I am a fan of Bill Maher. I like the way he thinks and says what is on his mind. Stumbled across this video while surffing the net. Enjoy!
News and Commentary About My Gay World
Friday, July 1, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
TVC says we're shaming the Founding Fathers; This is Good
Crossposted from Good As You...
( I like the way this guy writes ) Enjoy...
Okay first off: We actually had a vote to spare in the New York Senate. We needed 32, we got 33. So no, it did not come down to only one legislator.
Now that this practical point is out of the way, you're free to go read the reliably offensive way the Traditional Values Coalition (a longtime SPLC-designated hate group) is positioning the New York vote as one that "encourages a culture" of "enslaving oneself to sexual depravity":
But TVC, you really need to quit telling anyone who will listen that we gay folk are seeking to turn the world upside down. Such enslavement to silliness might be good for filling the fear machine. Though when it comes to actually strengthening our "traditional values," these hyperbolic exercises are about as productive as enslaving oneself to civil discrimination.
( I like the way this guy writes ) Enjoy...
Okay first off: We actually had a vote to spare in the New York Senate. We needed 32, we got 33. So no, it did not come down to only one legislator.
Now that this practical point is out of the way, you're free to go read the reliably offensive way the Traditional Values Coalition (a longtime SPLC-designated hate group) is positioning the New York vote as one that "encourages a culture" of "enslaving oneself to sexual depravity":
...
In New York, the fate of millions hung on the tongue of one man as well.Credit where it's due: "Avarice" is a good word. Clearly TVC shares our love for the thesaurus, if not our love (syn: deep affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, intimacy, attachment, endearment; devotion, adoration, doting, idolization, worship; passion, ardor, desire, lust, yearning, infatuation, besottedness) for homosexual relations.
We have no idea what promises were made, what was offered and what was taken. What we do know is that, when voices are silent, there are no boundaries to those who would use the power of government to enforce standards entirely alien to our own.
This one legislator doubled the size and scope of the homosexual movement, a movement committed not to enslaving one's person, but enslaving oneself to sexual depravity that only encourages a culture of the same for future generations of Americans.
Marriage is not for government to define. Marriage is a covenant with God.
Unless we as Americans protect this covenant from the reach and avarice of activists desperate to turn our world upside down, we may very well pass on a government our Founding Fathers would be ashamed to have inspired.
New York’s Gay Turn [TVC]
But TVC, you really need to quit telling anyone who will listen that we gay folk are seeking to turn the world upside down. Such enslavement to silliness might be good for filling the fear machine. Though when it comes to actually strengthening our "traditional values," these hyperbolic exercises are about as productive as enslaving oneself to civil discrimination.
Olbermann Interviews Savage - Enjoy
This is a great interview. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy the next 15 minutes.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Christians Lock and Load
This is a little scary. Let's just give some nut job an excuse to go out and kills gays for getting married in NY.
[SOURCE]
(h/t: Chris in LA)
Monday, June 27, 2011
My Home State Pride
Most of you know I am from Ohio and how I feel about some of the people and actions against the LGBT population there.
This month is Pride and I have had the pleasure of attending many wonderful Pride events across the state in the last 30 or so years.
The state capitol is Columbus were I attended my very first Pride parade. WOW! What a rush to be surrounded by so many gay people! There was only about 5,000 people at my first event but it sure felt like a million.
AIDS had just hit the fan and we were being blamed for it. During the speeches was an airplane with a banner that read, "AIDS was Gods curse on Homos" and protesters lined the streets with horns, whistles, and signs that said some nasty things. Half way thru an address by some politician came a bomb threat. We did not move. We stood firm and continued.
I remember walking on the outside edge of the parade because I was not afraid to be seen or filmed for the news. The protesters were scary and we were told "Do not engage any action with them no matter what."
When Cleveland started their own Pride parade my friends and I were eager to go. Cleveland was closer and cheaper to stay over night. Also we had more friends who could get there.
Cleveland was a more family friendly Pride. The next year we took the kids and they had a blast. That was the year I had the moving pleasure of meeting Judy Shepard. She spoke of her son and the trial. She stood strong while half of us were choking down the tears.
I don't remember seeing protesters so much but I did stay to the edge to protect those who still needed to blend in with the crowd.
Over the years the crowd of LGBT and friends have grown to amazing amounts and keeps growing.
This years Pride in Cleveland will be this weekend and I hope it goes without a hitch.
Happy Pride Ohio !
(That is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the background)
This month is Pride and I have had the pleasure of attending many wonderful Pride events across the state in the last 30 or so years.
The state capitol is Columbus were I attended my very first Pride parade. WOW! What a rush to be surrounded by so many gay people! There was only about 5,000 people at my first event but it sure felt like a million.
AIDS had just hit the fan and we were being blamed for it. During the speeches was an airplane with a banner that read, "AIDS was Gods curse on Homos" and protesters lined the streets with horns, whistles, and signs that said some nasty things. Half way thru an address by some politician came a bomb threat. We did not move. We stood firm and continued.
I remember walking on the outside edge of the parade because I was not afraid to be seen or filmed for the news. The protesters were scary and we were told "Do not engage any action with them no matter what."
When Cleveland started their own Pride parade my friends and I were eager to go. Cleveland was closer and cheaper to stay over night. Also we had more friends who could get there.
Cleveland was a more family friendly Pride. The next year we took the kids and they had a blast. That was the year I had the moving pleasure of meeting Judy Shepard. She spoke of her son and the trial. She stood strong while half of us were choking down the tears.
I don't remember seeing protesters so much but I did stay to the edge to protect those who still needed to blend in with the crowd.
Over the years the crowd of LGBT and friends have grown to amazing amounts and keeps growing.
This years Pride in Cleveland will be this weekend and I hope it goes without a hitch.
Happy Pride Ohio !
(That is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the background)
Good-bye John Corvino
John Corvino is one on my favorite writers for and about the gay community. As the "Gay Moralist " he has never been afraid to lend his unique perspective to a topic.
John has been a writer for 365gay.com for 9 years. His weekly column has been one of thought provoking ideas and reflections.
Tami got to meet him a few years back during a week long leadership camp. She was so excited when she called to tell me. We also own a copy of his CD which I have seen several times.
John not only calls out the ignorance and stupidity of the Hate Groups but also with the gay population. He asks hard questions and forces us, str8 and gay, to think about ourselves and what we are doing.
There are times he has been very personal and has let us know what has happened in his life and how it is affecting him. He has made me feel a wide range of emotions. He brings balance to the table when I need it most.
From his farewell piece at 365gay.com are his suggested readings...
Column type #1: Our opponents are being stupid. But I’m a nice guy and I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. So here’s my best effort to make sense of the stupidity.
Column type #2: Our opponents are still being stupid. But sometimes you just can’t fix stupid, so instead, let’s just ridicule them.
Column type #3: Now we’re the ones being stupid, and it’s time for someone to hold up a mirror.
Column type #4: Personal story suggesting broader lessons or themes.
His website is at http://johncorvino.com/wp/ where he will keep us posted on his life, love, and work.
Thanks John.
Pride and Problems
By now you know that New York has gay marriage and they will begin getting hitched July 24th. The turn out for NYC Pride was awesome as they have alot to celebrate.
Baltimore Pride was last weekend and my wife and I as well as the Community College of Baltimore County Rainbow Club marched. The parade went well with the usual festive mood and fun. There was a group of protesters that jumped in the parade carrying signs against the corporate sponsorship of pride. Not many seemed to either notice or care. The heat did get to Tami by the end of the day. Bringing the car around to the other end of the parade to pick her up was almost as fun as the parade. I think next year we will just join the crowds on the sidelines.
Chicago Pride had a bad set back when the garage that stored over 30 floats was broken into some time in the middle of the night and 2 tires on each of 30 floats were slashed. Nothing else was damaged or stolen. Smells like a hate crime to me...
The worst thing to happen so far as June and pride are winding down is an accident in Alaska. The car carrying the Grand Marchle Ran over and killed a man marching in the parade. All was canceled immediately.
Over all I would have to say that this years Pride Month when well but remember that Pride is not just once a year. Pride is how we live our lives everyday.
