Bigots Film Transgender Bathroom-Goers

Massachusettes – A bigot hate group calling itself “MassResistance” snuck into the Peabody Marriot Hotel this past week while the annual “First Event” transgender conference was taking place. With the purpose of “exposing the horror” of transgender men and women using the restrooms. Joe.My.God posted copy from this hate group’s statements:

Transgender madness in Massachusetts: The Peabody Marriott Hotel hosted the annual “First Event” transgender conference on January 15-17, 2009. These photos and videos illustrate the insanity that will descend on all of America . . . unless this sexual radical movement is stopped: Seven-foot men in dresses using the women’s restroom. Hundreds of cross-dressers swarming the hotel, upsetting other guests (who were not forewarned). A transgender rock concert. This is what protecting “gender identity and expression” really means. Mass. Bill H1728 (now before the Legislature) would punish any opposition to such madness with fines and jail time. Even schools would be opened up to cross-dressing children, transgender restrooms and locker rooms, and sports teams. Employers would be subject to new non-discrimination regulations. (At the federal level, ENDA would force this on the country if passed.)

I see this as bigotry at it’s lowest form. Those who make up the “T” in our community are most often those of us who have it hardest in life. Transgender men and women are least likely to be employed, have adequate housing and even those lucky enough to have jobs on average make under $25000 a year. And even though it’s rarely mentioned, I think we’re all aware that people who are Transgender sit at the bottom of the LGBT pile. It needs to change.

MassResistance belongs in a hole.

Sundance Takes On Mormon Utah Legislature

SLC- According to insiders behind Sundance the the Utah State Legislature, several months ago top legislators offered to have a resolution read on the floor of the Senate thanking Sundance for all it does for Utah and the millions of dollars it brings to our economy every year. Then because of gay rights, it never happened.

Back in December, two leading Utah Senators approached the heads of Sundance and offered to pass the resolution thanking them on the first day of the 2010 Legislative session. Sundance was, of course, thrilled as the money that rolls in every year from the film festival is one of the largest contributors to the local Utah economy. Then, the senators came back in the beginning of January and made a threat: Pull the film “8: The Mormon Proposition” or we won’t do the resolution. Sundance’s response: Stick it.

My extreme congratulations to Sundance Film Festival and Robert Redford for not cowing to prejudice of our state’s theocracy!

Reed Cowan and “The Mormon Proposition.” Pushing Too Far Or Just Right?

http://www.mormonproposition.com

The latest film from film maker and news anchor Reed Cowan “8: The Mormon Proposition” has done nothing but catch headlines since it was announced to premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. And pro or con, it seems everyone’s got a strong opinion.

The far right-wingers and the LDS (Mormon) Church brass have thrown up instant cries of outrage and foul play, complaining that the film is nothing but an attack against the Church. Jeanne Malker of Cottonwood Heights Utah is a life-long member of the LDS / Mormon church and supporter of Prop 8, which stripped members of the LGBT community in California of their right to wed. “Well I think it’s disgusting,” Jeanne says, “..the [LDS] church is trying to shed light and happiness in the world, while this man [Cowan] is trying to tear everything down.” Even Cowan’s own sister, on a recorded phone call with Cowan, claimed that the film is attacking her faith and trying to tear down “God’s Commandments.”

Now boycotts are being called on Sundance, and local kook groups like the Meronites (Sutherland Institute, led by Paul Mero), as well as the Westboro Baptists are promising to be out in force.

Crazy huh? Just what on earth is this movie saying? Does it show Cowan spray-painting a temple, Book of Mormons being ripped up or a sacrament tray being dumped all over a Bishop? Um………no actually. The film itself actually is noticeably NOT anti-mormon, but rather chronicles the facts, programs and influences the LDS / Mormon church perpetuated to ensure the success of Prop 8 and the reaction and effect their actions had on people.

The Mormon faith teaches that it’s President and his advisors (a.k.a. the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) speak directly for God, and

Reed Cowan, Director

cannot be questioned without serious ramifications. As such, any real or perceived attack on the church is a direct affront on God. But the film isn’t a direct attack on the Church itself right? I asked Marlene Bell, resident of Salt Lake City on the East Bench,  why the Church or it’s members should be afraid of the film showing what they did during the Prop 8 campaign, if the Church is led by God shouldn’t they be proud to show their involvement? “It has nothing to do with the Church’s involvement in Prop 8, this is about one man trying to bring the Prophet down.” said Mrs. Bell, just before she stopped talking to me (HEY what did I do?).

