A personal blog by a graying (mostly Anglo with light African-American roots) gay left leaning liberal progressive married college-educated Buddhist Baha'i BBC/NPR-listening Professor Emeritus now following the Dharma in Minas Gerais, Brasil.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Via JMG: NEW YORK: Tracy Morgan Meets Homeless LGBT Youth Of Ali Forney Center
Via Bilerico: California Marriage Equality's 3rd Anniversary
Three years ago today, on June 16, 2008, the first same-sex marriages in California were legally recognized. That day kicked off four and a half months of same-sex couples - many of whom had been together for many years - obtaining official, legally recognized marriages. Between June 16 and November 4 of that year, 18,000 same-sex couples were married.
This week, another chapter of the marriage equality struggle in California concluded. On Tuesday, Chief Judge James Ware of the federal district court in San Francisco rejected an effort to disqualify Judge Vaughn Walker's 2010 ruling that nullified Proposition 8. Walker had come under fire by supporters of Prop. 8 when he revealed that he is gay in April of this year. Prop. 8 proponents said it was unfair for Walker to have overturned the ballot initiative's decision because he was biased.
On Tuesday, Judge Ware pointed out how nonsensical their claims were:
A well-informed, thoughtful observer would recognize that the mere fact that a judge is in a relationship with another person-whether of the same or the opposite sex-does not ipso facto imply that the judge must be so interested in marrying that person that he would be unable to exhibit the impartiality which, it is presumed, all federal judges maintain. To assume otherwise is to engage in speculation about a judge's motives and desires on the basis of an unsubstantiated suspicion that the judge is personally biased or prejudiced."
The anniversary of the first legal same-sex marriages in California lined itself up nicely with an important development in the Prop. 8 case last year, too. On June 16, 2010, Judge Walker heard closing arguments in the federal trial that challenged Prop. 8's constitutionality.
This year's anniversary is far less uncertain than last year's - the Republican-appointed Ware's ruling is a significantly positive development in the marriage equality campaign in California and in the broader United States.
To the hundreds of California couples celebrating their milestones today - congratulations, and Happy Anniversary.
Via 365 Gay: In historic vote, UN body calls for protection of gay rights
(Geneva) The U.N.’s main human rights forum has condemned for the first time discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
It establishes a panel to review discrimination of gays and lesbians around the world.
The resolution was backed by the United States, the European Union, Brazil and other Latin American countries.
But African and Islamic countries, led by Nigeria and Pakistan, slammed the resolution saying it had “nothing to do with fundamental human rights.”
Via JMG: Pam's House Blend Joins Firedoglake
At today's Morning News Dump with Lizz Winstead, Pam Spaulding made the big announcement that she'll be folding Pam's House Blend into a subblog on Firedoglake. FDL founder Jane Hamsher:
Pam's House Blend has long been one of the most compelling and influential sites in the blogosphere. Founder Pam Spaulding has used the platform not only to speak out herself as a woman of color and a member of the LGBT community, but also to play host to many other fine bloggers who have worked with her to build PHB into a robust activist community. Pam was also one of my first friends when we were both posting at Daily Kos, before Firedoglake even existed.We wish her well.
So it gives me great pleasure to announce that Pam's House Blend will be joining the Firedoglake family of blogs. I think it's a perfect union - as the task of hosting a blog and performing the tech, legal and security work to keep it up and running becomes more and more complex and expensive, it will free Pam and her fellow bloggers to spend their time doing what they do best, which is blog. It also allows us to feature the work of a really amazing group of writers on FDL, and be tremendously enriched by the PHB community.
Via JMG: Quote Of The Day II - Albert Mohler
"We've (Southern Baptists) lied about the nature of homosexuality and have practiced what can only be described as homophobia. We've used the choice language when it is clear that sexual orientation is a deep inner struggle and not merely a matter of choice." - Southern Baptists president Albert Mohler, speaking at this year's convention. Mohler also said: "Only the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ gives a homosexual person any hope of release from homosexuality."
