Baha'i participation in Springfield Missouri LGBT Civil Rights Survey

Hello friends,

I wanted to share an interesting, yet upsetting situation out of Springfield Missouri's Baha'i community concerning participation in an LGBT civil rights survey.  As always there is something to be learned from such a situation, and of course I had to write the National Spiritual Assembly bringing this to their attention.  A lot has happened in the American Baha'i community as we face this sensitive , yet timely subject.  Much I do not agree with, but any talk is good (voice of optimism).  Progress can only happen if those who remain silent speak up and bring forth a voice of reason, love, acceptance to the table.  I look forward to National's response. 

love,

S R

Palm Springs, CA

____

Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2013 11:37 PM
Subject: Baha'i participation in Springfield Missouri LGBT Civil Rights Survey

Dear National Spiritual Assembly,

With a heavy heart I write you with news published online and in print concerning a survey that representatives of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Springfield Missouri took part in.  The survey is from a local faith subcommittee task force on faith and gender identity concerning LGBT civil rights and protection in the city of Springfield. As a gay man I am concerned that an LSA would publicly endorse discrimination against LGBT people in light of your recent guidance that has been recirculated this year.  The civil rights of LGBT people (workplace protection, fair and equal housing, and inclusion in being a protected minority class) does not conflict with Baha'i law.  There has been some progress in the American Baha'i community in regards to this topic, discussions are occurring, presentations are being made, LGBT Baha'is are meeting each other for the first time in a spirit of love and support, yet moments like this take our community ten steps back.  The following was the response of the Springfield LSA to the survey:

1. Do you agree that the Springfield City Code should be amended to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance? No
2. Would your answer reflect the majority of members in your congregation? Yes
3. If the task force finds that there is discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in housing, employment, and/or public accommodations in Springfield, would you support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance? No
4. Would your answer reflect the majority of members in your congregation? Yes

http://www.springfieldmo.gov/taskforce/sogi/pdfs/faithSubcomRpt.pdf

I do hope that there can be consultation with the LSA of Springfield Missouri regarding this sensitive topic.  I appreciate your continued efforts in addressing this topic, and look forward to your guidance in the future.  

With love always,

S R

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 22, 2013

Imagination vs Fantasy

Imagination confronts desire directly, in all its discomfort and intensity, deepening the world right where we are. Fantasy and reality are opposing forces, but imagination and reality are not in opposition: Imagination goes toward reality, shapes and evokes it.

- Norman Fischer, "Saved from Freezing"

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Via JMG: A Warning From Oda Mae

Image by my pal NYC DJ Corey Craig.

Labels: DOMA, silliness, Whoopi Goldberg

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Via JMG: Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 20, 2013

The Path of Engagement

The starting point is overcoming ignorance. That’s where the Buddha said we should start. We have to make it part of our daily discipline to become better informed about the world we live in. We need to be able to distinguish between truth and falsity such as misinformation from our governments and from mainstream news media. We also have to learn to deal steadfastly and intelligently with suffering.

- Richard Reoch, "The Path of Complete Engagement"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 19, 2013

How to Give

An act of giving is of most benefit when one gives something of value, carefully, with one’s own hand, while showing respect, and with a view that something wholesome will come of it.

- Andrew Olendzki, “Dana: The Practice of Giving"

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	[I]ndulge in lust a little, and like the child it grows apace. The wise man hates it therefore; who would take poison for food? Every sorrow is increased and cherished by the offices of lust. If there is no lustful desire, the risings of sorrow are not produced, the wise man seeing the bitterness of sorrow, stamps out and destroys the risings of desire;... - Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King More Buddhism Quotes >>

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	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Neither nakedness nor matted hair nor mud nor the refusal of food nor sleeping on the bare ground nor dust & dirt nor squatting austerities cleanses the mortal who's not gone beyond doubt. If, though adorned, one lives in tune with the chaste life --calmed, tamed & assured-- having put down the rod toward all beings, he's a contemplative a brahmin a monk. - Dhammapada, 10, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. More Buddhism Quotes >>

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 18, 2013

Respecting the Practice

When people use spiritual practice to try to compensate for feelings of alienation and low self-esteem, they corrupt the true nature of spiritual practice. Instead of loosening the manipulative ego that tries to control its experience, they strengthen it, and their spiritual practice remains unintegrated with the rest of their life.

