Punxsutawney Phil

Thousands gathered in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania, and various locations around America to watch a rodent who resembles a cross between a squirrel and a beaver with a less interesting tail get pulled out of this home and face the sunrise. He will then be spun around so he can see if he has cast a shadow. If there is little or no cloud cover and the groundhog “sees” his shadow, winter will continue until March 14 or 15, depending on Leap Year. If it is cloudy and the groundhog does not “see” his shadow, we will have an early spring.

I live in Vermont. Having shoveled out a 24″ snow fall on March 17 and been stuck in a snow bank coming home from college in mid-May, I consider mid-March an early spring. I prefer to judge my weather by the squirrels. So far this year, they are not interested in my birdbath filled with sunflower seeds. We’re having a very, very mild winter. I figure that the more I spend on sunflower seeds, the more I’ll be spending on wood pellets to heat my house.

Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney

The whole Groundhog Day thing started in 1887, and the current Punxatawney Phil is the latest over-fed, pampered, caged prognosticator in a furry dynasty. At its peak, in 1920, the town had a population of 10,000 in its 3.4 square miles, 84 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Now, the population is lower than it was in 1900 at 6,271. It used to have coal mines and glassworks, foundries, ironworkds, machine shops and flour, feed and silk mills. Now, it pretty much has the groundhog and a thriving groundhog souvenir business. The town’s name comes from a Native American term that translates into “town of the sandflies,” or maybe it’s mosquitoes.

Punxsatawney Phil and his cohorts in weather forecasting have a pretty abysmal record. They have been right only 37% of the time.

Sarah "Marmot Day" Palin

Pity poor Alaska, they have no groundhogs to forecast their weather, so, in 2009 during her last few months as Governor, Sarah Palin signed a law designating the groundhog-wannabe marmot as their official harbinger of an early spring. Alaskans dealt with their rodent-envy by legislating February 2 as Marmot Day.  Since the Alaskan marmot’s natural range is the extreme north of the state, I’m not sure how the whole sunrise aspect works out.

There are a half-dozen or so theories of the origin of the tradition of Groundhog Day, ranging from the ancient Celtic festival of Imbolc (least likely as Imbolc was linked to spring livestock births) to the folklore of the German settlers in Pennsylvania (most likely).  Groundhog or marmot, shadow or no, I think I’ll stick to Jim Cantore and The Weather Channel to tell me what to expect in the weather.

Related articles

• Groundhog Sees Shadow; 6 More Weeks of Winter (towleroad.com)
• Groundhogs behaving badly: When forecasting critters go rogue (mercurynews.com)

Anti-ACTA protest in Paris

29 January 2012
by Pauline Malmqvist

On the initiative of Anonymous a hundred of people protested this Saturday in Paris against ACTA. They also asked to protest in 36 other french cities.

ACTA, known as Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, is an international treaty that aims at reinforcing the copyright laws. It wants to reinforce the cooperation between all the countries that has signed ACTA. Like SOPA and PIPA, ACTA threatens the liberty of internet and the freedom of expression. This treaty has been secretly negotiated by the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland. Which is the first controversial issue about ACTA: the States hid it away from us during the process of the law which lead us to know nothing about this treaty. 

The agreement expands the copyrights law by criminalizing file-sharing, which firstly was a civil infringement. It will give the right for the governments worldwide that has signed the treaty to allow right holders to seek personal data through ISPs (Internet Service Providers). It will also give copyright holders legal means to pursue people suspected of bypassing copyright protections. It also allows to seize goods at theirs borders if suspected of containing infringing content. 

