Via JMG: INDIA: Government Asks Supreme Court To Review Anti-Homosexuality Law

The Indian government yesterday petitioned the Supreme Court to review its decision to reinstate the criminalization of homosexuality.

The government asked the court to review its order saying it believed it "violated the principle of equality". There has been outrage over the ruling seen as a huge blow to gay rights. There have been street protests and many activists and even government ministers have criticised it. "The government has filed the review petition on Section 377 in the Supreme Court today. Let's hope the right to personal choices is preserved," Law Minister Kapil Sibal tweeted on Friday. In its petition filed in the Supreme Court, the government says "the position of the central government on this issue has been that the Delhi High Court verdict... is correct". The Supreme Court's earlier order was widely criticised in India. The president of the ruling Congress party Sonia Gandhi described it as "an archaic, unjust law" and Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the ruling had taken India "back to 1860".

Very encouraging.

 

Labels: homosexuality, India, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 21, 2013

Basho on Haiku

If you describe a green willow in the spring rain it will be excellent, but haiku needs more homely images, such as a crow picking snails in a rice paddy.

- Basho (trans. Robert Hass), "Swamp Marigold"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 22, 2013
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Via Wipe Out Homophobia / FB:

 

See / Listen also: 

Henry Rollins - KCRW 89.9 FM | Internet Public Radio Station

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 19, 2013

Spreading Merit

When a candle is lit in a dark room, it illuminates the room to some extent, but its power is limited. But if you use the same candle to light another candle, the total brightness increases. If you continue to do this, you can fill the room with brilliant illumination. The idea of transferring merit to others is like this. If we keep our own light selfishly hidden, it will only provide a limited amount of illumination.

- Master Sheng Yen, “Rich Generosity”

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Via JMG: Married After 60 Years

 

From Oregon Public Radio:

Eric Marcoux and Eugene Woodworth have been together since they the day they met in Chicago in 1953. “I am here today to be legally married to Eugene Woodworth, with whom I have had an intimate deeply committed relationship for a little over sixty years,” Marcoux says. Marcoux is 83 years old and Woodworth is 85. They can’t marry in Oregon, where a constitutional amendment outlaws same-sex marriage. When same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington last year, they didn’t rush across the state line to get married. “No, no, no….” says Woodworth. “We wanted to have it in Oregon,” Marcoux explains.
But Woodworth has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and he’s been given weeks to live. They’re getting married today with the hope that Marcoux might be eligible to receive social security benefits as the surviving spouse. “We’ve observed federal government extending privileges. Then it occurred to us, ‘well, maybe we’ll be able to transfer his social security,’ which is significantly greater than mine, to me. And although it’s a modest one, it will make an enormous difference in the kind of life that I will be able to leave – live! – and leave,” Marcoux says. “He deserves it after living with me for sixty years,” Woodworth laughs.

Hit the link for the rest of the story. Take a tissue. (Tipped by JMG reader Homer)

Labels: gay seniors, marriage equality, Oregon

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Karmapa / FB:

When you think about compassion, it’s not just a feeling of empathy for other people or understanding where they come from. Compassion actually has a much stronger power than that.

 

 

Via PoliticusUSA & Politicus Sports / FB:

President Obama Defies Russia By Including Two Openly Gay Athletes In Olympic Delegation

sports.politicususa.com

President Obama announced that two openly gay athletes will be part of the delegation he's sending to Sochi for the Winter Olympics.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 18, 2013

Breaking Through

It’s imperative for us to understand that spiritual practice is not just something we do when we’re sitting in meditation or when we’re on retreat. Failing to see everything as an opportunity for practice is a setup for frustration and disappointment, keeping us stuck where we are and limiting our possibilities for inner growth. The more we include in our practice, the more satisfying our life can be.

- Ezra Bayda, “Breaking Through”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 19, 2013
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Via Being Liberal/ FB:

Don't you think that this definition might be actually better definition than this: http://bit.ly/merriam-webster-homophobia?

