Via JMG: Martina Navratilova On ENDA

Labels: employment, ENDA, Martina Navralitova

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Michelangelo Signorile

"For gay men over 40, it's as if we've come back from a war that was far away and distant to most Americans even as it was happening -- not unlike the actual wars we've experienced in this country in the past decade. All of us who were in the trenches of the AIDS war are today dealing with the grief and the survivor guilt, even as the war itself goes on. Many are grappling with deeper scars and something akin to post-traumatic stress. A lot of it is immeshed in all the other issues people face, such as mid-life crises and aging. But as John Voelcker pointed out, unlike for other veterans of other wars, there isn't a Veterans Administration or any built-in support system for the survivors of the AIDS war, nor is there any outlet for mass grieving of the thousands who've died from AIDS similar to the memorials for war dead or terrorism victims." - Michelangelo Signorile, writing for the Huffington Post.

Read Signorile's full essay, which includes mention of tonight's Manhattan panel on AIDS survivorship, where I'm one of the speakers.

Labels: activism, AIDS, Broadway Cares, HIV/AIDS, HomoQuotable, LGBT History, Michelangelo Signorile

Reposted from Joe

When Did You Choose to Be Straight?

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	One act of pure love in saving life is greater than spending the whole of ones time in religious offerings to the gods. - Dhammapada More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 9, 2013

Maintaining a Steady Practice

Now if the practice is so good for us, why is it so difficult to maintain a steady practice? It may be that the notion that practice is 'good for us' is the very impediment—we all know how we can resist what is good for us at the table, at the gym, and on the Internet. This mechanical notion of practice, 'if I practice, then I will be (fill in the blank),' leads to discouragement because it is not true that practice inevitably leads to happiness or anything that we can imagine.

- Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara, "Like a Dragon in Water"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 10, 2013
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JMG Quote Of The Day - Chris Kluwe

"I love football, I love playing football but at the end of the day, it is a children's game that grown men play. If I can speak out on something, especially something that affects millions of lives and causes young kids to kill themselves - if I can speak out on that and help one of those young kids realize that you don't have to take that step, to me that's worth far more than anything that I could gain from football. I think all that we're asking and all that any athlete is asking, straight or gay, is judge that person by what they can do on the field. Not by who they are, not by what their beliefs are or the color of their skin. Judge them by their playing abilities." - Chris Kluwe, speaking with the Huffington Post.  Kluwe was cut this week by the Minnesota Vikings. (Via Gay Star News)

 

Labels: Chris Kluwe, football, sports, straight allies

Reposted from Joe

The DOMA Project: Our Faces - Families Fight to Defeat DOMA

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	To disregard oneself, this is the best dharma. This is the best service to Buddha's religion. Practicing meditation for life is the best gift. To those sentient beings without protection. - "Hundred Thousand Songs: Selections From Milarepa, Poet-Saint of Tibet" More Buddhism Quotes >>

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Tricycle Daily Dharma May 8, 2013

The Other Side of Boredom

When you are really bored, the best thing you can do is sit down and let yourself experience the boredom more fully. It may not be a deep or satisfying state, but at least you are not indulging in the things with which you usually cover up this kind of experience. Your real state of mind is more nakedly exposed, because for the time being there are no distractions. If you can stay with the experience of boredom, you can try to feel your way through into something deeper, truer, and more spontaneous within yourself.

- Sangharakshita, "Staying with Boredom"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 9, 2013
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Via JMG:

Via JMG:

RuPaul Revealed: 'Drag Race' Host Talks Gay Rights

Via JMG:

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Subhuti asked the Buddha: "The highest, most awakened mind that you have attained--is that mind the unattainable?" "Yes, Subhuti. With regard to that highest and most awakened mind, I have not attained anything. That mind is everywhere equally. It cannot be attained or grasped, but it can be realized. It is realized through the practice of all good actions when they are done in the spirit of no self and no object of self." - Prajnaparamita More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: Frank Bruni On The Boy Scouts

"The Episcopal Church wants all aspects of the ban lifted, as does the National Jewish Committee on Scouting, whose former chairman, a Baltimore lawyer named Jay Lenrow, told me that while no troop should be forced to choose a gay leader, no troop should be prevented from doing so, either.

