Thursday, December 22, 2011

2011 Ends with great LGBT strides.........except!

As this year come to a close, I would like to wish everyone a prosperous 2012. We have had some good times and some not so good. Almost rough you would say. We have had tremendous breakthroughs.

*Marriage Equality in New York
*DADT (Dont Ask, Dont tell) repealed
*Doma is no longer going to be defended by the Obama Administration
*Federal Policy and Immigration. Under the direction of President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton declares to the world that Human rights are Gay rights. The Administration put an end to the deportation of legally married foreign nationals of same sex American citizens.
*Extension of Federal Benefits

These are WONDERFUL strides towards equality. There is one more giant hurdle to leap. That is the hurdle of teen suicide. 34,000 teens attempt or fulfill suicide each year.
It is the 3rd. leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. LGBT youth attempt it 4 times more than their peers.
In terms of school climate, approximately 25% of LGBT students have been harassed due to sexual orientation. LGBT students do not feel safe at school 3 times more, 22% vs 7% heterosexual students. 90%of LGBT students have been harassed or assaulted in 2011 vs 62% of non-LGBT teens.

Sexual minority youth or teens that identify themselves as LGBT, are bullied 3 times more than heterosexual teens. And almost ALL transgendered students have been verbally harassed. e.g. called names or threatened in the past year because of their sexual orientation. (89%) and gender expression (90%)
So as you can see, we still have great strides to go. It's great for LGBT adults to have their freedoms, but what about our youth? But I propose we do not just focus on LGBT teens in the coming year. It's a sad state of affairs that so many teens in America attempt or follow through with suicide. We send our children to school to be taught not taunted.

I'm reminded of the words of a great man. But, until we get these numbers down, I do not believe they can be said. When that day comes, then we can say........
"That's one small step for Man, one giant leap for Mankind"  
Astronaut Neal Armstrong, first man on the moon.

Thank You to the GLSEN site for their statistics. That's the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Sorry...No room at this inn!

You know...I read a disturbing article the other day. An article by the group known as the Rainbow Sash Movement.This is an LGBT group who's main mission is to hold the Roman Catholic Church to a higher standard in regards to sexuality. This is a wonderful group. Please Youtube them. I promise you, you will like them.

Now, their article was on the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. It dealt with the high rate of homeless, hungry LGBT families that are out there in this world. We don't think of it, but yes, in this declining economy, we must look at the fact that even we LGBT'ers are affected. We've lost jobs. We've lost homes. And it's a sad fact that the nations two largest charitable organizations are...here I go...going to ruffle a few feathers...HOMOPHOBIC! Both organizations say that their religious beliefs on Homosexuality take precedence when it comes to taking care of the LGBT poor. In some cases, even refusing shelter to same sex couples unless they deny who they are and break up. REALLY? That's Christian? Where is that written? Not in my Bible!
I do not see Jesus the Christ healing the blind man or the centurions daughter, the lepers, the possessed or anyone with conditions! NO! He simply saw a need, fulfilled it.
The deed came not before the need. In fact it was the opposite. He filled the need and the deed followed.
I work in a major grocery store here where I live. I see the Salvation Army bell ringer every day. If they knew that he was as flamey as the Star of Bethlehem, his light would probably be without a job. And one of the women's shelters here is run by Catholic Charities. With a Big ole dykemeister in charge. I am beginning to think they treat us like the Black Entertainers of the 1950's.. It' ok to sing and dance for us, but do not sit at our tables or use our hotels.
So this holiday season I would like to remind ALL charitable groups the words of the Christ Himself..........
"For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink.
I was a stranger and you took Me in";.....Then the righteous will answer and say
"Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
 Or see you as a stranger and take You in?".....And the King will answer "I say
 to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you
it to Me." Matthew 25:35-40.
May I say Merry Christmas...Happy Hanukkah....Happy Kwanzaa...Blessed Winter Solstice...Or whatever you believe.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

NPR... what?

Sorry it's been a while. I've been busy at work. Also been watching the Penn State fiasco!

Recently, Warren Olney of  the "To the Point" NPR radio show, had on as his guest, Jerry Cox. Now Cox, a traditional family values man, represents the Arkansas Family Council. He stated that the American Physchological Association "Beliefs that Lesbian and Gay adults are not fit parents." This was on a subject relating to Penn State.

Now, if your going to quote...quote correctly! The APA does say "there is no scientific basis for concluding Lesbian mothers or Gay fathers are unfit parents. On the contrary, they are as likely as Heterosexual parents to provide supportive and healthy environments for their children."

Before I continue, I need to do a little class here. Bare with me. Learn a litte.

PEDERASTY: sexual relationships, whether or not consummated, between an adult male and a boy aged 12-17. Greek..Pias-boy   Erastis-lover. Most often incorrectly used by media as another word for Pedohilia.
There have been many Pederast in history. Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde, Emperor Hadrian, Mahmood Ghaznani, Pope Julius III, King James I, T.E.Lawrence, Tchaikovsky, Jules Verne, and the list goes on and on.
PEDOPHILE: an adult [male or female] who is sexually attracted to young children. No matter what the age.
Greek..Paedo-child   Philo-love.

OK here goes. It disgust me to no end when people use instances of child molestation to rail against Gay people. Homosexuals only want to be with other consenting adults.
Pederast, Pedophiles, Child-molesters are 90% Straight, Married with children people living an outward lie while they act on their perversion in private. Gay people are not like that!!!!

