Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

 November 12, 2011

Beyond Duality

I say recognize that the absolute is the relative, that nirvana is relativity. There is no way of not making a decision, and within every decision there's always a better or a worse. They are not equal. This attempt to go beyond good and evil posits some dualistic idea about nirvana. But let's not be dualistic. Nirvana is not someplace else. To go beyond good and evil means that good and evil are relative aspects that require choices.

— Robert Thurman, "The Politics of Enlightenment"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via AmericaBlog Gay:

It’s finally our Veterans Day too

It's the first Veterans Day since DADT was lifted. It's weird to think of all these holidays and things that we were always left out of. Now we're not. CNN:

"One day we'll have a gay veterans monument here, memorializing our sacrifice for America, our fight for equality, and our battle for love," tweeted Dan Choi, an Iraq war veteran who was discharged from the Army for acknowledging that he is gay. His discharge occurred while the policy was still in effect.

SF's Pride Parades: 1970 - 1980

Via JMG: NORTH CAROLINA: 4300 Baptist Churches Endorse Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

Raise your hand if you're shocked. Via Charlotte Observer:

N.C. Baptists meeting today in Greensboro elected Charlotte pastor Mark Harris to be their new president and endorsed a proposed state constitutional amendment that would reinforce North Carolina's ban on same-sex marriage. Most of the 4,300 churches associated with the state convention are Southern Baptist - the largest Protestant denomination in North Carolina, with about 1.3 million members.

Harris has pledged to campaign for the amendment.

Labels: bigotry, North Carolina, religion

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Via Gay Politics Report: Solmonese: Re-electing Obama crucial to continuing LGBT progress

• 
  Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said he's worried that the progress LGBT Americans have seen in recent years could end or even be reversed if President Barack Obama is not re-elected next year. "If we lose, if the outcome is negative, if we go from the march toward marriage equality and the repeal of DOMA and the positive direction that we’ve been in, to a president and a Congress who decide they’re so troubled by all the success we’re having with marriage they want to take up the fight again to pass the federal marriage amendment -- well, boy, we’ve come full circle from where we were back in 2005, the last time that happened," Solmonese said. Dallas Voice (11/11)     

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

November 11, 2011

What Form of Practice is Best?

What form [of practice] is best really depends on the person and the time—for some the carrot, for some the stick. The Buddha talked about this. He gave an image of training a horse. For some horses, just the shadow of the whip is enough; for others a slight touch spurs them on; and others really need to be whacked, metaphorically speaking.

– Joseph Goldstein, "How Amazing!"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via JMG: Gay Candidates Elected Across Nation

A small tidal wave of openly gay candidates have been swept into office today. In addition to those mentioned in earlier posts, here's a recap of various contests.

New Jersey: First openly gay black GOP mayor in U.S. history.

North Carolina: First openly gay city council member for Charlotte.

Ohio: First openly gay city council member for Cincinnati.

Indiana: First openly gay city council member for Indianapolis.

Montana: Out lesbian city council member for Missoula.

Arizona: Daniel Hernandez, hero in Giffords shooting, elected to Tucson school board.

More to follow!

Labels: 2011 elections, gay politicians

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JMG Quote Of The Day - Mark Morford

"Are you not furious, righteous Republican homophobe? I bet you are. I bet you're dialing your angriest, most confused buds right this moment to write letters, post barely punctuated rants to the hate forums on Free Republic, call in to Rush to demand a Tea Party-wide boycott of every single one of these sicko companies. I mean, you can't really call yourself a true American, a real Christian and still openly wear Nikes or Levi's, use Microsoft or Google, or watch Warner Brothers movies, can you? If you really walk your anti-gay talk, well, every one of these companies should be banned from your life, right?" - San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mark Morford, in a hilarious essay about the avalanche of major companies backing the repeal of DOMA.

Read the entire article.

