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Education
Issues
Homosexual
Agenda
NEWS
RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078
or 1.814.437.5355
Majority
of Americans Disagree with Senator Santorum and Judge Jones
(
“Senator
Santorum has been backwatering on this issue since August when
he stated he did not believe Intelligent Design should be taught
in the classroom. The Senator is missing the mark –
About the time Senator Santorum was beginning to change sides on the Evolution/Intelligent Design issue, both President George Bush and Senator Arlen Specter said they believed both sides of the debate should be discussed so people could better understand what the debate is about.
Additionally,
in his
In
a poll
conducted July 7-17 by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public
Life and the
Gramley said in conclusion, “The majority of Americans understand what is at stake and want the controversy to be taught. They want their child’s teachers to have the academic freedom to openly discuss Evolution, Intelligent Design and even Creationism. The majority of Americans, and especially Pennsylvanians, do not agree with Senator Rick Santorum or Judge John E. Jones.”
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : December 20, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
Academic Freedom is Dead in Pennsylvania, Statewide Group Says
(
“Why
the apparent fear to allow students to hear a simple statement
saying that Darwinism is a theory and there are other theories
out there? In the
The statement is as follows:
"The
about
standardized
test of which evolution is a part.
Because
evidence
is discovered. The
Theory is not a fact. Gaps
in the Theory
exist
for which there is no evidence.
A theory is defined as a well-tested
explanation
that unifies a broad range of observation.
Intelligent
Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from
For
students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of
what
Intelligent
Design actually involves.
With
respect to any theory, students are encouraged to keep an open
mind.
The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life
to individual
students
and their families. As
a Standards-driven district, class
instruction
focuses upon preparing students to achieve proficiency on
Standards-based
assessments."
Judge Jones found that simply because Intelligent Design acknowledges there is an order to the universe that points to an intelligent designer it is automatically defined as religious rather than scientific.
“The
ACLU and other proponents of
#
# #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.437.5355 or 1.814.271.9078
(
“Duquesne
is continuing its cave-in to homosexual students who have an
agenda. A month and a
half ago they punished a student for upholding Catholic teaching
demanding that he write a ten-page paper discussing the pros and
cons of homosexuality. According
to Catholic teaching there are no pros in homosexual behavior,”
stated Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
The Catechism defines homosexual behavior as "acts of grave depravity...intrinsically disordered...contrary to the natural law...Under no circumstances can they be approved."
Section
15 of a document entitled “Letter
to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of
Homosexual Persons”
– found on the web site of
the Holy See in
"Will
Duquesne’s new GSA clearly state that homosexual activity is
immoral? I doubt it.
Further Duquesne will be asking all students to help fund
this group through their student activity fees.
Students like Ryan Miner and their parents who adhere to
Catholic teaching will be forced to support a group they
doctrinally oppose,” Gramley continued.
Even
though the guidelines
set down by the committee charged with investigating the
possibility of a GSA prohibits the new organization from protests
and petitions that conflict with the university. How
will that be defined? Will
they be permitted to participate in the Day of Silence in April or
National Coming Out Day in October.
Will they be permitted to attend ‘gay pride’ events as
the Duquesne University Gay-Straight Alliance?
Will the new GSA place pressure upon
q
Within two
years of
q In 2004 and 2005 Notre Dame's film-TV-theater department hosted a "Queer Film Festival."
q
The play
‘Vagina Monologues’ which promotes lesbianism and pedophilia
has been performed at
q
In
October Jesuit-run
“
The
AFA of PA further noted that Section 17 of
the “Letter
to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of
Homosexual Persons” states,
"(A)ll
support should be withdrawn from any organizations which seek to
undermine the teaching of the Church (regarding homosexual
behavior), which are ambiguous about it, or which neglect it
entirely. Such support, or even the semblance of such support, can
be gravely misinterpreted. Special
attention should be given to the practice of scheduling religious
services and to the use of Church buildings by these groups,
including the facilities of Catholic schools and
colleges,"
the papal order said. "To some,
such permission to use Church property may seem only just and
charitable; but in reality it is contradictory to the purpose for
which these institutions were founded, it is misleading and often
scandalous."
#
# #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December
12, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.437.5355 or 1.814.271.907
Dennis Lynch by e-mail
only deallaw@aol.com
Equality Forum Continues Distortion of Father Mike’s Life in ‘Saint of 911’; Close Friends Say He Was Not Homosexual
(Harrisburg) – Father Mychal Judge was one of nearly 3,000 people killed during the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Since the death of his physical body, homosexual activists have been slowly killing his reputation. The latest effort to rewrite the life of Father Mychal Judge is the Philadelphia-based Equality Forum’s documentary ‘Saint of 911’ to be shown at Lebanon Valley College this evening. The traditional values group American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) has faxed a formal protest to Lebanon Valley College President MacDonald and the College Relations Office asking them to halt the presentation. Additionally, the AFA of PA is requesting documentation from Equality Forum as to the validity of their claims that Father Mychal Judge was a homosexual priest.
