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April 2004
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Bush would write prejudice into constition
As you no doubt have heard, the top issue of the day is the shrubs effort to write anti-gay predjudice into the constitution.
Fortunately even if congress passes it, it will still need to be ratified by something like two thirds of the states. This is generally believed to be unlikely,
and will take years. Shrub knows that, so this is simply a move to guarantee votes from his radical buddies.
In any case, bigotry in the constitution flys in the face of the founding fathers intent, as you may see in the
declaration below.
e hold these truths
to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights
, that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness.
--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
The Declaration of Independence
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Help the ACLU protect your freedom on these important issues.
PATRIOT Act -- visit www.aclu.org/patriot. A new Flash feature on this topic is available at:
http://www.aclu.org/Multimedia/Multimedia.cfm?ID=15285&c=270
Federal Marriage Amendment -- visit www.aclu.org/marriageamendment for more information and take action at
http://www.aclu.org/LesbianGayRights/LesbianGayRights.cfm?ID=9977&c=101
Flag Desecration Amendment -- visit www.aclu.org/flag for more information and take action at
http://www.aclu.org/FreeSpeech/FreeSpeech.cfm?ID=9969&c=50
SAFE Act -- find out more and take action at
http://www.aclu.org/NationalSecurity/NationalSecurity.cfm?ID=13907&c=24
CAPPS II -- find out more at
http://www.aclu.org/Privacy/Privacy.cfm?ID=13453&c=130 and take action at http://www.aclu.org/Privacy/Privacy.cfm?ID=12108&c=39
Racial profiling -- find out more and take action at
http://www.aclu.org/RacialEquality/RacialEquality.cfm?ID=9967&c=133
"Indeceny" on the airwaves -- find out more and take action at
http://www.aclu.org/FreeSpeech/FreeSpeech.cfm?ID=15280&c=83
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"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
President Theodore Roosevelt
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands: one nation,under many gods or none, hopefully indivisible,
with liberty and justice for most.
Seti@home
Found in our mailbox
hi! I`m 21
and I`ve just discovered that I`m sexually and psychologically attracted to women.
It all started some month ago,I live with a friend (girl) who was at the same college.
I`ve started to become attached to her and I found that could do anything for her.BUT she has her boyfriend whom I know .
I had a really difficult time.Ive never date a girl and I feel lost,alone,confuse.....
The thing is I`ve been dating men all my life and couldn`t be really satisfied with my relationships.
I need a guide I NEED advices.I don`t know how to deal with my situation.
How to explain the whole shite to my parents........
Its the first time that I e-mail some site I don`t even know.
It`s just that I don`t know what to do how to behave.
Who to date?And how to know who is lesbian and who isn`t?
I feel ashame,stupid.....
If you can answer me it will really be of great help.
PLEASE help me! I was seeing a psy but it`s not helping
Kasijana
How your parents react will depend on what kind of people they are, and you are a better judge of that
than anyone outside the family. It could be anything from one extreme to the other.
Who's lesbian/gay? That is another toughie.
The best way may be to simply ask them, although some would lie, and others might attack you. It's all a risky judgement call. I would
suggest that you find a gay/lesbian discussion board, like
Matthews Place Forum
, and
get a variety of opinions. People like to give advice, even when they are wrong, so talk to a lot of people.
I'm writing to share my experience with suicide.
I didn't exactly attempt it, but thought about it alot. I'm 19 now and it would have been just over a year ago when I was seriously thinking about it.
I'm bisexual but not open to it. A few friends know, but family don't.
I'm Australian and have 2 older brothers.
I remember one night I came home, drunk, depressed. Can't remember why, but I was just upset. I had a piece of paper and just wrote. I wrote that I didnt' feel loved, I was gay, ugly, unwanted and hopeless.
I drank alot and had no job, my friends gave me shit all the time and I lost 2 friends in car accidents. I basically broke down.
I started to drink everynight, got into heaps of trouble with the police and was basically just an asshole to everyone.
