I have a favor to ask DU'ers. . .

[kevinbgoode]

Apparently, there is a little problem brewing with a simple little gay youth program aired over WEBR in Fairfax, Virginia each Saturday for an hour or so at 1 p.m. According to Wayne Besen, the program is receiving email threats from some typical christo-fascist hetero-supremacists who are demanding the program be silenced - or they will silence it themselves. Here is the article link from Wayne Besen.com:

"A Northern Virginia radio show that caters to a younger gay audience received threats this week to shut down, or else. E-mails from right wing yahoos hinted at violence if Chad Larson, host of The Edge Show , did not cancel his program. While the e-mails did not offer a specific threat, they did claim that members of one church organization have "removed homosexuals from places before" and that , "If Mr. Larson won't go quietly, we are ready for a fight." The e-mail did not specify which church the writer claimed to be from.

"The penalty for homosexuality is death. Humans are not allowed to kill," one e-mail stated. "That's why God sent AIDS. When Chad Larson is lying on his death bed from this incurable illness, he will wish he had of turned to us for help."

Larson said the threats are being taken seriously, but the show will go on, each Saturday at 1PM on WEBR in Fairfax."

http://www.waynebesen.com/2006/02/gay-youth-radio-threatened-by-yahoos.html


Anyway, here's my idea. Now I know many of us aren't likely into trendy gay dance music (including myself) but I was thinking that if. . .well, a lot of us would just tune into the program and offer some support (you know, an email, a call to the station) it would be a nice gesture of reassurance for this young man who has vowed to keep broadcasting despite the threats. I think the program only lasts an hour or so at 1 p.m. EST and it looks like you can tune in online from here:

http://www.edgeshow.com/

or here: http://stations.swcast.net/urbancowgirl777


The program is supposed to also provide some commentary relative to the gay community, but some of you might find this interesting. . .and. . .well, besides. . .we need your help in stemming the christo-fascist threats on our freedom of speech and expression. So...how about it?

[Obamarama]

1. Interesting idea, Kevin. I'll listen in on Saturday. n/t

[Bjornsdotter]

2. I'll try

...to tune in and follow with an email. Hope it helps.

Cheers

[upi402]

3. supported -kicked

[papau]

4. The "leave the show a message" contact URL is below:

http://www.edgeshow.com/contact.php

Who else do you want contacted ? Does anyone have email addresses for them?

I lived in that area for 10 years and while the area is politically more liberal than not, the resources for gay youth when I was down there were non-existent.

I think this radio show is a great idea and needs support.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. K & R, now it's closer the time (n/t)

[DarkTirade]

6. Hey, I know, let's start threatening to blow up Red Lobster...

for violating the biblical teachings.
http://www.godhatesshrimp.com

Well, it makes just about as much sense as these people do...

[hootinholler]

10. OMG!11!

Do they need to have both fins and scales? That means no more catfish po-boys, oystah po-boys, mud bugs, salmon...

-Hoot

[Mr_Spock]

15. LOL

Yes, a good Christian should spend their lives obcessing over abominations :D

:eyes:

[DarkTirade]

24. 'cause that whole 'unconditional love' thing was just a fad.

Once Jesus got off the marijuana, cut his hair, and became a PRODUCTIVE member of society he got over it. That part's in the bible somewhere, ain't it?

[Maddy McCall]

7. I hate that this kid is being exposed to those assholes.

I'll support him by listening to his show. :hi:

[Wheezy]

8. I assume he's called the police...?

I don't understand how people can have so much hate, and blame it on Christ.

Will take a listen to the show.

[BookemDano]

9. you bet

As someone who lost my Uncle to the virus I def will listen and send an e-mail I will always support people like this we can't let anyone block free speech!It just drives me nuts that at this point in time in the US people are still so afraid of gays!Yet I have to except this Gov is a dictatorship and there fascist pigs I will never stop fighting for what is right!

[converted_democrat]

19. Welcome BookemDano...

:hi:

[NMMNG]

32. They are just hate-filled bigots

Who use a book of "scripture" to support their bigotry. Ironically they ignore at least half of the directives in that same book, which also makes them complete hypocrites.

[nashville_brook]

11. here's my email...

just a note of support from Nashville TN...

i'm responding to Wayne Besen's article that was posted on Democratic Underground. Just want to share a story...