Baltimore Pride was last weekend and my wife and I as well as the Community College of Baltimore County Rainbow Club marched. The parade went well with the usual festive mood and fun. There was a group of protesters that jumped in the parade carrying signs against the corporate sponsorship of pride. Not many seemed to either notice or care. The heat did get to Tami by the end of the day. Bringing the car around to the other end of the parade to pick her up was almost as fun as the parade. I think next year we will just join the crowds on the sidelines.Chicago Pride had a bad set back when the garage that stored over 30 floats was broken into some time in the middle of the night and 2 tires on each of 30 floats were slashed. Nothing else was damaged or stolen. Smells like a hate crime to me...
The worst thing to happen so far as June and pride are winding down is an accident in Alaska. The car carrying the Grand Marchle Ran over and killed a man marching in the parade. All was canceled immediately.
Over all I would have to say that this years Pride Month when well but remember that Pride is not just once a year. Pride is how we live our lives everyday.
"Evolve Already" T-shirts On Sale Now
Don't Panic! has agreed to donate a large portion of the proceeds of the sale of each shirt to AMERICAblog. Each shirt we sell, in a very real way, will help us finance the continuing operation of the AMERICAblog family of sites (as you may know, running the blog is my full-time job, and it's nearly a full-time job for Joe as well).
Don't Panic!, you might recall, did all those great t-shirts like "2QT2BSTR8" and "Nobody knows I'm a lesbian" and "I'm not gay but my boyfriend is." They also have a reputation for selling really good quality shirts, not some cheap imitation that becomes misshapen when you wash it. And they're socially conscious as well. In addition to them helping us spread the word about marriage, and help finance the blog, Don't Panic! has helped AFER, helped us work against the constitutional amendment on marriage back in 2004 with Don'tAmend.com, and helped us all the way back in 2000 on StopDrLaura.com, when Don't Panic!'s t-shirts were the ONLY way we were raising money to get Dr. Laura Schlessinger's TV show canceled (and we did).
We've decided to go with the "evolution" theme since, as you know, Joe Sudbay asked the President about marriage equality last October and got the now famous reply, "attitudes evolve, including mine." As Joe wrote earlier this week, it's time for the President to "evolve already." AP and the Washington Post have both now picked up on the "evolve already" meme, and it's all over Twitter. You can help us spread that message with an AMERICAblog marriage equality t-shirt.
Every image we've published in this post is a t-shirt we're now selling via Don't Panic!'s AMERICAblog shop. And as I said, they're only $19.99 each, high quality, and a large portion of the proceeds of each sale goes to AMERICAblog. So you're helping us spread the word, and support the blog, with the purchase of each shirt. And what better way to celebrate our wonderful victory in New York, and to urge the President to "evolve already" - buy an AMERICAblog marriage equality t-shirt today.
More about "Don't Panic!":
The company launched in 1990 with the “Nobody Knows I’m Gay” t-shirt sold from a booth at the annual Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Festival. In three months, Hynes had sold more than $30,000 worth of shirts. After a triumph at the 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver, BC (more than 4,000 shirts sold almost immediately) Hynes left his day job as a music studio coordinator to sell his shirts full time.
Hynes’ string of hits continued with messages like “Closets Are for Clothes”, “2QT2BSTR8”, and “I Can’t Even Think Straight”. In February 1993, the company’s fame grew with “LEAVE CHELSEA ALONE” in support of Chelsea Clinton. From Time Magazine to Good Morning America to USA Today to Britain’s The Word TV show, the shirt won acclaim (not to mention a thank you note from then President Clinton) as one of the years hottest. With innovative “firsts” like the “Bad Hair Day” hat, Freedom Lights, the worlds first queer Christmas tree lights; OUTch! the first ever gay watch collection, and the first gay tumbler set, Don’t Panic! keeps winning new fans.
