Via JMG: NEW MEXICO: Two More Counties To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

We're up to five counties in New Mexico:

San Miguel County in New Mexico joins Valencia County as the latest in the state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. San Miguel County Clerk Melanie Rivera has confirmed that she will issue new gender neutral marriage licenses later this week, though couples who don’t want to wait can receive a license today: Rivera also stated that couples who did not wish to wait could apply and receive a license today. Until the new licenses arrive Rivera will make the changes to the old forms by hand.

Zoom, zoom, zoom!
UPDATE: More from Albuquerque.

More than 100 people lined up in Albuquerque Tuesday morning as the clerk in New Mexico’s most populous county began issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The clerk opened her office to the excited crowd at 8 a.m., and a mass wedding was planned at noon in Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza. Patricia Catlett, a 61-year-old graphic designer from Albuquerque, and her partner of 25 years, Karen Schmiege, a 69-year-old retired librarian, were the first to get their license in Bernalillo County. “I am so excited, I can’t stand it,” Schmiege said as they signed their papers.
As the couple walked out of the booth where they received their license, the crowd applauded and cheered. The two raised their hands, and the crowd responded by putting their fists in the air. “I want her to take me to Costa Rica,” Schmiege said. “She promised.” Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver began recognizing same-sex unions after State District Judge Alan Malott on Monday declared gay marriage legal, saying New Mexico’s constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Labels: LGBT rights, marriage equality, New Mexico

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 26, 2013

Waking up to our Responsibility

As Buddhists, we might see the task of preserving the world’s food system as entailed by our commitment to the twofold good: to achieving our own good from a pragmatic concern for our own long-term welfare, and to promoting the good of others from a compassionate concern for those whom our actions may affect, whether they be our contemporaries or generations as yet unborn.

- Bhikkhu Bodhi, "Into the Fire: Food in the Age of Climate Change"

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Greed for Peace

I contemplated my greed for peace. And I did not seek tranquillity anymore.

- Ajahn Sumedho, "A Contemplation"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma August 24, 2013

The Practice of Everything

In reality, everything is potentially a means to awakening. It is simply a matter of seeing this and knowing how to apply each thing in each particular case. Bodhisattvas practice skillful means to help all beings without exception to awaken. There's nothing that can't be part of a program for awakening. Everything is practice.

- Norman Fischer, "Revealing a World of Bliss"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma August 23, 2013

Like an Archer

Like the archer straightening his arrow and perfecting his aim, the practitioner of meditation straightens out the mind while aiming his or her attentional energy at its object. Learning to drop what we’re doing, however momentarily, and to genuinely pay attention in the present moment, without attachment or bias, helps us become clear, just as a snow globe becomes clear when we stop shaking it and its flakes settle.

- Lama Surya Das, "The Heart-Essence of Buddhist Meditation"

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Via JMG: New Mexico County Begins Issuing Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples

Big news! This morning the New Mexico county of Dona Ana began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Via an alert from Progress Now New Mexico:

Same-sex couples in Doña Ana County began receiving marriage licenses this morning after the county clerk announced he was issuing them based on a legal opinion endorsed earlier this year by the City of Santa Fe and a recent filing by the attorney general stating that New Mexico’s laws demanded that the state issue licenses to same-sex couples. County Clerk Lynn Ellins began issuing the licenses at 8:00 am this morning from his office. At ProgressNowNM, we couldn’t be happier for the couples in Doña Ana County – and those across the state who will soon, no doubt, make their way there – who have waited far too long for public sentiment and political courage to evolve far enough to publicly acknowledge their relationships as being just as equal as that of their neighbors.

Progress Now will be posting photos to their Facebook page. (Tipped by JMG reader Elise)
UPDATE: The Las Cruces Sun-News has a quote from the county clerk.

"I am mindful that I took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the State of New Mexico as Doña Ana County Clerk. I am an attorney, and I have read the AG's opinion, and I find it to be sound. After careful review of New Mexico's laws it is clear that the state's marriage statutes are gender neutral and do not expressly prohibit Doña Ana County from issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples. Any further denial of marriage licenses to these couples violates the United States and New Mexico Constitution and the New Mexico Human Rights Act. Doña Ana County is upholding New Mexico law by issuing these marriage licenses, and I see no reason to make committed couples in Doña Ana County wait another minute to marry."

