LaBarbera: Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan’s ‘Double Betrayal’ Clears Way for Radical ‘Civil Unions’ Bill

Madigan Has Blocked Marriage Protection for Three Years

News Release

Real Civil Rights Illinois
www.realcivilrights.org

March 23, 2007
Contact: Peter LaBarbera: 630-717-7631

NAPERVILLE, Illinois — Real Civil Rights Illinois Director Peter LaBarbera today called on Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to allow a floor vote on the constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as between a man and a woman –– after the Speaker allowed two radical homosexual “marriage” bills to be heard in committee.

House Bill 1826, a “civil unions” bill, passed out of the liberal Human Services Committee Wednesday and can now be voted on by the House. Meanwhile, the Marriage Protection Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA 1, sponsored by St. Rep. David Reis) has been stuck in the Rules Committee for three years despite wide support among Illinois voters.

Last year, 11,581 Illinois citizens turned in 345,199 signatures to the Board of Elections for an advisory ballot measure calling on the General Assembly to pass a Marriage Protection Amendment.

“Speaker Madigan has orchestrated a double betrayal of pro-marriage voters in Illinois,” LaBarbera said. “If he has any respect for the democratic process, he will use his power to lift his three-year hold on the constitutional marriage amendment and let the House vote on it — just as he cleared the way for a vote on radical ‘civil unions.’”

LaBarbera said the Civil Unions Bill is merely “same-sex-‘marriage’ by another name” and is “the most radical bill undermining marriage and family ever considered in this state.”

Real Civil Rights Illinois is a new statewide organization devoted to upholding genuine civil rights as opposed to the modern counterfeits based homosexuality, abortion and the supposed ‘right’ to view pornography in public libraries. RCR-IL operates under Americans For Real Civil Rights, the C-4 sister organization of Americans For Truth (http://www.americansfortruth.org/).

Citing Madigan’s double-standard of allowing first a “same-sex marriage” bill proposed by homosexual State Rep. Greg Harris, and then Harris’ substitute “civil unions” bill, to proceed to committee, LaBarbera said Speaker Madigan has “shown outrageous contempt for pro-family Illinois voters.”

“Is this the value system of the Illinois Democratic Party –– cynically blocking even a committee vote on marriage protection, then paving the way for the revolutionary redefinition of marriage?” LaBarbera asked. “Why does Speaker Madigan care more about Chicago’s tiny homosexual lobby than hundreds of thousands of Illinois voters who seek to protect marriage as 27 other states have?”

Posted in News

David Barton: America Has Long Regarded Homosexuality as Incompatible with Military Service

Note how historically, until recently, homosexuality has been about shameful and deviant acts, and the morality of those acts, as opposed to personhood. — Peter LaBarbera

Excerpted from Homosexuals in the Military, by David Barton, published 2003, by Wallbuilders:

In recent years, widespread discussions and hearings have been held concerning the issue of homosexuals serving in the United States military forces. This monograph will explore the issue via three questions:

1. Has homosexuality always been incompatible with military service?
2. Why should the military be concerned with a person’s morality?
3. Why should homosexuality concern us as a society?

Has Homosexuality Always Been Incompatible With Military Service?
While the issue of homosexuals in the military has only recently become a point of great public controversy, it is not a new issue; it derives its roots from the time of the military’s inception. George Washington, the nation’s first Commander-in-Chief, held a strong opinion on this subject and gave a clear statement of his views on it in his general orders for March 14, 1778:

At a General Court Martial whereof Colo. Tupper was President (10th March 1778), Lieutt. Enslin of Colo. Malcom’s Regiment [was] tried for attempting to commit sodomy, with John Monhort a soldier; Secondly, For Perjury in swearing to false accounts, [he was] found guilty of the charges exhibited against him, being breaches of 5th. Article 18th. Section of the Articles of War and [we] do sentence him to be dismiss’d [from] the service with infamy. His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence and with abhorrence and detestation of such infamous crimes orders Lieutt. Enslin to be drummed out of camp tomorrow morning by all the drummers and fifers in the Army never to return; The drummers and fifers [are] to attend on the Grand Parade at Guard mounting for that Purpose.

General Washington held a clear understanding of the rules for order and discipline, and as the original Commander-in-Chief, he was the first not only to forbid, but even to punish, homosexuals in the military.

