Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Via Nalanda LGBT Buddhist Cultural and Resource Center:

 
 
"If one wishes suffering not to happen to the people and the earth, it begins with a kind heart."

Pema Chodron

Via JMG: SHARIA LAW: Liberty Counsel Rewrites The Declaration Of Independence


The Liberty Counsel has boldly issued their own "Declaration of American Values," a document they'd presumably like to see become law. Here's a small sampling of the chilling items they demand of the government:
To secure our national interest in the institution of marriage and family by embracing the union of one man and one woman as the sole form of legitimate marriage and the proper basis of family.

To secure the free exercise of religion for all people, including the freedom to acknowledge God through our public institutions and other modes of public expression and the freedom of religious conscience without coercion by penalty or force of law.

To secure the moral dignity of each person, acknowledging that obscenity, pornography, and indecency debase our communities, harm our families, and undermine morality and respect. Therefore, we promote enactment and enforcement of laws to protect decency and traditional morality.
It should be plain to even the most casual observer that the Christianist right demands nothing less than that the complete imposition of Sharia law. You don't get to decide what you read, what you watch, whom you fuck, and certainly not whom you marry. Jesus knows best and those who complain the loudest will be the first up against the wall. This country is heading for its own Kristallnacht, should these 21st century fascists ever get any real power.


Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 10, 2012

Seeing Clearly

Our practice is to meet life exactly as it is and to notice whatever fear, anger, or doubt gets in the way of direct intimate contact with this moment, bringing attention to that as well. Rather than changing something or seeking to get somewhere we imagine we should be, practice is about seeing clearly exactly how things really are and how we relate to them. Practice thus becomes an increasing intimacy with life just as it is, and there is nothing—including the ideas that we should be getting something or somewhere—that is unworthy of the clear, nonjudgmental attention we call mindfulness.
- Douglas Phillips, "Q&A with Douglas Phillips"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via Obama for America:

2012 



Daniel --

The Mitt Romney who ran for U.S. Senate in 1994 promised voters in Massachusetts that he'd be a stronger advocate for LGBT rights than Senator Kennedy.

And in 2002, while running for governor of Massachusetts, Romney's campaign passed out fliers for Pride Weekend, saying "All citizens deserve equal rights regardless of their sexual preference." Yesterday afternoon, Mitt Romney's current campaign actually disavowed that 2002 flier.

You're probably wondering a few things. First, just exactly which part of that flier doesn't he agree with? And second, what could have possibly changed between yesterday morning (when Romney said he felt gays and lesbians deserved "full rights") and yesterday afternoon? Maybe he thinks that line won't play as well in the upcoming South Carolina primary?

It's election season again, and the only Mitt we really know is the one who will say whatever it takes to win. If he is the Republican nominee, we can expect him to suddenly try and be best friends with LGBT voters again. That's why we're sending him the message that it doesn't work like that -- and that we won't let him get away with it.

Say you'll help hold Mitt accountable before he has a chance to pander yet again:

http://my.barackobama.com/Hold-Mitt-Accountable

Mitt's going to try to be whoever he thinks he needs to be to get elected -- it's our job to make sure those tactics come at a cost.

Stay tuned,

Jamie

Jamie Citron
Director, LGBT Vote
Obama for America

Bye June - Shades of Purple [Official Music Video]

Monday, January 9, 2012

Via JMG: Ron Paul New Hampshire Flyer


In this flyer being distributed in New Hampshire, Ron Paul brags that he introduced a bill that would bar the federal courts from considering DOMA cases. Which is rather remarkable, as DOMA is a federal law.


Reposted from Joe

Above & Beyond feat. Miguel Bosé - Sea Lo Que Sea Será (Official Video)

Thich Nhat Hanh on Aimlessness

Does the rose have to do something? No, the purpose of a rose is to be a rose. Your purpose is to be yourself. You don't have to run anywhere to become someone else. You are wonderful just the way you are. This teaching of the Buddha allows us to enjoy ourselves, the blue sky, and everything that is refreshing and healing in the present moment. We already have everything we are looking for, everything we want to become. We are already a Buddha so why not just take the hand of another Buddha and practice walking meditation? Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation. The Heart Sutra says that there is "nothing to attain." We meditate not to attain enlightenment, because enlightenment is already in us. We don't need to search anywhere. We don't need to practice to obtain some high position. We can enjoy every moment. People talk about entering nirvana, but we are already there. Aimlessness and nirvana are one. We have everything we need to make the present moment the happiest in our life, even if we have a cold or a headache. We don't have to wait until we get over our cold to be happy. Having a cold is part of life. I am happy in the present moment. I do not ask for anything else. I do not expect any additional happiness. Aimlessness is stopping and realizing the happiness that is already available.

