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RuPaul Revealed: 'Drag Race' Host Talks Gay Rights

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Subhuti asked the Buddha: "The highest, most awakened mind that you have attained--is that mind the unattainable?" "Yes, Subhuti. With regard to that highest and most awakened mind, I have not attained anything. That mind is everywhere equally. It cannot be attained or grasped, but it can be realized. It is realized through the practice of all good actions when they are done in the spirit of no self and no object of self." - Prajnaparamita More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: Frank Bruni On The Boy Scouts

"The Episcopal Church wants all aspects of the ban lifted, as does the National Jewish Committee on Scouting, whose former chairman, a Baltimore lawyer named Jay Lenrow, told me that while no troop should be forced to choose a gay leader, no troop should be prevented from doing so, either.

"He noted that our country was founded on a principle of religious freedom; that the Scouts’ bylaws require equal treatment of every religion’s teachings; and that certain denominations — the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), for example — ordain gay and lesbian ministers. By the Scouts’ current rules, those very ministers, fit for the pulpit, aren’t deemed fit to lead a troop.

"Isn’t that as much of an insult to their religions as the ban’s end would be to [Tony] Perkins, [Rick] Perry and their kind? - Frank Bruni, writing for the New York Times.  Hit the link and read his entire piece.

Labels: Boy Scouts, Frank Bruni, gay writers, New York Times, religion, Rick Perry, Tony Perkins

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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 7, 2013

It Gets Easier

Once we taste the freedom that comes with independence, it gets easier. We realize how much we have lost by desperately holding on, and we know how much there is to gain through disengaging from confusion. We can do this while expanding our most precious qualities: our good heart and our compassion for others.

- Dzigar Kongtrul, “Old Relationships, New Possibilities”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 8, 2013
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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	The bliss of a truth-seeking life is attainable for anyone who follows the path of unselfishness. If you cling to your wealth, it is better to throw it away than let it poison your heart. But if you don't cling to it but use it wisely, then you will be a blessing to people. It's not wealth and power that enslave men but the clinging to wealth and power. - Majjhima Nikaya More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: Liza Joins NOH8 Campaign

Via press release, Liza's message: "Here's what I believe ... no shame, no blame, no guilt. Be happy. And be who you are. I love you." [Photo credit: Adam Bouska courtesy of NOH8 Campaign.]

Labels: Liza Minnelli, NOH8, Proposition 8

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Via JMG: Chris Kluwe Cut By Minnesota Vikings

 

The Star-Tribune reports that punter and gay marriage advocate Chris Kluwe has been cut by the Minnesota Vikings. The team is denying that the move has anything to do with politics.

“It has nothing to do with anything Chris Kluwe is off the field,” the GM said. “When we’re making decisions, we’re purely making them trying to bring in the best competition possible regardless of position. ... This was just another normal personnel move. It had nothing to do with Chris Kluwe’s off-field concerns, I have no issues if Chris Kluwe wants to express his opinion. That’s his right, that’s his freedom of speech. This is just a football decision to bring in a guy to come in to compete.”

RELATED: Last month gay marriage ally Brendon Ayanbadejo was released by the Baltimore Ravens.

 

Labels: Chris Kluwe, football, marriage equality, Minnesota, NFL, sports, straight allies

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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 6, 2013

Facing Yourself

Spiritual change is precisely a process that is bigger than you. You don’t control it. You surrender to it. You don’t reinvent yourself through spiritual work. You face yourself, and then you must let go of all the ghastly things you find. But there is no end to these ghastly things. They keep coming. The ego is a bottomless pit of suckiness. And so you finally let go of the self that clings to itself (one definition of ego). True freedom comes when ego goes.

- Shozan Jack Haubner, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Enlightenment"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 7, 2013
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Via JMG: President Obama Supports LGBT Inclusion For Immigration Reform Bill

Speaking tonight at a press conference in Costa Rica, President Obama endorsed including LGBT couples in the immigration reform bill currently before the Senate.

