"Traditional Marriage: One Man, Many Women, Some Girls, Some Slaves" by Jay Michaelson

"Traditional Marriage: One Man, Many Women, Some Girls, Some Slaves" By Jay Michaelson
What is Traditional Marriage? From the beginning of time, Traditional Marriage was not btwn one man and one woman. From the bible to Mormons, it seems it has changed. Jay makes some great points on this issue. He points out what most people never even think about. Take a read!

"30-Day Sentence for Dharun Ravi in Rutgers Spying Case Is Right" by Jay Michaelson

"30-Day Sentence for Dharun Ravi in Rutgers Spying Case Is Right"
May 21, 2012 3:13 PM EDT

Many gay-rights advocates will be outraged at the relatively light sentence Dharun Ravi got for spying on his gay roommate. But the law isn’t built to solve our social problems, writes Jay Michaelson.

Jay Michaelson author of 

God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality (Beacon, 2011). click on link to purchase his book on Amazon.com

Video:"From fear to fortune: Tel Aviv's attitude" CBS 60 Minutes

• "People seem to get along. Religious and secular, soldiers and civilians, straights and gays"
• Tel Aviv, Israel was voted the best gay destination in the world.
• "It's very hard to raise a child here, they can die in the army, they can die in a suicide bombing.So the whole feeling of Israeli parents is that it's a big war to keep your kid alive 'til 21. So if at 22 you come, or any age, he comes and says, 'Okay, I'm gay,' you know, it's not that bad" 
• "Here it's not 'Don't ask, Don't tell.' It's 'Don't ask, Who cares?" 

"Ex-Rutgers student gets 30 days for bullying gay roommate"

Is this Justice? Is a gay human being any less than a heterosexual human being? 30 days in jail is hardly a punishment for death! 

By Ashley Hayes, CNN updated 12:57 PM EDT, Mon May 21, 2012
(CNN) -- A New Jersey judge on Monday sentenced Dharun Ravi to 30 days in jail for spying on and intimidating his gay Rutgers University roommate, Tyler Clementi, who then killed himself by jumping off New York's George Washington Bridge in September 2010.

Ravi will serve three years of probation and must complete community service aimed at assisting victims of bias crimes, according to Superior Judge Glenn Berman. He also must pay more than $11,000 in restitution.

Psychiatry Giant Sorry for Backing Gay ‘Cure’- (Dr. Robert Spitzer)

New York Times-Spitzer Published: May 18, 2012 

By BENEDICT CAREY

PRINCETON, N.J. — The simple fact was that he had done something wrong, and at the end of a long and revolutionary career it didn’t matter how often he’d been right, how powerful he once was, or what it would mean for his legacy.

"Study: Faces may reveal whether people are gay"

"Study: Faces may reveal whether people are gay"

According to a study published this week, people may be able to determine at a glance whether another person is gay.

"New York mural compares gay rights in Israel to its neighbors"

"New York mural compares gay rights in Israel to its neighbors"

A mural in New York’s West Village has provoked controversy by depicting gay rights in Israel and comparing it to the status of LGBT people in the countries that neighbour and surround it.

COVER STORY: The unknown adventures of Harvey Milk in Dallas

COVER STORY: The unknown adventures of Harvey Milk in Dallas

I would never have thought that Harvey lived in Dallas, Tx. I will never forget renting the documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" from Tape Lenders on cedar springs rd. I had been out for 5 years and really didn't know much of LGBT history.

After watching the documentary and being brought to tears multiple times, I decided to take a road trip to  San Francisco and see this place that was so very special to Harvey.

I saw where his camera shop/campaign headquarters/gay youth center ect.... was. I saw the hallway and area where Harvey was shot and killed. I went into the chambers where the Board of Supervisors was in session and spoke. I shared why I was there and thanked them for all they have done to keep Harvey's legacy alive.

What touched me most was that he was a NY Jew that moved across the country to find out who he was and what his purpose was. I felt like I was in the same situation. Harvey seemed at peace with who he was, which allowed him to help change the world.

He saw a vision that was as great as MLK's, Ben Gurion, Ghandi and many other greats. To be able to see way beyond what could ever really be and feel that passion and vision to others. He mobilized people to get up and realize that they had a future that was worth fighting for.

God bless Harvey for all that he did for the LGBT community. Harvey didn't allow anyone to get him down and to stop the work that he felt was so very important.

I am now living in Washington, DC and I like it; but I have to say that I miss Dallas. Dallas has something very special about it. I feel that Dallas was my home and where my journey started. I miss all my friends and family and I wish you all the best! Thank you Dallas and God Bless Harvey Milk!

Rich Dweck

"Three Reasons Obama's Right on Gay Marriage" by Jay Michaelson

May 9, 2012, The Jewish Daily Forward

This is important for all religious minorities, including the Jewish one, because that same group of angry fundamentalists wants to Christianize America, support the radical settler-fringe in Israel against Israel’s own best interests (as reflected by the mainstream of Israeli public opinion), and erode the separation of church and state.President Obama’s announcement on same-sex marriage is good for the Jews. Why? Here are three reasons. 