--Thich Nhat Hanh--

Via JMG: Molestation Victims Are Crybabies!


Victims of pedophile priests are just big wailing crybabies, according to a graphic and story posted by the Catholic League. Stop complaining, Timmy! You know you wanted it.


Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Romney Spox Denies Gay Pride Flyer


 
"I don’t know where those pink flyers came from. I was the communications director on the 2002 campaign. I don’t know who distributed them. I never saw them and I was the communications director. I never saw them and I never approved them. I’m not quite sure where they came from." - Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom on the above flyer, which includes the tagline: "Paid for by the Romney For Governor Committee. Romney was questioned about the flyer during yesterday's GOP debate.


Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Mitt Romney: I Oppose Same-Sex Marriage But Do Not Discriminate Against Gays

At this morning's GOP debate, the moderator tried to trip up Mitt Romney by quoting his 1994 pro-gay comment to Boston's Bay Windows, a statement which is still denounced today by the anti-gay industry. Romney opened by restating his opposition to same-sex marriage, then launched into a vow of non-discrimination in other areas.

Think Progress blogger Zack Ford reacted.
RELATED: Immediately following the debate, GOProud rushed out this press release.
We thank Governor Romney for having the political courage to speak up for gay Americans. He made it crystal clear this morning that he will be the type of President that gay people, and those who care about gays and lesbians in this country, can trust and be proud of. On issue after issue – whether it’s the economy, jobs, taxes, energy, healthcare or retirement security – Mitt Romney is offering common-sense conservative plans that will improve the lives of all Americans – gay or straight.
ALSO RELATED: Don't forget that Romney signed NOM's hate pledge in which he vowed to thwart the progress of LGBT civil equality. The pledge also includes a promise to appoint a federal commission to investigate any so-called "repression of religious liberties" by gay rights activists.


Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 9, 2012

Equanimity in Relationships

The Buddha prescribed equanimity in the face of suffering. In relationships, this means accepting the inevitability of painful disconnections and using them as an opportunity to work through difficult emotions. We instinctively avoid unpleasantness, often without our awareness. When we touch something unlovely in ourselves—fear, anger, jealousy, shame, disgust—we tend to withdraw emotionally and direct our attention elsewhere. But denying how we feel, or projecting our fears and faults onto others, only drives a wedge between us and the people we yearn to be close to.
- Christopher Germer, "Getting Along"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Campanha de enfrentamento à Homofobia

Campanha de esclarecimento da população sobre homofobia e incentivo à denúncia através do Disque Direitos Humanos - Disque 100.

A mobilização é uma iniciativa da Secretaria de Direitos Humanos da Presidência da República, do PNUD, da Unesco e da TV Globo.

A peça é protagonizada pelos atores Marcos Damigo e Rodrigo Andrade, que interpretaram um casal gay na novela Insensato Coração.

Via AmericaBlogGay:


Flippy floppy flippy floppy.  Never forget that when he was running for Senate against Ted Kennedy, Mitt Romney said he'd be better on gay rights than Kennedy. 

The man claimed to be more pro-gay than Ted freaking Kennedy.
So what are we to believe?  That a man with a history of being super duper pro-gay and a flip-flopper is flip-flopping about being super duper pro-gay, or that somehow someone made a fake flyer with paid for by the Romney campaign on it?

Keep lying, Mitt.

If he wins, the evangelicals are gonna die when they find out who the real Mitt Romney is.  This will be the biggest hoax anyone pulled on them since being assured that Ken Mehlman wasn't gay.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Videodrome Discothèque Vault Presents: Jennifer Saunders & Joanna Lumley Look Back At AbFab

Via Norman Lorenz / Facebook:

Mr. Santorum:

As a gay father of two children, a son, 14 in a public middle school, and a daughter, a senior at a local all girls Catholic school, I am sure my children would step up front to share their real story of love and acceptance with you. As a partner with my husband who married in CA in 2008, we celebrate 30 years together in 2012. We have run a business, paid our taxes, participated in neighborhood and community events, contributed to the economy, and are liked by many and loved by our family.

As a potential president, before you slight one race, ethnicity and/or orientation, I would suggest that you ask your supporters to inform you that we are all God's children. I am offended that you would take such risk with our nations children suggesting that they be raised by incarcarated individuals versus a loving and nurturing family. We happened to have saved our children from drug infested households and acoholic biological parents. And as a nation, we wonder why our social, judicual, and health services, not to mention our education system are strained to meet these needs? As a college professor of early education, much of our social service is strapped because young children are being brought up in environments that are substandard and neglected. You wonder why children are failing to get to school let along failing throughout their growth planes to adulthood, thus the cycle repeats itself. They are unprepared.