Labels: LGBT rights, marriage equality, New Mexico

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: AUSTRALIA: Former Deputy PM Warns Against Travel To Murderous United States

"Just for the record, Australia has had zero gun massacres since 1996, and in the United States, 80 people are killed by guns every single day. So, it is another example of murder and mayhem on Main Street. Yes, people are thinking of going to the USA on business, vacation, trips, should think carefully about it given the statistical facts you are 15 times more likely to be shot dead in the USA than in Australia per capita per million people. We don't have gun shows where you can walk up and not even be subject to a background check in one of the most dumbest decisions so far in the litany of agony over the gun laws and gun policies of the NRA and the USA." - Former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, responding to the Oklahoma murder of an Australian college student who was shot dead by three local teens who told police that they were simply "bored."
Many American right-wing sites are attacking Fischer today for "capitalizing on a tragedy."  One example:

Fischer's comments are disgraceful in myriad ways. To advance one's political agenda by tapping into the powerful emotions that continue to emanate from this tragedy is beneath the dignity of anyone, let alone a former deputy prime minister. No law controlling or banning guns would have prevented those Oklahoma thugs from opening fire into the back of Chris Lane. Sadly, Fischer and other Australians who reject the right of people to protect themselves have lately taken advantage of gun-related deaths in the United States to support the continuation of gun control in their home country and to make Australians think that they are the beneficiaries of such measures.

The three teens were formally charged yesterday.

Fischer's comments are disgraceful in myriad ways. To advance one's political agenda by tapping into the powerful emotions that continue to emanate from this tragedy is beneath the dignity of anyone, let alone a former deputy prime minister. No law controlling or banning guns would have prevented those Oklahoma thugs from opening fire into the back of Chris Lane. Sadly, Fischer and other Australians who reject the right of people to protect themselves have lately taken advantage of gun-related deaths in the United States to support the continuation of gun control in their home country and to make Australians think that they are the beneficiaries of such measures.

FACT: The US rate of firearm murders per 100,000 population: 3.60. The rate in Australia: 0.13.  Source.

 

Labels: Australia, gun control, guns, murder

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: TENNESSEE: Church Boots Out Lesbian Cop's Relatives After City Backs Benefits

Two weeks ago I reported that the small Tennessee town of Collegedale had become the first in the state to offer benefits to the partners of LGBT employees. Among the people that supported the measure was openly gay Collegedale police officer Kat Cooper and her wife. In retaliation, a local church has booted Cooper's relatives out of the congregation.

Leaders at Ridgedale Church of Christ met in private with Kat Cooper's mother, aunt and uncle on Sunday after the regular worship service. They were given an ultimatum: They could repent for their sins and ask forgiveness in front of the congregation. Or leave the church. Their sins? "My mother was up here and she sat beside me. That's it," said Kat Cooper. "Literally, they're exiling members for unconditionally loving their children -- and even extended family members."  But the family's support of Kat Cooper was as good as an endorsement of homosexuality, said Ken Willis, minister at Ridgedale Church of Christ. "The sin would be endorsing that lifestyle," Willis said. "The Bible speaks very plainly about that." Willis, a father himself, said the church didn't expect the Cooper family to disown their daughter. "But you certainly can't condone that lifestyle, whether it's any kind of sin -- whether they're shacked up with someone or living in a state of fornication or they're guilty of crimes," he said. "You don't condone it. You still love them as a parent."

Cooper's father says they have "no sin to repent for" and that it was an easy decision to leave their church. His wife, he said, has not been able to stop crying. (Tipped by JMG reader Carver)

Labels: Christian Love, gay cops, religion, Tennessee

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: NEW MEXICO: State AG Won't Challenge County Issuing Gay Marriage Licenses

New Mexico state Attorney General Gary King said this afternoon that he will not challenge the same-sex marriage licenses that Dona Ana County began issuing today.  Back in June, King similarly said that he will not defend the state against a lawsuit that demands marriage equality. However, King warned today that Dona Ana marriages could be ruled invalid by the state Supreme Court. (Tipped by JMG reader Tyler)

Labels: LGBT rights, marriage equality, New Mexico

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Russian Gov't Defends Anti-Gay Law In Letter To International Olympic Committee

The Russian government has "reassured" the International Olympic Committee that they will not discriminate against gay people during the Sochi Olympics.  Except that they might.

The IOC received a letter from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak giving reassurances the host country will comply fully with the Olympic Charter's provision against discrimination of any kind. "The Russian Federation guarantees the fulfillment of its obligations before the International Olympic Committee in its entirety," Kozak said. However, Kozak did not back down on the issue of the new law, which penalizes anyone who distributes information aimed at persuading minors that "nontraditional" relationships are normal or attractive. The law applies equally to everyone and "cannot be regarded as discrimination based on sexual orientation," Kozak said. The letter still leaves open the question of what would happen to Olympic athletes or fans if they make statements or gestures that could be considered propaganda.

