Everything's Bigger in Texas...

And apparently everything's also dumber... well, at least where their GOP Platform is concerned.

If you haven't already heard, the 2010 Texas Republican Party Platform has some totally unbelievable planks in store.

For example:

- Gay people shouldn't have custody of children.
- Issuing a marriage license or performing a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple should be punishable by jail time.
- 19th-century Texas statutes outlawing sex between men should be restored.
- Homosexuality "tears at the fabric of society".

Is this unbelievable or what?!

Please sign this petition by the Human Rights Campaign to convince the national Republican Party chair to reject these ridiculous and unconstitutional ideas!


-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"

The All American Family Revisited

Remember the Brady Brunch? Well, I was browsing CNN.com and came across this very interesting story of David Mayer and his partner Keith Kennard. David is a father of three and Keith has three sons of his own. Sound familiar?

"We really couldn't ask for a better opportunity to really raise our kids together ... you don't really hear that in our gay community, especially with black men."

In a time where gay rights are at the forefront of the media and public awareness, and gay adoption is an issue under fire in many states across the country, I think it very encouraging an informative to come across a story like this one. The article goes on to discuss the difficulties many gay couples face when beginning the journey through child adoption. As most of you know, adoption laws are different in every state. While Florida is the only state which openly bans gays and lesbians from adopting, other states like Mississippi and Utah will allow homosexuals to adopt if they are single, but will not allow a same-sex couple to adopt. Backwards? You're telling me! But, unfortunately this is the reality. About 20 % of same-sex couples in the U.S. are raising children and I have to wonder if perhaps that number would be higher if it weren't so difficult for same-sex couples to adopt. I also wonder if the laws were more lax, would there be so many instances of foster children ending up in unfit homes? Of course, I'm referencing back to a previous post of mine which can be read here.

Keith says of the challenges of parenthood:

"For David and I to actually have that little Brady Bunch thing going and for it to actually work is a wonderful thing. We just wish we could really see more of that."

Me too, Keith!

As a mother myself, I found this article very interesting in that it could have just as easily been a straight couple discussing the challenges of raising a family and running a busy household. I only have one and I am constantly in motion! The one difference? If I want to expand my family, whether biologically or through adoption, it's no big deal. But for a gay couple, who are just as in love as my husband and I are, it can be an awful lot of hoop jumping. And that is just simply unconstitutional.

Here's what you can do to make a step toward positive change and help millions of children in the process:

Sign this petition to help repeal the ban on gay adoption in Florida.


-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"

A Politician Keeping A Promise?

That's right! Well... in Sweden anyway.

Sweden's Minister of EU Affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson promised that she would challenge the conservatives in other parts of the continent and that she would continue her campaign for the rights of women and the civil rights for all members of her community. Recently, gay rights has been her focus and her first task was opening Baltic Pride in Lithuania after it had been under much scrutiny by conservatives and was nearly banned.

”I would like to urge all European politicians from left to right to get out of the closet. Do not hide behind the LGBT-activists and let them fight on their own"

This is the kind of blood we need pumping through our own government channels, if you ask me!

Read more about this incredible woman here!!


-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"

That's So Gay!

Just heard a great PSA this morning on the radio! It's a campaign that's been launched by ThinkB4YouSpeak and it's inspired!

The radio spot basically featured some high school students using the "popular phrase" we've all heard hundreds of times... "That's so gay". One teen then gives a history lesson of the word "gay". Brilliant. I checked out the website immediately and was pleased to see that this whole campaign is really geared toward teens/pre teens.

FYI, Almost 90% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students report being verbally harassed at school because of their sexual orientation.

From the AD Council's website:

"LGBT teens experience homophobic remarks and harassment throughout their school day, creating an atmosphere where they feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe. Homophobic remarks such as “that’s so gay” are the most commonly heard; these slurs are often unintentional and a common part of teens’ vernacular. Most do not recognize the consequences, but the casual use of this language often carries over into more overt harassment. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBT bias and behavior in America’s schools. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce and prevent the use of homophobic language in an effort to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens. The campaign also aims to reach adults, including school personnel and parents; their support of this message is crucial to the success of efforts to change behavior."

Here, here! It seems like every month I read a story about LGBT students being harassed at school. As a parent, I love seeing ads like this that raise the awareness of the youth because quite frankly, that's where it all starts... sometimes it's easier to introduce the mind to a way of thinking than it is to change one. Acceptance begins with education and this campaign is not only informative, but it handles the issue with dignity and a sensitivity that is so refreshing to see!

Be sure to check out the website!!! And if you are a teacher or counselor, you won't want to miss their section of the site specifically designed for educators! Absorb it!


-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"

Breaking the Silence - Ky Dickens Speech about believing out loud

This past weekend our director, Ky Dickens, was the keynote speaker at the Texas Annual Conference. This is a conference of Methodists clergy and laity that takes place in Houston Texas.

The speech hinged on the statistic that more than 70% of Methodists believe that gays and lesbians should be celebrated and included in all folds of the faith (from marriage to ordination) but only 7% have ever said so publicly. This means that clergy are not "believing out loud." Ky's hope, in Texas, was to motivate Methodists to take the next step and to vocalize their beliefs and values about LGBT worth and equality.

We're posting the final minutes of Ky's speech here. (The entire speech was over 20 minutes and we felt it was too long to post on our blog).

Our entire FOOW team in Chicago celebrates the brave attendees of the "Breaking the Silence" lunch in Houston and the honorable clergy who are sticking their necks out for the LGBTQ community.

Lovin' It?

So- McDonald's has released a new ad in France which portrays the chain as "gay friendly".
Take a look:



What do y'all think? I love the slogan at the end, "Come as you are" and I love that McDonald's, a major restaurant chain, is clearly showing solidarity with it's gay consumers. I also hope that this sort of message will make it's way to the States for broadcast. However, some people think the spot is a tad sombre.

We want to hear what YOU think! Love it or hate it, you cannot deny it's original.



-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"