Bilerico Weekly Reader 7/26-7/31

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

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Subject: Bilerico Weekly Reader 7/26-7/31

You know, these Weekly Reader posts are one of my favorite posts to do each week; I get a chance to go back over the previous week's posts and see how the discussions continued once the post has fallen off the front page. This week we had three clear winners for the best posts of the week: Karen Ocamb's three part series on "What Really Happened at the Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit" (links in the Bonus section)

Bilerico Nation
What Does an Inclusive ENDA Really Mean?
Filed by: Keri Renault (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/what_does_an_inclusive_enda_really_mean.php

Under White House Pressure, Hastings Withdraws DADT Amendment
Filed by: Father Tony (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/under_white_house_pressure_hastings_with.php

Out of the Minneapolis airport and into the Mainstream Media
Filed by: Don Sherfick (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/out_of_the_minneapolis_airport_and_into.php

Sunday
Let's Call it a "Queer Quilt Across America"
Filed by: John Shields
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/queer_quilt_across_america.php

Nurse Jackie
Filed by: Dana Rudolph
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/nurse_jackie.php

Monday
Gay Generation Gap: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Filed by: Jason Tseng
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_generation_gap_two_sides_of_the_same_coin.php

Mental: Prime time goes trans-friendly
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/prime_time_goes_trans-friendly.php

Tuesday
Federal civil unions?
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/federal_civil_unions_is_anyone_talking_about_that.php

Caption This: Gays Gone Wild
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/caption_this_gays_gone_wild.php

Wednesday
Anti-Gay Bombing at World Outgames
Filed by: Patricia Nell Warren
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/anti-gay_violence_at_world_outgames_in_copenhagen.php

Lifting the Veil off Mental Health: The Art of Negotiation
Filed by: David Castillo
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/lifting_the_veil_off_mental_health_the_art_of_nego.php

Thursday
David: A Story of Hope, Faith and Love
Filed by: Betty Greene Salwak
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/david_a_story_of_hope_faith_and_love.php

DADT and the Democratic finger trap
Filed by: Sean Bugg
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/dadt_and_the_democratic_finger_trap.php

Friday
Teach What You Learn: The Straight Guy's Primer on Gender Identity
Filed by: Don Davis
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/the_straight_guys_primer_on_gender_identity.php

Here Come the Eye-Rollers: Milk, King Honored by Obama
Filed by: Dustin Kight
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/here_come_the_eye-rollers_milk_king_honored_by_oba.php

BONUS!
What Really Happened at the Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/what_really_happened_at_the_repeal_prop_8_leadersh.php

Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit: The Expert Point of View
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/repeal_prop_8_leadership_summit_the_expert_point_o.php

The Unnoticed Power Player at the Repeal Prop 8 Leadership Summit
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.bilerico.com/2009/07/the_unnoticed_power_player.php
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This from JMG!

The Victory Fund reports that Harvey Milk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, the highest civilian honor of the United States. Stuart Milk, Harvey's nephew, will accept the award at a White House ceremony to take place on August 12th.

“We are thrilled President Obama is honoring Harvey Milk with the Medal of Freedom. He’s an American hero and trailblazer whose election more than 30 years ago triggered a political awakening that inspires us still today. This recognition sends an important message about how critical political leadership will be in making all Americans equal in the eyes of the law,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.

Stuart Milk echoed Wolfe’s praise, saying, “The President’s action today touches the core of our very human hearts and my uncle would be so proud of this high honor. His election was, for him, a beginning–a chance to make real change. That change is happening, but we still have so far to go. I hope this recognition inspires LGBT Americans everywhere to heed Harvey’s call to run for office, to serve openly, to live proudly with authenticity and to demand the equality that we all deserve.”

Also receiving the Medal Of Freedom that day will be famed lesbian tennis player Billie Jean King and Sen. Ted Kennedy, both longtime advocates for LGBT rights.

UPDATE: The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force responds:

"Today's White House announcement of Medal of Freedom awards to the late Harvey Milk and to Billie Jean King honors two openly gay and lesbian people for their outstanding contributions to the nation. We applaud and cheer that Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King's dedication to freedom and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and for women and girls is at last being recognized with our country's highest civilian honor. Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King are trailblazers whose courage, commitment and perseverance have brought our country to a better place. How utterly appropriate that they will receive an award named the 'Medal of Freedom.'

"We also applaud the inclusion of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who has been a longtime advocate and leader in the U.S. Senate on a host of legislative initiatives pertaining to HIV/AIDS and LGBT equality; and of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Rev. Joseph Lowery, two faith leaders who have been outspoken on and supportive of LGBT issues. Each of these recipients has indeed made important contributions toward equality and justice."

Thanks JMG!

