WHEN AN ANGEL SPEAKS

Don't Blame the President! Don't Blame the Congress! Blame Yourselves!

2012-01-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Endangered Middle Class is on Life Support... and the Republicans are Poised to Pull the Plug!

When an Angel Speaks

The Endangered Middle Class is on Life Support.. and the Republicans are poised to pull the plug!

Part 1: Don't Blame the President! Don't Blame the Congress! Blame yourselves!

It is January 2012 and the insanity of the 2012 Presidential Election has begun. I believe the word "insanity" is appropriate and succinct because of the axiom which states that "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."This adage takes on an even more prophetic and nostradamean meaning when you consider that this fall, once again, the American people are going to the polls and insanely attempting to select a President to lead them out of the morass, muck and mire that has afflicted our country and symbolized its politics! I contend that "insanely" is the correct word because unless we do something different, we will not effect any meaningful change, no matter who wins the White House this fall. Moreover, that different thing that we MUST DO is pause for a moment and reflect upon our choices and the actions that WE MUST TAKE in order to save our country which is dangerously teetering on the edge of the abyss.

Firstly, we must vote according to our own self-interests. This is usually what most voters do, but in this Presidential election we must intelligently re-define what our BEST self-interest is, and because I am advocating for the endangered Middle class, I assert that the most important and critical self-interest we have is SURVIVAL! The Republican party is hell bent upon destroying us, the Endangered Middle Class. Why else would Congressional and Senatorial Republicans try to eliminate Social Security and Medicare through the Ryan Plan, in addition to killing almost every job bill that the White House has proposed. Job bills which could have added thousands if not tens of thousands of high paying jobs to a crippled economy. The Democratic Party has been feverishly attempting to resuscitate a grievously ailing national economy and the Republican Party is withholding the critical assistance needed to heal the patient. Why is this? You need only to look back upon Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's vow in 2008 when he said,

"The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

The Elected Republican Party officials do not care about the economy because THEY HAVE MORPHED INTO THE PARTY OF THE RICH! This is why they do not worry about the Endangered Middle Class because they cannot relate to us. They don't know how hard it is to balance a shrinking paycheck against rising expenses. They don't know the pain of losing long held treasured jobs because of greedy avaricious bank initiated financial recessions. They don't lose sleep at night worrying about staving off foreclosure on their homes, despite the fact that MANY ALREADY HAVE LOST their homes! So why should The Republican Party care about us the Endangered Middle Class? The answer is THEY DON'T AND THEY WILL NEVER CARE! Why not? Because it is not in their best self-interest to do so. Period! This brings me to the crux of my argument which is this important and irrefutable fact that it is not enough to re-elect President Obama, We must elect Democratic Congressional Representatives and Democratic Senators to aid Obama in implementing his policies. It is not enough to just vote for the man with the vision, but we must also put in place people who support that vision and the visionary! I President Obama should not have to do all the heavy lifting! It is our responsibility to give him some help! It isimperative that we elect enough Democrats to regain control of the House of Representatives and MAINTAIN control of the Senate. Hello Endangered Middle Class America, ARE YOU LISTENING?!! It is only by the regaining and maintaining control of Congress and The White House can we thwart and undo the grievous damage inflicted upon our beloved nation.

The Republicans are masters of distraction! Their current strategy is to portray Obama as a promise breaker and that he has not kept his campaign promises. But what they don't tell you is that every promise he has attempted to keep, promises ranging from from rescuing the economy to delivering jobs, the Republican Party has thwarted, obstructed, if not down right killed! Divided government does not work if one faction of that government are zealous extremists who would destroy our beloved country to win an ideological point. Remember the Debt Ceiling Crisis and how perilously close the Republican Tea Party Congressional officials brought us to defaulting on our national debt which would have destroyed our economy and plunged the world into a global depression. This unnecessary political posturing resulted in the downgrading of America's credit rating. Moreover, the Republican Party has the audacity and malevolent cunning to blatantly lie and falsely attribute this debacle to Obama. An anonymous writer who wrote under the pseudonym General R. Never said, " People deserve the government they permit!" Furthermore, if we do not WAKE UP and vote in our own best interests by voting for OBAMA and other Democrats then we, the Endangered Middle Class, deserve the inevitable pain, misery, heartache and death that will surely come as the Republican Party pulls the plug on us. I don't know about you, but I don't plan on "going gently into that good night." I'm going to vote for every good democrat I can find!

About Global Author Terry Angel Mason

Terry Angel Mason is an internationally renowned author, columnist, keynote speaker, poet, singer, songwriter, minister, and Civil Rights activist who currently resides is Southern California. He is the author of three popular titles, Love Won't Let Me Be Silent, They Say That I am Broken, and The Dream Keeper, set to be released in 2012. A revered leader and global change agent, Terry Angel Mason's mission is to inspire, educate and empower millions around the world, and promote love and acceptance for all people. A highly sought after author and activist, Mason has been featured in (Lee Bailey's) eurweb.com, Healthy Black Men, The East County Magazine, Five (5) Magazine, Whosoever Magazine, SGL Weekly Magazine, Outword Magazine, The NBJC Newsletter, The Advocate, Frontier Magazine, Broadway World, The Windy City Times Newspaper, New Pittsburgh Courier, New England Informer, Our Weekly Magazine, Out Impact, The San Diego Gay and Lesbian News, The San Diego Gay and Lesbian Times, The San Diego Union Tribune, ME Magazine, POZ Magazine, The New Civil Rights Online Magazine, A&U Magazine, Religious Tolerance, Marriage Equality International, Homorazzi, BN&S News Commentary, Real Health Magazine, Q Magazine, MSNBC News Vine, ILGA, Out Military Online Magazine, Proud Parenting Web Magazine, Fuse Magazine, Echelon Magazine, The Bay Area Reporter, Connextions Magazine, and in many other publications.

WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM

Follow Angel Mason on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ALOVEBALLAD

DON LEMON: Don Lemon: Young, Gifted, Black, Gay and Handsome!

2011-05-20T02:10:00.000-07:00

Recently, you may have heard the news that the esteemed CNN news anchor, Don Lemon has "come out" and announced to the world that he is a gay or a same-gender-loving man. I congratulate him for taking this very courageous and personally liberating step. However, I am also extremely dismayed that he is being criticized for why it took him so long to do so.
Some say that Lemon came out to create buzz about the release of his new book, Transparent, and to increase book sales when his memoir is released. Others are criticizing him because he did not make a bolder public announcement. As a same-gender-loving man, I know that it is not uncommon for gay people to delay announcing to friends and family that they are gay, and perhaps with good reason! Even though America purports itself to be a democratic nation that embraces all cultures, religions, and ethnicities, regrettably, still many Americans unfairly bash President Obama, spewing out racial slurs like venomous snakes characteristic of the 60's and adamantly oppose equal rights for same-gender-loving people--specifically in regards to marriage equality. One need look no further then the fierce battlegrounds of New York City, where a heated contentious war is being waged against same-gender-loving people to prevent them from marrying the person of their own choosing.
In the past three years there has been an unprecedented number of youth and young adults committing suicide because of gay bullying. Movies and music have been saturated for decades with gay slurs, homophobic lyrics and stereotypical story lines that insult, demean and discriminate against gay people, much like blacks were portrayed in black and white films in the past.
Noted Essayist, Cleo Manago, founder and CEO of the African, American Advocacy, Support-Services & Survival Institute (AmASSI), could be named among the long list of critics, who in my opinion engaged in the recent bashing and criticizing of Lemon for not being more vocal on issues that relate to the African-American community and insinuating that the only reason Lemon was selected by CNN is because he is a fair-skinned brother whom as Manago puts it, "may possibly be in his position at CNN because he is a light-skinned, homosexual Black man who is likely seen, by Whites, as less threatening than another type of Black man."
While I do agree with Manago, that CNN has skirted around and even blatantly ignored pertinent issues that pertain to the African American community and same-gender-loving people, I do not agree with his assessment of Mr. Lemon's journalistic skills, qualifications and/or CNN's reasons for hiring Don. Don is a man of integrity. He is personable and caring, in addition to being an excellent journalist who is more than qualified to be an anchor for CNN.
Moreover, I applaud CNN for supporting Don in his decision to make his sexual preference public and I believe that they were very wise to do so! Rachel Maddow, as you know is perhaps one of the most respected and courageous same-gender-loving female journalists on television today! People all over the world regularly view her telecast and appreciate her thorough, unbiased, incisive cutting-edge style of reporting. I sincerely believe that because Don has elected to be more transparent regarding his personal life, that he is poised and primed to become one of CNN's most dynamic and most watched anchors, who will boldly seize new opportunities to address many of the issues that Mr. Manago claims are intentionally omitted by CNN.
I'd like to remind everyone involved in any type of judgmental action, that Don Lemon's private life is exactly that, "Private!" No one but God is privy to the elements, factors and reasons that motivated him to bravely announce to the world that he refuses to go on hiding this aspect of his "Private" life any longer. Furthermore, it is clear to me that he is self-assured and comfortable enough in his own skin to publicly say to the world, this is who I am! You may judge me on my professional merits and my public persona, but you may not judge me on who I choose to love!

Whether Mr. Lemon realizes it or not, his public admission will impact his life positively, if viewed from an objective perspective. It has become clear to me that this revelation has no doubt helped him to identify who his true friends and supporters are. His true friends will be the people who will continue to love him and embrace him for the wonderful man that he is. The people who will now shun him and negatively criticize him and his sexuality will be the people (that in my opinion) he can easily do without. Furthermore, it is to his advantage to identify these people now and remove them from his life so that the quality of his life will be more fulfilling, happier, more productive, and stress free.
Thousands who heard his announcement unanimously agree that Don Lemon is setting a terrific positive example for our LGBT youth. It is undeniable that it was his phenomenal talent, drive, and journalistic ability which landed him the job as news anchor and these are the wonderful attributes that the world's LGBT youth will recognize and want to emulate.
In conclusion, I wish to state that when questioned by the media as to why he chose this moment and time to come out, Don responded by stating that he did it to save lives because so many LGBT youth and young adults are committing suicide.
As a global HIV Advocate, I know that Don's coming out is extremely significant, not only because his actions are a deterrent in regards to keeping same-gender-loving people from committing suicide, but also because it has been proven by clinicians and HIV caregivers the world over that people who embrace their sexual orientation are less likely to become infected with the AIDS virus!
Today, millions of Americans remain unaware of the fact that HIV rates continue to climb at terrifying rates in the African American and Latino communities. More than 1 million people in the United States are now HIV positive, and 1 out of 5 people are unaware that they are even infected with the disease. According to The Center of Disease Control, AIDS is the third leading cause of death for both black men and black women ages 35 to 44
For teens and young adults, the statistics are even more daunting. Ciara Thomas, a writer for www.HealthyPlace.com (America's Mental Health Channel), stated that gay teens account for one-third of teens who commit suicide. With so many countless teens and African Americans falling prey to premature deaths and disease, this perhaps, is the most significant reason as to why Don's coming out is so very timely and will without a doubt be the life-saving remedy for both heterosexual and same-gender-loving people as well.
I think News Analyst and author; Herndon Davis said it best when he expressed his congratulations to Don in his article entitled "Will Black America Embrace CNN's Don Lemon's Coming Out??"
Said Davis, "Whether you are straight or gay, you should embrace Don Lemon's coming out not because of a politically correct induced statement but because he is someone taking a risk, placing himself, his career and even his physical safety on the line in order to help so many others. And that within itself is well worth my support. Congratulations to Don Lemon!!" I would just like to add my Amen! to that thought-provoking statement!

by Angel Mason, Internationally Acclaimed Author
WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM
FOLLOW THIS BEST SELLING AUTHOR ON TWITTER LINK: http://twitter.com/ALOVEBALLAD

Afraid to tell your family and friends that you are gay?
Have a gay son or lesbian daughter and not sure how to handle the situation?
Know someone who is being bullied or rejected by family and friends because they are gay?

Are you struggling with reconciling your sexuality and spirituality because you are a same-gender-loving person?

If so, then this excerpt from my new book,

"LOVE WON'T LET ME BE SILENT"
is just for YOU!
This book has a proven reputation of saving the lives of thousands of LGBT youth and young adults worldwide!

Excerpt No. 1 You can download this excerpt free and even email it to a family member or friend! (This excerpt is best for parents who have gay children and/or people who may know someone who is gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual)

You can also download Excerpt No. 2 entitled: Does God Hate Me Because I Am Gay? (This excerpt is best for teens and adults who are gay, bisexual, lesbian or transgender that may be battling homophobia on a daily basis)

FOR THOSE WHO WILL NEVER KNOW THE JOY OF A MOTHER'S DAY OR A FATHER'S DAY

2011-05-06T00:39:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day and Father's Day will soon arrive but thousands of children, and young adults will miss the celebration because states like Virginia, Illinois and Arizona have recently moved to prevent same-gender-loving people from becoming foster or adoptive parents solely based on their sexual orientation and marital status. Moreover, discriminatory restrictions in other states, including Florida and Arkansas, have recently been the subject of heated ongoing legal action.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 30 percent of foster youth across the nation are black. What is even more troubling to me as an African American same-gender-loving man and parent is that black youth are found in disproportionate numbers in the foster care system. These beautiful children are prevented from being placed in permanent loving homes because they are hindered by discriminatory laws that make their placement in nurturing families almost impossible. You will be amazed to discover that African American children represent only 25 percent of the children who are adopted.

