1/31/13
The GOP's Aaron Schock on marriage equality. He's not impressive in any way...except for his abs
The press corner Congressman Schock on the marriage rights of gay people and he can't find any words. Interesting. This is from a man who reportedly spends hours each day in the gym but is "too busy" to date. This guy sounds like another GOP closet...
Why the Republican party has lost its way: "Yet it is the Gingrich, not the Reagan, style that characterizes much of conservatism today"
"Since 1965, arguably the most important conservative politician after Ronald Reagan is Newt Gingrich. He achieved some remarkable, impressive things. But he practiced a style of politics that was quite different from Reagan’s. It was characterized by apocalyptic and incendiary rhetoric, anger, impatience, and revolutionary zeal. While his positions on issues were often conservative, Gingrich’s temperament and approach were not. Yet it is the Gingrich, not the Reagan, style that characterizes much of conservatism today. It would be better for conservatism, and better for America, to recapture some of the grace, generosity of spirit, and principled politics of America’s 40th president," - Pete Wehner, Commentary.
1/30/13
The most inspiring documentary I have seen in the past year: "Searching for Sugar Man"
This story has it all -- beautiful music, disappointment, greed, intrigue, and redemption. See it on DVD or on-demand!
Another gay kid hangs himself after being bullied for years. Jadin Bell from Oregon
An Oregon teen was taken off life support after he attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from playground equipment at an elementary school. Jadin Bell, 15, was driven to take his own life because he was bullied for being homosexual, according to his family.
I am both furious and sad. We have to stop killing our LGBT youth by condemning the sexuality that nature or God gave them. We have to confront institutionalized homophobia everywhere we find it. We have to reach young people, like Jadin, and affirm them for exactly who they are...beautiful and whole!
1/29/13
Urgent: please contact the Boy Scouts now as they are asking for public feedback as they consider changing their policy to include gay scouts
Emails are also being accepted at nationsupportcenter@scouting.org. Or tweet them at @boyscouts
Phone calls are being answered at the National Service Desk at 972-580-2330. A representative will answer and ask if you are for or against the policy change.
It is time to show our support for gay kids who join the Boy Scouts. And as we change this pillar of institutionalized homophobia, we advance the whole LGBT equality movement...just like we did with the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell!
Contact BSA right now!
Diet Coke remembers that male sexiness sells. Watch their new commercial
Diet Coke has a tradition of using male beefcake to sell its less-than-healthy drink. See the commercial below from the 1990s. I am not drinking their stuff but I applaud their appreciation of male beauty:
1/28/13
Remembering the "Harvey Milk of Africa", David Kato. He was murdered two years ago
Just like Harvey, David was killed by homophobia, two years ago on Saturday. Let us remember this visionary and hopeful leader.
1/26/13
The Marines discover meditation and enjoy the benefits of it
The world is changing and in many good ways. Even the Marines are learning the benefits of calming your mind:
A study of those Marines subsequently published in the research journal Emotions found that they slept better, had improved athletic performance and scored higher on emotional and cognitive evaluations than Marines who did not participate in the program, which centers on training the mind to focus on the current moment and to be aware of one’s physical state.
Check out the full article here.
Here's a salute to the brave LGBT activists of Russia, who keep standing up for love. We see & support you!
We can continue to tweet the Russian government and embassies about the treatment of gay people and enactment of draconian anti-gay laws. I have exchanged messages with U.S. Ambassador to Russia about your plight. Keep in mind our good brothers and sisters in Russia.
1/24/13
1/23/13
No more hiding for Jacob Rudolph, a high school senior in NJ, who outs himself in front of his class
A profile in courage...and self-esteem. This young man is standing on the broad shoulders of many generations of gay people. Good for him and all of us.
"Sure I've been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I've been acting every single day of my life. You see, I've been acting as someone I'm not. Most of you see me every day. You see me acting the part of 'straight' Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT. Unlike millions of other LGBT teens who have had to act every day to avoid verbal harassment and physical violence, I'm not going to do it anymore. It's time to end the hate in our society and accept the people for who they are regardless of their sex, race, orientation, or whatever else may be holding back love and friendship. So take me leave me or move me out of the way. Because I am what I am, and that's how I'm going to act from now on."
Our fierce and vocal straight allies are also sexy
This British observer captures the momentousness of the President' s strong support for gay rights on Monday
The best inaugural addresses of presidents past can be reduced to a single phrase or line: "With malice toward none, with charity for all …" (Lincoln); "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (Roosevelt); "Ask not what your country can do for you …" (Kennedy).
Barack Obama's second inaugural may not be as enduring as those classics. But it will enter the history books for one line, perhaps even just one word: "Stonewall".Read Jason Farago's complete commentary on the significance of Obama's defense of LGBT people on Monday.