“Homosexual activists are desperately reaching into the grave of Father Mychal Judge and trying to resurrect someone that he was not -- an openly gay priest and a leader in the GLBT movement. This is just another example of those who want to rewrite history to legitimize their lifestyle even as they have done by saying Michelangelo, Abraham Lincoln and others were homosexuals. Dead men cannot defend themselves,” noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
On June 28, 2002 Dennis Lynch, General Counsel to the Judge McDonald Foundation in Nanuet, New York wrote, “Prior to Father Mike’s death, everyone who knew him for any length of time would never describe him as a homosexual. In fact, never has even one homosexual activist ever provided evidence that Father Mike was ‘gay’ Yet, in newspapers immediately after the funeral mass, Brendan Fay was quoted saying that Father Mike was a homosexual. Fay arranged a media event where many people spoke of Father Mike’s concern for the homosexual community and claimed Father Mike was ‘gay.’ This was news to me, and I knew Father Mike for nearly a decade . . . . Not one of his longtime friends ever heard or saw anything that Father Mike did that would indicate he was homosexual.”
Equality Forum’s creation of ‘Saint of 911’ is based on lies and is an attempt to create further divisions within the Catholic Church on the issue of homosexuality. Many news accounts have noted the “timeliness” of the release of the documentary. The release last month of the directive by the Congregation for Catholic Education states, “in agreement with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, holds it necessary clearly to affirm that the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, may not admit to the seminary and Holy Orders those who practice homosexuality, show profoundly deep-rooted homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called gay culture.”
The Catholic Church has taken a strong stand against practicing homosexuals being in seminaries and homosexual activists are doing their best to derail and undermine the directive
“Equality Forum, with the aid of Lebanon Valley College and the media, is exposing the public to a host of lies about Father Judge and his life. They are attempting to make a celibate Catholic priest into a homosexual icon. The lie was started shortly after Father Mike’s funeral and has grown greater with each passing year,” Gramley stated.
# #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December
8, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.437.5355 or 1.814.271.9078
PITTSBURGH MOVES TO KILL ITS BABIES – A RACIST MOVE ON THEIR PART, ASKS TRADITIONAL VALUES GROUP
(Pittsburgh) – Wednesday’s 5-3 vote of the Pittsburgh City Council to extend a 15 feet ‘no-man’s land around healthcare facility doors with an additional 8 feet restriction on approaching clients without their consent anywhere within 100 feet of the door sends a clear message that Pittsburgh does not care for its pre-born babies, a traditional values group said today. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide advocate for life, expressed concern about the pro-death message and the infringement on the free speech rights of those offering an alternative to abortion.
“To even consider an abortion clinic a ‘healthcare facility’ is ludicrous. Two beating hearts go into the facility, but only one comes out. This is called health care? Planned Parenthood and other pro-death groups want to distort the truth about the very existence of a baby inside the mother’s womb. Additionally who are the majority of clients who pass through the doors of an abortion clinic,” questioned Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
She continued, ““Members of the black community should be especially distressed over this vote as historically the majority of abortions destroy African-American babies. On October 19, 1939, the founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger, outlined a plan for stopping the growth of the Black community. Apparently her organization is keeping true to her vision.”
During public testimony the Pittsburgh police stated that they had been called to the downtown Planned Parenthood offices 22 times within the last six months to investigate harassment and disorderly behavior. No arrests were made. The AFA of PA notes that all it takes is a phone call to the police department from Planned Parenthood complaining about protestors’ actions to usher in a police presence.
q In 2002 Planned Parenthood paid teenagers $100 to be trained as ‘outreach workers’ and then an additional fee for each client that used their ‘services.’
q Despite Planned Parenthood's claim that it offers mainly counseling and contraceptives, their 2003-2004 Annual Report reveals the organization took in an estimated $104 million from its surgical abortion business. This accounted for over one-third of its $302.6 million clinic income.
q The same report showed that Planned Parenthood aborted 138 children for every adoption referral to an outside agency.
q Within days of Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf Coast, Planned Parenthood sent an announcement to its members that they would offer morning after pills and birth control.
q Planned Parenthood of New York City offered women free abortions and morning after pills after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
q Throughout the pages of the Birth Control Review, the journal of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, there are countless quotes which not only suggest that she favored eugenics, but that she provided a forum to those who wished to spread their fear of human life, when that life was conceived by someone other than a member of society's elite.
q Sanger’s magazines and journals were filled with writings and articles by well-known eugenicists and members of Hitler's Third Reich.
q The Birth Control Review, founded by Sanger in 1917, was totally committed to the eugenics philosophy. The official editorial policy of The Review endorsed I.Q. testing, which classified Blacks, southern Europeans, and other immigrants as mentally inferior to native-born White Americans and called them a nuisance and a menace to society.
The final vote by Pittsburgh City Council is scheduled for Tuesday. Mayor Tom Murphy has not indicated whether he will sign the law if passed by the Council.
“The U.S. Government is being accused of racism because of its response to Hurricane Katrina. Will the City of Pittsburgh be accused of the same as they move to prevent the informed consent of so-called ‘abortion clients? All those who value life and our free speech rights should be very concerned about the vote by the Pittsburgh City Council. We call on them to reconsider their votes and vote for life on Tuesday,” said Gramley.
# # #
NEWS
RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Diane Gramley 1.814.437.5355
or 1.814.271.9078
(
“Dr.
Frick made what is considered by some a politically incorrect
decision, but like all politically incorrect decisions it was the
right one. He had the
best interest of the students in mind when he had the ad pulled,”
stated Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
One
must wonder whether this effort was the result of an October 26
journalism workshop “for school newspaper advisors and student
staff” that Common Roads was encouraging individuals to attend.
It was held at the PA Newspaper Association’s office on
A
closer look at Common Roads’ website reveals some disturbing
links. Their resource
page includes a link to PlanetOut which
features ‘romance and dating’ pages.
