The title says it all. This video shows the rest.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Open Letter to Pres. Obama--A Must Read!
To save time and commentary, i just posted the note exactly. Enough said from it.
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean has a few words for President Barack Obama, who visits California one day after the California Supreme Court ruled to uphold Prop 8.
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean has a few words for President Barack Obama, who visits California one day after the California Supreme Court ruled to uphold Prop 8.
Dear President Obama:
Welcome to California, Mr. President. I welcome you with a heavy heart because of the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop. 8, relegating same-sex couples to second class status and denying us that most noble promise of America, “liberty and justice for all.”
You are arriving in Los Angeles on the heels of emotional demonstrations throughout California and our nation and your silence at such a time speaks volumes. LGBT people and our allies have the "audacity to hope" for a country that treats us fairly and equally and for a President with the will to stand up for those ideals. From you we expect nothing less.
We know the country faces many serious challenges and we have strived to be patient. We’ve waited for the slightest sign you would live up to your promise to be a “fierce advocate” for our equal rights while watching gay and lesbian members of the armed forces, who have never been more needed, get discharged from the military. And so far you have done nothing. No stop loss order. No call to cease such foolish and discriminatory actions that make our nation less safe.
You pledged to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, Mr. President. You promised to support a “complete repeal” of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and pledged to advocate for legislation that would give same-sex couples the 1,100+ federal rights and benefits we are denied, including the same rights to social security benefits. You said, “federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples.”
What of those promises, Mr. President?
Your commitment to repeal DOMA has been removed from the White House website. Your promise to repeal "don’t ask, don’t tell" was removed and then replaced with a watered-down version. And in the aftermath of yesterday’s California Supreme Court ruling, you have remained silent while your press secretary summarily dismisses questions about the issue.
We not only need to hear from our President, we need his action. And we need it now.
We need your words, Mr. President. But we also need your deeds. We expect you to fulfill the promises you made to us. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us, “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” Do not delay, Mr. President. The time for action is now.
Sincerely,
Lorri L. Jean
Chief Executive Officer
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
CA Will Try to Get Prop 8 Gone on the Next Ballot
According to a Pink news article, after the California Supreme Court decision to uphold Prop 8, many people are looking forward to getting a vote on the ballot to repeal it. 700,000 signatures are needed to get the vote on the ballot.
I think it'll be done no problem. There's going to so much support for it.
I think it'll be done no problem. There's going to so much support for it.
Prop8 Decision Aftermath Video
From iReport, a video showcased a California mayor (I think it's him, sorry if i'm wrong) talking about how he's disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Prop 8. He references his daughters, one gay and one straight. The video also shows a lesbian couple who are engaged and saddened by the court decision, but eager to see what happens in the future as they prepare to continue fighting for their rights.
A good video to watch.
A good video to watch.
Interesting TIME Poll, With Interesting Results
This poll on TIME.com asks a question that has been a major cornerstone in the argument FOR gay marriage, and i was shocked with the results...sort of.
Who should decide whether a state should permit gay marriage? The courts or the people?
Logically, the courts should decide. period. Majority rights should never be left to majority vote. If so, slavery would've taken years more to be made illegal, especially in the South. Enough said.
Surprisingly, the poll results currently show a favor or 61% for the people and 39% to the courts. I can only explain this with one reason: people are responding to the Prop 8 upholding decision. If people think that all courts are going to rule in the anti-gay direction (even though the ruling was technically over about letting voters overturn amendments, not actually whether gay marriage is legal--people took it that way), then it's good that the results show people don't want the courts making the decision. They'd rather make it themselves.
Hopefully that's what people are thinking.
Who should decide whether a state should permit gay marriage? The courts or the people?
Logically, the courts should decide. period. Majority rights should never be left to majority vote. If so, slavery would've taken years more to be made illegal, especially in the South. Enough said.
Surprisingly, the poll results currently show a favor or 61% for the people and 39% to the courts. I can only explain this with one reason: people are responding to the Prop 8 upholding decision. If people think that all courts are going to rule in the anti-gay direction (even though the ruling was technically over about letting voters overturn amendments, not actually whether gay marriage is legal--people took it that way), then it's good that the results show people don't want the courts making the decision. They'd rather make it themselves.
Hopefully that's what people are thinking.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
This Article is Appalling
I decided to look into Focus on the Family today (after hearing that Chick-fil-A regularly makes donations to the organization, and i used to eat there), and i read an article they posted on Sexual Identity. I was stunned at the outright bigotry that they posted. I cannot even believe it! It's so horrible and superficial and bigoted. It's unbelievable to me that someone could be so horrible as to post that in order to make other people feel that way. And everything that was said in a negative connotation was completely one-sided and littered with arguments. Read it just to get mad at the people who wrote, and then give it a 1-star rating.
