Northern Colorado Gazette
newspaper
Pedophiles want same rights as homosexuals
Claim unfair to be stigmatized for sexual orientation
by Jack Minor –
Using the same tactics used by “gay” rights activists, pedophiles have begun to seek similar status arguing their desire for children is a sexual orientation no different than heterosexual or homosexuals.
Critics of the homosexual lifestyle have long claimed that once it became acceptable to identify homosexuality as simply an “alternative lifestyle” or sexual orientation, logically nothing would be off limits. “Gay” advocates have taken offense at such a position insisting this would never happen. However, psychiatrists are now beginning to advocate redefining pedophilia in the same way homosexuality was redefined several years ago.
In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. A group of psychiatrists with B4U-Act recently held a symposium proposing a new definition of pedophilia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders of the APA.
B4U-Act calls pedophiles “minor-attracted people.” The organization’s website states its purpose is to, “help mental health professionals learn more about attraction to minors and to consider the effects of stereotyping, stigma and fear.”
In 1998 The APA issued a report claiming “that the ‘negative potential’ of adult sex with children was ‘overstated’ and that ‘the vast majority of both men and women reported no negative sexual effects from childhood sexual abuse experiences.”
Pedophilia has already been granted protected status by the Federal Government. The Matthew Shephard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act lists “sexual orientation” as a protected class; however, it does not define the term.
Republicans attempted to add an amendment specifying that “pedophilia is not covered as an orientation;” however, the amendment was defeated by Democrats. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fl) stated that all alternative sexual lifestyles should be protected under the law. “This bill addresses our resolve to end violence based on prejudice and to guarantee that all Americans, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability or all of these ‘philias’ and fetishes and ‘isms’ that were put forward need not live in fear because of who they are. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this rule.”
The White House praised the bill saying, “At root, this isn’t just about our laws; this is about who we are as a people. This is about whether we value one another – whether we embrace our differences rather than allowing them to become a source of animus.”
Earlier this year two psychologists in Canada declared that pedophilia is a sexual orientation just like homosexuality or heterosexuality.
Van Gijseghem, psychologist and retired professor of the University of Montreal, told members of Parliament, “Pedophiles are not simply people who commit a small offense from time to time but rather are grappling with what is equivalent to a sexual orientation just like another individual may be grappling with heterosexuality or even homosexuality.”
He went on to say, “True pedophiles have an exclusive preference for children, which is the same as having a sexual orientation. You cannot change this person’s sexual orientation. He may, however, remain abstinent.”
When asked if he should be comparing pedophiles to homosexuals, Van Gijseghem replied, “If, for instance, you were living in a society where heterosexuality is proscribed or prohibited and you were told that you had to get therapy to change your sexual orientation, you would probably say that that is slightly crazy. In other words, you would not accept that at all. I use this analogy to say that, yes indeed, pedophiles do not change their sexual orientation.”
Dr. Quinsey, professor emeritus of psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, agreed with Van Gijseghem. Quinsey said pedophiles’ sexual interests prefer children and, “There is no evidence that this sort of preference can be changed through treatment or through anything else.”
In July, 2010 Harvard health Publications said, “Pedophilia is a sexual orientation and unlikely to change. Treatment aims to enable someone to resist acting on his sexual urges.”
Linda Harvey, of Mission America, said the push for pedophiles to have equal rights will become more and more common as LGBT groups continue to assert themselves. “It’s all part of a plan to introduce sex to children at younger and younger ages; to convince them that normal friendship is actually a sexual attraction.”
Milton Diamond, a University of Hawaii professor and director of the Pacific Center for Sex and Society, stated that child pornography could be beneficial to society because, “Potential sex offenders use child pornography as a substitute for sex against children.”
Diamond is a distinguished lecturer for the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco. The IASHS openly advocated for the repeal of the Revolutionary war ban on homosexuals serving in the military.
The IASHS lists, on its website, a list of “basic sexual rights” that includes “the right to engage in sexual acts or activities of any kind whatsoever, providing they do not involve nonconsensual acts, violence, constraint, coercion or fraud.” Another right is to, “be free of persecution, condemnation, discrimination, or societal intervention in private sexual behavior” and “the freedom of any sexual thought, fantasy or desire.” The organization also says that no one should be “disadvantaged because of age.”
Sex offender laws protecting children have been challenged in several states including California, Georgia and Iowa. Sex offenders claim the laws prohibiting them from living near schools or parks are unfair because it penalizes them for life.
Indoctrination: Teacher won’t let students critique President Obama UPDATED
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WARNING! Before reading this story please do the following: 1) Locate
the nearest roll of industrial strength duct tape. 2) Wrap duct tape
around your head. 3) Have a towel handy.Yes, this story could make your head explode and make blood shoot out of your eyeballs.
