The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg will no longer participate in the U.S. bishops' anti-poverty program, which some conservative activists say has funded abortion-rights and gay-rights supporters.
Bishop Lawrence Brandt said he intends to create a Diocesan Poverty Relief Fund to receive the money that formerly went to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
The Greensburg diocese sent nearly $22,000 to the campaign last year.
Here's the past that troubles me.
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development was founded in 1969 to fund efforts to eradicate the causes of poverty. In 2009, it awarded more than $7.7 million to 250 community and church groups. It doesn't give money directly to the poor, but funds self-help groups in which poor people work to fix problems such as poor schools or slum housing. Some conservative groups have long complained that this strategy gives the campaign a liberal bias. But criticism reached new heights last year.
<snip>
But officials in the Greensburg diocese were troubled that the campaign gave no money to alleviate poverty directly and said that the new Diocesan Poverty Relief Fund would do just that.
How is it a liberal bias to empower people to tackle their own challenges? What about "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."?
Apparently, it is better if the folks giving the money get to call the shots on how to solve your problems. Hmmm. Why does that seem familiar?
Anyway, this is a sleight of hand game. Our very own Bishop Zubik is a big kahuna with the Campaign for Human Development and there are clear safeguards in place, including repaying the money if you are in violation of church teaching.
I think it is more wingnut venom from those who are threatened by the empowerment of poor people. I think they toss abortion and gay rights into the mix to terrify the ignorant and gain support for their overarching goal of maintaining control over diocesan resources. They can't find a way to slice the Catholic Church from its mission to serve the poor, so they bring out the big guns of those who don't deserve justice -- pregnant women and gay people.
I ran a faith based ministry project for about 14 months back in the nineties. The piece that REALLY worked was the piece that empowered people. Sure, I had men mowing the grass and painting in exchange for the cash assistance (I had to do that), but I started a program where women in our rural community were able to volunteer in the thrift store and receive credits toward purchasing clothing for their family. It was hugely successful. And it was the idea of a group of women who advised me on how to get the Center growing -- people who lived in the community and understood the local work ethic as well as the harsh impact of poverty. They lived it, they came up with the program and it sustained itself long after I left.
This about controlling the lives of the poor, not justice. If they have to revisit the tired old anti-gay, anti-woman rhetoric to maintain control, so be it. There is no way the powers that be in Greensburg wants poor people with power calling the shots.
Here's the link to the usual transphobic stupidity, although this headline is pretty awful.
First-graders should not be forced into the classrooms of teachers undergoing sex changes. Religious broadcasters and faith-based summer camps should not be forced to hire cross-dressers. Women should not be forced to share bathrooms with people with male body parts who say they want to be females. Yet those are some of the likely results if Congress passes H.R. 3017, the so-called Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which is due for a vote this week by the House Education and Labor Committee.
Do you see the theme ... transpeople are "weirdos" and ENDA is going to protect their dysfunctional identity, rather than simply protect our community's right to our jobs. When the media (such as this past week's episode of Accidentally on Purpose) are saturated with caricatures of the stereotypical crossdressing man (ugly man in dress) for the cheap laugh -- people laugh, but they also clutch their children a little closer because they continue to wallow in fear and misunderstanding.
Similar problems abound in this bill, which treats a conscious decision to choose a new or different sexual identity as if it were an inherent, unavoidable condition. But it's not. It's actually a psychological disorder, officially listed as such by the current American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Our children and our co-workers should not be forced by law to be held hostage to such disorders, nor should employers be forced to have psychologically troubled persons as the public face of their businesses.
Yes, Gender Identity Disorder is still classified in the DSM, including the soon to be published version 5. However, there are very good reasons for this based on meeting the psychological needs of individuals. A very good explanation can be found at the Transgender Workplace Diversity blog.
Those of us who have transgender friends, acquaintances, coworkers and neighbors recognize this as a distraction tactic to get the focus off the economic development aspect of the legislation by tapping into the "bathroom/dressing room" fears of those who do not know any better. This galvanizes them to advocacy and backs down the legislators wavering on a "jobs" bill. Sigh.
Are you disgusted/angered/disappointed? A few things you can do.
Call or email Jason Altmire's staff person TODAY. Politely ask him to support the legislation - inclusive ENDA. You can email at this link. Ideally, use your free cell phone long distance to call at 202-225-2565
Bloggers and media can contact Tess Mullen can be reached at 202-225-2565 and tess.mullen@mail.house.gov It would be appropriate to mention the Washington Times article to Tess and explain why we need positive support in the media from our elected officials.
Politely remind Congressman Altmire that workplace protections in Pittsburgh and Erie have not generated any of these situations. It is fear based ammunition not grounded in fact. His district is buffered by these protections so he knows this as do his constituents. This is not risky. This *is* essential for our community.
Remember, Jason has been an ally. He voted for ENDA in 2007. He voted for Hate Crimes Protections in 2009. He's attended LGBTQ events, even before running for office. Yes, there's health care which even more reason we should invite him back to the equal rights table.
Updated: Regarding the Washington Times, Editorial Page Editor Brett Decker, Tel: 202/636-4814; Fax: 202/715-0037, or submit a letter to the editor: yourletters@washingtontimes.com.
My name is Sarah and I am excited to announce that I am the newest Correspondent. I hope to provide a witty and insightful look into how I view the world. So, bear with me and feel free to comment at will
My brain is really tired so I'm giving this my best shot.