I know from my research as a global author and Civil Rights Activist that an estimated 10 to 15 percent of the population in the world is same-gender-loving people and since this is true, it stands to reason that thousands of these same children are also LGBT youth as well!
Many conservatives who support these discriminatory laws publicly promote the perception (through media) that child molestation is directly linked to homosexuality, and boldly claim that this is the reason that same-gender-loving people are unfit to parent and should never be permitted to adopt. Perhaps, it's because many continue to falsely associate homosexuality exclusively with sexual behavior and thus believe children are not safe around gay men or lesbian women.

While on the train the other day, I heard two Black men talking about gay people, and one of the men stated, "They're okay; just don't bring them around my children!" But adoption experts, law enforcement agencies, and psychologists continuously declare in study after study that "A child's risk of being molested by his or her relatives' heterosexual partner is over one hundred times greater than by someone who might be identifiable as being homosexual." The study also found that out of 269 cases of child sexual abuse, only two offenders were found to be gay or lesbian, proving, that same-gender-loving people are actually less likely to molest children than heterosexual men or women. Unfortunately, these unfounded perceptions have led to widespread opposition to gay people parenting children in our society, leaving thousands if not millions of children held captive and grossly deprived from loving families in a discriminatory foster care system.

As conservative politicians flex their political muscle in Congress and in the Senate, thinking nothing of disregarding the needs of the poor and disenfranchised by attempting to eliminate Medicare and other much needed social services; the question begs to be asked, "Who is going to care for and support these children?" I won't even attempt to even estimate the staggering cost of caring for these children because I already know it is costing taxpayers multiple millions!

The National Black Justice Coalition recently pricked the consciences and hearts of millions all over the world by reminding us that there are already one million LGBT parents raising two million children in our country today and this number is growing! According to analysis of the 2010 Census data, a sizable number of these parents are African American and Latino, and they are raising their children to love their country, respect their neighbors, worship a loving God, and positively contribute to their communities.

Thank God that in addition to the National Black Justice Coalition's ongoing mission to combat discrimination in our country; Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) is also committed to do the same! Recently, he re-introduced legislation known as "The Every Child Deserves a Family Act." This legislation if successfully passed would expand the number of qualified foster and adoptive parents for youth in the foster care system by banning all discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and marital status. Subsequently, this would open up hundreds if not thousands of new homes to youth who desperately need placement.

Furthermore, I was alarmed when I was made aware of these additional staggering statistics revealed by Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG National: "There are more than 500,000 children currently in the foster care system. While 120,000 of them are available for adoption every year, 25,000 of these youth will 'age out' of the system without ever finding loving families to call their own (and many LGBT youth will remain homeless). Tragically, more and more states' laws and practices are creating barriers for these children from accessing permanent homes. This legislation would remedy that problem."

Last year, I was invited to Chicago Illinois on my birthday by several organizations. One of the organizations who sponsored and organized the book signing event called UCAN is responsible for placing children and LGBTQ young adults age 18 -- 24 in homes in Chicago, Illinois. My life was profoundly altered by meeting them! And I am now committed to aiding UCAN in their mission of placing these deserving souls in loving homes. There are no words that could express how impacted I was as I gazed into the eyes of these young adults while reading excerpts from my book. I secretly vowed to myself and to God that I would do everything within my power to ensure that every one of them was placed in loving homes with parents who could rear them and nurture them the way God intended for all children and young adults to be nurtured.

Just remember that when you phone your local restaurant this weekend to make dinner reservations for you and your mother in preparation to celebrate Mother's day that there are millions of children and young adults who do not have the same privilege. They will miss out on the joy of heading to the mall to secretly purchase that special Mother's Day gift, and they will be denied the opportunity to present their fathers in June on Father's day with a gift as well! And while this gift giving ritual may seem insignificant to some, these precious moments, bless the lives of youth and young adults. Because as they gaze into the approving eyes of parents they find validation, empowerment, and they come to the realization that they are truly loved!

In the upcoming months, when it's time to vote on legislation like "The Every Child Deserves a Family Act," I challenge you to recall how wonderful it felt to have a nurturing mother and/or father and the magical feeling of security that you felt in their loving care. Don't buy into the homophobia, misinformation and discrimination spewed out by misguided conservative politicians and religious leaders, bent on depriving same-gender-loving people from enjoying their legitimate Constitutional rights, while condemning thousands of children in the Foster Care System to a life of missed opportunity, tragic abandonment, and unnecessary homelessness.

by Angel Mason, Global Author
http://www.terryangelmason.com/
FOLLOW THIS BEST SELLING AUTHOR ON TWITTER LINK: http://twitter.com/ALOVEBALLAD

SOME OF THE CHALLENGES BLACK GAY PARENTS FACE

Audio Excerpt from Love Won't Let Me Be Silent, entitled,
PRODIGAL SON

Baltimore, Maryland Transgendered Woman Almost Killed While Apathetic and Insensitive Crew Members Encourage Assailants

2011-04-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to McDonald’s, Where Violence and Homophobia are More Popular Than the Big Mac!

(Baltimore, Maryland Transgendered Woman Almost Killed While Apathetic and Insensitive Crew Members Encourage Assailants)

McDonald’s has finally reached the ultimate pinnacle in their quest to provide the perfect family dining experience. They now offer you dinner theatre with their mouthwatering Big Macs, delicious fries, Filet Fish sandwiches, Value Meals and Fruit Smoothies. Now, customers can watch murderous homophobic female thugs, as they attempt to kill members of the LGBT community, while Management and crew members cheer them on and video tape horrific violent assaults to later post on YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK and other HIP HOP Social networks.

Sound unbelievable??? Well, that is exactly what happened on a chilling Baltimore evening at around 8 p.m., inside a McDonald's restaurant in the 6300 block of Kenwood Avenue. What fueled the incident was when a Transgendered woman made her way toward the women’s restroom to use the facility. The victim first asked one of the McDonald crew members if she could use the restroom and was told that she had to purchase some food in order to use the facility. She responded by saying that she really had to go right away and could not wait. According to the woman, while walking toward the restroom an unidentified man apparently approached her, possibly one of the girl’s boyfriends, in an attempt to flirt with her, but the woman declined his offer and immediately went into the restroom. When she came out two African-American females, 14 and 18 spat in her face and began arguing with her, expressing their objection to the woman using the bathroom and one of the women accused her of flirting with her boyfriend. The argument escalated into what has become one of the most violent attacks ever viewed on the internet. As a matter of fact, immediately after the video was uploaded to several popular social networks, it went viral!

When I first learned of this incident, I was warned that the video is extremely violent and graphically disturbing, but never in my wildest dreams, could I have ever imagined just how horrific and disgusting it would be to watch! All through the video, I was overwhelmed by a variety of emotions. All the while, cringing in disbelief and thinking to myself, “This cannot be happening and why isn’t anyone making any real attempt to stop this violent attack, phone the police; and my God, where is the manager?” And then out of nowhere, after several minutes which seemed like hours of brutal beating, an elderly woman dressed in white like an angelic emissary appears on the scene to rescue the woman in distress. Even though, it is clear that she is no match for the two younger women attacking the victim, she literally places her life in jeopardy, in a courageous attempt to defuse the situation and ward off the attackers. While her efforts were not completely successful (because the assailants later returned to beat the woman even more viciously), still her intervention delayed the attackers and may possibly have saved the woman’s life.

Now, you are probably wondering, like me, where was the staff and where was the manager? That’s an easy question to answer; the manager is making a half- hearted attempt to stop the fight while others can be heard in the background, peering through video phone camera lenses, boasting about how they are going to put the video on YOUTUBE and other social networks. The Manager on duty made an insincere attempt to intervene only after the badly beaten victim was viciously dragged by the hair to the front door by the young female thugs who seemed intent upon murder. After a sustained barrage of brutal kicks to the head, the victim began convulsing; bleeding from the mouth, all of which was followed by a violent seizure.

Moreover, while this occurred, the crew was gleefully cheering the thugs on while videotaping it, never making a genuine attempt to defuse the attack and/or phone the police. Instead of the manager locking the door and retaining the two women who had attacked the victim until the police could arrive, the employees encouraged them to flee for their own protection and the manager walked over the victim’s body lying in the doorway (as he can be seen doing throughout the video) like she was a piece of trash that was totally unworthy of any type of assistance.

When Baltimore County officers finally arrived, they found a 22-year-old woman convulsing and having seizures. She was still lying in the doorway of the restaurant. After the woman had recovered to some degree, the officers questioned the woman and apparently ran a make on the woman to determine if she had a criminal history. Their inquiry revealed that the victim had a lengthy rap sheet, which of course had nothing at all to do with the incident or the fact that she had been undeservedly almost beaten to death by vicious attackers. The victim’s criminal history and even home address were made public after the unmerciful beating, further jeopardizing the woman’s safety and adding to the emotional duress, physical and mental trauma caused by her assailants.

The owner of that particular McDonald's announced on Saturday afternoon, April 23, 2011 that one employee who taped the violent beating and put it on YOUTUBE and other social networks for all the wrong reasons had been fired (quite justifiably so). He also responded by expressing his dismay about the entire incident:

"My first and foremost concern is with the victim," franchise owner Mitchell McPherson said in a statement, adding that action might be taken against other restaurant workers as well. "I'm as shocked and disturbed by this assault as anyone would be. The behavior displayed in the video is unfathomable and reprehensible."

I am inclined to agree wholeheartedly with Mr. McPherson, however; if I were in his position, I would fire every employee! Starting with the manager and every crew member who stood idly by and witnessed the incident and did nothing to stop it or even intervene by calling the police.

Some people have stated that the transgender woman should not have attempted to use the women’s restroom and expressed their vehement disapproval. I realize that most people don’t fully understand anything about transgender people, but since we are having a “TEACHABLE MOMENT,” it should be noted that most transgender people don’t think of themselves as being gay, but see their gender assignment at birth as a false or as an incomplete description of themselves. Therefore, it is only natural for them to dress, act, and yes, even use public lavatories that are appropriate for them as a transgender woman or man. Needless to say, it was probably extremely wise and appropriate for the transgender woman to use the women’s restroom, because if the truth be told, had she entered the men’s restroom (in some minority communities) she could have placed herself in even greater jeopardy!

Not long ago, Baltimore, Maryland was besieged by Evangelical ministers who had fled the DC area after being expelled from the region. They were horribly defeated by the LGBT community and affirming Congregations during the implementation of (Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 Bill 18-482), granting the right to same sex couples to marry. Of course, since Baltimore, Maryland is in close proximity to Washington, DC, it was only natural for the LGBT community to seek the same constitutional rights and provision to marry as well. However, religious leaders banned together enraging the African-American community and pitting them against the gay community once again, killing the bill. It is no secret that the Black Church has tremendous influence over the African-American community and influences the minds of the countless thousands within its ranks. Furthermore, it is no secret that sometimes this vehement disapproval mutates within the Black community and manifests itself in the form of overt bigotry and hatred toward same-gender-loving people, even outside of the church. I don’t blame the ministers for these acts of violence completely, but I do blame them for not telling their parishioners that whatever their doctrinal beliefs are about same-gender-loving people, those beliefs never gives any individual the right to discriminate or beat anyone unmercifully or to murder them!

I have said it before and I will say it again! These types of horrible occurrences are not isolated incidents, but are a result of years of consensual discrimination that this country endorses and allows! These horrific incidents will continue to occur at an alarming rate and will become even more visible, as long as we preach biased messages from pulpits that brand ALL same-gender-loving people as sinful sodomites who are hell bound and view transgender people as the ultimate abomination. Innocent women, children and teens will continue to commit suicide by the thousands and athletes will think nothing of blurting out gay slurs for millions of fans on national television to hear without conscience. As long as rap artists (whom we worship) are allowed to continually spew out homophobic lyrics, secretly knowing that they have our mental endorsement and permission to reshape the mindsets of our children with subliminal homophobic messages cleverly woven into the fabric of rap lyrics, then we can expect to see more incidents like this occur. Most children who are gay, bisexual, or lesbian aren’t as bold as transgender people are and many hide their sexual orientation from parents and guardians in the African-American community most of their lives until they eventually cast off the chains of discrimination and oppression and come out.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., modeled his life after Christ and both of them were an example to us all. Their goal in mind was to teach us to love one another and to respect one another because every human being is made in the image of the Creator and deserves their God-given equal rights. Many religious extremists rant and claim that acceptance of all people is against God’s will and that by granting all people equal rights will most certainly lead to the demise and the downfall of our great nation. But I prefer to think the opposite! I prefer to embrace the philosophy and vision of our forefathers whom under divine inspiration crafted the Constitution (an ingenious revolutionary document which is still the envy of countless nations today) and believed that all people deserve equal rights. If our nation falls, it will not be because people are gay, bisexual, lesbian or transgender; it will be because we have allowed ourselves to become deluded and deceived by our own homophobic prejudices, still intent upon continuing our legacy of discrimination and hatred that have stained the pages of our history with the blood of the innocent for decades!

By Angel Mason, Global Author
http://www.terryangelmason.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Florence Edwards

(310) 746-7149

Florence@ Publicity911.com
Angel Mason

Global AuthorTel. 619.955.2804
Email: AngelMasonGlobalAuthor@Gmail.com

International Author Terry Angel Mason Makes Special Guest Appearance on “A Step Forward” TV Show

Los Angeles, CA (April 22, 2011)- Global author and Civil Rights activist, Terry Angel Mason, will be a special guest on A Step Forward with host Carole Freeman on Saturday, April 30th, at 3:00 PM PST. The show can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tv-1061.