1/22/13
The power of being 'present' in your life. One of the secrets of Obama's success
Many people sleepwalk through life, always 5 seconds or minutes ahead. Not this President: he has enough sense to fully savor the moment. He sees a million people on the Mall, cheering him and democracy, and has enough presence of mind to soak it all in. That's one of the reasons why people connect with him so well: he's there and he sees you. He's not just waving.
1/21/13
Yesterday was one of the best days of my life...
I attended the inauguration and literally rubbed shoulders with all sorts of concerned and committed citizens, celebrating the second term of Barack Obama. Happily, we stood for hours in line, in the cold -- feeling the importance of the day and savoring the good cheer.
President Obama -- the man I supported with everything I got through two elections -- gave a full-throated endorsement of equality for the LGBT:
We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths –- that all of us are created equal –- is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.
Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well,”
Rev. Luis Leon gave a beautiful benediction, including reminding the world that the LGBT are made in God's image, just like everyone else:
We pray for your blessing because without it, we will see only what the eye can see. But with the blessing of your blessing we will see that we are created in your image, whether brown, black or white, male or female, first generation or immigrant American, or daughter of the American Revolution, gay or straight, rich or poor.
And then I finished the day surrounded by my close friends Tony and Chris, and spending the evening with my nephew Jason, who turned 22 years old yesterday, and eating delicious bundt and chocolate cake.
I don't think I have ever been prouder to be an America, an progressive and LGBT activist, and to be myself. Love is in the cold DC air...and in my heart.
Not all top athletes are ruthless and cheats. Introducing Ivan Fernandez Anaya, who is not only honest, he's sexy, too
From Spain's El Pais:
Two weeks ago, on December 2, Spanish athlete Iván Fernández Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. He was running second, some distance behind race leader Abel Mutai - bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the London Olympics. As they entered the finishing straight, he saw the Kenyan runner - the certain winner of the race - mistakenly pull up about 10 meters before the finish, thinking he had already crossed the line.
Fernández Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai's mistake to speed past and claim an unlikely victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let him cross first.
Three takes on Lance's narcissistic confession
1. Christine Brennan: "You almost wonder if he (Lance) has a heart or a soul":
2. Betsy Andreu, wife of former Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu, who Lance has maligned and attacked for 10 years for being one of the few people in cycling to tell the truth about his doping:
3. Saturday Night Live's take on Lance's admission:
2. Betsy Andreu, wife of former Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu, who Lance has maligned and attacked for 10 years for being one of the few people in cycling to tell the truth about his doping:
3. Saturday Night Live's take on Lance's admission:
1/20/13
Love makes my world go around...
My nephew Jason with my 1-year-old cousin Madeline, whom I both adore.
This morning, I am off to the Obama Campaign Legacy event: what we learned from the '08 & '12 campaigns and how to apply those lessons and resources for broad social change
It feels so satisfying to be in DC this weekend, being with upbeat Obama activists like myself. This portraits by Chuck Close of Obama are paintings, done by Chuck Close.
The Obama campaign resources are being relaunched as a nonprofit organization. I am going to a conference on this today. Check it out.
1/19/13
Zen lesson: a pathway to a 'direct experience of reality'...
Meditation, simply defined, is a way of being aware. It is the happy marriage of doing and being. It lifts the fog of our ordinary lives to reveal what is hidden; it loosens the knot of self-centeredness and opens the heart; it moves us beyond mere concepts to allow for a direct experience of reality. Meditation embodies the way of awakening: both the path and its fruition. From one point of view, it is the means to awakening; from another, it is awakening itself.
--Lama Surya Das via Tricycle.com
Quote of the day -- this one I heard in DC today, told by Martin Luther King III, at the Obama Day of Service event
"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."-- Horace Mann
1/17/13
1/16/13
Obama announces important gun control laws with these words: "since 20 precious children and six brave adults were violently taken from us at Sandy Hook, more than 900 of our fellow Americans have reportedly died at the end of a gun"
Watch President Obama Unveils Ambitious 23-Point Gun Control Plan on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
I am so proud that our president made the case for these modest gun restrictions with words:
In the month since 20 precious children and six brave adults were violently taken from us at Sandy Hook Elementary, more than 900 of our fellow Americans have reportedly died at the end of a gun -- 900 in the past month. And every day we wait, that number will keep growing.
So I’m putting forward a specific set of proposals based on the work of Joe’s task force. And in the days ahead I intend to use whatever weight this office holds to make them a reality, because while there is no law or set of laws that can prevent every senseless act of violence completely, no piece of legislation that will prevent every tragedy, every act of evil, if there is even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there’s even one life that can be saved, then we’ve got an obligation to try.
Keeping 'that loving feeling' going....with some helpful advice from the NYTimes
Check out this insightful article. I especially agree with this excerpt:
Studies by Richard E. Lucas and colleagues at Michigan State University have shown that the happiness boost that occurs with marriage lasts only about two years, after which people revert to their former levels of happiness — or unhappiness.