Their organization is for youth age 14-22?? Additionally they
are holding a fundraiser for the “GLBT annual youth get-together
‘True Colors’ conference at Central
Additionally
Common Roads efforts to get ads in school newspapers were funded by
a grant from The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, the former
Greater Harrisburg Foundation.
Their mission is supposedly to make a positive impact in
communities, this grant does the exact opposite. Promoting
homosexuality as being normal and safe is not a positive message.
But it seems that The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is getting a reputation for being ‘gay-friendly.’ They are listed on the New York City-based “Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues” website as a frequent contributor to homosexual causes.
“Efforts
are being made to infiltrate
#
# #
NEWS
RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November
18, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
PRO-FAMILY GROUP
THANKS CONGRESSMAN TIM MURPHY FOR INTRODUCING RESOLUTION TO PROTECT
PARENTAL RIGHT
(Pittsburgh) –
Today the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA)
thanked Congressman Tim Murphy for introducing H. Res. 547 --
“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit deplorably
infringed on parental rights in Fields v. Palmdale School District.”
The resolution passed on November 16 by a vote of 320-91
Diane Gramley,
president of the AFA of PA said, “The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
is the most overturned court in the nation and a three judge panel has
now stripped the parents of seven to ten year olds of their rights to
participate in their children’s education in the public school system.
Congressman Murphy is to be commended for spearheading the effort
to encourage the entire Ninth Circuit to review this outrageous
decision. Congressman Joe Pitts and Congresswoman Melissa Hart are also
to be commended for co-sponsoring the resolution.”
Prior to the survey
the parents were contacted by letter which described the goal of the
assessment as “establish[ing] a community baseline measure of
children’s exposure to early trauma (for example, violence).” The
letter did not disclose that of 79 questions, the children would be
asked ten questions rating areas such as “touching my private
parts,” “thinking about having sex,” “having sex feelings in my
body” and “can’t stop thinking about sex.” The survey required a
‘Yes’ of ‘No’ answer.
Judge Steven
Reinhardt, the same judge who ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is
unconstitutional, summarized
the courts’ decision, saying, “We hold there is no free-standing
fundamental right of parents ‘to control the upbringing of their
children by introducing them to matters of and relating to sex in
accordance with their personal and religious values and beliefs . . .
.’” Continuing he said,
“We conclude only that the parents are possess (sic) of no
constitutional right to prevent the public schools from providing
information on [sex-ed] to their students in any forum or manner they
select.”
The court's opinion
additionally stated, "…parents
have no due process
or privacy right to override the determinations of
public schools as to
the information to which their children
will be exposed while enrolled as students."
“This is yet another example of judicial tyranny and highlights the need for judges on the bench that do not read between the lines of the Constitution. This is an attempt by the Ninth Circuit to give complete control of public school children over to the government to indoctrinate them as they please. Whether the judges like it or not the majority of parents know what is best for their children,” concluded Gramley.
#
# #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
(
“This school board has made decisions that saved the district tens of thousands of dollars and offered opportunities for academic freedom to the students. Apparently they were targeted for removal by the teachers’ union and those who want to restrict the students’ ability to learn alternative views on controversial issues such as evolution,” commented Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
Last October the board passed a policy which required the reading of a one-minute statement prior to the beginning of ninth grade biology class. Parents could opt out their children from hearing the statement. A challenge to the policy was heard in federal court and testimony concluded on November 4. A decision should be reached by sometime in January. The statement reads,
"The
about
standardized
test of which evolution is a part.
Because
evidence
is discovered. The Theory
is not a fact. Gaps in the
Theory
exist
for which there is no evidence. A
theory is defined as a well-tested
explanation
that unifies a broad range of observation.
Intelligent
Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from
For
students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what
Intelligent
Design actually involves.
With
respect to any theory, students are encouraged to keep an open
mind.
The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life to
individual
students
and their families. As a
Standards-driven district, class
instruction
focuses upon preparing students to achieve proficiency on
Standards-based
assessments."
“There are those who resist all efforts of academic freedom when it comes to the subject of evolution. To even state that evolution is a theory is considered a threat to its proponents. It seems they may be insecure in their views as they so viciously attack those who try to offer students the opportunity to explore a different viewpoint. The students and tax payers are the real losers in this election,” Gramley continued.
An
In addition more than 400
scientists have signed onto the growing list of skeptics to claims that
random mutation and natural selection can account for the complexity of
life. Two prominent Russian
biologists from
Other
biologists who have signed the list include evolutionary biologist and
textbook author Stanley Salthe; Richard von Sternberg an evolutionary
biologist at the Smithsonian Institution and the National Institutes of
Health's National Center for Biotechnology Information; and Giuseppe
Sermonti, Editor of Rivista di Biologia/Biology Forum.
The list also includes scientists from
“Why
should students not be permitted to know that these scientists question
the theory of evolution? Will
the new
# # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
GOVERNOR RENDELL ISSUES PORNOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK PROCLAMATION
(
The proclamation states:
GREETINGS:
It
is my pleasure to recognize the week of October 30-
Providing for the safety, success, and happiness of our youth is one of our most important responsibilities. A child's home and community environment will have the greatest impact on their lives, and it is unfortunate that the reality many children face is one of violence, abuse, and neglect. Today's children face tremendous challenges and dangers that threaten to impede their success in school and life. Accessibility to pornography is one of the challenges, but one that is easily preventable. With the protection of a loving, involved family, an enriching environment, and an active community, our children will be prevented from viewing pornography and not be subjected to the false and distorted hope of human sexuality that it provides.
