Thursday, August 26, 2010

Via EQCA and Greg Louganis:

Equality California | http://www.eqca.org
 
Dear Daniel,

As a four-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, I have proven that I never back away from a challenge.

But many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians find every day to be a challenge as they struggle to be treated equally. That’s just not right.

So I’m joining Equality California to do something about it.

One month from today, together with 50 other swimmers, I’m tackling a 1.7 mile swim in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Malibu. We share the same mission: raise critical visibility and funds for LGBT rights in California.

Our goal is to raise $100,000.
Be a champion and donate to the Swim for Equality now!

Your gift will help inspire the swimmers as they compete—and will also enable Equality California to fight for LGBT Californians. Can I count on you to support all the swimmers by making a donation today in support of our efforts?
 
EQCA is on the front lines building a state of equality in California by organizing thousands of volunteers going door to door in communities across the state, gaining support for marriage equality by having one-on-one conversations. And EQCA is in Sacramento, lobbying for 16 bills that expand protections for LGBT Californians—to add to the 60 that they have all ready passed.

You can be a champion and help achieve equality— make your donation to help all LGBT Californians cross the ultimate finish line—equality.

What are you waiting for? Dive in!
Yours,
Greg Louganis

 
 

Swim for Equality
Over 50 people will raise critical visibility and funds for LGBT equality by swimming 1.7 miles off the coast of Malibu on September 25.
Their Goal: $100,000

Current Total: $35,118
Will you help them cross the finish line?

Via Truthout: Women's Equality Day

Jennifer Aniston vs. Bill O'Reilly

Gloria Feldt, Truthout: "Jennifer Aniston sparked a classic Bill O'Reilly firestorm when she said a woman doesn't need a man to have children and a perfectly fine life, thank you very much. Defending not her personal situation but the character she plays in 'The Switch,' her hit movie about a single woman who chose to be impregnated by a sperm donor, Aniston opined, 'Women are realizing ... they don't have to settle with a man just to have a child.'"

Read Article


Ellen Goodman | The Equal Rites Awards - Again

Ellen Goodman, Op-Ed: "And so we rise to celebrate Aug. 26, the 90th anniversary of the day American women finally won the right to vote. It took nine decades to get a third woman on the Supreme Court. But in politics, alas, we have gone from radical women chaining themselves to the White House fence to conservative women serving tea. Or at least the tea party."

Read Article 

Don't Be A Dick

Via JMG: Quote Of The Day - Geoff Kors


"One of the things I sincerely hope Ken Mehlman has done or will do is to explain to George W. Bush how denying LGBT people equality causes real harm and how the GOP's anti-equality platform and campaigns lead to teen suicides and hate crimes. I hope he explains how bigotry impacted him and that he has asked George W Bush to join his wife Laura in supporting marriage equality. If he can convince Bush to publicly change his position that would be powerful.

"And I hope he shares with the public how the GOP used animus towards gay people to pass anti-marriage state constitutional amendments, as that will bolster the federal Prop 8 case. What he does to undo the damage he caused can be a part of his legacy and working with AFER to help overturn Prop 8 is a good start. We all have to hope he goes all out and proves he is a talented political strategist -- this time on the side of equality." - Equality California head Geoff Kors, speaking to reporter Rex Wockner.


reposted from Joe

Via Wildmind: The Metta Prayer

The Metta Prayer

autumn leafThe Buddha gave a beautiful teaching on the development of lovingkindness called the Metta Sutta (also known as the Karaniya Metta Sutta). I’ve adapted the words of the sutta to formulate them as an aspiration that can be repeated in a prayer-like way.
In order that I may be skilled in discerning what is good, in order that I may understand the path to peace,
Let me be able, upright, and straightforward, of good speech, gentle, and free from pride;
Let me be contented, easily satisfied, having few duties, living simply, of controlled senses, prudent, without pride and without attachment to nation, race, or other groups.
Let me not do the slightest thing for which the wise might rebuke me. Instead let me think:
May all beings be well and safe, may they be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be, whether moving or standing still, without exception, whether large, great, middling, or small, whether tiny or substantial,
Whether seen or unseen, whether living near or far,
Born or unborn; may all beings be happy.
Let none deceive or despise another anywhere. Let none wish harm to another, in anger or in hate.”
Just as a mother would guard her child, her only child, with her own life, even so let me cultivate a boundless mind for all beings in the world.
Let me cultivate a boundless love for all beings in the world, above, below, and across, unhindered, without ill will or enmity.
Standing, walking, seated, or lying down, free from torpor, let me as far as possible fix my attention on this recollection. This, they say, is the divine life right here.

Metta Sutra....







this stuff makes me feel much better...

Quote of the day

‎"You are queer, you lucky fool, and that makes you one of life's buccaneers, free from the clutter of two thousand years of Judeo-Christian sermonizing. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start hoisting your sails. You haven't a moment to lose."

  --  Armistead Maupin