Senate rejects DADT, Murkowski votes NO, stand-alone bill likely *Update: Maddow on DADT*

The senate held an unexpected cloture vote today on the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal and the defense budget, and the vote fell mostly along party lines, with 57 yes votes and 40 no votes. Although a majority voted in favor, they needed 60 votes to stop McCain's filibuster.

Alaska's senators were split - Sen. Begich voted yes as promised, but Sen. Murkowski voted no despite yesterday's statement that she supports the repeal of DADT. (The official Senate vote is HERE.)

After the vote, Senators Leiberman and Collins announced that they will introduce a separate DADT bill before the lame duck session ends, and Senator Reid agreed to bring it forward. Speaker Pelosi confirmed that the House has the votes to pass a stand-alone DADT repeal if the Senate acts before the recess.

Call Sen. Murkowski and tell her (politely) what you think of her No vote on DADT today, and encourage her to vote Yes on the stand-alone DADT repeal: (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-666.

Rumors abound on other options for DADT, including attaching it to the 'tax cut for billionaires' bill to ensure GOP support.

LGBT bills usually wait until the 'news dump' days right before a holiday, but anything could happen in this partisan Congress. Stay tuned for updates.

President Obama's statement on today's defense budget/DADT vote:

I am extremely disappointed that yet another filibuster has prevented the Senate from moving forward with the National Defense Authorization Act. Despite having the bipartisan support of a clear majority of Senators, a minority of Senators are standing in the way of the funding upon which our troops, veterans and military families depend. This annual bill has been enacted each of the past 48 years, and our armed forces deserve nothing less this year.

A minority of Senators were willing to block this important legislation largely because they oppose the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal this discriminatory law, a step supported by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and informed by a comprehensive study that shows overwhelming majorities of our armed forces are prepared to serve with Americans who are openly gay or lesbian. A great majority of the American people agree. This law weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality.

I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Armed Services Committee Chairman Levin, and Senators Lieberman and Collins for all the work they have done on this bill. While today's vote was disappointing, it must not be the end of our efforts. I urge the Senate to revisit these important issues during the lame duck session.

More reactions:

OutServe

Today's vote is heartbreaking and demoralizing to all members of OutServe - and the tens of thousands of gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members who must continue to serve in silence and live a lie. No words can describe how it felt to watch our U.S. senators uphold discrimination and perpetuate the deceit and compromised integrity that consistently result under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." We had more faith in our elected officials to heed the advice of military leadership and vote against prejudice. Instead, a minority of senators have successfully blockaded the entire defense spending bill on the basis of prejudice and politics.

Servicemembers United

This was a major failure on the part of the Senate to simply do its job and pass an annual defense authorization bill. Politics prevailed over responsibility today, and now more than one million American servicemembers, including tens of thousands of gay and lesbian troops, are worse off as a result. Since the votes are there in isolation, the Senate should still consider a stand-alone bill to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law before adjourning for the winter holidays.

SLDN

We support Sen. Lieberman's plan to move a standalone bill. We also believe another viable option is the Continuing Resolution (CR) coming over from the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate and the President must remain in session and in Washington to find another path for repeal to get done in the lame-duck. We implore all who support repeal to join us outside the Senate tomorrow at noon.

Update: Rachel Maddow covers the DADT vote and the next possible option for repeal - the new standalone bill S 4022.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Miller, Moffitt and Phelps - Oh, my!

Tea Party candidate Joe Miller was born and raised in Kansas, stayed there after high school and met his wife there. She was also raised in Kansas. Later, he attended Yale and moved to Alaska, but his world view comes from Kansas.

When I heard about Miller's background, my first thought was, "Let's click our heels 3 times and send him home!"

My second thought: "I wonder if he knows the Westboro clowns?"

Just because he grew up in Kansas doesn't mean he was influenced by the Kansas "GodHatesFags" Phelps family clan, does it? No, you can't taint a whole state because of the antics of one crazy, media-obsessed family. Alaskans know that from painful experience.

I didn't think much of Miller and the Kansas connection until I read the Mother Jones report saying that he hired a political consultant who runs a pray-away-the-gay project... AND a hate group that thinks God will punish America for allowing gay people to be gay.

