Friday, May 23, 2014
Via JMG: OREGON: Ballot Measure Dropped
Oregon United for Marriage submitted an amicus brief in the Rummell v Kitzhaber marriage equality case, noting that if the judge ruled in a way that allowed for same-sex couples to marry by May 23, the campaign would not submit the 160,000 signatures gathered to put a marriage equality measure on the ballot. Today is May 23—and following Judge Michael McShane’s ruling that extended the freedom to marry to all loving, committed couples in Oregon, a ballot campaign to address the same issue is no longer needed. “We are confident that the freedom to marry is secure in Oregon and that we do not need to move forward with the ballot measure,” said Oregon United for Marriage deputy campaign manager Amy Ruiz. “It is time to celebrate this victory for Oregon.”
Via Daily Dharma
Long Journey to a Bow | May 23, 2014
Learning to make that first bow to
ourselves is perhaps a step to realizing that a bow is just a bow, a
simple gesture where all ideas of 'self' and 'other,' 'worthy' and
'unworthy,' fall away. It is a step of confidently committing ourselves
to realizing the same freedom and compassion that all buddhas throughout
time have discovered; it is acknowledging that we practice to be
liberated.
—Christina Feldman, "Long Journey to a Bow"
Thursday, May 22, 2014
10 Tips for Keeping Love Alive in Modern Times
Postedon 2/7/20142:30:00 PMbyDavid Cruz III
[Editor's note: Relationship expert—and current Frontiers cover model—David Cruz knows the importance of love. He shares that importance with us in this fun guide to keeping love alive in a time when most people consider chivalry and love at first sight to be things of cheesy rom-coms.]
1. Be a Warrior of Chivalry
There is much to be said about being a gentleman. Not only should you marry one but you should also be one! Open doors and treat the love of your life like a king.
2. Write
Handwritten Love Notes
Whether it’s a handwritten letter, card or even a Post-it, surprise the one you love with a short and sweet declaration of your love.
Whether it’s a handwritten letter, card or even a Post-it, surprise the one you love with a short and sweet declaration of your love.
3. Do
Something Your Partner Enjoys
It’s easy to get caught up with what you like in a relationship. Switch things up and make your partner feel special. Maybe tonight’s the night you watch a documentary instead of The Carrie Diaries!
4. Create Traditions with Good Friends
Whether it’s planning a monthly dinner party or a karaoke night, fostering your relationships with friends creates a strong support system. Become the ambassador of good times while catching up with the people you care most about. Remember that friends need love, too, and traditions like these keep everyone feeling special.
It’s easy to get caught up with what you like in a relationship. Switch things up and make your partner feel special. Maybe tonight’s the night you watch a documentary instead of The Carrie Diaries!
4. Create Traditions with Good Friends
Whether it’s planning a monthly dinner party or a karaoke night, fostering your relationships with friends creates a strong support system. Become the ambassador of good times while catching up with the people you care most about. Remember that friends need love, too, and traditions like these keep everyone feeling special.
5. Make a
Phone Call
When was the last time you actually talked to someone? Connect on a human level and call someone you care about. The general rule should be to replace one text a day with a phone call. Go ahead, I dare you—dial.
When was the last time you actually talked to someone? Connect on a human level and call someone you care about. The general rule should be to replace one text a day with a phone call. Go ahead, I dare you—dial.
6. Plan
Date Nights
Whether you’ve been together for a year or 10 years, remember to keep that flame burning bright. Plan nights out like you did when you first met, and make them fun and sexy.
Whether you’ve been together for a year or 10 years, remember to keep that flame burning bright. Plan nights out like you did when you first met, and make them fun and sexy.
7. Embrace
“Guys Night Out”
Sometimes it’s good to let guys be guys. Spend time away from your relationship and let loose with the old gang. At the end of the night you will still get to cuddle with your little spoon!
Sometimes it’s good to let guys be guys. Spend time away from your relationship and let loose with the old gang. At the end of the night you will still get to cuddle with your little spoon!
8. Unplug
from Technology
It’s so important to take a day and simply unplug—no tablets, phones, laptops or Twitter, just human communication. Take this time to make dinner, go for a hike or go to the beach together. Disconnect to reconnect!
It’s so important to take a day and simply unplug—no tablets, phones, laptops or Twitter, just human communication. Take this time to make dinner, go for a hike or go to the beach together. Disconnect to reconnect!
9. Play
Life can be too serious sometimes. People often get so caught up in being grown ups that they forget what it’s like to just play. Take time in your day to read the comics, run in the sprinklers, wander the toy aisle, watch cartoons and just relax. This will help your relationship “breathe” and not be taken too seriously. A relationship can be a lot of things, but it should also be fun.
Life can be too serious sometimes. People often get so caught up in being grown ups that they forget what it’s like to just play. Take time in your day to read the comics, run in the sprinklers, wander the toy aisle, watch cartoons and just relax. This will help your relationship “breathe” and not be taken too seriously. A relationship can be a lot of things, but it should also be fun.