Coach Sandusky of Penn State, is a Pederast! He is not gay. He was not looking for sex with adult men. He is a child rapist and it involves children of the same sex...PEDERASTY. The idea that a child rapist is gay is a misconception people perpetuate when having these discussions.

If it were little girls, would Olney and his guest, Jerry Cox, question the validity of Heterosexuals adopting? Not to mention the "risk of allowing women to adopt if the abuser was female." What about the female teacher? Does this mean women can't adopt?

This past Monday, 11/14/11, Warren Olney offered an apology......
.....There is no connection between pedophilia and homosexuality and we never intended to say or imply there is. Our failure to make that distinction explicit was an oversight. We regret it, and we apologize.

You tell me. Sincere? Or just a quick save the program? Yet, the discussion still continues. Yet, we still get all the blame.

Monday, October 3, 2011

National Coming Out Day.......is it safe?

Tyler Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge.
Seth Walsh hung himself.
Asher Brown shot himself in the head.
Billy Lucas hung himself.
And now the latest...Jamey Rodemeyer hung himself in his family driveway.

Jamey was only 14 years old. He even did an "It gets better" video on Youtube. You see, Jamey came out. Oh sure, he had lots of support from family and friends. Friends to his face. But, behind his back? Those that hide behind a computer?
Jamey endured tons of cyber-bullying. On facebook...myspace....twitter. But wait, it gets better. At his sister's homecoming there was a tribute to Jamey. And from the crowd of kids there were chants of "Glad your dead." "Good riddance." They even bully a dead person!
I applaud the police in his town. They are going to investigate and see if charges can be filed against his bulliers. If so, this will be landmark. I wish to add to that and have them investigate the school teachers and counselors. They had to be at this homecoming. They should be held in aiding and abetting a crime. But, bullicide is not yet a crime. There is one charge that can be used. Cyber-terrorism is a crime. Has been since 9/11. And cyber-bullying is no different. It spreads terror into the hearts and minds of those receiving it.

I read recently that the Republican candidates for President say that kids should just get over it. That bullying is part of growing up. Growing up? It's alot worse now than when we were kids. We didn't have computers and cell phones that text. With the onset of social media, it has become alot worse for these kids.  Facebook..Myspace..Youtube..Twitter..texting...and the like are 24/7. These kids have no safe place from bullyers.

Lady GaGa did a tribute to Jamey in one of her concerts. He loved "Born this way" It lead to his coming out. She is really trying to push hard for anti-bullying laws to be enacted. But until that happens, let me give you a few places to turn to in times of crisis.

AngelsandDoves.com
Stompoutbullying.com
Pacer.org/bullying.com
overcomebullying.com
These are just a few of the place you can go to for advice on how to handle bullying. And if you know of someone that is considering harm to themselves, there is my favorite, Trevortalktome.org.

So this National Coming Out Day...Oct.11th...Lets make it a safe one for our younger generation. Coming out shouldn't be life threatening.

UPDATE....UPDATE......As of Oct.5th, one of the students who yelled slurs at the homecoming dance during Jameys tribute, has been suspended. This is believed to be the one who yelled "Your better off dead." Finally the a school is stepping up to the plate. Let this become the example to other schools.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Don't ask, Don't tell is DEAD!!

September 20, 2011 will be one of the most important days in the history of the LGBT community. At one minute past midnight, the new law repealling 1993's DADT was inacted. Presidet Obama stated that as of today "Patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are." He called it the discriminatory law known as 'DADT'. "Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nations founding ideals."

Although there have been many ousted during DADT, there are a few that stick in my mind that must be proud of this day.
*Lt. Colonel Victor Fehrenbach. Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Lt.Col.Fehrenbach became the poster boy for what the military did under DADT. He outed himself to counter a bogus rape charge. He will retire with full rank and benefits.
*Lt. Dan Choi. Lt. Choi was discharged after outing himself with 37 other West Point Graduates. Dan continues to battle the White House on free speech matters and gay rights world wide.
*Air Force 1st. Lt. Josh Seefried. Better known as J.D.Smith from the Rachel Maddow show. He is the co-founder of Outserve, a voice for LGBT service members. Go to Outserves site and take a look at the Outserve Magazine on 100 Out Serving military members.  Makes you proud. Makes me want to rejoin.....their HOT!
*Last, but not least, there is a soldier I've been following. There is a Youtube site called AreYouSuprised. This is the nom de web of an anonymous soldier who discusses his experience of being gay in the military. He is no longer anonymous!!! He has posted a coming out to his father that will simply move you. I know I cried through the thing. My heart was pounding with him. If any of my straight friends wants to know the struggle it is to come out....watch this. Click on the link to your right.

So this is just a few that cme to mind. I stand and salute all those brave men and women in the armed forces. I am, and always will be, proud to be an American. This is the greatest country to live in. It is because of these brave men and women that we have this great country.
Straight..Gay..Lesbian..Bi-sexual..Transgendered..All soldiers, all walks of life.

Thank you. And thank you President Obama.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

So really.....tell me the difference in law?

North Carolina Pastors are going to start to preach against Marriage Equality. See, N.C. is going to vote on a Constitutional Ammendment. Pastors statewide are using the bible and pulpit to proclaim what their God says. Now that is not my argument with them. They have that right. My argument with them is that they try every hand in the book to get us all to do Gods will. That they constantly go to Scripture for the law. "What does God say?" "What does Jesus say?" "What does the Bible say?" If they had it their way, there would be nothing done in this country unless it fit Gods book of laws. Sounds Theocratic to me. And last I checked, this was not a Theocracy.