A revered author, minister, and speaker, Angel’s books are distributed all over the world, and has become one of the most talked about authors of our time, and is leading the world to think about same gender loving community from a place of love and understanding. Mason, a self-published author, quickly rose to international prominence after publishing Love Won’t Let Me Be Silent, a riveting tome that boldly challenged the roots of intolerance, homophobia, and examined the black churches’ role in spreading the violence, hatred and suicide of gays and lesbians around the world. A captivating read that shattered the myths surrounding homosexuality and spirituality, Mason’s book was submitted for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize and was also nominated for The Lambda Literary Awards and the Stonewall Book Award.

Following in the massive success of Love Won’t Let Me Be Silent, Mason’s latest literary phenomenon, They Say That I Am Broken, promises to garner even more praise and

worldwide recognition as he affirms God’s love for all people, and eloquently dissects race, religion and homosexuality through empowering essays, poems and stories. They Say That I Am Broken is scheduled to be released in May, 2011.

About Global Author Terry Angel Mason

Terry Angel Mason is an internationally renowned author, keynote speaker, poet, singer, songwriter, minister, and Civil Rights activist who currently resides is Southern California. He is the author of three popular titles, Love Won’t Let Me Be Silent, They Say That I am Broken, and Get On The Road To Riches.

A revered leader and global change agent, Angel Mason is the former director of the internationally acclaimed San Diego Interfaith Gospel Choir, and is a revered community leader and HIV/AIDS advocate whose mission is to inspire, educate and empower millions around the world, and promote love and acceptance for all people. A highly sought after author and activist, Mason has been featured in ME Magazine, POZ Magazine, A & U Magazine, Real Health Magazine, Q Magazine, Echelon Magazine, and in many other publications. Mason has won many awards for his achievements, including The San Diego Urban League’s National Success Story Award, and many others.

For breaking news, articles, interviews, or to learn more about Terry Angel Mason, visit his website at www.TerryAngelMason.com. He can also be reached on the Web at www.facebook.com/home.php#/terryangelmason,www.myspace.com/angelslovesongs,www.myspace.com/booksthatprosper and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ALOVEBALLAD.

Note to media: Terry Angel Mason is available for media appearances. Please contact Florence Edwards at Florence@Publicity911.com to request an interview. To view video interviews with Terry Angel Mason, please click the following links below:

National Urban League Interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_p47McSUdY&feature=player_embedded

San Diego Neighborhood House Association Interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8YpZnJLHN8&feature=player_embedded#at=53

Real Health Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyUNDQbMBck&feature=player_embeded

# # #

IS KOBE BRYANT HOMOPHOBIC OR JUST A PRODUCT OF HIS ENVIRONMENT

2011-04-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks!

(A Tree is Known by the Fruit it Bears)

^{43 For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:43-45 ASV).
For years I have been a Laker fan. I've attended Laker parades, purchased Laker gear, attended countless Laker games and can be found glued to the television as they play out of town games that I can not personally attend. Days on end I can be seen proudly wearing my favorite Laker hat and my purple and gold, like it is a ritual. Even while traveling last summer to the Big Apple (NY, NY) I engaged in countless conversations on and off airplanes and trains about my Lakers! I can't even articulate how wonderful it is to travel all over the country doing book signings, only to arrive in a new city to see them selling Laker gear like it is going out of style.

However, Tuesday night was the first time in my life that I felt embarrassed to even be called a diehard Laker fan. I have seen my Lakers lose games and still I believed in them and supported them, in spite of what anyone had to say, but I must tell you that it broke my heart (as a same-gender-loving black man) not to receive the same support and respect back. Yes, I know that many of you will say, "He's just over reacting and blowing an unintentional comment, verbalized in the heat of frustration and anger out of proportion. Besides, it's not really all that serious!" But the truth of the matter is that it is very serious! As a matter of fact, on a scale of 1 to 10 it's a 50!

Whenever someone who is as highly respected and admired like Kobe Bryant, loses control at a nationally televised NBA Game and calls an NBA Referee, a F@#KIng Faggot, that's nothing to sneer at! Of course Kobe claims that it was out of "frustration, pure frustration" after being slapped with his 15th technical of the season. This may be true, but it is also true that millions of young men and women look up to Kobe, worship the ground he walks on, and incessantly dream of one day being just like him.

Yes, I agree that Kobe was indeed angry, so he reached into his arsenal of words and found the most derogatory, demeaning term and hurled it at the Referee with the intention of doing the most emotional and psychological damage to the man that he could. No one can convince me that if he didn't think gays were the scum of the earth that he would not have purposely selected this word. As stated previously, he merely expressed what he really feels at the core of his being and reached into his arsenal of weapons with the full intent to annihilate the man in the worst way possible verbally - striking back like a foolish child throwing a temper tantrum.

Now, just so you don't think I'm being too hard on Kobe, I know firsthand what it means to be in the public's eye and constantly scrutinized and I know what it is to be revered by thousands of people all over the world and have to live up to a glorified image and inflated expectations. But in times of frustration, I don't resort to calling people names or using derogatory slurs because I am infuriated. The reason that I don't do these things is not because I possess some type of supernatural control over my emotions, but because these things are not in my heart! Intense anger has a way of exposing what has been intentionally or unintentionally embedded in our hearts. Contrary to popular opinion, anger is not necessarily a bad emotion when bridled and tempered by self-control. But anger can be a double-edged sword betraying us and exposing ideas and prejudices deeply rooted in our hearts and minds. In one ungarded moment, the heart can bypass the mind and express itself, revealing its true content when tested by the refining fires of life.

Kobe has already gone out of his way to apologize and demonstrate his deep remorse for having acted so stupidly and I applaud him for doing so, but I also would like to recommend that he allow the purifying light of God's love and truth to flush out what has been implanted in his being which has been secretly defiling him and the multitudes for decades.
The gay community has been desperately striving to make us comprehend for years that "LIFE AND DEATH IS IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE!" Here is one of the greatest wisdom principles that one could ever learn, and that is "WORDS CAN CREATE AND DESTROY!" What we contemplate and think upon constantly is a form of meditation (with unlimited ability to shape our thinking) that is why rap music is so powerful! Eventually that which we think upon for an extended period of time shapes our thinking and behavior. One of the greatest spiritual truths of all time is "THOUGHTS ARE THINGS AND WORDS HAVE POWER!" Moreover, thoughts and behavior reveal what is truly in our hearts and minds long before we begin to speak it!
I believe that in some ways, Kobe is a victim himself and didn't fully realize it until this unfortunate incident occurred. You must realize that it has only become distasteful and unacceptable to use terms against gays in the last two or three years. For years, well known rappers spewed out homophobic slurs as often as it rains in Seattle. Consquently, it was acceptable to do so because if a man was gay, he was considered to be the scum of the earth. Furthermore, though many rap artists have toned it down fearing the wrath of organizations like HRC and GLAAD, they have done nothing to undo the damage in the hearts and minds of millions of fans influenced negatively for years who now view gays, lesbians and transgender people as people who are worthless, demented, incomplete and/or distorted.
This prevailing attitude is not only something that plagues African countries like Uganda but is also expressed in America's overt refusal to grant same-gender-loving people equal rights. It is clear that the people living in the hood aren't the only ones brainwashed by relentless subliminal homophobic hate messages which cause our young people to commit suicide at an alarming rate, and tempts conservative religious extremists with ideas of reinstating Jim Crow laws under the guise of "reclaiming their country from a supposed incompetent Black leader."

And the comments! The comments are so offensive until it sickens me at the core of my being to even know that people think hating anyone is okay. Just listen to the comments posted on the Lakers' BlogSpot, YOUTUBE and in the Los Angeles Times.
LA TIMES COMMENTS:
Comments like:
"Don't apologize, Kobe. You've explained yourself. That's enough. What do we play for? RINGS!!! Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever! GO LAKERS!!!"
"I don't think this should be an issue that generate much money for the nba...its just an expression that wasn't directed to anybody...which should have not been given attention...these gays/lesbians have just been so pampered when in fact they are not very sensitive to the society as a whole...has the media been attentive to these gays/lesbians when they attack personally the pope, the clergy when these persons are morally upright than them..."
"Ha ha ha .. that was really funny, the gays are so hurt, poor gays... their feeling are truly hurt"
"Kobe, do not try to appease the homosexual community by being in one of their sick sodomy celebrating parades and don't allow them to extort money from you. Society is supporting you against these ...whiners."

Additional YOUTUBE COMMENT:
"...and fags are offended as always, crybabies, and then they wonder why nobody likes them!"
When I read these comments, I realized just how very far we as Americans still have to go to reach The Promised Land of Equality. Every day, I personally see young Blacks and Hispanics being verbally and physically abused by people who just don't give a damn! And I think to myself, if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were still on the planet, he would be grieved tremendously to see us treating one another with no regard for human life and no regard for our children's future or well-being. But then again, it's clear from the majority of comments that I read that it's perfectly okay to do it to them because we hate them anyway. The real truth of the matter is that we all have brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, step-children, husbands, wives, friends and lovers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. We may not know it, but it is a true fact! And suffice it to say, that the Lakers have more gay fans than they could ever imagine who regularly purchase season tickets, show up at parades and proudly wear and display their Lakers' gear without any reservation. It's just too bad that many of these people will be murdered, ruthlessly persecuted and beaten beyond recognition by peers simply because they are gay!

Even though maniacs and misguided people and diehard Laker fans want to blatantly overlook Kobe's foolish mistake, because after all "it didn't really hurt anybody or endanger anyone" - which is what many will be inclined to think and say. Statistics prove otherwise, or didn't you note the epidemic of suicides among gay and lesbian children and young adults this year and the year before? And of course it had nothing to do what the fact that stars, rappers and athletes in a fit of anger slipped and called someone a "F#@*king FAGGOT!" The only problem is that you will never be able to convince the mother, father and grandparents of that gay child who has been abused or even heartlessly murdered that these mishaps were harmless and inconsequential! There is, however; one statement written among the numerous comments that appropriately expresses a truth that I think all Americans need to read and consider upon which I will conclude.}

"This is a sad day for Kobe, for the Lakers, and for the NBA. That he came out, in a moment in anger with such a nasty slur, it means that deep inside he holds a deep seated homophobic hatred. If the Ref or another player would have called Kobe the infamous politically incorrect 'N' word' - wow, would Kobe have been angry! Kobe should be penalized more heavily for this. He should be suspended for at least one game. We have too many big shot athletic 'heroes' who are continually giving the wrong message to their fans, especially young people. It has to stop somewhere...whether it is using verbal insults or shooting up steroids, there are major morality issues we collectively must face. I am a big Lakers fan and still love Kobe Bryant. Howver, after this outrageous remark, he is just as guilty as the Barry Bonds and A-Rods who abuse their position, their salaries, and place in society."

Who knows, perhaps Kobe can donate the $100,000 fine he was forced to pay to the families of all the innocent same-gender loving people (that supported the Lakers for years) who have been beaten to death by homophobic abusers to defray the cost of funeral expenses!
by Terry Angel Mason
WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM

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LGBT GOSPEL GAY ARTISTS PROUDLY COME OUT REJECTING THE CHURCH'S ANTIQUATED HOMOPHOBIC TEACHINGS

2011-04-09T01:19:00.000-07:00

This morning after dragging myself out of bed, I stumbled into my living room and sat down in front of my computer in order to check my email. After wiping the sleep from my eyes, I was shocked when I read an email from BlackPlanet.com and Newsone.com disclosing the fact that DeJuaii Pace (a renowned gospel singer, a member of the famous Pace Sisters) had just announced to the entire world that she is a lesbian and has been suppressing her natural inclinations since the age of four. The article also mentioned the fact that she would be telling her story of how she had overcome her food addiction and had come to terms with her sexuality this Tuesday on the OWN Network (owned and operated by Oprah Winfrey).

As I finished reading the article, I immediately scrolled down to the comment section of the article (s) to get some type of idea as to what other reader's reactions would be, regarding DeJuaii's disclosure. I have to tell you that after reading several of the comments, my heart literally sunk into the pit of my stomach, due to the fact that the comments were filled with so much hatred and homophobic venom. The comments were so extreme until it made me ashamed to even refer to myself as a Christian! Nothing that anyone had to say even mirrored anything that looked, acted or sounded like the love of God! And the most offensive thing of all was that they did it in the name of Jesus, and felt justified in doing so! Anyone who knows anything about Christianity or the Bible will tell you that love is kind, patient, forgiving, not boastful, never arrogant, edifies and never destroys!

DeJuaii, like thousands of African-American children, grew up in a Pentecostal, holiness environment and any notion of even sleeping with a man before wedlock was completely out of the question and frowned upon by the Church in every way. If a young woman would come up pregnant, she would immediately be ostracized from the church and/or prohibited from participating in any aspect of ministry until she had come before the entire congregation to repent and ask forgiveness, before she could be reinstated. Instead of DeJuaii, yielding to the temptation of sleeping with a male or a female (like most contemporary Christians do) she did something that most of us could never fathom, and that was to remain sexually inactive. Even today, at the age of 45, she is still a virgin.

Tonex, now known as B. Slade was also publically and ruthlessly attacked by his gospel peers, (and so-called brothers and sisters in Christ) after disclosing that he was a same-gender-loving Christian man. Almost immediately, other gospel artists (who had claimed to be die-hard friends and fans) began to venomously slander him and quickly distanced themselves from him. Furthermore, they could even be heard in public arenas referring to him as a pervert, sexual vampire and heretic!