I took alot of anger out on my family and didn't discuss my problems with anyone.. there wasnt anyone to talk to. I wanted to die. I couldnt stand the pain in my heart, it hurt so bad, worse than any physical pain.
That night was probably the worst, writing all my feelings on paper, drunk, tierd, depressed, angry, heartbroken. But I cried it out, went to sleep and let it pass.
As time went on, I woke up to my self. Realised that I liked dudes and I didn't give a shit. Although I'm still not OUT, I'm not exactly IN. I am who I am, its not like im gonna run around telling everyone im bisexual.
I stopped drinking and moved away for a couple of months. I gained employment whilst I was away and when I came back moved onto part time work. I am now a full time employment officer and loving it.
I go out every weekend and its great. I'm going out with other friends, friends that don't cuss me out and bug me. Life is GOOD.
The point to my story is that although life may seem shit, and believe me, it is at some times.. you're young, still have YEARS ahead.. although u might think things will only get worse - if you have a positive attitude they will only get better. If you think theres no positive attitude with-in you, work on it, day by day.
The only reason I didn't kill myself was because I knew the pain I would put my mother through. She has never asked me if I am gay and I hated that, because I am so sure she knows. But now I don't mind that she doesnt ask, time will come for her to question and for me to tell..
With the death of 2 friends packed onto all my other issues, I was depressed as ever. But I got through it, got better with each day, with each tear, with hope. Now I'm here, smiling.. good job, good life, good friends, good family... wat more could I want.. well.. a guy to fool around with would be cool haha.
If you wanna email me to chat, my email is
wazza_m@hotmail.com
Regards,
Warren
Thanks for sharing your story with us. No doubt it will hit close to home for many.
When i was 15
i new I had a fair idea about my sexualality but wasnt sure i was always called the poof and faggot and school and was often bullied and beaten. I started getting scared and lonley i was brought up if foster home and came from a broken back ground. I didnt have fashionable things and felt odd. At 16 I knew and went to a gay bar not far from where i lived. A few of the boys from my school saw me come out of the bar and I ran but they caught up with me. I got the worst beats of my life and new i couldnt lie about it to people. That night i went home calmly and confronted my foster parents who asked who? what? why ? and where ?. The sort of questions i really didnt care about or want to answer. I sat in my bedroom for a couple of hours crying with pain and with the embarrasement of my sexualality. Why am i gay ? how can I stop it?. I could find a answer and was getting me up tight full of high anxiety. The remainder of that evening I thought of ways to end my pain and suffering. i knew what i wanted to do and new i was going to do it, I WANTED TO DIE. I went to sleep quite calmly and woke up in the morning everyone unaware of what i was doing. I took the majority of the tablets out of the cabinet and nicked some vodka out of the drinks cabinet then filled a flask with it mixed with bleach as i heard this makes the lining of the stomach thinner. I got on the bus to school but got of early near the train bridge which linked on to a dual carriageway with another bridge. I had 3 ways to die and was up to me. I didnt want a quick death as wanted it to be slow and painful for me being queer, so i took the bleach and vodka out of my bag and sat it next to me where i sat inline with the train track. i took the tablets with water then swallowed the vodka and bleach. for about 20 minutes nothing happend and was dissapointed with the result, So i decided to walk to school i made it to registration when i suddenly felt ill and giddy. I colapsed, I later woke up in hospital was strange had tubes and machines all round me. I felt like crap, not sure if i was embarrased or ashamed. I spent a little while in hospital and then was reffered to a councillor. I learnt that there are people who can help wether its a one on one personal chat or a help group I learnt there are people who do care and dont want us to suffer and want to stop the homophobia which seems to have a great deal to do with gay suicides. I am now 22 and live with a good friend, I am now really happy with my sexualality and have a great boyfriend. So I want you to remember when ya read this life is worth living cause people are there to help and love you and if you commit suicide you have let homophobia win.
Bradley
Thanks for reminding that things CAN work out well
hello, (boy that sounds so cleche')
Well, how should I start this letter? I guess the proper ways would be to state my name, Matt, (whew, I feel better already) I'm 18, a senior in high school, and well, what I am mainley e-mailing you for is your site on healtyplace.com, the "Gay is OK."