NOTE: It's unclear if Mohler's comments were prompted by the demand for an apology made earlier this week by groups such as GetEQUAL and Truth Wins Out.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Via JMG: MINNEAPOLIS: Lesbian Couple Yelled At For Kissing At Twins Baseball Game
Via Minneapolis' City Pages blog:
Taylor Campione and Kelsi Culpepper -- two lesbian women from Minneapolis -- were recently scolded by a Target Field security guard for what they call a "brief kiss." After seeing the quick peck on the lips, the guard told the women that "we don't play grab ass here" and that they must "adhere to the 10 Commandments" while at the stadium. "That ruined our entire evening," says Campione. "We were super upset, we felt super uncomfortable." The security guard has since been reprimanded, but continues to work at the stadium, says Kevin Smith, a spokesman for the Twins. "That behavior just is unacceptable," Smith says of the biblical put-down. "That security guard has received both a verbal and written reprimand that will be put in his personnel file, and he understands that that is not an acceptable behavior."The couple plans to file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Via JMG: Today In Christian Love™
Unbelievable.
Activists in Kentucky are planning a peaceful response after two gay men with developmental and intellectual disabilities were kicked out of a public pool. A maintenance technician reportedly cited the Bible while telling the two men they couldn't swim at The Pavilion, a government-funded recreational facility in Hazard, Kentucky. "We own this place and can tell you to leave if we want to," the couple was told, according to the Kentucky Equality Foundation. "The Pavilion staff immediately entered the pool area and asked my clients and their staff to leave the Pavilion," Mending Hearts Executive Director Shirlyn Perkins recalled. "My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that 'gay people' weren't allowed to swim there."
Via JMG: Crazy Eyes: Horrible Lesbian Activists Held Me In The Ladies Room Against My Will!
Today the Daily Beast reports on a 2005 incident in which Michele Bachmann called the police when lesbian activists spoke to her in a ladies room.
A few dozen people showed up at the town hall for the April 9 event, and Bachmann greeted them warmly. But when, during the question and answer session, the topic turned to same-sex marriage, Bachmann ended the meeting 20 minutes early and rushed to the bathroom. Hoping to speak to her, Arnold and another middle-aged woman, a former nun, followed her. As Bachmann washed her hands and Arnold looked on, the ex-nun tried to talk to her about theology. Suddenly, after less than a minute, Bachmann let out a shriek. "Help!" she screamed. "Help! I'm being held against my will!"As the above-linked story notes, just before Bachmann's ladies room encounter, she'd been exposed by the local press for hiding in the bushes (with a bodyguard) to observe a gay rights rally at the Minnesota capitol building.
Arnold, who is just over 5 feet tall, was stunned, and hurried to open the door. Bachmann bolted out and fled, crying, to an SUV outside. Then she called the police, saying, according to the police report, that she was "absolutely terrified and has never been that terrorized before as she had no idea what those two women were going to do to her." The Washington County attorney, however, declined to press charges, writing in a memo, "It seems clear from the statements given by both women that they simply wanted to discuss certain issues further with Ms. Bachmann."
Labels: 2012 elections, asshattery, bigotry, crazy people, GOP, Michele Bachmann, Minnesota, religion
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Via AMERICAbloggay:
Two gay men with disabilities kicked out of KY swimming pool: Told "gay people" not allowed to swim, per the Bible
Wow. Sounds like we need a nationwide public accommodations law too. I mean, swimming pools. Could they pick a better civil rights example?
This is the problem with the Democrats' dawdling on ENDA the past two years (and now it's too late, since we lost the House). We're far beyond ENDA as a community. We need marriage and a comprehensive civil rights act, now. And Democrats have no clue how far beyond them our movement has gone. The problem is that the White House is only talking with the traditional gay groups, who no longer represent the community, treating the rest of us like diseased pariahs. They don't like us, especially those of us who work with the Internet. We're mean, you see, because we actually expect the President to be our fierce advocate without massive amounts of never-ending cajoling. No cocktail parties for us. The White House thinks that if they diss enough of us enough times, the repeated snubs will force us to be nicer to them the next time they drop the ball and don't do what they promised. Wonder how that's working for them, what with an important election coming up and all. As Joe likes to say, you'd think they'd be wooing the base about now. Not so much. They're wooing HRC. But some day soon the White House is going to realize that HRC has about as many troops as the Vatican. And by then it's going to be too late. I really thought we'd be working side-by-side with the White House on gay rights and all sorts of progressive issues, taking advantage of the huge mandate the public gave the President, and of the utter ruin in which George Bush left the Republican party. Instead, we got someone who is better than a Republican on a number of issues. I strive to be more in life than simply better than bad people on a number of issues. I'd hoped our friends in the White House would as well.