10. Be
Thoughtful
Go the extra mile for the one you love. When your significant other is sick, make him soup and put together a special “get well” care kit. When you see his favorite candy, buy it for him. Do something without obligation and surprise him with it. Thoughtfulness is a one-way ticket to a long and happy relationship.
Go the extra mile for the one you love. When your significant other is sick, make him soup and put together a special “get well” care kit. When you see his favorite candy, buy it for him. Do something without obligation and surprise him with it. Thoughtfulness is a one-way ticket to a long and happy relationship.
Via Daily Dharma
The Path of Reasoning | May 22, 2014
Gold merchants do not merely accept the
seller’s praise of his goods; rather, they use a variety of methods to
examine the quality of the merchandise before they make their purchase
decision. Similarly, the Buddha said, do not accept my teachings out of
faith in me, but rather out of your own confidence in my
words—confidence that you have reached as a result of your own
intelligent analysis.
—Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso, “Dissecting Devotion”
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Via Merepresenta.net: Brasil X Argentina : Perdemos de goleada no combate a homofobia
by Redação •
Correspondente internacional na Argentina
O Brasil é oficialmente um País Laico (sem a interferência da Igreja no Estado), mas se comparado à Argentina que tem a Igreja Católica religião oficial do país, poderíamos supor que o Brasil teria maior aceitação, tolerância e respeito aos LGBT, certo? Errado. As contradições começam quando percebemos as diferenças no tratamento dispensado aos LGBT em seus respectivos países.
Além de dividirem fronteiras, Brasil e Argentina também dividem uma história semelhante. Ambos sofreram anos de ditadura militar e também sofrem com problemas sociais graves. Ambos têm governos presidenciais inclinados à esquerda e forte presença religiosa em seu povo. Mas são como dois continentes separados por um imenso oceano quando o assunto são os Direitos Humanos para a população LGBT. A Argentina goleia o Brasil neste quesito, aqui os homossexuais, bissexuais, travestis, transexuais são cidadãos plenos com seus direitos protegidos.
Moro na Argentina desde fevereiro deste ano e é visível a liberdade que os homossexuais vivenciam no país. Você não é surpreendido com linguagem homofóbica na rua, quando vai comprar um presente para o Dia de São Valentin ( comemorado dia 14 de Fevereiro em todo o mundo como o Dia dos Namorados, com exceção do Brasil, que comemora dia 12 de Junho) é extremamente comum ser perguntado na loja “Tiene vos novio o novia?” (Você tem namorado ou namorada?), todos os bares e boates (chamados de “boliches”, aqui) são gay-friendly e é raro você ouvir sobre assassinatos por conta da orientação sexual ou de gênero, mas quando acontece o país para; quando um LGBT é assassinado na Argentina tem a mesma repercussão que teve o assassinato do pedreiro Amarildo no Brasil.
Na Província de Rio Negro (equivalente ao Estado de Rio Negro) e na cidade de Buenos Aires a união civil entre pessoas do mesmo sexo já era garantida desde 2003, mas o Casamento Igualitário em vigor no país desde Julho de 2010 substituiu estas leis e garante o casamento a todas as pessoas independente de seu sexo e/ou identidade de gênero, garantindo inclusive, o direito à adoção. Em julho de 2003 Marcelo Suntheim y César Cigliutti se tornaram o primeiro casal de homens da América Latina legalmente unidos. A cerimônia foi transmitida ao vivo por diversos canais de TV da Argentina e teve repercussão em todos os jornais no dia seguinte. Uma multidão se aglomerou em frente o Cartório Civil da Avenida Uruguai em Buenos Aires. Depois, em agosto foi a vez de María Rachid y Claudia Castro históricas dirigentes da “Federación Argentina de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y Trans”. No Brasil, desde o ano passado, graças ao STF, os homossexuais podem se casar.
A Constituição Nacional da Argentina contém parágrafo contra a discriminação por qualquer tipo e as cidades de Buenos Aires e Rosário implementaram leis anti-homofobia e as divulgam constantemente. Uma lei que puna a discriminação por identidade de gênero e orientação sexual foi aprovada na Câmara dos Deputados e espera-se a aprovação dela no Senado. Existe forte campanha publicitária anti-homofobia para turistas e a Argentina é uma das rotas de turismo mais conhecidas entre homossexuais da Europa.
Em 2012 a Argentina aprovou lei que garante alteração do sexo de travestis transexuais em documentos sem a apresentação de qualquer atestado médico, isto acabou permitindo que na Argentina houvesse o primeiro casamento entre transexuais da história da América. A noiva, Karen Taborda, nasceu homem. O noivo, Alexis Bruselario nasceu mulher. O noivo casou grávido e teve seu ventre abençoado pelo Padre Católico Raúl Benedetti. Quando poderíamos imaginar esta cena no Brasil? Gênesis, o filho do casal, nasceu em Dezembro.