"He noted that our country was founded on a principle of religious freedom; that the Scouts’ bylaws require equal treatment of every religion’s teachings; and that certain denominations — the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), for example — ordain gay and lesbian ministers. By the Scouts’ current rules, those very ministers, fit for the pulpit, aren’t deemed fit to lead a troop.

"Isn’t that as much of an insult to their religions as the ban’s end would be to [Tony] Perkins, [Rick] Perry and their kind? - Frank Bruni, writing for the New York Times.  Hit the link and read his entire piece.

Labels: Boy Scouts, Frank Bruni, gay writers, New York Times, religion, Rick Perry, Tony Perkins

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 7, 2013

It Gets Easier

Once we taste the freedom that comes with independence, it gets easier. We realize how much we have lost by desperately holding on, and we know how much there is to gain through disengaging from confusion. We can do this while expanding our most precious qualities: our good heart and our compassion for others.

- Dzigar Kongtrul, “Old Relationships, New Possibilities”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 8, 2013
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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	The bliss of a truth-seeking life is attainable for anyone who follows the path of unselfishness. If you cling to your wealth, it is better to throw it away than let it poison your heart. But if you don't cling to it but use it wisely, then you will be a blessing to people. It's not wealth and power that enslave men but the clinging to wealth and power. - Majjhima Nikaya More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: Liza Joins NOH8 Campaign

Via press release, Liza's message: "Here's what I believe ... no shame, no blame, no guilt. Be happy. And be who you are. I love you." [Photo credit: Adam Bouska courtesy of NOH8 Campaign.]

Labels: Liza Minnelli, NOH8, Proposition 8

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Chris Kluwe Cut By Minnesota Vikings

 

The Star-Tribune reports that punter and gay marriage advocate Chris Kluwe has been cut by the Minnesota Vikings. The team is denying that the move has anything to do with politics.

“It has nothing to do with anything Chris Kluwe is off the field,” the GM said. “When we’re making decisions, we’re purely making them trying to bring in the best competition possible regardless of position. ... This was just another normal personnel move. It had nothing to do with Chris Kluwe’s off-field concerns, I have no issues if Chris Kluwe wants to express his opinion. That’s his right, that’s his freedom of speech. This is just a football decision to bring in a guy to come in to compete.”

RELATED: Last month gay marriage ally Brendon Ayanbadejo was released by the Baltimore Ravens.

 

Labels: Chris Kluwe, football, marriage equality, Minnesota, NFL, sports, straight allies

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 6, 2013

Facing Yourself

Spiritual change is precisely a process that is bigger than you. You don’t control it. You surrender to it. You don’t reinvent yourself through spiritual work. You face yourself, and then you must let go of all the ghastly things you find. But there is no end to these ghastly things. They keep coming. The ego is a bottomless pit of suckiness. And so you finally let go of the self that clings to itself (one definition of ego). True freedom comes when ego goes.

- Shozan Jack Haubner, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Enlightenment"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 7, 2013
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Via JMG: President Obama Supports LGBT Inclusion For Immigration Reform Bill

Speaking tonight at a press conference in Costa Rica, President Obama endorsed including LGBT couples in the immigration reform bill currently before the Senate.

Obama says that recognizing same-sex relationships in the bill is "the right thing to do." But he says it would be premature to telegraph what he will or won't do before lawmakers send him a bill. Gay rights supporters are pushing for an amendment to the bill to allow gays to sponsor their partners to come to the U.S. But Republicans, including some who helped draft the bill, have made it clear that amending the legislation in that fashion would cost their support.