If this is truly your value for how young children should be raised, I can only hope that my fellow patrons of your political party do NOT elect you President. How disrespectful. As a gay man, proud to be a parent, proud that our family courts in CA could see the capacity of our family to raise these children, I have to say, that as our 14 year old heads off to private catholic high school, and our daughter enters the CSU system in the fall 2012, I am encouraged that fortunately the current administration holds our best interests at the center of this nation, one for all and all for one. I invite you to expand your horizons. You are certainly welcome to come and visit our household in CA to see and experience the difference. Good luck in your campaign.

Sincerely, a supporter of President Obama

Norman Lorenz, M.Ed.,
Professor of Education
Sacramento City College,
Sacramento, CA

Rick Santorum focuses on gay marriage
www.latimes.com


s is a leading source of news on Southern California, entertainment, movies, television, music, politics, business, health, technology, travel, sports, environment, economics, autos, jobs, real estate and other topics affecting California

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 8, 2012

Trust in Awakening

Too often we get hung up on the exhortation “Do not squander your life” and interpret it as a scolding, as if we were naughty children caught wasting time. I see the teaching “Be responsible” more as an expression of absolute trust in the possibility of awakening. The message is “Hey, you! You can do it. You can respond. You’re capable of the perfect living and dying of this moment.”
- Bonnie Myotai Treace, "Rising to the Challenge: Filling the Well with Snow"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Via JMG: CHICAGO: Cardinal George Apologizes


"During a recent TV interview, speaking about this year's Gay Pride Parade, I used an analogy that is inflammatory. I am personally distressed that what I said has been taken to mean that I believe all gays and lesbians are like members of the Klan. I do not believe that; it is obviously not true. Many people have friends and family members who are gay or lesbian, as have I. We love them; they are part of our lives, part of who we are.


"I am deeply sorry for the hurt that my remarks have brought to the hearts of gays and lesbians and their families. I can only say that my remarks were motivated by fear for the Church's liberty. This is a larger topic that cannot be explored in this expression of personal sorrow and sympathy for those who were wounded by what I said." - Cardinal Francis George, in an apology posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Chicago.


George's initial statement caused a firestorm of bad press, with both newspaper editorial boards and national LGBT groups joining to denounce his words. Truth Wins Out last week ran a full-page Chicago Tribune ad demanding George's resignation. Reactions to the apology are below.


Equality Illinois
It appears that the Cardinal has had a chance to reflect on the deeply hurtful and destructive statement he had made on Christmas day in comparing the movement for LGBT equality to the Ku Klax Klan. His apology is important and will go some way toward healing the pain he has caused. However, his actions will speak louder than words, and we will be paying attention to see if his words translate into acts of dignity and respect towards LGBT people," said Bernard Cherkasov, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest organization advocating for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Truth Wins Out
"We called for Cardinal George's resignation but we think remorse is a positive step in the right direction," said TWO's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "It is gratifying to see the Cardinal take personal responsibility for the hurt he has caused and we hope this incident leads to improving relations with the LGBT community."
Gay Liberation Network
This is completely disingenuous. No one was challenging the church's "liberty." Even though George himself has done everything he can to prevent legal equality for LGBTs, we have never in turn insisted that the church be forced to perform same-sex marriages, for example, any more than others have insisted that it be forced to perform marriages for divorcees. Furthermore, apologies, in order to be real, need to be issued directly to those wronged. A web posting is about as passive a delivery of an apology as you can get. Cardinal George could have picked up the phone and called an LGBT journalist and had a genuine dialog about the issues. Moreover, his original slam against "the Gay Liberation Movement" sounded like it was directed at the Gay Liberation Network, which has led demonstrations against his support of discrimination on several occasions, and he could have delivered an apology to GLN.
NOTE: Gay Liberation Network says that despite Cardinal George's apology, they will go through with tomorrow's planned noon protest outside Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral.


Reposted from Joe

Via AmericaBlogGay:


RuPaul heading to NH to clarify that he is not Ron Paul

Hysterical. I was thinking of this the other day, the similarity of the names RuPaul and Ron Paul, and whether there was any fun to be made of it (but then thought that I'd be accused of mocking trans people, and decided not to). Well, Ru went there, from Politico.

RuPaul explained to POLITICO: "I'm going to N.H. on a mission to spread love and set the record straight: contrary to recent reports, I am NOT Ron Paul. And I am not running for President of the United States. I hope to meet Ron Paul in person so we can be seen together to put the rumors to rest once and for all. And to remind Mr. Paul and all the Republican Presidential candidates ‘if you can't love yourself how in the hell are you going to love somebody else. Can I get an ‘Amen?’"