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.