In order to reinforce the copyright laws ACTA has severe penalties. The judicial authorities have the authority to order the person engaged in infringing activity:
- To pay the right holder damages adequate to compensate for the injury the right holder has suffered as a result of the infringement. (Section 2: Civil Enforcement, Article 9: Damages, paragraph 1 – ACTA)

- For offences specified in paragraphs 1, 2, and 4 of Article 23 (Criminal Offences), each Party shall provide penalties that include imprisonment as well as monetary fines sufficiently high to provide a deterrent to future acts of infringement, consistently with the level of penalties applied for crimes of a corresponding gravity.(ACTA in section 4: Criminal Enforcement, Article 24: Penalties). 

Anti-ACTA protester

In the European Union 22 members has signed the treaty on Thursday 26^th January in Tokyo, including France. However, it still must be signed by the European parliament. The hope that the treaty can still be stopped lead to protests from the internet hacker group Anonymous but also non-member of the group. As a matter of fact, a European Parliament official, Kader Arif, resigned and stated: “I want to denounce in the strongest possible manner the entire process that led to the signature of this agreement: no inclusion of civil society organizations, a lack of transparency from the start of the negotiations, repeated postponing of the signature of the text without an explanation being ever given, exclusion of the EU Parliament’s demands that were expressed on several occasions in our assembly”.

This was a awakening alarm for some of us, unfortunately to few. Only a couple of hundreds of people gathered in Paris to protest on Saturday 28^th. The French medias did not put the spotlight on ACTA, that might explain also why the crowd was not as big as expected. 

Behind the Guy Fawkes masks people yelled “No to ACTA” and “We are legion”. They stated that they want to defend the liberty and rights of each individual.

Protests were particularly strong in Poland, where a thousands of citizens marched together against ACTA. There were also several government officials that showed their disapproval of ACTA by wearing the now very famous mask of Guy Fawkes. 

To show their disapproval of ACTA, Anonymous has launched several attacks against Governmental and entertainment websites, including the FBI and also the french Governments. Until the European parliament has not signed ACTA there is still hope that ACTA will not be enacted. On avaaz.org there is a petition, that they plan on taking to the European parliament so the voice of the citizens may count for something. It did for SOPA and PIPA, why not for ACTA? 

Anti-ACTA troll

DeForest Kelley and one type of tricorder

The official description is “a sensing, computing and data communications device” for medical diagnosis. It consists of a hand-held reader a little larger than a paperback book and a separate device that originally was made out of a salt shaker. No shit, most of the little stuff on the original Star Trek was “created” with a variety of salt and pepper shakers. Made things tricky when they finally needed salt and pepper shakers.

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, a competition was announced. Ten million dollars to the person who builds a working medical tricorder, a la Star Trek. The specs say it has to weigh less than five pounds, which is really way heavier than Bones’ tricorder.

Did I ever mention I adore Karl Urban? DeForest Kelley’s not-quite-Atlanta accent was really hard to recreate, but he nailed it perfectly.

There are a variety of small devices that are used in medical diagnosis, but none that combines all the scans that the tricorder did, and does them semi-remotely. The Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize is for a device that can read “key health metrics” and diagnosis “a set of 15 diseases.” The prize organizers hope they will inspire someone to “make 23^rd century science fiction a 21^st century reality.” Peter Diamandis, the X Prize Foundation chairman, said “I’m probably the first guy who’s here in Vegas who would be happy to lost $10 million. The tricorder that was used by Spock and Bones inspires a vision of what healthcare will be like in the future. It will be wireless, mobile and minimally- or non-invasive. It may use digital imaging, it may be sequencing your DNA on the spot to tell you if you are allergic to something you just ate.”

A while ago, the Canadian Army had some success building a Star Trek diagnostic bed. It wasn’t as broad-spectrum as the one on the show, but it was a great start. Star Trek, like all science fiction, had the problem of staying ahead of real science. In one episode of Next Generation, Worf sustained a spinal injury and the doctor who treated him was experimenting with a procedure to rebuild his spine. We are about 250 years ahead of the curve on that one.

