Via JMG: State Department Launches Donation Campaign For International LGBT Rights

The U.S. State Department has launched an unprecedented donation campaign in support of international LGBT rights. Via press release:

The U.S. Department of State has launched a text donation campaign that allows Americans to donate to the mGive International Response Equality Fund. Donations will help to further programs and initiatives aimed at advancing human rights, fostering equality, advocacy, protection and dialogue to ensure human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) persons around the world. To help, anyone can donate $10 by texting the word PRIDE to 80000.

The Global Equality Fund supports programs that advance the human rights of LBGT persons around the world. The Fund was launched by U.S Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Human Rights Day in December 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, where she reaffirmed, “Human rights are gay rights and gay rights are human rights.” The Fund is supported by the U.S. government. While providing tangible assistance to LGBT civil society groups around the world, the Fund also serves to underscore the U.S. State Department’s commitment to ensuring LGBT people worldwide are able to exercise their human rights with dignity.

The new campaign is being heralded today on the official website of the State Department under the heading "Global Equality Fund." Learn more about the mGive campaign here.

Labels: cell phones, good work, Hillary Clinton, LGBT rights, State Department

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Anderson Cooper Officially Comes Out

Andrew Sullivan gets the much-coveted (if unsurprising) quote via an email from Cooper.

The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud. I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues. In a perfect world, I don't think it's anyone else's business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted. I’m not an activist, but I am a human being and I don't give that up by being a journalist. [snip] I love, and I am loved.

In my opinion, the ability to love another person is one of God’s greatest gifts, and I thank God every day for enabling me to give and share love with the people in my life. I appreciate your asking me to weigh in on this, and I would be happy for you to share my thoughts with your readers. I still consider myself a reserved person and I hope this doesn’t mean an end to a small amount of personal space. But I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter’s shield of privacy.

Cooper's full statement to Sullivan is several hundred words long. I encourage you to read the entire thing.Top image via Buzzfeed.

Labels: Anderson Cooper, Andrew Sullivan, CNN, coming out, journalism

Reposted from Joe

SINGAPORE SHINES AT PINK DOT 2012!

Via JMG: BRUSSELS: Anti-LGBT Lobby Linked To American Conservative Groups

The EU Observer reports that the anti-gay lobby in Brussels, the de facto capital of the European Union, has financial links to anti-gay conservative groups in the United States.

One such lobby group is European Dignity Watch, founded in 2010, advocating "life, the family and fundamental freedoms." According to the EU transparency register, it has an annual budget of €80,816 - all in the form of anonymous donations. It rallies against abortion, euthanasia, but most ardently against gay rights. It accuses the European Parliament of pressuring member states into legalising same-sex marriage, and the European Commission of bias for hosting a pro-gay photo exhibition.

Among those suspected of secretly funding European anti-gay groups is the Heritage Foundation, the DC-based conservative think tank founded in 1973 by Joseph Coors. The anti-gay groups cited in the EU Observer's article vehemently deny that they are paid by American organizations.

Labels: Belgium, European Union, hate groups, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: NEW RECORD: Chick-Fil-A Donated Almost $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups In 2010

Equality Matters reports:

In early 2011, Chick-fil-A came under fire for its donations and political ties to a number of anti-gay groups. Though Chick-fil-A continues to deny supporting an anti-gay agenda, the company has donated over $3 million to organizations like the Family Research Council and Exodus International between 2003 and 2009. And in 2010 alone, Chick-fil-A donated over $1.9 million to anti-gay causes, more than any other year for which public records are available.

The bulk of the 2010 donations came in a $1.2M grant to the Marriage & Family Foundation. Another $500K went to the Fellowship For Christian Athletes, who requires applicants to sign their Sexual Purity Pledge:

God desires His children to lead pure lives of holiness. The Bible is clear in teaching on sexual sin including sex outside of marriage and homosexual acts. Neither heterosexual sex outside of marriage nor any homosexual act constitute an alternate lifestyle acceptable to God. While upholding God’s standard of holiness, FCA strongly affirms God’s love and redemptive power in the individual who chooses to follow Him. FCA’s desire is to encourage individuals to trust in Jesus and turn away from any impure lifestyle.

Labels: fast food, hate groups, LGBT rights, religion

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: WASHINGTON STATE: Microsoft Heads Ballmer & Gates Donate To Marriage

Microsoft founder Bill Gates and CEO Steve Ballmer have each donated $100,000 to Washington state's marriage equality movement.

The AP cites Zach Silk, campaign manager for Washington United for Marriage, who says the checks were cut on Friday and are being reported to the state Public Disclosure Commission Monday afternoon. The Washington state Legislature passed the law allowing same-sex marriage earlier this year, and it was signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire in Feb. But an effort to put that law up to a vote was successful, meaning Referendum 74 -- seeking to overturn the law allowing same-sex marriage in Washington state -- is on the ballot in November.

