Thursday, January 23, 2014

Via PinkNews.UK: US: Two key Oregon same-sex marriage lawsuits consolidated by judge

The state of Oregon currently bans equal marriage

In a move which could potentially open the door to more quickly removing a ban on same-sex marriage, a federal judge consolidated two lawsuits seeking just that.

A lawsuit filed in October 2013 on behalf of two women in a 30+ year relationship, and a December lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of one lesbian and one gay couples were merged.

Oral arguments were set for the now consolidated cases for 23 April this year by Judge Michael McShane.

An attorney for the October lawsuit opposed the combining of the two, expressing concern that it might delay the decision, however the lawyers from the December lawsuit supported the decision.

A 2004 constitutional amendment approved by 57% of voters to 43%, defined marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman.

Campaigners have just announced a petition which has over 127,000 signatures towards putting a question on the ballot to reverse the amendment.

Gay rights advocates commended the two possible channels towards achieving equal marriage, hoping for the quickest possible outcome.

The question would go on a November ballot for voters.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/01/23/us-two-key-oregon-same-sex-marriage-lawsuits-consolidated-by-judge/

Via GayStarNews: Historic ruling: Judge orders anti-gay Scott Lively to stand trial for crimes against humanity

Extremist anti-gay US pastor is accused of engineering the Uganda 'Kill The Gays' bill, saying LGBT people are the 'new Nazis' and recommending Russia's 'gay propaganda' laws

15 August 2013 | By Joe Morgan

Anti-gay US evangelist will stand trial for 'crimes against humanity'.

For the first time, a federal US judge has ruled a persecution of LGBT people is a crime against humanity.
This sets a precedent ensuring the fundamental human rights of LGBTI people are protected under international law.
It comes as a Ugandan LGBTI advocacy organization filed a lawsuit against prominent US anti-gay extremist Scott Lively.
Accused of helping to play a part in the persecution, arrest and murder of gay people in Uganda, Lively’s lawyers requested to dismiss the lawsuit.
Michael Ponsor, the US District Judge in Springfield, Massachusetts, said: ‘Widespread, systematic persecution of LGBTI people constitutes a crime against humanity that unquestionably violates international norms.’
‘The history and current existence of discrimination against LGBTI people is precisely what qualifies them as a distinct targeted group eligible for protection under international law.
‘The fact that a group continues to be vulnerable to widespread, systematic persecution in some parts of the world simply cannot shield one who commits a crime against humanity from liability.’
The lawsuit states Lively collaborated with key Ugandan government officials and religious leaders that allegedly resulted in the introduction of the ‘Kill The Gays’ bill.
The founder of Abiding Truth Ministries, Lively has made a career of stirring up anti-gay feelings in the USA and across the world.
He co-authored The Pink Swastika, which suggests ‘homosexuals were the truth inventors of Nazism and the guiding force behind many Nazi atrocities’ and the rainbow flag is a symbol of the ‘end times’.
In 2007, Lively also toured 50 cities in Russia where he is accused of recommending a ban on 'gay propaganda'.
Frank Mugisha, director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, said: ‘Today’s ruling is a significant victory for human rights everywhere but most especially for LGBTI Ugandans who are seeking accountability from those orchestrating our persecution.’
While the court battle is certainly not over, it will allow the Ugandan group to seek justice for what they believe Lively has done.
US law allows foreign citizens to sue for violations of international law in US federal courts under the Alien Tort Statute.

