Friday, May 29, 2015
Via JMG: Obama Issues Pride Month Proclamation
"From the moment our Nation first came together to declare the
fundamental truth that all men are created equal, courageous and
dedicated patriots have fought to refine our founding promise and
broaden democracy's reach. Over the course of more than two centuries of
striving and sacrifice, our country has expanded civil rights and
enshrined equal protections into our Constitution. Through struggle and
setback, we see a common trajectory toward a more free and just society.
But we are also reminded that we are not truly equal until every person
is afforded the same rights and opportunities -- that when one of us
experiences discrimination, it affects all of us -- and that our journey
is not complete until our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.
"Across our Nation, tremendous progress has been won by determined individuals who stood up, spoke out, and shared their stories. Earlier this year, because of my landmark Executive Order on LGBT workplace discrimination, protections for Federal contractors went into effect, guarding against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Federal Government is now leading by example, ensuring that our employees and contractors are judged by the quality of their work, not by who they love. And I will keep calling on the Congress to pass legislation so that all Americans are covered by these protections, no matter where they work.
"In communities throughout the country, barriers that limit the potential of LGBT Americans have been torn down, but too many individuals continue to encounter discrimination and unfair treatment. My Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors because the overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that it can cause substantial harm. We understand the unique challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities -- especially transgender and gender non-conforming individuals -- and are taking steps to address them. And we recognize that families come in many shapes and sizes. Whether biological, foster, or adoptive, family acceptance is an important protective factor against suicide and harm for LGBTQ youth, and mental health experts have created resources to support family communication and involvement.
"For countless young people, it is not enough to simply say it gets better; we must take action too. We continue to address bullying and harassment in our classrooms, ensuring every student has a nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. Across the Federal Government, we are working every day to unlock the opportunities all LGBT individuals deserve and the resources and care they need. Too many LGBTQ youth face homelessness and too many older individuals struggle to find welcoming and affordable housing; that is why my Administration is striving to ensure they have equal access to safe and supportive housing throughout life. We are updating our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to better address the disproportionate burden HIV has on communities of gay and bisexual men and transgender women. We continue to extend family and spousal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
"And because we know LGBT rights are human rights, we are championing protections and support for LGBT persons around the world. All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, free from fear and violence, and protected against discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2015 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth. - BARACK OBAMA.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
"Across our Nation, tremendous progress has been won by determined individuals who stood up, spoke out, and shared their stories. Earlier this year, because of my landmark Executive Order on LGBT workplace discrimination, protections for Federal contractors went into effect, guarding against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Federal Government is now leading by example, ensuring that our employees and contractors are judged by the quality of their work, not by who they love. And I will keep calling on the Congress to pass legislation so that all Americans are covered by these protections, no matter where they work.
"In communities throughout the country, barriers that limit the potential of LGBT Americans have been torn down, but too many individuals continue to encounter discrimination and unfair treatment. My Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors because the overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that it can cause substantial harm. We understand the unique challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities -- especially transgender and gender non-conforming individuals -- and are taking steps to address them. And we recognize that families come in many shapes and sizes. Whether biological, foster, or adoptive, family acceptance is an important protective factor against suicide and harm for LGBTQ youth, and mental health experts have created resources to support family communication and involvement.
"For countless young people, it is not enough to simply say it gets better; we must take action too. We continue to address bullying and harassment in our classrooms, ensuring every student has a nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. Across the Federal Government, we are working every day to unlock the opportunities all LGBT individuals deserve and the resources and care they need. Too many LGBTQ youth face homelessness and too many older individuals struggle to find welcoming and affordable housing; that is why my Administration is striving to ensure they have equal access to safe and supportive housing throughout life. We are updating our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to better address the disproportionate burden HIV has on communities of gay and bisexual men and transgender women. We continue to extend family and spousal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
"And because we know LGBT rights are human rights, we are championing protections and support for LGBT persons around the world. All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, free from fear and violence, and protected against discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2015 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth. - BARACK OBAMA.