Well, heck, that sounds familiar!

Could Miller be connected to Westboro?

"We've got deep, deep roots in Kansas - multi-generations," Miller said.

Miller's parents, Rex and Sharry Miller, live in Manhattan [Kansas], where Rex used to own Christian Books & Gifts.

Manhattan, Kansas is just a few miles down the road from west Topeka, the home base of Fred Phelps' Westboro clan. It's a good bet that a radical Christian activist would check out the local Christian bookstores and get to know their owners.

Miller was raised in Salina and stationed at Fort Riley. His wife grew up in Junction City. These towns are just down Highway 70 from the Westboro compound.

Joe "deep roots in Kansas" Miller is now running for US Senate in Alaska. He won the GOP primary with the paid help of consultant Terry Moffitt, an extreme anti-gay activist with a goal very much like the Westboro hate group.

Mother Jones has the scoop on Moffitt:

Moffitt is the chairman of the Family Policy Network, a group that passionately opposes homosexuality.

Moffitt's Family Policy Network runs a project called "Hope for Homosexuals" that encourages "practicing homosexuals to 'come out' of that destructive lifestyle, and to 'come home' to the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ… While the homosexuals celebrate their perversions, they are confronted with the truth that there is hope for deliverance in Jesus Christ." In June, the group hired an airplane to fly a banner near Disney World during a gay outreach day that read "Jesus Christ: WWW.HOPEFORHOMOSEXUALS.COM." It has flown this banner in other spots where there might be a collection of gays and lesbians...

The group's guiding principles, according to its website, include opposition to all fornication and homosexuality. It denounces "any efforts to convince society that homosexual behavior or 'being gay' is somehow normal or natural." The organization explains its antipathy to homosexuality "is the result of a healthy fear of God's judgment that will otherwise be wrought on individuals who reject God's laws and our our nation for turning a blind eye." That puts the Family Policy Network in the extreme camp of anti-gay activists—those who believe that God could punish the United States collectively, if Americans tolerate homosexuality. (This is reminiscent of when Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson partly blamed gay rights activists for the 9/11 attack.)

Rachel Maddow covered the Miller/Moffitt story on her show before she came to Alaska. It's the reason she was determined to interview Joe, even if she had to come all the way to Alaska and follow him around for two days until he spoke to her. Here's her original story on Miller & Moffitt:

When she was in Alaska, Maddow asked Miller about gays being cured. He said it's a state issue. (His absurd response is posted HERE.) So each state can decide whether or not the gay people living there can - or must - be "cured" by the dangerous and ineffective methods pushed by Moffitt.

As for Joe Miller: He isn't in Kansas any more, and it's up to the voters of Alaska to click our heels down to the voting booths and send him home!

Scott or Lisa? Values, not fears

With Scott McAdams gaining in the polls and Tea Party Joe slipping, LGBT democrats and undeclareds don't have to vote for Lisa M out of fear of Joe. We can vote for the candidate who supports equality and can win, the only candidate who will vote to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell: Scott McAdams.

Two months ago, when Joe won the primary and Lisa announced her write-in campaign, LGBT Alaskans were divided between Lisa and Scott. We agreed that we had to stop Joe, but disagreed on which other candidate had the best chance of beating him.

When DADT came up for a vote in the Senate, we flooded Lisa's office with calls asking her to be the moderate Republican she claimed to be and vote for the repeal. When Lisa confirmed that she would have voted with the GOP filibuster to block the repeal if she'd been in D.C for the vote, we learned that LGBT Alaskans are not important to her. We gave her a chance, and she brushed us off.

But the real tipping point for many voters was Lisa's speech in honor of Rev. Jerry Prevo, a baptist minister who built his reputation by spreading lies and hate against gays. The man bragged that his main legacy is blocking gay rights in Anchorage. And Lisa honored him!

HERE is a sample of anti-gay hate spewing from Prevo, a sermon he gave last summer against the equal rights ordinance, including the long list of insulting names he repeatedly calls us. (If you're not familiar with Prevo, follow the link and watch the video so you know first hand why Lisa's tribute to him is so disgusting.)

