Christian Leaders to Present Anti-Gay, Anti-Abortion 'Manifesto'

A group of 145 Roman Catholic, evangelical, and Orthodox Christian leaders will present a document today at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. today saying they are in solidarity against abortions and same-sex marriage.

The NYT reports: "The manifesto, to be released on Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, is an effort to rejuvenate the political alliance of conservative Catholics and evangelicals that dominated the religious debate during the administration of President George W. Bush. The signers include nine Roman Catholic archbishops and the primate of the Orthodox Church in America. They want to signal to the Obama administration and to Congress that they are still a formidable force that will not compromise on abortion, stem-cell research or gay marriage. They hope to influence current debates over health care reform, the same-sex marriage bill in Washington, D.C., and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation."

The document was reportedly written by evangelical Charles Colson, Catholic Princeton professor Robert P. George, and the Rev. Timothy George of Beeson Divinity School in Alabama.

Part of the goal is to reach younger Christians who may have more progressive notions about gays and remind them that the church thinks gays are bad.

The 4,700-word document is called the “Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience," according to the NYT.

Says the document: "We will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other antilife act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent...We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence."

Hugo Chavez on LGBT Persecution and Marriage Equality

In an interview conducted at the Venice Film Festival in September, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is asked his thoughts on marriage equality.

Answers Chavez, in a series of questions: "I believe that... look, each country has its customs, no? At least, in Venezuela, it is not well-regarded, no? But there are societies, there are societies, there are ideas which continue to mature [EDIT] ...what I am indeed against is any persecution against anyone based on sexual orientations...Now, [as far as gay marriage]... The same as Venezuelans, as the majority of Venezuelans, those of us who don't see it as being good...it's a state of opinion, it's a state of opinion. Which doesn't mean we are in opposition, that I am in opposition of what you might think."

Translation by Andres Duques at Blabbeando, who dug up the rare clip. Duques notes that Chavez' responses have been truncated as the interview is edited: "All in all, Chavez admits a couple of things: 1) He thinks that being gay is a 'sexual orientation' instead of being an identity; 2) Interestingly, he thinks that marriage equality is a symbol of a 'mature' society and yet he sides with the Venezuelan population that believes marriage equality is wrong, and; 3) He says that he is against persecution against anyone based on sexual orientation."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Interview: 10-Year-Old Who Refuses to Say 'Pledge of Allegiance' Until Gays Have Full Equality

Great kid.

Last week I mentioned Will Phillips, the 10-year-old Arkansan who has refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance until gays and lesbians have equal rights. CNN's John Roberts asks Phillips why the issue is so important to him.

Says Phillips: "Because I have many -- I've grown up with a lot of people and good friends with a lot of people that are gay and I really -- I think they should have the rights all people should. And I'm not going to swear that they do."

Roberts also asks Phillips what he said to the teacher after refusing to say the Pledge.

Said Phillips: "I eventually, very solemnly, with a little bit of malice in my voice, said, 'Ma'am with all due respect, you can go jump off a bridge.'"

Phillips says that since taking a stand he has been repeatedly called a "gay-wad" by other students, which he calls a "discriminatory name for homosexuals."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Fundies: 'Do Not Be Fooled' by Gay-Friendly LDS Actions

The right-wing group America Forever has responded to the LDS Church's endorsement of the Salt Lake City gay rights ordinance by faxing 80,000 over their followers with the fax above.

8: The Mormon Proposition writes: "...we cannot forget that when the Mormon Prophet or Apostles speak what Mormons believe to be the literal word of God, their membership reacts. And this is the reaction of one of the Mormon Church's most vocal anti-gay groups."

RI Governor's Gay Rights Veto Called 'Heartless' by Attorney General

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch has criticized Governor Donald Carcieri's veto of a bill that would have given gays and lesbians the right to make funeral arrangements for their deceased domestic partners.

Said Carcieri: "This bill represents a disturbing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles surrounding traditional marriage, which is not the preferred way to approach this issue. If the General Assembly believes it would like to address the issue of domestic partnerships, it should place the issue on the ballot and let the people of the state of Rhode Island decide.''

Respoonded Lynch, who is running for governor in 2010: "“I can only describe the Governor's veto as cruel and heartless.By vetoing this bill, he has demonstrated that he believes gay and lesbian Rhode Islanders are second-class citizens. If this bill comes before me as Governor, I will sign it immediately. It takes more than just talk to demonstrate a commitment to equality for all. It takes action. I have a record of proactively fighting for equality for gay and lesbian Rhode Islanders and I pledge to continue this fight as Governor.”

Watch ABC6's report, AFTER THE JUMP...

Rhode Island Governor Won't Even Give Rights to Dead Gays

If you're gay and you die in Rhode Island your domestic partner won't be able to make funeral arrangements for you because Governor Donald Carcieri just vetoed a bill providing for that.

Why?

According to Carcieri, "This bill represents a disturbing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles surrounding traditional marriage, which is not the preferred way to approach this issue. If the General Assembly believes it would like to address the issue of domestic partnerships, it should place the issue on the ballot and let the people of the state of Rhode Island decide.''

Carcieri, who is also a strong supporter of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), recently told the crowd of more than 300 at a fundraiser for the anti-gay group Massachusetts Family Institute that marriage is "not a civil right". Said the governor: "It is a not civil right. I get aggravated when it is portrayed that way. Marriage is a license by the state. It is about a state’s responsibility, which is the reason why states don’t allow a lot of types of marriages."