15 Billboards That Don’t Belong Next To Each Other

Thanks to JMG

Tres links, Duas no "World's Most Beautiful Language"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjlOeJa75S0&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xXjlfFSFE

and of course:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcSO22THO70&NR=1

An vital news item from JMG

The Magic Of Blue

Urban legend says the green M&Ms make you horny, but there's something in the blue ones that really might prove useful.

The food dye that gives blue M&M's their colour can help mend spinal injuries, researchers say. The compound Brilliant Blue G blocks a chemical that kills healthy spinal cord cells around the damaged area - an event that often causes more irreversible damage than the original injury. BBG not only reduced the size of the lesion but also improved the recovery of motor skills, tests on rats showed. Those treated with BBG were later able to walk, although with a limp. Rats that did not receive the BBG solution never regained the ability to walk. On the downside, the treatment causes the skin to temporarily turn bright blue and BBG needs to be injected soon after the trauma. The test injections were given within 15 minutes.

Human trials will not begin until more animal testing has been done, but researchers say they are optimistic that acute spinal cord injuries could be treated with the compound within a few years.

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

Subject: Bilerico Weekly Reader

One of the best parts of my job running the Bilerico sites is that I get to see so much great content before it's published. Usually I can spot a post that'll generate controversy or spur a big discussion. A couple of posts surprised me this week: Alex's post on the Larry King trial didn't get nearly the attention on TBP that it deserves (he was quoted in the Advocate for it) while Karen Ocamb's memories of working with Walter Cronkite should be required reading for any journalism fan. Be sure to check them out along with all the other fantastic posts we ran this week.

Bilerico Nation
South Bend Councilman Oliver Davis Responds to Bilerico-Indiana
Filed by: Donna Pandori (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/south_bend_councilman_oliver_davis_respo.php

"I Would Not Have A Homosexual On My Staff"
Filed by: Father Tony (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/i_would_not_have_a_homosexual_on_my_staf.php

Richmond Newspaper Regrets Role in Support of Segregation
Filed by: Michael Hamar (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/richmond_newspaper_regrets_role_in_suppo.php

Sunday
Are there any warriors in Charlotte?
Filed by: Matt Comer
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/are_there_any_warriors_in_charlotte.php

Beary Fashionable: Wonde® by Walter Van Beirendonck
Filed by: Nathan Strang
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/beary_fashionable_wonde_by_walter_van_beirendonck.php

Monday
Gay is not the new black
Filed by: Guest Blogger LZ Granderson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_is_not_the_new_black_1.php

Health care in the U.S. - stop bickering and fix it
Filed by: Pam Spaulding
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/health_care_in_the_us_-_stop_bickering_and_fix_it.php

Tuesday
(s)EXcapades: to hear or not to hear
Filed by: Michele O'Mara
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/sexcapades_to_hear_or_not_to_hear.php

A Day in the Life of a Caretaker
Filed by: Sara Whitman
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/a_day_in_the_life_of_a_caretaker.php

Wednesday
Living while Black in Cambridge
Filed by: Rev Irene Monroe
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/living_while_black_in_cambridge.php

Meet the Anti-Gay NYU Professor of Human Rights: "Diversity is not a License for Perversity"
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/meet_the_anti-gay_nyu_professor_of_human_rights_di.php

Thursday
Pumping Parties in the Heartland
Filed by: Austen Crowder
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/pumping_parties_in_the_heartland.php

Barbara Walters on "Bruno": "I Don't Like Seeing Closeups of Anal Sex"
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/barbara_walters_on_bruno_i_dont_like_seeing_closeu.php

Friday
AAA South Pledges Family Memberships to Same-Gender Spouses
Filed by: Nadine Smith
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/aaa_south_pledges_family_memberships_to_same-gende.php

Wisconsin domestic partnership law under attack
Filed by: Nancy Polikoff
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/wisconsin_domestic_partnership_law_under_attack.php

BONUS!
Walter Cronkite and the Player Piano
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/walter_cronkite_and_the_player_piano.php

Calling Brandon "obsessed with Nazis" seems restrained now
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/calling_brandon_obsessed_with_nazis_seems_restrain.php
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Equal Love : Equality: you're doing it wrong.Equal Love : Equality: you're doing it wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hB1XOqhB8Y&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjoemygod.blogspot.com%2F&feature=player_embedded

Weekly Bilerico Reader

Subject: Weekly Bilerico Reader

When I crossposted the video of Michael's Steele's "fried chicken and potato salad" quip on Huff Po this week, the nation went nuts. The post's popularity led to double our normal traffic on Bilerico Project and we ended the week with another high note - word that Michael Savage's wife quit working for him over her gay-positive stance with Rockstar Energy Drink! Check out the best of this week's Bilerico sites:

