We do learn by experience, but by our capacity for experience.
--The Buddha
8/31/13
This video shows the effects of the Syrian govt. using napalm on a school. It brings to life the moral dilemma Obama faces: do we make the murderous Syrian pay a price for its use of chemical weapons & risk a wider war? This isn't easy
Watch this video to understand what is happening in Syria. The suffering of these children is unimaginable.
I am not sure what we should do. However, I do believe we should have a debate in Congress over this issue. What do you think?
8/30/13
As it should be: this next generation of LGBT young people are going to have remarkably normal lives...
...getting married, filing their taxes together, serving in the military if they want to, and being protected (if they live in blue states) from all sorts of discrimination.
And we gain more of our rights, we must remember our journey from America's most despised minority and have empathy for those who are not treated equally -- and do everything we can to make this country a good place to live for all its citizens.
Finished another of Colum McCann books, "Let the Great World Spin". I recommend it
Colum understand human nature, its fragile beauty and deep shadows. His prose is beautiful but not florid, and he knows how to weave a compelling story together. I love this book.
Intrepid CBS reporter Bruce Dunning died recently. He happened to be gay
From CBS:
He is best remembered for his award-winning and dramatic report on March 29, 1975 aboard a 727 World Airways jet attempting to rescue refugees from the airport in Da Nang, South Vietnam. The five-and-a-half-minute report -- long even then for a television evening news segment -- was broadcast on the "CBS Evening News" Saturday edition anchored by Dan Rather, who introduced Dunning's segment with the words "Da Nang has become a Dunkirk." His report, dubbed "Back from Da Nang," won the Overseas Press Club's "Best TV News Spot from Abroad" award and was recently named to the Columbia University Journalism School's 100 Great Stories list. Dunning also shared in a collective OPC award for CBS News radio coverage of the last days of the war.
Quote of the day...on being a minority
"I became a Ford model, and let’s just say the locker room looked very different. I was the minority in almost every sense of the word. I was a minority as a black man, I was a minority as a muscular man with an 18-inch neck, and I was a minority as a straight man."--Sean James, a former NFL running back who became an elite model
8/29/13
Oh, what a feeling! the 9th Federal Circuit Court unanimously upholds CA's landmark law to ban ex-gay 'therapy' on minors
I am personally elated about this great news for LGBT youth in California, from the Court today:
In resolving two separate legal challenges to the new law, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court rejected the arguments of a group of 'Christian' therapists and families who sued to block its enforcement. The three-judge panel was unanimous in upholding the statute, the first of its kind in the nation.
"(It) does not violate the free speech rights of practitioners or minor patients, is neither vague nor overbroad and does not violate parents' fundamental rights," Judge Susan Graber wrote for the court.
The therapists and families sued over the ban, arguing that it violates the free speech rights of therapists to discuss gay conversion with young patients, and families argued that the law tramples on religious freedoms to seek therapy to convert their children from homosexuality. The law barred licensed mental health professionals from using the therapy on those under the age of 18.A year ago, my CA LGBT therapist friends and I were working our butts off to pass this first law of its type in the world, through the state's legislature as well as get Governor Brown to sign it. It was tough-going but we did it. And today, the Federal Court for the 9th Circuit sided with us, the California Psychological Association, and others -- to protect CA minors from these harmful ex-gay practices. This ruling should encourage other states to enact similar laws to those of CA and NJ.
Most importantly, thousands of gay kids in California will be safe-guarded from this psycho-quackery. Bravo!
8/28/13
I enjoy watching Project Runway as much as I do reading my car magazines. Oh, the freedom of being a gay man in 2013...
Project Runway's Season 12 is wonderful: talented contestants, interesting personalities, and lots of cool challenges. If you haven't watched this show before, it is a showcase for creativity and entrepreneurial American spirit. I love it.
Often, the most anti-gay people are dealing with sexual identity problems of their own. Ricky Martin explains...