As
Governor of the
Signed under the Governor’s Seal,
Edward G. Rendell
Governor
“We
are pleased that Governor Rendell recognizes the negative impact that
pornography can have on the children in
Pornography comes in many forms: magazines, books, videos, ‘adult’ clubs, etc. and negatively impacts not only the ones who become victims of pornography, but also those who become ensnared in its use.
This week has been set aside since the early 80’s when it was begun by the American Family Association to raise awareness of the prevalence of pornography throughout our nation and to work toward eliminating its devastating effects.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November
1, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
VICTORIES AGAINST SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES IN WESTERN PA
(Pittsburgh) – The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide anti-pornography, anti-violence group, is pleased that recently communities in western Pennsylvania have had major victories in sending a clear message to the owner of two sexually oriented businesses. The message? We’ve spoken and we expect you to obey the law!
q On Columbus Day, a legal holiday, Adultland XXX was open, directly in violation of Pulaski Township, Lawrence County’s licensing ordinance. A concerned citizen notified the township authorities and a hearing will be held within 20 days to determine whether the business must close for up to 30 days.
q Greenville, Mercer County Police Chief, Dennis Stevens sent undercover police into the Headliners Club on Thursday, October 27 and found alcohol. This is in direct violation of the bottle club referendum that 67.3% of the West Salem Township voters passed in May 2003. The business was shutdown for the remainder of the evening.
“The battle has been long and hard, but progress is being made in the fight against sexually oriented businesses in western Pennsylvania. The citizens are recognizing the danger of having such establishments in their communities and are going the extra mile to protect their families,” Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA said.
Additionally, the AFA of PA commends Police Chief Stevens of the Greenville/West Salem Police and urges Mercer County DA James Epstein to take the steps the law allows him to take in addressing this violation of the bottle club law.
Gramley commented, “It is refreshing to have a police chief who is aggressively working to protect those in his charge and to uphold the wishes of the voters of West Salem Township. We urge District Attorney Epstein to move as quickly as possible in this matter.”
Eric Boron, the owner of both Adultland XXX and the Headliners’ Club, has sought to undermine the efforts to regulate his adult businesses in both communities. He challenged the Pulaski Township ordinance in court and lost every round until finally in August 2004 the PA Supreme Court refused to hear his challenge; thus requiring his compliance.
The voters in West Salem Township, Mercer County overwhelming passed a bottle club referendum in May 2003 prohibiting bottle clubs in their municipality. The referendum went into affect in July 2003, but Mr. Boron has continued to advertise in some area papers as a ‘bring your own bottle’ club; apparently advertising the business’ illegal activity.
The AFA of PA is currently in the process of contacting all 2,570 municipalities in Pennsylvania urging them to pass zoning and/or licensing ordinances to regulate sexually oriented businesses. The PA Supreme Court has ruled that these type businesses cannot be banned, but municipalities can take steps to regulate them through zoning and licensing.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October
31, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
UNITED METHODIST COURT MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IN LESBIAN CASE, FOSTER CARE ORGANIZATION MADE THE WRONG ONE, PRO-FAMILY GROUP SAYS
(Philadelphia) – Today’s decision concerning Beth Stroud by the Judicial Council, the highest court in the United Methodist Church, was the right decision, a statewide pro-family group said today in response to the decision.
“United Methodist teaching is clear – self-avowed, practicing homosexuals cannot be ordained. Scripture is clear that involvement in homosexual activity is sin, just as lying, stealing and murdering is sin. Those who are living in sin should not be ordained whether they are Methodist or some other denomination,” Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) said.
The lower court’s December decision will be reinstated and Stroud will be defrocked. This decision, which is final, helped clarify the church’s position on the ordination of openly homosexual clergy.
“This is not an issue of ‘gay rights,’ but of what Scripture teaches. There’s no doubt that God loves all people – even the homosexual and all those involved in sinful behavior, but God is a holy God and cannot condone sin,” Gramley continued.
Stroud plans to continue putting pressure on the United Methodist Church to change its policies concerning the ordination of open homosexuals. The majority of United Methodists support their denomination’s standing on the issue, something Ms. Stroud needs to remember.
But even as the United Methodist Church has reaffirmed its Biblical opposition to the ordination of open homosexuals, other organizations seek to normalize the lifestyle. Stroud and her partner of four years have just been approved to be foster parents.
“Studies consistently show that children do best when raised by a married mother and father, not two moms or two dads,” asserted Gramley.
In May HazteOir, together with the Spanish Forum for the Family and the Institute for Family Policy published and distributed “Report on Infantile Development in Same-Sex Couples,” an in-depth report on the effects that being raised by same-sex parents has on a child.
Among children raised by same-sex couples, the report notes a significant increase in low self-esteem, stress, confusion regarding sexual identity, an increase in mental illness, drug use, promiscuity, STD’s, and homosexual behaviour, amongst others. Furthermore, the report shows that statistics have brought to light the fact that same-sex relationships betray a much higher instance of separation and break-up than heterosexual relationships, increasing the likelihood that the child will experience familial instability.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics
firmly backs up the findings of the report, stating that a “family
nucleus with two fathers or two mothers is clearly dangerous for the
child”.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October
28, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
Pro-family Group Says Duquesne University is Wrong in Punishing Student
(Pittsburgh) Today the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group, urged Duquesne University to reconsider the sanctions posed on Ryan Miner, sophomore from Hagerstown Maryland. He is being required to write a 10-page paper on the pros and cons of homosexuality or face expulsion. Mr. Miner made comments on a blog not associated with the university opposing the request of several students last month to start a gay straight alliance at Duquesne University, a Catholic school.