There has been some success with the X Prizes in the past. Much of the technology used for the Ansari X Prize, a reusable spacecraft, in 2004, was utilized by Virgin Galactic. The tricorder is a bit more complicated than figuring out how to build a spaceship with private funds instead of the nearly unlimited funds of a government. The important thing that Diamandis wants to do is inspire. Whatever comes out of the research could impact other aspects of medical diagnostics.

Mr. Diamandis said that there is one thing about the original Star Trek tricorder that is not in the prize specs. “We don’t have a requirement that it makes the same noise.”

Related articles

• CES 2012: Invent a real Star Trek tricorder, win $10m (techradar.com)
• $10m prize for ‘Star Trek’ gadget (bbc.co.uk)
• Star Trek tricorder inspires new X Prize contest (cbc.ca)
• Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize Offers $10M for Real Tricorder (geeky-gadgets.com)
• Wanted: Star Trek Tricorder (ubergizmo.com)
• CosmicLog: Plans set for ‘Tricorder’ contest (cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com)
• Making the Science Fiction-Inspired Star Trek Tricorder a Reality (bigthink.com)
• Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize looks for Star Trek health tech now (pocket-lint.com)
• $10 Million X Prize Aims to Realize ‘Star Trek’ Medical Tricorder (space.com)

The late Kim Jung-Il

The videos that have made it out of North Korea are puzzling. State television is showing people lining the streets, wailing, weeping, beating their breasts, falling down because they are so overcome with grief. I’ve seen a lot of public figure funerals in my life, both as they happened as in historical film footage. This was the most over-the-top display of public grief I can remember. Even Evita Peron’s funeral wasn’t this riddled with hysteria, and she was considered a saint by her people, not the cause of starvation and destitution. So, the disclaimers from reporters that there is no way to tell how much of this display was real and how much was staged for television is very understandable. This man was not a young man or woman cut down in his or her prime by a bullet, a car crash or a virulent disease. This was, by North Korean standards, an old man, a man who had been ill for years. After all, life expectancy in North Korean is a full three years shorter than South Korea, even shorter if one is a member of the 25% of the nation that never has enough to eat because Kim Jung Il put all the nation’s money into its military.

Kim Jung Il lay in state for ten days. His funeral’s been going on for two so far. And it’s not over. There will be three-minute silences and the co-ordinated sounding of train and ship horns.

Possibly the weirdest moment was compliments of Seo Ju-rim, a female soldier. Through her sobs, she told state television, “Seeing this white snow fall has made me think of the general’s efforts and this brings tears to my eyes.” Seems that among his multitudinous accomplishments, Kim Jung-Il could control the weather. Not sure if she believes he ordered the snowfall from the other side or if the snow instead of the decent weather that he could have ordered was what made Seo Ju-rim so weepy.

Whenever they get around to finishing off this very expensive spectacle, the curtain will fall on North Korea again and the rest of the world can just speculate on what is really going on.

Kim Jung-Un is Kim Jung-Il’s third son, mother unknown, age not specified. He was chosen as the successor because his older brothers preferred life outside the country pretending that their impoverished nation is Brunei or Dubai. The real power lies with Kim Jung-Il’s brother, Kim Yong-nam. Officially, Kim Jong-Un is being called the “supreme leader of the party, state and army,” but that does not mean he’s actually leading the country. He has only been in line for the throne for less than a year, not enough time for him to acquire any real experience. But the nation functions on the personality cult of the Kim family, not on logic or elections. Kim Jong-Il’s father, Kim Il-sung “liberated” the country from South Korea and established the nation.

No foreign delegations or foreign leaders attended the funeral, and neither did Kim Jung-Un’s brothers. Flags at United Nations offices around the world were at half-mast, which is standard protocol for the death of any country’s leader.

