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» Dan Savage Alarmed by Arkansas Anti-Adoption Measure
Portland sex columnist and gay daddy Dan Savage has an op-ed in the New York Times today drawing attention to Arkansas' Proposed Initiative Act No. 1, which passed last week and bans people who are "cohabitating outside a marriage" from adopting or serving as foster children. He writes, "The loss in California last week was heartbreaking. But what may be coming next is terrifying." [NYT] |
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» Be Prepared…
"After a constitutional amendment banning gay adoption passed easily in Arkansas on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the leader of Texas’ statewide LGBT equality group said he fears a similar proposal here in 2009." [Dallas Voice] |
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» Obviously…
"Rural and evangelical voters propelled Arkansas to adopt one of the nation's few bans against unmarried couples becoming foster or adoptive parents." [POQ] |
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» Prohibition.
More bad news for the gays: "Arkansas voters have approved a measure banning unmarried couples who are living together being adoptive or foster parents. The vote imposes a ban that the Legislature balked at authorizing. More than 56 percent of voters supported the ban, said by its proponents to be aimed primarily at keeping gays from becoming foster or adoptive parents. The measure's sponsor, the Arkansas Family Council, tried to paint its as a battle against a 'gay agenda.'" [POQ] |
» Good Drop…
"Arkansas is dropping a plan to prohibit unmarried or same-sex couples from taking on foster children. The state Department of Human Services said Thursday it will stop a plan to formalize a policy in place since 2005. The agency says it will instead propose allowing workers to place foster children on a case-by-case basis. The action comes ahead of a November initiative that would let voters decide whether to prohibit unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children." [AP] |
» Child Support.
"Three former chief justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court say they're opposing a ballot measure aimed at banning gay and lesbian couples from becoming adoptive or foster parents. Former Chief Justices W.H. 'Dub' Arnold, Jack Holt Jr. and Bradley D. Jesson were among 13 retired judges who issued a statement Monday opposing a proposed initiated act that would ban unmarried couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents. The judges said the proposal would limit their ability to choose the best home environment for children and said that child placement should be decided on a case-by-case basis." [Fox News] |
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Fail In Balancing Budget
After receiving an extension on their bid to ban gay adoption, the Family Council Action Committee announced this week that they've gathered 24,000 new signatures, putting them well over the 61,794 quota, which they missed by 4,000 last month. While that's good news for them, there's some trouble brewing in their bank account: the Committee raised $9,000 last month, bringing their total to almost $55,000. Too bad they've spent over $57,000. And these are the people who think they know about responsible parenting… |
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The Family Council Action Committee confirmed that it fell about 4,000 signatures short of the 61,794 needed to put a gay adoption ban on this November's ballot. Though they missed their deadline, they've been given a 30 day extension to meet their mark: Over the next month, the group's strategy is to redeem the signatures disqualified because of the notaries and gather an additional 10,000 signatures, [Family Council Executive Director Jerry] Cox said. The group will turn again to large churches to gather many of the remaining signatures, he said. What he meant to say, of course, is "deprive abandoned children of happy, healthy homes." |
» Gay Kiss Riot!
A crowd of cage fighting fans in Arkansas went ape shit when the two combatants began tearing off their clothes and kissing. It took cops forty-five minutes to clear the irate masses, who were throwing beer bottles as if their lives depended on it, not realizing that the stunt was likely for Sasha Baron Cohen's latest flick. Yet again Americans inadvertently make asses out of themselves. [Yahoo!] |
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That dough, they say, will go toward getting professionals to meet July's 92,000 signature deadline, which will guarantee the measure a place on November's ballot. The Committee remains optimistic, but they've definitely got their work cut out for them. Arkansas Families First, formed in reaction to the group, has gathered more contributions since February than the Committee has since last July. The latter counts about $22,000 for its exclusionary efforts, while Families First has $32,000 for their fight. |
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• Ryan White's mother talks more about talking to Mike Huckabee. • What's wrong with Tom Cruise? • The heat is on at La Mama! |
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Attorney General Gives Go Ahead On "Family Council" Plot
The Family Council now has until next July 7th to collect a measly 62,000 signatures: approximately two percent of the state's population. |
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Sends Anti-Gay Bill Back, But Will Most Likely Accept New Draft
I strongly suspect they will incorporate our changes and maybe a few of their own, resubmit it, and I'll ultimately certify it. But it did not meet the legal requirements to certify it right now. Fuck that, McDaniel. Just send it back, give gays their babies and end procreational segregation. Your conscience will thank you. |
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Begin Domestic Partner Registry
One of the most vocal opponents, Reverend Philip Wilson, claims the move will turn the 2,350-strong town into a "homosexual mecca". In an effort to stop the registry, Wilson handed over a petition signed by at least 160 people. City officials, however, tossed it aside. A man of conviction, Wilson tried again. And, again, officials dismissed his discriminatory move. Meanwhile, known homosexual Alvin Byrd and his lover Charlie Thomas welcomed the move. The boys, who have been together for nine years, plan on heading down to city hall this morning, plopping down the $35 fee and skipping into the future. Byrd remarked, "To me, it's just a wonderful day that we have our city government that's here recognizing us." While Arkansas doesn't recognize same-sex marriages, the domestic registry recognizes and validates same-sex couples. It also offers them limited rights, particularly with regard to companies that recognize domestic partnerships. Who knew Arkansas could be so cool? |
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• Outrage! outraged over Ghana's anti-gay laws. They best be careful, lest they have another Nigeria controversy. [UK Gay News] • Arkansas advanced a bill to ban gay adoptions. Fuckers. [Arkansas News] • Mr. Show on reparative therapy. [QueerSighted] • Where's The Simpsons Movie premiering? Springfield, of course. Which Springfield? That depends on which one's got the most Simpsons love. [Houston Chronicle] • Lesbians love Amy Winehouse and her drunken ways. But, really, who doesn't? [AfterEllen] • Matt Sanchez had a little chat with Michelangelo Signorile. Joe from Joe.My.God's totally got the audio. Best if taken with a grain of salt and a whole lotta disbelief. [Joe.My.God] • Gay veteran and Don't Ask activist, Eric Alva to General Peter Pace: "Judging gay men and women in the military for factors unrelated to their fitness to serve undermines our military's effectiveness." [Pink News UK] • HRC said something, too. [HRC] • General Peter Pace to world: "I admit I shouldn't have said anything, but I'm still not apologizing to a bunch of immoral butt fuckers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go fuck Ann Coulter up the ass." [HuffPo] • Finally, a friend sent us the video for a German toilet commercial. Let's just say it makes us reconsider how, where and when we do our next line of blow. See for yourself, after the jump… |