From the KDKA.com website comes this brief story about a second round of hate laced graffiti in one month on the campus of Geneva College in Beaver Falls.  The first time, it was solely racial slurs, now its expanded to anti-gay and anti-Semitic remarks as well.

Geneva officials and students state they are trying to avoid responding in anger or hate, thus not giving the vandal the reaction he or she desires.  The signs have all been cleaned or replaced. 

Is keeping cool the best response in this situation?  Has the hater mongered intentionally tried to broaden his scope of hate to provoke a response?

This did get a bit of national LGBT attention. 

My partner and I went to see the play "I am my own Wife" last night. I know it didn't get a good review in the City Paper, but we both liked it. But, of course, this little post isn't about reviewing a play. According to the program that gave the history of the play, in the 1870's, the German government enacted so-called morality codes that outlawed anything different that wasn't "German" enough. Gays and lesbians of course were out and were made second class citizens. Although other European countries were moving toward tolerance, Germany was moving backward. There was a period of time from 1919-1933 where gay society flourished, but, alas, in 1933 that great moralist named Hitler made homosexuality illegal again and punishable by death in the concentration camps. Still, homosexuals survived. When the godless commies came into power after World War II, homosexuals were again criminalized as "anti-German." Still, despite the repressive regime homosexuality survived.

I see parallels in the great US of A. Yesiree, homos, trannies, bi's and all the other deviants are labled anti-American by folks such as the American Family Association and Concerned Women for America. Now they want to ban our ability to get married, a basic human right. They say we're a threat to America. And while Europe and most civilized countries are moving forward on gay rights, guess who's moving backward (or at least stagnant?) I couldn't help thinking last night as I watched the play that America could be on a very dangerous course for those of the homo persuasion. And it's really scary. And people like Darryl Metcalfe posit their anit-gay, hate rhetoric in reasonable tones. Will the people in this state swallow his crap? Is the illegalization of homos really far behind? Or am I just being hysterical?? Still, as history clearly shows, despite Mr. Metcalfe and the other homo haters, we will still surive. And they say this is a lifestyle? A choice? Can someone explain to me why given hate, death, intolerance and recriminaiton why anyone would chose to be gay?

Finally, the incident at my beloved alma mater, Penn State, shows, we have a long way to go. Rene Portland should have been fired. And PSU should be ashamed of itself for not doing so. Can anyone explain to me why Ms. Portland hates lesbians? This, to my knowledge, has never been fully explained.

Well, that's all for now folks.

I was wrong!  On Monday, I credited the USC decision to reinstate the International Baccalaureate Program as a sign of hope.  From the PG:

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Funding will come from a combination of $45,000 raised by families of the students and $85,000 guaranteed by Gov. Ed Rendell to the district, board members said.

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I just shake my head that the state is allocating $85,000 for Upper St. Clair.  Dormont might lose a pool.  My own community of Manchester has not a single organized youth activity.  And schools throughout this region are scraping by. 

I think the IB program is important and kudos to the parents (and the students) for not letting the wingers win.  It is just sad this victory underscores the truth that those who have access get a disproportionate share of resources.  Does that bode well for the lesbians and gays in Pennsylvania?

From the PA-GALA website, an update on the PA marriage protection amendment ...

The Anti-Marriage Amendment (HB 2381) is on the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Agenda for the week of Monday, April 24th!  A vote on the Amendment could be held anytime this week!

PA-GALA needs you to contact your State Representative and ask him or her to oppose the Anti-Marriage Amendment. Ask your legislators to protect all Pennsylvania families and not harm some by writing discrimination into Pennsylvania's constitution.

Visit the PA-GALA website for information on how to contact your State rep.

The Trib's Mike Seate steps up for his turn on the Rene Portland homobashing situation and considers Portland a viable candidate for Pennsylvania politics.

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[I]nstead of offering any apologies or explanations for her bigotry and paranoia, Portland held a news conference last week where she refused to answer any questions. In fact, she pretty much denied the whole ugly affair. Fined $10,000 by the school, the foul-line homophobe will get to keep her job, which is the kind of hall pass previously reserved for crooked politicians.

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Seate makes some nice comparisons to our illustrious hall of crminals, including Western PA's very own Jeff "Corruption" Habay. 

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If I were a betting man, I'd wager that Portland already knows this. She knows that a winning record makes beloved sports figures almost bullet-proof when it comes to criticism. It also means the rules, whatever they are, don't apply to the powerful and successful.

And by now, I'm sure Portland realizes that Penn State may never place the same importance on its students as it does its athletic programs.

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What a great commonwealth is Pennsylvania!