Anyway, I read the page and thought "wow, maybe I better send him an e-mail, see if I get a reply." So here, I am, at 9:30 on Thanksgiving no less writing an e-mail to someone I never met. But hey, I'm open minded.
I'm beating around the bush, sorry. But I think the whole concept of that webpage is great actually, so what exactly am I trying to say? Well, I'm gay, and I have attempted suicide because of it. I noticed you were looking for things in the first person, and I would like to share my story, that is if you still are looking for any.
So if you are still interested in "my story" reply to this e-mail address and I'll start right away. And if there is anything in specific or have any questions just let me know.
Thank you for your time,
-Matt
Thanksgiving was the day I got sick, and ended up with two surgeries, which explains why I am late thanking you for your offer. Of course
we are always looking for letters from out readers, thanks.
dear Eric,
Hi. My name is (hidden) and I'm a 15 year old
girl and I'm bi sexual. for years I did not want to
admit it to myself or anyone else and now that I have
I'm scared and ashamed of it. My family is Catholic
and Republican and believe that gays, lesbians, and
bis are evil sinners, freaks, and don't really think
of them as fellow people. I've grown up listening to
that and being told that "homosexuals will go to hell
when they die." So I lied to myself about who I am.
But all though I tried to hide it I guess my siblings
saw that I wasn't "normal". They called named
like,"dyke bitch" "lesbian freak" and said back to
them with fear and anger," I am not. I'm straight I
only like guys." But i don't know. One day I woke up
and I couldn't lie to myself anymore.
Now that I'm not in denial my already low
self esteem is even lower. What my own faily would say
to me and what kids at school would say if they found
out is always in my mind. I guess I feel like if my
own parents would say I'm a perverted freak then it's
proably true. i feel so horrible inside because oof
that. ANd angry at myself too. tThe pain inside of
knowing that according to my parents I'm damning my
soul, sinning against God, perverting the world and
humanity, while I guess that's enough to make anyone
want to just lay down and die. Ive never actually
attempted sucide but I've planned it and almost went
through with it 2.
Please don't do that, things can work out if you just don't give up.
Featured Website
Promote your website here, FOA members get precedence
Michigan's leading organization serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied communities
Tri.org
http://www.pflag.org/support/family.html
With a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign since 1995, John Kerry is a powerful voice in the ongoing fight for civil rights for gay and lesbian Americans.
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FOA is companion to The Journal
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FOA is happy to publish reader submissions and letters, write to al_bronte@hotmail.com Subject FOA.
¶
Friends of Allen News is a monthly newsletter for gay teens and gay-friendly
others. A spin-off of The Journal, the emphasis is on gay rights and suicide, though anything of interest may appear.
The Journal,read it.
served!
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This Month's Music
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If auto play fails click this.
Faggot (2MB)
It's MY Life! our theme song
Click for music if not playing.
For music while you surf, open
Eric's Jukebox
True-Words.com also hosts
The Kildonan Times
, the newsletter from Ruth Macintyre-Williams. Ruth has published two medieval fantasies.
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http://www.freetranslation.com
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News Highlights
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Articles continued
on links provided
German state backs headscarf ban
Teacher Fereshta Ludin's case prompted states to legislate.
The southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg has become the first in the country to ban teachers from wearing Islamic headscarves.
The state assembly approved the law almost unanimously, but Muslim groups said it eroded religious freedom.
The law follows last year's ruling by Germany's highest court that states could ban headscarves if they were deemed to unduly influence pupils
BBC News
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Conservatives Join ACLU Opposing Constitutional Amendment
Saying that discrimination has no place in the Constitution, the American Civil Liberties Union strongly urged the House Judiciary Committee yesterday to reject the proposed federal marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
"The amendment smacks of election-year politics," said Christopher E. Anders, an ACLU Legislative Counsel. "The House should listen to the leaders from across the political spectrum who have urged Congress not to write discrimination into the Constitution."