Labels: Barack Obama, Immigration Equality, immigration reform

Reposted from Joe

Book of Mormon: Party Bus Edition

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 5, 2013

Our Mutual Dependency

To open yourself up to need, longing, dependency, and reliance on others means opening yourself to the truth that none of us can do this on our own. We really do need each other, just as we need parents and teachers. We need all those people in our lives who make us feel so uncertain. Our practice is not about finally getting to a place where we are going to escape all that but about creating a container that allows us to be more and more human, to feel more and more.

- Barry Magid, “No Gain”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 6, 2013
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 4, 2013

Keeping our Understanding Alive

The seeds of anger are always there. But when you notice, when you keep alive your understanding, they have no chance to manifest. Understanding is something that stays with you, and practicing the precepts, practicing meditation, helps you deepen your understanding all the time.

- Thich Nhat Hanh, “Interbeing with Thich Nhat Hanh”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 5th, 2013
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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Should we free our mind from attachment to all "things," the Path becomes clear; otherwise, we put ourselves under restraint. - The Sutra of Hui Neng More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma May 2, 2013

Eliminating Thoughts of Unworthiness

Without cultivating love for ourselves, regardless of how much discipline we have, regardless of how serious we are about practice, we will still stay stuck in the subtle mercilessness of the mind, listening to the voice that tells us we are basically and fundamentally unworthy. We should never underestimate the need for lovingkindness on the long and sometimes daunting path of learning to awaken.

- Ezra Bayda, “The Three Things We Fear Most”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 3, 2013
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Via JMG: Jason Collins' #98 Jersey: Top Seller

Jason Collins' #98 Jersey: Top Seller

The Washington Wizards announced today that 100% of its online custom jersey sales in the last 48 hours have borne the name and number of Jason Collins.

Washington Wizards center Jason Collins’ jerseys got a boost in online sales after he became the first openly gay athlete on a major U.S. team sport. Team spokesman Scott Hall told ABC News that 100 percent of custom jerseys ordered from the team’s online store bore Collins’ name and number, 98, on the back, after Collins revealed his homosexuality in an article published on Sports Illustrated’s website on Monday. While Hall could not reveal how many custom Collins jerseys were sold, he said that the team’s general merchandise sales and online traffic spiked following Collins’ announcement. In a statement, the Wizards said they were proud of Collins and “his decision to live his life proudly and openly.”

The parents of Matthew Shepard revealed yesterday that they were "brought to tears" by the news that Collins chose his jersey number as a secret memorial to the year that Shepard was murdered. Customize your Collins jersey here.

Labels: basketball, coming out, gay athletes, Jason Collins, Matthew Shepard, NBA, retail, sports

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG" Texas Attorney General: Domestic Partner Benefits Violate State Constitution

GOP Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says that any city that offers domestic partner benefits is in violation of the state constitution.

Domestic partnerships, as recognized by the local governments, are close enough to the definition of marriage to violate a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions that 76 percent of Texas voters approved in 2005, the opinion stated. “By creating domestic partnerships and offering health benefits based on them, the political subdivisions have created and recognized something not established by Texas law,” the opinion said. Lawyers for Austin and Travis County have begun researching the opinion to help political leaders determine if it should be followed. Attorney general opinions attempt to determine how Texas courts would rule on a legal matter, but only the courts have the definitive say on constitutional questions.

Travis County, which has offered such benefits for 16 years, will hold a meeting next week to discuss Abbott's claim.  The Austin City Council will meet with its lawyers but says it has no plan to change its benefits. (Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

Labels: domestic partners, GOP, insurance, Texas

Reposted from Joe

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	What is the benefit of exerting mental effort the wrong way? - Guon More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 30, 2013

Learning How to Live

Not only is it of profound importance for each of us to understand in a deep way the law of impermanence but it’s also quite practical. It’s not merely metaphysical or something to be argued about in philosophy seminars and coffee shops. Learning the law of impermanence can be done there, too, but the Buddhist teaching is designed to help us learn how to live.

- Larry Rosenberg, “The Weather is Just the Weather”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through May 1st, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma April 28, 2013

Taming the Monkey Mind

Your thoughts run around like a wild horse and your feelings jump about like a monkey in the forest. When the monkey and horse step back and reflect upon themselves, freedom from all discrimination is realized naturally.

