GLOBAL AUTHOR, COLUMNIST AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
www.TerryAngelMason.com by Terry Angel Mason
News & Events

Renowned Bishop Takes Aim at the Republican Party and its Values -- 

'FTG Presents...When an Angel Speaks

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

'FTG' Presents... 'When an Angel Speaks'


Social Commentary from Bishop Terry Angel Mason

On December 30, 2011, From The G-Man published a special feature entitled Terry Angel Mason: "PRIDE of the LGBT Community", which can be read via  the following link:

http://fromthegman.blogspot.com/2011/12/terry-angel-mason-pride-of-lgbt.html

The article was extremely well-received and Bishop Mason was offered an opportunity to submit articles to this site on an ongoing basis. He has graciously accepted the invitation and will serve as a contributing writer. Having said that, From The G-Man now presents 
the first installment of Bishop Mason's "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 in an insane attempt 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 "insane" 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? The proposed bills 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 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? The answer is simple. It is not in their best self-interest to do so. Period!

This brings me to the crux of my argument, which is the important and irrefutable fact that it is not enough to re-elect President Obama. We must ALSO 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! We must also put in place people who support that vision and the visionary!

President Obama should not have to do all the heavy lifting! It is our responsibility to give him some help! It is imperative 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  someone unable to fulfill "pie-in-the-sky" campaign promises. But what they don't tell you is that every promise he has attempted to keep, promises ranging from rescuing the economy to delivering jobs, the Republican Party has thwarted, obstructed, if not down right killed!

Divided government does not work, especially if one faction of government acts like a bunch of jealous extremists that would be willing to destroy our beloved country to make or 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 had 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 don't WAKE UP and vote in our own best interest 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 when 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!


Editor's Note: From The G-Man welcomes all viewpoints. If any clergy representative -- particularly those that support Republican or conservative views -- would like to offer rebuttals to Bishop Mason's article(s), you are invited to contact this news site.  

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



Internationally Acclaimed Author, AIDS Advocate, and Intl. Columnist Speaks Out About Gay Marriage

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL -- Internationally Acclaimed Author, AIDS Advocate, and Intl. Columnist Speaks Out About Gay Marriage

FIRST LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW OF THE DECADE!

GD GRACE interviews this acclaimed author:

AUDIO LINK

Global Marriage Equality (Civil Rights)
Global Crusader

Gay marriage has sparked debates around the world, and is continuing to be a hot-button topic in the media. On August 14th, a rally supporting marriage equality called The Summer Equality Tour, took place in San Diego and had a huge turnout of supporters. Now more than ever before, people are looking for answers to complex questions regarding gay marriage, and need a trustworthy source.

Internationally acclaimed San Diegan Author and leading LGBT expert Terry Angel Mason, discusses pertinent issues in LGBT communities, including the importance of marriage equality in his new book, They Say That I Am Broken, and throughout his columns that are distributed globally.

Mason, a champion for gay rights, believes that arguments from gay marriage opponents come from ignorance, fear, and homophobia, and makes the argument that many people feel that gay marriage is a gay issue. Mason Asserts, "Marriage equality is not a gay issue. Denying same-gender-loving-people their rights is a civil rights issue, but is also the contributing factor to the spread of HIV, suicides, violence and bullying because the indirect message is that gays are unworthy, unacceptable and are inferior to heterosexuals. This is the same dangerous and disempowering message that African Americans fought hard to overcome. It is now a fight that the LGBT community cannot afford to lose any longer."

With gay marriage now legal in New York, California is the next state to decide the fate of gay marriage. On Sept. 6th, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will be discussing the possibility of overturning Prop 8, which will be one of the top issues of concern for the upcoming presidential election.

"The subject of gay marriage will be an ongoing debate for many years to come. Regardless of what the outcome is with Prop 8 in California, there will still be gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people who are discriminated against and denied their equal rights because of who they love. We need honest and intelligent dialogues about gay marriage and same-gender-loving people, and I intend to do just that," states Mason.

Angel Mason is an international LGBT icon, expert, and columnist who advocates for the global empowerment of same-gender-loving people everywhere. Visit www.TerryAngelMason.comfor all the latest news and media appearances. His latest article, A TIME FOR US AND MARRIAGE EQUALITY, is featured in the East County Magazine and the San Diego Gay and Lesbian News, and can be viewed here:

http://sdgln.com/commentary/2011/06/28/commentary-time-us-and-marriage-e...

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/6993

Mason's latest, highly anticipated release, They Say That I Am Broken, is set to be released this summer, and is a gripping page-turner that deals with a plethora of issues affecting Same-Gender-Loving community, including homophobia in the Black Church, HIV, DADT (Don't Ask Don't Tell), gay marriage, homeless gay children, and more. The book also features captivating articles about CNN anchor and author Don Lemon, The Los Angeles Lakers' basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, and much more. They Say That I Am Broken is poised to gain worldwide recognition as it affirms God's love for all people, and eloquently dissects race, religion and same-gender-loving relationships through empowering essays, poems and stories.