Now, when it comes to Theocracy, there is a religion that does base everything on God and Gods Law. The religion of Islam. Many Christians condem them for their belief in Sharia Law. To define Sharia Law it is Muslim or Islamic Law, both civil and criminal justice as well as regulating individual conduct, both moral and personal. The custom -based body of law based on the Quran and Religion of Islam.

Let me take liberty and rephrase that. Christian law both civil and criminal, as well as regulating individual conduct, both moral and personal. The custom-based body of law based on the Bible and Holy Scriptures.

Now here's where I get stoned. WHAT THE HELL IS THE DIFFERENCE?!? Many Christians think they are the elite. They are the only righteous ones. Yet, when it comes to the laws of this land and the vote of the lawmakers, they want to throw the Bible in their faces. They used it against the slaves. They used it against the Jews. They used it against civil rights marchers. They use it to base their wars. It's been used and abused for so long. They even use it against themselves. To try and say their way of belief is better.

But to use it to try and change the laws of the land? That, my dear friend, is close to Sharia Law. I hear so many Christians condem Sharia. And I agree. It can not work.
That is whay there are so many sects of Islam. Sunni, Shiite, etc. They all have their way of interpreting it. Now, if we start using the Bible to make OUR laws, whos belief should it be?

Baptist? Penticostal? Presbyterian? Lutheren? Catholic? Maybe Mormon? Jehovahs Wittness? Christian Science? Calvin? Wesley? I know!!!!! PURITAN! that would cure it all. Afterall, they stoned you, beat you, imprisoned you for not following their ways.

So we really need to look inwards at ourselves and see just what God is saying to us on the law. It is a personal belief? or is it Christsharianity we need? Or is it to trust the law -makers we voted in.

Just asking.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Come out Come out Whoever you are.

This upcoming October 11th. will be National Coming Out Day. NCOD was created in 1988 by Robert Eichberg, a Psychologist from New Mexico, and Jean O'Leary, an openly gay political leader from Los Angeles. This date was selected for it is the anniversary date of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This is a time when people from all walks of life can be proud of themselves and of who they are.
Participants are encouraged to wear Pride Symbols such as Pink Triangle {Gay Men}, Black Triangle {Lesbian}, and rainbow style jewelry and clothing. Noting that the first two are taken from the Nazi Concentration camps. As to show that it doesn't bother anymore.
All 50 states observe this annual event as do 9 countries. Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Croatia, Poland, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

But here's the thing, too many people, kids exspecially, are being forced deeper into the closet these days. Deeper for fear of being taunted and bullied. So, my challenge to you on this day is......If you know of someone that wants to come out to their parents and peers but is really afraid, be there for them. Join with them. Support them. Never ever turn away from them. If you suspect someone is contemplating harm to themselves because they are bullied. At home or school. Be there for them.

I'm going to give you one tool that will help you in this matter. There is a group out there Known as the Trevor Project. This Project was started by writer James Lecesne, director Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone.
Trevor is a short film about a 13 year old boy, who, after discovering all his peers and family rejected him, tries to commit suicide.
The group discoverd that there were no helplines or places for LGBT kids to go in time of need. Thus, Trevor Project was born.
For immediate help...1-866-4-U-Trevor.
There is a Youtube project called It Gets Better {Itgetsbetter.org}
The new one, and my personal favorite right now, a new project called Trevor Talk to Me {Trevortalktome.org}. If you know of anyone or suspect anyone wishing to do harm to themselves....3 words..Talk to me.  that's it...just..talk to me. Talk to me.
So as we celebrate National Coming Out Day, lets be aware of our younger brothers and sisters. We know from experience how they must be feeling. And these days? It's a whole hell of a lot worse on them.

So...Talk to me. It's ok. Just talk to me. Please?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Remembering Family This September 11th.

We, in the gay community, often times use the term "family" to describe one another. On this, the 10th. anniversary of the tragic terror attack to befall the United States, many names of family members will be read in ceremonies across the country. Let me tell you of a few of my "family" members. Just to keep their memories alive. To honor them. To uplift and keep in our hearts their spouses.

First and foremost, Father Mychal Judge. Father Mychal was the Catholic Chaplin of the NYFD. He was killed while ministering to a fallen firefighter. His helmet was given o the Pope. He was also the Grand Marshal {in spirit} of the 2002 Chicago St. Patricks Day Parade.

Mark Bingham {31}, a passenger on Flight 93. One of the passengers who tried to take back the aircraft. Mark was a member of the Gay Rugby League. On a taped cell phone message to his mother, Mark knew what was happening. He told his mother what was planned. September 16th. is officially Mark Bingham Day in San Francisco. The Gay Rugby League has started the Bingham Cup championships in his honor.

Carol Flynik {40}, American Flight 11. Survived by her partner of 13 years, Nancy Walsh.

David Charlebois, Co-Pilot of American Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon. Survived by his partner of nearly 13 years, Tom Hay.

Graham Berkeley {37}, killed on United Flight 175.

Pamela Boyce {43}, worked on the 92 floor of One World Trade Center. Survived by partner, Catherine Anello.

Ronald Gamboa {33} and partner Dan Brandhorst on United Flight 175. Also on board, their 3 year old adopted son, David.

James Joe Ferguson {39}, Director of Photograhy Education for the National Geographic Society on American Flight 77.

Jeffrey Collman, flight attendent on American Flight 11. Survived by partner of 11 years, Keith Brackowski.

