JMG HomoQuotable - David Halperin

"What makes gay people different from others is not just that we are discriminated against, mistreated, regarded as sick or perverted. That alone is not what shapes gay culture. (That indeed could end.) It's that we live in a world in which heterosexuality is the norm. Heterosexual culture remains our first culture, and in order to survive and to flourish in its midst, gay people must engage in an appropriation of it that is also a resistance to it.

"So long as queer kids continue to be born into heterosexual families and into a society that is normatively, notionally heterosexual, they will have to devise their own nonstandard relation to heterosexual culture. Gay subjectivity will always be shaped by the primeval need on the part of gay subjects to queer heteronormative culture. That is not going to change. Not for a very long time. And we'd better hope it doesn't." - Queer theorist David Halperin, from an essay adapted from his new book, How To Be Gay.

Labels: heteronormativity, HomoQuotable, LGBT culture

Reposted from Joe

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	The darkness of ages cannot shroud the glowing sun; The long eons of Samsara neer can hide the Minds brilliant Light. - Tilopa, "The Song of Mahamudra" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 11, 2012

Compassion, Not Coddling

We should be compassionate to all. But compassion sometimes has to be harsh. How else can we pinpoint where the problem really lies? Hatred’s hold on us is so strong. Simple coddling will not do the job.

- Nawang Gehlek Rimpoche, "The Real Enemy"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 13th, 2012
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Anderson Talks About His Summer

Via Gay Marriage USA / FB:

Via Enough Is Enough: the blog page / FB:

Via Steve Marmel / FB:

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	It is like the water of the ocean: even without wind there are waves everywhere. Suddenly knowing of the waves all around is the gross within the subtle; letting go of knowledge in the midst of knowing is like the subtle within the subtle. This is the sphere of the enlightened. - Pai-chang More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: Houston's Mayor On Log Cabin

"I do think it's important for GLBTs to stay engaged in both parties. But not at that at the price of your self-respect and dignity. And it is great to be a gay Republican and to say, 'My party has left me behind. I can't support it this time until they get on the right track. I support this, this and this issue as a Republican, but until they treat me personally, and my relationships, fairly, I can't support them.' Anything else is, frankly, self-hating." - Openly lesbian Houston Mayor Annise Parker, speaking to Michelangelo Signorile.

Labels: Annise Parker, gay politicians, homocons, Houston

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: New Edition Of Monopoly Honors Gay Computer Genius Alan Turing

Thanks in part to Google, Alan Turing, widely consider to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, has been honored with a special version of Monopoly. Turing, who committed suicide in 1954 after being sentenced to chemical castration for being gay, would have been 100 years this year.

The board's London landmarks, and its Community and Chance cards, have been swapped for places and events important in Turing's life. Players can move their pieces from his birthplace in Maida Vale to Hut 8 at Bletchley Park. Search giant Google has bought 1,000 of the sets and donated them to Bletchley Park to help raise funds. The board of the special edition is based on a hand-drawn variant of Monopoly created by William Newman in 1950. William was the son of scientist Max Newman who was a key figure in Turing's life. The hand-drawn version was thought to have been lost but was rediscovered in 2011 and donated to the Bletchley Park museum soon after.

Bletchley Park Museum writes in a press release:

“Bringing this board to life has been one of the most exciting and unique projects we’ve been involved with here, and we’re thrilled to see it finally available for others to enjoy,” said Iain Standen, CEO of the Bletchley Park Trust. “This edition really completes the fantastic story of the board, from it being played on by Turing (and his losing on it!), to it going missing and then being rediscovered and donated to the museum here. Of course, we’re also very proud that Bletchley Park adorns the ‘Mayfair’ square!” Peter Griffin, Development Director EMEA, Winning Moves, added, “We hope fans of Turing across the globe will enjoy playing on this very special edition of Monopoly. Through play, they will find out more about Turing’s remarkable life and his crucial role shaping the society we enjoy today. As an ex-student of Kings College, where Turing himself studied, this was an honour to help develop.”

Pre-order Alan Turing Monopoly. (Tipped by JMG reader Alan.)

Labels: Alan Turing, Britain, computers, LGBT History

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricylce: Tuesday: Remembering September 11

Eleven years ago the United States was shook to its core by a terrorist attack of unprecedented scale. At the time, in response to the tragic events, Tricycle released in its next issue a special section—"September 11, Practices and Perspectives"—that shared Buddhist teachings on how to face the nation's acute suffering with patience and compassion. Join us this Tuesday in revisiting the section in remembrance of a tragedy we will never forget. 

Read September 11, Practices and Perspectives.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 10, 2012

No Reason to be Unhappy

Whether we are suffering at present or have suffered in the past, there is no reason to be unhappy. If we can remedy it, then why be unhappy? And if we cannot, there's no use in being unhappy about it—it's just one more thing to be unhappy about, which serves no purpose at all.

- H.H. the Dalai Lama, "Enduring the Fires"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 12th, 2012
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Via The Idealist / FB:

Via FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 8, 2012

Enjoy Just Sitting

Whatever technique one is using, remember that the spirit of practice is more important than the technique. Finding a way to enjoy just sitting is key. Sitting meditation is a refuge, not a test.

- Narayan Liebenson Grady, "The Refuge of Sitting"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through September 10th, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma September 9, 2012

The Poignancy of this Fleeting Moment

Awareness itself is the primary currency of the human condition, and as such it deserves to be spent carefully. Sitting quietly in a serene environment, letting go of the various petty disturbances that roil and diminish consciousness, and experiencing as fully as possible the poignancy of this fleeting moment—this is an enterprise of deep intrinsic value, an aesthetic experience beyond words.

- Andrew Olendzki, "Busy Signal"

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
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