They Say That I Am Broken can be pre-ordered by visiting www.TerryAngelMason.com. Angel Mason is available for interviews and panels to discuss his latest book and other LGBT matters. Due to the demand and interest in his work, Interview requests are should be submitted to Florence@Publicity911.com.

Note to Media: Electronic review copies of They Say That I Am Broken are available upon request. Get your copy by contacting Florence Edwards at 310-746-7149.   

  

 

The Country is Changing and Evolving and Gay Marriage is Inevitable!

 

Love Should be Celebrated
Wherever it is Found!

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.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Poised to Render Prop. 8 Decision



A Time for Us and Marriage Equality 
"Today, you would think that because I am an African-American, that I would have awakened with a new zest for living, a belief that all things are possible and a renewed hope in America, the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. But instead, I felt a chilling numbness emotionally very similar to the kind of feeling that I experience when someone close to me in my family has just died!"

TERRY ANGEL MASON - AUTHOR AND LGBT CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST URGES VOTE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
These were the words penned in my Pulitzer nominated book, "Love Won't Let Me Be Silent," after Proposition 8 passed in California, amid the euphoria and jubilation of electing America's first African-American president.
At that time my feelings were very conflicted because there was a part of me that was overjoyed because Barack Obama had been elected. Conversely, another part of me was in complete despair because of the bigotry and hatred that would later take on the form of denying same-gender-loving people the right to adopt children in other states and/or the right to wed the person of their choosing; in addition to the countless suicides, abuse and extreme acts of violence committed against LGBT community — all the direct result from the implementation of this hideous bill!
Prior to the passing of Proposition 8, African-American clergy, Catholics, Evangelicals, Mormons and some non-denominational Christians urged their parishioners to vote "Yes" on Prop. 8, ignoring and completely disregarding the fact that thousands of LGBT people attend their churches and participate in every aspect of ministry, pay their tithes, and have an undying devotion to the ministry. Parishioners were told, "We must do everything we can to preserve the institution of marriage."
Oh, if they would have only acted earlier with the same fervor years ago, perhaps heterosexual Christians would not lead the country in divorces and separations -- long before Prop. 8, gay marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships were ever established.
Yes, you heard me right! I was amazed to discover that born-again Christians are more likely than others to experience a divorce. These statistics have been the case for quite some time. Even more disturbing, perhaps is that when these divorcees publicly announce their divorce, many of them are rejected by their community of faith rather than provided with support and healing.
It is apparent that many Christians are quick to criticize gay unions, having forgotten to remove the beam from their own eye before trying to get the speck out of their brother's eye (Matthew 7:5). And what of the bishops, whose stories garner constant media attention in the Black churches throughout our great country? The same bishops, who bash from the pulpit, are on their third and fourth marriage, cleverly cover up sex and drug scandals, and violently abuse their wives. The media is constantly exposing the fact that more and more of these same bishops are committing adultery and fathering illegitimate children with women in their congregations, other than their spouses. And let's not forget to mention the ones who are on the downlow (meaning they are closeted gays) who cheat with other men!
What is even more alarming is that HIV/AIDS and poverty in the African-American and Hispanic communities is staggering! Furthermore, many, if not most of these same pastors, bishops, priests and ministers who encouraged their parishioners to vote "Yes" on Prop 8, don't even have a food pantry for their members, senior care programs, effective HIV/AIDS outreach programs and sadly, no prison ministry rehabilitation program; a tragic oversight, especially since there are over 170,000 inmates in the California penal system (many of whom are Black and Hispanic). Yet, they thought nothing of spending over $60 million to oppose same-sex unions, money that they could have and should have used to fund much needed programs like these! Moreover, another glaring example of the Church's misdirected priorities, are the many cases of their parishioners being evicted out of their apartments and homes, unable to procure financial support from their home churches. The same home church that will justify and miraculously produce millions to fight marriage-equality issues like Prop 8 and fund Evangelical anti-Obama reelection campaigns.
One reason I always cringe when I hear pastors bash the gay community from the pulpit is because little do they realize, had it not been for the gay community, little or nothing would have been done to combat the AIDS virus, and the death toll would have been even more catastrophic. It should also be noted that because the African-American and Hispanic-American heterosexual community is disproportionately affected by the pandemic, subsequently, their faith community offers little to no services.
As a result of working hand-in-hand with many AIDS organizations, I can attest to the fact that thousands of heterosexual males and females frequently access HIV treatment and case management services provided by the gay community -- whom by the way attend these same churches. I am extremely grateful to the gay community for responding so compassionately and effectively to those suffering from the virus because the majority of services and medications that are offered today is the direct result of their resolute response. The LGBT community continues to effectively and compassionately minister to the needs of people from all walks of life; doing what many Evangelical Christians have failed to do, even today!
As a child, I was taught to believe that the Constitution created by our founding fathers would always protect the rights of the people. Even if, humanity somehow lost its way in the muck, mire and rhetoric of misguided souls and redneck politicians, I believed that somehow, truth and justice would prevail and win out in the end because after all, did we not elect an African-American president? Isn't that proof?

