Via AmericaBlogGay:

Pelosi nudges Obama on gay marriage, while White House fights off GOP accusations

From HuffPost:

In a February cover story with The Advocate, a national gay and lesbian news magazine, Pelosi declined to give specifics on conversations she may have had with Obama on the issue. Instead, she said she has been focused on pressing the Democratic National Committee to fund efforts to reject state-level anti-marriage ballot measures. "There are more ways to get your voice heard than just speaking," she said. 

Pelosi added, "But I hope the president would just say he supports equality in marriage."

The Advocate story is here. HuffPost goes on to note that the White House is at pains to explain why Republicans are now saying the President has the same position on marriage equality as Romney, Santorum and Gingrich. That's not something the White House wants to hear the GOP say as we approach the election, as it's sure to be sore point with gay voters.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 13, 2012

How to Surrender

In the Shin Buddhist tradition, as we listen to the teaching we are made to realize that we can never surrender ourselves. Resistance comes from the deepest center of our karmic selves. That’s why the Buddha Amida’s compassion says, “Tai, you don’t have to surrender.” When I hear that, when I understand that I can’t do it because it’s not my nature—that it’s like saying, “Fly to the sky”—then I realize that I don’t have to surrender, yet, naturally and spontaneously, the surrender takes place by virtue of true compassion.

- Taitetsu Unno, “Even Dewdrops Fall: An Interview with Taitetsu Unno”
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 12, 2012

The Fifth Precept: Not Using Intoxicants

To refrain from taking intoxicants is one of the primary vows that laypeople may take and that monastics have to uphold. One of the main reasons for not becoming intoxicated is that this can—and often does—lead to breaking other vows or straying from one’s integrity. Another reason for not becoming intoxicated is that for many, intoxication obscures the clarity of mind—the clarity to understand and rest in one’s true nature moment to moment.

- Lama Palden, "The Fifth Precept"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 11, 2012

Get up where you fall down

In Genjokoan, Dogen writes, “Those who have great realization of delusion are buddhas.” The place where you get to be Buddha, so to speak, is in delusion, and there’s plenty of that to go around. You get up where you fall down. You don’t get up somewhere else. It’s where you fall down that you establish your practice.

- Ryokan Steve Weintraub on Sojun Mel Weitsman, "Umbrella Man"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via AmericaBlogGay:

Pope says gay marriage threatens the "future of humanity itself." No word on the threat caused by raping children.

Yes, the rape of the next generation doesn't seem to merit as much concern as two adults in love who simply want to settle down. As always, I ask, why should we care about the moral pronouncements of people who aid and abet the rape of small children? From Reuters:

"This is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society. Consequently, policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself," he said.

The Pope seems to be parroting Rick Santorum's argument that somehow straight men will leaves their wives and hook up with the gay guy down the street if given the chance. Which raises the question of why the Pope believes that all "straight" men naturally would be tempted by "teh gay."

Via AmericaBlogGay:

Gingrich lies about Catholic Charities bigots

Good job by Soledad O'Brien on this one. Equality Matters has more.

Via Nalanda LGBT Buddhist Cultural and Resource Center:

 

Wall Photos

 

‎"If one wishes suffering not to happen to the people and the earth, it begins with a kind heart."

Pema Chodron

Via JMG: SHARIA LAW: Liberty Counsel Rewrites The Declaration Of Independence

The Liberty Counsel has boldly issued their own "Declaration of American Values," a document they'd presumably like to see become law. Here's a small sampling of the chilling items they demand of the government:

To secure our national interest in the institution of marriage and family by embracing the union of one man and one woman as the sole form of legitimate marriage and the proper basis of family.

To secure the free exercise of religion for all people, including the freedom to acknowledge God through our public institutions and other modes of public expression and the freedom of religious conscience without coercion by penalty or force of law.

To secure the moral dignity of each person, acknowledging that obscenity, pornography, and indecency debase our communities, harm our families, and undermine morality and respect. Therefore, we promote enactment and enforcement of laws to protect decency and traditional morality.

It should be plain to even the most casual observer that the Christianist right demands nothing less than that the complete imposition of Sharia law. You don't get to decide what you read, what you watch, whom you fuck, and certainly not whom you marry. Jesus knows best and those who complain the loudest will be the first up against the wall. This country is heading for its own Kristallnacht, should these 21st century fascists ever get any real power.

Labels: dominionists, hate groups, Liberty Counsel, Sharia Law, theocracy

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 10, 2012

Seeing Clearly

Our practice is to meet life exactly as it is and to notice whatever fear, anger, or doubt gets in the way of direct intimate contact with this moment, bringing attention to that as well. Rather than changing something or seeking to get somewhere we imagine we should be, practice is about seeing clearly exactly how things really are and how we relate to them. Practice thus becomes an increasing intimacy with life just as it is, and there is nothing—including the ideas that we should be getting something or somewhere—that is unworthy of the clear, nonjudgmental attention we call mindfulness.

- Douglas Phillips, "Q&A with Douglas Phillips"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via Obama for America:

 

Daniel --

The Mitt Romney who ran for U.S. Senate in 1994 promised voters in Massachusetts that he'd be a stronger advocate for LGBT rights than Senator Kennedy.

And in 2002, while running for governor of Massachusetts, Romney's campaign passed out fliers for Pride Weekend, saying "All citizens deserve equal rights regardless of their sexual preference." Yesterday afternoon, Mitt Romney's current campaign actually disavowed that 2002 flier.