"I was very angry, very rebellious. I used to look at gay men and think, I'm not like that, I don't want to be like that, that's not me. I was ashamed. When you're told you're wrong by everyone, from society, from your faith - my self-esteem was crushed. I took my anger out on those around me. I look back now and realize I would bully people who I knew were gay. I had internalized homophobia. To realize that was confronting to me. I wanted to get away from that."- Ricky Martin, speaking to GQ Australia.
8/27/13
Putin and his government are surprised that the gays (and our allies) are fighting back. Here are a few things that we can do to increase the pressure on Russia...
Watch this interview with Russian LGBT activist Masha Gessen, who believes that Putin has been surprised by the recent, strong international backlash to his anti-gay policies.
1. She believes that anything that activists do -- boycotts, rallies, social media action -- will help pressure the Russians from passing even more repressive and homophobic laws. We need to keep doing things and then tweet Putin (@KremlinRussia_E) and the Russian Olympic committee (@sochi2014) about them. Yes, let them know the world is watching.
2. Activist Nikolay Alekseyev argues that the LGBT activists should lobby Western governments to stop issuing travel visas for Russian government officials who promote these hateful laws. Let's make them pay a personal cost for their anti-gay rhetoric (by not allowing them to visit or shop in the West). Read his convincing commentary here.
3. According to Masha, the 2014 Winter Olympics is Putin's pet project. We should pressure big Olympic corporate sponsors (as well as the spineless International Olympic Committee) to speak out and continue to pushback on its Russian hosts.
4. Olympic athletes should go to Sochi and participate fully in the Games. But they also should find creative, peaceful ways -- same-sex hand-holding and kissing -- to send a clear message to the world: that the LGBT are human beings too, and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity by all people, no matter what some cultures or religions say. In my wildest dreams, I would love to see thousands of Olympic athletes wave rainbow flags at the closing ceremonies of Sochi. That would be really gay!
No matter what you do, keep standing up for the LGBT for everywhere!
1. She believes that anything that activists do -- boycotts, rallies, social media action -- will help pressure the Russians from passing even more repressive and homophobic laws. We need to keep doing things and then tweet Putin (@KremlinRussia_E) and the Russian Olympic committee (@sochi2014) about them. Yes, let them know the world is watching.
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2. Activist Nikolay Alekseyev argues that the LGBT activists should lobby Western governments to stop issuing travel visas for Russian government officials who promote these hateful laws. Let's make them pay a personal cost for their anti-gay rhetoric (by not allowing them to visit or shop in the West). Read his convincing commentary here.
3. According to Masha, the 2014 Winter Olympics is Putin's pet project. We should pressure big Olympic corporate sponsors (as well as the spineless International Olympic Committee) to speak out and continue to pushback on its Russian hosts.
4. Olympic athletes should go to Sochi and participate fully in the Games. But they also should find creative, peaceful ways -- same-sex hand-holding and kissing -- to send a clear message to the world: that the LGBT are human beings too, and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity by all people, no matter what some cultures or religions say. In my wildest dreams, I would love to see thousands of Olympic athletes wave rainbow flags at the closing ceremonies of Sochi. That would be really gay!
No matter what you do, keep standing up for the LGBT for everywhere!
8/26/13
Life is always surprising: watch this must-see video from Kristin Chenoweth's concert at the Hollywood Bowl
from Towleroad:
At last night's concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Kristin Chenoweth chose a random audience member to join her on stage for a performance of "For Good" from Wicked.
The audience member (also, a voice teacher) Sarah Horn, explains:
Toward the end of the second half of the performance, Kristin wanders on to the pasarel. She held a mic up to a lady in front of me and asked if she knew the song "For Good." Nope. I took the chance, as I was directly behind Kristin, to stand up and wave and say, "I know the song!"
This is not like me - to jump up and wave my arms like a crazy person and raise my voice at a celebrity. As soon as she turned to look at me, I say right back down... and calmly said, "Hiiiii." ...
This is not like me - to jump up and wave my arms like a crazy person and raise my voice at a celebrity. As soon as she turned to look at me, I say right back down... and calmly said, "Hiiiii." ...