I know that such a belief to some may seem naïve. Still, deep down inside, I keep hearing the chant of our forefathers boldly declaring to my heart and consciousness these empowering words that I refuse to cast aside: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (and women) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness . . ."
These words became a reality on June 24, 2011, for the people of New York when their state Senate approved marriage-equality legislation, despite of the disgraceful passing of Proposition 8 in California three years earlier. All the despair I felt back in 2008 when Prop 8 passed was a stark contrast to the immense joy that I experienced on Friday along with the multitudes from every race and gender, who exuberantly celebrated in the streets of New York after such a long awaited victory. But all the euphoria wore off when I awakened the next morning, and was slapped in the face by the reality that I still lived in California. I wiped the sleep out of my eyes, showered, got dressed and boarded a train headed to luncheon that a circle at my church was giving for the fathers and mothers in our congregation.
Even though I have been blessed financially and have garnered international attention and media acclaim as an author and columnist, I have chosen not to move out of my present neighborhood. I like the interaction with the people I meet and it keeps me in touch with my community and aware of the things that people living in my neighborhood experience in their day-to-day struggles to survive. It also allows me to experience firsthand what is like to be black, gay and Christian, all of which I am very proud of!
Because I am well known in my community, (though many adamantly disapprove of my sexual orientation and interpretation of Scripture), it affords me the opportunity to dialogue with ministers, local politicians, and with the movers and shakers in my community and I am often able to effect change because I live among them. Admittedly, it isn't easy and I often become discouraged because of their close-mindedness and deep seated homophobia and think of retreating to a more upscale community where same-gender-loving people are more accepted and celebrated, but I just can't do it! I can't do it because of the lingering homophobic plague stalking my community that endangers the lives of children and youth I see going to and fro on a day-to-day basis.
I cannot tell you how many times I have had to intervene to stop fights and bullying on buses and trains (one of the primary reasons I use public transportation). I realize that this is dangerous and often places me in great jeopardy, but I refuse to sit idly by and let another innocent child or young adult be abused by a hateful, ignorant person, simply because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender! The reality is that in these situations, few people are willing to come to the aid of our children, even if they feel the bullying or abuse is wrong or inappropriate and this saddens me — but I refuse to be one of those people!
What is perhaps more devastating about the passing of Prop 8 is not only the negative social effect it has had on our community, but also the devastating financial affect it has also generated because we missed the tremendous window of opportunity for financial gain and the potential to create many much needed new jobs. You see my brothers and sisters, prejudice and intolerance is unfortunately a double edged sword because it tragically eliminated the possibility of California bringing in an estimated $385 million of revenue over a 10-year period, if same-gender-loving people had been allowed to marry. Statistically speaking, married people often accumulate more wealth and have more to spend on property and consumer goods, which bolsters tax revenue.
Thank God that in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo had the wisdom and good sense to see the tremendous economic potential and opportunity that his state had to improve its economy. He wisely acted by seizing this opportunity to sign the bill into law only hours after it had been passed. It was a good thing that he did, because wedding plans are likely to generate an estimated $400 million to the state's economy, according to a report by the Independent Democratic Conference.
In the wake of New York's good fortune, California now teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, often unable to balance its budget, barely even able to keep the doors of its schools and higher learning institutions opened, due to mismanagement of funds and overspending, and sadly, because of missed opportunities. Even though Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn overturned Prop 8, ruling it unconstitutional, the matter is still not resolved because the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has been sitting on the matter, until now.
In the meantime, California's economy is in critical condition and on financial life support! Moreover, it is in desperate need of an economic boost. Many single people in the LGBT community are still being unfairly denied the right to marry the person they love and receive their entitled constitutional and federal benefits. Perhaps, the courageous move on the part of lawmakers in New York, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont will embolden them and motivate them to do what they already know in their hearts is the right thing to do and overturn Prop 8. Their courageous intervention would rescue our failing economy, which is currently in desire straits and preserve the integrity and promise of our Constitution by courageously granting equal rights to same-gender-loving people — accomplishing the very objective that we elected them to do!
By Terry Angel Mason, Global Author and Columnist
Bishop Terry Angel Mason
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