Now back to Kentucky...
More from Raw Story:
"The Pavilion staff immediately entered the pool area and asked my clients and their staff to leave the Pavilion," Mending Hearts Executive Director Shirlyn Perkins recalled. "My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that 'gay people' weren't allowed to swim there."
"My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it. My staff continued to argue with this man, but was ultimately forced to leave. My clients, whom already feel ridiculed and different, left the city owned facility crying and embarrassed for trying to participate in 'normal' activities that everyday 'normal' people do," she added.
"This is completely outrageous, The Pavilion is owned by the City of Hazard and paid for by our tax dollars," Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer said.
Via GP: GOP presidential candidates weigh in on homosexuality
Three Republicans who have announced their candidacies for president answered questions about LGBT issues this week. Herman Cain, a former business executive, said he believes homosexuality is sinful and a choice. Rick Santorum pledged his support for amending the U.S. Constitution to ban legal marriage for same-sex couples. Meanwhile, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney declined to say whether he believed homosexuality is a sin, but reiterated his opposition to marriage equality. RealClearPolitics (06/08) Towleroad (06/09) CBS News (06/09) |
Via AmericaBlogGay:
Two gay men with disabilities kicked out of KY swimming pool: Told "gay people" not allowed to swim, per the Bible
And they even had the audacity to tell them outright that "gay people" weren't allowed in their public pool. And there were witnesses.Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Via Lincoln's Wet Paint:
Read this and after you are finished screaming obscenities, please read my comments.
Anti-Gay Bigots: Homos Are Bullying Us!
This takes the damn ass fucking cake, but it's no surprise to those of us on Twitter.
As the gay-rights movement advances, there's increasing evidence of an intriguing role reversal: Today, it's the conservative opponents of that movement who seem eager to depict themselves as victims of intolerance. To them, the gay-rights lobby has morphed into a relentless bully — pressuring companies and law firms into policy reversals, making it taboo in some circumstances to express opposition to same-sex marriage. "They're advocating for a lot of changes in the name of tolerance," said Jim Campbell, an attorney with the conservative Alliance Defense Fund. "Yet ironically the tolerance is not returned, for people of faith who don't agree with their agenda." Many gay activists, recalling their movement's past struggles and mindful of remaining bias, consider such protestations by their foes to be hollow and hypocritical.
Not agreeing over equal marriage is one thing. What these people are doing is quiet an other.
First I want to remind you that they are Hate Groups for repeatedly spreading known misinformation and out right lies against the LGBT population.
They use derogatory language at every turn. They rely on discredited "facts" and studies that are manipulated to fit their agenda. Several of the writers of these studies that they twist are coming forward to protest how the Hate Groups are using their findings.
They compare being gay with so many horrible things that I can't bear to write them. You all know what they are.
They blame us for everything under the sun that goes wrong, from the economy to natural disasters.
As the gay-rights movement advances, there's increasing evidence of an intriguing role reversal: Today, it's the conservative opponents of that movement who seem eager to depict themselves as victims of intolerance. To them, the gay-rights lobby has morphed into a relentless bully — pressuring companies and law firms into policy reversals, making it taboo in some circumstances to express opposition to same-sex marriage. "They're advocating for a lot of changes in the name of tolerance," said Jim Campbell, an attorney with the conservative Alliance Defense Fund. "Yet ironically the tolerance is not returned, for people of faith who don't agree with their agenda." Many gay activists, recalling their movement's past struggles and mindful of remaining bias, consider such protestations by their foes to be hollow and hypocritical.