After this, she moved down the line and asked a guy if he knew the song and bantered with him for a few seconds. Afterwards, she said something about going back to pick me because I was a girl. Then, she invited me up on stage.
I sat there for a moment, stunned. Then the backup singer motioned for me to get up. I shot up out of my chair as my heart leaped up past my throat and started beating in my ears. I don't really remember what happened between the box and when I first set foot onstage except that there was now a microphone in my hand.
I sat there for a moment, stunned. Then the backup singer motioned for me to get up. I shot up out of my chair as my heart leaped up past my throat and started beating in my ears. I don't really remember what happened between the box and when I first set foot onstage except that there was now a microphone in my hand.
Kristin had no idea what was to come. And that's pretty much where the video picks up.
8/16/13
Why are LGBT equality activists pushing so hard on Russia?
- Russia is part of Europe and the G8, which is the elite club of rich and powerful countries. Mother Russia has considerable influence; it is not just another developing country like Uganda or Pakistan, which treat the LGBT even worse.
- Russia is hosting two important world sporting events in the next 5 years, drawing billions of spectators: the Winter Olympics in 2014 and the World Cup in 2018.
- Putin's popularity is slipping and he is using homophobia and antigay laws to buoy his political support. If Putin wants Russia to be respected as a great power by the world, he needs to earn that respect by treating all his citizens well and stop the bullying of gays.
Let's go to Sochi and find peaceful ways to remind the world that gay people are being mistreated there and everywhere. This is a teachable moment.
Joe
Zen lesson
"For thirty years God was my mirror, now I am my own mirror. What I was I no longer am, for 'I' and 'God' are a denial of God's unity.Since I no longer am, God is his own mirror. He speaks with my tongue, andI have vanished."-Al-Bistami
Olympian Nick Symmonds is living proof that being a straight ally for the LBGT makes you more sexy
A (straight) man for all seasons...and occasions.:)
Photos via Queety
Quote of the day
I know this feeling that Frank describes:
"After all the education that we Americans have had and all the relished progress we’ve made, being gay does mean feeling constrained in situations where most people aren’t, scared in circumstances that wouldn’t frighten others in the least, self-conscious when you shouldn’t have to be. Like when you’re holding someone’s hand. It’s the sweetest, most innocent and most natural of gestures: to interlock your fingers with those of a person for whom you’re feeling a sudden rush of affection. A person you maybe love. And yet when my partner takes my hand in public in New York City, I look at the sidewalk ahead. I note how many pedestrians are coming our way, and how quickly, and whether they’re male or female, young or old, observant or distracted. And I sometimes take my hand back, wishing I were braver, wishing our world didn’t ask me to be."
- Frank Bruni, in a New York Times essay which refers to a recent gay-bashing in Chelsea.
Via Joe.My.God
American beauty: Cadillac delivers a stunning concept car, showing even more momentum behind this brand
I have never owned an American car, but the latest offerings from Cadillac are tempting me from German and Japanese car-buying ways.
From the Detroit News:
From the Detroit News:
Cadillac debuted the Elmiraj Concept, a grand coupe expressing the pure enjoyment of driving and exploring new dimensions for Cadillac's ongoing expansion. The Elmiraj Concept showcases a new vision for luxury driving and the top of the brand's expanding range. (GM Corp)
8/15/13
In praise of male beauty...
While I couldn't acknowledge my same-sex attractions when I was 14, in 1974, I can celebrate them now.
More evidence that love is winning: Out gay boxer, Orlando Cruz, proposes to his partner
From GayStarNews:
Orlando Cruz, the first openly gay professional boxer, is engaged.
Cruz chose to propose to boyfriend Jose Manuel by posting a video on Facebook Wednesday (14 August) morning.
In it he says in part: 'I know you are a person that means a lot to me and that supports my career and respects it which is very important, but above all is always there giving me that push that I need.'
