Monday, April 8, 2013

Via JMG: REPORT: Gay Couples Will Not Be Included In Immigration Reform Bill


The director of Immigration Equality said today that she does not expect that gay couples will in included in the immigration reform bill about to be introduced in the US Senate. Michael Lavers reports at Washington Blade:
“We are not expecting LGBT families to be included in the Gang of 8 bill,” she told the Washington Blade during a conference call ahead of a rally in support of comprehensive immigration reform on Wednesday that is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the U.S. Capitol. “That in our minds means that of course the bill is incomplete.” Tiven’s comments come roughly three months after President Obama publicly unveiled an immigration reform proposal that includes bi-national gay couples.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler confirmed to the Blade  that "LGBT-specific language will likely not appear in the bill. Nadler: "This is disappointing but not particularly surprising."


Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: OREGON: Haters Lose Bid To Rewrite Marriage Ban Ballot Measure


Oregon's Attorney General has rejected the "absurd" bid of an anti-gay group to rewrite a proposed 2014 ballot measure to overturn that state's ban on same-sex marriage.
The attorney general's office on Friday announced its final wording on a ballot title -- and it rejected the legal argument from an attorney for the Oregon Family Council that the title should reflect the notion that the initiative would require every governmental agency in Oregon to issue marriage licenses. Basic Rights Oregon, the gay-rights group sponsoring the initiative, has rejected that argument as absurd. It says county clerks would continue to be the only ones issuing marriage licenses if this initiative is approved by voters.
Here is the ballot language approved by the state: "Amends Constitution: Recognizes marriage between couples of same gender; protects clergy/religious institutions' refusal to perform marriages."  Basic Rights Oregon has until July 2014 to collect 116,000 petition signatures.


Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Dan Savage On Margaret Thatcher


"I was living in London—waiting tables, seeing plays, stealing silver, pining after British boys—when Section 28 was being debated. The law prompted Ian McKellen to come out of the closet and it prompted some righteous lesbian parents to tag Thatcher billboard with "Lesbians Mums Aren't Pretending." Coming at the height of the AIDS epidemic, Section 28 instilled panic. It felt like this law might the first of many anti-gay laws to come. Instead Section 28 was the beginning of the end for political homophobia in the UK. Because McKellen wasn't the only gay person to come out in protest. And you know what happens when gay people come out. So thanks for that, Maggie." - Dan Savage, writing for Slog.


Reposted from Joe

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:



Daily Buddhist Wisdom






When everything is clean-clear in your own mind, nobody can create obstacles for you.
- Lama Thubten Yeshe, "The Bliss of Inner Fire"

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 8, 2013

Putting Your Body to Good Use

What should you do to put your body to good use? Most people have no idea. A craftsman who borrows some tools will try to make the best possible use of them while they are available. Your body, too, is actually on loan to you for the time being, for the brief period left before it is taken back from you by death. Had you better not use it to practice the dharma while you can?
- Dilgo Khyentse, "The Day After You Die"
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