Obama says that recognizing same-sex relationships in the bill is "the right thing to do." But he says it would be premature to telegraph what he will or won't do before lawmakers send him a bill. Gay rights supporters are pushing for an amendment to the bill to allow gays to sponsor their partners to come to the U.S. But Republicans, including some who helped draft the bill, have made it clear that amending the legislation in that fashion would cost their support.

Labels: Barack Obama, Immigration Equality, immigration reform

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Book of Mormon: Party Bus Edition

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Tricycle Daily Dharma May 5, 2013

Our Mutual Dependency

To open yourself up to need, longing, dependency, and reliance on others means opening yourself to the truth that none of us can do this on our own. We really do need each other, just as we need parents and teachers. We need all those people in our lives who make us feel so uncertain. Our practice is not about finally getting to a place where we are going to escape all that but about creating a container that allows us to be more and more human, to feel more and more.

- Barry Magid, “No Gain”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 6, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma May 4, 2013

Keeping our Understanding Alive

The seeds of anger are always there. But when you notice, when you keep alive your understanding, they have no chance to manifest. Understanding is something that stays with you, and practicing the precepts, practicing meditation, helps you deepen your understanding all the time.

- Thich Nhat Hanh, “Interbeing with Thich Nhat Hanh”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 5th, 2013
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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Should we free our mind from attachment to all "things," the Path becomes clear; otherwise, we put ourselves under restraint. - The Sutra of Hui Neng More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 2, 2013

Eliminating Thoughts of Unworthiness

Without cultivating love for ourselves, regardless of how much discipline we have, regardless of how serious we are about practice, we will still stay stuck in the subtle mercilessness of the mind, listening to the voice that tells us we are basically and fundamentally unworthy. We should never underestimate the need for lovingkindness on the long and sometimes daunting path of learning to awaken.

- Ezra Bayda, “The Three Things We Fear Most”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 3, 2013
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Via JMG: Jason Collins' #98 Jersey: Top Seller

Jason Collins' #98 Jersey: Top Seller

The Washington Wizards announced today that 100% of its online custom jersey sales in the last 48 hours have borne the name and number of Jason Collins.

Washington Wizards center Jason Collins’ jerseys got a boost in online sales after he became the first openly gay athlete on a major U.S. team sport. Team spokesman Scott Hall told ABC News that 100 percent of custom jerseys ordered from the team’s online store bore Collins’ name and number, 98, on the back, after Collins revealed his homosexuality in an article published on Sports Illustrated’s website on Monday. While Hall could not reveal how many custom Collins jerseys were sold, he said that the team’s general merchandise sales and online traffic spiked following Collins’ announcement. In a statement, the Wizards said they were proud of Collins and “his decision to live his life proudly and openly.”

The parents of Matthew Shepard revealed yesterday that they were "brought to tears" by the news that Collins chose his jersey number as a secret memorial to the year that Shepard was murdered. Customize your Collins jersey here.

Labels: basketball, coming out, gay athletes, Jason Collins, Matthew Shepard, NBA, retail, sports

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Via JMG" Texas Attorney General: Domestic Partner Benefits Violate State Constitution

GOP Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says that any city that offers domestic partner benefits is in violation of the state constitution.

Domestic partnerships, as recognized by the local governments, are close enough to the definition of marriage to violate a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions that 76 percent of Texas voters approved in 2005, the opinion stated. “By creating domestic partnerships and offering health benefits based on them, the political subdivisions have created and recognized something not established by Texas law,” the opinion said. Lawyers for Austin and Travis County have begun researching the opinion to help political leaders determine if it should be followed. Attorney general opinions attempt to determine how Texas courts would rule on a legal matter, but only the courts have the definitive say on constitutional questions.

Travis County, which has offered such benefits for 16 years, will hold a meeting next week to discuss Abbott's claim.  The Austin City Council will meet with its lawyers but says it has no plan to change its benefits. (Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

Labels: domestic partners, GOP, insurance, Texas

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	What is the benefit of exerting mental effort the wrong way? - Guon More Buddhism Quotes >>