Glenn has been ringing the bell about the indoctrination happening in schools and colleges across the country, and today he may have found some of the most excruciating evidence yet. In North Carolina, a high school student infuriated his social studies teacher who accused him of disrespecting the President. The teacher, clearly an Obama supporter, told him he could even be jailed for speaking ill of the President.
The Blaze reports, “The social studies educator went on for a full minute with more ranting, saying that people were arrested for saying derogatory things about President Bush. The student correctly reminded the teacher that opinions are protected, but you cannot be arrested unless you threaten the president.”
The school has come out and said the teacher will not be facing any disciplinary action. They released the following statement:
“The Rowan-Salisbury School System expects all students and employees to be respectful in the school environment and for all teachers to maintain their professionalism in the classroom. This incident should serve as an education for all teachers to stop and reflect on their interaction with students. Due to personnel and student confidentiality, we cannot discuss the matter publicly.”“I believe this may be one of the dumbest people I’ve ever heard in a classroom,” Glenn said upon playing the audio.
“You’re expecting your child to come out and learn critical thinking from this woman?” he added. “Here’s intimidation. She’s making the point apparently in the front of the classroom and when he continues, she walks right up to him: You will not disrespect the president of the United States. So now you have the intimidation factor.”
Watch video of the incident below:
Update:
We learned the name and the fate of the Social Studies teacher heard on the video posted below. Toyna Dixon-Neely is the woman heard yelling at students who dared to express negative opinions about President Obama. We also found out that Ms. Dixon-Neely’s outrageous statements did not necessarily penalize the high school teacher as the local newspaper is reporting that she has been suspended with pay. (Curiously the Huffington Post says that the teacher is on an unpaid suspension, pending the outcome of the investigation by the school board.)
The church that's opened its doors to Islam: Christians roll out welcome to Muslims who were having to pray in the wind and rain because their mosque was so small
- The Syed Shah Mustafa Jame Masjid mosque was too small to fit everyone in
- Church minister Rev Isaac Poobalan saw worshippers praying outside
- Now he has handed over part of St John's Episcopal Church in Aberdeen
- Bishop says: 'It would be good to think we can change the world'
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A Scottish church has become the first in the UK to share its premises with Muslim worshippers.
St John’s Episcopal Church in Aberdeen now welcomes hundreds of Muslims praying five times a day in their building as the nearby mosque was so small that they were forced to worship outside.
The minister of St John's, Rev Isaac Poobalan, has handed over part of the church hall to Chief Imam Ahmed Megharbi and the imam has led prayers in the main chapel.
Rev Poobalan said today that he would not be true to his faith if he did not offer to help.
Sheikh Ahmed Megharbi, left, and Rev Isaac
Poobalan, right, behind the altar at St John's Episcopal Church,
Aberdeen, which is also being used as a place of worship for Muslims
Rev Poobalan, right, said he would not be true
to his faith if he did not offer to help his neighbours with their
overcrowding problem
'The mosque was so full at times, there would be people outside in the wind and rain praying.
'I knew I couldn’t just let this happen - because I would be abandoning what the Bible teaches us about how we should treat our neighbours.
'When I spoke to people at the church about the situation, someone actually said to me this was not our problem, but I had seen it with my own eyes, so it was a problem.
Rev Poobalan said: 'They were out there praying and the snow came on for the first time in winter, it was really hard to watch.
'When they were doing the prayer they had their hands and feet exposed and they were sitting on on the pavement, which is very rough.
'You could even see them breathing because it was so cold and I think when I saw that, the visual impact was such that I just couldn't walk past.
'It felt wrong, mainly because the church is next door, it's a big building and it remains empty on a Friday lunchtime which is when they need the place most as that's when they are at their busiest.
'We had something we could offer and they were just standing out in the cold and I said to my congregation "we need to do something".'
Rev Poobalan said he wanted the move to help build bridges between Christians and Muslims after some initial resistance from his congregation about the move.
He said: 'It's a move that is so basic and fundamental. It has nothing to do with religion - it's all based on human need.
'The religious divide shouldn't divide us as people.
'But I anticipated there would be some opposition as it's strange and new and there was some natural anxiety in the beginning.
'But once people realised that there is more commonality between us.
'I certainly hope, wish and pray that this will help relations between the two religions.
'When I spoke to the imam there was some hesitation on their part too, because this has never been done before.
'But they took us up on the offer and it has been a positive relationship.'
St John's Episcopal Church in Aberdeen is believed to be the first in the UK to share with Muslims
Rev Poobalan, 50, said being
surrounded by Islam while growing up in India helped break down the
divide for worshippers of two religions praying together in Aberdeen.