John Keohane, was standing on the streets with partner of 17 years, Mark Lyons. Was talking on cell phone with his mother when he thought another plane had hit the tower. Tragically, it was Tower One collapsing. although Mark Lyons survived his injuries, he was to die of suicide on March 1st. 2002.

Wesley Mercer {70}, Security Personnel for Morgan Stanley. Rushed to the 44th. floor to supervise evacuations.Went back up to make sure all were evacuted. {Please note this was all done without the use of elevators}. Survived by partner of 26 years, Bill Randolph.

Sela Hein {51}, worked in he Pentagon for the U.S.Army's Management and Budget office. Survived by partner of 18 years, Peggy Neff.

Luke Dudek {50}, Food and Beverage controller for Windows on the World, a resturant at top of tower. This was his first day back to work after a week's vacation. He spent it renovating his partner of 20 years, George Cuellars, floral shop.

It was said by Edgar Rodriquez of the NYPD "As the days went by, we learned that some of the missing rescue personnel were gay, and that many of their lovers, some of whom are cops and firefighters, were grieving in silence for fear of outing them. Their were also gay cops and firefighters that lost family members that were rescue personnel. We learned too quickly and in too cruel a way that the closet is a terrible place to grieve".

Well said sir, well said.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Are you listening to me here?

Recent events on the East Coast have really been brought to light by Christian Fundamentalist. What with an earthquake and hurricane in almost a few months span. Pat Robertson of the 700 club says the crack in the Washington Monument is a sign from God. Michele Bachman claims "I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of Politicians. He said 'Are you listening to me here?'"
OK..if you follow me at all you know I have my own strong Christian beliefs. So I have decided to use their own sword to fight back, just a little. Bear with me here.

1 Kings 19:11 & 12-Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire;and after the fire a still small voice.
Still small voice: to intimate that God would do His work in and for Israel in His own time, not by might or power, but by His own spirit which moves with a powerful, but yet, sweet and gentle gale.
Zechariah 4;6-So He answered and said unto me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of host.

So now we have Christian and Political leaders using these same tragedies for their gain and purpose.Hmmm. You know, the God I serve doesn't pick and choose whom to punish. Seems this great storm bypassed Canada. What with its Gay Marriage and all.
So no disaster has befallen them. No great earthquakes or Storms of the Century have fallen on Mexico. What with its Gay Marriage and all and it's drug cartels. So God just decided to strike the United States? PAHLEEZE!

I have been waiting to hear from someone about Texas. Texas has had the worst heat in it's history. People are dying from heat-stroke. Lakes and rivers are drying up. Corn crops are withering away. Could this be God? Is God angry with Texas? After all, it does harbour alot of hate and prejudice. Right? Oh wait.....it is home to one of the biggest right winged fundamentalist in Politics. Rick Perry. And one of our past Presidents. George "W" Bush. So God couldn't be upset with Texas, right? So whats the big difference? Do you serve a God that picks and chooses? I know I don't. And if anything, I see it more in Scripture where God punishes believers more harshly than non-believers. So Texas should be obliterated!

Now Ms. Bachman, I do not believe this hurricane to be a wake up call to politicians on the economy. To send a hurricane to harm hundreds and destroy billions of dollars worth in this economy is just insane. Instead of blaming God for adding to this bad economy, why not show us the Christian love that you so profess to have. Go to the effected areas and help then rebuild. Rebuild their homes, their lives, and even, maybe, their souls.

One of her spokespersons later said "Obviously she was saying it in jest." Given her view, it's not that obvious. And you JEST about blaming God? Blame God when you do not get the nomination or the Presidency. I hope Christian America noticed.

.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

GOProud just blew it.

Recently, while checking out one of my followed blogs, I ran across this. Joe.my.God reports that GOProud Chairman, Chris Barron, tweeted "If Bachman is responsible for bullying in her district, is Pelosi responsible for STD's in her district? Just wondering."
WTF? This from a Gay man? I could feel the steam start coming from my ears {you know, like an old cartoon character}. I was left speachless. One comment I liked was from LKINDC. "If Pelosi was running around telling people that condems were immoral and there was a spike in STD's in her district, then, yes it would be reasonable to ask if she bore some responsibility. She's not. So it isn't". As with much of the Republican party these days, Mr. Barron hasn't done his homework. Pelosi has spoken out against STD's and works on stopping the spread, whereas, Bachman does nothing to stop the spread of bullying.  She spreads it! She has even worked against anti-bullying efforts in her own home district. While were at it, on the subject of STD's, Chris Barron should check other fellow Republicans.
State Senator Ruben Diaz {R.-New York}, you know, the one who calls himself "Senator Reverend"? Well, he is against NYC's proposed Sex Education Program. Now it is noteworthy that his own home district, the Bronx, has the highest HIV rate in the nation. So who's really responsible for STD's in their district, Mr. Barron?

I do not understand why any homosexual albeit Far Right, Conservative, Moderate, Left-wing, would choose to even use a slap like STD's. With many of our brothers and sisters dead or dying of these dieases, how or why would any self respecting Homosexual would go to such extremes. You, sir, have just lost my respect. In a recent blog, I stated my support for GOProud. The way CPAC treated you was unfair. But you have just been unfair to your community. You are no better than the vile, disgusting bullies that taunt our community. For you to put that out there into cyberspace? For some red-neck fool to read? I hope that there aren't any sick or dying in there neighborhood.
And for those of you questioning Joe.my.God for reporting this? Be glad someone is out there looking for the crack-nuts. we need to be informed of any hate that is spread to our community. I thank you Joe. Keep up the good work.
If this is the shared believe of GOProud members, then they have no reason to ask why CPAC tossed them out. If not, then time to rethink whos your Chairperson.