Lisa fawned all over this hater at the 39 year anniversary of his career at the temple of doom, Anchorage Baptist Temple. (Did I mention that they do exorcisms on gay kids? Really!)

Watch Lisa's tribute to the leader of anti-gay hate in Anchorage:

"It is such an honor and a real delight to be with so many here today... So much of what we've seen that has been good and strong has been built right here at the Anchorage Baptist Temple by Reverend Prevo... We thank you for what you have given our community – the guidance you have shown, and the love for so many. Continue it for another 39."

Enough to make you sick.

Where was Scott McAdams that weekend? Scott spoke at the annual LGBT Pride Conference, impressing us with his support of equality and fairness for all Alaskans. Lisa didn't attend.

The good news is that we don't have to settle for Lisa out of fear of Joe. We can vote for someone who will vote for us, someone who has a real chance of winning if we pull together. Vote your values, not your fears: Vote for Scott McAdams.

Anti-gay group targets Alaska Supreme Court Justice

Voters received a flyer today from the anti-gay Alaska Family Action with a last minute attack against state Supreme Court Justice Dana Fabe, because she agreed with the majority on several abortion and gay rights decisions that went against the agenda of the far right. Claire Rosston, an Anchorage attorney, wrote to Bent Alaska about the attack on Justice Fabe:

I am writing to bring to your attention an issue of concern to your readers. Outside special interests have launched an unfair last-minute attack on Justice Dana Fabe in an effort to try to control Alaska's judiciary. Today, voters across Alaska received a mailer campaigning against the retention of Justice Fabe. One of the many misleading statements made in the mailer is that Justice Fabe ordered "taxpayer subsidies for same-sex partners." In fact, Justice Fabe joined the unanimous decision of ACLU v. State, which ruled that government employees are entitled to equal compensation and benefits regardless of their sexual preference. As a result of this decision, workers who are employed by the state or a municipality and who are in committed relationships with a same sex domestic partner are eligible to receive the same employment benefits for their domestic partners that a married employee receives for a spouse.

Justice Fabe currently chairs the Alaska Supreme Court's Fairness, Diversity and Equality Committee, which seeks to ensure that the promise of "justice for all" is a reality for all Alaskans.

The attack on Justice Fabe is led by Alaska Family Action, Inc., whose top contributor is Citizen Link, a Colorado-based "family advocacy" organization. Another organization that has been identified as a top contributor is the American Family Association, a Mississippi-based "pro-family" organization. Alaska Family Action launched its attack just two weeks before the election--no doubt designed to ensure that Justice Fabe has little time to respond or correct the record.

Citizen Link is the activist arm of Focus on the Family. Likewise, Alaska Family Action is the activist arm of the Alaska Family Council, both run by Jim Minnery whose cousin Tom Minnery is senior vice president of Focus on the Family, a top outside contributor to the Alaska anti-gay lobby.

An editorial spat has broken out in the pages of the Anchorage and Fairbanks newspapers about Justice Fabe and the importance of a non-partisan judiciary. Alex Bryner, a former state supreme court justice, summed up the issue:

They do not attack her for doing her job poorly; they attack her for disobeying their particular agenda... Alaska's voters must resist this threat by casting informed votes based on the merits of Justice Fabe's history of judicial performance, not on her willingness to obey pressures exerted by vested interests funded outside Alaska.

To learn more about Justice Fabe, visit www.yesonfabe.com.

Miller to Maddow on gay rights: "I wanna be straight with you"

Rachel Maddow broadcast her show live from Anchorage on Tuesday night, after interviewing our U.S. Senate candidates and their supporters. Well, she interviewed Democrat Scott McAdams and write-in Lisa Murkowski, and finally got Tea Party Joe Miller to answer a few questions while walking through a building.

At one point she asked Miller, "Do you agree that homosexuality can be cured?" and he responded "it's a state issue." (Huh?) When she asked if he thinks being gay is a choice, he began part of his answer by saying "I wanna be straight with you." (I guess he doesn't know that she's a lesbian.) Later in the interview, she corners him on the federal marriage ban, which he supports despite the fact that he thinks it's a state issue. (Gotcha.)