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do Dia- Flor del Día- Flower of the day 29/05/2015
“O adolescente rebelde está pedindo amor incondicional. Na verdade,
ele não está dando conta do que sente, ele está desesperado. Esse é um
amor exigente. Enquanto você está ali dando o seu melhor, ele está
jogando pedras. Mas é preciso compreender que esse é o seu material de
escola. Você está aprendendo a não se identificar com sua própria
criança ferida, a manter sua mente equânime e não aceitar o convite para
a guerra. No momento, esse filho é o seu mestre.”
“El adolescente rebelde está pidiendo amor incondicional. En verdad,
no se está dando cuenta de lo que siente, está desesperado. Este es un
amor exigente. Mientras tú estás ahí dando lo mejor, él está tirando
piedras. Pero es necesario comprender que este es tu material de
escuela. Estás aprendiendo a no identificarte con tu propio niño herido,
a mantener tu mente ecuánime y no aceptar la invitación a la guerra. En
ese momento, ese hijo es tu maestro.”
“Rebellious teenagers are asking for unconditional love. In truth, they are not managing to cope with their feelings, and are in a state of despair. This is a very demanding form of love. While you are there giving your best efforts, they are hurling stones back at you. You must understand that this is your learning material. You are learning not to get identified with your own wounded child, and how to keep your mind balanced and not take up the gauntlet or accept the invitation to fight. At this moment, your child is your teacher.”
“Rebellious teenagers are asking for unconditional love. In truth, they are not managing to cope with their feelings, and are in a state of despair. This is a very demanding form of love. While you are there giving your best efforts, they are hurling stones back at you. You must understand that this is your learning material. You are learning not to get identified with your own wounded child, and how to keep your mind balanced and not take up the gauntlet or accept the invitation to fight. At this moment, your child is your teacher.”
Today's Daily Dharma: The Myth of Enlightenment.
The Myth of Enlightenment
One
idea that really hampers us is to believe that people get
'enlightened,' and then they’re that way forever and ever. We may have
our moments, and if we get sick and have lots of things happening, we
may fall back. But a person who practices consistently over years and
years is more that way, more of the time, all the time. And that’s
enough. There is no such thing as getting it.
- Charlotte Joko Beck, "Life's Not A Problem"
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Via American Atheists's / FB
Since Senator Rubio seems to be confused about this: We don't want to criminalize Catholic teachings or even call them "hate speech." But his religious beliefs don't excuse his bigotry. And criticizing him for his bigotry isn't persecution, it's holding him accountable.
Via adicting Info: Teens Are Leaving Religion In Droves, And That Spells Big Trouble For The GOP
It is no secret to anyone who bothers to turn on a television news
show or use Google that the current incarnation of the GOP is hellbent
on turning America into a fundamentalist Christians theocracy. They
believe that everything that is even a little bit progressive, from
climate change to acceptance of homosexuality, to abortion, is some evil
liberal plot to take away their Bibles, burn down their churches, and
persecute Christians. While thinking people know that they are deluded,
the people who make up today’s GOP pander to the nut jobs who believe
it. Well, luckily for the rest of us, that base of people and their
politicians are getting older and dying off. Even better is the fact
that younger version of these people are not replacing them.
According to a recent- and quite thorough study, today’s adolescents are leaving religion in droves. It isn’t because they haven’t found god yet or anything like that, either, according to this study. It’s because there has been a cultural shift, and these people do not need or want religion in their lives. Jean Twenge, the psychology professor from San Diego State who led the study, says:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/28/teens-are-leaving-religion-in-droves-and-that-spells-big-trouble-for-the-gop/
According to a recent- and quite thorough study, today’s adolescents are leaving religion in droves. It isn’t because they haven’t found god yet or anything like that, either, according to this study. It’s because there has been a cultural shift, and these people do not need or want religion in their lives. Jean Twenge, the psychology professor from San Diego State who led the study, says:
“Unlike previous studies, ours is able to show that Millennials’ lower religious involvement is due to cultural change, not to millennials being young and unsettled.”Further, the study concludes that this is the least religious generation in six decades. Also, because it is a cultural change, these young people are unlikely to turn to religion as they get older. According to Twenge, who also authored a book on the Millennial generation entitled Generation Me, this shift has to do with the fact that children born in the 1980’s and 1990’s are simply more inclined to be individualistic than those before them. She describes Millennials as tolerant, confident, open-minded, and ambitious but also disengaged, narcissistic, distrustful, and anxious,” and calls them the “Entitlement Generation.”