Not agreeing over equal marriage is one thing. What these people are doing is quiet an other.
First I want to remind you that they are Hate Groups for repeatedly spreading known misinformation and out right lies against the LGBT population.
They use derogatory language at every turn. They rely on discredited "facts" and studies that are manipulated to fit their agenda. Several of the writers of these studies that they twist are coming forward to protest how the Hate Groups are using their findings.
They compare being gay with so many horrible things that I can't bear to write them. You all know what they are.
They blame us for everything under the sun that goes wrong, from the economy to natural disasters.
They say that homosexuals are worse than terrorists and should die. That homosexuals have no Family Values and want to make all their children homosexuals too. If homosexuals are allowed to marry, our kindergartners will be taught about homosexual sex. Homosexuals hate christians. Homosexuals hate God! Bullying is wrong...unless you want to tell a homosexual they are going to hell.
Got the picture?
Now you can lie all you want out here but you can not lie in court. The anti-marriage defence is lame at best and the courts keep finding in favor of fairness to all.
They are scared. They know they will loose. They will do or say anything to win including waving the religion card. The FACT that the Catholic church is dumping money into the "war" and every board member is catholic may have something to do with that. The Fact that they are fighting about disclosure of funding in several states raises some good questions.
Homosexuals are taking away your freedom of religion. You will not be able to spread the word that God hates homosexuals. Homosexuals want to take away your rights.
Now they are the victims?
I think the fact that the Supreme Court allows for Phelps and the WBC to continue to do their thing is proof that religious freedom is just fine. The only thing that will change is " If you receive public funds, you can not discriminate against the public." They can discriminate all they want as long as it is with their own money.
That we are "making it taboo in some circumstances to express opposition to same-sex marriage." That is not true. They can say what they want in their homes and house of worship. They can stand on the street corner and public protests.
There is no change in their freedom of speech or religion.
These Hate Groups want people to believe that exposing their lies, exposing their twisted "facts", exposing their hate toward gays, and proving that we are NOT all those nasty things is bullying.
They have turned themselves into victims....Not the LGBT population.
DON'T LISTEN TO HATE GROUPS! THEY GOT IT WRONG!!
Via John Bush: Buddha Standard Time
Lama Surya Das, who contributed to the script of the Journey Into Buddhism films,
has written this brilliant new book. It is deeply wise and elegantly practical, and has the remarkable
quality of giving you both greater amounts of time and timelessness. A gift for anyone.
“Buddha Standard Time is a welcome antidote to the often frenetic pace of modern life. Drawing from the broad scope of his poetic, social and scientific interests, as well as the great depth of his Buddhist training, Lama Surya Das offers a wise and sane way to navigate these times. This pragmatic book will be illuminating and helpful for anyone wishing to find the timeless amidst the rush of time.”
has written this brilliant new book. It is deeply wise and elegantly practical, and has the remarkable
quality of giving you both greater amounts of time and timelessness. A gift for anyone.
.
Lama Surya Das, who contributed to the script of the Journey Into Buddhism films,
has written this brilliant new book. It is deeply wise and elegantly practical, and has the remarkable
quality of giving you both greater amounts of time and timelessness. A gift for anyone.
“From early morning to late at night, from preschool to retirement, we rush through our lives in order to scrimp on time. But what if time did not control us? What if we felt that our time and our lives were our own? —
From Buddha Standard Time
HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publisher
May 2011 | Hardcover |$25.99 | ISBN: 9780061774560
Discover the Power of Living Fully in the Now
BUDDHA STANDARD TIME
Awakening to the Infinite Possibilities of Now
By Lama Surya Das
National Bestselling Author of Awakening the Buddha Within
Life in the 21st century moves at break-neck speed. Yet despite our slavish dependency on instant coffee, express buses, ATMs, and 140 character tweets, we’re all strapped for time and desperately wish for more hours in the day. What if someone had a solution for how busy and stressed out we’ve all become?
Now in BUDDHA STANDARD TIME: Awakening to the Infinite Possibilities of Now, Lama Surya Das, national bestselling author and one of the foremost Western Buddhist teachers, offers an alternative to the ceaseless hustle and bustle of modern American life.