Ray Boltz, a renowned Gospel singer and composer, who sold about 4.5 million records before retiring from the Christian music industry a few years ago, rocked the Evangelical world after he disclosed to the world that he was also gay. Like DeJuaii Pace, Ray's life was plummeting into a valley of despair, and deep depression, and he almost committed suicide; the result of having suppressed his sexual preference for most of his life. In his own words Ray reveals the deep emotional trauma, mental anguish, and agony that he suffered for years while in ministry:

"I'd denied it ever since I was a kid," Boltz said, then 55. I became a Christian, I thought that was the way to deal with this and I prayed hard and tried for 30-some years and then at the end, I was just going, I'm still gay. I know I am. And I just got to the place where I couldn't take it anymore -- when I was going through all this darkness, I thought, 'Just end this! "

And that is exactly what thousands of children, teens and young adults have done over the past few decades, "They simply got tired of trying to change something about themselves that was a natural as their skin color or as an inherent as their musical gifts and abilities, which birthed some of the world's most anointed gospel music," - They just simply gave up and ended their mental and emotional torment by committing suicide! Had Tonex (aka B. Slade), DeJuaii Pace and Ray Boltz done the same, the world would have suffered a loss that they could have never recovered from or ever recreated! You see, we are all uniquely placed on this planet with a divine destiny and a divine purpose that only each of us individually can fulfill.

When the Ted Haggard and the Bishop Eddie Long scandal came out the entire Christian world was shocked and devastated after it was alleged that these revered spiritual leaders had been accused of engaging in gay sex. But if the truth be told, there are thousands of same-gender-loving people in the church (functioning in every aspect of ministry) and there always have been! Suffice it to say, if all same-gender-loving people would leave the church and/or refuse to participate in any aspect of ministry, hundreds, if not thousands of ministries would shut down!

Wednesday night, while in the midst of teaching Bible Study, I came across this marvelous scripture in the Bible, found in the book of St. John, Chapter 4, vs. 24

"God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [Him] in spirit and in truth."

Nobody in the world will ever be able to convince me that we are worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth hiding who we really are, in a closet of self-rejection and denial. Moreover, we do this because we fear being rejected by the world. Yet, I must admit that this is exactly what countless heterosexual Christians do all the time. They may not be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, but they sleep around with everybody and anybody which accounts for much of the spread of Std's and HIV in the African-American community today. They cheat on their husbands and wives, engage in unethical business practices daily and neglect their children. Yet, hypocritically, they are quick to point the finger at someone like DeJuaii, whom by the way is living a celibate and holy life! Makes you wonder just what is wrong with our ability to discern truth and walk in it.

On one occasion (in Biblical times) the people of the city brought a woman to Jesus whom had been caught in adultery, demanding that she be stoned. Instead of condemning her, Jesus quietly knelt down and began scribbling something in the sand. Many theologians believe that he was scribbling all the names of the people in the crowd who had slept with her and were just as guilty; hoping she would be stoned to death so that their sexual involvement with her would never be publically revealed. After a few minutes the crowds dispersed having left their stones lying in the street.

Jesus, immediately arose and asked the woman this question, "Woman, where are thine accusers?" She answered by saying, "They are gone!" He responded by saying, "Neither do I condemn thee..."
The other night I sat in a dimly lit room devastated by the fact that one of my most beloved friends refused to participate in an upcoming musical Christmas CD project with me, solely because I am a gay man. But what is most astounding is that this same person has been married over four times and has slept with more women on the planet than any self respecting God-fearing Christian man would dare to claim in good conscience. Ironically, he still is not living a celibate life, even though he claims to be a die-hard Christian!

And even though I have experienced this type of rejection all of my life, I must admit that it still hurts when someone you love rejects you in this manner. I was able to recover from the rejection but that is not the case for many same-gender-loving believers in the church who sit there Sunday after Sunday hearing sermons that reinforce self-hatred and brainwash people into believing that the Creator does not love them. Moreover, I sadly wonder how many more people will jump off bridges, take overdoses, eat themselves to death or shoot themselves in the head with a gun before the church wakes up and truly learns to walk in love.
By Terry Angel Mason, Global Author
http://www.terryangelmason.com/

Afraid to tell your family and friends that you are gay or lesbian?
Have a gay son or lesbian daughter and not sure how to handle the situation?
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Are you struggling with reconciling your sexuality and spirituality because you are a same-gender-loving person?
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LOVE WON'T LET ME BE SILENT
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DOES GOD HATE ME BECAUSE I AM GAY?

THE US DEMANDING GAY RIGHTS SUPPORT AT UN BODY

2011-03-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

(But first we've got to get our own house in order!)

According to Newsmax.com, The Obama administration will introduce its first statement calling for the United Nations' top human rights body to combat discrimination against gays and lesbians around the world, completing a U.S. reversal from years of ambiguity on the subject during the presidency of George W. Bush.

The U.S. declaration will be made Tuesday at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and has the support of more than 80 countries. Although it is not in the form of binding resolution, the American push for U.N. action has helped win over a handful of new countries to the cause. A resolution could be brought to a vote later this year. The issue of gay rights has polarized nations at the U.N. for years. And despite growing acceptance for homosexuality in Western nations and parts of Latin America, lawyers and human rights activists say there is still a gap in human rights treaties for the protection of gays against discrimination and mistreatment.

"We are very concerned that individuals continue to be killed, arrested and harassed around the world because of their sexual orientation or gender identity," said Suzanne Nossel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations. "This statement sends a strong message from across the globe that such abuses should not be tolerated." Again, I can only applaud the Obama administration for championing equal rights for all same-gender-loving people across the globe, especially in view of the recently proposed gay genocide in Uganda.

Just one year ago, on May 20, 2010 a gay couple in Malawi was sentenced by a judge to 14 years of hard labor, the maximum sentence, for committing what he felt was unnatural acts and gross indecency. The same judge found Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, guilty of the crimes earlier that same week. The couple was arrested last December for simply holding a traditional engagement ceremony; having remained in prison since then, for doing so. Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa reportedly told the men he wanted to "protect" the public from them. "I will give you a scaring sentence," (he pompously and unmercifully proclaimed) "so that the public will be protected from people like you! And so that we are not tempted to emulate this horrendous example!" The couple, with the help of local and international human rights groups, is expected to appeal, though up until now this has not yet been done. This would definitely be in the best interest of the defendants since their 14 year prison sentence will most likely result in their untimely demise at the hands violent incarcerated, violent homophobic murderers. The case has also drawn international condemnation of the aforementioned anti-homosexuality laws in Malawi, including 65 members of the British Parliament who signed a motion condemning the prosecution. In addition to the international human rights group Amnesty International adopting the couple as prisoners of conscience.

Not long after the imprisonment of the Malawi gay couple, David Kato, one of Uganda's most prominent gay rights activists was murdered in his home weeks after winning a court victory over a tabloid that called for homosexuals in Uganda to be killed. David Kato, the advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda, was bludgeoned to death in Mukono, Kampala. Along with other Ugandan gay activists, Kato had reported increased harassment since January 3rd, when a high court judge granted a permanent injunction against the Rolling Stone tabloid newspaper, preventing it from identifying homosexuals in its pages.

All of these horrific events are particularly troubling since many countries who supported Uganda and surrounding African nations monetarily, are now withdrawing AIDS funding, crippling the country in terms of offering quality treatment to the millions of individuals suffering from the pandemic in those areas. AIDS-related stigma and discrimination directed at same gender-loving-people and people living with HIV and AIDS, results in being shunned by family, peers and the wider community; discouraging those inflicted with the virus from seeking proper treatment because of the fear of being labeled gay and/or the possibility of eventually being killed because of it. It is a proven fact that poor treatment in healthcare and education results in an erosion of rights and psychological damage; which oftentimes negatively affects the success of testing and treatment.

Uganda and other surrounding country's inhumane acts of violence and overt discrimination directed at same-gender-loving people has blinded them to truth and compassion which subsequently has clouded their good judgment and sense of self-preservation. It now also threatens to undo 30 years of progress made against the spread of the virus. Already we are seeing signs of these repercussions, since thousands refuse to seek medical care, fearing that doctors, nurses and practitioners will disclose their sexual preference - something mandated by the Ugandan Legislation. The daunting reality is that now millions will die needlessly because of fear, ignorance and intolerance.

While it is easy to point the finger at other countries like Uganda and condemn them for their monstrous acts against humanity, we must also realize that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Even though we pride ourselves because of the democracy that we live in and we pompously declare to the world on frequent occasions that we are the ultimate example of democracy -- yet we are also hypocrites! America has allowed bigots and religious extremists for years to enshrine in our own constitution countless laws that illegally deny same-gender-loving people equal rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (in almost every state). Many religious leaders and right-wing politicians justify their actions biblically and feel absolutely no remorse for their actions. Yes, it is commendable that we are leading the way in the international community in regards to proposing this resolution. Still, it is vital and imperative that we first remove the two-by-four from our own eye before we attempt to remove the splinter from our brother's eye!

After this resolution is proposed next Tuesday, our goal as a nation should be to immediately return to our own country (with the winds of equality and integrity at our backs) determined to uproot any and everything that is enshrined in our constitution on any level of government which denies any human being equal rights. It is an immutable law that it is far better to lead by example because we are practicing what we preach, then to shout from the rafters of hypocritical self-deception. We must put an end to demanding equality and fair treatment of all of people from the international community, while we ourselves are living in hypocrisy and even committing many of the same injustices! What we demand of them, we must demand more of -- from ourselves. Then, and only then, will we become a true beacon of light, love and hope which others will be eager to follow!

Listen to Mason's inspiring audio message entitled:

UGANDA, UGANDA MY HEART WEEPS FOR YOU

by Terry Angel Mason, Global Author

WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM

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DON' BLAME ME FOR YOUR MESS!

2011-03-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

Angel Mason's Blog

Angel Mason is one of America's most talked about civil rights activists and HIV advocates. He is an extraordinary poet and writer who is known for his breakthrough revolutionary book, Love Won't Let Me Be Silent, which is becoming a testament for many gays and lesbians struggling with their sexuality and the need to come out to their family and friends. What started out as a self-published nonfiction book has now become a literary phenomenon consistently earning him numerous literary nominations; while at the same time, gaining a place of reverence in the hearts and minds of millions of readers—both men and women worldwide.

Don't Blame Me For Your Mess!

By Angel Mason on March 15, 2011

(MARRIAGE EQUALITY WILL BECOME A REALITY IN CALIFORNIA)

I am tired of being attacked, robbed, and denied equal rights by heterosexual religious zealots who blame same-gender-loving people for their failed marriages. Last year, on January 27, 2010, I read a statement released by the Associated Press, quoting the founder of a family values think-tank who said (while testifying before the California Supreme Court) that rights of same-sex couples should come second to preserving the cherished social institution of marriage. You may have also noted that this year, President Obama is catching a fair amount of grief from theologically conservative African American pastors for his decision to no longer defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which bans the recognition of same-sex marriage. Reverend Anthony Evans, who heads the National Black Church Initiative, recently lashed out at Obama, stating, "The president has harmed himself on this issue... He has openly offended the black church, and he didn't need to do it."
Most of my life, I have served in worship centers across America in one capacity or another, and I can tell you that what has eroded heterosexual marriages has nothing to do with a secret gay agenda and/or conspiracy spearheaded by evil men and women dressed in rainbow-hooded robes like the Ku Klux Klan in the '50 and '60s. I have decided to remain in the ranks, unlike many same-gender-loving men and women who have left the church because of crazy statements like these (heralded from pulpits across America) and attitudes that demean and demoralize them as individuals. So I know first-hand that the reason Bishop so-and-so and Prophetess so-and-so got divorced had absolutely nothing to do with my attraction to another man. I didn't live in their house! I did not attend their lavish wedding! I certainly didn't secretly carry on an illicit sexual affair behind the scenes with either of them. And I was not the confidant they confided in when things began to crumble in their marriages and the erotic flame burned out in their sex lives. Nor was I the person they sought when they made their decision to marry and needed marriage counseling, although after observing the horrific aftermath of their failed marriage, perhaps I should have been!

Melissa Etheridge made a profound statement when she questioned the U.S. government's right to extract taxes from her (a hard-working same-gender-loving U.S. Citizen), yet deny her the right to marry the person she loves. Well, this is not something that is new to me as an African-American. For years, this same so-called Democratic government has denied people of color across this great nation their equal rights, all the while working them to death to build their mansions, work on their plantations, prosper their businesses by stealing their inventions and creative ideas, and pad their financial portfolios. Then one day, a Black man by the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from Atlanta, Georgia, got fed up and said "Enough"!!! Dr. King radically galvanized a generation in a time when everything was against them! People took to the streets with signs in hand - much like the LGBT community has done and began to demand what is due them as law-abiding, tax-paying citizens.

It was not an easy battle, change never is! This is something I learned as a Black youth growing up in Southeast Los Angeles. During this very era, many were left bleeding and decapitated as their dead bodies were left swinging from trees side to side, blown by the winds of hatred and discrimination, the result of being horribly disfigured and murdered. Some were maimed, having lost limbs like legs or arms and mothers kicked in the stomach - never again able to bear children after brutal beatings. But something in them kept them from turning back, even in the face of insurmountable odds. They persevered in their struggle until all Americans could enjoy the freedom of which this country proudly boasts.