Cause for Concern Article
Cause for Concern Article
CA Supreme Court Sucks
I have no idea what was going through the California Supreme Court's mind today, but it wasn't good. How could they possibly think that banning gay marriage is constiutional? I would love to hear their arguments. I bet you anything it's some bureaucratic bullshit. Just wait for the backlash? You'll see.
P.S. At least they had enough respect to allow those who'd already gotten married to stay married. Then again, why would they if they thought banning it was ok? How does that make sense?
P.S. At least they had enough respect to allow those who'd already gotten married to stay married. Then again, why would they if they thought banning it was ok? How does that make sense?
Maybe We Should Consider Ourselves Lucky
Everyday, the gay marriage debate gets more and more heated. People are constantly fighting over the issues of it: whether it's a good thing, should we allow it, is it normal, will it be for the best? The battle won't end for quite a while, and it causes a lot of gays stress worrying about it.
But what are we forgetting? What has the current issue of gay marriage legality pushed out of our minds?
I read an ABC article, and it talks about how in Japan, it is still not socially acceptable to be gay. The majority of the population looks down upon it and won't have anything to do with it. Most gay Japanese people go the their whole lives without revealing it themselves, even developing a homophobic self-loathing because of it. There isn't even a good estimation of how many gay people there are in the country because people won't even admit it to an anonymous survey.
It makes me realize how lucky we are. The only people in my life who don't know that I'm gay are my mom and dad, and I'm very lucky to have it that way. Beyond them, I don't care to who knows and I'm happy to tell anyone. I've yet to be discriminated against, and I'm very fortunate because of that. I'm sure when it happens, I may think twice for a bit about telling people, but my life will go on and not be completely horrible afterwards.
Some people just don't have that yet.
But what are we forgetting? What has the current issue of gay marriage legality pushed out of our minds?
I read an ABC article, and it talks about how in Japan, it is still not socially acceptable to be gay. The majority of the population looks down upon it and won't have anything to do with it. Most gay Japanese people go the their whole lives without revealing it themselves, even developing a homophobic self-loathing because of it. There isn't even a good estimation of how many gay people there are in the country because people won't even admit it to an anonymous survey.
It makes me realize how lucky we are. The only people in my life who don't know that I'm gay are my mom and dad, and I'm very lucky to have it that way. Beyond them, I don't care to who knows and I'm happy to tell anyone. I've yet to be discriminated against, and I'm very fortunate because of that. I'm sure when it happens, I may think twice for a bit about telling people, but my life will go on and not be completely horrible afterwards.
Some people just don't have that yet.
Monday, May 25, 2009
I Support Adam Lambert
I know he's already lost this season of American Idol, but I just wanted to voice my opinion that I love him. I think he's so hot (seriously? seriously) and talented (I watched some vids, so i can actually form an opinion--unlike some people), and I totally think he should've won.
O well.
He's already released his first single ("No Boundaries"--Download it; it's awesome) and I can tell he's gonna be a huge hit if he plays it right. Queen even wants to get him singing for them!
Go Adam!
O well.
He's already released his first single ("No Boundaries"--Download it; it's awesome) and I can tell he's gonna be a huge hit if he plays it right. Queen even wants to get him singing for them!
Go Adam!
Jesus Camp Scared the Crap Out of Me
I watched Jesus Camp today at my boyfriend's house, and it honestly scared me to death. I cannot believe that people are actually targeting children like that, indoctrinating them into the Christian faith at such an early age. It's one thing to teach about Christianity, it's another to recruit children into believing in a fairy tale.
One of my favorite parts was when the crazy bitch Evangelical leader (responsible for all of the child recruitment) talked about how much she hated how all of the Islamic extremists were recruiting their children to fight for them, putting grenades in their hands and such. Um...isn't she doing the exact same thing? She may not be shoving a grenade into the kids' hands that she preaches to, but during the one scene when she had all the kids yelling and screaming about the war in America that they're all a part of and that they all need to be ready to fight in it and defend God. How is that any different?
Ugh. Evangelism should be outlawed. Brainwashing children to believe in something that is a fairy tale is completely insane.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Protect Marriage, Protect Children, Protect Divorce
This video makes and awesome point for all of those who fought for Prop 8.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Personal Update: I came out to my half-brother tonight!
So this entry is all about my personal life, something that doesn't happen very often. Here's your chance to get a little taste of the real Mitch behind his gay blogs.
Tonight after work, my half-brother (Larry, he works with me at a catering agency) confronted me in my car as we were driving home to our parents' (well i guess my parents' and his parent's--since only one of my parents is his--if any of that makes sense) house when he popped the question about my sexuality.