The problem begins, Surya Das says, with our relationship to time—we experience it linearly by moving forward doing and accomplishing things. But we are human beings not human doings, and the thinner we spread ourselves the more disconnected we become. That leaves us vulnerable to high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, insomnia, digestive ailments, and depression. We must eschew the notion that stress will melt away if only we could adapt to the frenetic pace of life. Instead the aim is to experience the Eternal Now, or what Surya Das calls “Buddha Standard Time”— the realm of timelessness where every choice, every action, and every breath can be one of renewal and infinite possibilities.
With “Mindful Moments” exercises and “Time Out” meditations, Surya Das equips readers with tools to cure the “disease to please,” kick addictions, reconnect with nature, and gracefully embrace loss, sickness, and death. When we incorporate Buddha Standard Time, stress melts away, and we find greater focus, fulfillment, creativity and even wisdom. Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike will find inner peace and live more sanely and joyously by realizing we have all the time in the world.
See on AMAZON
“This book is Lama Surya Das in his most tone-perfect Western guru voice: authoritative, inviting, generous, funny, poetic, imaginative and informative and totally accessible. For newcomers to Buddhism (and non-Buddhists interested in universal wisdom!) and ‘old hands’ at practice, this is a delightful read. It promises nothing less than a liberated life, freed from the angst over the tyranny of time, though the practice of loving presence. The ‘To Do’ sections are remarkable interesting and inspiring.”
— Sylvia Boorstein, author of Happiness Is An Inside Job
— Sylvia Boorstein, author of Happiness Is An Inside Job
“Lama Surya Das is one of our best teachers of universal wisdom. Buddha Standard Time is fairly dripping with insights. It’s like a treasure to keep near you at all times.”
— Marianne Williamson, author of The Age of Miracles
“Buddha Standard Time is a welcome antidote to the often frenetic pace of modern life. Drawing from the broad scope of his poetic, social and scientific interests, as well as the great depth of his Buddhist training, Lama Surya Das offers a wise and sane way to navigate these times. This pragmatic book will be illuminating and helpful for anyone wishing to find the timeless amidst the rush of time.”
— Joseph Goldstein, author of One Dharma and A Heart Full of Peace
“A wealth of inspiration and practical tips for enjoying the Kingdom of God, the Pure Land of the Buddha, *now*.”
— Bestselling author Thich Nhat Hanh
— Bestselling author Thich Nhat Hanh
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lama Surya Das is the national bestselling author of Awakening the Buddha Within and Buddha Is As Buddha Does. A renowned Western Buddhist meditation teacher and scholar, he teaches and lectures around the world, conducting dozens of meditation retreats and workshops each year. Based on his relationship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Surya Das founded the Western Buddhist Teachers Network and has organized three week-long conferences of Western Buddhist Meditation Teachers with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. He also teaches regularly at Esalen, Open Center, Omega Institute, Interface, at universities in the United States and abroad.
Booktour info
Via JMG: Boston Priest Defies Archdiocese, Declares Gays Welcome At Catholic Mass
Earlier this week I reported that the Archdiocese of Boston had moved to cancel a planned "All Are Welcome" Catholic mass in honor of gay Pride. Yesterday the Boston Globe reported that the local priest behind the idea is standing up to his bosses.
Sunday Mass at St. Cecilia’s Church in the Back Bay brought the first standing ovation any parishioner could remember. During the first Mass since the Archdiocese of Boston canceled one planned for next weekend in support of St. Cecilia’s gay and lesbian churchgoers, the Rev. John J. Unni preached a fiery message of unconditional love and what he called “acceptance of all." “You are welcome here, gay or straight, rich or poor, young or old, black or white,’’ Unni said as he paced up and down the center aisle. “Here, you all can say, ‘I can worship the God who made me as I am.’" Unni finished his homilies at the 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses to thunderous applause.The "All Are Welcome" special mass remains canceled, but members of the Rainbow Ministry will gather on the sidewalk outside the church next Sunday.
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