Will Obama’s move rally liberal Jews or drive away what’s left of his Orthodox supporters?

http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/national/gambling_gay_marriage

"Shame on You, Orthodox Union" by Queen B

"Shame on You, Orthodox Union" by queen B

OU Disappointed by President Obama’s Endorsement of Same Sex Marriage | Orthodox Union

OU Disappointed by President Obama’s Endorsement of Same Sex Marriage | Orthodox Union
A. The bible says nothing about Same-Sex Marriage! 
B. No one asked your opinion on this issues, Gay Marriage will be legal in civil law. No one asked you to sanction or open your mouths. 
C. The president did not say that every church, shul and mosk should be mandated to perform Same-Sex Marriages!
D. Maybe you should worry more about getting rid of Get (divorce document), the Jewish divorce procedure. This procedure is sexist and unfair to Jewish Women. To allow this to still be going on is a SHONDA! "must be presented by a husband to his wife to effect their divorce". If a husband does not give the woman a Get, she is stuck and cannot marry anyone else. She is stuck in the marriage until he dies or gives her a this divorce document! Really???? 
The OU has the same effectiveness at the United Nations does on the world! Wake up..

Y-Love(Yitz Jordan),a Popular Hassidic Hip-hop Artist Wants the World To Know He is Gay!

"Y-Love is Ready for Love"      5.15.2012 OUT.COM BY JERRY PORTWOOD

The black Jewish hip-hop artist Yitz Jordan has struggled with his public image for years. Now he's ready to come out.

**1691-1967: Legality of Interracial Marriage in Virginia***

Timeline: 1691-1967 

1691: Virginians outlaw interracial marriage.


 1910:The Virginia General Assembly declares that anyone with one-sixteenth or more of "black blood" is black.


Jewish Groups Back Obama on Gay Marriage! 82% of Jews back Gay Marriage!

Jewish Groups Back Obama on Gay Marriage – The Jewish Daily Forward

Centuries Later, Spinoza (1656) Back in the Fold –

Centuries Later, Spinoza Back in the Fold – The Jewish Daily Forward

1790: Pres. George Washington's Letter of Religious Tolerance to The Jews of Rhode Island

Victory! – The Jewish Daily Forward

Former Director of an "Ex-gay" Conservative Christian Ministry says "it is impossible to change one's sexual orientation" (2012)

 "John Smid, Former 'Ex-Gay' Therapy Leader, Talks 'Love In Action' Documentary" 05/08/12
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/john-smid-love-in-action-documentary-ex-gay_n_1500518.html?ref=gay-voices#s=952864   Posted: 05/08/2012 2:10 pm- Huffington Post

The former director of the "ex-gay" conservative Christian ministry Love in Action spoke to CNN today ahead of a feature-length documentary film that exposes many of the practices involved in so-called "reparative" therapy.

John Smid -- who came forward last fall saying not only that he is gay, but that it is impossible to change one's sexual orientation -- spoke at length about his previous work on CNN this morning.

"We wanted to teach the wrongs of homosexuality -- why it was a sin, why it was wrong, how it could harm their lives -- not realizing that stuff was going on in their hearts that we wouldn't allow them to share," Smid recalled.

"Is Dan Savage the Gay Santorum?" by Jay Michaelson w/ my commentary

Below my commentary, is the article written by Jay Michaelson about Savage's controversial comments made at a high-school journalism convention.

         I think Jay has a point here. This can be misconstrued and turn off the people that we need as allies and also send the message that being gay has to mean anti-religious. Savage, could have said things a little nicer and less outspoken on his strong feelings against religion, but he didn't. I think Savage was being honest of how he felt. I think he also used this journalism convention as a place to be real and show that journalism is not always writing what is popular and pc.I listed a few questions that I think must be asked: 

1.Should Savage have been so brutally honest? 

2. Should he have censored his views?

3. Should he have stuck with the so-called script?

4. Did he do more harm than good?

5. Will this be his downfall?

         Maybe, he was venting the frustration that so many people have with religion today. It is also possible that speaking that strongly on this issue will wake some up to the war going on today. Many people are so apathetic and ignorant about what is going on. Maybe, he just decided to say something radical and off the beaten track in order to make people think!
By Rich Dweck 

"Audio: Baptist pastor tells flock to ‘crack the limp wrists’ of their effeminate sons"

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/05/02/audio-baptist-pastor-tells-flock-to-crack-the-limp-wrists-of-their-effeminate-sons/

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach vs Dan Savage, Misguided Blame!

Dear Rabbi Shmuley, 
I think it is very nice for you to think you are helping the Gay Jews by saying they should look at the prohibition of homosexuality as they see that of lighting a fire on the sabbath or eating shellfish. I get it, but I think you need to go back to the texts and find ways to work with the texts and how we can interpret the biblical prohibition in other ways. Yes the bible does use the same word toevah/abomination 104 times and you suggest that people should not single out the prohibition of homosexuality. I think you are using an easy way out, rather than to look at other ways of interpretation. Take a position that is challenging! 
When you speak against Dan Savage and state "Everywhere we look today we find fanatics. So often we blame religion for all the extremists. But there are plenty of secular fanatics as well. From Savage’s offensive attack against the Bible and religion in front of High School students, he appears to be one of them." I think you miss the point here. Religion has been used in many ways against homosexuals. The bible/religion has been used as a tool for hate. To blame people for having issues with religion is to not deal with the problem. It is no different than blaming a drug addiction on drugs. Look at the symptoms of the problem and deal with it. It is not Dan Savages opinion on open relationships, rather how religion has been used as a tool against way too many. It's time for the Jewish World to work hard to make up for the abuse done over the years.