- Dogen, "Instructions for the Tenzo"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 29th, 2013
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 27, 2013

On Not Playing the Victim

One of the worst kinds of elevation of the self is playing the victim. There are times when we actually are victims, when actual blame is appropriate, but to take on the identity of a victim and be stuck blaming is something else. Surprisingly, it is actually a subtle form of elevation—I’m not responsible, you are. This is giving up all freedom.

- Nancy Baker, "The Seventh Zen Precept"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 28th, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma April 25, 2013

You Are Not Your Pain

You can’t go preventing pleasure and pain, you can’t keep the mind from labeling things and forming thoughts, but you can put these things to a new use. If the mind labels a pain, saying, 'I hurt,' you have to examine the label carefully, contemplate it until you see that it’s wrong: the pain isn’t really yours. It’s simply a sensation that arises and passes away, that’s all.

- Upasika Kee Nanayon, "Tough Teachings To Ease The Mind"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 26th, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma April 24, 2013

Forgiving Past Harms

Most of us find it very difficult to forgive individuals who have hurt us deeply. Why should we forgive them? Although we sometimes make others feel uncomfortable when we express our anger toward them, we are the ones who wind up suffering the most when we do so. Maintaining anger is similar to picking up a red-hot piece of coal to throw at someone—whether we hit our target or not, we are the ones who get burned.

- Matthew Flickstein, "Forgiveness"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 25th, 2013
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Via JMG: COLOMBIA: Bogota Mayor Unfurls Pro-Gay Banner As Senate Considers Marriage

Colombia's Senate is expected to vote down its marriage equality bill today after a debate which is scheduled to begin within the hour of this writing.  Despite that prediction, today Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro ordered the above banner to be unfurled over city hall as LGBT activists demonstrated outside. Watch the debate and vote live here.  More photos from the pro and anti-gay sides can be found on the Twitter feed of US-based activist and Colombia native Andres Duque.

Labels: Colombia, LGBT rights, marriage equality

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 23, 2013

Becoming Intimate with your Neurosis

The teacher serves as a mirror but also encourages your ability to trust in yourself. You begin to trust in your basic goodness instead of identifying with your neurosis. There’s a shift of allegiance. Then the obstacles begin to seem temporary, and what’s permanent is the wisdom. To the degree that you become intimate with your neurosis—not acting-out and not repressing—to that degree you discover your wisdom.

- Pema Chödrön, “Unconditionally Steadfast”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 24th, 2013
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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Do not underestimate your ability. - Geshe Chekawa, in Advice From a Spiritual Friend More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Arouse your will, supreme and great, Practice love, give joy and protection; Let your giving be like space, Without discrimination or limitation. Do good things, not for your own sake But for all the beings in the universe; Save and make free everyone you encounter, Help them attain the wisdom of the way. - Prajnaparamita More Buddhism Quotes >>

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Tricycle Daily Dharma April 22, 2013

Gateway to Happiness

We are constantly encouraged to reject what is unpleasant, disappointing or difficult. 'What's all this suffering? Let's be happy! Have fun!' But our suffering is not our enemy. It is only through a relationship with my pain, my sadness, that I can truly know and touch the opposite—my pleasure, my joy, and my happiness.

- Claude AnShin Thomas, “Conceptions of Happiness”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 23rd, 2013
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President Bill Clinton speaks out against DOMA at the #glaadawards

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 21, 2013

Riding the Highs and Lows of Life

Skillful attitudes of mind are the key to facing potentially explosive situations and the ongoing highs and lows of life and practice. In fact, recognizing these attitudes and cultivating their antidotes is the foundation for all spiritual growth. By cultivating skillful attitudes of mind, we will respond to more and more of life with awareness and wisdom.