“We cannot support Mr. Miner’s description of homosexuals as ‘subhuman,’ but he has a First Amendment right to express those views on an off-campus blog. The AFA of PA is also concerned that a Catholic university was so quick to impose sanctions,” commented Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
In punishing Miner, the school appears to be in
support of homosexuality which is in direct violation of the
Catechism which defines homosexual
behavior as "acts of grave depravity...intrinsically
disordered...contrary to the natural law...Under no circumstances can
they be approved."
The late Pope John Paul
urged Catholics not to be afraid of publicly defending traditional
family values in modern society.
“Apparently Mr. Miner
took the words of Pope John Paul to heart and is now being punished by a
Catholic university. Possibly
the administration of Duquesne should reread the pope’s words,”
Gramley said.
The school’s motto is
“It is the Spirit who gives life.”
The university needs to consider that those involved in the
homosexual lifestyle are losing their life at a very high rate.
Some statistics the school should consider when approaching the
issue of a gay straight alliance, punishing a student who publicly
condemns the effort and the support of the homosexual lifestyle:
The Ten Things List -- from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
1. HIV/AIDS, Safe Sex: That men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of HIV infection is well known, but the effectiveness of safe sex in reducing the rate of HIV infection is one of the gay community's great success stories. However, the last few years have seen the return of many unsafe sex practices. While effective HIV treatments may be on the horizon, there is no substitute for preventing infection. Safe sex is proven to reduce the risk of receiving or transmitting HIV. All health care professionals should be aware of how to counsel and support maintenance of safe sex practices.
2. Substance Use: Gay men use substances at a higher rate than the general population, and not just in larger communities such as New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. These include a number of substances ranging from amyl nitrate ("poppers"), to marijuana, Ecstasy, and amphetamines. The long-term effects of many of these substances are unknown; however current wisdom suggests potentially serious consequences as we age.
3. Depression/Anxiety: Depression and anxiety appear to affect gay men at a higher rate than in the general population. The likelihood of depression or anxiety may be greater, and the problem may be more severe for those men who remain in the closet or who do not have adequate social supports. Adolescents and young adults may be at particularly high risk of suicide because of these concerns. Culturally sensitive mental health services targeted specifically at gay men may be more effective in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of these conditions.
4. Hepatitis Immunization: Men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of sexually transmitted infection with the viruses that cause the serious condition of the liver known as hepatitis. These infections can be potentially fatal, and can lead to very serious long-term issues such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Fortunately, immunizations are available to prevent two of the three most serious viruses. Universal immunization for Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis B Virus is recommended for all men who have sex with men. Safe sex is effective at reducing the risk of viral hepatitis, and is currently the only means of prevention for the very serious Hepatitis C Virus.
5. STDs: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur in sexually active gay men at a high rate. This includes STD infections for which effective treatment is available (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, public lice, and others), and for which no cure is available (HIV, Hepatitis A, B, or C virus, Human Papilloma Virus, etc.). There is absolutely no doubt that safe sex reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and prevention of these infections through safe sex is key.
6. Prostate, Testicular, and Colon Cancer: Gay men may be at risk for death by prostate, testicular, or colon cancer. Screening for these cancers occurs at different times across the life cycle, and access to screening services may be negatively impacted because of issues and challenges in receiving culturally sensitive care for gay men. All gay men should undergo these screenings routinely as recommended for the general population.
7. Alcohol: Although more recent studies have improved our understanding of alcohol use in the gay community, it is still thought that gay men have higher rates of alcohol dependence and abuse than straight men. One drink daily may not adversely affect health, however alcohol-related illnesses can occur with low levels of consumption. Culturally sensitive services targeted to gay men are important in successful prevention and treatment programs.
8. Tobacco: Recent studies seem to support the notion that gay men use tobacco at much higher rates than straight men, reaching nearly 50 percent in several studies. Tobacco-related health problems include lung disease and lung cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and a whole host of other serious problems. All gay men should be screened for and offered culturally sensitive prevention and cessation programs for tobacco use.
9. Fitness (Diet and Exercise): Problems with body image are more common among gay men than their straight counterparts, and gay men are much more likely to experience an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa. While regular exercise is very good for cardiovascular health and in other areas, too much of a good thing can be harmful. The use of substances such as anabolic steroids and certain supplements can adversely affect health. At the opposite end of the spectrum, overweight and obesity are problems that also affect a large subset of the gay community. This can cause a number of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
10. Anal Papilloma: Of all the sexually transmitted infections gay men are at risk for, human papilloma virus—which cause anal and genital warts—is often thought to be little more than an unsightly inconvenience. However, these infections may play a role in the increased rates of anal cancers in gay men. Some health professionals now recommend routine screening with anal Pap Smears, similar to the test done for women to detect early cancers. Safe sex should be emphasized. Treatments for HPV do exist, but recurrences of the warts are very common, and the rate at which the infection can be spread between partners is very high.
http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=12&id=2357
Club Drugs Linked To HIV & Syphilis
http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=12&id=2430
Significant Rise In HIV Cases Among Gays CDC Says
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NEWS RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078
or 1.814.437.5355
MEADVILLE CITY COUNCIL TABLES VOTE ON ORDINANCE TO REGULATE SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
(Meadville) – Discussion related to the passage of an ordinance to regulate sexually oriented businesses continued at tonight’s Meadville City Council meeting. The issue was brought to the forefront with the opening of Synn City, an exotic dance club, on August 5th. Citizens quickly moved to encourage the City Council, through petition drives and participation in the Council meetings, to pass a regulatory licensing ordinance. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide anti-pornography, anti-violence organization, provided them with model zoning and licensing ordinances. Tonight, during the public comment period, Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA, encouraged City Council to pass the ordinance and not alter the hours of operation as two Council members had wanted.