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/historic-ruling-judge-orders-anti-gay-scott-lively-stand-trial-crimes-against-humanity150813#sthash.gokU4BqR.dpuf

Extremist anti-gay US pastor is accused of engineering the Uganda 'Kill The Gays' bill, saying LGBT people are the 'new Nazis' and recommending Russia's 'gay propaganda' laws

15 August 2013 | By Joe Morgan

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/historic-ruling-judge-orders-anti-gay-scott-lively-stand-trial-crimes-against-humanity150813#sthash.gokU4BqR.dpuf

Extremist anti-gay US pastor is accused of engineering the Uganda 'Kill The Gays' bill, saying LGBT people are the 'new Nazis' and recommending Russia's 'gay propaganda' laws

15 August 2013 | By Joe Morgan

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/historic-ruling-judge-orders-anti-gay-scott-lively-stand-trial-crimes-against-humanity150813#sthash.gokU4BqR.dpuf

Extremist anti-gay US pastor is accused of engineering the Uganda 'Kill The Gays' bill, saying LGBT people are the 'new Nazis' and recommending Russia's 'gay propaganda' laws

15 August 2013 | By Joe Morgan

For the first time, a federal US judge has ruled a persecution of LGBT people is a crime against humanity.

This sets a precedent ensuring the fundamental human rights of LGBTI people are protected under international law.

It comes as a Ugandan LGBTI advocacy organization filed a lawsuit against prominent US anti-gay extremist Scott Lively.

Accused of helping to play a part in the persecution, arrest and murder of gay people in Uganda, Lively’s lawyers requested to dismiss the lawsuit.

Michael Ponsor, the US District Judge in Springfield, Massachusetts, said: ‘Widespread, systematic persecution of LGBTI people constitutes a crime against humanity that unquestionably violates international norms.’

Make the jump here to read the full article at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/historic-ruling-judge-orders-anti-gay-scott-lively-stand-trial-crimes-against-humanity150813#sthash.gokU4BqR.dpuf

Extremist anti-gay US pastor is accused of engineering the Uganda 'Kill The Gays' bill, saying LGBT people are the 'new Nazis' and recommending Russia's 'gay propaganda' laws - See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/historic-ruling-judge-orders-anti-gay-scott-lively-stand-trial-crimes-against-humanity150813#sthash.96KeOT8J.dpuf

Historic ruling: Judge orders anti-gay Scott Lively to stand trial for crimes against humanity - See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/historic-ruling-judge-orders-anti-gay-scott-lively-stand-trial-crimes-against-humanity150813#sthash.96KeOT8J.dpuf

Via JMG: Elton John: I'd Like To Introduce Vladimir Putin To Some Russian Gay People

Elton John today posted a long message about Russia on his website. An excerpt:

I am deeply grateful for the support of the Russian people who have welcomed and accepted me in their country ever since I first visited in 1979. On my last visit, in December 2013, I wondered whether the new legislation banning “homosexual propaganda” might have changed that. It hadn’t. I still felt the same warmth and welcome from the audiences that I have felt every time I have been in Russia. [snip;
It was very clear to me that, although foreigners like myself who are visiting Russia are not affected by this new law (and President Putin has recently confirmed this), it is a very different story for those living inside the country. As Maria Maksakova told her fellow Russian MPs last month: “We are seeing extremely negative consequences as a result of this law, with the growth of hate crimes.” President Putin asserts that this was not the intention, but it is undoubtedly the effect that this law has had by promoting misunderstanding and ignorance. In particular, it is very disappointing that the law explicitly links homosexuality with child sex abuse, which countless studies have shown to be conclusively wrong.
The people I met in Moscow were decent, kind, patriotic men and women who had no thought of forcing their sexuality on anyone. Whatever the intention of Russia’s homosexuality and paedophilia propaganda laws, I am absolutely clear from my own personal experience that it is proving deeply dangerous to the LGBT community and deeply divisive to Russian society. I would welcome the opportunity to introduce President Putin to some Russians who deserve to be heard, and who deserve to be treated in their own country with the same respect and warm welcome that I received on my last visit.

Read the full statement.

Labels: Elton John, LGBT rights, Russia, Vladimir Putin

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 23, 2014

Hang On to Your Ego

A person devoid of ego functions would be self-destructive: either a beast with uncontrolled impulses, or a neurotic, repressed automaton with no mind of her own, or an infantile monster thrashing erratically between these two extremes. Anyone who tried to abandon ego functioning would arrest his psychological growth and lose all hope of becoming a mature, responsible, trustworthy adult. And as we know, self-destructive people don’t destroy only themselves. They can pull down many of the people and places around them.

- Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Hang On to Your Ego”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 24, 2014
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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Coming out of your closet: Ash Beckham at TEDxBoulder

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 22, 2014

Imagination and Reality

Imagination draws its energy from a confrontation with desire. It feeds off desire, transmuting and magnifying reality through desire's power. Fantasy does the opposite; it avoids desire by fleeing into a crude sort of wish-fulfillment that seems much safer. Fantasy might be teddy bears, lollipops, sexual delights, or superhero adventures; it also might be voices in one's head urging acts of outrage and mayhem. Or it might be the confused world of separation and fear we routinely live in, a threatening yet seductive world that promises us the happiness we seek when our fantasies finally become real. 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"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 23, 2014
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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 21, 2014

Clear Thinking

Debating trains you to be clear and gives you an analytical mind. When you study Buddhism you can analyze what really makes sense rather than simply memorizing. And to daily life, you bring skills in analysis and clear thinking.

- Rinchen Khando Choegyal, "Standing as Equals"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 22, 2014
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JMG Quote Of The Day - Brian Brown

"The struggle for civil rights in America as envisioned by Dr. King is ongoing, and I am personally very honored and proud to be able to call some of its greatest leaders my close friends and allies: people like Bishop Harry Jackson, Bishop George McKinney, Bishop David Hall, Pastor Eugene Rivers and so many others. And of course, there is Dr. King's own heroically pro-life, pro-marriage niece, Dr. Alveda King. The true legacy of the Civil Rights movement cannot be praised too highly. I say the true legacy of the Civil Rights movement because these great men and women know, as well as you and I, how that legacy has been hijacked by those who try to claim it for the purpose of redefining marriage and imposing a radical redefinition of the family on our society. They know — as we all know through simple common sense — that this hijacking is a travesty and an insult." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, declaring that Martin Luther King would have opposed same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.

Here's just three of the inconvenient facts missing from Brown's message: 1) "Heroically pro-life, pro-marriage" Alveda King has had three divorces and three abortions. 2) MLK's widow, Coretta Scott King, was an ardent supporter of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights. From her famous 2004 speech to the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force: "I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people." 3) The chief organizer of MLK's historic 1964 March On Washington was Bayard Rustin, an openly gay black man who last year was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Labels: Alveda King, American history, Bayard Rustin, bigotry, Brian Brown, civil rights, hate groups, LGBT rights, marriage equality, MLK, NOM, religion

Reposted from Joe Jervis

JMG Headline Of The Day

Via Oregon Live:

State labor investigators have determined a Gresham bakery violated the civil rights of a same-sex couple when it refused to make a cake for the women's wedding. The Bureau of Labor and Industries said Friday that it has wrapped up its investigation into Sweet Cakes by Melissa. Spokesman Charlie Burr said investigators found substantial evidence the bakery unlawfully discriminated against the couple based on their sexual orientation. Oregon law bans discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in jobs and in places that serve the public, such as restaurants and bakeries. The controversial case began a year ago. Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman of Portland say they were denied a wedding cake by the bakery's owners, who cited their own religious beliefs. Cryer and Bowman, who are domestic partners, soon lodged a complaint with the state. The state will now oversee a conciliation process between the two parties to see if a settlement can be reached. If not, the labor bureau may pursue charges before an administrative law judge.

Labels: Oregon, public accommodations, religion

Reposted FromJoe Jervis

Via Daily Kos / FB:

Monday, January 20, 2014

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 20, 2014

Remembering MLK

We are caught up in an inescapable network of mutuality. . . . Strangely enough I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way the world is made.