Now, it should be noted that i've been wanting to tell my whole family--mom, dad, bro, and half-bro--for quite a while now. I've only been afraid because of how they might react; none of them have ever shown any sign that they might be ok with gay people (then again, they've never had the reason too). So this question tonight was just perfect for me; not only am I going to be honest to anyone who asks me at this point in my life (i'm going through this whole "love me or hate me" phase where if someone asks me something i'm damn well going to tell them truth. if they don't like it they can leave me the fuck alone and move on), but it means that he's, if nothing else, been thinking about it and comfortable enough with the idea to ask me in an inviting and nonconfrontational kind of way. I, without hesitation, confessed my homosexuality to him, and a bunch of things happened after this--some i won't get into because they are more family issues that need not be discussed here.
First and of foremost importance, he said he was 100% cool with it, which was a huge sigh of relief to me. I've always been afraid that he's a jock athletic type that thinks gays are a bunch of pussies, but apparantly that's not it at all. He has a great respect for gay people who can come out and love who they are; he recognizes that it is not a choice at all (he thinks its completely genetic and from birth--why would someone choose this?). He actually said that he's known about me since "you were eight, before you even knew." This statement prompted me to ask about my family, who've i've also been wanting to come out to. Maybe they've discussed it?
"Don't tell your parents" was the first thing he said on the subject. According to him (and this isn't the first time i've heard this), my parents have thought about it and talked about it with people (mostly him and close friends), but they've never ever liked the idea. My brother has been sure to the point that he's talked about it, not as a possibility, but as fact, and they didn't like that. He said that yes, they're my parents and they'll still love me, but, at least for now, they don't need the stress added to their lives. If its bothering me and i want to tell them, he said to, without a doubt, tell them. I shouldn't keep things bottled up. But, if i'm cool with them not knowing, then it'd be better to just live and let live (which i am cool with). I suggested my idea of the ideal time to tell them (after i graduate college and get a career going and am situated with my life--this way they can't worry about my being gay affecting any other area of my life), and he really liked that idea.
As for my brother, who i want to tell before the summer is out, he said that he's talked with him about it as a fact. My brother has a facebook, so he knows. A friend of mine who is a mother to one of my brother's friends has said she's heard them talking about it, so i know he knows or at least is 99% sure of it. My half-bro said that my lil bro doesn't like it, but Larry is laying the ground work with comments like "you think he wants this trouble? it's something he's living with even more than you have to accept it, and your his brother so you have to support him." Larry is being way more awesome than i took him for.
Basically, my half-bro said that he's here for me 100%, whatever i need, and he expects the same from me. We're brothers, for all intensive purposes, and we should treat other as such. And i intend to.
I'm glad he knows now. It feels way better than i expected it to.
Tonight after work, my half-brother (Larry, he works with me at a catering agency) confronted me in my car as we were driving home to our parents' (well i guess my parents' and his parent's--since only one of my parents is his--if any of that makes sense) house when he popped the question about my sexuality.
Now, it should be noted that i've been wanting to tell my whole family--mom, dad, bro, and half-bro--for quite a while now. I've only been afraid because of how they might react; none of them have ever shown any sign that they might be ok with gay people (then again, they've never had the reason too). So this question tonight was just perfect for me; not only am I going to be honest to anyone who asks me at this point in my life (i'm going through this whole "love me or hate me" phase where if someone asks me something i'm damn well going to tell them truth. if they don't like it they can leave me the fuck alone and move on), but it means that he's, if nothing else, been thinking about it and comfortable enough with the idea to ask me in an inviting and nonconfrontational kind of way. I, without hesitation, confessed my homosexuality to him, and a bunch of things happened after this--some i won't get into because they are more family issues that need not be discussed here.
First and of foremost importance, he said he was 100% cool with it, which was a huge sigh of relief to me. I've always been afraid that he's a jock athletic type that thinks gays are a bunch of pussies, but apparantly that's not it at all. He has a great respect for gay people who can come out and love who they are; he recognizes that it is not a choice at all (he thinks its completely genetic and from birth--why would someone choose this?). He actually said that he's known about me since "you were eight, before you even knew." This statement prompted me to ask about my family, who've i've also been wanting to come out to. Maybe they've discussed it?
"Don't tell your parents" was the first thing he said on the subject. According to him (and this isn't the first time i've heard this), my parents have thought about it and talked about it with people (mostly him and close friends), but they've never ever liked the idea. My brother has been sure to the point that he's talked about it, not as a possibility, but as fact, and they didn't like that. He said that yes, they're my parents and they'll still love me, but, at least for now, they don't need the stress added to their lives. If its bothering me and i want to tell them, he said to, without a doubt, tell them. I shouldn't keep things bottled up. But, if i'm cool with them not knowing, then it'd be better to just live and let live (which i am cool with). I suggested my idea of the ideal time to tell them (after i graduate college and get a career going and am situated with my life--this way they can't worry about my being gay affecting any other area of my life), and he really liked that idea.