An edict issued by the Continental Congress communicates the moral tone which lay at the base of Washington’s actions:

The Commanders of . . . the thirteen United Colonies are strictly required to show in themselves a good example of honor and virtue to their officers and men and to be very vigilant in inspecting the behavior of all such as are under them, and to discountenance and suppress all dissolute, immoral, and disorderly practices, and also such as are contrary to the rules of discipline and obedience, and to correct those who are guilty of the same.

Posted in Military, News

Queer Texas 2007 — Targeting Texas Youth

From the “Queer Texas” website:

The Queer Texas Conference is an action-oriented, 3 day-long educational gathering of youth and students from across Texas…The conference will be held at the University of Texas at Austin April 13-15.

Workshops include:

The Drag King Workshop — Curious about drag kings? Who isn’t? Come and learn a little about the drag king community, our performance, and our politics. Then we’ll demo the basics of binding, packing, applying facial hair, and strutting your stuff – and you’ll have a chance to try it yourself! All genders welcome.

The Gender, Race, and Hip-Hop Workshop will screen segments of Byron Hurt’s new documentary film Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes that explores the director’s love of hip-hop culture and his simultaneous conflict with its marketing of hyper-masculine images of men of color, violence, materialism, homophobia, and misogyny. Using an intersectional approach,the workshop highlights the complicated connections between race, class, and gender in media and the larger American culture. Interactive role playing and skits challenge workshop participants to explore their own racialized and gendered stereotypes, followed by an open dialogue about ways to challenge these structures through petitions, targeted letter writing campaigns, and public education.

Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Caucus — This workshop will be an exploration of participants’ experiences with the language they use to talk about their gender experience, the longings in their lives, and their search and successes in finding legitimacy. Language is a powerful force in our lives. Finding the language that accurately describes our gender experiences can be difficult. Longing is a natural part of life. Giving voice to those longings can be a compelling way to find the means to fulfill them. Legitimacy is something many of us strive for in our families, in our communities, and in the world-at-large.

Among the speakers:  Tyrone Hanley of the Nov 2006 “Creating Change” panel on sex workers…which is probably fitting since, sadly, many “transgender” young people are relegated to prostitution in order to survive.  Is this the life into which our schools ought to direct confused and vulnerable young people?

Posted in 04 - Gender Confusion (Transgender), Gender 'Fluidity' (Confusion), GLBT Youth Centers, Homosexual & Transgender Prostitution, News

“Into Hell With Pride in My Heart”

From the AFTAH mailbox, an exchange with an apparently homosexual reader that will enlighten you…

Received from a reader on Mar 20, 2007:

Heterosexuals Are Just as Twisted as Homos… Pair Sentenced for Sex in Front of Girl By Associated Press Mon Mar 19, 4:54 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A mother and her boyfriend were sentenced to three years probation on Monday for having intercourse in front of the woman’s 9-year-old daughter to teach the girl about sex. Chief Family Court Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr. sentenced Rebecca Arnold of Woonsocket, and her boyfriend, David Prata, to probation and a three-year suspended sentence after they pleaded no contest to a felony child neglect charge. The judge said he wanted to spare the young girl, now 11, from testifying, according to Michael Healey, a spokesman for Attorney General Patrick Lynch. During an investigation by the state child welfare authorities, Prata, 33, said he and Arnold, 36, had sex “all the time” in front of the child and that “we don’t believe in hiding anything.” He told an investigator that they did not force the girl to watch. The allegations surfaced in December 2004 after the girl went to live with her father in North Adams, Mass., after spending the summer with her mother in Woonsocket. A teacher called a child abuse hotline to report that the girl said her mother and her boyfriend had sex in front of her. Woonsocket police arrested the couple February 2005.

Peter LaBarbera’s reply:

Many twisted heteros, too….So what? The difference is ALL homosexual acts are perverse.

From the reader:

Yeah I agree ALL homosexual acts are perverse – that’s why it’s fun!

Peter LaBarbera’s reply:

Fun for a time, [John]. A judgment day comes for us all. Do you believe in God?

From the reader:

I do – but not the one you have faith in. When judgment day comes and I find out The God I believe in isn’t “The True God” and I’m punished for not repenting for my sins. I will walk into the mouth of Hell with pride in my heart knowing that I lived my life the way I know I was meant to live it and if that means eternal torment – then so be it.