Monday, August 8, 2011

NOM's Marriage Pledge...possible? I don't think so.

Romney, Bachman, Pawlenty have all put their name to a piece of paper that I say has less use than toilet paper. It states that if elected President, they pledge to do 3 things

*Federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
*Defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court.
*Commission an investigation into the harassment of traditional marriage supporters.

The one that has me laughing is the Constitutional Amendment. Authority to amend the Constitution comes from Article V of the Constitution. I do not think these people have done their homework. If they did, they would know the President has NOTHING to do with this process. I honestly think they believe none of us red-neck, bible toting, backwoods Americans know this. Well yee-haw! Allow me to introduce you to the process.

Article V of the Constitution states:
*Congress shall propose an amendment to the Constitution.
*It shall take a 2/3's vote in the House and Senate.
*The Archivist of the United States then shall notify the State Governors.
*The Governors shall notify their State Legislators.
*It then becomes law after being ratified by three-fourths of the States.

In today's culture of 2011, that would mean that 38 of the 50 States need to ratify and 13 to kill the deal. As of right now? 9 States allow Same Sex Marriage. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont. California is on its way.
Although the President is not required to sign it into law, they may do so as pure ceremony. i.e.: President Johnson with the 24th and 25th amendments and President Nixon along with 3 young scholars with the 26th amendment.
I shutter with fear on the last one. The Commission to Investigate. That just sounds too Nazi-istic S.S. for me. Shades of the 1950's Senator McCarthy's Red Scare. To those too young, that's the Rooting out of Communism that destroyed half of Hollywood. Homo sexuals were included.

The one thing this paper fails to mention is the divorce rate destroying traditional marriage. The divorce rate among traditional marriage is between 41-50%. States that recognise Same Sex Marriage, the rate is 41.2%, States that do not recognise Same Sex Marriage, the rate is 50.3%. Massachusetts, which has recognised since 2004, the rate of divorce has actually gone down20.7%.

So sign on my friends. As your friends all get divorced and leave their traditional marriages, what are YOU doing to save them? As they are becoming "One Parent" households, what are YOU doing to help them? NOM leaders say it should be up to the people. Well, which is it? Up to the people or a Congressional Constitutional Amendment? You say one thing, yet, do another. Shades of the 2000 election. FLIP-FLOP. You should be focusing more on whats causing this rise in Traditional Divorce Rate. Focusing more on the Economy. Focusing more on the two war fronts. Instead? your focusing on one small minute part of American Culture. But I guess that's your back-door way of tossing in your Fundamentalists Religious views. So, if you want to use the Constitution against law abiding Americans, use it all. Remember, there is a separation of Church and State in the Constitution.
I want you to know that we're watching. Sum of us aint that stoopid. We's know when yer lyin' ta us. Later Gaters!









5

A Message to Fudamentalist..and whoever wants to read.

Many of you know that the Lord comes first..the gay second. But what most of you don't know is that I did go to a Missionary school. I was studying to be a Bible based Counselor. Lately, while listening to all the rhetoric from the far right on gay community and bible law, I have had placed on my heart to write to the far right fundies. All my friends, bear with me on this. Enjoy the reading. This is a bit wordy. But trust me y'all! I do have a pointive message.

Luke 10:30-37:Then Jesus answered and said:"A certain man went down to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who robbed him, stripped him of his clothes, wounded him, and left him for dead. Now by chance a certain priest saw him and passed by on the other side of the road. Likewise a Levite came, looked at him, and passed on the other side as well. But a certain Samaritan came and saw him and had compassion.So he went to him, bandaged him, poured oil and wine on the wounds, brought him to an inn and took care of him. So which of these three was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And they answered "He who showed mercy on him" and Jesus said "Go and do likewise."

Little history here...Samaritans were the most hated people at the time. Travellers would go miles out of their way to avoid Samaria. Why use a Samaritan? Read on.

This story may be the most misinterpreted of all the parables of Jesus. This is not just a story of a traveller doing a good deed. If that was the case, then no reason to make the "good" man a Samaritan. Any ordinary decent man would have done just as well. But a Samaritan? This turns the world upside down.
This is a story about the doer, not the deed.This is a story about the Kingdom of God. Jesus is telling His audience that the Kingdom of God will turn human values and judgments upside down.
Old ideas will be reversed.  A person who was once despised (the Samaritan[homosexual]) will be held up as an example. Traditionally revered figures (Priest and Levites[fundamentalist]) and attitudes will be rejected.
This is not a condemnation story on the Priest and Levites. their behavior is consistent with what they stand for--ritual holiness as a mark of respect for Gods law and worship.
But Jesus condemns people who scrupulously follow an external law rather than be guided by internal conscience. It is a damning indictment of comfortable, entrenched  prejudices, and a clarion call to adopt the new values, the new ways of living, that will be the Kingdom of God.

And just as in John 4:6-28, We see Jesus speaking with a woman at the well. A Samaritan woman. She, herself, is marveled that a Jew is speaking to her. Jesus even calls her out. "Go to your husband..." "I have no husband..." Jesus says right you are "For the man you live with is not your husband, you have had five." This is a grave sin in these days. Throughout this whole story, even after she recognised that He was the Messiah, do we see Jesus asking her to repent of her sins? No. He accepted the  Samaritan woman as she was. A SAMARITAN.

