Lesbian.com, May 26, 2012
Epic battle between good and evil
Apparently tired of waging repeated losing battles against real people, the conservative Christian activist group One Million Moms is now scuffling with comic book characters. The group, whose actual membership is several orders of magnitude lower than one might otherwise infer from their lofty moniker, made headlines recently for their crusade against J.C. Penney after the retailer named lesbian talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres spokeswoman in their national ad campaign.
Incensed by DC Comics’ recent announcement that one of its perennial characters would be coming out in a June storyline and disgusted by Marvel’s similarly-timed decision to allow superhero Northstar to marry his long-time companion Kyle, One Million Moms is urging its members to express their disdain by emailing the comic book publishers.
“This is ridiculous! Why do adult gay men need comic superheroes as role models? They don’t, but do want to indoctrate [sic] impressionable young minds by placing these gay characters on pedestals in a positive light,” the group posted on their website, seemingly without benefit of a spell-check review. “These companies are heavily influencing our youth by using children’s superheroes to desensitize and brainwash them in thinking that a gay lifestyle choice is normal and desirable.”
Characteristically, the Moms are on the wrong side of history here, mangling even the most basic facts as everyone knows that no gay man with an ounce of self-respect would ever permit himself to be placed atop a pedestal. How passé.
Exxon Mobil feels the heat
Having recently realized success in persuading Equifax and Dollar General to adopt policies to protect the rights of their LGBT workers, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli will be urging Fortune 500 behemoth Exxon Mobil Corporation to follow suit during its shareholders meeting set for May 30. DiNapoli plans to introduce a shareholder’s resolution which calls for the oil and gas giant to add LGBT anti-discrimination provisions to its existing policies.
Freedom to Work founder and President Tico Almeida also announced a petition on Change.org asking Exxon Mobil to be more inclusive of their gay employees. “Exxon is decades behind in adopting the American values of civil rights by refusing to ban LGBT workplace discrimination and denying equal benefits to gay and lesbian employees, even though Exxon receives lucrative federal contracts worth millions in U.S. taxpayer dollars every year. Most major oil companies — Chevron, BP, Texaco — already have these policies in place. This is the right thing to do for business, and it’s the right thing to do morally,” Almeida stated.
While Exxon Mobil espouses its efforts in “taking on the world’s toughest energy challenges,” it would be nice to see them address this most basic of human rights challenges at home.
Cherry chapstick or not, bachelorettes banned at the Abbey
Twice named “Best Gay Bar in the World,” renowned for its all-inclusive atmosphere, and once a home away from home for legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, Los Angeles gay bar The Abbey announced that it will no longer be welcoming bachelorette parties until such time as “marriage is legal everywhere for everyone.”
“Every Friday and Saturday night, we’re flooded with requests from straight girls in penis hats who want to ogle our gogos, dance with the gays and celebrate their pending nuptials. They are completely unaware that the people around them are legally prohibited from getting married,” explained The Abbey’s owner, David Cooley.
While the club will continue to welcome patrons of all orientations, Los Angeles brides-to-be will have to find another place to dip their toes in the lady pond. Katy Perry was unavailable for comment.