First, the follow up from the White House DADT protest yesterday. The protestors have been released and preliminary reports on how the transwomen and transmen were treated in the jail system are additional sadness related to this entire issue. Additional reasons for outrage. I encourage you to read Pam's House Blend for updates.
Pam has an interesting post up on the fallout of the Get Equal activists tactics on mainstream LGBT groups, mainly the Human Rights Campaign.
When the White House comes to the defense of HRC and Joe Solmonese in particular, it's pretty clear both parties feel under siege. In an article "HRC head gets praise, flak for Obama's gay-rights initiatives," by Lonnae O'Neal Parker, it's a surreal profile with great attention to detail to fawning, with a couple of dashes of criticism -- classic CYA journalism.
This debate is playing out throughout the LGBTiverse today. The end of my day was filled with dozens of tweets and scores of email messages as folks wrestle with the consequences of the White House protest and related action.
The reality is that the activists are back. Word has is that there will be no White House action on repealing DADT in 2010 in spite of all those promises. Imagine the shakeup in the queeroverse as the go-to-gays begin to lose control?
The second area for debate today has been ENDA. The House is working to pass inclusive legislation out of committee and for a full vote, but debate rages on over the unity of the LGBT community ... do we stand behind our WHOLE community and require an inclusive bill or descend into the madness of 2007 when a non-inclusive version passed. Uggg.
ENDA is about job discrimination. Keep that in mind. It isn't about bathrooms and the mental health of transpeople and the other litany of hateful distractions being lobbied our way.
ENDA is an economic development issue.
OK, I'm done for the evening. The only reason I'm looking forward to plowing through another 100 email messages is the sheer joy of knowing so many bright people are working on these issues each and every single day. They make it a pleasure to be an activist.
I don't like political surrogates. This came up at the Steel City Stonewall Democrats meeting tonight with regard to PrideFest. I suggested allowing only elected officials to speak which didn't go over very well. However, I can tell you from last year, the decision to allow people with no name recognition to speak on behalf of judicial candidates no one ever heard from was a decision to send people scurrying to the food booths.
I know everyone is earnest and I get the vagaries of the statewide race.
I just don't care. Seriously. Surrogates are not interesting. They may be necessary. But I don't have to like them.
Did you hear about the protest in DC where six members of our Armed Forces chained themselves to the White House gates to protest Don't Ask, Don't Tell?
Frankel applauds Obama's directive for equal hospital access
for same-sex partners, commends Pa. sponsors of non-discrimination bill
HARRISBURG, April 19 ? State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, applauded President Obama's recent directive to provide same-sex partners access to their loved ones in nearly all U.S. hospitals.
At Obama's direction, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will issue regulations binding on all hospitals that participate in Medicare or Medicaid. The new policy will give same-sex partners the same visitation rights that blood relatives enjoy.
Frankel said, "This is something for which I have long advocated at the state level and I commend President Obama for using his authority to provide this protection nationwide. One of the reasons I have long opposed tacking a discriminatory 'marriage amendment' onto the state or federal Constitution is that such an amendment could deny many Americans access to their loved ones at critical times in their lives.
"I am also pleased that the federal government appears to be moving forward on another way to guarantee equal treatment for LGBT Americans ? the U.S. House is expected to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the near future. I commend Senators Specter and Casey for co-sponsoring the Senate version, and Congressman Doyle and the other seven Pennsylvania members who are co-sponsoring it in the U.S. House. The federal legislation is similar to House Bill 300, which I have introduced in Harrisburg."
I saw this last week, but it is all over the place now and just thoroughly vulgar and disgusting.
The reputation of the Pittsburgh Steelers likely took another hit today with the news that Steely McBeam, the team's official mascot, has been accused of sexual assault in an incident late last night at a downtown Pittsburgh gay bar.
According to a police report, McBeam was performing in a Village People revue at Steel Rodds Bar. During a brief intermission, he followed another performer into a small bathroom where they were planning to change -- McBeam into the Indian costume, his accuser into the construction worker -- and allegedly forced himself on the man.
"The accuser describes the assailant as 6-foot-4 with a large, cotton-poly blend, stuffed penis," said Pittsburgh police chief David Palambo at a press conference this morning. "He claims McBeam held him down with a Styrofoam, faux-steel bar and assaulted him."
I realize it is intended to be a joke, but it isn't funny. It might be funny if Steely were caught sending stupid text messages like Santonio or making a jackass out of himself like Jeff Reed, but rape? Really? And it has to be in a gay bar because it is FUNNY that the Steelers mascot is gay. Or likes gay sex. Or has a giant styrofoam penis. Funny.
The Post-Gazette reprinted a piece from the New York Times on what amounts to a gay college fair in Greenwich Village.
All this is good news for the young gay applicant. Of course, being gay does not lend an advantage, and the embrace is not universal inside admissions offices, and out. While much of the stigma of homosexuality may have eased over the years, harassment and even violence are still real concerns around campus -- Matthew Shepard, after all, was an undergraduate.
Students are looking for colleges where they will feel comfortable and safe, Mr. Windmeyer says. Also, he says, "straight students who have gay family members want to find a campus that is welcoming," so, for example, two moms can show up for parents weekend without a ripple. "They don't want to pick a college that's not going to be accepting of people they love."
Very interesting read. While not everyone can get to Greenwich Village for a college fair, you can do some internet searching to determine which colleges thought it important enough to attend and follow up.