Navajo Healing Song By The Navajo & The Sioux

Via Gay Politics Report: Social Security Administration to pay some same-sex couples' benefits claims

The Social Security Administration announced Monday that it will begin processing some benefits claims for same-sex couples following June's Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act. "Social Security is processing some widow's and widower's claims by surviving members of same-sex marriages and paying benefits where they are due," Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn Colvin said in a statement. "Our goal is to treat all Americans with dignity and respect." The Baltimore Sun/Gay Matters blog (12/16), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (12/16) 

Via JMG: Chile Elects Pro-Gay Marriage President

Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, that nation's first female leader, was returned to power on Sunday after stepping down in 2010 because of a rule that forbids consecutive terms. Bachelet's campaign platform included a promise to pursue same-sex marriage.

The 62-year-old Bachelet fended off center-right candidate Evelyn Matthei by winning 62 percent of a runoff vote – the highest of any candidate since Chile returned to democratic elections. “The social and political conditions are here and at last the moment has arrived,” Bachelet told supporters. “If I'm here it's because we believe that a Chile for everyone is necessary. It won't be easy, but when has it been easy to change the world?” Bachelet also campaigned on gay marriage, reiterating her supporter in several interviews. However, her center-left New Majority coalition has only a slim majority in both houses and a full plate.

Three South American nations currently permit same-sex marriage: Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Labels: Chile, marriage equality, South America

Reposted from Joe Jervis

JMG Gay Wedding Video Of The Day

Via press release:

A gay military couple has released a one-of-a-kind video citing their journey of love that lead to their marriage and covers their euphoric feelings about the historic steps the LGBT military community has taken in these short three years. The video is titled Jonathan & Dwayne | A Story About Love. The video features Jonathan and Dwayne Beebe-Franqui. They tied the knot not too long ago and show the unique moment of their engagement - the historic 2012 Uniformed Military March in San Diego Pride. The march made national headlines and global news due to the Pentagon issuing a blanket ruling for all LGBT service members and allies to march in uniform for the first time in a Pride parade in United States history.

You might need a tissue.

Labels: gay weddings, military, San Diego

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Resposta de geneticista a Silas Malafaia [CC-eng] [Biologist refutes preacher on homosexuality]

For you pobrecitos who cannot yet understand the World´s Most Beautiful Language it has a link thingy at the bottom you can switch the subtitles to English...

Bob Seger - Kathmandu [HD]

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 17, 2013

Our Fuller Potential

To open to our deepest nature, our buddhanature, is to access a power of loving compassion that has the courage to challenge oneself and others on whatever ways we may hide from our fuller potential.

- John Makransky, “Aren’t We Right to be Angry?”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 18, 2013
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Via the Advocate / FB: Our 2013 Person Of The Year is Pope Francis.

e Advocate magazine

Add caption

Via JMG: Social Security To Pay Survivor Benefits To Gay Widows And Widowers

"I am pleased to announce that, effective today, Social Security is processing some widow’s and widower’s claims by surviving members of same-sex marriages and paying benefits where they are due. In addition, we are able to pay some one-time lump sum death benefit claims to surviving same-sex spouses. As I stated shortly after the Supreme Court decision on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, our goal is to treat all Americans with dignity and respect. We ask for continued patience from the public as we work closely with the Department of Justice to develop policies that are legally sound so we can process claims. If you believe you may be eligible for Social Security, I encourage you to apply now to protect against the loss of any potential benefits. We will process claims as soon as additional instructions become finalized." - Carolyn Colvin, acting commissioner of Social Security.

Labels: DOMA, feds, marriage equality, Social Security

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 16, 2013

Selfless Acts

Giving needs to be practiced and developed because our underlying tendency toward attachment, aversion, and confusion so often interferes with a truly selfless act of generosity. Consummate observer of human nature that he was, the Buddha pointed out the many ways we can give with mixed motives: we give out of fear, or in accordance with tradition; we give with the expectation of return; we give in hope of gain, or a favorable reputation or rebirth; we give to adorn our mind, or simply because giving brings joy.

- Marcia Rose, “Dana: The Practice of Giving”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 17, 2013
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