Sheikh Ahmed Megharbi of the Syed Shah Mustafa Jame Masjid mosque said: 'What happens here is special and there should be no problem repeating this across the country.
'The relationship is friendly and respectful.'
St John's is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the Anglican Communion and distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland.
The Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, the Right Rev Dr Robert Gillies said that this relationship could be the start of a change in dynamics between the two faiths.
Dr Gillies said: 'It would be good to think we can change the world.
'Most of us most of the time feel we can’t so don’t bother.
'But sometimes, someone has a vision we can do something of global significance on a local scale.
'This is what is happening between St John’s and the mosque in its grounds.
'Everyone can do something locally and if more were to do so then something big might just begin to happen globally.'
Dr Gillies said that the 'eyes of the world' were now focused on the two faiths represented in the building on the city’s Crown Terrace.
Although the Christian church regards Jesus as the son of God, the Muslim faith views him as a key prophet.
Even with differences like these, there can be a mutual respect, said Dr Gillies.Sheikh Ahmed Megharbi of the Syed Shah Mustafa Jame Masjid mosque said: 'What happens here is special and there should be no problem repeating this across the country.
'The relationship is friendly and respectful.'
St John's is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the Anglican Communion and distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland.
The Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, the Right Rev Dr Robert Gillies said that this relationship could be the start of a change in dynamics between the two faiths.
Dr Gillies said: 'It would be good to think we can change the world.
'Most of us most of the time feel we can’t so don’t bother.
'But sometimes, someone has a vision we can do something of global significance on a local scale.
'This is what is happening between St John’s and the mosque in its grounds.
'Everyone can do something locally and if more were to do so then something big might just begin to happen globally.'
Dr Gillies said that the 'eyes of the world' were now focused on the two faiths represented in the building on the city’s Crown Terrace.
Although the Christian church regards Jesus as the son of God, the Muslim faith views him as a key prophet.
Sections of the church hall have been handed over to the mosque and the imam has led prayers in the chapel
The relationship between the mosque and St John’s has developed over the past few years.
On Christmas Eve 2010 both opened their doors for prayers, food and socialising.
In 2011, the church and mosque teamed up to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the USA.
Verses were read from both the Bible and the Koran to commemorate those who died.
There have been cases of Christians allowing Muslims to pray in their churches in parts of America.
In 2011, two Florida churches were criticised for opening their doors to Muslim groups.
But Church leaders believe the move in Aberdeen is a first for the United Kingdom.
Obama: Gays Have Right To Serve In Military
Obama urged a repeal of the ban on gays in the military during his State Of The Union speech.
Obama's reference to the "don't ask, don't tell" practice took only 38 words of his State of the Union address, but he drew criticism from Democratic allies and Republican opponents alike. It also underscored the challenge Obama faces, not just with Congress but also with the Pentagon, where some top officials have been strident in their support for the Clinton-era policy.
"This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are," Obama said. "It's the right thing to do."
The statement drew a standing ovation from Congress and from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, but it fell short for gay activists.
An organization representing service members who had been dismissed called on Obama to push a repeal in the upcoming Pentagon budget, and Clinton's adviser on gay issues called Obama's performance in the first year "an almost complete disaster."
Kevin Nix, communications director at the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said the group wants Obama to repeal the policy the same way Clinton introduced it in 1993 – through the defense authorization bill.
"We very much need a sense of urgency to get this done in 2010," said Nix, whose group estimates more that 13,500 gays and lesbians have been dismissed since 1994. "What is also needed is more attention and leadership to win repeal."
Richard Socarides, a Clinton adviser who has been a vocal critic of how Obama has handled gay constituents, was less reserved.
"In 1999, Bill Clinton became the first president ever to talk about gay rights in a State of the Union address. Eleven years later, not much has changed," Socarides said. Talking again about ending the policy "without a moratorium on the witch hunts and expulsions and without even a plan for future action, just won't cut it," he said.
Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said Obama should have announced a suspension of dismissals.
"The time for broad statements is over. The time to get down to business is overdue. We wish we had heard him speak of concrete steps tonight," Carey said.
Obama's relationship with the gay community has been rocky since his election. Gays and lesbians objected to the invitation of evangelist Rev. Rick Warren to participate in Obama's inauguration because of Warren's support for repealing gay marriage in California.
As president, Obama hasn't taken any concrete steps urging the repeal of the policy that allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they don't disclose their sexual orientation or act on it. Some former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have acknowledged the policy is flawed and Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen signed off on a journal article that called for lifting the ban.
Yet Mullen's lawyers have urged a delay that could go into the middle of the next presidential election.
"Now is not the time," the in-house advisers for Mullen wrote recently in a memorandum. "The importance of winning the wars we are in, along with the stress on the force, our body of knowledge and the number of unknowns, demand that we act with deliberation."