- Steve Armstrong, "Got Attitude?"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 22nd, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma April 20, 2013

The Mind's Buddha

Trying to find a Buddha or enlightenment is like trying to grab space. Space has a name but no form. It's not something you can pick up or put down. And you certainly can't grab it. Beyond this mind you'll never see a Buddha. The Buddha is a product of your mind. Why look for a Buddha beyond this mind?

- Bodhidharma, "The Snaggletoothed Barbarian"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 21st, 2013
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Rassurez-vous - Fear Not

Full Performance of "You Have More Friends Than You Know"

Via JMG: Rio De Janeiro State Legalizes Marriage

The Brazilian state of Rio De Janeiro has become the tenth in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Marriages conducted in any of these ten states are recognized nationwide. Same-sex marriage is also legal in the national capital of Brasilia. (Tipped by JMG reader Afonso)

Labels: Brazil, marriage equality, Rio de Janeiro

Reposted from Joe

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States wants you to know that you as a gay person are not welcome in their community:

January 3, 2011

To the American Bahá’í community

Dearest Bahá'í Friends,

The National Spiritual Assembly understands that homosexuality is a subject of
particular interest and concern to many in this country and is, therefore, moved to share
with you a letter dated October 27, 2010, written on behalf of the Universal House of
Justice on this topic. A copy of the letter—addressed to an American Bahá’í—was
received by our Assembly, and the Supreme Body has kindly granted us permission to
share it with you:

...With respect to your question concerning the position Bahá’ís are to
take regarding homosexuality and civil rights, we have been asked to convey
the following.

The purpose of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is the realization of the organic
unity of the entire human race, and Bahá’ís are enjoined to eliminate from
their lives all forms of prejudice and to manifest respect towards all.
Therefore, to regard those with a homosexual orientation with prejudice or
disdain would be against the spirit of the Faith. Furthermore, a Bahá’í is
exhorted to be “an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression”, and it
would be entirely appropriate for a believer to come to the defense of those
whose fundamental rights are being denied or violated.

At the same time, you are no doubt aware of the relevant teachings of the
Faith that govern the personal conduct of Bahá’ís. The Bahá’í Writings state
that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and that sexual
relations are restricted to a couple who are married to each other. Other
passages from the Writings state that the practice of homosexuality is not
permitted. The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh on personal morality are binding on
Bahá’ís, who strive, as best they can, to live up to the high standards He has
established.

In attempting to reconcile what may appear to be conflicting obligations,
it is important to understand that the Bahá’í community does not seek to
impose its values on others, nor does it pass judgment on others on the basis
of its own moral standards. It does not see itself as one among competing
social groups and organizations, each vying to establish its particular social
agenda. In working for social justice, Bahá’ís must inevitably distinguish

between those dimensions of public issues that are in keeping with the Bahá’í
Teachings, which they can actively support, and those that are not, which
they would neither promote nor necessarily oppose. In connection with
issues of concern to homosexuals, the former would be freedom from
discrimination and the latter the opportunity for civil marriage. Such
distinctions are unavoidable when addressing any social issue. For example,
Bahá’ís actively work for the establishment of world peace but, in the
process, do not engage in partisan political activities directed against
particular governments.

We felt it important that the friends have access to this guidance from the House of
Justice, and trust that you will find it helpful.

 With loving Bahá'í greetings,


 Kenneth E. Bowers
 Secretary

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	The path to material gain goes one way, the way to Unbinding, another. Realizing this, the monk, a disciple to the Awakened One, should not relish offerings, should cultivate seclusion instead. - Dhammapada, 5, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 19, 2013

Daydreams of a Poet

It is possible to take our existence as a ‘sacred world,’ to take this place as open space rather than claustrophobic dark void. It is possible to take a friendly relationship to our ego natures, it is possible to appreciate the aesthetic play of forms in emptiness, and to exist in this place like majestic kings of our own consciousness. But to do that, we would have to give up grasping to make everything come out the way we daydream it should.

- Allen Ginsberg, “Negative Capability: Kerouac’s Buddhist Ethic”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through April 20th, 2013
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