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AMERICAblog is a Democratic blog started by John Aravosis that frequently campaigns on gay rights issues. Ranked as a 'Playful Primate' by the Truth Laid Bear with a social networking rank of 36, AMERICAblog is by far the most networked gay-rights blog. Despite its influence with gay-oriented issues, it covers predominately various liberal political issues. Here too, AMERICAblog wields influence, having broken several stories that eventually received media coverage and attention from policy makers. Among these include the public availability of personal phone records, which are accessible to anyone by providing a phone number or other contact information. Aravosis attained the private call records of former Presidential candidate and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO General Wesley Clark, giving the issue widespread attention for the first time. AMERICAblog received widespread media attention after it revealed that Jeff Gannon, a member of the White House press corps with a reputation for asking 'softball' questions at opportune moments for Press Secretary Scott McClellan, was actually James Guckert and had advertised his services as a gay male escort. The White House placed Gannon as a representative of a little known right wing news organization, forgoing a background check that is standard for members of the press corps. AMERICAblog has courted controversy within the gay community for its campaign to 'out' gay Republican Party workers who are seen as supporting anti-gay legislation and attempts to prevent same-sex marriage in particular. The blog has an adversarial relationship with the Washington Blade. AMERICAblog has also spearheaded successful campaigns against reductions of gay rights and protections from companies placating religious right organizations. Notable incidents include the successful elimination of employee protections at Microsoft, and Ford's cessation of publishing in gay oriented publications. Management at both companies reversed earlier anti-gay policy decisions. Currently, AMERICAblog is campaigning against Chris Matthews, calling for a boycott of advertisers on his MSNBC program until an apology is given for an alleged anti-gay joke made in an on-air interview.
Criticism On Friday, May 19, 2006 some visitors to Americablog objected to the blog's use of the term "big girl" in reference to Sen. Pat Roberts, complaining that the phrase constituted a slur and was offensive to women. * Other commenters, including several women,* * said that the entire affair was blown out of proportion by a few hypersensitive readers * *, and noted Aravosis' history of activism and support for women's issues.* The readers who dismissed the complaints about Americablog's usage seem to have been more concerned about Americablog's track record of attention to women's issues, including its post the previous day (Thursday, May 18, 2006) updating the status of a vaccine for cervical cancer *, its report on the Vatican's possible change of policy regarding condom use *, and its activism on making sure that emergency contraception remains available to women. Aravosis himself revealed that he has worked as a consultant for Planned Parenthood. * * Since the mid-90s, Aravosis has been an advocate for progressive causes, including working three years at the Children's Defense Fund, and working with progressive clients including Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, AIDS Action, the National Association of People With AIDS, the National Environmental Trust, AFSCME, and the National Education Association.* | ||||||||
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