So no, I won't shut up or go quietly into the night and stop protesting just because certain conservative Evangelical pastors and redneck politicians threaten to withdraw their support from the President of the United States (Barack Obama) in future elections. I appreciate the fact that Obama is working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that one day, I can walk down the aisle in the state that I live in and say "I do" to the man I love; and be able to avail myself to the same healthcare benefits and federal benefits and provisions that heterosexuals who enter a similar union are afforded.

I have one question to ask, especially to the so-called defenders of Civil Rights in the African-American community: What if during the Civil Rights Era, some misguided soul who headed a powerful political organization or government had the gall to stand up and say, "I think that equal rights for African-Americans should come second to preserving the cherished social institution of inequality and discrimination?!" Oops! Well, someone actually did say something similar to that! Governor George Wallace made numerous outlandish statements that were so crazy, until if I shared them with you now it literally would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. And here is the knock-out punch: When he made these outlandish statements, millions of white Americans across the country cheered him and supported his backward discriminatory way of thinking, the same way many do when spiritual leaders mount the pulpit and bash gay people. Had it not been for President Kennedy intervening by appointing his brother, Robert, as Attorney General to deal with these issues, something that may have ultimately cost him his life, the Civil Rights Movement's stunning achievements may have been stymied and hindered, for who knows how long! Moreover, countless more innocent African-Americans would have been beaten and killed in public view, all to preserve the status quo.
Now because I hate to complain about problems and never offer solutions (something that I will do at the conclusion of this article), I must address another stunning revelation that I discovered just yesterday. Apparently, there are 170,000 inmates in the state of California in a prison system designed to service at the most 100,000. You might ask, "Well, how could we let this happen?" I will never forget the night I sat comfortably in my living room and watched a popular news program that clearly exposed one of the most powerful unions in America attempt to continue to hold hundreds of thousands of inmates across the country in institutions - not because they had committed some extremely hideous, unforgiveable crime, but because it was big business and profitable to do so. Furthermore, I have observed that when any governor or top official tries to combat this injustice and craft new legislation to release non-violent offenders, this same powerful union exerts its powerful financial and political muscle to stymie and obstruct their efforts. And they do this by using well-known law enforcement figures like puppets to frighten the American public by informing them via newscasts, Internet, and infomercials that their children are going to be raped or molested, if these criminals are released. They sound a false alarm, as if your home will be ransacked in the middle of the night by some illiterate Black or Latino man and that the Police Department will be overwhelmed by increased crime if these horrible people -- by the way, many of them your fathers, mothers, boyfriends, girlfriends, sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, cousins, uncles, and aunts -- are released. Millions, if not billions, are being misappropriated in order to care for incarcerated people yearly, causing severe cutbacks in vital funding such as educational programs, programs that benefit the growing elderly population, AIDS organizations that service an increasingly number of our youth, social security, and many other much needed social programs. This misappropriation of funds now threatens to annihilate even welfare! Year after year, we allow the prison profiteers to entice and even coerce us into believing that it would be better to lay off teachers, caregivers, city employees, and public servants, rather than to release people who most likely shouldn't be there in the first place -- particularly on an extended basis. Is it any wonder why the Bible urges us to "Awake oh thou that sleepest?!"

Yet, where are our pastors, shepherds, and religious leaders whom we hold in high esteem, and cater to, to the point of excess? Unfortunately, they are MIA, and if you do find them, they are in Washington D.C. or in Sacramento California, fighting to deny hard-working people the right to marry the person of their choice. And what is their answer to the AIDS pandemic that is ravaging their ministries and claiming the lives of millions of their parishioners, and the millions of men and women who are being herded like cattle into prison institutions, while unions and the private sector get filthy rich, as a result of their incarceration? Their answer is to channel over $45 million of their parishioners' tithes and offerings to combat Proposition 8 while many churches don't even have a food pantry to feed the poor or a church bus to transport its elderly to and from church, or any effective counseling programs for sexually-active teens to keep them from having children out of wedlock or prevent them from contracting AIDS or STDs. And tragically, no marriage counseling programs that deal with real issues for couples considering marriage.

I have heard it said time and time again by pastors all over America: "We must sound a trumpet in Zion. The very foundation of our Christian faith is under attack because the gays are getting married!" - forgetting that Jesus said, "On this rock I build my church and nothing can prevail against it, not even the gates of hell!" I say that we must sound several trumpets in Zion and tell the pastors, bishops, priests, and spiritual leaders of our flocks to stop acting like Adam and Eve who blamed each other, the tempter, and even the Creator for their transgressions and shortcomings and face up to the facts. The facts are that they have been acting like the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day who criticized Him for feeding His disciples because they were hungry on the Sabbath day because of some distorted legalistic ritual they thought was Biblically correct - all because He allowed them to eat in the cornfields. Yes, by all means, let's sound a trumpet in Zion and send those same pastors packing back to their seminaries and theological educational institutions so that they can learn the true meaning of scripture.

And lastly, someone please inform them that the best way to shore up the institution of marriage is to spend generous amounts of time with their congregations and couples who are considering marriage and not be MIA (missing in action) because they are down at the courthouse protesting. Rather, they should teach couples how to be good husbands and wives and how to walk in love and integrity from the Word of God. Jesus' real message is that we should walk in love and live lives of integrity before people, not misappropriate $45 million fighting a proposition that will ultimately be overturned, which by the way, had it passed, would have generated countless millions of much needed revenue over the next ten years into California's impoverished economy. Wisdom would surely encourage our spiritual leaders to readjust their priorities and start addressing the real issues that plague their congregations and communities and to stop being remiss in their responsibilities as leaders and shepherds.

You may wonder what all of this has to do with the subject of health, but when we think of what wholeness and real health truly means; it is best defined as peace of mind, health of body, and harmonious relationships. It is a proven fact that the joy of possessing a super-abundance of material things can easily be eclipsed by depression and even suicidal thoughts if a person does not have self love, peace of mind and psychological stability. A great majority of gays, lesbians, therapists, liberals and mental health professionals believe that many of the individuals who commit suicide are motivated to end their lives because of internalized self-hatred acquired as a result of being rejected by family, parishioners, pastors and peers which they internalized during their childhood and teenage years. Laws and propositions that deny same-gender-loving people equal rights (including marriage equality) and homophobic sermons preached from pulpits shrouded in dogmatic theology, only reinforce prejudices and negative ideas which sends a message to society that people who are gay and lesbian are freaks of nature and undeserving of any constitutional provision. The result is that countless innocent children and teens buy into this unfounded inhumane idea that they are misfits with no other alternative but to end their lives. This is a needless tragedy that we must do everything in our power to stop!

By Terry Angel Mason, Global Author

Author of The Bestselling Book: Love Won't Let Me Be Silent
FOLLOW THIS BESTSELLING AUTHOR ON TWITTER
LINK: twitter.com/ALOVEBALLAD

Marriage Equality USA

-Click the picture above to watch Senator Feinstein introduce the legislation-

Last week, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the first-ever DOMA repeal bill in the Senate. DOMA, the law declared unconstitutional by both President Obama and Attorney General Holder, as well as two federal court judges in several different cases, bans the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, and allows states to not allow these marriages either.
Sec.7.Marriage of the bill reads:
(a) For the purposes of any Federal law in which marital status is a factor, an individual shall be considered married if that individual's marriage is valid in the State where the marriage was entered into or, in the case of a marriage entered into outside any State, if the marriage is valid in the place where entered into and the marriage could have been entered into in a State.

Feinstein is an ideal standard-bearer for the DOMA repeal bill in the Senate, as she voted against the unconstitutional law in 1996, and she represents the 18,000 same-sex couples in California who are legally married but because of Proposition 8, are no longer able to change their marital status or remarry, much less access the more than 1100 federal benefits opposition-sex couples are automatically allowed merely because of their orientation.

Current States with Marriage Equality, Civil Unions & Domestic Partnerships

Marriage - 5 States, 1 District, 1 Tribe: Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon, CT, DC, IA, MA, NH, and VT
(CA’s marriage status is pending a stay re: Prop 8)
Civil Unions - 3: HI (effective 1/1/12), IL (effective 6/1/11), and NJ
Registered Domestic Partnerships - 6 States: CA, ME, NV, OR, WA, and WI (Some of the DP state registries provide only some of the state marriage rights, such as WI, while CA provides all.)

A DYNAMIC LOVE POEM by ANGEL MASON, INTERNATIONAL POET

2011-02-22T01:29:00.000-08:00

Where Have I Been All Your Life?
Is the Question You Asked Me!

I could not come into your life until you had finally realized that true love and sexual expression are two totally different things.

I could not come into your life until you were anchored in wisdom and in truth and could truly discern what true love is.

I could not come into your life or be the fulfillment of your dreams until the seductions of life had lost their appeal and the realization of what true relationship is had exploded in your mind.

I could not come into your life until you were willing to walk miles if you had to in your bare feet to find me, sacrifice the most expensive thing you own because now you realized that no material thing alone will ever fulfill you without love being present in your life.

I could not come until you were absolutely sure who you were and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that when God made you, you were not a mistake or an accident and that there is no flaw in any of His Creations because, "God doeth all things well."

It wasn't that He was unwilling to answer or give me the true desire of my heart (and that was someone like you) but I too had to evolve to a place of readiness before my gift could manifest -- before you could walk into my life.

It is true, I longed for your love all my life and prayed for you fervently more times than you could ever know, bombarding heaven with my request so many times until it is surprising that the Angels did not put me out of God's throne room!

There were seemingly endless days that I thought I would not last because I needed you so and you were nowhere to be found; so I allowed myself to be only partially fulfilled by others with selfish motives because I longed for the touch of a human hand and the need for intimacy was so strong.

There are so many, "I'm sorry God for not listening, not waiting, not being still and running ahead because of my impatience," I want to say to Him!

When I fell at His feet out of guilt and condemnation for my stupid mistakes and unwillingness to wait, He lifted me and beside Him you were standing.

When I saw you, I thought "Who is this? Why is he standing there? And then you spoke (while He said nothing, only with a smile of approval on His face) and the sound of your voice resonated in my spirit like a melody heard years ago, a song I was certain I had sung before, but not really.

When I thought about what I was hearing I realized that I had heard the melody years ago in a dream as a child and every since then I have searched the whole world over, year after year trying to find the written music but never could, only generic versions.

Now the melody rings in my ear as a confirmation to my heart and I am afraid that perhaps I have made too many mistakes, wondered too far away from the dream, am no longer worthy to receive it, though I desire it so!

The Lord would say to me "All are worthy!" But though He has forgiven me still my heart weeps because now I am ready, my mind is mature but I must know that the one who loves me back truly loves me because perfect love and only perfect love can cast out fear.

I need to know that the person in whose eyes I peer into will see that inside of this resilient man is a childlike spirit, beautiful and untainted by life who still dreams, still is fascinated with the beauty of creation, is in love with the Gentle Savior, ambitious, creative, yet admittedly a little weary of life!

Now time is fleeing from me, and fleeing from you (even though you may not be aware) like an hour glass now empty, not because we have done anything wrong, but because God has a divine plan for all of humanity that must unfold in order to restore His creation to its former state of perfection.

No more time for you or I to waste searching, hoping dreaming, looking, waiting...

We must take hold of the dream, realize that there is a price to pay for owning it, and never forsake it when we don't agree because Iron sharpens Iron and our imperfections might cause us to clash at times but if we run away from each other we will never come to understand that those same imperfections are invested with a supernatural power to perfect our love!

Comment by Mark 46 minutes ago --Such a beautiful poem that speaks words of hope! I was invited to read the poem on Valentine Day, by the one man that has come into my life as a real and true gift from God. Yet, being busy and forgetful, I just read the poem! However, I'm so happy I did! It is really amazing and it speaks what is in my heart and I"m so happy that I have a new gift that I'm sharing this message of love with. To you Baby-Baby!

Comment by Lloyd on February 15th, at 8:50pm: As one who has been out on the alone island for such a long time, I appreciate the ray of hope that resonates from the poem. I offer my thanks and graciousness to you and yours. Go forth and continue to share. Thx.

Comment by A'ric on February 15th, at 3:55pm: AMAZING!!!! Thank you for this.

Comment by Vincent on February 15th, at 11:35am: Thank you for this wonderful poem. One thing I realize doing valentine day, is that we must love ourselves first and then we can love others. Thanks again for brigthen our day with this poem.

Comment by Wil on February 15th, at 9:05am: Thank You! Enough said. ;-)

Comment by Machel on February 15th, at 5:25am: That is a great poem. I can completely identify and i am sure my partner will too (I'm goin to send it to him now). Well done for sharing this with us. Thank you :)

Comment by Justin on February 14th., 12:00pm Wow! This is simply amazing. It stresses the importance of patience and preserverance. It's a touch up of the saying 'nothing good in life comes easy' not rushing into things, 'cause we all know what happens "when fools rush in" but most importantly... it expresses altruism in it's rawest form. I love it. I'm going to read it again =).

Comment by Calvin on February 14th, at 12:29pm: Brilliant... very well put together and spoken. An answer like that to such a simple question shows the depth of love and not the hollowness. I love it when real men speak ......

Comment by Clarence on February 14th, at 12:22pm: What a beautiful and eloquent way of expressing the importance of being being "Evenly Yoked!" Thank you sharing your poem and yourself with us.

Comment by Elijah on February 14th, 11:44am

This is absolutely beautiful, and most certainly redefined my definition of love. That last paragraph couldn't have been stated any better! Thanks so much for sharing.

