Rock Bottom: Gay Men & Meth

The direness of this addiction can't be overstated.

Countless counselors list it as the most addictive substance they've seen.

The community at large has about Zero interest in helping drug addicts,
and even less with addressing the needs of gay addicts.

Increasingly, the double whammy of meth is not only the horrific effects
of the addiction and usage, but that under the influence of the drug,
unsafe sex is occurring more frequently, adding to spread of disease.

We have to take care of ourselves and one another; no one else is going
to do it for us. Please share this video with anyone you know who has tried,
or is likely to try meth.

Meth Project (More information)

Treatment

*************************************************************

The End of the World as We Know It

The President's statement in support of gay marriage was an immense
decision. He had been on the fence about taking action, conceivably to
try and politically placate both sides of the argument. (Why certain people
are even involved in the matter and determined to create an argument
is another day's story.)

Roberts with the President for his interview

There were several contributing factors that came together to serve
as impetus for the declaration; Vice President Biden's strident and
supportive weekend comments in favor of allowing gay marriage,
an upcoming fundraiser in Hollywood where gay influence and
liberal intent is prime, ongoing pressure from all sides to make a
declarative statement on his position, and the just-passed anti-gay
marriage amendment in North Carolina (on Tuesday.)
 (A decision, by the way, with much further-reaching problems for
more than just gays and lesbians, and of course setting a precedent,
making it easier for other states to follow suit.)


Some will say he is pandering to his base, but it was the riskiest
of moves. I'm afraid I don't share my fellow Queers glowing delight
at this announcement. Proud as I am of the action, the timing may
be devastating for the greater good.

(Too little, too late?)

Homosexuality causes the most rancor and debate and division
over any other topic or civil rights issues today; it is still social
suicide, though opponents would paint a different picture of our
world, as one of liberalism run amok and Bible-lovers being
discriminated against and hard lined. Nothing could be further
from the truth.

There is a cancer of social conservatism and totalitarianism
threatening to overtake our country. Opposition to treating we
homosexuals fairly (and well) may be the foot they use to get in
the door more fully.

The Latino voter base, Black voters, older voters, and religious
voters are all predominantly vehemently anti-gay, and this 'topic'
is of the make-it-or-break-it variety.

Conflict of Interest

This is an issue of dark hatred for many. Churches still preach of
hellfire and brimstone and utter contempt for homosexuals, labeling
it as everything from demon possession to fallen men and women
to being unclean. This pathological intensity to interpret the world
through a supposedly moral lens of unflinching certainty and 'moral
superiority'  is a troubling one. These are the people, of course, who
engage in--and excuse--all manner of 'sin' and 'immorality' of their
own, but still see fit to try and condemn and regulate others as their
personal business.

They want the world to be stuck in the superstitious and frightened
lack of progressive thinking they have been subjected to.



The swing looks good on paper...but paired with a black liberal,
will pro-gay rights be the death knell for Obama?

Being anti-gay and openly, ardently opposed to gay marriage is what won Bushie Jr. his 2004 're' election. Forget the war, forget
the fuck-ups, forget the economy, forget everything; being anti-gay
was the polarizing force that pulled all his noncommittal and non-
plussed pseudo-supporters to the polls in throngs, ready for '4 more
years.' 

"Can't let them gays marry; it'd be the end of the world."


Yes, it is just that clear-cut and insane for these people.

So, too, will all doubting Thomases in the Republican--and Romney
and conservative and evangelicals--camp now be consolidated behind
Little Mitt. He's now their 'Savior-appointed' godsend to turn back
the tide of the liberal and immoral Democrats...as they see it. These
folks really believe in all this righteousness and warfare baloney.

(Silly me; I thought marriage was about love.
Don't see much love in the opposition's anti-gay stances.)

The big issue will be seeing if all the progressive young liberals who
are registered as Independent or who were thinking of voting for
Ron Paul or whatever other Indy candidate may run on the ticket
can shift their consciousness in the next few months.

They intend to idealistically use their votes to promote the unlikeliest
underdog of candidates to send a message and open the door for
future support of these reforms. But that isn't what it'll do.