You're probably wondering a few things. First, just exactly which part of that flier doesn't he agree with? And second, what could have possibly changed between yesterday morning (when Romney said he felt gays and lesbians deserved "full rights") and yesterday afternoon? Maybe he thinks that line won't play as well in the upcoming South Carolina primary?

It's election season again, and the only Mitt we really know is the one who will say whatever it takes to win. If he is the Republican nominee, we can expect him to suddenly try and be best friends with LGBT voters again. That's why we're sending him the message that it doesn't work like that -- and that we won't let him get away with it.

Say you'll help hold Mitt accountable before he has a chance to pander yet again:

http://my.barackobama.com/Hold-Mitt-Accountable

Mitt's going to try to be whoever he thinks he needs to be to get elected -- it's our job to make sure those tactics come at a cost.

Stay tuned,

Jamie

Jamie Citron
Director, LGBT Vote
Obama for America

Bye June - Shades of Purple [Official Music Video]

Via JMG: Ron Paul New Hampshire Flyer

In this flyer being distributed in New Hampshire, Ron Paul brags that he introduced a bill that would bar the federal courts from considering DOMA cases. Which is rather remarkable, as DOMA is a federal law.

Labels: DOMA, mental illness, New Hampshire, Ron Paul

Reposted from Joe

Above & Beyond feat. Miguel Bosé - Sea Lo Que Sea Será (Official Video)

Thich Nhat Hanh on Aimlessness

ॐ Thich Nhat Hanh Quote Collective ॐ

Does the rose have to do something? No, the purpose of a rose is to be a rose. Your purpose is to be yourself. You don't have to run anywhere to become someone else. You are wonderful just the way you are. This teaching of the Buddha allows us to enjoy ourselves, the blue sky, and everything that is refreshing and healing in the present moment. We already have everything we are looking for, everything we want to become. We are already a Buddha so why not just take the hand of another Buddha and practice walking meditation? Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation. The Heart Sutra says that there is "nothing to attain." We meditate not to attain enlightenment, because enlightenment is already in us. We don't need to search anywhere. We don't need to practice to obtain some high position. We can enjoy every moment. People talk about entering nirvana, but we are already there. Aimlessness and nirvana are one. We have everything we need to make the present moment the happiest in our life, even if we have a cold or a headache. We don't have to wait until we get over our cold to be happy. Having a cold is part of life. I am happy in the present moment. I do not ask for anything else. I do not expect any additional happiness. Aimlessness is stopping and realizing the happiness that is already available.

--Thich Nhat Hanh--

Via JMG: Molestation Victims Are Crybabies!

Victims of pedophile priests are just big wailing crybabies, according to a graphic and story posted by the Catholic League. Stop complaining, Timmy! You know you wanted it.

Labels: Bill Donahue, Catholic Church, Catholic League, douchenozzles, evil, molestation, pedophilia

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Romney Spox Denies Gay Pride Flyer

 

"I don’t know where those pink flyers came from. I was the communications director on the 2002 campaign. I don’t know who distributed them. I never saw them and I was the communications director. I never saw them and I never approved them. I’m not quite sure where they came from." - Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom on the above flyer, which includes the tagline: "Paid for by the Romney For Governor Committee. Romney was questioned about the flyer during yesterday's GOP debate.

Labels: GOP, LGBT rights, Mitt Romney

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Mitt Romney: I Oppose Same-Sex Marriage But Do Not Discriminate Against Gays

At this morning's GOP debate, the moderator tried to trip up Mitt Romney by quoting his 1994 pro-gay comment to Boston's Bay Windows, a statement which is still denounced today by the anti-gay industry. Romney opened by restating his opposition to same-sex marriage, then launched into a vow of non-discrimination in other areas.

Think Progress blogger Zack Ford reacted.
RELATED: Immediately following the debate, GOProud rushed out this press release.

We thank Governor Romney for having the political courage to speak up for gay Americans. He made it crystal clear this morning that he will be the type of President that gay people, and those who care about gays and lesbians in this country, can trust and be proud of. On issue after issue – whether it’s the economy, jobs, taxes, energy, healthcare or retirement security – Mitt Romney is offering common-sense conservative plans that will improve the lives of all Americans – gay or straight.

ALSO RELATED: Don't forget that Romney signed NOM's hate pledge in which he vowed to thwart the progress of LGBT civil equality. The pledge also includes a promise to appoint a federal commission to investigate any so-called "repression of religious liberties" by gay rights activists.

Labels: debate watch, GOP, GOProud, LGBT rights, marriage equality, Mitt Romney

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 9, 2012

Equanimity in Relationships

The Buddha prescribed equanimity in the face of suffering. In relationships, this means accepting the inevitability of painful disconnections and using them as an opportunity to work through difficult emotions. We instinctively avoid unpleasantness, often without our awareness. When we touch something unlovely in ourselves—fear, anger, jealousy, shame, disgust—we tend to withdraw emotionally and direct our attention elsewhere. But denying how we feel, or projecting our fears and faults onto others, only drives a wedge between us and the people we yearn to be close to.

- Christopher Germer, "Getting Along"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Campanha de enfrentamento à Homofobia

Campanha de esclarecimento da população sobre homofobia e incentivo à denúncia através do Disque Direitos Humanos - Disque 100.

A mobilização é uma iniciativa da Secretaria de Direitos Humanos da Presidência da República, do PNUD, da Unesco e da TV Globo.

A peça é protagonizada pelos atores Marcos Damigo e Rodrigo Andrade, que interpretaram um casal gay na novela Insensato Coração.