Labels: DOMA, GOP, humor, marriage equality

reposted from Joe

Michigan's Children Speak Out Against Republican Pro-Bullying Legislation

Via JMG: Ninth Circuit Turns Down Second Log Cabin Appeal On Constitutionality Of DADT

In September the Log Cabin Republicans lost their bid to have DADT declared unconstitutional when a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel of three judges declared that their suit had been made moot when Congress repealed the law. Today the Ninth Circuit refused Log Cabin's appeal for an en banc (fully court) hearing of their case. Via LCR press release:

"The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has chosen to back away from its role in defending the constitutional rights of servicemembers. With open service the law of the land, it now falls to servicemembers themselves and their allies to be vigilant in protecting the freedom of gay men and women in uniform," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "Log Cabin Republicans will continue to fight for uniform treatment of all servicemembers, in Congress and in the court of public opinion, including working to end the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" which wrongly discriminates against military families. Log Cabin Republicans are proud to have brought this case, proud of our victory at trial, and proud that the ruling in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States provided the necessary motivation to make repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' a reality."

The Log Cabin suit is critical should a future Congress or administration elect to reinstate a ban on openly gay soldiers.

Labels: DADT, LCR, military, Ninth Circuit Court.

reposted from Joe

A Discussion of Homosexuality, Sexuality and the Baha'i Faith - Columbia, SC

From: Nancy Songer <nancysonger@yahoo.com>

Date: November 9, 2011 12:17:33 AM EST

To: "South Carolina Baha'is" <bahai-us-sc@BCCA.Org>

Subject: more on  "A Discussion of Homosexuaity, Sexuality and the Baha'i Faith"

Reply-To: Nancy Songer <nancysonger@yahoo.com>

A Discussion of Homosexuality, Sexuality and the Baha'i Faith

Saturday, Dec. 3   10 am –  4 pm

Columbia Baha'i Center 2020 Assembly St. Columbia

Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Columbia, SC

Please advise if you plan to attend

Homosexuality is a delicate and divisive subject requiring more – and more thoughtful - attention in order to transform the Baha’i community into one of knowledgeable, supportive friends for fellow believers and articulate bearers of Baha’u’llah’s healing Message. This introductory conversation addresses: Issues in discourse on this subject. Baha’i teachings on seeking truth. What is sexuality? Homosexuality? What is science? Current best science on homosexuality? What are views of the therapeutic community? What difference does that make for Baha’is?  Where do science and moral questions intersect?  How do they relate to the Covenant? Teaching the Faith?

This day will feature:

·            " Sexuality, Spirituality, and the Baha'i Model of Morality." - a talk by Mary K. Radpour, a practicing psychotherapist and long-time worker with the Baha'i Network on AIDS, Sexuality, Addictions and Abuse (BNASAA)

·            "Engaging in Discourse on Homosexuality."  - a  presentation given by Nancy Songer and Lisa Ortuno at this year's Association for Baha'i Studies Conference

·            Questions and Discussion

In order to encourage discussion, this gathering is for Baha'is only, and for people who are 18 or older. We know this is a matter of importance and interest to young people; however, this particular presentation is for adults. 

Registration, to cover travel and other expenses, will be $10 per person.  (Assistance can be available.)

Room is limited. There have been requests from friends in other states to attend, but we would like to give priority to SC believers. Pre-registration  (meaning notice that you are coming) is requested. Please email nbsonger@yahoo.com by November 15.

Childcare - Unfortunately, childcare cannot be provided.  

If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Songer at nbsonger@yahoo.com.

Loving regards,

Local Spiritual Assembly of Columbia, SC

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

 

November 9, 2011

Kindness is Society

During a lecture while I was interpreting for the Dalai Lama, he said in what seemed to me to be broken English, “Kindness is society.” I wasn’t smart enough to think he was saying kindness is society. I thought he meant kindness is important to society; kindness is vital to society; but he was saying that kindness is so important that we cannot have society without it. Society is impossible without it. Thus, kindness IS society; society IS kindness. Without concern for other people it’s impossible to have society.