“The passage of this ordinance is of utmost importance to the City of Meadville. There are concerns about bringing new businesses into town and the presence of a sexually oriented business in the downtown section would prove to be detrimental as one of the secondary negative effects is that they drive down the value of nearby property.”
The AFA of PA must once again disagree with Council member Butch Kasbee in his assertion again tonight that there should be no regulation of Synn City.
“The Courts have consistently recognized the secondary adverse effects that these type businesses bring to a community. Sexually oriented businesses are not like your corner market; enough research has been documented proving that they have negative impacts ranging from increased sexually transmitted diseases, increased sexual assaults to harmful effects on surrounding businesses. Something Mr. Kasbee needs to remember as he owns a business located near Synn City,” remarked Gramley.
The ordinance had passed unanimously after the first reading on October 5th. Two members were not present for that meeting. The second reading and probable final approval was to have taken place on October 19th, but the meeting was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum. Tonight’s decision to table the ordinance for review because of concerns over language dealing with distances was a precautionary move.
“This was probably a wise move to make sure the ordinance is as constitutionally sound as possible,” commented Gramley.
The AFA of PA encourages the Meadville City Council to quickly resolve any questions concerning the proposed licensing ordinance and to pass it at the earliest date possible. The passage of a zoning ordinance would also prevent the opening of another sexually oriented business in the downtown section of Meadville.
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
Anti-Pornography
Group Commends
(
“Wednesday’s action by City Council is welcome news,” Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA said today. “We’re pleased that Meadville City Council has given tentative approval of the ordinance on the first reading and that it did not have the more restrictive hours as some Council members had proposed.”
The
ordinance lists the hours of operation from
“The courts permit municipalities to regulate these type businesses because they recognize the secondary adverse affects that these establishments bring to a community – increased illegal activity, increased sexually transmitted diseases, lowered property values name only a few. For this reason the AFA of PA has started the Municipalities Project to contact all 2,570 municipalities in the state to make them aware of the legal steps they can take to regulate sexually oriented businesses,” continued Gramley.
“What
happened in
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September
28, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.437.5355 or 1.814.271.9078
GRAND JURY REPORT ON DIOCESE AND POPE’S EFFORTS
TO INVESTIGATE SEMINARIES HIGHLIGHT HOMOSEXUAL PRIEST PROBLEM
(Philadelphia) – The release of the Grand Jury
Report on the sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the Philadelphia
Diocese highlights the danger of having homosexuals serving in the
ministry, a pro-family group said today.
The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA)
reviewed the over 400-page report and found that of the 28 ‘Selected
Case Studies” listed in the report the victims of 23 priests were
males ranging in age from 11-18 and the victims of two priests were both
male and female. This
review also reveals the efforts by media to downplay the overall
presence of male victims and concentrate on the three priests whose
victims were strictly female and the two that victimized both male and
female teens.
“This is truly a tragic situation – men who have been placed in positions of authority and children are taught to respect taking advantage of them in unspeakable ways. But, more importantly it highlights the need for the pope to carry forth with his plan to investigate U.S. seminaries for the presence of homosexuals. Because of the age of the victims this is a homosexual problem not a pedophile problem,” remarked Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
Rod Dreher, editor of National Review Online writes: "Stephen Rubino, a New Jersey lawyer, says that of the over 300 alleged victims of priest sex abuse he has represented, roughly 85% are boys, and were teenagers when the abuse occurred. Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, an eminent Catholic psychiatrist who has treated scores of victims and priest-perpetrators, says 90% of his patients were either teen male victims or priests, or priests who abused teen boys." Because the victims are teenagers, this shows that the issue is not one of pedophilia as much as it is one of homosexuality.
Father Donald Cozzens, an author, psychologist, and Catholic seminary president says that there is such a high percentage of gay priests in the church that he is concerned that "the priesthood is or is becoming a gay profession." In his book, "The Changing Face of the Priesthood," -- published in the year 2000 -- he estimates that 50% of Roman Catholic priests have a homosexual orientation.
A 2004 survey by John Jay College of Criminal Justice found that, of 10,667 individuals abused by priests between 1950 and 2002, 81 percent were male.
“Additionally the Philadelphia Diocese situation shows the importance of the Boy Scout’s policy not to allow homosexuals as Scout leaders. One of the priests listed in the “Selected Case Studies” abused boys in his Boy Scout troop. Even as homosexual activists continue putting pressure on the Boy Scouts to allow open homosexuals as leaders, the Scouts are right and must maintain their policy to protect the boys placed in their charge,” Gramley stated.
Homosexual activists continue throwing up a smoke screen and say the priests scandal is one of pedophilia and not homosexuality, but the numbers do not lie. There is a major problem with homosexual priests targeting teen boys, not one of pedophiles targeting pre-adolescent children.