'I want to tell you that you are a very special person in my life. I am a little nervous, but I want to tell you and share with your friends and my friends, if you want to marry me. I want you to be part of my life and me be part of yours.'
Manuel gave Cruz the answer he was looking for in a video of his own: 'I accept marrying you because I love and adore you. You are very special in my life. You have made me really happy.'
Manuel said he was not expecting this proposal - especially on Facebook.
'I am very excited, all the world knows it and all the world will know it,' he said. 'Yes, I do want to marry you because I love you, I love you, I love you very much. We will keep going forward and you will see we will be very happy. I love you, ‘papi’, from my heart. Bye.'
8/14/13
Sheer courage: after winning a silver medal in the 800M at the World Champsionships in Russia, runner Nick Symmonds dedicated his win to the LGBT, challenging their anti-gay law
From Outsports:
A few days ago, middle distance runner Nick Symmonds for saying he was a gay ally, yet would remain silent about Russia's anti-gay laws while competing at the World Track and Field Championships in Moscow. But after taking the silver medal in the men's 800 meters, Symmonds was not silent, telling Russia's R-Sport he was dedicating his medal to his LGBT friends back home:
"As much as I can speak out about it, I believe that all humans deserve equality as however God made them," he told R-Sport after running a 1:43.55 at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. "Whether you're gay, straight, black, white, we all deserve the same rights. If there's anything I can do to champion the cause and further it, I will, shy of getting arrested."
My dad, a famous track and field coach in the 1970s, is proud of Nick on both accounts. Me, too."I respect Russians' ability to govern their people," he said Tuesday. "I disagree with their laws. I do have respect for this nation. I disagree with their rules."
8/13/13
A Navy officer proposes to his same-sex boyfriend upon disembarking from his ship after a long deployment
From the New Civil Rights Movement:
A sailor in the U.S. Navy returning from a six-month deployment stepped onto the dock, got down on one knee, and proposed to his boyfriend as hundreds of fellow service members, friends, and family members looked and applauded. Petty Officer 2nd Class Jerrel Revel yesterday proposed to Dylan Kirchner, and later said, “I didn’t really care everybody was around. It felt just like the two of us.”
8/12/13
Young gay people are advancing the movement for equality by being unapolegitically themselves...
...building on the contributions of previous generations. Just the way they should be doing it.
Check out this BBC story about how Pope Francis might be following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul XXIII, the great doctrinal reformer of Vatican II
One can hope that this proves to be true. Listen to the BBC report, starting at the 11:45 minute mark.
Andrew Sullivan's call to arms over Russia's anti-gay hatred: "Putin wants the attention of the world in Sochi. Let’s make sure he gets it." Time to act-up!
I’m not generally in favor of boycotts, but I am in favor of civil disobedience. What we have is an invitation to legitimate protest in Sochi. Unpack your rainbow flags! Get ready to be arrested! Expose the neo-fascist regime’s classic tactics to maintain popular support by demonizing an already despised and marginalized minority.
Putin wants the attention of the world in Sochi. Let’s make sure he gets it.--Andrew Sullivan
8/11/13
See this intelligent indie movie: The Spectacular Now
Critic Betsy Sharkey sums it up pretty well:
Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, as high school seniors Sutter and Aimee, bring such an authentic face of confidence and questioning, indifference and need, pain and denial, friendship and first love, that it will take you back to that time if you're no longer there, and light a path if you are.
How the Mormons gave up fighting marriage equality
After the passage of Prop. 8 in 2008, there was a huge backlash against the Mormon Church, which had directed its followers to make significant contributions to pass this anti-gay legislation. Well, the LGBT and their allies responded with fury, protesting across at Mormon temples across the country, targeting Mormon businesses that had given money to support Prop. 8, and calling for investigations into the use of LDS church assets and staff to support this political campaign (a big no-no for churches). Most surprising was the response from many Mormon families who criticized church leaders for alienating their own gay family members.
A big thanks to Fred Karger for going after the Mormon Church on their under-reported contributions to support Prop. 8.