Time will come that the Fundamentalist Christian will know that ALL are accepted into the Kingdom of God. Yes, we Samaritans, not all faithful followers mind you, are loved by Jesus.

When I came out to myself, I remember the weeping and wailing I did.  I screamed at God for doing this to me. Why do you have me here at this school full of Pharisees and Levites? Why must I be gay in this Christian world that hates me? And the answer I received was "Do not hate yourself my child. I have big plans for you. I do not make
mistakes. It is all for my plan."  I believe the Lord came to me as a Samaritan at the well. Who cares if I'm Samaritan [homosexual]. go and do His work. Go into Samaria [gay community] and draw others unto Him. It has been my mission, up to now, to show Gods love to a hurt community. Too many Pharisees and Levites [fundamentalist] condemn instead of love. This is the story of the "Good Samaritan" The Pharisees and Levites condemned. the Samaritan Loved. I hope to always be that Samaritan.

*please note that Bible references are from the KJV {King James Version} with paraphrasing by me.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

GOProud. Not my cup o' tea, yet gets my support.

Recently, our Republican side of the Family has been slapped in the face. Now as a long standing Democrat, and a Kennedy style one at that, I need to say something in their defense. GOProud is the Republican Gay group and they were told by CPAC , the Conservative Political Action Committe, that they were not going to be invited or allowed to join the next convention. Now, they may enter as individuals, just not as a group in whole. Is this another attempt to quiet the gay population? You be the judge. They are not out their pushing for any "gay agenda" in the GOP. They are there for the same purpose. The same beliefs as other fellow Republicans. They too would like the removal of Obama. They too are pushing for more conservatism in the political arena. Nowhere is it found that they are pushing gay rights, marriage rights, DADT, DOMA.

It just seems that the good ole boys in the GOP don't like gays. PERIOD. When you have groups like Focus on the Family saying that they are working on CPAC problems from the inside, and this arises, what is one to think?  What problems? Here is a group the fully supports the Republican party. More so than most everyday Joe Die Hard Repubs. When Focus was on Capitol Hill recently, for the DOMA hearings, their spokesperson said he didn't see where it caused harm. SHOT DOWN. Now to reload, they go after their own supporters. Why do I hear a line from The Wizard of Oz? "I'll get you my pretties! And your little dog Toto, too!"

Just the other day, Conserva-nut Ann Coulter, was on T.V. On the Joy Behar Show, {love her!}. "Enough of the "Gay" already", she exclaimed. "Why are they pushing it down our throats?" "Stop it." Well, as one of the main speakers in CPAC, did or does she know of GOProud? Most GOProud members support her. Believe in her. She can't even defend them? NoWay! Their Gay!!!!!!! "It makes me sick" {Her words}.

Well, to my Republican brothers and sisters, I say "Hats Off". You go kids! You will have THIS Democrats support from now on. I used to think "What the hell? Are they nuts? How can you support the Repubs that don't like you?" You are in the midst of the largest group of Bulliers in America. The Bully pulpit of Teddy Roosevelt is not the same anymore. Its used to discriminate. To demean. To degrade. From the inside.
To be able to support a group that knowingly hates, knowingly goes against the Constitution and discriminates, takes loads of courage. More courage than I believe I have. Kudos and Standing ovation to you all!!

Friday, July 29, 2011

And to the Republic..........not DEMOCRACY!

If you've ever said the Pledge of Allegiance then you've said.."And to the Republic for which it stands..." Rather interesting that word republic, don't you think? Oh trust me. I do have a rant and rave. I will get to it soon, I promise. But first,let me give the definitions of the two words republic and democracy.

Republic: A Government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them.
Democracy:  Government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.

A Republic State is one in which the people elect representatives to perform the job of governing.  One in which we trust our leaders to do the jobs for us.

A Democratic State is one in which All eligible people have equal say in decisions that affect their lives. ie: development and passage of legislation into law.

Now here's where I really get started..
THE UNITED STATES IS A REPUBLIC NOT A DEMOCRACY!
Article IV of the Constitution "guarantee's to every State in the Union a Republican form of Government"
Recently, here in California, our Governor signed legislation that requires LGBT history to enter our history books in the near future. There has been an outcry of Fundamentalist. They are going to start a petition drive to have it on the ballot to stop this legislation. Do they not trust their government to do its job? Do they not trust the Republic? It just seems to me that there has been a lot of temper tantrums lately.
And what with the Marriage of New York? NO NO NO! Mustn't do that. We don't like it. WAHHHH! Dear God in Heaven....wait until it happens Federally. We've elected people to do a job and we have the nerve to say we can do it better? If you can do it better, than get off your butts and run for the job yourself. Show me your stuff. Convince me to elect you.In the mean time....live by the Pledge that you so hardily defend....
"And to the REPUBLIC for which it stands. One Nation,... indivisible, with liberty and justice for all"
Oh dear me..did I just say the words liberty, justice, for all, in the same sentence? I feel another blog coming on. See ya later kids.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