Bilerico Nation
Where's My Gay Tennis Player?
Filed by: Sean Bugg (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/wheres_my_gay_tennis_player.php

"Well I'll be damned"
Filed by: Nadine Smith (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/well_ill_be_damned.php

Young Republicans elect racist middle-aged woman President
Filed by: Bil Browning (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/young_republicans_elect_racist_middle-ag.php

Sunday
Lifting the Veil off Mental Health: Life with a Bipolar Partner
Filed by: David Castillo
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/lifting_the_veil_off_mental_health_life_with_a_bip.php

Fig Trees, Transliminal Criminals, and Other Plural Nouns: Dispatch from Outfest 2009
Filed by: Jessica Hoffmann
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/fig_trees_transliminal_criminals_and_other_plural.php

Monday
Where is the Senate on ENDA?
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/where_is_the_senate_on_enda_1.php

Judge Sotomayor for the Supreme Court
Filed by: Kate Kendell
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/judge_sotomayor_for_the_supreme_court.php

Tuesday
A straight contributor to TBP?
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/a_straight_contributor_to_tbp.php

Gay Republican cat-fight!
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_republican_cat-fight.php

Wednesday
Florida Judge Who Struck Down Gay Adoption Ban Demoted
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/florida_judge_who_struck_down_gay_adoption_ban_dem.php

The Politics of Comedy: What's Off Limits?; Plus, "The Goods" Wants You to Laugh at a Hate Crime
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/bruno_and_the_politics_of_comedy_whats_off_limits.php

Thursday
First the Abortionists, Then the "Homosexuals": TheCall Declares War
Filed by: Patricia Nell Warren
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/first_abortionists_now_homosexuals_the_call_declar.php

Where To Find Sex And Love
Filed by: Father Tony
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/where_to_find_sex_and_love.php

Friday
Rockstar Energy Drink CFO breaks ties with Savage Productions
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/rockstar_energy_drink_cfo_breaks_ties_with_savage.php

The F-22 v. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill
Filed by: John Shields
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/the_f-22_v_the_matthew_shepard_hate_crimes_bill.php

BONUS!
Steele: I'll Woo Blacks To GOP With "Fried Chicken And Potato Salad"
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/steele_gop_woos_blacks_with_fried_chicken_and_pota.php

Long-Sought Hate Crimes Measure added to Defense Bill

Democrats Add Long-Sought Hate Crimes Measure to Defense Bill

http://www.truthout.org/071609C?n

Halimah Abdullah, McClatchy Newspapers: "Just days after Arizona Sen. John McCain forged an unusual bipartisan alliance with the White House to cut $1.75 billion in increased spending for the F-22 jet fighter, congressional Democratic leaders on Wednesday added a hate-crimes measure to the must-pass bill."

Enjoy!

Workation Update

Having a grand time in Ouro Preto. I am doing some work for CEAD (Centro de Educação Aberta ea Distância) at the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto here in Brasil. As well it is the Festival do Inverno which means a lot of plays, film and art... since it is Carmen Miranda's 100th birthday this year, I feel obliged to see all her films that are being shown... actually very fun.

Everywhere here in a town that is a sculpture in itself. All this allows me to catch up on what is going on with my amigos and to walk about with my camera.

Life is good.

More details and pictures are at Notorious.

Homosexuality and Hinduism

Google News Alert for: "sri sri ravi shankar"
Homosexuality, Hinduism and Section 377
GlobalPost - USASri Sri Ravi Shankar (born 1956), founder of the international movement, Art of Living, when asked about homosexuality, stated, “Every individual has both ...

I've got some bad news.

Dear Daniel --

I've got some bad news.

After 10 years of service to our country -- including leading combat patrols, rebuilding schools and translating Arabic in Iraq for 15 months -- the Federal Recognition Board issued its recommendation on Tuesday that I be discharged from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The board's decision to fire me is not the end. Now that this panel of four officers has recommended my discharge, it still must be approved by senior officials in the Army, a process that could take a few weeks to a year. Unless something unexpected happens, it may be just a matter of time before the Army officially fires me.

I will not give up, no matter the odds. Because I know that the only way we will win this fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is by facing it head on. And I need your help again to keep up the fight.

I've made my case to President Obama -- supported by more than 140,000 of your signatures. I've made my case to the Army -- supported by more than 160,000 of your signatures. And I will continue to make my case until they fire me for good.

Now we need to make our case to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Will you join me in asking Speaker Pelosi to strongly support legislation currently in Congress that would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? Please sign on to our letter and I'll personally deliver your signatures to the Speaker ASAP:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT

At West Point, I recited the Cadet Prayer every Sunday. It taught me to "choose the harder right over the easier wrong" and to "never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won." The Cadet Honor Code demanded truthfulness and honesty. It imposed a zero-tolerance policy against deception, or hiding behind comfort.