Watch the Miller "interview" here:

The other segment that covered LGBT issues in Alaska was her candid talk with Tank Jones, bodyguard for Levi Johnston and tour guide for Rachel. At one point she asked if people here are conservative on social issues and are anti-gay, and he gave an interesting response:

No. Not here because we have... 3-4 gay bars here in this small town of Anchorage, and probably over half of the people that's in these campaigns are secretly gay but they won't come out. So we don't really have a anti-gay movement here like they have in other places because... diversity runs big here, very very big here, so we don't have that problem.

Well, there wouldn't be so many people afraid to come out if they felt accepted by the community, and we obviously do have that problem here. We also have an anti-gay movement. On the positive side, his answer is the only comment on the show about gay life in Anchorage, and it completely denies the existence of the anti-gays. Anyone who disses the local bigots is OK by me.

Watch the Tank segment:

The best part of the evening was Rachel's interview of Vic Fisher, a delegate to the convention that wrote the Alaska state constitution, and radio host Shannyn Moore. Vic points out that a constitution is designed to be a living framework, not a static document, and asks us to vote our values, not our fears. Shannyn notes that this election is part of an on-going feud between the Murkowski family and the Palin family. They both explain why we need to support and vote for Scott McAdams.

Watch the Vic and Shannon segment:

The other Alaska segments can be viewed on The Rachel Maddow Show and include interviews with Scott and Lisa and their supporters, and a great segment with ignorant Joe supporters. Between the taped sections, Rachel reported live from the Taproot Cafe in Anchorage. (Guess which bloggers can be seen behind Rachel?)

Thanks to Rachel and her crew for reporting from Alaska, and thanks to Shannyn Moore, Taproot and everyone who encouraged Rachel to visit. She rocks!

Don't Forget the Legislature, the Key to Alaska's Future

- another great guest post by Caleb Pritt

You've heard about Ethan and Sean, Diane and Mead, Harry and Don. Joe and Lisa and Scott too. But do you recall... the most important election in Alaska of all. Sorry, having some fun with the nearing of Christmas. But the clever use of the old Rudoph the Red Nose Reindeer song is meant to remind you that besides the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Governor, there is one other VERY important race for many of you in Alaska... the State Legislature.

From the State Legislature comes so many laws that affect everyday life. And there are some pitched battles for legislative races that I thought I would highlight in brevity the ones that are the key to Alaska's lock on the future.

The State Senate is split 10 Democrats to 11 Republican-Coalition members.

STATE SENATE DISTRICT J - Recommendation: BILL WIELECHOWSKI

State Senator Bill Wielechowski (D), a progressive young Democrat, is seeking re-election against Ron Slepecki (R). You can listen online to the debate between the two. But what should concern you in this year of odd & crazy elections in Alaska is that Mr. Slepecki is a minister at the Anchorage Baptist Temple (yes, the lair of Jerry Prevo himself.) Yet Slepecki fails to point out that profession or the fact that he is one who helps those who have fallen prey to the cults of the New Age, Hinduism, or Bhuddism. And on Amazon.com, Rev. Slepecki compares President Obama's education plan to the THIRD REICH! Honestly, Bill Wielechowski has worked hard to be re-elected. He is one of the leaders working to end violence against women and children in Alaska. He has fought for seniors, to lower their prescription drug prices, and he's an all around good guy. Vote for Bill Wielechowski.

STATE SENATE DISTRICT P - Recommendation: JANET REISER

Those in State Senate District P have a choice between Janet Reiser (D), Catherine Giessell (R), and Phil Dzubinski (I). Ms. Giessell is very proud of her Tea Party roots. In fact, she proudly declares about civil rights that "I support strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and Alaska Constitution." Has anyone bothered to tell her, and all these other Sharon Angle clones, that had there been a "strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution" then they as women would not have the right to vote, much less run for office? More importantly, Giessell was the individual that Joe Miller propped up to attempt to oust Randy Ruedrich as Chairman of the Alaska Republican Party, an unsuccessful attempt that saw Miller improperly use the property of the Borough Government in Fairbanks to promote Giessell. [And Giessel wants to take away partner benefits.] Dzubinski is a conservative like the outgoing member, Con Bunde, who all three hope to succeed. He has outspent the two female candidates and has Andrew Halcro advising his campaign. Reiser is a pro-business, pro-oil development candidate who calls herself a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. She likely will appeal to the considerable number of moderate Republicans in the district as well as her own Democratic base. Vote for Janet Reiser.