In November last year, Microsoft joined in the filing of an amicus brief supporting the overturn of DOMA. (Tipped by JMG reader Alex)

Labels: Bill Gates, LGBT rights, marriage equality, Microsoft, Washington state

Reposted from Joe

Via AmericaBlog Gay:

Anderson Cooper comes out

"The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 3, 2012

The Limited Mask of Self

Of all the words we use to disguise the hollowness of the human condition, none is more influential than 'myself.' It consists of a collage of still images—name, gender, nationality, profession, enthusiasms, relationships—that are renovated from time to time, but otherwise are each a relic from one particular experience or another. The defining teaching of the Buddhist tradition, that of non-self, is merely pointing out the limitations of this reflexive view we hold of ourselves. It’s not that the self does not exist, but that it is as cobbled-together and transient as everything else.

- Andrew Olendzki, "Self as Verb"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 5, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 2, 2012

Uprooting the Seeds of Anger

We all know anger from experience, but when we are asked to pause and consider, ‘What is this anger?’ it’s not always so easy to see what it is. Yet when we approach our feelings of anger with awareness, with mindfulness, it becomes a productive part of our practice. We find, after all, that anger has something to teach us.

- Jules Shuzen Harris, Sensei, "Uprooting the Seeds of Anger"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 4, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 1, 2012

Being Unafraid of Pain

You don’t have to be afraid of pain. If it’s going to be there, you can let it be there—but don’t let the mind be in pain with it.

- Upasika Kee Nanayon, "Tough Teachings to Ease the Mind"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 3, 2012
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Via JMG: LAOS: US Embassy Supports Nation's First-Ever LGBT Pride Celebration

Laos has held its first-ever LGBT Pride event with the support of the U.S. Embassy.

More than 100 people attended the event, which took place on the sports field of the U.S. Embassy. The guests of honor were U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart and Dr. Bounpheng Philavong, Director of the Center for HIV/AIDS/STI (CHAS) at the Lao Ministry of Health. During their remarks, both Dr. Bounpheng and Ambassador Stewart congratulated the event organizers for taking an important first step to achieving full acceptance of LGBT people in Lao society.

"The message we want to send is that no matter what you look like or where you come from or what your sexual orientation is, every single one of you is a person with value and should be treated with dignity and respect," Ambassador Stewart told the crowd to loud applause. The event drew performers and participation from a number of organizatons that provide outreach and services to Laos' LGBT community, including the Purple Sky Network, Lao Positive Health Association (Lao PHA), Population Services International (PSI), the Burnet Institute, Family Health International (FHI), the Vientiane Youth Center for Health and Development, and UNFPA.

The theme was "Proud To Be Us."

Labels: gay Pride, LGBT culture, State Department

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 30, 2012

True Dharma

Dharma is not about credentials. It’s not about how many practices you’ve done, or how peaceful you can make your mind. It’s not about being in a community where you feel safe or enjoying the cachet of being a 'Buddhist.' It’s not even about accumulating teachings, empowerments, or 'spiritual accomplishments.' It’s about how naked you’re willing to be with your own life, and how much you’re willing to let go of your masks and your armor and live as a completely exposed, undefended, and open human person.

- Reginald Ray, "Blazing with Wakefulness"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 2, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 29, 2012

Enjoying the Silence

Silence doesn’t mean not talking and not doing things; it means that you are not disturbed inside. If you’re truly silent, then no matter what situation you find yourself in you can enjoy the silence.

- Thich Nhat Hanh, "The Heart of the Matter"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 1, 2012
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Via AmericaBlogGay:

Anti-gay Republican tries to woos gays on health care by invoking same-sex marriage

This is laughable: Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC): “The Supreme Court’s precedent in this case will far exceed health care. In short, government is now able to make you do anything by penalizing you with a tax. If future governments don’t like marriage it will be able to tax you if you want to get married. That goes both ways – for traditional and gay marriage. If future governments want to limit the...

Via US Uncut / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 28, 2012

Suffering's Lessons

It is because of pain and suffering that we first want to practice. And it’s because of pain and suffering that we attain enlightenment. Regard suffering as a teacher, and an inspiration.

- Mingyur Rinpoche, "The Easy Middle"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through June 30, 2012
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Via AmericaBlog Gay:

Team Obama loves the gay

New video from the Obama campaign. Yes, it wasn't always easy getting these accomplishments to occur, but they did occur, and won't with Romney. The last several years we told the President that we'd better see some significant promises kept, or else. And, in the end, significant promises were kept - not all of them, but enough of them to merit keeping our promise in return.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 27, 2012

Sex as Sacred Energy

Much of the language around sexuality has to do with fire: 'in the heat of passion'; 'a burning desire'; 'she has a new flame.' This is the fire of creation. It’s not just my sacred energy I need to be in touch with and aware of, it is the fire of all creation from moment to moment to moment.

- Nancy Baker, "Sexual Misconduct"

Read the article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through June 29, 2012
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Via AmericaBlog Gay:

Dan Savage on meth abuse, sex addiction, and gay Republicans - a simply brilliant must read

Dan Savage writes of GOProud, a newish gay Republican organization that recently endorsed Mitt Romney after admitting that they'd have endorsed any GOP presidential candidate, regardless of who it was (a bizarre admission for any group that claims to be a "gay rights group," even a Republican one). Dan's post is brilliant. He talks about homophobia and how it destroys gay lives, while the...