Entries in GLBT issues (19)
Stupid Gay Bashing Statement of the Day: Rush Limbaugh
On his June 23, 2008 show, Rush Limbaugh made the following statement about gay and blacks and the Democratic Party:
“I want to know how the Republicans don’t need Christians and conservatives, and they think we’re 30 percent. Twelve percent black people in the population. Ten percent — they claim — homosexuals in the population. Rush, honey, when did 30 percent get to be a small number?” Limbaugh responded, “You want to know why the Republicans are willing to say, ‘Screw you,’ to 30 percent or more of their voters (Christians and conservatives) and yet Democrats will bend over, grab the ankles, and say, ‘Have your way with me,’ for 10 percent and 2 percent of the population?” He later stated: “There is an answer to your — basic question is, ‘Why don’t the Democrats say, “To hell with you, you wacko nuts in the base,” like Republicans do?’ “Does Rush have some sort of odd fantasy he’d like to play out?
Why anyone listens to him and his sexist, racist, and homophobic rants is beyond me.
(Hat tip Media Matters.)
Technorati Tags: Rush Limbaugh, race, Blacks, gays, GLBT
AP Video: Gay Marriage in the USA: 2 Down, 48 to Go
Technorati Tags: gay marriage, LGBT, GLBT, gay rights, California, civil rights
Latest News, Views, Blogs, Twitters, Analysis, and Results of OR and KY Primaries
Here is the latest in news, views, blogs, Twitters, and results from the Oregon and Kentucky Democratic Presidential Primaries.
Come back often or refresh periodically for new information.
OregonKentuckyPresidential Primaries2008 ElectionBarack ObamaHillary Clinton
EqSD PAC Makes First LGBT Endorsements in SD Electoral History
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Epp at 605.351.5021 or eqsdpac@gmail.com
SD LGBT Community and Its Friends Becoming More Politically Active
For the first time in South Dakota electoral history, a state LGBT group has given political action money to state legislative candidates.
Equality South Dakota PAC (EqSD PAC) has recently provided over $5,000 in funding to both Republican and Democratic candidates involved in the June 3, 2008 South Dakota primary. Full details of all candidates provided funding can be found after May 23, 2008 on the South Dakota Secretary of State’s website in the EqSD PAC’s pre-primary contribution report.
“Besides EqSD PAC seeking candidates to endorse, candidates came to us wanting our endorsement and financial support,” said Todd Epp, a straight lawyer from Harrisburg, SD and chair of EqSD PAC. “The fact that candidates were excited about our support and that almost all of the primary surveys were so positive about LGBT issues is exciting.”
Among those EqSD PAC has provided funding to in June primary races:
* Elaine Elliott, Democrat, House District 2, Aberdeen.
* Darrell Solberg, Democrat, House District 11, Sioux Falls.
* Martha Vanderlinde, Democrat, House District 15, Sioux Falls.
* Caitlin Collier, Democrat, House District 17, Vermillion.
* Larry Lucas, Democrat, House District 26A, Mission.
* Kevin Killer, Democrat, House District 27, Pine Ridge.
* Jeff Nelson, Democrat, House District 33, Rapid City.
Following the primary election, EqSD PAC will endorse and provide funds to selected legislative candidates in the November general election who it believes have progressive views on LGBT issues. General election candidates have until June 10 to return their surveys to EqSD PAC.
All legislative candidates were sent a survey on critical LGBT issues. The survey included questions on 1) would they support adding “LGBT” to existing state law prohibiting employment discrimination; 2) whether the candidates would support anti-bullying state legislation; and 3) whether the candidates supported allowing domestic partner hospital visitation rights. The survey is posted on the EqSD PAC web site (pac.eqsd.org). The candidates also provided biographical information and how they believed their campaigns can win.
“In addition to money, we hope to deliver volunteers, campaign support and ultimately enough votes to make the difference,” said PAC board member Karen Mudd, a lesbian in Sioux Falls. “Please get involved to help elect these candidates.”
EqSD PAC is the political action committee for Equality South Dakota (EqSD), a South Dakota non-profit corporation. EqSD PAC is a voluntary, non-profit, unincorporated association operating as a separate, segregated organization of EqSD.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES FROM THE S.D. LGBT COMMUNITY AND ITS FRIENDS ABOUT THE ENDORSEMENTS:
- Don Frankenfeld, Rapid City—“Equality is a bipartisan issue. I’m glad that both Republicans and Democrats participated in our survey, and I’m proud that Equality South Dakota PAC is supporting highly qualified candidates from both parties,” said Don Frankenfeld, a Republican former legislator and member of the EqSD PAC board of directors.
- Lawrence Novotny, Brookings—“More and more South Dakotans want to see positive change in support of LGBT equality and know they need to actively work for and support legislative candidates with integrity who are willing to take a stand,” EqSD PAC treasurer Lawrence Novotny of Brookings said. “That is why EqSD PAC was created,” he added.
- Curtis Price, Rapid City—“I’m very proud to be associated with an organization that is already changing the dialogue by supporting candidates that believe in fairness and respect for all South Dakotans and their families,” Curtis Price, EqSD secretary from Rapid City said. “Fairness is a South Dakota value,” he added. EqSD is a sister organization to EqSD PAC.