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/28/teens-are-leaving-religion-in-droves-and-that-spells-big-trouble-for-the-gop/
Via The Washington Blade: Obama to host Pride at the White House on June 24
President Obama is set to host Pride at the White House on June 24. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
President Obama is set to host Pride at the White House on June 24. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
President Obama is set to host Pride at the White House on June 24. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
JMG HomoQuotable - Armistead Maupin
Labels: Armistead Maupin, boycotts, Fire Island Pines, HomoQuotable, Ian Reisner, Mati Weiderpass, Ted Cruz
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do Dia- Flor del Día- Flower of the day 28/05/2015
“Pais e educadores precisam tomar consciência da grande
responsabilidade que lhes foi dada: interromper o ciclo da ignorância
neste planeta. Porque através da educação das crianças podemos quebrar o
círculo vicioso da destruição e realmente mudar o mundo. Para isso,
precisamos fazer nossa parte que é ajudar as crianças a encontrarem seus
dons e talentos, e se alinharem com a sua verdadeira missão. Não basta
largar a criança na escola, é preciso se responsabilizar e se comprometer com o despertar do amor desse Ser.”
“Padres y educadores necesitan tomar consciencia de la gran
responsabilidad que les fue dada: interrumpir el ciclo de la ignorancia
en este planeta. Porque a través de la educación de los niños podemos
romper el círculo vicioso de la destrucción y realmente cambiar el
mundo. Para eso, necesitamos hacer nuestra parte que es ayudar a los
niños a encontrar sus dones y talentos, y alinearse con su verdadera
misión. No basta dejar al niño en la escuela, es necesario
responsabilizarse y comprometerse con el despertar del amor de ese Ser.”
“Parents and educators need to become aware of the great responsibility they have been given: to interrupt the cycle of ignorance on this planet. Through our children’s education we can break the vicious circle of destruction and create a change in the world. We need to do our part in order for this to happen. We must help our children to discover their gifts and talents, and to live in alignment with their true purpose. It is not enough to put your child in a school system – you have to be responsible and committed to awakening the love within this human being.”
“Parents and educators need to become aware of the great responsibility they have been given: to interrupt the cycle of ignorance on this planet. Through our children’s education we can break the vicious circle of destruction and create a change in the world. We need to do our part in order for this to happen. We must help our children to discover their gifts and talents, and to live in alignment with their true purpose. It is not enough to put your child in a school system – you have to be responsible and committed to awakening the love within this human being.”
Today's Daily Dharma: The Dawning of Truth.
The Dawning of Truth
If
we use the practice tools that develop intelligence and clarity with a
confused, selfish motivation, reality is bound to collide with our
fiction. This is where practice is supposed to bring us. This is the proof that the dharma works. It’s the end of our confused, fictive world, and the dawning of truth.
- Lama Tsony, "Facing Fear"
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Via JMG: Wikipedia Updates World Marriage Map
As I reported yesterday, Greenland's Parliament has voted to adopt
Denmark's laws on same-sex marriage. That vote goes into effect on
October 1st, prompting Wikipedia's map monitors to change Greenland's
color to mustard, which means "pending." That tiny dot of dark green in
the Middle East is Israel and if you squint you'll see that same-sex
marriage is also pending in Nepal (although that bill has not yet been
presented). Chile is apparently mustard-shaded because in February 2015
the government announced that it was formally dropping its opposition to
same-sex marriage. Civil unions were signed into law by Chile's
president last month and the marriage bill is expected soon.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
Via JMG: GERMANY: Chancellor Angela Merkel Spokesman Says Same-Sex Marriage Is "Not A Goal Of This Government"
Via Reuters:
Reposted from Joe Jervis
Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition agreed on Wednesday to make small changes to same-sex civil partnership rules but staunch opposition from conservatives in her party means Germany will not follow Ireland in allowing gay marriages any time soon. Although there are growing divisions within the party, Merkel's Christian Democrats are still overwhelmingly opposed to same-sex marriages partly due to fears it could upset voters on the right. However, polls show 75 percent of Germans are in favour of legalising gay marriages, as are the Social Democrats (SPD) and all opposition parties. The overwhelming "yes" vote in Ireland for same-sex marriage had triggered a discussion in Germany about the lingering gap in rights between registered partnerships and marriages. "Today was an important milestone in dismantling discrimination and the chancellor is pleased about that," her spokesman Steffen Seibert said. "But same-sex marriages are not a goal of this government." "Every country makes its own laws - some countries go one route while others go another," said Seibert, when asked about Ireland. "In Germany we'll take a path that suits Germany."Merkel was elected to a third term in 2013.
