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."

More Vintage Lady Gaga, Performing 'Fever', Which Adam Lambert Recorded for His Debut Album

Here's some more vintage Lady Gaga footage, shot in 2006 at The Cutting Room in NYC, shortly after she had signed to Island Def Jam. And shortly after she changed her name to Lady Gaga.

In this clip, she performs the songs "Wonderful" and "Fever". Adam Lambert recorded "Fever" for For Your Entertainment.

"Fever" begins at about 5:38.

Listen to both Gaga and Lambert, AFTER THE JUMP...

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DC Agenda Born

Writes editor Kevin Naff:

"The former staff of the Washington Blade remains united and DC Agenda represents our effort at continuing the important mission and work of the Blade. It will grow and evolve to include a much larger and more diverse group of voices. But the core of the Washington Blade’s work remains unchanged. We will cover Congress, the White House, the LGBT rights movement, the D.C. marriage fight, local hate crimes and other political issues important to the LGBT residents of the city. It’s been a tough week for us, but we are buoyed by the outpouring of support from people all over the city and beyond. We welcome and need your help and will respond to each offer as soon as possible. Thank you to all who have pledged to stick with us, especially our advertisers. Please visit savetheblade.com for updated information on DC Agenda or to make a gift to support the new venture."

Adam Lambert on OUT Tiff: 'Not Every Gay Man is the Same Gay Man'

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Adam Lambert discusses the OUT magazine controversy that erupted earlier this week when editor Aaron Hicklin ripped Lambert and his handlers in an editor's letter for wanting to avoid being perceived as "too gay" in his interview or cover shot for the OUT 100.

Lambert says he's responsible for managing his own image and that Hicklin "crossed a line" with the letter:

"I’m not being puppeted around. I didn’t want to jump onto a gay magazine as my first thing, because I feel like that’s putting myself in a box and limiting myself. It was my desire to stay away from talking about certain political and civil rights issues because I’m not a politician. I’m an entertainer. That is not my area of expertise. I can talk about relationships and personal experiences because as an artist those things involve writing lyrics and that part of my process. But I didn’t feel comfortable talking about the March on Washington. I didn’t feel comfortable, so I asked my publicist to ask the interviewer to stay away from the political questions. I take full responsibility for that. I think that the editor has his agenda and has his opinions, which I respect, but they’re not necessarily my opinions. And I wish there was a little respect for that. Not every gay man is the same gay man....in order for us to progress, we need to stop segregating ourselves. And a letter like that, that viewpoint — the letter that Aaron wrote is holding us back. Because it’s recognizing the big difference as opposed to letting us all ignore preference and just be people."

More at EW.

Chaz Bono: 'Gender is Between Your Ears, Not Your Legs'

Chaz Bono appeared on Good Morning America this morning to discuss his transition from female to male. GMA looks at his transformation from his first appearance on The Sonny and Cher Show.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

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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...

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