To give back to the communities that support it, Don’t Panic! established “Miracles Happen”, an acclaimed merchandising program, in 1992. Through sales of a striking red ribbon enclosed in a glass ornament (happily promoted in ads by Cher), caps, and T-shirts, “Miracles Happen” raised more than $80,000 for the American Federation for AIDS Research (AmFAR). More recently, in 2000, Don’t Panic! Worked with John Aravosis of StopDrLaura.com to raise money and awareness that ultimately let to the cancellation of Dr. Laura Schlessinger's TV show. In 2004 Skyler worked with Robin Tyler and John Aravosis of the DontAmend.com to help stop the movement to amend the constitution to make marriage between same sex couples illegal. (Don't Panic! founder Skyler Hynes and his partner Martin Finkelstein were married in Montreal and have 9 years old twins.)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
A 'Christian' child was beaten to death, but the 'moralists' won't say a word
I want to cry.
Crossposted from Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters by Alvin McEwen
As we all know, the National Organization for Marriage has pledged $2 million dollars to reverse the recent ruling which gives marriage equality to same-sex couple in New York and to punish the senators who voted for it.
Well as far as I'm concerned, NOM can stick its $2 million where the sun doesn't shine.
You know why? Because of this:
Part of me didn't want to talk this story. I didn't want to mention it for fear of being accused of exploiting the situation.
But my spirit won't let me keep quiet.
Two million dollars to keep punish lawmakers for standing up for equality? And by a nasty extension, two million dollars to remind same-sex families like the Gill family in Florida (who took in two abused children and nurtured them , providing them with the love of a family) that no matter how much they love their children and each other, they will always be inferior because God says so?
No. Not God. God never said.
His so-called messengers who have volunteered to speak for him have said so - the National Organization for Marriage, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Jason McGuire, Ruben Diaz, Brian Brown, Maggie Gallagher, and the rest of the assorted ecclesiastical odd balls.
Because people like the Gill family and same-sex couples in general dilute marriage? They take away from children "the chance" to be raised by their natural mother and father?
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old child was placed in a cage by his natural father and subjected to so much abuse that the poor thing actually wished he was dead. Pretty soon, he got his wish.
Why can't $2 million be devoted to stopping travesties like this?
As God is my witness, I am so sick of phony traditional values groups with more money than shame or self-respect, who will use meaningless hypothetical terms and scare tactics to divide and distract simply because they lose battles to legally force the rest of us to abide by their definition of "family."
It's starting to make me sick.
All of us need to send up a prayer for Chritian Choate. We should be thankful that he is finally with SOMEONE who loves him.
And finally, we all need to pray that these self-appointed moral squads (i.e. NOM, etc) get a clue or at least get the hell out of the way of reality.
Crossposted from Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters by Alvin McEwen
As we all know, the National Organization for Marriage has pledged $2 million dollars to reverse the recent ruling which gives marriage equality to same-sex couple in New York and to punish the senators who voted for it.
Well as far as I'm concerned, NOM can stick its $2 million where the sun doesn't shine.
You know why? Because of this:
Records of the Indiana Department of Child Services reveal that Christian Choate, a boy who authorities claim lived locked in a cage and died from savage abuse, wrote letters describing his situation and saying that he wanted to die.
According to the Chicago Tribune, DCS visited with the Choate family in Gary, Indiana more than a dozen times starting in 1999, investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. Authorities never discovered what prosecutors claim was the true depth of the misery in which young Christian lived.
Based on accounts from his sister and stepsister, Christian, who died in 2009 at age 13, spent much of the last year of his life locked in a three-foot-high dog cage, with little food and drink and few opportunities to leave. When he did get out of the cage, he endured savage beatings from his father Riley.
Part of me didn't want to talk this story. I didn't want to mention it for fear of being accused of exploiting the situation.
But my spirit won't let me keep quiet.
Two million dollars to keep punish lawmakers for standing up for equality? And by a nasty extension, two million dollars to remind same-sex families like the Gill family in Florida (who took in two abused children and nurtured them , providing them with the love of a family) that no matter how much they love their children and each other, they will always be inferior because God says so?
No. Not God. God never said.
His so-called messengers who have volunteered to speak for him have said so - the National Organization for Marriage, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Jason McGuire, Ruben Diaz, Brian Brown, Maggie Gallagher, and the rest of the assorted ecclesiastical odd balls.
Because people like the Gill family and same-sex couples in general dilute marriage? They take away from children "the chance" to be raised by their natural mother and father?