But the truth about the stand of homosexual activists and their ‘desire to protect’ underage children was revealed recently when the Children’s Safety Act of 2005 passed. At the last minute Congressman John Conyers added a hate crimes amendment to the bill which added ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to the federal hate crimes law. This was a provision homosexual activist fully supported.
But according to the September 16 Washington
Blade:
Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality said the hate crimes amendment was attached to a “very, very troubling” act.
“Parts of the bill are really bad,” she said.
Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force said his organization was also concerned about the underlying bill. He said one provision requires all states to set up sex offender registries.
“In some states, public lewdness is a sex offense,” he told the Blade. “Public lewdness laws are disproportionately and unfairly enforced against gay men in cruising areas.”
Congresswoman Melissa Hart told Reuters news service that the measure was designed to protect children from sex offenders.
So the question remains: “Do homosexual activists want
to protect children through a better national sex registry or do they
want to continue working for
“(P)assage and implementation of graduated age-of-consent laws” as
the platform of their ‘1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and
Bi Equal Rights and Liberation’ states?”
Lowering the age of consent would eliminate much of the illegal
activity that the priests are involved in, but allow homosexual priests
to victimize teenage boys – only legally.
“Victims of priests of the Philadelphia Diocese represent the tens of thousands of other young men around the nation who have been victimized and whose lives have been ruined through this betrayal. The AFA of PA commends the pope for his efforts to investigate the U.S. seminaries and work to prevent such abuse in the future,” commented Gramley.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
SENATE CANDIDATE BOB CASEY MAY WANT TO BACK AWAY FROM BIG LABOR ENDORSEMENT
(
“The AFL-CIO’s endorsement of Bob Casey is of major concern to all who view marriage as only between one-man and one-woman. Those holding traditional values are concerned with more than just the abortion issue,” declared Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
The
AFL-CIO’s resolution is out of the mainstream with the rest of
The resolution states: http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/thisistheaflcio/ecouncil/ec03032005g.cfm
“(T)hrough
the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA), some members of the U.S.
Congress want to amend the U.S. Constitution to deny important rights
to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families, such as the right
to hospital visitation, inheritance, and health care rights for
partners. On
…The
FMA and its state counterparts threaten the rights of working people
by creating an environment across the nation that is hostile to the
rights of domestic partners, regardless of their sexual
orientation.”
…The
AFL-CIO reiterates its longstanding support for the full inclusion and
equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the
workplace and in society.”
A
Gallup/CNN/USA Today poll in March 2005 reported that 68 percent of
Americans “think marriages between homosexuals…should not
be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional
marriage.”
The
same Gallup Poll found that by a 57 to 37 percent margin (and
growing), Americans “favor…a constitutional amendment that would
define marriage as being between a man and a woman, thus barring
marriages between gay or lesbian couples.”
“As with the rest of the nation, the vast majority of Pennsylvanians support one-man, one-woman marriage. This is a fact that Mr. Casey needs to keep in mind as he runs for the Senate with an AFL-CIO – anti-family – endorsement,” Gramley reiterated.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2005
CONTACT: Diane
Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or
1.814.437.5355
Congressman Charlie Dent – 202.225-6411
Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick – 202.225-4276
Congressman Jim Gerlach – 202.225.4315
Congressman Todd Russell Platts – 202.225-5836
Congressman Curt Weldon – 202.225-2011
TRADITIONAL VALUES GROUP SAYS FIVE PA CONGRESSMEN TRAITORS TO PENNSYLVANIANS AND REPUBLICAN PARTY
(Washington, D.C.) -- Today the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group sent letters to five Pennsylvania Republican Congressmen blasting them for their vote in favor of Amendment 25 of the Children Safety Act of 2005 (HR 3132). This amendment by Congressman John Conyers of Michigan added ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to the federal hate crimes law.
“We, here in Pennsylvania, should be wary of hate crimes laws – especially those which add ‘sexual orientation’ since Philadelphia was the first in the nation to use hate crimes legislation to try to stop the free speech rights of street preachers last October. Homosexual activists used the PA hate crimes law then and will use them around the nation if such a federal law is passed,” said Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
The AFA of PA holds that there is no need for any hate crimes laws as there are already laws on the books to deal with crimes. Hate crimes oppose the American way of equal protection under the law and gives special protections to some and in so doing chills the free speeches rights of others.
In the letter to the Congressmen, Gramley cited numerous examples of cases where this has happened. A few follow:
* Baptist Press reported in March: "A Catholic bishop in Canada is under investigation by a government agency for condemning 'gay marriage,' and American conservatives say such infringements on religious freedom could be headed to the U.S. The bishop, Fred Henry of Calgary, is being investigated by the Alberta Human Rights Commission for comments he made about homosexuality in...a letter to parishioners."
Catholic World News reported last year: "The Rev. Ake Green, the pastor of a Swedish Pentecostal church in Kalmar, Sweden, has been sentenced to one month in prison for inciting hatred against homosexuals. Green was prosecuted in January for 'hate speech against homosexuals' for a sermon he preached last summer citing Biblical references to homosexuality. Sweden has a 'hate crimes' law that forbids criticism of homosexuality.
* The Irish
Times of Dublin reported in 2003: "Clergy and bishops who
distribute the Vatican's latest publication describing homosexual
activity as 'evil' could face prosecution under incitement to hatred
legislation. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has warned that the
language in the 12-page booklet is so strong it could be...in violation
of the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act. Those convicted under the Act can
face jail terms of up to six months. ...Under the Act literature which
is threatening, abusive or insulting, linked with the intent of stirring
up hatred, is illegal." |
* In November 2004 a Mount
Vernon, Illinois pastor was investigated by the FBI because of a
sermon on abortion and homosexuality that he delivered on Memorial Day
of that year.