Mullen received the conflicting advice this month about whether to move quickly to lift the 1993 ban, and it is not clear what he will recommend to Obama. Although allowing gays to serve openly in the military was one of Obama's campaign promises, the issue was put on a back burner during his first year in office. Some liberal supporters and several congressional Democrats are pushing for action.
The top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee urged Obama to listen to the uniforms.
"No action to change the law should be taken by the administration or by this Congress until we have a full and complete understanding of the reasons why the current law threatens or undermines readiness in any significant way," Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., wrote to Mullen and Gates, "whether a change in law will improve readiness in measurable ways, and what the implications for and effects on military readiness, cohesion, morale, good order and discipline are entailed with a change in law."
Republican Sen. John McCain, a prisoner of war during Vietnam and Obama's opponent in the 2008 presidential race, said the policy has been successful.
"At a time when our armed forces are fighting and sacrificing on the battlefield, now is not the time to abandon the policy," said McCain, R-Ariz.
WASHINGTON — President
Barack Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in
the military in a speech Saturday, but acknowledged to a cheering crowd
that the policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming
as quickly as they expected.
-
Other political news of note
-
Medicare fund insolvency date a bit further away than last year
The trustees of the federal government’s two largest entitlement programs – Social Security and Medicare – reported Friday that the Medicare hospital insurance fund is a bit further away than projected last year from exhausting its assets,
- Re-emergence of debate over controversies could loom for Obama
- Obama urges Congress to follow his lead to extend student loan rates
- Bachmann's Democratic opponent bows out of race
- Hillary’s polling numbers come back down to earth
-
Medicare fund insolvency date a bit further away than last year
The law was passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton, who also promised to repeal the ban on homosexuals in the military but was blunted by opposition in the military and Congress. Obama said he's working with Pentagon and congressional leaders on ending the policy.
"We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country," Obama said. "We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars.
Obama said it was no secret "our progress may be taking longer than we like." He followed this by asking supporters to trust his administration's course.
"I appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough," Obama said. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."
Advocating for a timeline Some advocates said they already have heard Obama's promises — they just want to hear a timeline. Cleve Jones, a pioneer activist and creator of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, said Obama delivered a brilliant speech, but added "it lacked the answer to our most pressing question, which is when."
"He repeated his promises that he's made to us before, but he did not indicate when he would accomplish these goals and we've been waiting for a while now."
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners.
He expressed strong support for the Human Rights Campaign agenda — ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people — but stopped short of laying out a detailed plan for how to get there.
"My expectation is that when you look back on these years you will look back and see a time when we put a stop against discrimination ... whether in the office or the battlefield," Obama said.
Focusing on war, economy Obama's political energies are focused on managing two wars, the economic crisis and his attempt to reform the health care system.
His message Saturday was one of unity and support for a group that has funneled large amounts of money into Democratic coffers.
"I'm here with a simple message: I'm here with you in that fight," Obama said.
Obama also addressed those who not favor advancing gay rights. A recent Pew Research Center poll asked about homosexual behavior, and about half said it is morally wrong. "There's still laws to change and there's still hearts to open," Obama said.
Since Obama took office in January, some advocates have complained that Obama has not followed through on promises on issues they hold dear and has not championed their causes from the White House, including ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military and pushing tough nondiscrimination policies.
Richard Socarides, who advised Clinton's administration on gay and lesbian policy, said Obama delivered "a strong speech in tone, although only vaguely reassuring in content."
"The president and Nobel winner came and paid his respects, but tomorrow many will ask: What's his plan, what's his timetable?"
In the past, Obama has urged the gay-rights community to trust him. In June, he pointed to some initial efforts, such as a presidential memorandum he issued that expands some federal benefits to same-sex partners.
Obama publicly has previously committed himself to repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they don't disclose their sexual orientation or act on it. But Obama hasn't taken any concrete steps urging Congress to rescind the policy, and his national security adviser last weekend would only say that Obama will focus on overturning it "at the right time."
Obama also pledged during the campaign to work for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. But lawyers in his administration defended the law in a court brief. White House aides said they were only doing their jobs to back a law that was already on the books.
The gay community is somewhat split as to whether Obama should be expected to produce results right away.
The Human Rights Campaign, which invited Obama to speak at its dinner Saturday night, holds out hope of seeing more action.
"We have never had a stronger ally in the White House. Never," Joe Solmonese, the group's president, said at the dinner before Obama spoke. In an interview, he said the Obama administration has been working with the group on a range of issues "on an almost weekly and sometimes daily basis."
Obama noted that new hate-crimes legislation, which would make it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation. Approved by the House this week, Obama predicted it would pass the Senate and promised to sign it into law.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