365gay.com | DADT repeal certified by Obama, waiting period begins

365gay.com DADT repeal certified by Obama, waiting period begins
6..5..4..3..2..1..Ok...so from this date we have 60 days. Hmm...September 20th. It is my underlying belief that the Prez has method behind his madness. A thought to ponder for you all. Could the Prezman be sending the Republicans a message? Now...remembering we are discussing DOMA (Defense of marriage act) in the Senate...how many of our serving Homosexual brothers and sisters have spouses? Is Mr. Obama forceing their hand? Could the Prezman be setting them up? Setting up for what, you asked? Well ponder this my little chik-a-dees! How many times during the Bush Admnistration and this on-going war, have we been told that we need to support the soldier in every way we can? Now how will it look if the repeal of DOMA fails on a Republican majority? It was under this same majority that Mr. Clinton signed it into law. HIS hands were tied. How will it look if we allow them to serve, yet not introduce their spouse. Not have the same benefits as the other soldiers. Not be allowed medical, death benefits, houseing, etc. If we want the repeal of DOMA in the United States, then this is a sure-fire method of haveing it done. No Republican, or any politician for that matter, wants to be construde as not supporting an American Soldier. Brilliant plan Mr. President! Ok...so from this date we have 60 days. Hmm...September 20th. The repeal of DOMA perhaps? The plot thickens! More to follow my friends, more to follow.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to certify that gays can serve openly in the armed services

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to certify that gays can serve openly in the armed services
WELL ITS ALMOST TIME!!!!!!!!WOOOOHOOOOOO! I only wish I wasn't too old and too overfat. I would rejoin my Air Force in a heartbeat. The count down has begun. 10..9..8..7..

Gay marriage: President Obama backs repeal of Defense of Marriage Act - latimes.com

Gay marriage: President Obama backs repeal of Defense of Marriage Act - latimes.com
If this wins...What would we do then with DADT? yes its ok to be married yet dont introduce the married spouse to your fellow soldiers? You can't have military benefits? If some has an idea, feel free to comment. I am so hopeing that the Prez just isn't courting our vote again!

DOMA: Repealing Defense of Marriage Act is cast as a civil rights matter - latimes.com

DOMA: Repealing Defense of Marriage Act is cast as a civil rights matter - latimes.com
God bless John Lewis{D-Ga.}. I've been saying this and will continue to say this. "It is a civil rights matter."
I have always thought the religious right would turn this into a "straight water fountain-gay water fountain" thing. SHAME SHAME on America for calling for the rights of people in other countries yet ignores the rights of her own.

Prosecutor will seek to quash 'gay panic' defense in Oxnard slaying - latimes.com

Prosecutor will seek to quash 'gay panic' defense in Oxnard slaying - latimes.com Well, I'll keep following this as its an important piece. This is a test of a California law that hasn't yet been used.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

GodHates......Whoa! Wait just a minute!

Gay Pride Weekend. Gay Pride parade. Cage in the corner? WTF? Oh I see. It's not to keep them from us...it's to keep us from them. To protect them from us radicals. And just who is them? Them are the Christians. Now don't get me wrong. I love the Lord. God comes 1st. The Gayness comes 2nd. so I am not going to bash them in any sense of the word. I understand their hardfelt beliefs. But I just have a few questions. A few Questions that I'm sure will ruffle a few panties. Maybe snap a few jock straps.

I would like to start off by asking them where in the Bible does it say to pick whatever scripture you chose to accept and ignore the rest? What part of God do you accept and what part stays on a shelf? SNAPPP! Hear that? Jock straps are starting now. OK Ready? Here we go.

1. Exodus 21:7..I would like to sell my daughter into slavery. Whats a fair market value at todays prices?
2. Leviticus 15:19-24..I'm not allowed contact with a woman during her menstral uncleanliness. How do I tell? May I ask her? Will it risk me getting a slap in the face?
3. Exodus 35:2..My neighbor works on the Sabbath. How shall they be put to death? Am I oblgated to do it?
4. Leviticus 21:20..I can not approach the alter of God if I have a defect in my eye. Does my wearing glasses count? Will He know if I wear contacts? Maybe if I use the blue ones.
5. Leviticus 19:19..Do not wear garment of mixed cloth. WHAT? That screws me. I'm a child of the 70's. I have a closet full of polyester/cotton blends.
6. Leviticus 24:10-16..regarding the above, is it really that necessary to call the towns people together to stone me? It'll take some time. Long Beach is a big town.
7. Leviticus 11:6-8..Touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean. Oh boy. Does this mean I can't play football anymore. And those poor teams out of business. Wait! That's a good thing. Games are on Sunday.
8. Leviticus 19:7..What do all my male friends and I do now? todays hairstyles are short. We all have our hair trimmed around the temples.

One of my biggest issue with Fundamentalist Christians will always be in New Testament Scripture. Romans Chapter 13. In a nutshell...."Let everyone be subject to governing authorites: for there is no authority except what God has established. Rebelling against the authority is rebelling against God." How many of you drive the freeways and keep up with the traffic? Authority says NO! You are to do the posted speed limit. How many of you park close to the church and cut acrossed the street? Authority says NO! You are to walk to the nearest corner as to not jaywalk. How many of you have taken one extra straw at the counter when the sign says one per customer? Crossed on a flashing red hand? Crossed on a solid red hand when the light for cars was green? We can go on and on and on. If you can't follow the rules and laws of the authority you can see (MAN), how can He expect you to follow the rules and laws of one you can't see (GOD).
Jesus, in scripture, says that He has not come to change the law but to add to it. "Love one another as I have loved you."