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "A Sangha by Another Name"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 21, 2014
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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Samantabhadra

The Bodhisattva of Universal Worthy

With Samanta meaning "universally extending" and Bhadra meaning "great virtue" the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra extends his virtue and compassion to all sentient beings. Samantabhadra is known as the Bodhisattva of "Universal Worthy" as his virtue is that of a sage's. As a cosmic entity, Samatabhadra is the embodyment of all Bodhisattva practices and merits indispensable in the attainment of Buddhahood.

The Importance of the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra is compossed of 28 chapters. There are two broad themes to the Lotus sutra, the first being found in the first fourteen chapters. The first fourteen chapters are meant to explain the reality of intrinsic commonalities that occur in human beings, while the remaining chapters describe the eternalness of the Buddha. (www.nshi.org/Buddisme/English%20Buddhisme/Lotus-And-Buddha.htm) The Lotus Sutra is the only sutra that promises the salvation of women, therefore it was a central part of the Japanese women's religion. According to other sutras, the only way for a woman to reach enlightenment would be for her to be reborn as a man, which is why this particular sutra was so important. Fugen was believed to be the protector of those who were devoted to the Lotus Sutra, so Fugen became an important figure to all women and their prayers (http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCJAPAN/WOMEN.HTM). Like many other sutras, the Lotus Sutra can be recited and copied to pay alms by both men and women (http://news.fjnet.com/english/sutra/t20060617_29976.htm). Listen to the video below if you would like to hear the Lotus Sutra chanted.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r364h19dXio)

The Ten Great Vows

Samantabhadra contributed to the Avatamsaka sutra, which recites the practices of Bodhisattvas and the merits of the Buddhist teaching. In the sutra, the Bodhisattva Samatabhadra teaches a student how wisdom is only present as long as it benefits everyone. In his teaching he recites ten great vows that he uses to guide himself to enlightenment. The Ten Great Vows included:

To pay homage and respect to all Buddhas
To praise all the Buddhas
To make extensive offerings to all the Buddhas
To repent misdeeds and evil karmas
To rejoice in others' merits and virtues
To request the Buddhas to continue teaching (Turning the wheel of Dharma)
To request the Buddhas to remain in the world
To always follow Buddha's teachings
To accommodate and benefit all living beings
To dedicate all merits for the welfare of all living beings

The first eight vows guide one to enlightenment through oneself; while the last two vows are drawn out to help others reach enlightenment. The first vow is to show respect to all buddhas for their wisdom and compassion. The second refers to Samantabhadra’s belief that there are infinite number of Buddhas and how all should be praised for their virtues. The third is to make offerings like food or flowers to the Buddhas. However, Samatabhadra stated that the most valuable offering is to practice the teachings of the Buddha so everyone can benefit. In the fourth vow, Samatabhadra identifies how everyone has sinned from thoughts, words, or actions throughout their past lives. So, it is best to repent these sins by commiting one's self to not make the same mistakes. With the fifth vow, Samantabhadra proposed to benefit from others merits and share the Buddhist teachings. The sixth is intended to ensure that the Buddhist teachings will continues to be passed on. The seventh vow is for the Buddhas to remain in the world so they would be able to guide more individuals. By always following the Buddha’s teaching in the eighth vow, people are able to attain enlightenment by taking the Buddha’s same path. The ninth is meant for all living beings to be able to live in harmony. Finally, the last vow is designed to save all living beings by gaining merits from following the first nine vows.

http://taipei.tzuchi.org.tw/tzquart/98winter/qw98-19.htm

For his dedication to the Buddhist teachings and through his Ten Great Vows, Samantabhara also became known as the Bodhsattva of Extensive Conduct. As well as, Samantabhadra’s vows have become a common practice in East Asian Buddhism and have been used regularly for morning rituals. The Ten Great Vows have even become basic guidelines for bodhisattvas.

http://www.manjushri.com/Buddha-List/Samantabhadra.html

Samantabdhadra Mantra

adaṇḍe daṇḍapati daṇḍa-āvartani daṇḍa-kuśale daṇḍa-sudhāri

sudhārapati buddhapaśyane sarvadhāraṇi

āvartani saṁvartani saṅgha-parīkṣite saṅgha-nirghātani

dharma-parīkṣite sarva-sattva ruta kauśalya-anugate

siṁha-vikrīḍite anuvarte vartani vartāli svāhā

http://www.sutrasmantras.info/mantra09.html

Thanks to Foundations of Buddhism of this Info

Namo Buddhaya!