- David Fischer, Aberdeen—“In 2008, on November’s election night, I believe the dark clouds over America that have dumped an acid rain of social division to nourish the pockets and power of dishonest political addicts will dissipate. An eagle of truth and justice will soar again as citizens are led by people who know the value of individual fairness and equality. If this funding feeds this symbol of freedom, scatter it with the wind.” said David D. Fischer, gay nurse anesthetist from Aberdeen, SD and Secretary of EqSD.
Paid for and authorized by EqSD PAC, 610 S. Grand Ave., Harrisburg, SD 57032, Lawrence Novotny, Treasurer.
Technorati Tags: 2008 election, South Dakota Primary, LGBT, GLBT, South Dakota, EqSD, EqSD PAC, Equality South Dakota
Mudd: California Gay Marriage Decision Gives Hope
The following is a comment from a a good friend of mine here in Sioux Falls in response to yesterday’s California Supreme Court decision according similar treatment to gay couples and married couples. Karen Mudd is also the chair of Equality South Dakota, a new GLBT lobbying and education group.
Karen is like a sister to me. She is a hard working, smart, good humored, and responsible person. I hope you think about what she says below.
Today’s Supreme Court decision in California gives a bit of hope to people like me. It makes me think that someday my life partner and I (two women) will enjoy the same rights and responsibilities enjoyed by married couples. I suspect that day won’t be too soon here in South Dakota — but I am certain that the day is coming.
My partner and I have been together for nearly a decade. We are a family unit in every respect. Our lives are
firmly intertwined and fortified by love and respect, intimacy, trust and commitment. We are one social and economic unit, we work and pay our taxes, we’re good neighbors, and we donate our time and money to
help make the world a better place. Why is it that we can’t be married in the eyes of the state? What would be lost by it?As it stands, we have spent a great deal of time and money putting together legal documents that replicate the protections included in marriage — but it still won’t get us there. Thankfully, we have the resources to
prepare wills and powers of attorney and other necessary legal documents but the majority of LGBT people don’t. It’s just not fair to tell them and us that our lives and our love is not equal.So, tonight I’m toasting to California (and Massachusetts) for leading the way. Thanks to them our fight in South Dakota is energized with hope!
EqSD: Applauds California Gay Rights Decision
Equality South Dakota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2008
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Mudd, 605.214.1299 or Todd Epp, 605.351.5021CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS RIGHTS OF ITS GLBT CITIZENS
EqSD Applauds Decision Which Gives Hope to GLBT South Dakotans And Their Friends and Families
SIOUX FALLS, SD--Today, the California Supreme Court (click link for decision) made a historic decision to guarantee marriage equality for all of its citizens.
"This is a victory for fairness and opportunity." says Karen Mudd, chair of Equality South Dakota (EqSD), a statewide advocacy organization with a mission to help secure and protect the rights and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) South Dakotans and their families.
"While South Dakotans are unaffected legally by this ruling, we are hopeful that we here in South Dakota will someday have the same opportunity to solidify our families." according to Mudd. This victory energizes our own efforts to continue working for fairness and equality for families in our state."
Same sex couples live in every county of South Dakota, many with children. EqSD is based on the premise that that they deserve the same opportunity to have the same rights and responsibilities as all other couples.
Seeing couples get married in CA will give people here in South Dakota the opportunity to see how giving two people in a committed, trusting and loving relationship strengthens our neighborhoods, towns and cities.
While this is historic, we already know from several years of marriage for same-sex couples in MA that it is not the terrible thing that opponents of marriage say it is. In fact, it's just the opposite. We look forward to the day when committed couples in here in South Dakota have the same chance to legalize their relationships. Equality South Dakota will continue to work for fairness for all families.
Across the country, state equality groups are working to ensure that families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have the same rights and responsibilities as all other families. Currently, marriage litigation is pending in Iowa and Connecticut , where Federation member groups One Iowa and Love Makes a Family, respectively, are leading efforts to educate the public about the need for basic fairness for all families. In New Jersey, Garden State Equality is aggressively pursuing marriage equality through the legislature, as is New York 's Empire State Pride Agenda in theirs. In states like SD with marriage bans, state equality groups continue to explore other options for providing basic protections for LGBT families.
"Most Americans believe that marriage equality will be a reality in their lifetimes," noted Mudd. "Equality organizations like ours throughout the nation are working hard to achieve the American dream of equality and justice for all. We are all inspired by the CA marriage decision and look forward to the day when every American in every state and territory will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by marrying the person they love."
Paid for by Equality South Dakota, 610 S. Grand Ave., Harrisburg, SD 57032, Lawrence Novotny, treasurer. Contributions are not tax deductible.--30--
Technorati Tags: LGBT, GLBT, gay rights, gay marriage, South Dakota, California, supreme courts, law
Buhl: A Message About Christianity On Easter
Posted by Angie Buhl
So it’s been a while since I’ve posted on SD Watch. Graduating college and starting a couple of new jobs will do that.
No matter…expect to see more posts from me in the weeks ahead. For now, I thought I’d post a timely (though light-hearted) message about Christianity, just in time for Easter:
As you’ll see in this video, it appears that gay scientists have found a genetic cause for Christianity. After seemingly study after study has been released from Christian scientists about what exactly “makes” people gay or lesbian, it seems that a team of gay scientists has found out what makes people Christian.
Enjoy!
Posted by Angie Buhl