MEANWHILE... in the State House, but for a handful of seats, the House could tilt Democrat. Can you imagine a Speaker of the House Les Gara??? It can happen with a few of these House seats flipping.

HOUSE DISTRICT 7 - Recommendation: BOB MILLER

A shout-out to all my Fairbanks friends. Here is your chance to vote for the right Miller. Vote for Bob Miller for State House and rid Alaska of Mike Kelly. Other races I view the pros and cons of who is running but Mike Kelly is one individual who gives Alaska politics a bad name. Rep. Mike Kelly co-sponsored the $1.2 million advisory vote bill to block same sex employee benefits granted by the Alaska Supreme Court. I refer you to this article on why to vote against Mike Kelly. [There's a newer article HERE.] Meanwhile, during the Pub Crawl for Coronation Weekend, Miller joined the group at Spenard Roadhouse. He's open minded and one who sat down with Empress 37, MeMe Jenkins, to listen for over a half an hour about what matters to the community. BOB MILLER cares and BOB MILLER will get results for Alaska, because he believes ALL Alaskans deserve a seat at the table of state government. Vote for Bob Miller.

HOUSE DISTRICT 31 - Recommendation: LUPE MARROQUIN

This features a race between Bob Lynn (R), a Republican politician who was elected in California and now elected in Alaska, and a small yet very effective Democrat named Lupe Marroquin. One thing about Mr. Lynn is one of his top contributors is Joe Miller. But Lynn learned to be stealthy at an early age as a Republican in California. So he plays up labor money and endorsements and has a fiscally liberal voting record. Marroquin meanwhile is a social progressive and fiscal conservative who is working hard to go door to door and earn the votes. In the end, it's about who is genuine and there's only one candidate. Vote for Lupe Marroquin.

Be sure to remember (3) other Democrats who need our vote: Jodie Dominguez is an advocate who needs support. Martin Lindeke is a veteran out in Eagle River who needs support. Lynn Zaugg has experience in office and is running. She has a wonderful plan to modernize voting so that Alaskans can vote by mail or online.

There are other legislative races. Look into the candidates and let's paint Alaska blue in 2010. It's time for a meaningful change... an ALL-ALASKA Change on November 2nd.

Giessel wants to take away our partner benefits, and much more

The Alaska Family Council is still obsessed with taking away the job benefits of state employees and their same sex partners - 5 years after the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that it's unconstitutional to deny these benefits - and they're promoting a slate of extreme conservatives for the state house and senate who are eager to put our rights up for another public vote.

Cathy Giessel is one of their anti-gay candidates. She's running for state senate District P on the Anchorage Hillside, and is also endorsed by the far-right Conservative Patriots Group. Janet Reiser, a democrat supported by many in the LGBT community, is running against her.

The Mudflats gives us the run down on Giessel based on surveys filled out for the Conservative Patriots Group in Wasilla and the AFC: [my emphasis]

She believes in "the sanctity of the individual from conception" and that "anti-family policies" should be ended. She believes that the government doesn't give us our rights – God does. She believes that English should be the common language of the United States. She agrees that Alaska should sue the federal government to repeal Health Care. She supports predator control. And, she will NOT… I repeat, NOT join with Democrats to form a majority legislative coalition. She answered all the questions so well, that the Wasilla group actually made an independent expenditure for her campaign, and against her two opponents.

Not only is she endorsed by the Conservative Patriots Group, but also the Alaska Family Council.

Giessel, a nurse practitioner, would support Gov. Parnell's veto of funds for Denali Kid Care (SCHIP), leaving more than a thousand children without health care because Denali KidCare pays for medically necessary abortions.

She would oppose a civil rights statute that included the words "sexual orientation" and/or "gender identity" because it would "inevitably lead to discrimination against those persons who, for reasons of conscience, cannot pretend to be morally indifferent to the homosexual lifestyle in the operation so their schools and businesses." Discrimination against bigots! Oh, the horror.