As for my brother, who i want to tell before the summer is out, he said that he's talked with him about it as a fact. My brother has a facebook, so he knows. A friend of mine who is a mother to one of my brother's friends has said she's heard them talking about it, so i know he knows or at least is 99% sure of it. My half-bro said that my lil bro doesn't like it, but Larry is laying the ground work with comments like "you think he wants this trouble? it's something he's living with even more than you have to accept it, and your his brother so you have to support him." Larry is being way more awesome than i took him for.
Basically, my half-bro said that he's here for me 100%, whatever i need, and he expects the same from me. We're brothers, for all intensive purposes, and we should treat other as such. And i intend to.
I'm glad he knows now. It feels way better than i expected it to.
Inspirational Video--A Must See!
What says Gay Pride better than a video montage of people from countries all over the world pronouncing the fact that they're gay and proud of it? Nothing!
I love this video; take the time to watch it.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Sixth-grade Girl Banned from Harvey Milk Presentation
In California, a sixth-grade girl was banned from giving a presentation about Harvey Milk to her independent progect class. Instead, she would have to present the project during a lunch-recess time after all parents of the students had been notified of the project and sent in a signed form saying it was okay to see the presentation.
The school officials claim that the ban was made because of the school's Family Life/Sex Education policy, which states "(P)arents/guardians shall be notified in writing about any instruction in which human reproductive organs and their functions, processes, or sexually transmitted diseases are described, illustrated, or discussed. In addition, before any instruction on family life, human sexuality, AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases is given, the parent/guardian shall be provided with written notice explaining that the instruction will be given…” Basically the school is full of shit because the presentation has nothing to do with being gay--it's about how Harvey Milk affected society as a homosexual leader.
The American Civil Liberties Union has sent the school a notice saying that they must allow the girl to present the project normally and send her a written apology, or the ACLU will file a lawsuit against them. Yay for progressives!
Pink News Article
I Think I Like Hillary a Little More Now
I was never against little miss Clinton--it was her husband that scared me. But Hillary has shown a new side of herself to me that makes me like her more now. She, as Secretary of State, is giving all partners (gay or straight) of foreign diplomats equal rights and protections from the USA.
This is a very awesome step in the right direction, showing that the US government is in support of its people and those who support it.
Pink News Article
UK Churches Forced to Accept Gays
How does this headline sound to you? There is a similar one on the site where I found this article, and when i first read it i was shocked. Of course, I'm all for gay rights and such, but I think it is one thing to allow gay marriage and quite another to force churches to accept gay people too.
The whole point of religion and churches is that one believes what one chooses and is not forced to think anything else. By forcing churches to accept gays into their existence is something that is wrong and not ideal. However, that is not what actually happened in this situation.
Churches, synagogues, mosques and others will continue to have the freedom to choose who they employ in jobs which promote their religion. But where they provide services to the public they will have to treat everyone fairly.
This is the actual point of what happened in the UK concerning churches. I think this is completely and ok. If someone wants to help provide a public service, regardless of any human quality, they should be allowed to do so. It's different to force a church to accept a homosexual as a church official, so I'm glad that this is not what happened in this situation.
Pink News Article
The whole point of religion and churches is that one believes what one chooses and is not forced to think anything else. By forcing churches to accept gays into their existence is something that is wrong and not ideal. However, that is not what actually happened in this situation.
Churches, synagogues, mosques and others will continue to have the freedom to choose who they employ in jobs which promote their religion. But where they provide services to the public they will have to treat everyone fairly.
This is the actual point of what happened in the UK concerning churches. I think this is completely and ok. If someone wants to help provide a public service, regardless of any human quality, they should be allowed to do so. It's different to force a church to accept a homosexual as a church official, so I'm glad that this is not what happened in this situation.
Pink News Article
NC Controversy over Rainbow Apple
An artist in North Carolina painted an apple in a community project the colors of the rainbow, and some people aren't taking so kindly to it.
I think it's hilarious how in the video, only one guy is really against the colors on the apple. He's just looking at the camera and smiling, trying so hard to not openly insult the guy who painted it. So hilarious! I think it's great that the guy painted what he wanted to, no matter is intention (which he said was not a gay symbol). Either way, all the publicity is certainly going to boost how much money he gets from the auction of the apple in the future!
ABC News Video
I think it's hilarious how in the video, only one guy is really against the colors on the apple. He's just looking at the camera and smiling, trying so hard to not openly insult the guy who painted it. So hilarious! I think it's great that the guy painted what he wanted to, no matter is intention (which he said was not a gay symbol). Either way, all the publicity is certainly going to boost how much money he gets from the auction of the apple in the future!
ABC News Video
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