Mason is known for his breakthrough revolutionary book, Love Won't Let Me Be Silent, that is becoming a testament for many gays and lesbians struggling with their sexuality and the need to come out to their family and friends. What started out as a self-published nonfiction book has now become a literary phenomenon consistently earning him numerous literary nominations; while at the same time, gaining a place of reverence in the hearts and minds of millions of readers -- both men and women worldwide.

This dynamic excerpt is included in his new book entitled: THEY SAY THAT I AM BROKEN (RELEASE DATE -April 2011)

They Say That I Am Broken
Angel Mason's Newest Literary Masterpieceis

One of the most anticipated books of the year!

Release Date: APRIL 2011

You can pre-order a signed copy

of They Say That I Am Brokenat a discounted price and have it mailed directly to you.
As an added bonus, you will also receive a FREE copy of "Get On The Royal Road to Riches" a special gift from this very gifted author.

-To Order Now Simply Click on the PayPay Buy Now Button Below-

THEY SAY I AM BROKEN

Accept who you are...

You spent a lifetime feeling caged up; by accepting who you are, all of who you are, you can be free and freedom empowers!

To live a life unashamed and unafraid is the gift that I have been given, and it is also a gift that you can possess as well.

When you accept the gift, you will begin to experience life in its fullest and a brand new journey will begin! My book, "Love Won't Let Me Be Silent" is timeless in its content and will get you going on your new journey.

Click on This Link to Order Your Copy! Angel Mason, Author

AN OPEN LETTER TO PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED BLACK MEN FROM THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM AND ARE IN LOVE WITH THEM

2011-02-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

Now that you are no longer imprisoned behind walls of concrete and cold steel, now that you are no longer confined within a small squalid cell, now that you no longer live under the constant threat of murderous inmate violence and lockdowns, and no longer have to survive and subsist on bad tasting prison food, what will you do? Now that you have been granted the privilege of rejoining society and once more able to savor the sweet heady nectar of freedom, all we want to know is, will you keep The Promise of Love you made to us?

The Promise of Love was the vow you made to us when you promised to turn from your former self-destructive ways. You promised to renounce them, reject them and repudiate them for the rest of your life! You made this promise to us because you said you loved us and truly cared for us. You vowed to cause us no further pain and disappointment, and that you would prove worthy of our trust. You pledged this Promise of Love to us, whom you said were the most important people in your life. This group encompasses God, family, friends, lovers, spouses, life partners and any others who entered into a emotionally intimate relationship with you. So now that you are free, we ask you, we challenge you, and without any remorse or shame, we beseech you to redeem this Promise of Love you made to us.

Because if you do, you will gain a world complete and replete with love, opportunity, and wonder. Conversely, if you fail to keep your Promise of Love, not only will you surely return to prison, but you run the real risk of ruining and terminating many of the supportive loving relationships of which you have been richly blessed!

Firstly, never forget for one moment that you, indeed, have truly been richly blessed...especially by God! God was the one who watched over you during your incarceration. He was the one who protected you from hurt, harm, and danger. God dried your tears, calmed your fears, assuaged your myriad insecurities, and gave you favor from the people whose benevolence you needed the most. God was there in your darkest moments of loneliness and doubt and demonstrated to you such unconditional love that you pledged to Him first, your Promise of Love. Of all the important relationships you possess in this life, treasure this one the most! NEVER take this one for granted because just as God granted you your freedom again, He can surely take it away! For was it not declared in the Bible that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." So we urge you to be wise and keep your Promise of Love that you made to Him.

Secondly, keep your Promise of Love to your friends, family, and loved ones. They have suffered much from your incarceration. They have been deprived of your presence, your hugs, your kisses, your loving embraces, and financial support. Because of you, they have been locked into emotional prisons of their own. When the steel doors closed upon you, so did their sentence of pain and emotional confinement begin. They could have easily mitigated their own hurt by denouncing and renouncing you. And some probably did, but the ones who did not, were the ones who truly loved you. They knew that to continue to love you would subject them to much pain, hurt, emotional and financial sacrifice. But they did not shirk nor shrink from this onerous task because they truly loved you and true love is made perfect through self-sacrifice. Make sure you are worthy of their sacrifice. Keep your Promise of Love to them!

Lastly, keep your Promise of Love to yourself. You must realize and believe that you are worthy of being loved and that you deserve the opportunity to redeem your life. Now it is up to you make wise and worthy choices from this moment on. These type of choices will enable you to achieve a life of love, happiness and fulfillment. All men make mistakes; it is due to our humanity. But, it is the Divinity within us that enables us to learn from these mistakes, and modify our behaviors, thereby enabling us to grow stronger, wiser, and more loving. Moreover, this attitude is critically important to your future well being. Because if you do not and cannot love yourself, if you do not and cannot see that you are worthy of love then you will not be able to accept and receive love from God, family, friends, and loved ones. No matter how much God and your loved ones reach out to you, you will not be able to fully appreciate and benefit from the love and support they offer you. Realize that when you love yourself, you empower yourself to meet the challenges and obstacles that will surely come your way as you rejoin, re-establish and reintegrate yourself within society, family and your personal relationships. But the wonderful news is that you will ultimately succeed if you unfailingly, unswervingly, and faithfully strive to keep your Promises of Love! Redeem them! Redeem yourself and redeem the loving trust given to you by God, family, friends, and loved ones and you will replace those old painful memories with newer and happier memories. Be faithful and vigilant and you will truly experience the transforming restorative power that the Promise of Love can bestow!

-Excerpt from my new Book: They Say That I Am Broken
Written by featured Author and Creative Writer: ASIM-

There are also thousands of same-gender-loving people incarcerated as well. The following is an excerpt (AUDIO PRESENTATION) from my best selling book: LOVE WON'T LET ME BE SILENT

-CLICK ON PHOTO ABOVE TO HEAR AUDIO EXCERPT-

A GLOBAL AUTHOR'S RESPONSE TO THE 2011 STATE OF UNION ADDRESS

2011-02-20T02:00:00.000-08:00

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS 2011

President Barack Obama's State of the Union address was informative, impartial, bipartisan, caring and demonstrated a genuine concern for the people who elected him to office and even those who didn't.There is no doubt in my mind that he is a man of integrity and is doing everything humanly possible to better the living conditions of all Americans. Imagine what we could do if instead of attacking him and hurling unfair accusations at him, we responded favorably by coming to his aid by using our gifts, talents, resources, and genius abilities to solve the problems that plague our great nation. Instead, we waste valuable time, millions of tax dollars and vital energy trying to demean him, to destroy his vision and one another through character assassination. Every elected official was sent to Washington, DC, not only to represent the will of the people but to ensure that government truly benefits the people; and this can only be accomplished by working together. When Jesus was maturing into manhood he said these inspiring words: "I must be about my Father's business (LK. 2:49)." Perhaps it is time that our Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen be about the Father's business as well, by doing what is truly best for the people and not just what is politically profitable for their individual parties, influential lobbyists, and the ultra rich.

Terry Angel Mason, Global Author
LOVE WON'T LET ME BE SILENT
WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM

SIX TEENS BULLIED TO DEATH

2011-02-20T00:28:00.000-08:00

^{(A Global Campaign to Save Lives!)}

^{About a year ago I released my first book, entitled: Love Won't Let Me Be Silent. I still remember how excited I was about releasing the book; not just because it was my first, but because I knew that every word from cover to cover was divinely inspired and all I could think about was the countless lives that I knew the book would save. I was also relieved that hundreds, if not thousands of kids wouldn't be thrown out into the streets and estranged from parents after their guardians, friends and extended family members would read the book! As days, weeks, and months went by, it wasn't long before my mailbox was flooded with emails from parents of gay teens and same-gender-loving people of all ages, genders and ethnicities from all over the world, telling me how my book had dramatically changed their perceptions and even saved many of their lives. An added bonus was that distributors from all over the world began to pick my book up and distribute it like it was hotcakes on every continent, something I could never have anticipated or dreamed would happen! For days I walked around somewhat dazed, walking 10 feet above the ground because I couldn't wrap my brain around what was happening to me and how fast my life was changing. I went from being an unknown author to an internationally acclaimed author, literally overnight, with a book that had been nominated for more literary awards than one could imagine.}^{Now before you prejudge me or think that I am just bragging about my accomplishments, I plead with you for just one moment to let me explain further why I am sharing this information with you. Just yesterday, I was stunned as I read the numerous headlines on the internet and in print about the six gay youths who had committed suicide this year, and believe me when I say; this is only the tip of the iceberg! Some ended their lives because of bullying (now a national epidemic), while one college student leapt from a bridge, killing himself after his roommate and friend streamed a video of him having sex with someone privately on the internet without his knowing or consent.}^{Just to be very honest with you, I have been resting and basking in the sun of the numerous political gains that same-gender-loving people have achieved recently and enjoying my own personal success. Admittedly, I lost my focus and directed my attention to my personal needs and goals, since for so long they had been neglected, especially after having garnered so much media attention and international acclaim -- FRIENDS I AM JUST BEING HONEST! This euphoria was enhanced by the fact that things appeared to be slowly getting better for the LGBT community as Federal judges in high positions of authority began eradicating unconstitutional laws all over the country that clearly discriminate against same-gender-loving people. That's when something jolting happened; I was slapped in the face by life! That's what God has to do to us sometime when our success comes seemingly effortlessly and rapidly; slap us in the face with reality so we can realize that He has blessed us for a specific purpose and reason. For those of you who are familiar with the story of Esther in the Bible, that is exactly what God had to do to her after she had been elevated to queen when the Jews were in danger of being annihilated. Listen to the words her uncle Mordecai was inspired to write to her in an urgent letter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: ^{For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"}^{(Esther 4:14 NIV)}}

^{God's love for humanity is so immense until he would do anything and go to any length to save our lives (as was demonstrated by the sacrifice of His only son upon Calvary's mount). God loves all people but when it comes to the young people, the scripture clearly emphasizes how deep His love runs (Mark 10:14).}^{So grievous has been the loss of these young lives until many celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres, whom by the way has taped two of the most heart wrenching videos appealing to people everywhere to do all that they can to stop the intolerance, indifference, hatred and homophobia. As I took the time to view her most recent video post just days before Raymond Chase, an openly black gay student ended his life, my heart broke and so I decided to respond by writing something that would maybe touch the hearts of people on every continent (since God has given me an international voice) that would inspire change. For a moment I sat on my couch and prayed asking God to give me the words because I knew how important this message had to be if it was going to be effective and motivating, and that is when God said something that sounded awkward to me,}^{"Pick up your book and read it!"}^{At first, I thought, He was advising me to do this because maybe He wanted me use an excerpt from the book as part of the article, but then, as I glanced through the book I had an awakening and was re-inspired when I realized that every conceivable topic that I could think of that any same-gender-loving person, parent, lover or friend would ever need to know about was included in this book:}^{Topics from self acceptance, to reconciling one's sexuality and spirituality. Even chapters that help individuals to find a suitable life partner, wise advice that counsels parents on how to understand their gay son or lesbian daughter and how to preserve their lives and protect them from homophobic abusers. There are courageous stories like the one of my brother Darryl who was diagnosed with full blown AIDS at the onset of the pandemic, yet refused to give up on life and triumphed over the virus, going on to achieve monumental success for promoting Madonna's first Platinum album which propelled her into international fame. Other chapters tell of how my Godmother helpd to rear famed actor, Dustin Hoffman and I, and my own struggles as a gay teen who often contemplated suicide. After reading these accounts, tears began to stream down my face. Immediately, I promised God, that from this moment forward, I would use every ounce of strength in my being to get this book into the hands of as many people possible, as quickly as I could, realizing that lives are at stake and in the end, saving lives is far more important than financial remuneration or accolades. So my friends, I plead with you because it is apparent that our children and young adults desperately need our help and the sad thing is that many of them will never ask for help, they will simply just end their lives needlessly, thinking they have no other recourse.}^{If you know anyone who is gay, lesbian or transgender and you suspect that they are having a difficult time either accepting who they are or because someone is bullying them, or maybe because family members have rejected them, don't just sit around and do nothing hoping they will somehow pull through it on their own! Become proactive and send them a copy of "Love Won't Let Me Be Silent" even if you do it anonymously, keeping in mind that you don't always have to be compensated or be thanked publically for noble deeds. I have already emailed several of my distributors worldwide and shared this same information with them, requesting that just for a month or two, they lower their prices and/or place the book on sale so that people can easily purchase it without financial strain. Additionally, I have posted a very powerful excerpt on my website (kind of a mini eBook) entitled: "Lord My Child is Gay, What Do I Do?", which can be uploaded free (at no cost) right from my website. Even if you do nothing more than upload the excerpt and send it to a friend who is gay and/or lesbian, or a parent of a gay child, that may be the one deed you do that saves the life of someone you love dearly. If you have any difficulty uploading the Pdf (Lord My Child is Gay, What Do I Do?), email me directly and I will personally send it to you at no cost.}

^{In conclusion, I wish to state that I realize that this is a very touchy subject in many minority communities but even if we cannot agree on whether being gay is right or wrong, I know that we all agree that every person we know is worth saving and that it is never God's will for anyone's life to end needlessly and/or prematurely. While your religious convictions may not respond to this urgent appeal, I know that your heart and your conscience will never allow you to sit idly by and do nothing, for when you have done it unto the least one of these, my little ones (said Jesus) you have done it unto me!" Matthew 25:40}

^{Thank you for helping me to save the lives of our youth globally!}

^{Terry Angel Mason, Global Author}^{WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM ^{LINK TO UPLOAD FREE MINI EBOOK — LORD MY CHILD IS GAY WHAT DO I DO?}}

Why not consider donating of copy of Love Won't Let Me Be Silent to a local college near you!