Two conservatives testified against the amendment today before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, which held the first of five anticipated hearings on the proposed measure.
Gay Today
Vatican Joins Murderers and Oppressors Thwarting UN Policy
London, United Kingdom--The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Associaton (GALHA) condemned the Vatican on Monday for allying itself with "murderous, oppressive and undemocratic states" in order to block a United Nations motion which would have given protection from discrimination to gay people
The Vatican, along with several Islamic nations, including Egypt, Pakistan and Malaysia persuaded Brazil - which had proposed the motion - to withdraw it. This is the second year in succession that religious interests have intervened to thwart the change.
As many as one-third of the UN's 191 member states outlaw homosexual acts, and gays who live openly as homosexuals can face persecution and even death.
Gay Today
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Earth-like planet search to start
Are Earth-sized worlds waiting to be discovered?
Astronomers will next month begin using a network of telescopes scattered across the globe to search for planets like our Earth circling other stars.
BBC News
Teens win awards for their creative efforts in science
Two finalists in this year's Intel Science Talent Search focused on methods for pinpointing the locations of asteroids—predicting where and when collisions could occur and determining the distance from Earth to any nearby object. In both cases, the high school students came up with methods that provide useful answers much more quickly than can other computational techniques now in use.
Andrei Munteanu of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, D.C., developed a new method for computing the minimum distance between two bodies following elliptical orbits with a common focus.
Science News Online
Most distant object in solar system found
Scientists may have discovered the solar system's most distant object, more than 3 billion kilometers farther away from the sun than Pluto.
NASA is set to make an official announcement later Monday U.S. time.
The object -- about 10 billion kilometers from Earth -- has been given the provisional name of Sedna after the Inuit goddess of the sea.
CNN
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Gay youths fight for right to marry
On the surface, marriage is a fairly simple proposition. But for some, there's much more to it than meets the eye.
``I used to daydream about getting married and having a family with another boy,'' said Mark Snyder, 21.
``When marriage comes up and people talk about putting it off for a career - I have to do that because it is illegal,'' said Megan Dowdell, 19.
Snyder, Dowdell and other members of the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth (BAGLY) view gay marriage as not just a legal label on love, but as a step toward being recognized as equals in society.
``Marriage has 1,400 rights that come with it,'' said Snyder, a senior at Emerson College. ``There's about 1,000 rights that are missing with civil unions.
``Those rights are as big as hospital visitation rights and as small as forwarding mail.''
But Snyder's battle cry is not exclusive to the gay community.
``I believe everyone should have these 1,400 rights, not just married people,'' said the rural Pennsylvania native.
Boston Herald
Gay students call for end to abuse
Trevor Patterson had a lot going for him in Grade 9 at Sir Frederick Banting secondary school. He was on the student council, he was friends with the pretty girls, he had good grades and supportive parents. Now, 20-year-old Patterson wonders how and where his high school career took a turn.
The one thing that went wrong was harassment he suffered from students because he was gay.
Patterson's story is just one of many from this region, where gay students are at a higher risk of dropping out and being bullied.
A London study conducted in 2000 surveyed 62 gay, lesbian and bisexual youth and found 98 per cent suffered verbal harassment, 71 per cent experienced physical violence and 13 per cent had been victims of sexual violence. The study also found 66 per cent were beaten at school, 26 per cent had suicidal thoughts and three of the 62 had attempted suicide.
London Free Press
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150 'dead zones' counted in oceans
The number of oxygen-deprived "dead zones" in the world's oceans has been increasing since the 1970s and is now nearly 150, threatening fisheries as well as humans who depend on fish, the U.N. Environment Program announced Monday in unveiling its first-ever Global Environment Outlook Year Book.
These "dead zones" are caused by an excess of nitrogen from farm fertilizers, sewage and emissions from vehicles and factories. In what experts call a “nitrogen cascade,” the chemical flows untreated into oceans and triggers the proliferation of plankton, which in turn depletes oxygen in the water.
MSNBC
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