– Jeffrey Hopkins, "Equality"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via Gay Politics Report: Second lady Jill Biden urges support for LGBT youth

• 
  Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, was the keynote speaker at the national convention of Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians last week, where she said acceptance of LGBT youth is necessary to help them live healthier lives. "Together, we all need to stand up and do our part to keep our kids safe, and give them everything —- the love, the support and acceptance they need to learn and grow and fulfill their dreams," Biden said. Patch.com/OldTownAlexandria (11/4), Washington Blade (11/4)     

Via Gay Politics Report: Time to reframe marriage debate, group advises

• Speaking about marriage for gays and lesbians in terms of love and commitment rather than rights and benefits is more likely to attract supporters, according to a bipartisan group advocating for a new approach to messaging about the issue. Third Way, a centrist Democratic organization, has launched the "Commitment Campaign" to encourage those fighting for marriage rights to engage others using language that speaks to the values of those who can be persuaded on the issue. USA TODAY (11/6)
  

Via JMG: Tweet Of The Day - Ellen DeGeneres

Labels: Ellen Degeneres, Hillary Clinton, HIV/AIDS, lesbians

reposted from Joe

Via AmericaBlogGay: Clint Eastwood "doesn’t give a f*** about who wants to get married to anybody else"

As Scott notes, there's a certain eloquence to how straight guys put things.  First, Clint Eastwood in a new interview in GQ: 

"These people who are making a big deal about gay marriage? I don't give a f*** about who wants to get married to anybody else! Why not?! We're making a big deal out of things we shouldn't be making a deal out of ... Just give everybody the chance to have the life they want."

Then Clark:

There is something truly beautiful about how straight guys approach the topic of marriage equality. See, they aren't dealing with a lifetime of feeling shameful and unworthy. And they aren't fetishizing the tactic of presenting their views in nice, inoffensive ways that don't scare the straight people. They haven't sent their talking points through the Gay, Inc. car wash for a nice polish and buff sure to better appeal to America's soccer moms, NASCAR dads, and their deeply felt religious convictions.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

 

November 7, 2011

Let Go of Projections

On trains, in the street, in our homes and communities, we practice paying attention—through developing mindfulness and lovingkindness and through letting go of projections—partly because a more complete attention proffers many special gifts. These gifts can penetrate through the exigencies of social roles, the seeming hollowness of chance encounters, and even through terrible hurt.

– Sharon Salzberg, "A More Complete Attention"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via JMG: SPAIN: Ricky Martin Granted Citizenship In Possible Bid To Legally Marry

Spain has granted citizenship to Puerto Rico-born Ricky Martin, who may be seeking a legal venue to marry his boyfriend.

Spokesman Jose Blanco told a news conference that ministers had agreed to grant him a “letter of naturalization”, issued in special circumstances, because of his “personal and professional links with Spain”. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that Martin sought citizenship in order to marry boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez Abella, with whom he is bringing up his twin three-year-old sons. Spain passed legislation allowing same-sex marriages in 2005, only the third country to do so at the time, with 20,000 gay couples entering into marriage since.

Labels: gay artists, Ricky Martin, Spain

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Via JMG: Family Research Council Honors Deadbeat Dad Rep. Joe Walsh As "Pro-Family"

The Family Research Council has named Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) as their "True Blue" pro-family leader, even though Walsh owes over $100,000 in unpaid child support.

"We thank Cong. Walsh who has voted consistently to defend faith, family and freedom,” said FRCA President Tony Perkins. “Cong. Walsh and other ‘True Blue Members’ have voted to repeal Obamacare, de-fund Planned Parenthood, end government funding for abortion within the health care law, uphold the Defense of Marriage Act, and continue support for school choice. I applaud their commitment to uphold the institutions of marriage and family."

Walsh responded to the honor by crowing, "Defending American values have always been one of my top priorities, and this reward reaffirms my dedication to that fight."

Labels: Congress, Family Reseach Council, GOP, hate groups, hypocrisy, Tony Perkins

reposted from Joe