I agree with taking a stand. I also agree that Obama is in many ways
'just another politician' and a part of a broken system.


He's also the far better alternative to a religious fanatic/conservative
Republican stooge who hasn't stayed the course on anything in all
his years in public office; a billionaire who has made a living destroying
businesses and eliminating jobs and living a blue-blood high life completely
disconnected from reality. A corporate thug. Romney would be a
disaster for this country, and a vote for an independent candidate will
only take away from a vote for defeating Romney; it'll be the Nader
disasters all over again.
 

Romney responded Wednesday to the president's comments by stating
that he believes personally that marriage is only between a man and a
woman. He was very casual, almost matter-of-fact, as if this is just a
meaningless thought and he isn't actually intending to impose the
obliterating of gay marriage with a vengeance.

Well, he didn't need to be condemning or vocal of the president; the
shit storm from nut bag evangelicals will be like nothing this country
has ever seen. From Fox News to talk radio to CBN and every church
in this nation, this is the new Hot Button.

Oh, and Mitt also added that his position "has never changed" (To which
he smartly added "In the campaign!" Meaning of course that Mitt did in
fact previously offer full support on the issue of gay marriage, since the
only thing he has ever done consistently is flip-flop on every major issue--
gun control, gay rights, abortion, health care, bailouts, etc.)

(Reaction to North Carolina's new amendment on Tuesday)

Can we get people to understand the severity and danger of a police
state in this country? Can we motivate people to stop being apathetic
about the Powers That Be? The ones who want to run things already
have the money, the power, the influence to get big numbers to the poll.
Because they aren't satisfied with the control they have--they want to
impose their will on everything. Minds. Schools, Actions, Rights.
Bedrooms. Words. Eradicating difference wherever they find it.

(Fox Nation's website image post-statement;
since reworded. Mm-hmm!)

Yes, there are six more months in the campaign. But many will never
hear another word on another argument after the president's proclamation
supporting equal rights. They will be fervently opposed for the duration.
Because clearly, if you're not familiar, Baby Jesus was known through-
out that Judeo-Christian Bible for telling his 'followers' to get riled up
about the personal doings of others, implementing laws for the masses
that reflect the opinion of the few, imposing religious beliefs on others,
advocating prejudice and judgement and discrimination, etc.


(These are also the same folks that go on and on about having 'less
government,' right? Hmmnnn.)
 
Somebody tell me again why people are more worked up about gay
sex and relationships than they are any other subject matter?

Lisa Lampanelli Vs. Westboro Crack Addicts

Poetry.

Beautiful, beautiful poetry.

Kisses, Lisa...Love ya.

**************************************

"Do's and Don'ts of Being a Gay Activist"

(Viktor Kerney, activist and author of
"Maybe It's Just Me")

This is a great article from a sister blog called "Maybe it's Just Me."

He does some great stuff, and he gave me permission to re-post
this especially well-done piece on "Do's and Don'ts of Being a Gay
Activist" that he recently wrote!

Enjoy!

****************************************************
This gay activist stuff is no joke. I had no idea what I was getting into;
but I can't complain, it's been an interesting experience. Free trips,
meeting great folks and getting great opportunities, it's truly been
rewarding.


But I thought I would share some nuggets of info for those who are
thinking about getting into the activist game.

DO know where you stand on the issues and stand firm.


DON'T just follow other activists blindly, they can and will be wrong
at times.


DO research all causes, laws and lawmakers.


DON'T accept anyone's word, without proof of truth.


DO realize that your views may not be popular.


DON'T kiss ass to be popular. Many activists try anything to get the
attention of the JoeMyGods out there. Just be yourself and stand firm
with your beliefs.


DO know the gay rights fight is long and tedious.


DON'T think our civil rights can be completed in a presidential term.


DO know the political game.


DON'T be naive about politics.


DO know how to be strategic.


DON'T go all in without plan B & C.


DO know who and what you're fighting.


DON'T fight everyone and every battle.


DO have an open mind.


DON'T suffer from tunnel vision and group think.


DO remember it's about our community.


DON'T make it all about you.


Okay, that's my 3 cents.


