PFLAG Ins and Outs

Here's a couple of odd events that involved PFLAG.

The National PFLAG organization was invited to attend the National PTA convention, then disinvited, then reinvited, then re-disinvited and then re-reinvited on the condition that they not bring one of their booklets.
PFLAG heads to PTA meeting
PFLAG Becomes First Gay Advocacy Group To Address National Parent Teacher Group

Movie Theater Reverses Course On PFLAG Ads: "A movie theater reversed course Tuesday just hours after it said it would no longer run advertisements for a group of parents supporting gay rights because of complaints."

More From The Constitution Defense League

Here's some info on the CDL's next fund raiser:

You’re invited to Join Our Campaign
to Defeat Amendment 2

The Constitution Defense League is fighting for Gay & Lesbian Couples in Missouri. Defeating Amendment 2 on the August 3rd ballot will give hope to couples across our nation!

Friday, June 25 • 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Starring the Demented DIVA Duo: Missy Koonce & Cathy Barnett

FUN • FOOD • CASH BAR • AND A CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY!
WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? NOW IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY!
DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED AT THE DOOR

It's up to US to show the nation that Missouri is a loving &
non-discriminating state that values all of its citizens!!

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The Constitution Defense League (CDL) is the campaign committee working to defeat Amendment 2. The CDL consists of gay and straight individuals and organizations like HRC, NGLTF, PROMO, Four Freedoms, KC Pride, ACLU and many more.

Want to learn more? Online: www.constitutiondefenseleague.org Call us: 816-753-7559

Senate Votes To Extend Hate Crime Protections To Gays and Lesbians

Senators vote 65-33 in support of law against hate crimes - Advocate.com: "The U.S. Senate on Tuesday, on a 65-33 vote, overwhelmingly passed legislation that would fully prosecute bias-motivated crimes that target individuals based on sexual orientation. Every Democrat in attendance voted in favor of the legislation, as did 18 Republicans."

Senate votes to extend hate crime protections to gays, lesbians - billingsgazette.com: "The Senate voted 65-33 Tuesday to give gays and lesbians protection under the federal hate crime law, and officials said a debate was likely next month on a far more controversial measure to amend the Constitution with a ban on homosexual marriages."

Support For Straight Spouses

We've gotten a lot of requests for support from straight spouses of gays and lesbians recently. So our board members in charge of support have asked me to post a notice that straight spouses in the Kansas City area who need support can email them at

Declining rates of youth suicide could be due to growing acceptance of gays

The Advocate reports that declining rates of youth suicide could be due to growing acceptance of gays:

The rate of suicide among American youngsters and teens has dropped dramatically in the last decade, particularly with regard to firearms deaths, the government said Thursday. The suicide rate for those ages 10 to 19 fell by about a quarter, from 6.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 1992 to 4.6 per 100,000 in 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. CDC researchers did not immediately know why the rate dropped, but one expert said issues concerning stigma over sexual orientation has played an important role in reducing teenage suicides. Charles Wibbelsman, chief of the Teenage Clinic of Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on adolescents, said the easing of the social stigma of being gay or lesbian may have played a role, as one in three male suicides are because of sexual orientation. "There are [TV] shows [concerning gays and lesbians] today that weren't on nine years ago," he said. "It's been much more out, and in that respect we've saved a lot more people's lives."

Constitution Defense League

Update: I've been asked me to mention that the Constitution Defense League's main message is "Vote No on Amendment 2".

Here's some information on the Constitution Defense League:

Discrimination is Up for a Vote on August 3rd!

The Constitution Defense League is a coalition of Missourians that formed in March of this year to defeat an amendment to the Missouri Constitution outlawing recognition of same-sex couples. The coalition includes a number of organizations that work for equality before the law for all Missourians:

• PROMO, Missouri's statewide advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality
  


• The American Civil Liberties Union, (Eastern Missouri / Western Missouri & Kansas Chapters)
  


• The Four Freedoms Democratic Club Kansas City
  


• Columbia/ Mid-MO LGBT Coalition

Our strategy is one of aggressive voter identification, education, mobilization, and fundraising throughout the state. We are also coordinating a massive volunteer recruitment and organization effort from our offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia and Springfield.

NOW is the time to VOLUNTEER to DEFEAT this Amendment!

Neighborhood canvassing every Wednesday evening from 5:30-7:30 pm and Saturday morning from 9:30 -11:30 am. Call 816 753-7559 and make a difference.

NOW is the time to make a donation.

Contribute online: www.ConstitutionDefenseLeague.org  or send your check payable to Constitution Defense League, 207 Westport Road, Suite 209, Kansas City, MO 64111

www.constitutiondefenseleague.org

Miriam Hennosy

Hm: 816 363-7191

Cell: 816 820-0516

Office: 816 753-7559

Gay-marriage supporter won't seek re-election

LJWorld.com : Gay-marriage supporter won't seek re-election to Kansas Senate: "David Adkins, the only member of the Kansas Senate to publicly support gay marriage, is not seeking re-election."

Missouri To Vote On Anti-Gay Amendment In August

Missouri To Vote On Anti-Gay Amendment In August
: "A battle between Republicans and Democrats over the timing of a vote on a proposed amendment to the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage was settled Thursday by the Missouri Supreme Court.
In a 6-1 decision the court said that the proposal should be put on the ballot in August."