But the Westboro Baptists and the other kooks may have more to deal with when they arrive in Park City then they bargained for. Both local and national Pro-Human groups are banding together quickly in what promises to be an amazing array of American citizens, all united in the belief that all citizens of our country deserve to be treated as such. Rumors are abounding, but big-name players are being rumored to be among those voicing support of the film and LGBT rights (No I will NOT drop names, they’re still rumors!)

Well either way, love it or hate it, 8: The Mormon Proposition is guaranteed to be one of the most controversial and most successful documentaries Sundance has ever seen. And if you’re anywhere near Utah this January, better get here quick. This is going to be huge.

Big News Coming from the Mormons!

Big news coming from LDS Hierarchy regarding the LGBT community!

From the production team of “8, The Mormon Proposition:”

———————————————————————

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: STEVEN GREENSTREET (801) 580-3103

PRESS@MORMONPROPOSITION.COM

MORMON CHURCH LEADERS BEND UNDER SCRUTINY BROUGHT ON BY 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION. IS THIS ANOTHER MORMON P.R. STUNT?

On November 10, 2009 several highly placed people featured in the upcoming documentary film 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION were contacted by well-placed people inside the Mormon Church in anticipation of an “historic statement against discrimination” to be made by the Mormon Church.

They were told, “Watch what we are about to do. You will be pleased.”

At this hour gays and lesbians all over the world hope that the Mormon Church’s announcement will not be yet another Mormon public relations smoke screen and result in action that will result in full marriage equality for the LGBT community world-wide.

Since the release of the trailer for 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION, intense scrutiny has been focused on Mormon involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 and allegations that the Mormon Church set up the infamous NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE which was the key player in Maine’s recent ban on gay marriage.

Sources close to those who called our cast and production team alerting us to the upcoming Mormon statement on discrimination say that Mormon Mitt Romney has recently put pressure on his own church to extend an olive branch to the gay community to try and deflate the anticipated negative press that will come from the release of 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION that would likely damage his hope for a successful 2012 presidential bid.

Ironically (and we suspect in step with the Mormon’s anticipated statement on discrimination) Mormon-owned KSL TV released an article on their web site saying “Romney appears to be front-runner in 2012 election.”

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8613293

While the 8:TMP team hopes Mormons end their game of discrimination against the LGBT community and wishes to work with people of all faith traditions to end discrimination, we would like to assert the following.

FACT: Under similar international scrutiny, Mormon leaders have in the past made similar statements regarding being against discrimination directed towards minorities & the LGBT COMMUNITY.

FACT: Gay leaders in SLC begged Mormon leaders to back up their statements on ending discrimination against the LGBT commmunity, through Mormon support for their COMMON GROUND initiative.

FACT: Despite lip service, Mormons did not get behind the COMMON GROUND INITIATIVE and in fact worked to see the initiative’s defeat.

FACT: Despite lip service to people of color, the holiest book of Mormon scripture THE BOOK OF MORMON still refers to people of color as being “CURSED WITH A DARK SKIN, FILTHY AND LOATHSOME.”

FACT: Despite lip service to people of color, printings of MORMON DOCTRINE by beloved Mormon Apostle Bruce R. Mcconkie, assert African Americans are “marked” for not being fully behind the plan of Jesus Christ in a pre-earth life war in Heaven.

FACT: A Mormon spokesperson told 8TMP’s director “this is all about public relations and making the church look good.”

In conclusion, as Mormon heavy-hitters prepare for the so-called “historic announcement” our team would encourage Mormons to put their money and their membership by doing the following:

1. Severing all Mormon ties to the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE, which works to rob the LGBT COMMUNITY of their civil rights.

2. Directing an amount of money equal to Mormon money spent in California’s Prop. 8 campaign to LGBT marriage equality.

3. Removing from all Mormon canonized scripture any reference to people of color as being “cursed or marked with a dark skin” or being “filthy and loathsome.”

4. Ask Mormon Apostle Dallin H. Oaks to retract his recent teachings on LGBT “alleged civil rights” and affirm that LGBT rights are not “alleged” but deserved and long overdue.

Our production team and cast await the day when Mormons will work with the LGBT community not only with their words, but their money and their members to achieve FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY. This is the only way to truly advocate for the end of discrimination against ALL PEOPLE. Anything else is lip-service.

Sutherland Institute Sacred Ground Footage

First 3 clips released by Sutherland Institute of their “Sacred Ground” meeting. As predicted by many, they have not (so far) released an un-edited version of the meeting. Let’s hear you thoughts! (I’ll keep posting the vids as they are released)

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF PAUL MERO’S SPEECH can now be found on Sutherland Institutes website. You know, I’m still waiting to see how I SO wrongly portrayed the event!

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF LAURALYN SWIM’S REMARKS can also be found here

We are still waiting to see a transcript or video of LaVar Christensen’s speech.