**********************************************************

"Maybe it's Just Me..."

Gay Blood: Not Wanted

So you've seen the ads calling for blood donors, telling
how having sufficient and diverse blood products on hand
can make the difference between life and death for folks
in an accident or facing surgery.


Well, not nearly enough people give blood in this country,
and we're always at low levels.


But the Blood Services organizations still discriminate
against gay donors. They still deny the opportunity to gay
and bisexual men to donate blood, even though the
testing process for HIV is highly sophisticated.

I asked the St. Pete-based Florida Blood Services why the
ban on gay donors exists if they have the technology to test
the blood for viability of use. The contact was unable (or
unwilling) to state clearly, but did say the testing is not
100% acurate.


So, I asked, if testing is inaccurate, then isn't the testing of
all the blood that is diseased sort of a moot point? That's
when she admitted that they are really dependent on the
questionaires and people's honesty. WHAT THE WHAT!?!


You're putting the lives of millions on the line with the magical
thinking that the American public is going to honestly answer
intimate questions about socially uncomfortable information?


In the hands of an inaccurate testing procedure?

Here's the rub; the people who are the potential problem--
the IV drug users, the down low men, the closeted Bible
thumpers, promiscuous bisexual men, etc; these folks are NOT
going to admit their private activities on a questionaire that
is attached to their name and idenity! Especially in small towns!


Especially when many times, families and coworkers go to
blood drives in groups! Come on!

So either the testing is reliable or it's not; if you're willing to
chance lives on all the folks who lied about their activities in
order to squeek by and cover up their secrets, then why not
'take a chance' on the HIV negative, the sexually celibate, the
safe-sex practicing civic minded folks who want to be a part
of their community?


The answer; There is no good reason.

What was imparted to me, though, was that it's politics and
P.R....that essentially the questions and the policy remains because
the public is still homophobic, and people feel safer about the blood
supply when the idea that there is a ban on gay men donating exists.


Wow.


So, why not employ a ban on black men, black women, and
Latin women donating blood? Hispanic and black women are the
highest increase communities in HIV infection. Sell that move to
the people. No? I didn't think so.


The problem here is simple; The antiquated notion, the mythology
that gay men are automatically at risk for HIV moreso than anyone
else, is being promoted here, and the rationale is that since the
discriminatory attitude already exists, why not pander to it?

Fear, lies, and prejudice are not valid basis for public policies.


Is the life of your spouse, parent, or child worth the continuation
of discriminatory practice?

(Originally printed at Georgia Unity)

*******************************************************

Rachel Maddow: "Pray Away the Gay?"

Worth a look; a recent wonderful expose by Rachel Maddow,
but it's only the tip of the ice berg when it comes to these groups.

If you have been involved in a religious background or an ex-gay
ministry of any kind, please check the link below to reach more on
Ex-Gay ministries and information on surviving them.

I know from personal experience how difficult and frightening it is
to face your own feelings when others have programmed you to hate
them and yourself.

(Personally, I find that still clinging to the same religion that poisoned
and abused so many is an act of self-hate, but if these websites can
serve a stepping stone for people to realize the irreparable damage
done by such organizations, that's at least less abuse being suffered.)

Patience, Robert.

More on Ex-Gays and LINKS to Support


*******************************************************

Surviving 'Ex-Gay' Groups

 There are some interesting interviews with former head and co-founder
of Exodus International, revealing many of the holes in the plans and
performance of such groups.

The actuality of the abuses and horrors of these programs can be found
in better detail on the following sites where denial and guilt doesn't water
down the truth. Thanks to all these good folks for getting the message out.

'Reparative therapy' (a.k.a. 'Pray Away the gay') is a complete and
horrific scam that causes endless pain.

**************************************************

Beyond Ex-Gay (Group for recovery of religious abuse)


Soul Force (Group for recovery from ex-gay groups)


Personal Story of an EX-ex-gay


Heart Strong (Support and Education for those struggling)


An Ex-Gay Survivor's Blog


Ex-Gay Watch (Keeps tabs on the movement)


Truth Wins Out (Exposing Myths)


**************************************************