Queer Action Coalition

Friday, September 30, 2005

CIVIL RIGHTS????

On Love In Actions website, they claim the following in regard to their law suit:

Love In Action Files Suit to Protect Civil Rights

Ok, this is just too much...

Plain facts....they offer services that have hurt people. Former clients testify to this, all major mental health and medical associations testify to this.

The spokesperson for the ADF today stated, "LIA is offerring services no different than a homeless shelter"...are they serious about this??




LOVE IN ACTION SUING THE STATE OF TENNESSEE

The Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian right powerhouse law firm is defending Love In Action in a law suit claiming:

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will defend the Christian ministry Love in Action International against claims by the State of Tennessee that it must obtain a license in order to continue operations. ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit on the ministry's behalf today in federal court.

"This is harassment, pure and simple," said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Nate Kellum. "There is no legitimate state interest here. There's no health or safety violation, and there's no fire code or overcrowding concern. Love in Action's ministry has nothing to do whatsoever with mental health as defined by law, but the Department of Mental Health wants to regulate it anyway."

Love in Action (www.loveinaction.org), a private 501(c)3 organization, exists to be a Christ-centered ministry for the prevention or remediation of unhealthy and destructive behaviors facing families, adults, and adolescents.

Last month, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities deemed Love in Action a "mental health supportive living facility" and informed the ministry that it must cease operations by Sept. 30 if it doesn't apply for a license or comply with the department's demands.

"The state is trying to turn a Christian ministry into a state-regulated mental hospital," Kellum explained. "By the state's reasoning, a homeless shelter would become a medical clinic if a homeless person were taking antibiotics for some minor infection. Do we want the state to shut down private organizations that are helping people who are struggling?"



The ADF is notorious for combating the ACLU, claiming:

we work to preserve and defend religious freedom throughout the year and throughout the country...in the areas of religious freedom, sanctity of human life, and traditional family values....we work to combat present threats to religious freedom, we are constantly alerted to issues on the horizon.


We were notified about this today by reporters, first giving an interview in studio at Fox 13, and then being alerted that a spokesperson from the ADF was giving a statement downtown at the Federal Courthouse, where we caught the tailend of his statement and then having every news station in Memphis turn their camera's around and ask questions...tonight every local News will lead the story.

The full text of the complaint and motion for preliminary injunction filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Tennessee, Memphis Division, in the case Love in Action International v. Bredesen can be in a read HERE





Friday, September 23, 2005

As expected....more delay, more delay

State gives Memphis facility another week to seek license

NASHVILLE, Tenn. State officials have given two unlicensed personal care facilities in Memphis another week to apply for a license or change their operations before facing an order to shut down.

The state Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities extended a deadline from today to next Friday.
The facilities are run by a Christian group -- Love In Action International -- that counsels gays to give up homosexuality.
The state contends the group needs a license to provide the services they are now doing.
Love In Action's work, particularly with teenagers, has drawn protests from gay rights advocates.


That comes from the AP. State officials denied having any information about the LIA going to the lisensure dept with state rep's, etc...We also recieved reports that LIA would be closed on Friday from other sources. More info as it comes.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

and so the story goes

We're waiting for verification from the state of TN, however, we've got the following from former LIA client/counselor Bob P.

"In a meeting earlier this week with the Tennessee Department of
Licensure, LiA showed its political muscle. Two Tennessee state
representatives along with a competent attorney attended the meeting
in favor of Love in Action.

According to licensure requirements, LiA cannot house anymore than
one person who falls under the state's jurisdiction. At this time,
LiA has two persons who are considered "mentally ill."

Even though LiA was adamant about the fact that they do not fall
under the state's guidelines since they are a "ministry," it was made
known during the meeting that one of the two clients in question will
be discharged by this weekend."


Two TN state rep's? Oh man, I can't wait to find out who these guys are...
Now, Bellevue Baptist most likely has its own state rep, right? So, ok, that's one, and the other? Hrm.