Right after college, some friends and I published a weekly alternative newspaper in the mountains of East Tennessee (Johnson City -- East Tennessee State University area). We published for a year and half before we started receiving threats. This was 1992. We published for another year, before the pressure became focused on our advertisers. We were young and had many of us had other things to move on to -- 'real' jobs, families, ect. I'd like to say we didn't cave in to pressure -- but it figured in a couple of the partners losing their 'mojo' for 'going it alone.' After being stretched to the limit, we ceased publishing in 1993.

Although we weren't specifically a gay-issues publication, coverage of gay issues were most cited by our threatening detractors. These were the days of the 'gays in the military' non-issue and we made plenty of hay out of it. At one point, a 'coalition' of religious nuts staged an 'exorcism' of the downtown area where our offices were located, along with the Tri-Cities AIDS Project. It was a freak show.

There's no moral to this story. Keep yourself safe. Do what you need to do, and KNOW that people (like me; straight, married, middle-aged housewife), care deeply about your mission and your safety. Be safe. Be smart. Get the word out. We stand behind you!

[Roland99]

12. Good letter.

[nashville_brook]

13. he responds!

Thank you so much for your e-mail. Getting ready to go on the air in
a few minutes but I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your
support. It is people like you who don't back down in the face of
adversity that keeps my hope alive and my desire to keep going until
change happens!

Again, thank you for the support, it is greatly appriciated!

_____________________

:) makes me very happy on this saturday morning!

[Roland99]

14. Stand Tall!

:)

[Roho]

16. when

When will the moderate christo-fascist hetero-supremacists stand up and denounce this kind of behavior. This kind of thing just makes all of them look unhinged.

:)

ps. what is trendy gay dance music ie list a few artist pls.

[kevinbgoode]

17. Ya know....not having been in a club for a long time. ..

I haven't got much of a clue. . .here...maybe some young person can help us out here. I figured I'd soon find out while listening.

Thanks for your help, though. . .20 minutes and counting. . .I've got the station on my puter now and it's got some decent music coming out from the show before The Edge program. . .

[Lolivia]

25. That's exactly what I wondered

I am eagerly awaiting the demonstrations by the moderates against the christo-fascists.

I will definitely check out the show. Thanks for posting it.

[Straight Shooter]

18. I just sent him an e-mail.

And invited him to visit DU and join us here. :)

[DanCa]

20. Can I have an email link please?

I am on dsl so i dont know if my connection speed would be able to handle the link. On a purely wierd coeincidencental note Elton John's Rotten Peaches started playing on my yahoo radio station as I was readding this.

[kevinbgoode]

21. Here is one. . .

[e-mail]

[DanCa]

23. Thank you. I am emailling now. :D (nt)

[converted_democrat]

22. I wrote a letter of support.. n/t

[Gelliebeans]

26. sent off a message

of support and will listen to the show.

[dogday]

27. These are not Christians with this type of action

These people are anything but Christians, please believe me. Christians are not like this, they accept everyone as God's creation. Everyone has feelings and everyone bleeds and my Christianity tells me to never be mean to anyone for any reason.

What these people are threatening to do is a sin. Jesus would be the first to say "let ye who is without sin cast the first stone". We are all sinners in God's eyes, but we are saved through the Grace of Jesus with his promise of Love and Hope. Heck I am a terrible Christian, I cuss and do bad things, but I ask for forgiveness and go on down the road....

I am not trying to preach, I know a lot of people don't believe and that is absolutely your right. I just wanted to try to enlighten you that the people in that article are not true Christians....

[Lolivia]

29. Don't worry

Most people here - though sadly not all - realize that this is not the work of the entire Christain faith, but rather the work of a few fundamentalists and extremists. Most people here understand that those fundamentalists will twist and pervert religion to further their own goals, and that this does not make the entire faith guilty by association. Most people recognize that it is the fundamentalism - not the Christianity - that is the real problem here.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

28. Can't watch, but I sent a letter of support. Kick

[The Witch]

30. Done, I'm local & offered my help

Hope he feels the lift :)

[enigmatic]

31. I'll put a link to their site on my radio station webby, pronto

As well as email them w/ my support. I've got their backs on this:)