Posted in 01 - Gay, A - What does the Bible say about homosexuality?, AFT Mail Bag, Homosexual Hate, Homosexual Quotes, News

Parents Run Second Ad Regarding Deerfield’s “Freshman Advisory” Class

A second full-page ad ran today:

D H S
WHAT’S GOING ON IN
FRESHMAN ADVISORY?
PART 2.

As more students and parents come forward with their experiences
relating to the gay students’ panel presentations, the poor judgment and
abuse of authority by school officials becomes even more astonishing.

• CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
Freshman students (14 year olds) were asked to sign a CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT promising not to share what has transpired in the classroom. Presumably, this would include parents. This is unenforceable, probably illegal, and certainly poor judgment. [A portion of the confidentiality agreement was inserted — you can read the entire document HERE.]

• HIDING MATERIALS

1. A parent, a teacher and NSSA have all requested to see the pool of instructional materials offered to Freshman Advisory teachers. The requests were DENIED and, in fact, the materials are hidden behind a password-protected portal. Can you imagine any other class where materials are hidden from parents?
2. F.O.I.A. — NSSA filed a Freedom of Information Act request for complete instructional materials which was DENIED. Illinois State School Code, 105 ILCS 5/28-19.1 says: “Any member of the public may inspect all text and instructional material used in the public schools.”

• VIDEO TAPE
When a parent of a Freshman requested to observe the gay panel presentations, she was DENIED. A video of the class was offered but now that the panels have concluded, suddenly, there is no video available. What are they hiding?

• PROFESSIONAL PANEL
DHS students requested another panel presentation, this time including medical professionals — instead of teenagers — who could speak to the complex health issues surrounding homosexuality. DENIED.

• DANGEROUS ASSUMPTIONS
Students have revealed that during the gay panel presentations, a link is made to normal teenage struggles and homosexuality. For instance, gay students shared that they struggled with a number of emotional disorders but the real problem and solution was found when they realized they were homosexual. The teachers evidently allowed this dangerous assumption so that the students in the class inevitably wondered if their normal teenage problems could mean that they are gay. Students were encouraged to explore this possibility without mention of the obvious health and emotional risks.

If these issues concern you, please contact:
District 113 School Board — (224) 765-1000

Helene Herbstman HEHCUBS@aol.com — Ken Fishbain ken_fishbain@ghr.org
Jeffrey Annenberg jeff@monteropartners.com — Harvey Cohen HCohen4940@aol.com
Joel Hurwitz hurwitz4@aol.com — Marjie Sandlow Msandlow@aol.com
Bonnie Shlensky DBLBadger@aol.com — Supt. George Fornero gfornero@dist113.org

NORTH SHORE STUDENT ADVOCACY
NSSAdvocacy@aol.com

Posted in Boards, Administrators, Teachers, Counselors, Books & Required Reading in Public Schools, Diversity & Tolerance Propaganda, Gay Straight Alliance, Gender 'Fluidity' (Confusion), News, Not with MY Tax money!

Struggling Alone

I am witnessing my friend’s unique path to holiness: a remarkable instance of grace working through a broken earthly vessel, making all things new, and leading to fullness of life. I think how blessed I am that I’ve been fortunate enough to witness it and find inspiration for my life in his struggles.

This piece is heart-rending yet beautifully hopeful. Please take the time to read it in full (it’s only posted in part here) — and then to pray for all the young men who are struggling to overcome and to please their Maker.

But don’t stop there: If you are a Christian man, please look around at church for the boys with no dads, for the boys with troubled homes, for the ones who just don’t fit in that well. Put your arm around the shoulder of a vulnerable young man and encourage him. Invite him over for Sunday lunch or to watch a ballgame; ask him to help you with a chore. You may be saving both his life and his soul. — Sonja Dalton

——————————

Excerpted from Struggling Alone, by Ryan T. Anderson, published Feb 2007 by First Things:

He came out to me in an email. I’ve known him for years, long enough that I can’t remember when we first met, and we were recently emailing back and forth about our lives, our futures-the kind of stuff separated friends discuss. Along the way he mentioned, in an aside, that he had some – lingering troubles he had to work his way through. My reply asked for an explanation-and that’s when he told me.

