San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer has finally decided to speak out on his website, defending the church’s actions in helping pass Proposition 8, which denied marriage equality to all Californians, and placed marriages like ours in jeopardy.

“Religious leaders in America have the constitutional right to speak out on issues of public policy. Catholic bishops, specifically, also have a responsibility to teach the faith, and our beliefs about marriage and family are part of this faith.”

and…

“Members of churches who supported Proposition 8 sincerely believe that defining marriage as only between a man and a woman is one such issue. They see marriage and the family as the basic building blocks of human society, existing before government and not created by it. Marriage is for us the ideal relationship between a man and woman, in which, through their unique sexual complementarity, the spouses offer themselves to God as co-creators of new human persons, a father and mother giving them life and enabling them to thrive in the family setting.”

Bill May, Chairman for Catholics for the Common Good, who played a crucial role in getting Catholics behind Proposition 8, supported the Archbishop’s statement, which described “strong and legitimate reasons for supporting marriage between a man and a woman.”

May also went on to say that Niederauer “is a very loving person,” and “he expresses the teachings of the church in a very pastoral way. He is expressing the fundamental understanding of the Catholic Church that every human person has intrinsic dignity that must be respected.”

Except of course, when it comes to the intrinsic dignity and respect same-sex couples deserve.

Archbishop Niederauer who previously served as a Bishop in Salt Lake City, actively recruited the Mormon church to get involved in supporting Proposition 8 which would not have passed without their help.

In the video below the Archbishop enlightens us on the importance of marriage between one man, and one woman.

Find more here…

• San Francisco Chronicle Story
• Archbishop Biederauer’s Statement
• More on Bill May, Catholics for the Common Good and their role in Proposition 8

Today on the 20th World AIDS day, over 100 companies pledged to fight HIV/AIDS discrimination and stigma in the workplace.

While there has been progress in the past 20 years, discrimination unfortunately continues. Individuals experience social isolation, ridicule, and are often refused employment or fired from their jobs.

From the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria:

“These CEOs are sending a powerful signal to employees and their families, communities and stakeholders that their companies care and are doing their part to end stigma around HIV/AIDS. CEO leadership through the pledge is also sending a message to the public health community that we’re in this fight together.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), discrimination and stigma are among the many reasons why people are reluctant to be tested, disclose their HIV status or take antiretroviral drugs, contributing to the overall expansion of the epidemic.

Among the more notable businesses signing the pledge:

Chevron Corporation
Citigroup
The Coca-Cola Company
Dell
Home Box Office (HBO)
Nike, Inc.
Pfizer

A complete list of businesses can be found here.