That's why I can't give up now. I've got to keep fighting. My fellow servicemembers -- and the 70 fellow West Point graduates who have also come out of the closet to join Knights Out, the organization I co-founded to push for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- would expect nothing less.

The only way we can win this fight for the truth is if the political cost of discrimination eventually becomes too great for the system to operate successfully. We need to raise the political cost in Congress so that Speaker Nancy Pelosi understands that, as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, "justice too long delayed is justice denied."

Speaker Pelosi needs to make "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" a priority now and come out strongly in support of legislative action to repeal this discriminatory law. Will you stand by my side now and sign our letter to the Speaker? You have my word that I will deliver your signatures to Speaker Pelosi personally:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT

As I said a few days ago, national security means many things, but the thing that makes us secure in our nation and homes is love. What makes me a better soldier, leader, Christian and human being is love. And I'm not going to hide my love.

Love is worth it.

Thank you for your support.

Daniel W. Choi
1LT, IN
New York Army National Guard

Colin Powell: Time to Review Policy on Gays in US Military

http://www.truthout.org/070609N?n

Reuters: "American attitudes have changed and the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy toward gays serving in the U.S. military should be reviewed, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Colin Powell said on Sunday. President Barack Obama favors overturning the policy, which bars gay troops from serving openly in the military."

REVOKED is on vacation...

Pics ´n stuff of my adventures in Brasil are posted over at:

http://ubnotorious.blogspot.com/

enjoy!

Its my birthday...

Ok Folks –

Just a note to say I am going to spend my birthday flying to Brasil. The blog will change somewhat while abroad, it’s a little bit of a hassle to post stuff, and I find that I like to share things I see and do there… keep the faith, enjoy my vacation (via the blog).

Ate já!

D

P.S. for the record the Ponderosa has a house sitter or two, the alarm system is functioning with in all acceptable parameters, and there neighbors be a watch’n… yo!

Quote of the Day

"Hope has never trickled down. It has always sprung up."

~~ Studs Terkel, from _Hope Dies Last_

Now it's time to empower and inspire Californians to win these rights back.

We would like to share this special message from Gavin Newsom as well as share some exciting news that we just got a few minutes ago.

Lt. Dan Choi, who is facing trial today under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, is coming to Camp Courage Sacramento on July 11-12. Lt. Choi would like to meet some of the folks who added their name to our letter of support, signed by 158,118 people.

If you would like to meet Lt. Choi, please RSVP here now:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign

---

Dear Daniel --

For many Californians, November's celebration of the election of Barack Obama as our next president was tempered by sadness and anger at the passage of Proposition 8.

That night, we became the first state in the nation to use our constitution to strip rights away from our fellow citizens. Our lesbian and gay friends, family members and neighbors woke up the morning after the election with fewer rights than they had enjoyed the night before.

Now it's time to empower and inspire Californians to win these rights back.

That's exactly what my friends at the Courage Campaign are doing. Since that historic setback eight months ago, the Courage Campaign has worked with groups and activists across the progressive political spectrum to help build a people-powered movement to restore marriage equality to California.

The heart of the Courage Campaign's commitment to equality is Camp Courage -- a transformative two-day training event for marriage equality activists of all kinds, experienced or new to the movement. Modeled after "Camp Obama," Camp Courage has received amazing reviews from participants -- most rating it a 9 (on a scale of 1 to 10) -- following recent trainings in Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego and Oakland.

Now, on the weekend of July 11-12 in Sacramento, you have an opportunity to go to Camp Courage. If you want to experience this inspiring event, time is running out to register. Sign up now to reserve your spot:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

I haven't seen this much energy in the marriage equality movement since the "Winter of Love" in 2004, when Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon and more than 4,000 other couples said "I Do" following our announcement that the City of San Francisco would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

This country took a significant step toward securing equality for every American five years ago in San Francisco. While some feel that what we did was too much, too fast, too soon, we stand firm in the belief that our actions were not only just, but legal and constitutional.

Now we need to take a stand and secure these fundamental rights for all Californians. For good.

On July 11-12, "Camp Courage Sacramento" will be ground zero in the marriage equality movement. You don't want to miss it. Please register now before time runs out:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

Thanks for helping the Courage Campaign bring full equality to California and our country.

Gavin Newsom
Mayor of San Francisco

Obama Speaks At WH Gay Cocktail Party

Pam Spaulding has the complete transcript of the president's remarks. At one point Obama was interrupted by somebody's cell phone. The offender's ringtone? A duck call. Hmm. The president quacked up.



thanks JMG for this...