Via JMG: Tweet Of The Day - Ellen DeGeneres

Labels: Ellen Degeneres, Hillary Clinton, HIV/AIDS, lesbians

reposted from Joe

Via AmericaBlogGay: Clint Eastwood "doesn’t give a f*** about who wants to get married to anybody else"

As Scott notes, there's a certain eloquence to how straight guys put things.  First, Clint Eastwood in a new interview in GQ: 

"These people who are making a big deal about gay marriage? I don't give a f*** about who wants to get married to anybody else! Why not?! We're making a big deal out of things we shouldn't be making a deal out of ... Just give everybody the chance to have the life they want."

Then Clark:

There is something truly beautiful about how straight guys approach the topic of marriage equality. See, they aren't dealing with a lifetime of feeling shameful and unworthy. And they aren't fetishizing the tactic of presenting their views in nice, inoffensive ways that don't scare the straight people. They haven't sent their talking points through the Gay, Inc. car wash for a nice polish and buff sure to better appeal to America's soccer moms, NASCAR dads, and their deeply felt religious convictions.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

 

November 7, 2011

Let Go of Projections

On trains, in the street, in our homes and communities, we practice paying attention—through developing mindfulness and lovingkindness and through letting go of projections—partly because a more complete attention proffers many special gifts. These gifts can penetrate through the exigencies of social roles, the seeming hollowness of chance encounters, and even through terrible hurt.

– Sharon Salzberg, "A More Complete Attention"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via JMG: SPAIN: Ricky Martin Granted Citizenship In Possible Bid To Legally Marry

Spain has granted citizenship to Puerto Rico-born Ricky Martin, who may be seeking a legal venue to marry his boyfriend.

Spokesman Jose Blanco told a news conference that ministers had agreed to grant him a “letter of naturalization”, issued in special circumstances, because of his “personal and professional links with Spain”. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that Martin sought citizenship in order to marry boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez Abella, with whom he is bringing up his twin three-year-old sons. Spain passed legislation allowing same-sex marriages in 2005, only the third country to do so at the time, with 20,000 gay couples entering into marriage since.

Labels: gay artists, Ricky Martin, Spain

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Family Research Council Honors Deadbeat Dad Rep. Joe Walsh As "Pro-Family"

The Family Research Council has named Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) as their "True Blue" pro-family leader, even though Walsh owes over $100,000 in unpaid child support.

"We thank Cong. Walsh who has voted consistently to defend faith, family and freedom,” said FRCA President Tony Perkins. “Cong. Walsh and other ‘True Blue Members’ have voted to repeal Obamacare, de-fund Planned Parenthood, end government funding for abortion within the health care law, uphold the Defense of Marriage Act, and continue support for school choice. I applaud their commitment to uphold the institutions of marriage and family."

Walsh responded to the honor by crowing, "Defending American values have always been one of my top priorities, and this reward reaffirms my dedication to that fight."

Labels: Congress, Family Reseach Council, GOP, hate groups, hypocrisy, Tony Perkins

reposted from Joe

Via Gay Politics Report: Ohio teen: "I am gay...I wanted to start something"

Adam Hoover, 17, says he got the idea to organize a march to support marriage equality when he attended Cincinnati's LGBT Pride event this summer. Now thousands are expected to join his march this weekend, which will also feature an address from openly gay Cincinnati City Council candidate Chris Seelbach. Cincinnati.com

Via Gay Politics Report: House Democrats file brief opposing DOMA

A group of at least 130 Democrats led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have signed a legal brief arguing that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. The brief was submitted in relation to a case pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The brief criticizes House Republicans for organizing the use of public funds to pay for the law's legal defense after the Justice Department decided it would no longer defend the law. San Francisco Chronicle

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

 

November 4, 2011

People Naturally Surrender

Even at a worldly level, people naturally surrender to others, although they may think of themselves as self-sufficient. If someone thinks he doesn’t depend on others, he is like a sick person who thinks he doesn’t have to go to a doctor because he can cure himself with poison, or like a poor person who says he doesn’t have to depend on richer people even though he has an empty wallet.

– Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, "Words for the West"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via AmericaBlogGay: MI Senate legalizes anti-gay bullying. Stay away from Michigan if you're looking for school, job.

They actually passed legislation in the Michigan Senate that legalizes bullying so long as you have a moral or religious reason for bullying the kid.  Astounding.  That means Jewish children, Muslim children, hell even black children and Latino children, are now fair game (anyone can come up with a "moral" reason to justify bigotry against anyone).  From JoeMyGod: 

"Matt's Safe School Law" passed 26-11 with all Democrats voting against it. The bill is named for Matt Eppling, an East Lansing 14-year-old who committed suicide after being bullied by classmates in 2002. The law includes a section noting it doesn't abridge First Amendment free speech rights or prohibit expression of religious or moral viewpoints — a provision Democrats fear could be used to justify harassment of gay, lesbian or transgender students. "I am ashamed that this could be Michigan's bill on anti-bullying when in fact it is a 'bullying is OK in Michigan law,'" Kevin Eppling, Matt's father, whose letter was read by Sen. Glenn Anderson during Wednesday's session.

TowleRoad has a great video of a Democratic legislator standing up to the legislative bullies in the Michigan Senate.

Remember, Michigan is also on the verge of rescinding domestic partner benefits in that state for the partners of gay state employees (e.g., university professors and other university employees).

Michigan is the new Alabama. Stay far away from that state if you are gay, or even just fair minded, and planning a vacation, looking for a job, or looking to study at a university. Do not go to Michigan - we have plenty of other states that aren't trying to bash minorities, leave people's family members without health care, and literally kill children.

Michigan hates. Stay far away.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

 

November 3, 2011

Discover Your Own Wisdom

People who are attached to sutras and a scriptural teaching of words can lack faith in the living, mysterious experience of meditation that leads to a sudden insight. They are usually too caught up in the expedient means of words and speech, attached to the stubborn habit of distinguishing between "true" and "not true." Believing only what is written in holy texts, they are conceptually mesmerized by the treasures of others, instead of digging inside to discover the priceless gems of their own, lying deep within.

– So Sahn, "The Zen of Confidence"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection