Saturday, August 4, 2012
Via JMG: Clinton Praises Ugandan Activists
During her stop in Uganda yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised the brave LGBT activists who risk murder and rape merely by being open about who they are. "It is critical for all Ugandans - the government and citizens alike - to speak out against discrimination, harassment, and intimidation of anyone. That's true no matter where they come from, what they believe, or whom they love," Clinton said. Clinton said she raised the issue in talks on Friday with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, whose government has been accused of allowing political and religious leaders to drum up anti-gay feeling in the deeply conservative East African nation. "You are a model for others and an inspiration for the world," Clinton said to representatives of the group, formed in 2009 to combat draft legislation which proposed the death penalty for anyone convicted of "aggravated homosexuality".
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma August 4, 2012
Swimming in the Infinite
There is no point in being Buddhist! One does it for the sheer joy of swimming in the infinite!
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- Robert Thurman, "Swimming in the Infinite"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 6th, 2012
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Friday, August 3, 2012
Via JMG: Homeland Security To Consider Marriage Status Before Deporting Foreign Gays
After pressure earlier this week from Rep. Nancy Pelosi and a coalition of more than 80 Democrats, Homeland Security says it will consider the partner status of gay potential deportees. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:
The department has issued a new policy governing the issuances of "Notice to Appear" documents, which is the step that starts removal proceedings, which can lead to deportation. The new policy will put the policies of U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services — which considers green card applications — in alignment with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement policies for "low priority" enforcement cases, according to the department — which means that USCIS won't likely issue the notices unless other negative factors, like a criminal record, are found. A spokesman did not respond to an immediate request for a copy of the policy.Well-known LGBT immigration advocate Lavi Soloway is thrilled. Via press release:
After a two-year campaign urging the Obama administration to stop the deportations of spouses of gay and lesbian Americans, we welcome the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it will formally recognize same-sex marriages as part of its year-old ‘prosecutorial discretion’ deportation policy. By articulating the first federal policy to recognize marriages of gay and lesbian couples, the administration signals to deportations officers, Immigration Judges, and Immigration & Customs Enforcement prosecutors that our marriages must be considered when determining whether a case is deemed low priority for deportation.Until DOMA is repealed Homeland Security will continue to deny green cards to the spouses of LGBT Americans.
Via Gay Poltics Report: U.S. can’t treat married same-sex couples differently, judge rules
- U.S. can’t treat married same-sex couples differently, judge rules
- A
key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, a
federal district court judge in Connecticut ruled this week. Judge
Vanessa L. Bryant said DOMA's definition of marriage, which bars
numerous federal benefits for married same-sex couples, is impermissible
under
the Constitution's Fifth Amendment right to equal protection. Her ruling
is expected to be appealed, though a number of other federal district
and appellate courts have reached a similar conclusion. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (tiered subscription model)
(7/31), BuzzFeed
(7/31)
Via Gay Politics Report: U.S. to consider same-sex marriages in deportation cases
- U.S. to consider same-sex marriages in deportation cases
- The
Department of Homeland Security this week said it will take into
account the marriages of binational same-sex couples when deciding
whether to pursue deportation of a foreign national. The announcement
was sought by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and more than 80
other members of Congress who urged the Obama administration to stop
deporting the gay and lesbian spouses of U.S. citizens while the courts
grapple with the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. BuzzFeed
(8/2)
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma August 3, 2012
Everyday Bodhisattva
The
bodhisattva aspiration is an everyday matter—everyday both in the sense
of needing to be renewed as each day passes, and in the sense of
applying to simple tasks, to ordinary actions motivated by a longing to
reduce the difficulty and increase the happiness of those with whom we
share our lives.
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- Manjusura, "An Everyday Aspiration"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 5th, 2012
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Thursday, August 2, 2012
Via JMG: House Democrats Pressure White House Over LGBT Immigration Rights
Yesterday House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a coalition of 81 House Democrats issued a call for the Obama administration to make it official policy that the foreign partners of LGBT Americans will not be deported. Chris Geidner reports:
Pelosi — along with Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Mike Honda, the lead sponsors of two bills aimed at addressing LGBT inequalities in the immigration system, and 81 other Democrats — called on Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to "issue a written field guidance or a memorandum to explicitly state the policy of your August 18, 2011 announcement which would direct DHS personnel to consider LGBT family ties as a positive factor for the exercise of prosecutorial discretion."
The House members — including out gay Reps. Barney Frank, Jared Polis and David Cicilline — go on to say that "[a] written policy is the best way to ensure that the decision by President Obama and DHS to recognize LGBT family ties for immigration purposes will be implemented so that families will remain together."
Calling the letter "a true show of congressional force," Immigration Equality spokesman Steve Ralls told BuzzFeed, "It is a simple action, but also one that will have a real impact on real people and families. We hope Secretary Napolitano will heed the advice of those who signed the letter, and take this important step toward protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals within the immigration system from deportation."
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma August 2, 2012
Deep Listening, Deep Loving
Our
training begins with learning first to listen to ourselves until we
know our deepest aspirations, shortcomings, sufferings, and joys. Next,
we must learn to listen deeply to our partner and family. Right speech
prompts us to ask our loved ones: 'What could I do to make you happier?'
and then to listen to the reply without judging or reacting. Right
speech prompts us to say, 'Thank you for being here for me. Your
presence enriches my life. Please tell me how I can love you better.'
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- Sister True Virtue, "The Fourth Precept: Right Speech"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 4th, 2012
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Via JMG: NH Chick-Fil-A To Sponsor Gay Pride
The only New Hampshire Chick-Fil-A franchisee has signed on as a sponsor of this LGBT Pride Fest. Via LGBT Nation:
The announcement by franchise general manager Anthony Picolia came as a surprise to Pride Fest organizers in light of the ongoing public relations debacle over the negative remarks by Chick-Fil-A’s President last month regarding same-sex marriage. Picolia, in an email to LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday, confirmed that his franchise will sponsor the festival, writing:The event takes place next Saturday.
“In both my personal and professional life, I have had and continue to have positive relationships with family, friends, customers and employees in the LGBT community. It would make me sad if someone felt that they were not openly welcomed into my life or restaurant based on their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender,” In a statement issue by Pride organizers, Picolia added that his Chick-fil-A franchise “has gay employees and serves gay customers with honor, dignity and respect.”
Via AmericaBlog Gay:
Another federal judge strikes DOMA down
I remember a while back when the religious right kept saying that no court had ever found DOMA unconstitutional. Oops.
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma August 1, 2012
Letting Go
It
is hard to let go of things, harder to let go of ideas, and even harder
to let go of spiritual pretensions. Over time, as we familiarize
ourselves with the many subtle twists and turns of letting go, we begin
to be more savvy about how ego steps in to appropriate the entire
process. In the millions of mini-decisions we make day by day and moment
by moment, we are challenged each time either to let go or to
re-solidify.
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- Judy Lief, "Letting Go"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 3rd, 2012
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