Oscar Wilde via FB:

Via JMG: Rex Wockner On Sally Ride

"Not every gay or lesbian person wants to be an activist, and when a public figure comes out, he or she can be thrust into that role by the media, which start asking the individual’s opinion on every gay topic of the day. Not every gay or lesbian person even considers his or her sexual orientation one of the most important pieces of his or her identity. For some, it’s just another thing, like being left-handed, or Episcopalian.

"If anyone deserves a bit of scolding, it’s the news media, which went about its business for around 24 hours before realizing that this obituary was not a run-of-the-mill obituary and that there was a surprise, and breaking news, lurking in the list of survivors. By the second day, there were stories everywhere about Ride’s coming out. And I suspect this piece is one of several on Sunday op-ed pages around the country today. American hero Sally Ride did one more great thing the day she died. She showed America, again, that LGBT people really are everywhere, including even in outer space and already in our history books." - Veteran gay journalist Rex Wockner, writing for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

 

Labels: coming out, LGBT History, NASA, Rex Wockner

posted by Joe

Via JMG: Jesus & Freddie Mercury

Cartoonist Mr. Fish tells the Jesus In Love blog about the above panel, which was first published in mid-May in reaction to North Carolina's marriage ban.

"I chose Freddie Mercury as Jesus’ partner because, a.) he is immediately recognizable as a gay icon and b.) there is something both holy and tragic about Mercury’s life and premature death. In many ways it is a narrative that is not dissimilar to the Jesus narrative, both figures inspiring of love and beauty and self-assuredness removed from corporeal existence way too soon. In that way, they seemed like a perfect match."

Labels: LGBT rights, North Carolina, Queen, religion

posted by Joe

Via Joe Moreno FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 29, 2012

The Power of Presence

Presence has no measurable product except positive feelings, feelings of support, intimacy, and happiness. When we stop being busy and productive and switch to just being still and aware, we ourselves will also feel support, intimacy, and happiness, even if no one else is around.

- Jan Chozen Bays, "The Gift of Waiting"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 31st, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 29, 2012

The Power of Presence

Presence has no measurable product except positive feelings, feelings of support, intimacy, and happiness. When we stop being busy and productive and switch to just being still and aware, we ourselves will also feel support, intimacy, and happiness, even if no one else is around.

- Jan Chozen Bays, "The Gift of Waiting"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 31st, 2012
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Via JMG: Protests At Kirk Cameron's NJ Speech

More photos here.

Labels: hate groups, Kirk Cameron, New Jersey, NOM

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 28, 2012

The Freedom of Generosity

To act generously is to awaken a certain kind of freedom: freedom from the stranglehold of self-concern, and, consequently, freedom to choose a level of responsibility beyond the minimal charge most of us have for ourselves. To give unselfishly is at least momentarily to be free of ourselves, free of greed and attachments, resentments and hatreds, habitual and isolating acts of self-protection.

- Dale S. Wright, "The Bodhisattva's Gift"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 30th, 2012
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via FB

Via JMG: FLORIDA: Former GOP Chair Accuses Party Of "Scheming" To Suppress Black Voters

The former chairman of the Florida Republican Party, Jim Greer, is claiming that other leaders of the state GOP strategized on ways that they could suppress the votes of black citizens. Today's revelation comes from Greer's deposition in his lawsuit to be paid back salary from the state GOP.

Greer's animosity was evident on almost every page of the deposition as he described the inner workings of a party that has controlled Florida since 1998. On voter suppression, Greer said he had just completed a December 2009 meeting with party general counsel Jason Gonzalez, political consultant Jim Rimes and Eric Eikenberg, Crist's chief of staff, when questions arose about fundraising. "I was upset because the political consultants and staff were talking about voter suppression and keeping blacks from voting. It had been one of those days,'' he said. Rimes said he recalls no discussion of suppressing votes at any meeting. Eikenberg did not return phone calls.

Two months ago Florida Gov. Rick Scott launched an attempt to purge the state's voter rolls of alleged non-citizens, a move widely seen as a transparent attack on the state's minorities. Scott is now suing the federal government for thwarting that plan.

RELATED: Two years ago Greer was arrested on charges of six felony charges of embezzling campaign money. His trial date on those charges has just been moved back until November, "sparing Florida Republicans the embarrassment of intense scrutiny of the party's inner-workings just weeks before Tampa hosts the Republican National Convention."

Labels: Florida, GOP, racism, voting problems

Reposted from Joe

Via Gay Politics Report:

• Chick-fil-A controversy grows as politicians weigh in
   
• The national political fight over marriage equality is set to move to Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country next week, as LGBT advocates are planning boycotts and a “kiss-in,” and anti-gay politicians such as Rick Santorum are urging support for an “Appreciation Day” at the chain’s locations. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino wrote to the company urging it not to open a restaurant in his city, and one Chicago city councilman has vowed to block the chain’s expansion. The company’s COO recently said it opposes marriage rights for same-sex couples, and organizations associated with Chick-fil-A have donated millions to anti-gay groups. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (7/25), The Huffington Post/Gay Voices (7/25), USA TODAY/The Associated Press (7/25)     

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 27, 2012

Pursuing Happiness

It’s our nature to want happiness and not want suffering. Thus, Buddhists do not ask that one give up the pursuit of happiness, but merely suggest that one become more intelligent about how happiness is pursued.

- Jeffrey Hopkins, "Equality"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 29th, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 26, 2012

Overcoming Difficulty

Your practice should be strengthened by the difficult situations you encounter, just as a bonfire in a strong wind is not blown out, but blazes even brighter.

- Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, "Teachings on the Nature of Mind and Practice"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 28th, 2012
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Tricycle Daily Dharma July 25, 2012

Protecting Your Mind

Protect yourself and your mind from too much negativity. Not turning away from suffering doesn't mean wallowing in the horror of it all.

- Susan Moon, "Ten Practices to Change the World"

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Viva Sally Ride!

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 25, 2012

Protecting Your Mind

Protect yourself and your mind from too much negativity. Not turning away from suffering doesn't mean wallowing in the horror of it all.

- Susan Moon, "Ten Practices to Change the World"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 27th, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 25, 2012

Protecting Your Mind

Protect yourself and your mind from too much negativity. Not turning away from suffering doesn't mean wallowing in the horror of it all.

- Susan Moon, "Ten Practices to Change the World"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 27th, 2012
For full access at any time, become a Tricycle Community Supporting or Sustaining Member

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 25, 2012

Protecting Your Mind

Protect yourself and your mind from too much negativity. Not turning away from suffering doesn't mean wallowing in the horror of it all.

- Susan Moon, "Ten Practices to Change the World"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 27th, 2012
For full access at any time, become a Tricycle Community Supporting or Sustaining Member

Via AmericaBlogGay:

Romney: "I don't care" about kids of gay parents

Romney in 2004 in a conversation with the lesbian plaintiff of a landmark marriage case in Massachusetts: "I believe he [Romney] will be responsible for a major backlash," said Julie Goodridge, a star plaintiff in the lawsuit that led to legal same-sex marriage in Massachusetts in 2004.... Goodridge recalls a meeting with Romney, who was then the governor of Massachusetts "I looked...