American Family Association Gets Caught Rewriting Associated Press Stories

The American Family Association's website OneNewsNow.com sports the tagline "Your Latest News from a Christian Perspective." In addition to op-eds from antigay authors, the site relies on content from the Associated Press. They routinely make changes to put spin on the AP stories, placing the words marriage and wedding in quotes when referring to same-gender couples and swapping out the phrase "groups that oppose same-sex marriage" to read "groups that support one-man, one-woman marriage."1 Additionally, they make use of a filter to replace every instance of the word "gay" with "homosexual." So when olympic athlete Tyson Gay ran the fastest 100m of all time earlier this week, the headline at OneNewsNow.com read "Homosexual eases into 100 final at Olympic trials."

Howard Fendrich's AP story, modified by the American Family Association for readers of OneNewsNow.com, included the following amusing lines:

"Tyson Homosexual was a blur in blue, sprinting 100 meters faster than anyone ever has." "Wearing a royal blue uniform with red and white diagonal stripes across the front, along with matching shoes, all in a tribute to 1936 Olympic star Jesse Owens, Homosexual dominated the competition." "Everyone expected Homosexual to make the U.S. team."

After the laughs and shaking of heads, instances like this are sure to give people everywhere pause. The American Family Association's fixation with being antigay -- right down to the word itself -- serves neither America nor the many families that call her home.

1. "Moral" group's continued embrace of unethical journalism

Reprinted from "Souforce Email Update, July 1, 2008" Join Soulforce www.soulforce.org

Calling All Athletes! Whether you walk, run or cycle, Equality Illinois has something planned for you!

On Saturday, June 28th, Equality Illinois asks you to join our team for Proud To Run 2008, Chicago Pride Weekend's 5K/10K Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk. Now in its’ 27th year, Proud To Run celebrates lesbian and gay pride. Everyone who wishes to join in the celebration and show support is welcome, regardless of sexual orientation. Presented in association with the Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago, Chicago’s LGBT running and walking club, Proud To Run raises funds to help health and service organizations in Chicago. The event begins at 8:04 am, and is held on Lincoln Park’s running/bike path just east of Lake Shore Drive, with both the start and finish at Montrose Avenue (4400 North). Both Equality Illinois’ running and walking teams will be headed up by Equality Illinois Board member Linda Pauel. For additional information on becoming a member of one of our teams and cost of participation, please contact Linda at LPauel@EQIL.org.

Later this summer, on Saturday, August 16th, bicycle enthusiasts are asked to join the Equality Illinois cycling team for Rolling on the River-- Illinois’ Bike Ride for the Environment. Held at the Kendall County Fairgrounds in Yorkville, IL, Rolling on the River brings attention to Illinois’ air and water quality, food supply, rivers and other natural resources. The choice of one-day rides includes a casual cruise of 15 miles to an intense workout of 100 miles. The fully-supported, clearly marked routes cross the Fox River multiple times, with a scenic vistas, rolling hills and wildlife. Participants can purchase official Team EQIL cycling jerseys, underwritten in part by Nutrisoda, Aquafina Alive Water and Moët Hennessy USA, to whom we extend a heartfelt thank you. For information on how you can purchase a team jersey, please contact Equality Illinois Board member Tamara Lewis at TLewis@EQIL.org. To register for this event, please go to RollingRiverRide. Make sure you specify Equality Illinois as your Team! For additional information, go to http://www.rollingriverride.org.

Become a Member

Join Equality Illinois and Support the Cause! Equality Illinois invites you to become an active member as we work towards a full and equal place at the table for LGBT people and our families in Illinois. By being an active member, you let us know that you are out there, that you are on the side of equality and justice, and that our voice is reaching open hearts and minds. Educating our fellow Illinoisans and government officials about legislative issues, building a strong support network that crosses the boundaries of sexual orientation and gender identity, and maintaining a strong and effective team of lobbyists are all key to our future successes, and that is why your support is so very critical today. Your financial contributions are vital to our existence. Your membership is the support that keeps us going. Equality Illinois offers many membership plans, Individual to Household, Activist to Capitol Club. Please consider joining or renewing your membership now. To join online, please click here. For additional information on membership plans and options, please contact Joey McDonald at JMcDonald@EQIL.org or 773-477-7173.

House rejects benefits for partners of gay Chicago teachers

Associated Press - April 15, 2008 6:34 PM ET
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois House has rejected a measure aimed at helping gay teachers in Chicago.
The measure involves pension benefits that surviving spouses can collect after a teacher dies. The change would have allowed gay teachers to give survivor benefits to their partners, just as married couples can.
The legislation failed 43-67 Tuesday.
Supporters say the change wouldn't have cost taxpayers anything. Teachers would have paid all costs.
They also say it's only fair to let gay teachers provide financial security for their partners.
But Republican Representative Ron Stephens calls the idea "an important error in judgment."
The bill is HB4731.
On the Net: http://www.ilga.gov http://www.wandtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8171745

Feel free to contact Mr. Stephens or your own rep. to explain to him what "an important error in judgement" really is and that gays and lesbians are part of their constituency.

Ron Stephens

112A Executive Drive

Highland, IL 62249

(618) 651-0405

(618) 651-0413 FAX Two reps cover the tri cities area. I'm not exactly sure where the boundary is but they both voted against it as well. The rep for the eastern part of the Tri Cities is Mike Fortner. 135 Fremont St. West Chicago, IL 60185 (630) 293-9344 (630) 293-9785 FAX The western part of the Tri Cities is Tim Schmitz. 127 Hamilton Street Suite D Geneva, IL 60134 (630) 845-9590 (630) 845-9592 FAX

Ted Haggard and Larry Craig should take a lesson from this guy!

from www.goodasyou.org

Contemporary Christian Celebrity Comes Out.

Southworth: Embracing his worth, even in the South

He''s a Southern boy. He hosts a Christian television show. And while those two things might seem like reasons to stay in the closet, Nashvillian TV personality Azariah Southworth isn't going to let anything stand in the way of his truth. He's just come out:
Popular Christian TV host comes out [Out & About]
It remains to be seen how those in the Christian community, who have profiled Azariah in their media outlets and celebrated his program, will react to his revelation. Though if a betting man, this writer would put money on the word "Satan" factoring into their replies.
But damning condemnations be damned. Welcome out, Azariah!

At least for the time being, you can send Azariah a note of encouragement at www.myspace.com/theremixtv


See the Resources page

Obama Speech on Race and Politics in America - March 18, 2008

Illinois General Assembly debates HB 1826 - Domestic Partner Law Your Help is Needed Now! Equality Illinois seeks your help in contacting your representative and senator in Springfield in support of the bill.

• HB1826 provides recognition and guarantees some of the rights and responsibilities to persons in civil unions that are currently granted to persons in civil marriages.

• Gay and lesbian couples and seniors should have the same inheritance rights, medical decision-making rights and protections as married couples in Illinois.

• This bill also affirms religious institutions’ right not to solemnize these unions.

• We have come far, but we still have a long way to go before all Illinois families are treated fairly and equitably. You have the power to help make equality a reality in Illinois.

Please go to Equality Illinois now, for mor informaton and to contact your legislators in Springfield.