Over the past three years, “Chris” (let’s call him) has experienced a pronounced attraction to other males-for one old friend from high school in particular. A crush, maybe, or an infatuation. Whatever it was, he knew it wasn’t healthy. And though he had never acted on the attraction, he explained, it led to fantasies and lusts he didn’t want. So he made a resolution never to embrace them as essential to his identity or accept them as permanent or untreatable-a resolution he has kept practically alone, without the support of community, family, or friends. Over the course of many phone calls and emails, he shared with me his reflections on what he thought had created his problem of same-sex attractions. He described an “exceedingly close, best-friendly relationship” to his mother, often serving the role of her sole confidant, and a subsequent alienation from his father. Relationships with his friends, he thought, also contributed, as he suffered through “deeply hurtful rejection” by male peers, along with “oscillations between reverence for and fear of typically masculine” classmates. Once puberty hit, this took on sexual connotations, as Chris began experiencing “eroticized desire” for traits he found in other males that he himself lacked…

What he described seemed an accurate summary of the person I have known for years. So when he pointed to the likely causes and said he was seeking help in addressing them, I was supportive. “I would be untrue to myself if I simply accepted this condition right now,” he wrote. “I would be denying what I’ve come to believe — what I believe I know — to be the causes and potential cures of this condition in my case.” Some people say that change isn’t possible, but he thinks that with God all things are, and he at least wants to try to do his part.

Posted in 01 - Gay, A - What does the Bible say about homosexuality?, Catholic, News, Universities & Colleges

NFL Coach Tony Dungy Affirms Opposition to Homosexual “Marriage”

To express your appreciation to Indianapolis Colts Coach
Tony Dungy for his firm stand, click HERE.

From Dungy Affirms Opposition to Same-Sex ‘Marriage’, by Kevin Jackson, published Mar 21, 2007, by The Christian Post:

Tony Dungy, the Christian coach of this year’s Super Bowl champions, clearly laid out his position against same-sex “marriage” Tuesday night.

In front of a crowd of 700 at the Indiana Family Institute (IFI)’s banquet, the Indianapolis Colts coach agreed with IFI’s position of defining a marriage as being between a man and a woman.

“I appreciate the stance they’re taking,” he said, according to the Indianapolis Star, “and I embrace that stance.”

Before the awards dinner, several pro-homosexual and gay rights groups had criticized Dungy for attending the event. IFI, which has affiliations with Focus on the Family, has been a major voice in supporting a marriage amendment that is currently in the Indiana House, legally defining marriage as one man and one woman. The gay rights groups felt the professional football coach should stay away from all politics.

“We’re not anti-anything else,” explained Dungy, according to USA Today. “We’re not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we’re trying to promote the family – family values the Lord’s way.”

The coach went on to say that his comments should not be looked at as “gay bashing,” but that everything he said should be looked at from his foundation on faith.

Dungy attended the banquet held in Carmel, Ind., about 20 miles north of Indianapolis, to receive the group’s “Friend of the Family” award. Past recipients include Shirley Dobson, co-founder of Focus on the Family, and former federal independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

During his speech, the night’s honoree said he was not ashamed to be at the event.

“IFI is saying what the Lord says,” explained Dungy, according to USA Today. “You can take that and make your decision on which way you want to be. I’m on the Lord’s side.”

Posted in "Civil Unions" & "Gay Marriage", A - What does the Bible say about homosexuality?, Activists, Christian Persecution, News

Your Help Needed: Is Your Local Jr High or High School Allowing “Day of Silence”?

Please read — We need your help!

“Day of Silence” is an annual event promoted by Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and is scheduled for April 18 this year. (Some schools observe “Day of Silence” on a different date, a few days or a week before or after the official date.)

Last year over 4,000 schools and 500,000 students participated, allowing junior high and high school students who identify as homosexual, bisexual, or “transgender” (or as an “ally”) to remain silent through the day (including in class) as a protest against alleged injustices toward “GLBT” students.

Americans for Truth, Mission America, and other pro-family groups are working together to compile a list of schools that plan to allow “Day of Silence” (including the date of the planned observance).

TAKE ACTION — Please call your local junior high and high school and ask:

• Do you have a Gay-Straight Alliance?
• Will any students participate in GLSEN’s “Day of Silence”?
• If so, will it take place on April 18 or on another date?

Please contact us with what you learn — we’ll need the name of the school, city and state, and the answers to the three questions above.

Posted in Boards, Administrators, Teachers, Counselors, Bullying & Victimhood, Day of Silence, Diversity & Tolerance Propaganda, Gay Straight Alliance, News, Not with MY Tax money!