Infatuation and passion have even shorter life spans, and must evolve into “companionate love, composed more of deep affection, connection and liking,” according to Sonya Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside.
1/15/13
This is what fear and hatred of gay people looks like, brought to you by the National Organization for Marriage
So mean-spirited and shameful, NOM removed these videos from their homepage -- but they reside on Youtube for now.
1/14/13
Zen lesson: trusting one's intuition and living authentically
'If a man wishes to be sure of the road he travels on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark,'"--David Bryant
1/13/13
A taste of things to come...a poem by the gay Cuban-American poet for this inauguration, Richard Blanco. Witty and hilarious!
"When I was a Little Cuban Boy" by Richard Blanco:
O José can you see… that’s how I sang it, when I was
a cubanito in Miami, and América was some country
in the glossy pages of my history book, someplace
way north, everyone white, cold, perfect. This Land
is my Land, so why didn’t I live there, in a brick house
with a fireplace, a chimney with curlicues of smoke.
I wanted to wear breeches and stockings to my chins,
those black pilgrim shoes with shiny gold buckles.
I wanted to eat yams with the Indians, shake hands
with los negros, and dash through snow I’d never seen
in a one-horse hope-n-say? I wanted to speak in British,
say really smart stuff like fours core and seven years ago
or one country under God, in the visible. I wanted to see
that land with no palm trees, only the strange sounds
of flowers like petunias, peonies, impatience, waiting
to walk through a door someday, somewhere in God
Bless America and say, Lucy, I’m home, honey. I’m home.
Obama's choice of Blanco was inspired, with both men searching for meaning as sons of immigrants. Here is what the NYTimes said of Blanco's background:
Like many immigrant families, Mr. Blanco’s parents wanted a better life for their son. “The business was survival,” he said. He was instructed that he had three career choices: doctor, lawyer or engineer. He was “a whiz at math,” he said, so he chose engineering, suppressing his creative side (and his homosexuality) to win the approval of his grandmother, who thought he was too feminine.
As an engineer, Mr. Blanco helped design bridges, road improvements and an architectural site plan for City Hall in South Miami. But in his mid-20s, he said, he began asking himself questions about “identity and cultural negotiations and who am I, where do I belong, what is this stuff about Cuba my parents keep talking about?” Suddenly he felt “a deep need” to write.
Mr. Blanco decided to pursue a master’s degree in fine arts and creative writing, taking courses at night at Florida International University, where he had earned his engineering degree. His mentor there, Campbell McGrath (who also happens to be a childhood friend of Elizabeth Alexander, Mr. Obama’s first inaugural poet), said Mr. Blanco’s facility with numbers and structural design shines through in his writing.
1/11/13
Zen lesson: no longer resisting what is
To willingly reside in our distress, no longer resisting what is, is the real key to transformation. As painful as it may be to face our deepest fears, we do reach the point where it's more painful not to face them. This is a pivotal point in the practice life.
Daily Dharma for January 11, 2013
Ezra Bayda via Daily Dharma on Tricycle.com
An op-ed on growing up gay and Native American
Check out this op-ed by Zachary Pullin. He reaffirms the idea that, sometimes, one must leave their country and culture to discover himself or herself.
My past indicates that I am capable of embracing pride in my identity. While serving in the Peace Corps, I led a secret LGBTQ youth group in Orange Walk, Belize, a majority Catholic community. One of our biggest projects was painting a peace and equality mural, a large rainbow with words of love and acceptance inscribed within each color. This large expression of pride was incendiary; local preachers condemned my group and numerous threats were made on my life and job as a volunteer. As a safety precaution, I was rushed by Peace Corps to Belmopan, the capital.
During this time, I was forced to process what it meant to be gay. What it meant to be true to who I was. I looked for comfort and clarity, searching out places of acceptance and affirmation, finding that one of the greatest pieces of that fabric of my identity was found in the history of Two Spirit people. I was compelled to reexamine the moment my family discussed our lesbian relative.
Culturally, the term Two Spirit has been generally accepted as those with a special gift – being in and of two worlds at once, both physical and spiritual world. They were keepers of ancient traditional stories of creation, development and healing, and best possessed the four traits of our culture: warrior, nurturer, scholar, and community activist.
1/10/13
1/9/13
1/8/13
How one proud mom of a gay son helped change the world (for the better). RIP, Jeanne Manford, founder of PFLAG
She died today. With a deep bow on the passing of this fierce advocate for LGBTQ rights!
Here is what President Obama said about her and PFLAG last year:
1/5/13
1/4/13
The poetic end to one of the best movies of last year, "Perks of Being a Wallflower." I saw it again this afternoon
Judging from this movie, the social dynamics of high school life haven't changed much since my experience in the late 1970s.
1/3/13
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