- John Welwood, “The Psychology of Awakening”

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Via JMG: Pew Research Survey: 48% Of LGBT USAans Have No Religious Affiliation

In another release from the latest survey from Pew Research, we learn the unsurprising news that gays are more than twice as likely to be atheists or religiously unaffiliated.

When it comes to religion, the LGBT population has a distinctly different profile than the general public. Fewer LGBT adults have a religious affiliation. About half of LGBT respondents describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or having no particular religion (48%)─more than double the portion of the general public that is religiously unaffiliated (20%). Young LGBT adults are particularly likely to have no religious affiliation, a pattern that is also found among the general public. However, compared with the general public, a higher share of LGBT adults are unaffiliated across all age groups. For example, among adults ages 18 to 29 in the general public, 31% are religiously unaffiliated, while roughly double that share (60%) are unaffiliated among LGBT adults of the same age. And roughly one-in-eight adults ages 50 and older in the general public are unaffiliated (13%), compared with about four-in-ten (39%) of older LGBT adults.

Labels: atheism, Pew Research, religion, surveys

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Via JMG: Rallies Planned For "Decision Day"

 

Activist groups across the nation are gearing up for celebrations or protests on the day that the Supreme Court hands down its decisions on DOMA and Prop 8.  Go to this interactive map for details on events near you.  The Bay Area Reporter has details on what is planned for San Francisco:

In San Francisco a group of volunteers known as the Day of Decision Committee is planning for a party, hopefully, in the heart of the gay Castro district. Police are expected to shut down the 400 and 500 blocks of Castro Street from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for the event. Drivers are being warned to avoid parking on Castro Street the evening of the decision; cars will not be towed but vehicles could be stuck there until after the event ends. Should Prop 8 be struck down then the plan is to have sound trucks with DJs playing music and speeches by community leaders. Similar events have been held in the past to either celebrate or protest court decisions.

New Yorkers are invited to gather outside the Stonewall Inn at 5:30PM on the day of the ruling.

Labels: activism, DOMA, Prop 8, SCOTUS

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Via JMG: Pew Poll: When Did You Know?

 

The Washington Post reports:

In a Pew Research Center poll released Thursday, nine in 10 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults said society has become more accepting of them and that they expect it to become more so in the years ahead. But only 19 percent said there is “a lot” of acceptance for gays, while 59 percent chose to characterize it more softly, as “some” acceptance, and 21 percent said there was little to none.
More than half said they had been subjected to slurs or jokes about gays, and sizable numbers said they had been rejected by friends or family, threatened with physical attack, or made to feel unwelcome at a house of worship. The Pew survey of 1,197 LGBT adults is the first of its kind by a major polling organization. It asked them when they realized they weren’t straight, when they came out and how they have felt ostracized at times. Compared with the general public, Pew said, gay men and lesbians are more liberal, more Democratic, less religious, less happy with their lives, yet more satisfied with the direction the country is headed.

Make you sure visit Pew's fascinating quote farm from the poll's respondents. An interactive graph lets you compare your experiences with your age peers. (Tipped by JMG reader James)

Labels: LGBT culture, LGBT rights, Pew Project

Reposted from Joe

JMG Quote Of The Day - Sen. Max Baucus

"When it comes to the workplace, it is unacceptable for anyone to be fired simply because of their sexual orientation. ENDA will help protect workers from this type of discrimination and I look forward to moving forward on this legislation in the Senate as soon as possible. Members of the LGBT community are our neighbors, brothers, sisters and friends. They are community leaders who bring the kind of diversity to our nation that makes it strong. We all have a role in making sure that Pride Month is not just something we check off on the calendar. 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness' for all Americans is what we are called to strive for every day of the year." - Sen. Max Baucus, writing for the Montana Standard. (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

