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Wayne Besen
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Presiding over what some describe as the "strongest bully pulpit in the world," Pope Benedict XVI, just eight months into his tenure, has unilaterally targeted gay men and lesbians as moral threats to society.
From banning gay priests to publicly lobbying against same-sex marriage rights in Spain and Italy, Pope Benedict XVI appears to be taking a swift approach to excluding gay people from equal rights across the globe.
It is really difficult to argue with The Washington Blade's choice. This new pope not only looks like the Grinch, but he's a hardcore homophobe. All I can say is the man clearly has issues - and in the spirit of the holidays, I'll leave it at that.
If you have any other nominees, please feel free to share them.
14 Comments:
I nominate Pat Robertson!!! He's always the biggest anus of all.
I nominate the "American People" for your contest of "Homophobe of the Year". Americans have sat by while other countries of the world have boldly taken steps to eliminate anti-gay discrimination in law and in society. As a result, America is no longer in the forefront of human rights.
It is not surprising that a sexual minority knocked America off that mantle, for Americans have always been embarrassingly juvenile and puritanical when it comes to issues of human sexuality.
Sadly, our fellow citizens have utterly failed to learn those crucial equality lessons that were offered to them from the civil rights movements of their parents' generation.
We live in a country that still has not grasped the fact that you do not pass laws against particular groups of people, no matter how much you might dislike them. Just as Germans in the 1930s rushed to marginalize Jews through the misuse of law, Americans also abuse the law to stigmatize gays and lesbians. And even in the year 2005, it is done in the name of goodness and righteousness.
I have often wondered how some of my fellow citizens persecute their gay neighbors in good conscience. But, indeed, Americans DO discriminate "in good conscience"! Their anti-gay bigotry and the lack of a conceptual understanding of equality are still, to this very day, held up as examples of "morality" and "traditional values". Homophobe of the year? The USA is the clear winner of that prize.
posted by Anonymous, at
12/29/2005 2:00 PM
I echo Chris' nomination, the American electorate voted for inequality for the LGBT community in the last election. Though I think its a tie with the pope. The American electorate and Log Cabin voters give impetus to right wing zealots such as Robertson, Falwell, Wildmon, Mabon et al by electing an equally bigoted zealot, George Bush. We're in bad shape politically and socially, heaven knows what another three years of this regime will yield.
I agree with Chris and Robert, but since this is an international 'prize', (the pope), I think islam beats out the american electorate AND the pope. As heinous as 'christians' can be when it comes to human and gay rights, islam is worse! They still treat women like shit and LGBT people are entrapped, tortured and MURDERED; even children. Remember the gay teenaged boys who were flogged and hanged earlier this year. So much for the "peace" of islam and their "merciful" allah. Bumfuck Egypt indeed! Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at
12/29/2005 2:41 PM
THE POPE CAN EAT MY STINKING FAT, HAIRY ASS!! HE'S A LOSER. AND THOSE EYEATOLLAS CAN GO SCREW THEMSELVES TOO. AND JERRY FALWELL -MAY HE DIE OF A HEART ATTACK FROM EATING TOO MANY CORNDOGS. FAT FUCKING PIG.
Wow! After reading everyones feedback ... Chris I hit it home ... especially after watching my fellow citizens in Texas by a majority of 75% vote against Gay Marriage (which wasn't actually even on the ballot - it was Constitutional Amendment preempting Gay Marriage) ... I have to agree "the American People" have to be on the list right along side the ugly Shia-loving muslims followed closely by his Grinchiness the dopey-Pope.
But the American people owe this honor to folks like Dobson, Falwell, Robertson, et al who have to take ownership of the hate-mongering they sell in the name Jeezus.
I think in terms of identifying the root of public opinion, that leadership is responsible for this. Therefore, I nominate George W. Bush as homophobe of the year. He is esteemed in this award in that he wins hands down in several other categories such as liar, religious hypocrite, war-monger, sexist,racist, and on and on. He is a despicable human being and one of the least deserved leaders in history. He has taken the great nation of the United States and turned it into the most hated nation on earth and a laughing stock in terms of "democracy and freedom", two words he doesn't know the meaning of. As a homophobe, he is a class A asshole. He's the one who spews the sanctity of marriage code words to the American People, thus, spreading his particularly disgusting brand of homophobia. Step up the plate and collect your award(s) W, you've earned it.
posted by Anonymous, at
12/29/2005 11:41 PM
As a side note, what's with that stupid hat on the RatNazi?
posted by Anonymous, at
12/29/2005 11:43 PM
Gary, its interesting what you say about Islam. I took a lot of flack for the same sentiments I expressed at 365gay.com. There are some nice, well intentioned gay people who participate in that website's forum, most of them Christian believers, but some are apologists who still think that Islam is a peaceful religion. If that is the case, then who among the Islamic nations and leaders has condemned the recent public executions of young gay people in Iran and elsewhere? I can't name one. Their Quran may well advocate peace, but the adherents of that faith do not by their tacit support of these crimes against humanity. Nor did I hear any outright condemnation by the Vatican, Israel or the rest of Christendom either. Had these young people not been gay, we would probably have seen international outrage. The collective homophobia is breathtaking. So, in addition to the American electorate and the Pope, I enjoin you in nominating Islam and all other right wing bigots of all persuasions.
I saw that the Pope was greeting the youth for Christmas with this hat on, can we yell homophobic epithets at HIM?
How dare they push the good priests away who are gay and tell them they're not wanted. They will pay for their insolence with God. Screw em, the Catholics that support this crap can have that "church". Those who disagree should join more loving churches and let that dying beast kill itself (and I'm not talking about faith in Jesus). They are a fanatical group and I don't like calling them a church anymore.
Thanks again Wayne, for great stories. I put up a link for you on boxofficemojo because we have exodus backers on there trying to coax the gays to avoid brokeback mountain and join... help us! hope to hear from you,