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old child was placed in a cage by his natural father and subjected to so much abuse that the poor thing actually wished he was dead. Pretty soon, he got his wish.
Why can't $2 million be devoted to stopping travesties like this?
As God is my witness, I am so sick of phony traditional values groups with more money than shame or self-respect, who will use meaningless hypothetical terms and scare tactics to divide and distract simply because they lose battles to legally force the rest of us to abide by their definition of "family."
It's starting to make me sick.
All of us need to send up a prayer for Chritian Choate. We should be thankful that he is finally with SOMEONE who loves him.
And finally, we all need to pray that these self-appointed moral squads (i.e. NOM, etc) get a clue or at least get the hell out of the way of reality.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Dear Maggie and Brian
Dear Maggie and Brian,
After last nights HUGE win in New York for equal marriage I can imagine you are both tired and upset. I am sure that you feel defeated. It is hard to work so hard for so long to have victory snatched away.
Go home. Work on your own marriages that I am sure have suffered more from your hate than anything we could ever do.
Start being the spouse and parent you claim to be. Start working out to reduce stress and lose a few pounds. Invest your time and energy into your families instead of trying to hurt others.
Please understand that this is one of many defeats you will suffer. This "war" was your own making and you are going to lose. The American public is getting wise to your lies and is tired of you.
Take your money and put it to some good use. Feed the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Help take care of the kids on the street thanks to your hateful words and lies.
You will feel better about yourself and when it comes time for you to stand in jugement, you will be able to say you were wrong and tried to fix it.
Get some counsling from a REAL doctor and stay away from the cheesecake and fast food.
After last nights HUGE win in New York for equal marriage I can imagine you are both tired and upset. I am sure that you feel defeated. It is hard to work so hard for so long to have victory snatched away.
Go home. Work on your own marriages that I am sure have suffered more from your hate than anything we could ever do.
Start being the spouse and parent you claim to be. Start working out to reduce stress and lose a few pounds. Invest your time and energy into your families instead of trying to hurt others.
Please understand that this is one of many defeats you will suffer. This "war" was your own making and you are going to lose. The American public is getting wise to your lies and is tired of you.
Take your money and put it to some good use. Feed the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Help take care of the kids on the street thanks to your hateful words and lies.
You will feel better about yourself and when it comes time for you to stand in jugement, you will be able to say you were wrong and tried to fix it.
Get some counsling from a REAL doctor and stay away from the cheesecake and fast food.
Yahoo!!!!!
At 11:55 last night the governor signed the Marriage Equality Act in NY. The first weddings will starte on July 24th!!
Here are some pictures on the party!!!
Here are some pictures on the party!!!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Lets Get Married in New York!!!
WE WON!!!!!!!
A toast to all those who fought so hard !
A big finger to those who lost !!!
Oops, did I say that out loud?......
This has been my main focus for the last week, I am tired, and it is late.
Real quick...
Because of the size of the state of New York, the amount of people who have equal marriage has doubled.
After a whole damn week of debate over who and where a person is allowed to discriminate, they came to an agreement that can be read on line. I read it. It is long and wordy and is fine by me but I am sure there will be 2 things happen.
Some couple is going to push the envelope and cause a problem and those on the other side of my finger, are going regroup and do or say ANYTHING to take it back.
For now, I am going to crawl into my warm fuzzy bed with my Mrs. with a smile.
Sweet Dreams New York!!!
A toast to all those who fought so hard !
A big finger to those who lost !!!
Oops, did I say that out loud?......
This has been my main focus for the last week, I am tired, and it is late.
Real quick...
Because of the size of the state of New York, the amount of people who have equal marriage has doubled.
After a whole damn week of debate over who and where a person is allowed to discriminate, they came to an agreement that can be read on line. I read it. It is long and wordy and is fine by me but I am sure there will be 2 things happen.
Some couple is going to push the envelope and cause a problem and those on the other side of my finger, are going regroup and do or say ANYTHING to take it back.
For now, I am going to crawl into my warm fuzzy bed with my Mrs. with a smile.
Sweet Dreams New York!!!
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