More soon when the word from the DMHDD comes in.

But honestly, they got two state rep's?

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Channel 13 on Love in Action

Fox News local in Memphis TN will air a piece on the LIA investigation that could have their facilities shut down this week. THe pice will air at 5 or 5:30. They inteviewed former client Jeff Harwood, and Morgan Fox of QAC. Apparently LIA refused to comment, which seems to be their new tactic in media relations, a sharp contrast from when all of this begun.

As Love In Action faces this deadline, QAC is aware that most likely they will find some way to bypass being shut down, however, we are aware of the facts. This organization has hurt many people's lives, costing them not only financially but also through years of emotional/psychological repair. It is our mission of allow the voices of former clients, and those hurt by homophobia to be heard regardless of the outcome of this investigation. We encourage all of those effected by this program to speak up and unify so that a campaign may fully be brought forward to make known the damage done by so many years of an organization operating under the false guise of offering refutable treatment, when it is well known that these so-called treatments lack the credibility LIA would like you to assume they have. Please contact us with your stories of being effected by such organizations, and we will, with the help of other former clients help initiate a unified voice of those effected by their practices. The State of TN has already stated they've been operating illegally, so essentially, this proves their practices have been in violation of the best interests/well-being of those paying thousands of dollars for their assistance. More soon...

Monday, September 19, 2005

please read Peterson Toscano's latest blog

Peterson Toscano, former Love In Action client is an amazing person. He has taken great strength from the situations in his life that have created the greatest strife. He has turned his experiences into action that is affecting so many. His support for the equal rights of all, as opposed to just few is inspiring ans reaffirming. Peterson has been so supportive of QAC in so many ways and we hope to work with him in the near future on projects.
His latest article, The False Image of LIA, is very insightful, and well put.

Peterson, we love you. Thanks for all that you do.



Thursday, September 15, 2005

UPDATE ON THE INVESTIGATION

A lawyer for Love In Action contacted the State of TN late yesterday claiming to have recieved their letter that day, and thereby requested to still recieve the one week time span in order to apply for licensing, or cease operation. It appears that information will be made available about their decision next friday.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Washington Blade journalist, Eartha Melzer continues to write the most insightful and well-informed articles on the LIA debacle

Eartha Melzer has continued to dig in deep and cover this story with the most insightful articles on Love In Action, the investigations, and their relation to homophobia in our society.


Tomorrow we will find out if LIA has complied with minimal regulations with the state, or not. QAC members will be standing by to document any possible developements, which will be updated asap. Once any news comes to light we will immediately announce our plans for some form of action, be it demonstration, or celebration.

More articles from Eartha Melzer on LIA:

Monday, September 12, 2005


LOVE IN ACTION FACES POSSIBLE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER.

After a tip-off from former Love In Action client, turned activist/superhero Peterson Toscano, who phoned yesterday in regards to "possibly big developments" in this investigation, which he recieved from an anonymous source...today it has been confirmed....

The summary from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities (DMHDD) review of Love In Action:

DMHDD staff met with Mr. John Smid, Executive Director of Love In Action, on August 19, 2005. Based on the meeting, it was determined that Love In Action is operating two unlicensed mental health supportive living facilities in Memphis.

In accordance with DMHDD's licensure procedures, a certified letter was sent to Mr. Smid. The letter dated August 23, 2005, stated licensure staff's determination that Love In Action was operating two unlicensed facilities. The letter further stated that he must stop operating the homes within seven (7) days of receiving the letter, or apply for a license within the same time period.

The Department's Office of Licensure determines the seven day period based on the date the organization receives the letter. This is verified by return receipt from the Post Office. Licensure did not receive a return receipt from the post office, so another letter was sent Thursday, September 8th.

If Mr. Smid does not respond by September 15th, licensure staff will revisit Love In Action, to determine if the agency is still operating the two homes. If the homes are still operating, licensure will recommend to the Department's Commissioner that a cease and desist order be issued to Love In Action, in accordance with DMHDD Licensure Law.