Magesh Velayudham

The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal god and avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description. ~ Albert Einstein

Namo Buddhaya

How Coming Out Heals Your Life

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 19, 2014

Mindful Resolution

The Buddha encouraged us to think of the good things done for us by our parents, by our teachers, friends, whomever; and to do this intentionally, to cultivate it, rather than just letting it happen accidentally.

- Ajahn Sumedho, “The Gift of Gratitude”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 20, 2014
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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma January 18, 2014

Peace is Possible

Peace is possible, here and now. If peace were as much a priority as, say, economic expansion, there would be peace. There’s no lofty Buddhist philosophy that’s necessary to explain it. It’s very simple. Peace is absolutely possible if you stop listening to people who would have you believe otherwise, and if we truly wish it.

- Samdhong Rinpoche, “Democracy in Exile”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through January 19, 2014
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Via JMG: ABC's Bachelor: Gays Are Perverts

Details. (Graphic source)

Labels: assholery, reality shows, television

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: CUBA: Cops Arrest Gay-Bashing Russian Fugitive Maxim Martsinkevich

Fugitive Russian gay-basher Maxim Martsinkevich was arrested in Cuba today. Note that the following report is from the official Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

Russia was informed by Cuban police of the arrest of Maxim Martsinkevich through Interpol, the Russian Interior Ministry said in a statement. More widely known under his nickname of Tesak, or machete, Martsinkevich was arrested in absentia by a Russian court last month on extremism charges. Martsinkevich said during a January 8 interview that the criminal charges against him were orchestrated by Russia’s “pedo-lobby,” and that he did not intend to return to Russia, according to Russian tabloid Life News that has close links to the security services. The details of Martsinkevich's extradition were currently being finalized, Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement Saturday. In a January 9 post on his website, Martsinkevich wrote that he had flown to Cuba from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, via the German city of Frankfurt. In 2011, Martsinkevich founded the Occupy Pedophile vigilante group, which lured men to abusive meetings with false promises of sex with minors. The encounters were recorded and then posted online. The group was also reported to target gay men, who were subjected to similar abusive treatment.

The above-linked report notes that Martsinkevich, who is also wanted by Ukrainian authorities, has over 130,000 subscribers on the Russian social media site Vkontakte. For more about his history of brutal attacks on gay men, read my earlier reports. (Tipped by multiple JMG readers)

Labels: closet cases, crime, Cuba, evil, gay bashing, Maxim Martsenkevich, Russia, Ukraine

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: STUDY: Divorce Rate Of Evangelicals Higher Than General Population

According to a study to be published in the American Journal Of Sociology, "religiously conservative Protestants" divorce at a higher rate than the general population.

Researchers discovered that higher divorce rates among conservative Protestants were tied to earlier marriages and childbearing – factors known to ramp up divorce. Starting families earlier tends to stop young adults from pursuing more education and depresses their wages, putting more strain on marriages, University of Texas at Austin professor Jennifer Glass said. But the study went a step further: Glass and another researcher also discovered that people living in areas with lots of conservative Protestants were at higher risk of getting divorced, even if they weren’t conservative Protestants themselves. County by county, for every 1% increase in the share of conservative Protestants compared with mainline Protestants, the divorce rate increased 0.02%, the study found. Glass argued that community institutions in such areas might encourage early marriage, affecting divorce rates for everyone who lives there.

Save that bolded sentence for the next time you get told that you are destroying traditional marriage. (Tipped by JMG reader Str8 Grandmother)

Labels: divorce, marriage equality, religion

Reposted from Joe Jervis