Gay In Augusta » politics

National Coming Out Day Service This Sunday

the editor — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:23:14 +0000

The Unitarian Universalist Church has long been an LGBT ally, but this Sunday a local church is leaving no doubt that there are indeed allies in the CSRA. On Sunday, October 11th (National Coming Out Day), the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta will focus their church service on the importance of this day.

“Come Out, Come Out Whoever You Are” The Reverend Margaret L. Beard

October 11th is “National Coming Out Day” which is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. Find out more about the history of this day, the national and local situation and why “fullness of being” and full equality are religious issues.

Service is at 11:00am

For directions and contact information, visit uuaugusta.org.

Reverend Speaks Out Against Warren on WRDW

the editor — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:29:43 +0000

I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw this interview with Reverend Joseph Lowery on WRDW News 12 in Augusta. Reverend Lowery will give the benediction at the inauguration next week, and sat down with him to discuss some of his history with the civil rights movement as well as the inauguration next week. When the interviewer brought up the Rick Warren issue, he had this to say:

“I think it’s disgusting some of the profane things he has said about gay people…equating homosexuality with pedophilia,” said Rev. Lowery. “I condemn that kind of demeaning of gay people. I think that all God’s children got shoes, and I think it’s beneath Brother Warren’s status as a Christian pastor to demean people with that kind of profane language.”

Very well said. I, for one, can’t wait to hear a little more from Reverend Lowery next Tuesday.

To watch the (short) interview, go to http://www.wrdw.com/politics/headlines/37739369.html

Obama’s Inauguration Gets a Little Gayer

the editor — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:30:34 +0000

via SmartBrief.com and music.gay.com

Despite asking Rick Warren to give the invocation at next Tuesday’s inauguration, Obama is making the day look a little brighter for the gay community. First, the invocation for the first inaugural event on Sunday will be given by out Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson. Obama has also named out appointee Nancy Sutley to a key environmental post and will include a lesbian couple in a pre-inaugural train trip. To top it off, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will perform at Sunday’s event at the Lincoln Memorial.

Oh wait…there’s one more… for the first time in American history, openly gay musicians and performers, from Lesbian and Gay Band Association, will march in an inauguration parade.

Sounds like it’s shaping up to be an pretty gay week.

What other events will be happening next week for the inauguration?

Please Vote November 4th

the editor — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:22:07 +0000

This is an historic election for so many reasons. Immediately terrifying to me, the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate supports a federal ban on same sex marriage and the next President may very well have the opportunity to appoint two or more justices to the Supreme Court. Think about who you want making those appointments.

Please remember to vote November 4th or vote early if you can.

Better Luck Next Time

the editor — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:13:52 +0000

from the Southern Voice

Keisha Waites fell short of her history-making aspirations when she lost her race for state House District 61 to Ralph Long III in the Aug. 5 primary runoff.

Waites, who would have been the first openly gay African-American woman elected to a state legislature in the country, garnered 986 votes to Long’s 1,357 votes. The seat was left open when Rep. Bob Holmes (D-Atlanta) announced his retirement earlier this year.

One day openly gay polital candidates will run in the CSRA. Hey – it can happen. It will happen.

Out, black lesbian candidate trying to make history in Augusta, Georgia

the editor — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:39:29 +0000

How long do you think we’ll have to wait to see that become a reality? Sorry if I got you excited for a second, but I think it’s absolutely amazing that Keisha Waites can make that a reality in our state – in our capital. Southern voice has a great article about this courageous candidate running for House District 61. I hope she will win the runoff tomorrow and run to take this seat in November.

The Cost of Hate Speech

the editor — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:28:23 +0000

The recent murder at a Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville was truly shocking to me. Truly shocking, but not surprising. After all, I do occasionally force myself to watch Bill O’ or another drone who spits out hateful, horrible untruths that I honestly think no none could take seriously. Unfortunately, some of their listeners not only believe what they say, but believe they should act on it. In a letter found in his car, the shooter described his hatred for gays and liberals and how he believed all liberals should be killed for ruining the country. Where did he get those insane ideas from? O’Reilly, Hannity, Coulter, Robertson, and Savage are on the short list.

In case you have any doubts, here’s the best exposé of right wing hate speech I’ve found to date.