Ainda falando sobre travestis e transexuais, Buenos Aires conta com a primeira escola transexual do mundo, a “Escuela Mocha Celis de Buenos Aires”. Esta escola atende principalmente – mas não exclusivamente – travestis e transexuais maiores de 18 anos que queiram estudar e sair da prostituição. A escola têm 25 professores, metade deles é trans, 90 estudantes de diversas minorias sexuais e acreditem, 2 surdos Cis-héteros que se sentem melhor acolhidos na escola do que fora dela.
A Presidente Cristina Kirchner é adorava pela comunidade LGBT da Argentina, mas não é para menos, ela faz por merecer. Cristina Kirchner, em diversas oportunidades que teve demonstrou total apoio e respeito pela comunidade LGBT. Na ultima Parada Do Orgulho Gay em novembro de 2012 (“que é considerada “de interesse social, cultural e para a defesa dos direitos humanos” ) ela foi homenageada em gritos uníssonos pelas ruas de Buenos Aires. Além de defender o casamento igualitário desde a sua discussão no senado argentino, ter sido madrinha de batismo de um filho de um casal de lésbicas, Cristina fez algo mais notável, defendeu um garoto gay da oposição ano passado por conta de xingamentos que ele recebeu no twitter por conta de sua homossexualidade.
Devido à segurança que os homossexuais, travestis e transexuais sentem na Argentina, o país já se tornou rota de “refugiados” por orientação sexual; um casal gay russo realizou em fevereiro, em Buenos Aires, seu sonho de oficializar sua união e anunciou sua decisão de pedir asilo na Argentina, após fugir de seu país e denunciar a discriminação sofrida pelos coletivos homossexuais na Rússia. Alexander, de 47 anos, e Dimitri, de 35, se conheceram pela internet em sua Rússia natal e mantiveram dois anos de namoro até que decidiram sair do país para poder consumar seu amor perante a lei. “Estamos muito felizes por ter conseguido o que estávamos querendo fazer desde que nos conhecemos”, disse à imprensa Alexander, oriundo de Sochi, na porta do cartório civil em pleno centro da capital argentina.
Sem dúvida que ainda existe homofobia na Argentina, sobretudo no interior do país, mas as ações anti-homofobia existentes estão permitindo uma vida cada dia melhor aos LGBT argentinos, turistas e estrangeiros residentes. Minha ideia inicial era fazer um comparativo entre Brasil e Argentina, mas na verdade, já sabemos que o governo do Brasil não faz “propaganda de opções sexuais”. E a realidade brasileira nós conhecemos muito bem! Estamos perdendo por W.O, é bom pensarmos em entrar em campo!
Via JMG: GALLUP: 55% Back Gay Marriage
Gallup reports:
Reposted From Joe Jervis
Americans' support for the law recognizing same-sex marriages as legally valid has increased yet again, now at 55%. Marriage equality advocates have had a string of legal successes over the past year, most recently this week in Pennsylvania and Oregon where federal judges struck down bans on gay marriage. Two successive Gallup polls in 2012 saw support climb from 53% to 54%, indicating a steady but slight growth in acceptance of gay marriages over the past year after a more rapid increase between 2009 and 2011. In the latest May 8-11 poll, there is further evidence that support for gay marriage has solidified above the majority level. This comes on the heels of gay marriage proponents' 14th legal victory in a row.RELATED: A Politico poll released last week showed that 52% of likely 2014 midterm voters opposes same-sex marriage, but that poll was limited in its scope.
Via Daily Dharma
Fetters of Fear | May 21, 2014
Fear is the basic anxiety that creates
separation and fixation. Fear keeps us bound to the past, to our cozy,
habitual way of doing things.
—Daniel Naistadt, “The Money Mind”
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Via Daily Dharma
No Essence | May 20, 2014
The wealth of the world is mist on the mountain pass.
My closest friends, but guests on market day.
Uncertain joys and sorrows are last night’s dream.
I think and think; they have no essence.
My closest friends, but guests on market day.
Uncertain joys and sorrows are last night’s dream.
I think and think; they have no essence.
—Gendun Chopel, "In Memory of My Childhood Friend"
Via JMG: BREAKING: Pennsylvania's Ban On Gay Marriages Has Been OVERTURNED UPDATE: There Is NO Stay On Ruling
UPDATE: Chris Geidner reports has an initial report:
“We now join the twelve federal district courts across the country which, when confronted with these inequities in their own states, have concluded that all couples deserve equal dignity in the realm of civil marriage,” Jones wrote. Although Pennsylvania has no constitutional amendment barring same-sex couples from marrying, Jones on Tuesday struck down the state’s 1996 statute banning same-sex couples from marrying and barring recognition of out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples.UPDATE II: There is NO stay.
In concluding, Jones wrote, “[W]e hold that Pennsylvania’s Marriage Laws violate both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Because these laws are unconstitutional, we shall enter an order permanently enjoining their enforcement. By virtue of this ruling, same-sex couples who seek to marry in Pennsylvania may do so, and already married same-sex couples will be recognized as such in the Commonwealth.”
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