2 From Gay Politics Report:

• LGBT participation soars at Democratic convention
  The Democratic National Convention featured a record number of openly LGBT convention delegates, key speaking roles for out elected officials and the adoption of a party platform supporting marriage equality. "I have certainly never attended a convention where visibility is as significant as it has been at this convention. There is amazing progress to celebrate," said Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., a candidate for the U.S. Senate who was given a prime time speaking role Thursday night. Other out convention speakers included Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Andrew Tobias, treasurer of the Democratic National Committee. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (9/5), The Washington Post/The Associated Press (9/4), GayPolitics.com (9/6), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (9/5), BuzzFeed (9/4)     

• First lady fires up LGBT delegates
  First lady Michelle Obama spoke at a luncheon honoring openly LGBT elected officials and Democratic National Convention delegates in Charlotte, N.C., this week, thanking attendees for their activism. “I want to thank you for doing everything that you do every single day to lift up our communities and move this country forward, and ensure that all Americans are treated fairly no matter who they are or who they love,” Obama said. The event was co-sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.) (9/5), Advocate.com (9/5)     

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Devoid of form and color, Excelling the sense of realms, Is this wondrous mind Out-reaching words and phrases. - Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 7, 2012

Many Ways Up the Mountain

There are many ways up the mountain, but each of us must choose a practice that feels true to his own heart. It is not necessary for you to evaluate the practices chosen by others.

- Jack Kornfield, "Take the One Seat"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 9th, 2012
For full access at any time, become a Tricycle Community Supporting or Sustaining Member

Via The Pragmatic Progressive FB Page:

 

"If you reject the notion that this nation’s promise is reserved for the few, your voice must be heard in this election.

If you reject the notion that our government is forever beholden to the highest bidder, you need to stand up in this election.

If you believe that new plants and factories can dot our landscape; that new energy can power our future; that new schools can provide ladders of opportunity to this nation of dreamers; if you believe in a country where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules, then I need you to vote this November." — Barack Obama

Via JMG: Barney Frank Slams Log Cabin

"Frankly I’ve been appalled to see the Log Cabin club, in the face of this worse and worse record on public policy by Republicans on our issues. Mr. Cooper said, ‘Well at least they’re not saying bad things about us.' That’s just extraordinary. Again, 30 years ago when we were emerging from the vice of prejudice, I understood that. But no, we shouldn’t be accepting a kind of second class citizenship, [and saying], ‘You can treat us badly as long you don’t yell at us.’

"They’re accepted on [the GOP's] terms. They’re willing to be accepted with no rights -- no right to marry, no right to serve in the military, no right to be protected against hate crimes, no right to be protected in employment. I’ll be honest: For 20 years now I’ve heard how the Log Cabins are going to make Republicans better, but they’ve only gotten worse. I now understand why they call themselves Log Cabin: their role model is Uncle Tom." -Rep. Barney Frank, speaking today on Michelangelo Signorile's show at the DNC.

Labels: Barney Frank, DNC, gay politicians, GOP, homocons, LCR, Michelangelo Signorile, Quislings

Reposted from Joe

Zach Wahls, Son of a Lesbian Couple, Addresses DNC

Watch DNC Video on Don't Ask-Don't Tell

Watch DNC Video About President Obama's Support For Gay Marriage

Via AmericaBlog Gay: Why it's a huge deal that Michelle Obama endorsed gay marriage in her convention speech

Last night, during her keynote address at the Democratic Convention, First Lady Michelle Obama, in so many words, endorsed marriage equality:

Read the whole entry »

Via Another Angry Voice / FB:

Via Barack Obama / FB: This is the Party of Inclusion

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet :

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Cut through five, let go of five, & develop five about all. A monk gone past five attachments is said to have crossed the flood. Practice jhana, monk, and don't be heedless. Don't take your mind roaming in sensual strands. Don't swallow--heedless-- the ball of iron aflame. Don't burn & complain: 'This is pain.' - Dhammpada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: Will Prop 8 To Be On SCOTUS Docket?

Scottie Thomaston reports an interesting development at Prop 8 Trial Tracker:

The Supreme Court docket page for Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Prop 8 case, has a new notice that the case has been “DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 24, 2012.” The September 24 conference is the first time this term that the Justices will meet privately and look at petitions for certiorari to decide which cases they will accept for review.
Usually, the Court announces its orders from conferences on the Monday following the conferences, however if they do take up the Prop 8 case on September 24, they could announce as early as the next day whether the full Court will review the case. It takes four votes to grant review.
If the Court denies the petition, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision stands, and Proposition 8 will be invalidated, though the case won’t set a nationwide precedent. If they decide to review the case, they’ll reach a final decision on the merits at the end of June 2013.
The Court could also potentially ‘relist’ the case for a later conference. This would mean instead of making a decision at the September 24 conference, the case would be held and listed for a subsequent one.

Labels: LGBT rights, Proposition 8, SCOTUS

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 6, 2012

Loving Negativity to Death

Remember 'Divide and Conquer'—if you can divide a negative reaction into its parts (mental image, mental talk, and emotional body sensation), you can conquer the sense of being overwhelmed. In other words, eliminate the negative parts by loving them to death.

- Shinzen Young, "The Power of Gone"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 8th, 2012
For full access at any time, become a Tricycle Community Supporting or Sustaining Member

Momentum - TheFour2012.Com

Via AmericaBLog Gay:

Michelle Obama references gay marriage in convention keynote

Here's the second gay reference, the first is more subtle:If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire…if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores…if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote…if a generation could...

 

Read the whole entry »

 

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet :

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Don't forget to bring the good experiences of meditation into your daily activities. Instead of acting and reacting impulsively and following your thoughts and feelings here and there, watch your mind carefully, be aware, and try to deal skillfully with problems as they arise. If you can do this each day, your meditation will have been successful. - Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet :

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Don't forget to bring the good experiences of meditation into your daily activities. Instead of acting and reacting impulsively and following your thoughts and feelings here and there, watch your mind carefully, be aware, and try to deal skillfully with problems as they arise. If you can do this each day, your meditation will have been successful. - Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via FB: