shakes a man's hand when on her period or is planning on stoning Tiger Woods anytime soon. (Look it up, Miss Ashley)

In closing this blog today, I'd like to make it perfectly plain that while I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, I also believe that opinions which ostracize a single group of people living within a community can make freedom of speech a dangerous right. Hate is a powerful thing and it should be censored before it spreads. I don't think I have to remind those of you reading this blog of the consequences when it does.

I'd also like to say that the only Miss Beverly Hills I will support is this one : http://www.freewebs.com/missbeverleyhills/



-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay mariage please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Elephants on Parade?

Last week Dick Cheney made it known that he was in support of the repeal on the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy and that he stands by President Obama's efforts to overturn this ridiculous law.

Here is an excerpt of what he had to say in his ABC interview:

I think the society has moved on. I think it’s partly a generational question. I say I’m reluctant to second-guess the military in this regard because they’re the ones who have got to make the judgment about how these policies affect the military capability of our, of our units. And that first requirement that you have to look at all the time is whether they’re still capable of achieving their mission and does the policy change i.e. putting gays in the force, affect their ability to perform their mission. When the chiefs come forward and say we think we can do it, then it strikes me that it’s time to reconsider the policy. And I think Admiral Mullen’s said that.

I have to say, I'm first in line to throw Cheney to the dogs for war crimes and various other crimes against humanity which he is responsible for during the Bush Administration, BUT... I'm truly encouraged by his support on this issue. Cheney, who has a lesbian daughter, had revealed, after he was out of the White House, that he supports same-sex marriage on the state level.

Could it be that we're a step closer to "meeting in the middle"??? Only time will tell, but I'm hoping this will inspire other right-wingers to think outside the closet.

Check out Cheney's response to DADT on ABC and tell us what you think!!!





-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -


"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

FOOW On Netflix!!

It's Official... Fish Out Of Water is available on Netflix!!

Add it to your queue today!!





"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Queer the Census!

"We're here, we're queer and WE WANT TO TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT!!"

Queer the Census is a movement to include sexual orientation as a question on the official U.S. Census surveys. It seems odd that we have to ask for this... I would think that the folks down at the U.S. Census Bureau would be concerned with gathering accurate information. Especially when the data that is collected greatly impacts some many issues relevant to ALL Americans, i.e. health care, the economy, etc.

Sign the petition here ad receive a free sticker to seal it with!

http://act.credoaction.com/sticker/queerthecensus/

Obviously, if you are LGBTQ, you have NO reason not to sign this petition and get that free sticker! But, I strongly encourage those of you who are straight to sign the petition as well because we ALL have the right to matter.


-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -


"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Be All You Can Be

Lt. Dan Choi, who was put before an Army National Guard committee in June and subsequently discharged for not adhering to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy when he announced that he was gay on national television has been reinstated!!

OR NOT...

Last night, many news outlets were reporting that Dan had been called back to active duty. Today, it has been announced that though he is not on "active duty", Dan, with the support of his command, was allowed to drill with his National Guard unit for training on critical infantry tasks with his soldiers.

For those of you who don't know the full story, Choi who majored in Arabic language at West Point, revealed his sexual orientation during an appearance March 19, 2009 on "The Rachel Maddow Show." Soon after, the army made plans to fire him, saying he had "negatively affected good order and discipline in the New York Army National Guard."

Dan fought this insane dismissal all summer long, even writing a letter to President Obama stating:

"My subordinates know I'm gay. They don't care, they are professional. As an infantry officer, I am not accustomed to begging. But I beg you today: Do not fire me"

With all the controversy surrounding DADT, it's great to see the military taking a step in the right direction. Who knows- maybe people are beginning to understand that it's not about who you sleep with, it's about your commitment to your country and yourself. It's right there in the slogan... BE ALL YOU CAN BE. Well, all we can be is who we are.

Choi was actually scheduled to appear at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change Conference over the weekend but was called back to his unit instead! While we would have loved to chat up the Arabic translator at the conference, we're all very glad to see him back at the job, doing what he does best!

Congrats Dan! We stand by you!

Respect and Blessings,

The FOOW Crew

Altering the System

It is being recommended that President Obama consider openly gay Daniel Alter for the position of federal judge!! Alter served six years as an assistant U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York and as the National Director for the Anti-Defamation League.