Via JMG: Where Gay Men Are The Happiest
Planet Romeo, an Amsterdam-based dating and community site, collaborated with the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany to carry out an online survey of 115,000 gay men around the world. They combined rankings on public opinion, public behavior and life satisfaction – how gay men feel about society’s view on homosexuality, how gay men feel they are treated by other people, and how satisfied gay men are with their own lives, respectively – into one worldwide ranking on gay happiness. Iceland tops their list as the country where gay men are the happiest, followed by Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Uruguay, Canada, Israel, Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The United States ranks 26th in the list. The 10 worst countries by this ranking are Kazakhstan, Ghana, Cameroon, Iran, Nigeria, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda.Hit the link and scroll down for the full ranking.
Via JMG: Feds to Induct Gay Rights Pioneer Frank Kameny Into Labor Hall Of Honor
Via press release from the US Department of Labor:
Reposted from Joe Jervis
Frank Kameny, who for decades fought to end discrimination in the federal workplace, will be honored by the U.S. Department of Labor in June with an induction to its Hall of Honor. Kameny's legacy as a civil rights leader has made a monumental difference in improving the lives of all workers all across America. A World War II veteran and Harvard-educated doctor of astronomy with the U.S. Army Map Service, Kameny was discharged and barred from federal government employment in 1958 after U.S. Civil Service Commission investigators asked if he was a homosexual.Kameny died at age 86 in 2011. Earlier Hall Of Honor inductees include Ted Kennedy, Bayard Rustin, Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, and the 9/11 Rescue Workers. Kameny's ceremony will take place on June 23rd and the Labor Department suggests the Twitter hashtag #ThankFrank. (Tipped by JMG reader Jeremy)
Kameny fought the injustice, eventually taking his case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which denied his petition in 1961. The setback led him to become a co-founder of the first gay rights organization in Washington, D.C., and began his tireless fight to force the nation's largest employer — the federal government — to end discrimination in its employment practices based on sexual orientation. "Frank Kameny was a groundbreaking leader in the LGBT civil rights movement. He fought tirelessly to live out his truth and to end workplace discrimination," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "At the Department of Labor we work every day to carry on his legacy and ensure that all workers, no matter who they are or who they love, have equal access to opportunity."
Labels: activism, American history, feds, Frank Kameny, Labor Department, LGBT History, LGBT rights, Obama administration
JMG Quote Of The Day - Daniel O'Donnell
Labels: Daniel O'Donnell, Democrats, gay politicians, Ireland, LGBT rights, marriage equality, New York state, NY Assembly
Via NYT: On Same-Sex Marriage, Catholics Are Leading the Way
Take
a look at this list of countries: Belgium, Canada, Spain, Argentina,
Portugal, Brazil, France, Uruguay, Luxembourg and Ireland. Name two
things that they have in common.
They don’t share a continent, obviously. Or a language.
But
in all of them, the Roman Catholic Church has more adherents, at least
nominally, than any other religious denomination does.
And all of them belong to the vanguard of 20 nations that have decided to make same-sex marriage legal.
In
fact, countries with a Catholic majority or plurality make up half of
those where two men or two women can now wed or will soon be able to.
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