Additionally, the letter cites homosexual anti-violence groups and studies which show the greatest threat to homosexuals is at the hands of their same-sex partners.
The FBI's
latest report that in 2003 that a nationwide total of only
1,479 individuals were victims of so-called "hate crimes"
allegedly motivated by disapproval of homosexual behavior, a number that
represents a tiny and extremely rare total of less
than 2/100ths of one percent of the roughly 9 million Americans
estimated to be involved in homosexual behavior.
By comparison that same year, the National
Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs -- which includes the Triangle
Foundation, a Detroit-based homosexual advocacy group -- reported a
record-high 6,523 incidents of "gay-on-gay" domestic violence in
only eleven U.S. cities and regions plus the city of Toronto.
Also by comparison, 365gay.com, a pro-homosexual
web site, reported in 2003: "One in five urban gay men is battered
by his partner, a new study by Georgetown University's School of Nursing
and Health Studies shows." The Georgetown study suggests
that nearly two million men alone -- not counting females involved
in homosexual activity -- are victims each year of violence at the
hands of their own homosexual lovers.
Simple math -- two million men who are victims of 'gay-on-gay'
domestic violence, versus a tiny 2/100ths of one percent who
are victims of alleged 'hate crimes' --indicates that it's
literally a thousand times more likely that an individual involved in
homosexual activity will be violently attacked
by one of his own 'gay' sex partners than by someone who
'hates' such individuals.
Editors of the National
Lesbian & Gay Domestic Violence Newsletter wrote in their
book, Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: "The probability
of violence occurring in a gay couple is mathematically double the
probability of that in a heterosexual couple...we believe as many as
650,000 gay men may be victims of domestic violence each year in the
United States."
p. 12
”The ‘Aye’ vote of these five Pennsylvania Republican
Congressmen who joined with Democrats and 25 other Republicans is not
only a slap in the face of the eleven Christians who were arrested and
charged with a hate crime in Philadelphia last October, but is a slap in
the face to all Pennsylvanians who view homosexuality as wrong.
Additionally, their actions do not reflect the views of President
Bush and the Republican
Platform on which he was elected in the first place. The actions of these Congressmen should be to protect all
Americans, not give a select few special protection which is what the
Conyers amendment does,” Gramley concluded.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September
15, 2005
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
CHILDREN SAFETY ACT OF 2005 BECOMES VEHICLE TO GIVE SPECIAL PROTECTIONS TO THOSE WHO PREY UPON CHILDREN
(Harrisburg) – Yesterday’s action by Michigan’s Congressman John Conyers in offering an amendment to the Children Safety Act of 2005 is an outrageous attack upon children, a Pennsylvania traditional values group said today.
“The intent of this bill was to make improvements to the national sex offender registration program, instead Congressman Conyers took a giant leap in extending special protections to those who prey upon children. There are 36 known sexual orientations and pedophilia is one of them. Additionally, as we found here in Pennsylvania, the true intent of hate crimes legislation with ‘sexual orientation’ included is to silence those who view homosexuality as wrong and sinful,” stated Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA).
Since men who are "exclusively homosexual" -- only 2 percent of the total male population -- are responsible for 21 percent of child molestation cases involving little boys, this finding by one of the nation's leading experts on pedophilia (http://www.abelscreen.com/aboutasi.htm) indicates that exclusively homosexual men are ten times more likely per capita to molest little boys than are other men.
A study in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that homosexual men are attracted to young males. The study compared the sexual age preferences of heterosexual men, heterosexual women, homosexual men, and lesbians. The results showed that, in marked contrast to the other three categories, "all but 9 of the 48 homosexual men preferred the youngest two male age categories," which included males as young as age fifteen.
· In
The Gay Report, by homosexual researchers Karla Jay and Allen
Young, the authors report data showing that 73 percent of homosexuals
surveyed had at some time had sex with boys sixteen to nineteen years of
age or younger.”
In addition, last November the homosexual publication, Planet Out, revealed that FBI statistics for 2003 showed a decrease in hate crimes against gays, lesbians and bisexuals from the year before. The article states, “According to the report, crimes motivated by a person's perceived sexuality made up 16.4 percent of the nation's over 7,400 hate crimes recorded. Hate crimes motivated by someone's religion shared the same percentage. Most of the nation's hate crimes, 52.5 percent, were motivated by race.”
The AFA of PA agrees with
Congressman Sensenbrenner that there were no hearings, no legislative
mark-ups and that it should go through the regular order of any piece of
legislation to obtain a vote on the floor.
Further the AFA of PA believes to attach such an amendment to a
highly popular amendment was using a back door approach and should be
reviewed. Furthermore,
there is no need for any type hate crimes legislation either on the
federal or state level as there are already laws on the books to address
any given crime.
“Congressman Conyers’
action and consequently the actions of 223 Congressmen is a step in the
direction of authorizing the thought police to try to ascertain the
thoughts behind the actions of a perpetrator.
It also means one who attacks a seven-year-old girl or boy will
be less severely punished than one who attacks an adult gay, lesbian,
bisexual or transgender individual.
Yesterday’s actions in the U.S. House were truly a sad day for
our nation’s children,” Gramley concluded.
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Copyright 2002-2009 American Family Association of PA