And while we're on this subject.....Westboro Baptist Church.
One of the greatest violators of one of the harshest warnings Jesus the Christ ever preached.
With their signs of "God hates Fags." Jesus preached as recorded in Matthew 5:22...
"But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother raca, shall be in danger of the council."
Raca is only used here this one time. Never seen in scripture again. the Jewish people used it as a word of contempt. It's root meaning is "to spit". It means vain, empty, worthless.
For those of us who belive on the Lord Jesus the Christ...pray for Westboro Baptist that they soon come to the full understanding of the Bible.
And now?.....I do believe I hear the sound of people yelling all around the world as those jockstraps snap and those panties bunch.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless before His kingdom with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior be glory and majesty forever. Amen.

America,Christian Nation. Or is it?

LGBT Pride month. Gave me pause to think. Christians don't like me. They seem to think that because I live in a Christian nation..OH WAIT! Do I? Is this a Christian nation or a nation built on Religious Freedoms? America's founders believed religious freedom to be the "First Liberty". The 1st. amendment to the Constitution and the 1st. Bill of Rights both state that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof."

James Madison wrote in his "Memorial and Remonstance": "The religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these might dictate. This right is in it's nature an unalienable right."

The Williamsburg Charter states: "The First Amendment religious provision has a logical and historical priority to the Bill of Rights. Logical because the security of all rights rest upon the recognition that they are neither given by the state, nor can they be taken away by the state. Such rights are inherent to the inviolability of the Human Person. History demonstrates that unless these rights are protected, our Society's slow, painfull process towards freedom would not have been possible."

Let's do a small minute history lesson. Puritans and Quakers were the first to form the original 13 colonies. They actually were looking for a place to practice their own beliefs. Fleeing state run religions in their homelands. Suddenly there was persecution here in the colonies. Who knew that the same Puritans that fled Mother England would be the cause.
They wanted people to worship their way. Those not conforming were fined, banished, whipped, or imprisoned.{Hmm..sounds familiar}. Eventually, though, this came to an end. More and more people coming to America had their own beliefs. Baptist, Roman Catholics, Lutherens, Prebyterians, Judaism, Buddahism, etc. Yes, even the slaves of Africa brought their own beliefs.

People from all over the world wanted the freedom that was found in America. As a result, religious persection was ending and religious freedoms was beginning. I am proud to live in a country where one is allowed to practice their beliefs. Be it Christian, Mormonism, Shintoism, and yes, even Islam. We were built on the belief that we are the melting pot of the world. Not the clay mold of Puritanism. Today we would call that Fundamentalism.

We may have been founded by Christians, but it was these same Christian that gave the ForeFathers pause to think. To think on freedoms. As they were a mixed bag of beliefs themselves, they wanted above all else to let every man, woman, child to have the same mixed bag of beliefs. Whatever they believed.

"All men are created equal. And they are endowed by their Creator with certain....." One singular word. One word shows that we are not a forced Christian America. Their. Their Creator. Not the Creator. Whatever Creator they believe in. Not just the Christian God.

As I stated in he beginning. Christians don't like me. I'm Gay. But that's another blog. For now? God bless you..Shalom...Inshallah...May the force be with you...Live long and prosper.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

President proclaims LGBT Pride month

Well, so our President has proclaimed June 2011 as LGBT Pride month. Yes, I do belive we have had many strides since he has taken office. What with the repeal of DADT, no discrimination in the Federal workplace or Federal housing and all. But, Pride? To be proud?
Since taking office, state after state has taken or passed constitution bans on our rights. Take the right to marry for instance: Arkansa, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, and yes even the most liberal of all...OREGON, have all passed constitutional ammendments against gay marriage. Louisianas ban has been proclaimed unconstitutional by a Federal court.
Lawsuits persuing to gain these rights have been filed in: California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and yes the most liberal of all...Oregon. Courts in favor of marriage are Massachusetts, Vermont, Alaska, and Hawaii. The latter two being overridden by their own state constitutions.

Now to the right of adoption: Florida and Utah have both passed laws that state Gender Specific. ie: no same sex couples. North Carolina says that no unmarried shall adopt. We know what that means. Hooray for the states that do not care. California, Connecticut, Illinois (Which just adopted civil unions), Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington D.C. and yes that liberal of state...Oregon.

Since the repeal of DADT (Thats Dont ask Dont tell for those who dont like initials) the military still hasn't implemented it. It has, to the time of this post, been 163 days since President Obama signed it. Lawyers still aren't sure if "I'm a Homosexual" will still be admitted into service. If passed Dischargees will be readmitted. I was under the impression that our President was Commander in Chief? Hmmm, disobeying an order are we? The Navy institutes marriage on bases where states allow it, then strips that away one week later. Confused? I know I am.***see below

Now to the biggest one of all. At least to me. BULLYING. In his proclamation, the President mentions great strides. Great strides? Sir, the rate of teen suicides is on the rise. When will it end? More and more kids are being bullied on a dailey basis. Bullies are getting away with it. More and more teachers and principles are turning a blind eye. We send our kids to school to be taught not taunted. It ends when laws are passed to make it illegal. Illegal to bully, illegal to ignore. Bullies and their accomplices ( teachers, principles, any adult that ignores it) need to be held accountable for any teen or child committing suicide from being bullied.

Pride? To be proud? Yes I'm proud of my passed LGBT communities for standing up for their rights. Harry Hay and the Mattichine Society in the 1950's. Stonewall Drag queens in the 1960's. Harvey Milk in the 1970's. But as of late? It's time to take up a battle cry and reclaim the rights and fight for new rights that we are garaunteed as Americans.

As our Forefathers said, " All men are created equal. And they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".
***Footnote.....As of July 22, 2011 President Obama and the Military leaders of the United States have formalized the repeal of DONT ASK DONT TELL.