Rachel Lassiter
Deputy Press Secretary
Governor's Communications Office


Stay tuned for more information about the progression of this story, what is means in the long run for Ex-Gay facilitites, and for Love In Action in Memphis, TN.

_________________

  • QAC PRESS RELEASE IN REGARDS TO INVESTIGATION:

_________________

LOVE IN ACTION FACES POSSIBLE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER

  • Queer Action Coalition
  • Email: fighting.homophobia@gmail.com
  • Web: http://fightinghomophobia.blogspot.com /
FOR IMMEDITATE RELEASE…MONDAY, SEPT 12, 2005

LOVE IN ACTION, The Memphis-based organization that has come under fire over the past several months after a Bartlet teenager revealed his parents were forcing him into the “fundamentalist christian program for gays”, now faces possible cease and desist orders from the State of Tennessee Dept of Mental Health and Developemental Dissabilities. (see attached statement from the the DMHDD)

This investigation is the third that Love In Action has undergone since protests formed outside their facilities on June 6 of this year by the Queer Action Coalition, a group that seeks to educate the public about issues regarding sexual orientation through the dissemination of information, and community activism. It is the Queer Action Coalition’s belief that any services a counselor/facility provides to a person in need should be beneficial, unbiased and with professional merit, to insure that the person seeking their counsel will be able to do so in a well-informed, healthy atmosphere, and further more that no one should be coerced into any “treatments” for homosexuality considering that all major mental health associations1 clearly state that it is not an illness.

As concerned citizens we feel the negative/uninformed view of homosexuals held by Love In Action contributes to the “brokenness, abandonment, and rejection” felt by the very people they claim to offer treatment or counseling to. We are concerned that such views endanger the well being of gay, and lesbian youth on a daily basis who may already face prejudice, and hatred, which often leads to emotional and physical abuse.

1 The American Psychiatric Association

Sunday, September 11, 2005

"God sent Hurricane Katrina to purify the nation of sins, including homosexuality"?


Texas Gov. Rick Perry stands by without oppostition while fellow texan minister suggests that God may be using hurricane's to purify our nation of gay's, and the like...


Gov. Rick Perry spoke at two private events this week where a Texas minister wondered if God sent Hurricane Katrina to purify the nation of sins, including homosexuality.

The GOP leader didn't object at the gatherings in San Antonio and Houston on Thursday.

Gubernatorial spokesman Robert Black, contacted Friday, said: "The governor does not agree with that. But far be it for the governor to try to divine the will of the Almighty.

"Americans of all faiths need to come together at this point in time to help the victims of this tragedy," he said.

Black said Perry speaks at hundreds of events annually and "sure doesn't do public critiques of what every speaker says."

The Rev. Dwight McKissic, organizing pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, said he asked only if God sent the hurricane "to purify our nation."



Call the California Governor's office to support same-sex marriage!

This bill isn't dead yet. The legislature is holding back from submitting it so that ARNOLD can receive public comment.

Call 916-445-2841

Press 5 to voice your opinion on a current hot issue

then Press 2 for gender-neutral marriage

Then press the corresponding button to Support

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR ABILITY TO HELP MAKE CHANGE!

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Arnold refuses to sign on the dotted line of equal rights...


AS CBS NEWS TELLS IT...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he will veto a bill that would allow gay marriages in California.

Schwarzenegger on Wednesday said the legislation, given final approval Tuesday by lawmakers, would conflict with the intent of voters when they approved a ballot initiative five years ago. Proposition 22 prevents California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states or countries.

Despite his promised veto, Schwarzenegger "believes gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their relationship," the statement said.



I'm sorry, but this is such bullshit. "Should not be descriminated against"???? Ok. Then don't veto a bill that would give them equal rights. POLITICS. EVERYONE'S PLAYING POLITICS. WHO WILL ACT FIRST?