Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Friday, October 13, 2006

Oppressive Soviet values are alive and well in Sacramento, where evangelical Russian and Ukranian immigrants are harassing and intimidating gay rights advocates. The behavior of these goons has become so threatening that gay activist Jerry Sloan founded Stand Up, a gay self-defense organization. Apparently, one is needed because these Soviets like to forcefully bang gay people on the head and yell "Saved." Such actions are assaults and the police must begin to aggressively arrest and prosecute those who engage in such anti-American behavior.

Unlike normal Russian immigrants who abide by American rules of civility, this Sacramento crowd is different because they belong to puritanical, apocalyptic evangelical churches. These hateful storm troopers are being trained by California right wing activist Randy Thomasson and dispatched at the state capitol or Pride events waving Fred Phelps-like anti-gay signs.

In the LA Times article illuminating the new threat, it says this Soviet-like mafia of messianic morons may have led to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoing a bill that would have banned negative references based on sexual orientation from state textbooks and classes.

The GLBT community must deal with this new reality by quickly acting to educate this community. They are ignorant of homosexuality and genuinely afraid their kids are getting caught up in "sin." A coming out guide and a fact sheet on homosexuality written in Russian are sorely needed. We can't let our hard-fought gains be revoked by new arrivals who have no clue what this nation stands for.

8 Comments:

Well, I will certainly pray for their minds to be opened to kindness and humanity. Without love we are nothing.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/13/2006 3:00 PM

Goon squads of ignorant immigrants. What won't the Right think of (or stoop to) next?
posted by Anonymous, at 10/13/2006 3:26 PM

"Coming out guide and fact sheet in Russian"

I have an Ally friend who was born in the Russian part of the Ukraine and speaks fluent Russian. I'm sure if you gave him the text, he'd be more than happy to help translate it.

Let me know. He's ASCIILifeForm on LiveJournal.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/13/2006 5:05 PM

Don't forget the gang of Russian Evangelicals who bashed Micah Painter, a gay man in Seattle a couple of years ago. Conservative Christian lawyers rushed in to defend the bashers.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/14/2006 3:15 AM

good God, this is HORRIFIC. I know the USA isn't great for gay rights, but the sad truth is that other countries kill gays regularly. I am shocked that ignorant thinking is taking over these Russian immigrants or long-line US citizens with Russian heritage.

This has to stop. I will pray the Calif. legislature demands action on this and I will look into this more and email the congressman/woman where this is occuring.

WAYNE - HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER ---- HUG!
dal
posted by Anonymous, at 10/14/2006 3:34 AM

I wish these f-----s and the muslims who have the same mentality would stay in their own countries. If they cant live peacefully in a multicultural free society--GET THE HELL OUT!
posted by Anonymous, at 10/14/2006 9:59 AM

A parking ticket is a violation- does that warrant deportation? No. But violent crimes definitely should be considered.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/14/2006 10:10 PM

Aren't the Minutemen supposed to protect us from those who are considered a threat to America? Unfortunately, there are certain immigrants who fall through the cracks (allowed by immigration officials) and pose a threat to the freedom-loving GLBT community.
posted by Anonymous, at 10/15/2006 5:08 AM