Read more about the LDS church in this article from Mother Jones
8/10/13
Snapshot showing the extreme views of GOP voters
60% of GOP voters feel the party is about right or not conservative enough on marriage equality, immigration, abortion, and guns. How did the party of Lincoln or Eisenhower become this party of fear and intolerance?
8/9/13
Photo of the day
Masters of disguise. The Eastern Screech Owl is seen here doing what they do best. You better have a sharp eye to spot these little birds of prey. (Photo and caption by Graham McGeorge/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)
President Obama to honor two gay pioneers posthumously, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom: astronaut Sally Ride and civil rights leader Bayard Rustin
President Obama continues to honor and affirm the humanity of gay people in so many ways that no president has done before. Sally Ride and Bayard Rustin deserve this recognition for their invaluable contributions to this country.
Indeed, change has come for our community and will continue with Obama.
From Towleroad.com:
Two LGBT heroes are among 16 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom announced today by President Obama. The award is the nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
Pope Francis asks for the resignation of one of the most homophobic archbishops in Africa. This is another positive sign from the new leader in Rome
From the Daily Dish:
The resignation? From one of the most virulently homophobic bishops on the planet, Archbishop Simon Bakot of Yaoundé, former president of the National Bishops’ Conference of Cameroon. The resignation was announced by the Vatican:
Bishop Bakot did not resign for reason of age as Catholic bishops are required to do when they reach 75; he is only 66. Nor is he known to have been in ill health or under scrutiny for financial reasons or his own sexual misconduct. The sole reason he is famous is for his staunch opposition to gays. He lumps them with pedophiles and practitioners of bestiality and calls them an affront to God’s creation. He threatens to ‘out’ clergy he opposed by revealing their sexual orientation. He has even been a vocal public supporter of Cameroon’s national day of hatred of gays. The fact that his resignation was accepted the day after Francis’s now famous utterance casts new light on the Vatican’s stance toward gays.
8/7/13
Obama is NOT going to have a private summit with Putin after the G-20 meeting
Because of the Snowdon affair and the Russian anti-gay law, Obama will not have a private meeting with Putin.
Three examples of how the world is changing on LGBT rights...from today's headlines
Another story of acceptance of a gay couple by a formerly homophobic reality show contestant:
Kevin Keller from the Archie Comics kisses his boyfriend in front of an outraged mom.
Last night, on Jay Leno and President Obama discussed the situation the ugly anti-gay law in Russia and discrimination there and in other parts of the world:
Leno:
Obama:
Obama then brought up the situations he encountered on his recent trip to Africa:
When Leno asked him if it would affect the Olympics, Obama replied:
Via Towleroad.com
Kevin Keller from the Archie Comics kisses his boyfriend in front of an outraged mom.
Last night, on Jay Leno and President Obama discussed the situation the ugly anti-gay law in Russia and discrimination there and in other parts of the world:
Leno:
"This seems like Germany - let's round up the Jews, let's round up the gays, let's round up the...it starts with that. You round up people you don't like. Why isn't more of the world outraged at this?"
"I've been very clear that when it comes to universal rights, when it comes to people's basic freedoms, that whether you are discriminating on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, you are violating the basic morality that should transcend every country, and I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them.”
"What's happening in Russia is not unique. When I traveled to Africa there were some countries that are doing a lot of good things for their people, who we're working with and helping on development issues but in some cases have persecuted gays and lesbians and it makes for some uncomfortable press conferences sometimes but one of the things that I think is very important for me to speak out on is making sure that people are treated fairly and justly because that's what we stand for and I believe that's not a preset that's not just unique to America but should apply everywhere."
“I think Putin and Russia have a big stake in making sure that the Olympics work, and I think that they understand that for most of the countries that participate in the Olympics we wouldn’t tolerate gays and lesbians being treated differently. They are athletes. They are there to compete. If Russia wants to uphold the Olympic spirit, then every judgment should be made on the track or in the swimming pool or on the balance beam and people’s sexual orientation shouldn’t have anything to do with it."
8/6/13
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