Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

 

November 9, 2011

Kindness is Society

During a lecture while I was interpreting for the Dalai Lama, he said in what seemed to me to be broken English, “Kindness is society.” I wasn’t smart enough to think he was saying kindness is society. I thought he meant kindness is important to society; kindness is vital to society; but he was saying that kindness is so important that we cannot have society without it. Society is impossible without it. Thus, kindness IS society; society IS kindness. Without concern for other people it’s impossible to have society.

– Jeffrey Hopkins, "Equality"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via Gay Politics Report: Second lady Jill Biden urges support for LGBT youth

• 
  Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, was the keynote speaker at the national convention of Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians last week, where she said acceptance of LGBT youth is necessary to help them live healthier lives. "Together, we all need to stand up and do our part to keep our kids safe, and give them everything —- the love, the support and acceptance they need to learn and grow and fulfill their dreams," Biden said. Patch.com/OldTownAlexandria (11/4), Washington Blade (11/4)     

Via Gay Politics Report: Time to reframe marriage debate, group advises

• Speaking about marriage for gays and lesbians in terms of love and commitment rather than rights and benefits is more likely to attract supporters, according to a bipartisan group advocating for a new approach to messaging about the issue. Third Way, a centrist Democratic organization, has launched the "Commitment Campaign" to encourage those fighting for marriage rights to engage others using language that speaks to the values of those who can be persuaded on the issue. USA TODAY (11/6)
  

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