Most have LGBT Organizations who would sincerely appreciate your literary gift, and you

will be saving lives in the process!

In Loving Memory of:

13-YEAR OLD ASHER BROWN, CYPRESS, TEXAS

13-YEAR OLD SETH WALSH, TEHACHAPI, CALIFORNIA

15-YEAR OLD BILL LUCAS, GREENSBORROW INDIANA15-YEAR OLD PHOEBE PRINCE, MASSACHUSETTS18-YEAR OLD TYLER CLEMENTI, NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J

19-YEAR OLD RAYMOND CHASE, PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

My condolences to the families of these beautiful children and young adults.

AMERICA, I SEE YOUR TRUE COLORS SHINING THROUGH AND THEY AREN'T VERY PRETTY!

2011-02-20T00:20:00.000-08:00

VIDEO LINK A MUST SEE!(The Raw Truth that Few Want to Hear)

Today is Saturday, January 8, 2011 and two weeks out of a month I devote an hour or two of my time teaching children music at my church. Even though I hate to get up early on Saturday mornings, I must admit that once I get to the rehearsal and I see the smiling faces of the children, I realize that it is worth my effort. As I was making my home from the rehearsal I kept seeing their innocent faces in my mind's eye and found myself marveling once again as I gained a deeper understanding of why the Savior loves children so very much.

After about 30 minutes or so I arrived home with a sigh of relief because I had left my house without eating breakfast and I felt as though I would be overcome by hunger pains; but before I could make my way to the kitchen I turned on the T.V. in my living room so that I could listen to the news while preparing lunch. To my horror and dismay, I discovered that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (a forty year old Democratic Senator who represents Congressional District 8 in Tucson, Arizona) and 19 others had literally been gunned down at an event (by gunman --- Jared Loughner) that Gabrielle (affectionately known as Gabby) was hosting at a nearby Safeway supermarket. The event, held outside was an opportunity for constituents to meet Congresswoman Giffords and talk about any concerns they had related to the federal government.

Chief Federal Judge, Justice John Roll (63, who had served on the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona since 1991) also in attendance, and a nine year-old child were also shot and killed along with four other unnamed victims, putting the death toll at six.

Twenty people in total were shot and six killed, leaving Senator Gabby Giffords and 13 others clinging to life by a thread while being cared for at nearby Arizona Hospitals.

When asked by Gabby's father who was rushing to his daughter's bedside, if his daughter Gabby had any enemies, he responded by saying, "Yes, the entire Tea Party!"

It seems that this incident was not an isolated one since the Senator's office had been targeted on numerous occasions by fanatic extremists who disagreed with her political views. Their hatred was fueled even more when it became publically known that she supported President Obama's Health Care Policies and her vote reflected this support. The reason all of this angers me so is because for seemingly months on end I watched Americans tolerate the antics of the Tea Party as they held up signs so offensive (at rallies) until at times I wondered if we had retrogressed back to the Jim Crow era. Call me naive if you want to but you could not have paid me to believe that my America, the place that I have lived in all of my life would ever condone this kind prejudice, intolerance and hatred! Suddenly I was slapped in the face by truth as I began to see a reality through the eyes of Dr. King whom like other Americans, hoped and wished conditions like these didn't exist and would not continue to prevail in our society.

When former President Jimmy Carter exposed America's hypocrisy in news interviews by informing Americans that the reason people opposed President Obama to such a degree was because he was a Black man. The media immediately began to discount his claims by stating, "Well we must realize the President Carter is old and comes from an era and a time that has tainted his views and we don't really need to take what he is saying so seriously!" And silently I thought to myself, "If African Americans had sponsored rallies and held up signs (like people do in current day Tea Party meetings) that encourage people to kill the President of the United States and anyone who supports his policies, they would have been jailed, hounded by the FBI and/or killed. Oh!!! So you don't believe me, well, I tell you what, this is exactly what happened during the Civil Rights movement when Dr. King and others like him courageously fought for Civil Rights; countless African Americans were jailed, beaten and even murdered -- including Dr. King.

Brothers and sisters, "it is an immutable law that whatsoever a man, soweth that shall he also reap" or to put it another way, "If you sow the wind you will reap the whirlwind." Hosea 8:7.

While it is true that America is known as "The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave," a place where people should be able to express their views and enjoy equal rights, we need to do some real soul searching when these expressions encourage injustice, intolerance, violence and downright hatred! The whirlwind that we are now reaping was sown by every person that held up a sign at a Tea Party event that said, "Kill the President, and Let's take back America because we don't want a Black man running it!" And the list goes on...Even though some Republicans have denounced today's shootings and claim to oppose violent Tea Party antics, still it is no secret that the party plans to use the new Congress (now empowered by new Tea Party elected officials) to mount a guerrilla campaign aimed at destroying Barack Obama's healthcare reforms, slashing the federal budget and preparing the ground for his defeat in the 2012 White House race. I know you are thinking in your mind, "Angel isn't this commentary kind of radical?" And my answer is "Damn straight!" Anytime an innocent woman who has devoted her entire life to public service, a Federal Judge (whom by the way has done the same), an innocent child and other law abiding citizens are gunned down in the streets simply because they were at a rally, "Yes, I am outraged!!!"

Sheriff Clarence Dubnik was exactly right when today, he stated in a press conference that Arizona has become the Mecca of prejudice and bigotry in the United States and that Tea Party antics consistently highlighted by the media feeds the minds of unstable extremist across the country -- with unbelievable disastrous results like these. When Cain slew Able (his brother) out of jealousy the Creator immediately asked Cain, "Where is your brother?" Cain immediately responded by saying, "I don't know, I am not my brother's keeper!" The Creator immediately replied, "Cain, what have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground." Genesis 4:10

While it may be true that the shooter and those who conspired with him to commit this heinous crime will be held accountable, it is also true that everyone one in Arizona and across the country who sowed seeds of hatred, intolerance, injustice and violence in previous months at Tea Party events will also have to face the Creator one day, with hands stained by the blood of the people who were innocently wounded and violently killed today in Tucson, Arizona! by Angel Mason, Global Author

Angel Mason is one of America's most talked about Civil Rights Activists and HIV Advocates. He is an extraordinary poet and writer who is known for his breakthrough revolutionary book, Love Won't Let Me Be Silent, that is becoming a testament for many gays and lesbians struggling with their sexuality and the need to come out to their family and friends. What started out as a self-published nonfiction book has now become a literary phenomenon consistently earning him numerous literary nominations; while at the same time, gaining a place of reverence in the hearts and minds of millions of readers -- both men and women worldwide.

Terry Angel Mason is also the author of the BEST SELLER, LOVE WON'T LET ME BE SILENT - SOLD TODAY IN BOOKSTORES WORLDWIDE.

UGANDA, UGANDA MY HEART WEEPS FOR YOU!

2011-02-20T00:11:00.000-08:00

AUDIO DEDICATION PRESENTATION for
DAVID KATO

Click on the photo of David Kato to
Listen to the Audio Presentation

By Terry Angel Mason
Uganda, Uganda, My Heart Weeps for You!

Uganda, Uganda, my heart weeps for you! For you kill, murder, and imprison the innocent (those who express love differently) in the name of The Righteous One, but it is clear that you do not know Him!
Like America, you label them pedophiles and child molesters, yet continue to close your eyes to the true heterosexual offenders, allowing them to continually rape your children and infect them with AIDS; men who foolishly believe that this will cure them from the pandemic.
It has been said that you freed yourself from the tyranny and oppression of a king (Mwanga) who was demented, greedy, self-serving and who defiled the people and if these things be true, then this is good! But you forgot that even though he was said to be corrupt and accused of raping the people both physically and emotionally for years, still we must judge each human being by their own conduct, character, and deeds, and not punish the innocent for another's sins.

Uganda, Uganda, my heart weeps for you because even though the rain falls frequently upon your land in the south and beautiful lakes run through your northern region, they have not cleansed you from your transgressions for you are still blinded by hatred, fear, and intolerance, and cannot see that the sun rises upon the just and the unjust, so that all men may be wooed to the Creator by love and mercy and not by hatred and discrimination!
For hundreds of years other nations robbed you of your wealth, stole your children and carried them away to foreign lands and enslaved them. Even today, in many regions of your country you suffer from extreme poverty because of usury and exploitation from men who lusted after your riches, saw you could not defend yourself, and carried them away to distant lands.
You must be very careful lest the handwriting of God also appear in judgment for your offenses and likewise be written upon your walls and inscribed in your Constitution now laced with fear and intolerance, having been saturated by the influence of misguided, self-seeking American Evangelists, these words spoken by the prophet Daniel: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN" The interpretation:

"God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEK: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to another!"
Thousands of you marched in your city streets to rid yourself of a sin that you say will most certainly bring the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah upon your land; but like the Scribes and the Pharisees of Jesus' day, legalism and an incorrect interpretation of the Holy Scriptures have blinded you.
Because of your hatred for what you do not understand, The Prince of Darkness deceives you yet again; prostituting you like the demented king you managed to free yourself from decades ago; have you still not heard the words of Jesus who said, "He was a murderer from the beginning?"
Uganda, Uganda, my heart weeps for you! Don't you know that you cannot kill the innocent, batter and abuse your children, and lock them away in dungeons of cruelty for life simply because you refuse to accept who they really are without the very King of the Universe (whom you claim you worship), championing their cause, and lifting his righteous hand of justice and judgment against you?
He has heard the voices of the children devastated by earthquakes and disaster in Chile, Mexico and Haiti and He has freed the oppressed in America from hundreds of years of discrimination. He has even delivered the Jews from the oppression of a mighty pharaoh (once thought invincible) in Egypt. Surely, He will not turn a deaf ear to innocent same-gender-loving people in your country, nor allow you to murder them without cause and your land and your people not be judged for doing so!

Uganda, Uganda, I alone do not weep, "FOR A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE!" (Matthew 2:18)

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE ARCHITECTS OF THE UGANDAN GAY GENOCIDE

2011-02-19T22:48:00.000-08:00

Uganda: LGBT Activist David Kato Murdered

YOU HAVE SOWN THE STORM AND SURELY
YOU WILL REAP THE WHIRLWIND!

A vicious immoral insanity has invaded Uganda like a biblical plague, and is now eating away at her soul and festering amongst her people like a virulent malignant disease. Moreover, this plague, if not stopped, excised and exorcised from Ugandan culture, will continue to incite more political oppression, more unjustified murders and more unwarranted and illegal imprisonments. This insanity that I refer to is extreme homophobia, which has been tragically and purposely imported into the country by Right wing Christian evangelical leaders, resulting in disastrous consequences for the people of Uganda. This intolerant mindset has been eagerly and cruelly embraced by Uganda government officials, who have now codified this extreme form of homophobic genocide into their very country's constitution.

Every disease, whether physical or spiritual is spread by a host or a carrier. Subsequently, after carefully researching the facts and events which led to this spiritual affliction and infection, we have determined the agents of this heartbreaking virus. Thusly, we name you Scott Lively, Caleb Lee Brundidge, Don Schmierer, Richard Cohen, Rev. Rick Warren and your protégé Dr. Martin Ssempa, as the primary carriers of this blighted philosophy. Moreover, we also name Republican Senator James Inhofe as a secondary enabling agents of this vicious strain of poisonous hatred. But the major blame for being the main delivery system and introducing this toxic madness to the governmental system of Uganda, we lay at the feet of David Bahati (architect of the Bill and Member of the Ugandan Parliament and also African point man of the Washington Right Wing cabal, known as "The Family").

What is amazing about you right wing "Religious leaders" from America is your hypocrisy and misguided egos. Moreover it is for good reason that I make the distinction of referring to you as "Religious" and not spiritual leaders because the word "Religious" denotes a fanatical devotion to doctrine and dogma which often results in zealous mindlessness and misguided actions, whereas, "Spiritual" connotes possessing an intimate relationship with the Creator, e.g.: The Holy Spirit, God, or Christ. Moreover, when we examine your historical actions, we observe no real spiritual fruit from your ministries, but instead poisonous and toxic offerings with which you have deceitfully and fraudulently passed off to the body of Christ as teachings of Christ. Consequently, for this apostasy, for this act of spiritual perversion, you have purposely sown the storm of religious fear and confusion with seeds of hatred and homophobia, and for that you shall surely reap the whirlwind of Divine Judgment!

What is even more baffling and disappointing to me, is how you "Religious" leaders claim to be led by God, as a justifications for your actions. This is far from the truth! Because if you were truly anointed by God, then your five senses would be similarly anointed or Divinely sensitized as well, but they are not! For if they were, then the screams of the murdered and tortured would assault your ears so greatly, that you would not be able to sleep at night, as a result of the forces that you have set in motion. Your eyes could not help but observe the hurt, harm, and suffering that you have afflicted upon the innocent people of Uganda. Furthermore, the stench of fear and desperation would overpower your sense of smell, as would the taste of innocent blood gag you, as it filled your mouths, while you felt the innocent blood dripping from your very hands. You have unleashed a great evil in the name of Christ: The Prince of Divine Love and Peace! In the Bible, Christ proclaimed that He came to fulfill the promise of the Scriptures. Christ also proclaimed that there were two new commandments which supersede all the others and they were One: Love the Lord with all thy Heart! Two: Love thy neighbor as thyself! How can you possibly reconcile the evil that you have done against these precepts? I challenge you to show me where in the Scriptures does Christ call for the deaths of gay people? Where does Christ: The Divine Manifestation of God's love admonish the authorities to lock them up? There is a famous aphorism which states "Thoughts are things and words have power!" And Richard Cohen, the very inflammatory words in your published book "Coming Out Straight," have unleashed a destructive power in the land! "On Page 49, you list a damning litany of false facts that have been used by Ugandan homophobes to justify their ruthless oppression and criminalization of same gender loving people. These so-called facts, were so false, so fallacious and inflammatory that when exposed on national television, you stated that they would be deleted from future editions. However, the damage has been done, Richard Cohen, and your lies and false statements have been used as fodder for the horrific "Kill the Gays Bill" that has been enacted by the Ugandan Government! Consequently, no amount of back pedaling, no amount of protestations of innocence, and no amount of political evasion can absolve you from being an integral part in this bloody genocide! As a renown T.V. news host truthfully told you on the air, 'YOU HAVE BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!' It is also truly regrettable, even damming, that you and other "Religious leaders" who profess to be former gay men, are so anxious and desperate to turn public scrutiny away from your selves. You are so deeply entrenched in self-hate that you would willingly sanction, overtly or covertly, Ugandan governmental policies which legally legislate genocide and gross human rights violations. But this we say to you and to your similarly conflicted colleagues: A wife and children does not a heterosexual make!

The same charge of hypocrisy can be laid at your feet, Rick Warren, the Global "Religious" leader and author of "The Purpose Driven Life." It is common knowledge that you are anti-gay from previously made statements. Most conservative ministers are. But, It is also common knowledge about the close mentoring relationship between you and Dr. Martin Ssempa, Uganda Chairman of the National Task Force Against Homosexuality, who was a frequent visitor to your Saddleback Church! Dr. Ssempa, by his own lips, professed how he wrote letters to you asking your advice on these issues of homosexual criminalization and how you said nothing! Edmund Burke prophetically said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing!" Consequently, your silence was damning! It was tacit approval of your inner views concerning the subject. Consequently, you too, have sown the storm of religious fanaticism and political oppression with your seeds of silence! You too, will reap the whirlwind of Divine Judgment, as you give an account of your lack of action, before God, as to why you allowed such a travesty to take place! No amount of videos pleading peace and tolerance, after the fact, can undo the hurt, the harm, and suffering that your silence evoked! No amount of feigning ignorance of these events will exonerate you or erase the stain from your soul! You too, shall stand before a loving God and will be weighed in the balances of justice and be found wanting, as will your protégé Dr. Ssempa! His was a crime of commission, but yours was a crime of omission. Sadly, many others are guilty of such damning political and moral apathy. People such as Republican senator: James Inhofe. You possessed close personal relationships with Ugandan political officials. You had the opportunity to rein in these horrific and homophobic political machinations. You possessed the power to temper, moderate and bring sanity and reason to this homophobic madness and hysteria, but you did nothing because deep down in your heart, you delighted in these human rights violations and thought that you could evade blame for the tragic consequences it generated. The "Kill the Gays Bill" served your own right wing agendas of hate and homophobic discrimination. You Right wing senators have sown that very storm of religious and political madness with the seeds of criminal neglect from which you shall surely reap the whirlwind of Divine Justice!

Lastly, we charge you David Bahati, member of Uganda Parliament, with the crimes of political and moral treason. You have betrayed your vow to protect the nation of Uganda and the weal of its people, and in its place you have substituted and inserted your own hatreds and personal demons into one of the most appalling pieces of legislation ever to be crafted in any country, appropriately nicknamed the "KILL THE GAYS BILL!" That you would stubbornly advocate and legislate such a human rights monstrosity is beyond belief! What is puzzling and even more frightening, is that you hold a position of power within the Ugandan Parliament. You foolishly assert that because the country of Uganda does not hold the genocide of same sex people as a human right violation, that it is not one. You foolishly advocate that any Ugandan gay person OUTSIDE of Uganda having consensual sex in any other part of the world should be extradited back to Uganda to be imprisoned. You foolishly rail against and denounce other compassionate nations who have taken an appropriate stand against your policies by refusing to fund your country or grant you monetary aid. Subsequently, you have made Uganda a Pariah in the world community. You, David Bahati, have sown the storm of moral cruelty, intolerance and oppression with your acts of ignorance and gross insensitivity and you are now deservingly reaping the whirlwind of world censure. Consequently, like all of your aforementioned fellow "Religious" and civil conspirators, who have plunged Uganda back into "The Dark Ages", although we recoil in horror from your actions, and weep real tears for the innocent lives that your misguided cabal are destroying, we do not hate you, nor wish you harm because we know that the mills of God grind slowly but justly! We also know that God will allow no government, no nation or no one to arbitrarily and inhumanely destroy His creations. Lastly, we know that you and your colleagues will surely face Divine Retribution because as the Scriptures so perfectly and prophetically promised that "whosoever sows the storm, will surely reap the whirlwind!"

By Terry Angel Mason, Global Author

The AUDIO MESSAGE YOU MUST HEAR THE VIDEO YOU MUST SEE"

UGANDA, UGANDA MY HEART WEEPS FOR YOU by Internationally Acclaimed Author, Terry Angel Mason

Rachel Maddow - The Murder Of David Kato

WHY THIS IS AN AMERICAN STORY

Infected By What Some Say Is An Unforgiveable Sin and An Incurable Disease

2011-02-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

(Embrace this truth and it will surely set you free!)

The other day while visiting a very popular website, I stumbled onto a video of a very renowned Pastor who was being interviewed by Piers Morgan on CNN. In the interview, Piers asked this guest minister if he thought being gay was a sin and of course the minister responded (as most ministers do) resoundingly by answering, "YES! I DO BELIEVE THAT BEING GAY IS A SIN!" As the interview progressed, the Pastor began to explain to the host why he felt this way, yet went out of his way to point out that his church does not condemn gay people and that he believes God loves all people. For most same-gender-loving people, this type of response is nothing new, since most have heard this repetitive message all of their lives. For many, this inescapable message has been literally and indelibly seared into their hearts and conscious minds, as though by a moral laser. Because of this philosophy, multitudes have left traditional churches by the masses. Even though some overcome the deep feelings of rejection that they feel from family members, associates and friends, many still wrestle with the idea that The Creator of the universe rejects them and because He does, has condemned them to an eternity of unimaginable suffering in an abyss known to many as, "Hell."

Because I am a believer and heavily involved in several aspects of ministry at my church, it affords me the opportunity to visit numerous churches of all denominations all over the country. And to be honest with you, Sunday after Sunday, I often worry about the psychological and spiritual damage that could possibly be inflicted upon same-gender-loving people as they sing in choirs, play instruments, usher on Usher Boards, serve as Deacons, teach Sunday School and Bible Studies, Evangelize and even Minister. It greatly disturbs me that they are forced to listen to rehashed homophobic sermons proclaiming that God loves the sinner but hates the sin - with same sex attraction being at the top of the list. Being a gay man, I know this is where the problem lies. You see, for me being gay was not something I just decided to do because I wanted to defy God or revolt against the norms of society just to make a statement. Being gay for me was as natural as the color of my ebony brown skin, as natural as breathing, singing and playing the piano. So my dilemma was always how could who I am and what I am be a sin?

Today, I am a mature man, but I have been in the church since I was five years old. I was taught to respect and revere my elders and most certainly those who served in any capacity of ministry. In my mind, it was never a question of whether being Gay was a sin, to me it was the Gospel truth, after all, these were men and women anointed by God (so I thought) who proclaimed the true Gospel to me. They couldn't possibly be wrong because without question, I was confident that they knew the will, mind, purpose and complete plan of God for my life. Moreover, who was I to ever question them or the authority of the written Word!

Like thousands of teenagers in church, I often contemplated suicide because I felt trapped in that dilemma, a condition that I could not resolve nor escape no matter how hard I fasted, prayed, promised not to backslide, and no matter how many times the elders tried to cast gay demons out of me. Imagine, sitting in church for years, surrounded by hundreds of people (lonely and feeling rejected) hearing sermon after sermon, hating who I was and what I was, on the brink of suicide and a nervous breakdown. I was convinced that God detested the most important part of who I was and I felt trapped in a condition not of my own doing and hell-bound.

Now, here is the good news! Something happened to me, even in the midst
of all this madness, I took the preacher at his word and developed a personal relationship with God. Now this presented a huge problem because the Creator that I came to know intimately, never condemned me for being gay and to my recollection, never even made a big deal out of it. This was quite a contrast to what I was hearing over the pulpit. When I felt rejected, He bathed me in the warmth of His love! When I was tempted to give up and end my life, He convinced me that I had everything to live for and assured me that He had a marvelous plan for my life!

In 2001, when I was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS, He never abandoned me, even when others said that my affliction was most certainly the result of my rebellious lifestyle and was without question, the wrath of God in full manifestation in my life! While I must confess to making some bad decisions while in my early 20's and 30's (that exposed me to the HIV virus), there are consequences that we ALL must face as a result of bad choices. God made one thing crystal clear to me: He loves me, wanted me well and wanted me to make choices that would not put me or anyone at risk of contracting any type of disease. This is the message that I pass on to everyone each time I have the opportunity to share my story. I tell people that the fact AIDS exists is no one individual's fault, but it is our fault, if we don't act responsibly and protect ourselves and individuals with whom we are intimate. The love of God abounds and is evident in the beauty of Creation and in His expression of abundance of rich blessings conferred on humanity daily.

Now please don't freak out on me because I am talking a little bit about religion or because I may use some religious terminology. You must understand that many of the reasons, as to why people believe being gay is wrong is primarily induced by Biblical views. And if I am to shine the light of truth upon the subject, I must from time to time refer to concepts that pertain to religion. Additionally, it is important to note that focusing on religion is critical to mobilizing change!

If you don't gain anything else from reading this blog, please understand this one fact: Know emphatically that God loves every person on this planet! Or as the old folks use to say, "Know that you know, that you know, that you know, God loves you!" And there is no length to which He will go to demonstrate His great love and everlasting kindness. What He wants from us first, is NEVER to allow anyone to separate us from His love; especially when His Divine unconditionally loving nature is being intentionally or unintentionally misrepresented because of people's phobias. Don't miss out on His wise direction, insight, abundance, and prosperity because some misguided soul misunderstands and misinterprets His Word! Don't miss out on the joyful celebration that can be found in life because everything in the world was created for our enjoyment and benefit.

Through my personal relationship with God, I learned how imperative it is to love myself and to rid myself of the burdensome mental and emotional baggage that I acquired over the years while attending houses of worship, where scripture was not properly interpreted and/or articulated in love. I found out that I was not infected with the AIDS virus because God hated me or hated who I was. But that I had merely simply placed myself at risk as a result of a behavior that was not safe for me or anyone else -- something I feel was also the manifestation of personal self-hatred and self-rejection.

You should know that the immune system is constantly eavesdropping on our internal dialog (in others words, what we think). Noted physicians and psychologists who specialize in the field of psychoneuroimmunology strongly believe that the immune system is constantly responding to the pictures, sounds, feelings, smells, tastes, and the internal dialog that we hold in our mind. Unfortunately, if these are negative thoughts (no matter what the cause), they can adversely affect our immune system, and this places individuals who have a high degree of self-hatred at risk of more easily contracting the virus, whose body's natural defense systems could have possibly protected them more adequately. Additionally, it places people already infected with the AIDS virus in greater jeopardy because their immune systems have already been compromised adversely by this life-threatening disease, putting them at greater risk of contracting other AIDS-related opportunistic infections.

Thus, we know that the AIDS virus is caused by infection with a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). And that this virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood contact and UNPROTECTED SEX. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast- feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some, but not all of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

Without a doubt, self-hatred could be viewed as the number one enemy to people battling this pandemic, because it further weakens the immune system, making infected persons more susceptible to diseases - and definitely AIDS (no pun intended) AND ABETS THE VIRUS! Since the unconscious mind (also known as the "body mind") is the controlling intelligence in the body, it is also the connection between the mind and the immune system. One of the major theories of PNI (Psychoneuroimmunology) and hypnosis is that the unconscious mind can communicate with any part of the body at any time it so desires and can in this way stimulate the healing process. There is, in fact, profound substantial neurological evidence that supports this idea.

Every thought, every emotion, every desire, every internal representation you have is monitored, overheard and viewed. Your immune system is watching, listening, and feeling! It has been shown that grieving people often have grieving immune cells. If the grieving goes on for a prolonged period of time, then the immune system has also the self-talk of, "Leave me alone; I don't want to be bothered." Feelings of grief and self-hatred, according to noted physicians and psychologists, can cause people to be extremely susceptible to cancer and countless other infectious diseases. That is why it's so important to understand that negative emotions that are trapped in the body are not conducive to health and why there is a need to release all of a person's negative emotions within a healing process. It is imperative that individuals battling any life-threatening illness do all they can to eliminate all self-hatred from their lives so that they can regain wholeness and return to optimum health.

Tell yourself every day: "I came into the world divinely supplied. When I arrived on the planet, I brought with me wealth in the form of talents and mind powers. I am here to find my true place in life and to give my talents to the world. I am here to expand and unfold in a wonderful way, according to my God-given potential, and to bring forth spiritual, mental and material riches which will bless humanity in countless ways. That is why I affirm that God is flowing through me as health, peace, harmony and abundance."

This affirmation, if said daily, will usher in SELF-CONFIDENCE, LOVE, SUCCESS and ABUNDANCE into your life in ways you never dreamed if you dare to affirm it out loud each day.

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