It's a great read, really. You can find out all about the Choose Life specialty license plates and the denial of same sex partner benefits for public employees, getting rid of the Alaska Judicial Council, and all sorts of interesting things. Check it out HERE.

Giessel is also endorsed by Joe Miller, of course, and by Wayne Anthony Ross. Remember WAR? He was Palin's choice for Attorney General, called gays "degenerates" and compared his bigotry to hating lima beans. Ross endorsed Giessel, so you know she's bad news!

Mudflats concludes by supporting Janet Reiser, the Democratic candidate for Senate District P.

So, what is my poor district to do? Fortunately that's easy. Janet Reiser is the Democratic opponent. She's an entrepreneur, an engineer, a business owner and an awesome candidate with expertise in the energy industry. Self-described fiscal conservative and social moderate, she'd be a breath of fresh air in a district that really needs it.

A former member of the LGBT Caucus confirmed on Facebook that Reiser is a friend of our community:

She came to the September LGBT Dem Caucus meeting, and committed to support our issues in the Legislature, and said that we are welcome to share that info.

Please spread the word about Giessel's anti-gay and extremist views, and check out Janet Reiser's campaign HERE.

Unions oppose anti-worker (& anti-gay) Rep. Mike Kelly *Vote for Bob*

Alaska union members are going door-to-door in support of Democratic challenger Bob Miller in hopes of unseating Fairbanks state representative Mike Kelly for his "abysmal record" on workplace issues.

LGBT Alaskans know Kelly as co-sponsor of the statewide vote to take away the same sex employment benefits that were granted by the Alaska Supreme Court. He also referred to gay and lesbian couples as "homosexual pairs" in editorials against the benefits.

Alaska AFL-CIO President Vince Beltrami told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that

[O]rganized labor takes issues with Kelly's work to eliminate Alaska's defined benefit pension plan for state workers, as well as his votes against outlawing mandatory overtime for nurses, raising the state minimum wage and providing presumptive disability benefits for firefighters.

"In short, Mike Kelly has been no friend to working families," Beltrami said.

Following a few chants of "Vote him out," the union members from the Local 1547, Local 942, teamsters, carpenters, Alaska Public Employees Association and other groups went door-to-door to campaign for Kelly's opponent, Democrat and TV anchorman Bob Miller.

In 2008, FieryBlazingHandbasket compiled a list of reasons to oppose Kelly, and he was re-elected by only 4 votes. So spread the word and vote for Bob Miller - every vote counts!

###

UPDATE: Bob Miller introduced Scott McAdams at Scott's well-attended Fairbanks Town Hall meeting. Check out Bob's TV ad (with a humorous dig at his opponent):

Alaska is 13th state to join anti-marriage appeal

A dozen states joined marriage opponents in their desperate appeal of the federal court decision that declared California's Prop 8 unconstitutional, even though Gov. Schwarzenegger supports the ruling and the opponents may not have legal standing to appeal. Now Alaska has become the 13th state to join the appeal. From Alaska Dispatch:

According to the Catholic News Agency (via the Anchorage archdiocese's Catholic Anchor), Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan has submitted a brief, joining Alaska with 12 other states, in support of California's Proposition 8. The measure, which is currently the subject of litigation in front of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, would formally define marriage in the state [of California] as a union between one man and one woman. Read much more, here. At first, Alaska Beat was surprised we hadn't seen a press release from the Department of Law about this filing, but then we realized the measure doesn't seek to define marriage as a union between one beluga whale and one Steller sea lion.

When the states originally joined the appeal, only 9 states were listed and I was relieved that Alaska was not one of them. But that was before the primary election. Now Gov. Sean Parnell is facing Ethan Berkowitz in the general election and he wants the far right behind him. Cue the Attorney General to join the appeal.

Parnell visited the anti-gay Focus on the Family this summer, and billed the state of Alaska for his travel expenses to their Colorado headquarters. Did Focus support Parnell's campaign in exchange for promises to push an anti-gay agenda, like joining the Prop 8 lawsuit? What other anti-gay actions will he pursue if elected?

Vote for Berkowitz & Benson for Governor & Lt. Governor!