Labels: IOC, LGBT rights, Russia, Sochi Olympics

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 22, 2013

The Reality of Love

The problem with interpersonal love is that you are dependent on the other person to reflect love back to you. That’s part of the illusion of separateness. The reality is that love is a state of being that comes from within.

- Ram Dass, “Tuning the Mind”

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Tricycle Daily Dharma August 20, 2013

Thoughts in Meditation

We have to be careful not to think that meditation is about getting rid of thoughts. On the contrary, I would say that meditation helps us to creatively engage with our thoughts and not fixate on them.

- Martine Batchelor, “Meditation, Mental Habits, and Creative Imagination”

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Tricycle Daily Dharma August 19, 2013

Training the Mind

Training involves not just one single method but many methods. It's like building a huge airplane. It takes so many pieces that all have to fit together to make it work. In the same way the transformation of our minds—or setting the right kind of mental attitude—takes time.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Ethics for a Secular Millennium"

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Via The Other 98% / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 18, 2013

Loneliness

Suffering is what happens when we are lonely and forget that we participate in the world. People often complain about love, or at least about its consequences, but welcoming the consequences is part of the game of generosity. The earth gives a Yes without regard to what is given back, and being a human is also a gift, not a purchase. Even the No’s we get are gates to the generosity of the world.

- John Tarrant, “The Erotic Life of Emptiness”

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Via LA Times: Rulings on gay rights alter couple's retirement needs

Money Makeover

Rulings on gay rights alter couple's retirement needs

Gay couple need to change separate trusts set up before same-sex marriage became legal, advisor says, though answers to other questions remain unclear. 

After 14 years together, Mark Frey and Doug Vogel are finally finding out what it means to be a married couple preparing for retirement.

The Rancho Palos Verdes residents were elated when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act in June. But the couple, who married in 2008, worried that the ruling raised questions about everything they had done to protect their family's financial future.

make the jump here to read the full article

 

Via JMG: MOSCOW: Swedish High Jumper Told To Paint Over Her Rainbow Fingernails

 

On Thursday, Swedish high jumper Emma Green Tregaro competed at the World Track & Field finals in Moscow with her fingernails painted in rainbow hues in support of the LGBT community. Her gesture sparked international headlines after she was denounced by the Russian pole vaulting world champion, who later backtracked.  Now comes this:

Swedish officials told the 28-year-old her rainbow gesture, which brought international attention as a protest against Russia's new law against gay "propaganda," could be a violation of the competition's code of conduct. She said the Swedish track and field federation asked her to "please respect the rules" and change the colour of her nails. "So I decided to paint them red instead, for love," she said. Green Tregaro said she was surprised the strong reaction to her subtle criticism of Russian law. "It was harder to not paint them in the rainbow than it was to choose to paint them," she said.

Swedish officials say they were warned by the event's governing body before they spoke to Tregaro.

Labels: LGBT rights, Russia, sports, straight allies

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: RUSSIA: Finnish Official Waves Rainbow Flag At World Track & Field Championships

 

 

Finnish Minister of Culture & Sports Paavo Arhinmäki waved a rainbow flag this afternoon during the World Track & Field Championships in Moscow.  The above-linked article is in Finnish. I'll update this post with an English report if it appears that action will be taken by the Russian government.
RELATED:  Arhinmäki ran for president of Finland in 2012 and finished sixth with 5% of the vote.  Here's how a Finnish website recapped his candidacy before the election.

Arhinmäki, 34, is the youngest and the most radical of the candidates. Before entering politics, he was active in a radical group which organised Crash the Party demonstrations in front of the Presidential Palace, packed with VIPs celebrating Independence Day. He has been fined for trespassing in a nuclear power site and when the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was held in Helsinki he was arrested during the Smash ASEM demonstration. Arhinmäki is Minister for Culture and Sports in the present six-pack government, a six-party coalition, and he chairs the Left Alliance. A sports fan, he caused a minor scandal in autumn 2011 by attending a basketball game instead of the Helsinki Music Centre opening gala. Arhinmäki boasts of being the most anti-NATO candidate of the race and argues the rest of the candidates are in fact pro-NATO. He is known for good oratory and for being a vegetarian. He describes himself as “a green-red democratic socialist”, but not a communist.

Labels: activism, Finland, Russia, sports

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma August 17, 2013

Spiritual but not Religious?

The way ‘spirituality’ is often used suggests that we exist solely as a collection of individuals, not as members of a religious community, and that religious life is merely a private journey. It is the religious expression of the ideology of free-market economics and of the radical 'disencumbered' individualism that idolizes the choice-making individual as the prime reality in the world.

- Robert Bellah, “Future of Religion”

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