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View Article  Pittsburgh's newest LGBTQ media

 

Pittsburgh has a new high-end glossy media resource, CUE Pittsburgh.  This is the third edition.  I didn't write sooner because I was mistakenly informed it has gone under, but surprisingly that is not the truth.  I say surprisingly because launching a new magazine in this economy seems risky, but what do I now?  It is nice to read something that is not filled with bar ads and porno reviews. 

One local gay owned business informed me that they had repeatedly tried to be listed in the OUT business guide to no avail, even after advertising.  So they are happily committed to all future issue of CUE Pittsburgh. 

If Pittsburgh can support another LGBT oriented media source, good for us.  The content is a little male centric, but I have to admit that I was asked to contribute some lesbian material and I declined so I cannot be too critical. 

I'm trying to find out where it is available.  A Pleasant Present of course. 

View Article  The AFA of PA responds to Iowa decision

Ah, Diane Gramley is a wee bit upset that our midWestern cousins have determined that equality means true equality.  At least in terms of state approved marriage.  She's plays her strongest card to push for a marriage amendment in PA --- Iowa overturning a DOMA law.  What she doesn't tell you is that, to my knowledge, no couples are contemplating suing the Commonwealth on DOMA, precisely because it would trigger a constitutional Amendment.  We aren't stupid.  Iowa doesn't allow for citizens initiated ballot initiatives.  Diane is not happy.

Iowa Supreme Court?s Decision Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Shows Need for PA Marriage Amendment
(Harrisburg) ? Today?s unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to throw out that state?s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) proves the warnings of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania  (AFA of PA) and others have been valid.  Those who hold that one man one woman marriage is the only true definition of marriage have been ridiculed when trying to push for the right of Pennsylvanians to vote on a Marriage Protect Amendment (MPA). 

?One of the reasons thrown at us during the two attempts to get a ballot initiative before the people has been that ?we have a Defense of Marriage Act.?  As we said during those times and reiterate today ? a DOMA is not enough,? Diane Gramley, president of the statewide organization, said in response to the news out of Iowa. 

Increasingly traditional marriage is under attack in surrounding states . . . New Jersey homosexuals are seeking to expand the civil union law to legalized same-sex marriage; New York recognizes same-sex marriages from other states and countries.  Additionally, homosexual activist groups have their eye on all of New England in their 2012 Project. 

Iowa?s Supreme Court?s decision is yet further evidence of judicial tyranny.  These justices are not just interpreting law, but rewriting that state?s marriage laws.

?Pennsylvania legislators can no longer hide behind the ?but we have a Defense of Marriage Act? line because that law is no longer safe.  Iowa?s Supreme Court?s activism can be replicated in Pennsylvania ? all it will take is one PA Supreme Court decision to place us in the same situation as Iowa.  Today?s Iowa decision shows our concerns are valid.  Pennsylvanians need to be given the opportunity to vote on marriage,? further commented Gramley.

Especially now, the true colors of legislators will be revealed if they do not support a Marriage Protection Amendment.  It will reveal that they simply do not have the best interest of Pennsylvania and her children in mind.  Through all this great social experiment of so-called same-sex marriage, it will be the children who suffer the most.

In Gramley's world, "gay marriage" is why the Boy Scouts lost their publicly funded building in Philadelphia.  She's also sure that men "who think they are women" will lurk in restrooms and dressing rooms to traumatize innocent children.  My experience in most restrooms and dressing rooms is that children are much more fascinated by things to play with -- hanger battles, repeatedly starting the automatic hand dryers and other such mischief of unruly children whose good Christian parents don't supervise find to amuse themselves. 

I also continue to marvel how Gramley can speak for Jesus, but rarely asks anyone to pray.  Isn't that their most powerful weapon? 

View Article  Another Fine Letter to the Editor

Kathi Boyle, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, wrote in to the Post-Gazette to underscore the importance of a comprehensive, realistic approach to sex ed.

I agree completely with Stacie Murphy's March 29 Forum piece, "Quit Clowning Around," regarding sex education for teens. Abstinence is a wonderful goal, but the reality of how most young people experience the world is very different. If we send our young citizens out into the dating world without knowledge, we risk tremendous costs to their future, to the futures of all those who must care for them if they come home with a sexually transmitted disease and/or a pregnancy, and to the health-care system that must try to cure/treat them.

The one thing that always irks me about the right-wing abstinence talks is how girls save themselves for their future husbands "for marriage," not to save themselves for themselves.  They should grow up knowing that their bodies belong to them, not to be bartered in as an offering to the man who will value them for being pure.  It is just a ridiculous standard and completely dehumanizing to girls.  Save yourselves from STDs, pregnancy and the emotional trauma of becoming sexually active before you are mature enough to do so, but do it for youself -- not some faceless suitor.  Or your Dad for Christ's sake.  Those Purity Balls are just creepy beyond belief.

Anyway, Kathi's letter is practical and reminds how relevant PATF remains in our community. Plus, she puts her money where her pen is.

Of you as a parent would like our agency to meet with you, and/or your teenager, to explain STDs and risk reduction we would be happy to do so. A teen's future can be determined by one mistake. Please make sure your teen is prepared for the grown-up world he or she will sometimes cross into.

Thanks for writing, Kathi.

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