Lisa snubs Pride Conference, honors Prevo instead

While U.S. Senate candidate Scott McAdams was impressing us and our allies at the Alaska Pride Conference last weekend, write-in incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski ignored the invitation to speak to LGBT Alaskans and instead was at Anchorage Baptist Temple kissing up to Rev. Jerry Prevo, a man who brags that his personal legacy has been to prevent gay Alaskans from getting equal rights.

Watch Lisa thank Jerry for the love and guidance he has shown "our community," by which she means the homo-haters of Anchorage, apparently:

The video of Lisa and Jerry is courtesy of Alaska Commons, and the transcript was posted on Mudflats (the highlighting is mine):

Pastor Prevo, Mrs. Prevo, it is such an honor and a real delight to be with so many here today to celebrate this pastoral anniversary. Think about where you were in 1971. What was going on in your life. Well, here in Alaska… Everyone's now starting to talk… think about what was going on in 1971… We just passed the Alaska Land Claims Settlement Act that led to the development of our Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Think about how our state has transformed with the advent of that line and what oil has brought to our country, our state.

That was the same time that Pastor Prevo and Mrs. Prevo came to Anchorage and began to build this community – 135,000 people in Anchorage at that time, and think about the changes that we have seen within our community, within our state. And so much of what we've seen that has been good and strong has been built right here at the Anchorage Baptist Temple by Reverend Prevo. Think about the ministries. We saw the children's ministry here today and the delight in the children's faces. The ministries for the men, the women's connection, the recovery ministries – so many of the good things – the Anchorage Christian Schools, so much that has been developed under the leadership of this man, with the love and support of Carol Prevo. This leadership is demonstrated on a daily basis and we benefit from it.

And Pastor, I want to thank you from a very personal note for what you did to celebrate the life of a great Alaskan. It was here in this church that Alaskans and people around the country paid tribute to a great Alaskan, Ted Stevens. And what you did, and your guidance and how we showed our final respects was a tribute to all of Alaska. That leadership doesn't come without the greatness of a man. We thank you for what you have given our community – the guidance you have shown, and the love for so many. Continue it for another 39. Thank you.

WTF? Here is one example of Prevo's love for us. It's part 2 of his sermon against last summer's equal rights ordinance (in case you missed it) and includes a long list of insults for LGBT Alaskans:

Can't you feel the love? Prevo's only legacy is peddling fear and hate of LGBT people and preventing Anchorage from becoming a city of equality and fairness.

What is Lisa thinking?

Anti-Gay Michele Bachmann endorses Joe Miller *more video*

The Joe Miller campaign has uploaded an endorsement from virulently anti-gay Rep. Bachmann (very far R-MN), his only video endorsement by a member of Congress:

In addition to saying that gays are "a part of Satan," Bachman also said that being gay is "personal enslavement" and a mental disorder. She spoke out against the federal hate crimes bill protecting gays and lesbians, saying that the bill would protect pedophiles. She thinks it's "child abuse" to teach that being gay is normal.

Bachmann has ties to a Christian rock band whose lead singer praised conservative Muslim countries for executing gays. Bachmann praised the band, saying, "I thank God that He has given you the strength and the resolve to fight for our timeless values."

Joe Miller is a lawyer running as Alaska's GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate, against Democrat Scott McAdams and write-in candidate Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Miller believes that "homosexuality is a sin, and therefore immoral," and called the Hate Crimes Act passed by Congress last year "the Left's radical social agenda."

Miller is also endorsed by Sarah Palin.

Check out this brilliant parody of Bachmann:

What will you lose if the anti-gays win?

A new video project from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund asks LGBT Americans, "What will you lose?" if the social conservatives get their way.

Anti-gay extremists are growing louder. But they don't just want to stop progress, they want to roll it back.

If they win, they'll kick brave troops out of the military, stop partner visitation rights in hospitals and prevent gays and lesbians from adopting kids who need loving homes.

They'll make sure its legal to fire us for being gay or transgender.

Some have even said it's time to criminalize homosexuality itself.

If they win, what will you lose?

Record your answer and upload it, and pledge to support pro-LGBT candidates in the November election.

Had enough? Take action!

Tell us in a 15-second video what YOU would lose if the extremists win. Upload your video to this site and tell your friends and family to watch it and watch other videos from LGBT Americans and their allies.

