Pediatrician Group: "no relationship between parents’ sexual orientation and any measure of a child’s emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral adjustment"

The Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics announced earlier in September 2012, that Academy pediatricians oppose a Constitutional amendment in Minnesota that would ban marriage equality.

“This amendment would be harmful to the health and well-being of children and adolescents in Minnesota,” the group said in a press release.

The physician group said the passage of an amendment that bans civil marriage equality could lead to an increase in bullying and violence against LGBT youth.

The pediatrician group said:

“More than 25 years of research has documented that there is no relationship between parents’ sexual orientation and any measure of a child’s emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral adjustment. Rather, children’s optimal development seems to be influenced more by the nature of the relationships and interactions within the family than by the particular structural form it takes.”

Source: Pediatricians Support Marriage Equality

On Marriage Equality - The Catholic Church - incl the hierarchy - Holds Diverse Views

Berlin Cardinal Re-Affirms His Support for Lesbian and Gay Relationships

In Catholic on July 10, 2012 at 9:34 am

Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Berlin has re-affirmed his support for same-sex relationships which he made at a German conference of Catholic lay people back in May.

London’s Tablet magazine, an international Catholic periodical, reports:

“The Church must rethink its approach to remarried divorcees and gay relationships, the world’s youngest cardinal has said.

“Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, 55, made his comments in an interview with the German weekly Die Zeit and said that while the Orthodox Church considers only the first marriage sacramentally valid, divorce and a second marriage is tolerated. Asked whether this could be a model for the Catholic Church, he replied that the Church should talk about it.

Commenting on gay men in relationships he said he tried not to see them as just violating natural law but as people trying to take responsibility for each other in lasting partnerships. ‘We must find a way of allowing people to live without going against church teaching,’ he said.”

SOURCE:

Berlin Cardinal Re-Affirms His Support for Lesbian and Gay Relationships

NEW WAYS MINISTRY - BONDINGS 2.0

The GOP - "THE FEMALE BODY HAS WAYS TO SHUT THAT WHOLE THING DOWN"

"THE FEMALE BODY HAS WAYS TO SHUT THAT WHOLE THING DOWN" 

This is what Todd Akin had to say the other day.

Akin, Missouri Republican candidate for the US Senate, was speaking about what he termed "legitimate rape" but I suspect, this is more likely to be the female voter approach to the GOP in 2012.

See: Akin Controversy Stirs Up Abortion Issue in Campaign - NYTimes.com











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MARRIAGE EQUALITY - VOTE FOR #6 ON NOV. 6

To support Marriage Equality, vote YES on Question Six.

On August 20, 2012 The Maryland State Board of Elections assigned a number to the Marriage Equality Referendum and issued the ballot language.

The Marriage Equality Referendum is QUESTION 6 on the Nov 6, 2012 Ballot.

Question Six reads:

Civil Marriage Protection Act

Establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

To support Marriage equality, vote YES on Question Six.

"For All the Children" - Support Marriage Equality

Catholics and friends gathered to sing their hearts out in support of LGBTQ young people. 

Lay Catholic Christians are standing up and singing out to spread the good news of Christ's love. 

To download the beautiful song, composed by David Lohman, please go to welcomesongmusic.com

SOURCE:

For All the Children...Vote NO in November in Minnesota - YouTube

YOU DECIDE - SHOULD AN ARMY GENERAL BE WELCOME IN MARYLAND - WITH HER SPOUSE?

During a promotion ceremony, August 11, 2012, at Arlington National Cemetery, a proud wife placed a star insignia on her spouse's uniformed shoulder — the official mark of an Army brigadier general. 

The placing of the star insignia was preceded by this announcement: “Col. Smith's partner, Miss Tracey Hepner.”

The audience burst into applause.

Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith now wears the star insignia on her uniform - pinned there by her spouse. 

General Tammy Smith is the first openly gay general in the United States Army.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta posted a YouTube video thanking gay service members and praising the ban’s repeal. 

In June, 2012 the Pentagon hosted a Gay Pride Month event. 

In July, 2012 members of the military wore their uniforms during a San Diego gay pride parade.

For more: With promotion, U.S. Army welcomes first openly gay general - latimes.com

THE ANCIENT, CATHOLIC IDEA OF "THE COMMON GOOD"

"What's distinctive about Catholics and politics is our ancient idea of the common good. We measure that by how the working class and poorest among us are doing."

"Government, for us Catholics, is obliged to be caring. It's obliged to serve and to help build the country as whole. President Obama 'gets' this at a deep level."

So said Stephen Schneck, director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies at Catholic University of America.

Schneck has joined a number of other prominent Catholics as national co-chairs for "Catholics for Obama"

The complete list:

Former State Rep. Polly Baca, Colorado

Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Washington, D.C. 

Rep. Xavier Becerra, California 

Nicholas Cafardi, Pennsylvania 

Former Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Pennsylvania 

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, Connecticut 

Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois 

Miguel Foster, Michigan 

Thomas Groome, Massachusetts 

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Ohio 

Victoria Reggie Kennedy, Massachusetts 

Victoria Kovari, Michigan 

Sr. Jamie Phelps,  Louisiana 

Gov. Martin O'Malley, Maryland 

Former Rep. James Oberstar,  Minnesota 

Lawrence Parks, Washington, D.C. 

Fred Rotondaro, Washington, D.C. 

Rep. Tim Ryan, Ohio 

Stephen Schneck, Washington, D.C. 

John Sweeney, Maryland 

Mark Tuohey, Washington, D.C.

SOURCE:

Obama campaign unveils its 'Catholics for Obama' 2012 team | National Catholic Reporter