New York Senator, Chuck Schumer says:

Daniel Alter couldn't be a more perfect choice. He is a brilliant attorney who possesses the knowledge, balanced views and temperament required of a federal judge. His outstanding leadership skills, his commitment to justice, and his extensive experience make him an exceptional choice for a position on the federal bench. I'm proud to nominate Daniel Alter. Period. But I am equally proud to nominate him because he is a history-maker who will be the first openly gay male judge in American history.

Denis Dison, spokesperson for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund says of the decision to nominate Alter, "we're entering an era where qualified people are no longer excluded from leadership positions because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

This would be incredible for our country! Let's make some history, people!

-Vignette-Noelle Lammott, Fish out of Water Blog Commentator -

"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Change Is Good

So, this weekend the "Gay & Lesbian Creating Change Conference" is being held in Dallas, Texas! Two of our "tour producers" from the Great American Outing will be going to the conference, hunting for local organizers to help us plan our tour stops in their own cities!



YOUR CITY COULD BE NEXT!!!

For information on our tour, please check out : http://greatamericanouting.com/

And if you'd like more information on this amazing conference, check it out here!

Stay tuned for more FOOW news and pictures from the conference!!


"To find out more information about LGBTQ rights, gay marriage, religion and homosexuality, The Bible's stance on gay relationships or the politics around gay marragie please feel free to contact us or book a screening of FISH OUT OF WATER. Please note that a study guide can be downloaded from the "Book A Screening" page at www.fishoutofwaterfilm.com"

Ignorance is Chambliss

As most of you know, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is under scrutiny right now. Among the right wingers in opposition to allowing gays in the military are Senator John McCain and Ike Skelton (Missouri dem who chairs the House Armed Services Committee).

I was listening to the Stephanie Miller Show this morning and they made and excellent point when someone asked if the military was afraid disco balls would suddenly appear in the chow hall. I pose the same question? What do they really think is going to happen?! Well, I can tell you what Senator Saxby Chambliss thinks will happen... Chambliss expressed his concern at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday that repealing DADT would lead to "alcohol use, adultery, fraternization, and body art".

Hmmm...

Body art you say?

Well then...

Honestly, I really don't think Chambliss has any right to say who can and cannot join the military, after all, it was five college deferments and a bum knee that kept him out of Vietnam (while his 2002 opponent and incumbent, Max Cleland, left three limbs over there). Oh...and by the way, his bum knee didn't stop him from playing college ball. I can also tell you what California Republican Duncan Hunter thinks will happen. Hunter was on NPR Tuesday and spewed this onto the airwaves:

"I think that its bad for the cohesiveness and the unity of the military units, especially those that are in close combat, that are in close quarters in country right now. Its not the time to do it. I think its – the military is not civilian life. And I think the folks who have been in the military that have been in these very close situations with each other, there has to be a special bond there. And I think that bond is broken if you open up the military to transgenders, to hermaphrodites, to gays and lesbians."

It's despicable.

But, as they say in Sound of Music "When God (or in this case, small minded bigots) closes a door, somewhere he opens a window". Although there are a number of people wholeheartedly against DADT, we do have allies in Israel, France and Great Britain where gays in the military is the least of their worries and it is widely accepted. Also- Colin Powell has recanted his previous statements on gays not belonging in the military and is backing President Obama's bid to end this unconstitutional law.

I say, if people want to serve this country, let them serve. I for one am an American and would not risk my life - so, I am grateful for those who are willing to do so.

When Elephants Fly

I know this is somewhat old news, but I can't help but continually be just a little bit inspired by the fact that the McCain women are standing up for equality by joining the "NOH8" campaign!

As most of you know, NOH8 is a gay rights group opposed to Proposition 8, which was passed by California voters in 2008 banning same- sex marriage.

NOH8's website says of Cindy McCain's support "Although we had worked with Meghan McCain before and were aware of her own position, we'd never really thought the cause might be something her mother would get behind. We have a huge amount of respect for both of these women for being brave enough to make it known they support equal marriage rights for all

Americans."

I don't know about you, but it makes me wonder if our first lady, the lovely Ms. Obama, will be showing her support on the issue anytime soon?

Thoughts?

Vote here: http://www.pollpub.com/thoughts-on-republicans-joining-noh8.aspx