OR

Sign the pledge and tell your friends and family what you'd lose if anti-gay extremists win this November. Pledge to support candidates this November who speak openly and honestly about the LGBT community. To counter the lies and hate spread by anti-gay extremists and the campaigns they're dumping millions of dollars into across the country.

Make sure the people who love you know what will happen if we don't keep fighting.

Make sure they know what you'll lose.

Watch the promo video:

What's next for DADT?

First, Rachel Maddow rips apart the GOP excuses for Tuesday's epic fail senate vote against the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Later, Maddow outlines the three best options for moving forward on DADT:

1. another Senate attempt during the "lame duck" session after the mid-term election,
2. an executive order from the president ending the policy (or at least stopping the discharges until the Pentagon removes the policy), and/or
3. The Department of Justice can choose not to appeal the recent court decision that DADT is unconstitutional.

The "don't appeal" strategy is gaining more support now that the senate repeal is on hold. A New York Times editorial on DADT notes:

President Obama, the House and a majority of senators clearly support an end to "don't ask, don't tell," but that, of course, is insufficient in the upside-down world of today's Senate, where 40 members can block anything.

[snip]

If the military's unjust policy is not repealed in the lame-duck session, there is another way out. The Obama administration can choose not to appeal Judge Phillips's ruling that the policy is unconstitutional, and simply stop ejecting soldiers.

U.S. district court judge Virginia Phillips ruled the 17-year-old law unconstitutional on September 9. The plaintiffs, the Log Cabin Republicans, filed for an end to the enforcement of DADT, and the Department of Justice is scheduled to respond with their own proposal on Thursday.

Democrats in the U.S. House, led by the three openly gay members - Barney Frank (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Jared Polis (D-CO) - wrote a letter to Pres. Obama urging him not to appeal the federal court decision:

We consider this matter a top priority to our service members, the American people and the security of the United States. We acknowledge and appreciate your support and hope that together we can end this dishonorable policy once and for all. We hope that you, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Services, will take this opportunity to restore integrity to our military and decline to appeal Judge Phillips' ruling.

Americablog also points out:

If DOJ pursues an appeal, Obama's administration will be defending the constitutionality of DADT and DOMA in court -- right smack in the middle of his reelection campaign.

And they think the approval ratings are low now! Stay tuned for the DOJ's response.

Catholics reject ceremony for Alaska's married gay-friendly Episcopal Bishop

The consecration of Bishop-Elect Mark Andrew Lattime to the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska was set for Sept. 4 at a Catholic church in Anchorage, but the venue for ordaining the married religious leader was aburptly changed to a Methodist church.

Catholic news sites announced the event last week, focusing on Lattime's LGBT ministry:

"Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, will ordain an Episcopal cleric from New York State as the Episcopal bishop of Alaska on September 4. The ceremony will take place at a Catholic parish in Anchorage.

"Until recently, Lattime was a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester's Committee for Gay and Lesbian Ministry, which "seeks to further the cause of recognition and legitimization of lesbian and gay relationships within the church and in civil society." Lattime is married and has three children."

Oh, no - he has a wife!

Lattime's resume for the Alaska position said he is a three-time deputy to General Convention from Rochester, NY, where he served on the diocesan council and as a dean of the southwest district and a stewardship consultant, among his many posts. He is also a certified private pilot and was a volunteer ambulance driver for the Fire Department.

The Catholic news sites didn't mention any of his qualifications, only that he was a member of a committee on Gay and Lesbian Ministry. He wasn't the chair or founder, just a member. They didn't say what work he did on the committee, or how long he was on it. He was involved with a gay and lesbian ministry, and that's enough.

The consecration was to take place in the Lady of Guadalupe Church in Anchorage, but is now scheduled for First United Methodist Church. After the ceremony, a reception will be held at the church, and a no-host banquet will be held at 7 p.m. in the Sheraton Hotel - where, in a sweet coincidence, The Imperial Court's Coronation is also being held that weekend.

Kudos to The Episcopal Diocese of Alaska on the election and consecration of Bishop Lattime, and to First United Methodist for hosting the ceremony after the Catholic church backed out.