Via JMG: Hate Group Hypocrisy Of The Day

Remember all the screams about yard signs and chikin graffiti? According to the American Family Association, vandalism is totally OK when it's their side doing it.

AFA was recently contacted by a Home Depot employee who says the boycott of Home Depot is being effective. "We have customers who come into our store and confront our store managers over the HD's support of Gay pride. The AFA is having an effect on HD." She also shared that many employees disagree with the company's pro-gay-marriage stand. In June, a "Gay Pride Month" poster (photo right) was put up in her breakroom. "HD is as committed as ever to the changing of laws in favor of same sex marriage. They had absolutely no empathy for those employees who voiced offense with the display. This was mandated by corporate directive. Therefore the display was torn down at least 2 times."

Freepers are thrilled.

Labels: AFA, hate groups, hypocrisy, religion

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Tyler Clementi's Mother: I've Changed

The mother of Tyler Clementi, the gay Rutgers student who leaped to his death from the George Washington Bridge, says she's riddled with self-blame but has come to a new understanding about her son's sexuality.

“I think some people think that sexual orientation can be changed or prayed over,” she said now, in her kitchen. “But I know sexual orientation is not up for negotiation. I don’t think my children need to be changed. I think that what needed changing is attitudes, or myself, or maybe some other people I know.” She decided she could no longer attend her church, because doing so would suggest she supported its teachings against homosexuality.

And she took strength from reading the Bible as she reconsidered her views. “At this point I think Jesus is more about reconciliation and love,” she said. “He spoke more about divorce than homosexuality, but you can be divorced and join a church more than you can be gay and join churches.” What has troubled her most is the thought that Tyler believed she had rejected him.

Read the full sad article.

Labels: LGBT youth, New Jersey, parenting, suicide

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 25, 2012

Being Careful with Thoughts

People are often careless about the thoughts they give rise to, assuming that once they forget about a thought, that thought is finished. This is not true. Once you give rise to a thought, it keeps functioning, and eventually its consequences return to you.

- Daehaeng Kun Sunim, "Thinking Big"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 27th, 2012
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Via Wipe Out Homophobia / FB:

Via JMG: Record 470 Openly LGBT Delegates To Attend Democratic Convention

At least 470 delegates at the Democratic Convention will be openly LGBT. Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade:

The upcoming Democratic National Convention is set to have a record number of openly LGBT delegates, although goals for some states aren’t being met, according to new data from the National Stonewall Democrats. The organization as of Wednesday evening identified at least 470 openly LGBT delegates that are set to attend the convention, but more data is expected to become public at a later time. A total of 5,963 delegates are set to come to Charlotte, N.C.., for the event during the week of Sept. 3. Having 470 delegates exceeds the goal of 418 delegates at the convention and is already higher than numbers from 2008, when 277 delegates participated.

California leads the pack with 74 LGBT delegates. States sending only one: Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming. Several states are sending LGBT delegates for the first time ever.

Labels: Charlotte, Democratic convention, gay politicians, JMG, LGBT rights, North Carolina

reposted from Joe

From the San Francisco 49ers: It Gets Better

Family and Freedom - Republicans for Marriage Equality

Expanding Marriage Rights does not Redefine Marriage

Via The Platzner Post / FB:

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Those who attain perfect wisdom are forever inspired by the conviction that the infinitely varied forms of this world, in all their relativity, far from being a hindrance and a dangerous distraction to the spiritual path, are really a healing medicine. Why? Because by the very fact that they are interdependent on each other and therefore have no separate self, they express the mystery and the energy of all-embracing love. Not just the illumined wise ones but every single being in the interconnected world is a dweller in the boundless infinity of love. - Prajnaparmita More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: NEW YORK: Bullied Bus Monitor Karen Klein Launches Anti-Bullying Foundation

You may recall that over $700,000 flooded into an internet account set up as a "vacation fund" for New York bus monitor Karen Klein after she was seen being brutally bullied by students on a viral cell video. This is what she's doing with some of the money:

My story inspired more than 32,000 people to engage in their own act of love by donating to a fundraising campaign created by Max for my support. As you probably know, together we raised a lot more money than what I needed to go on vacation. 32,000 people around the world raised $703,873 for my behalf. It has changed my life forever. Now, I am not only going on vacation, but I am able to retire and take care of my family. You have all inspired me by your acts of love. But now it is time for me to give back and to turn your single act of kindness into my own personal movement to stop bullying in America. The Karen Klein Anti-Bullying Foundation, which I am seeding with $100,000, will be the gathering point for millions of people to support the anti-bullying movement. Together, we will change the world.

(Image via Buzzfeed)

Labels: bullying, good work, New York state

reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 24, 2012

Stay with Your Broken Heart

To stay with that shakiness—to stay with a broken heart, with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge—that is the path of true awakening. Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic—this is the spiritual path.

- Pema Chödrön, "Stay with Your Broken Heart"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 26th, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 23, 2012

The Greater Joy

The scriptures say that when the mind indulges in sensual objects, it becomes agitated. This is the usual state of affairs in the world, as we can observe. In their quest for happiness, people mistake excitement of the mind for real happiness. They never have the chance to experience greater joy that comes with peace and tranquility.

- Sayadaw U Pandita, "A Perfect Balance"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 25th, 2012
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Primavera, verao, outono, inverno e... primavera - filme completo legendado

Dan Savage vs. Brian Brown: The Dinner Table Debate

Via Informed Comment:

http://www.juancole.com/2012/08/on-real-gender-and-racial-equality-gloria-steinem-poster.html

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	This is the work of those who are skilled and peaceful, who seek the good: May they be able and upright, straightforward, of gentle speech and not proud. May they be content and easily supported, unburdened, with their senses calmed. May they be wise, not arrogant and without desire for the possessions of others. May they do nothing mean or that the wise would reprove. May all things be happy. May they live in safety and joy. - Metta Suta More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 22, 2012

Compassion Despite Dislike

Remember that you don’t have to like or admire someone to feel compassion for that person. All you have to do is wish for that person to be happy.

- Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "Head & Heart Together"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through August 24th, 2012
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Via Nalanda LGBT Buddhist Cultural and Resource Center

"In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged." 

 

- His Holiness, the Dalai Lama