 

Labels: ENDA, LGBT rights, Max Baucus, Senate

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Via GayPolitics Report: Olympics officials are concerned about Russian anti-gay law

The International Olympic Committee expressed concern this week after the Russian parliament advanced by unanimous vote legislation that would punish those convicted of "promoting homosexuality." The 2014 Winter Olympics are to be held in the Russian resort town of Sochi, where officials previously denied establishment of a Pride house for LGBT athletes in the Olympic village. Some out athletes have expressed alarm about the law, saying it could put them at risk of arrest. FoxNews.com/The Associated Press (6/11), Gay Star News (6/12), GayPolitics.com (6/12), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (6/12)

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Here, O Sariputra, form is emptiness and the very emptiness is form; emptiness does not differ from form, form does not differ from emptiness; whatever is form, that is emptiness, whatever is emptiness, that is form, the same is true of feelings, perceptions, impulses, and consciousness. - Heart Sutra More Buddhism Quotes >>

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 14, 2013

The Truth about Suffering

I once thought Buddhism would save me from suffering. That was before I started to grow older and wiser. And it isn’t so much the wisdom that changed my mind about the end of suffering as it is the aging.

- Wes Nisker, “The Question”

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	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Speak not harshly to anyone. Those thus addressed will retort. Painful, indeed, is vindictive speech. Blows in exchange may bruise you. If, like a cracked gong, you silence yourself, you have already attained Nibbana: no vindictiveness will be found in you. - Dhammapada 133-134 More Buddhism Quotes >>

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 13, 2013

The Virtue of Great Compassion

Just as when you want to win people’s hearts you first love their children, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas consider all living beings their children, so if you love all living beings equally, all the Buddhas will be moved to respond.

- Zen Master Torei, "Great Compassion"

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Via JMG: Sen. Patrick Leahy Intro's LGBT Couples Amendment To Immigration Reform Bill

Shortly after the Senate voted to debate the immigration reform bill written by the so-called Gang Of Eight, late this afternoon Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) again introduced an amendment that would allow LGBT citizens to sponsors their spouses for permanent residency. Politico reports:

“Seeking equal protection under our laws for the LGBT community is the right thing to do,” Leahy said in a statement Tuesday. “I withheld my anti-discrimination amendment during the Senate Judiciary Committee markup. As the entire Senate turns to debate the immigration bill, the fight for equality must go on.” It is unclear whether Leahy’s proposal will get a vote. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have yet to reach an agreement on amendments. And the political dynamics for Leahy’s amendment are different on the floor. In the committee, the amendment would have required just a simple majority for it to pass. On the floor, it will almost certainly need 60 votes.

Republicans had previously threatened to torpedo the entire bill if LGBT spouses were attached. Late last month Democratic members of the Senate reluctantly agreed that such an imperfect bill was better than no immigration reform at all and Leahy withdrew his amendment. It's not yet clear why Leahy is now trying again.
DOMA Project founder Lavi Soloway reacts via press release:

With this bold move, Senator Leahy has carved out an exception to the Defense of Marriage Act for lesbian and gay binational couples that will provide access to existing marriage-related family unification provisions of our immigration law. The Leahy amendment does not actually amend any current provision of our immigration law, but simply removes the extrinsic barrier caused by DOMA that prevents lesbian and gay Americans from filing petitions for their spouses, fiance(e)s and stepchildren. The implication of Senator Leahy's focus on equality is that LGBT families are no different than any other American families comprised of citizens and non-citizens. We must have access to the same immigration law protections that ensure that no family is torn apart. No band aid solution will ever make us equal.  

Labels: DOMA, immigration, immigration reform, Lavi Soloway, LGBT rights, Patrick Leahy, Senate

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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	As a tree with strong uninjured roots, though cut down, grows up again, so, when deep craving is not rooted out, suffering arises again and again. - Dhammapada More Buddhism Quotes >>