Related articles

• North Korea’s Farewell To Kim Jong-il (news.sky.com)
• Kim Jong-il memorial begins (cbc.ca)
• NKorea calls Kim Jong Un ‘supreme leader’ – CBS News (cbsnews.com)
• Kim Jong Il Funeral Reportedly Begins In North Korea (huffingtonpost.com)

Delores Hart, circa 1960

At the age of nine, Delores Hart appeared in the movie Forever Amber in 1947. Then, she finished school. In 1957 she returned to the screen, making 11 movies and guesting on 6 television series before walking away from Hollywood in 1963. Her most famous films were the original Where the Boys Are and Loving You, in which she was the recipient of Elvis Presley’s first screen kiss. Not exactly Twelve Angry Men or To Kill a Mockingbird, but a respectable career for the times, when movies were suffering from the competition of television.

Delores Hart left Hollywood to follow a greater calling – she became a nun, and let me tell you, we all thought she was nuts. There wasn’t a Catholic girl that I knew who would have traded a movie career for the habit. She joined a small cloistered order in Bethlehem, Connecticut. She maintained some friendships from her Hollywood days, because her order did not ask the nuns to give up their real names or cut themselves off completely from the world. One of those was the late, great actress Patricia Neal, who asked to be interred at the abbey when she passed on.

Mother Delores Hart

The order, which was founded in 1947, has been self-sufficient all these years, surviving on the proceeds of sales of artisan cheeses made from milk from their own livestock, handmade pottery and recordings of their choir. There are 40 nuns in the order, living and working on a small farm, independent of the Archdiocese of Hartford. Now, they have a really big problem.

The former brass factory which houses the nuns is in desperate need of upgrades and renovations to meet fire and safety codes and make their home more accessible for those nuns who are reaching a certain age, like Mother Delores, who is 73 and suffers from neuropathy. The order has remained vibrant even while other orders have stagnated. They have two new postulants arriving next month.

The county is co-operating with the order, allowing them the time necessary to make the renovations instead of shutting them down over the violations, and the community is helping out as well. The local dance school raised $600 for the effort, but the estimate for the entire job is close to $4 million.

The Abbey of Regina Laudis is one of several small, self-sufficient religious communities around the country. We have one here in Vermont, the Weston Priory. Many of them are sanctuaries for the lost and the disenfranchised. Many run very quiet programs of community assistance, like one that pairs up homeless pregnant teens with families who will care for them while they await their child’s birth. They operate without fanfare or spotlights, and are the best of Catholicism.

So, we are sending on the appeal for donations, small ones, big ones, whatever anyone can donate, for this group of independent women who have created a wonderful community where they live in harmony with each other and those who surround them. Donations (tax deductible of course) can be sent to New Horizons, The Abbey of Regina Laudis, 73 Flanders Road, Bethlehem, CN 06751. They are working on being able to accept on-line donations at their website, www.abbeyofreginalaudis.com. Pass it along, please.

The Kiss - Elvis Presley and Delores Hart, "Loving You" 1957

Related articles

• Nun famous for kissing Elvis prays for miracle (newsok.com)
• Patricia Neal’s Heart (onecatholicnews.wordpress.com)

So apparently Kris Humphries has been hiding out here in Minnesota while recovering from his “wife” filing for divorce.  I’ve decided I’m using quotes around all heterosexual marriage terms.  If some straight people are refusing to recognize or respect gay relationships, I’m refusing to recognize theirs.  I’m also going to use air quotes when talking to my straight friends.

Oh, you’re inviting me to your “wedding”? (air quotes)

My friends wouldn’t hit me, would they?

Poor Kris.  Pick a nice Minnesota girl next time.

I can’t believe I’m even writing about this.  I’ve been back and forth about it all week, not wanting to contribute to hype and yet wanting to contribute to the hype.

I wonder, do you think they were prepared for the level of backlash they’ve received from the gay community?  Was it planned all along, the “divorce”?  Is Kris hiding out here in Minnesota just part of the act?  I’m gonna go find him and ask him.  I wonder what gym he goes to.

The internet has certainly exploded with commentary, and many of my gay friends have been discussing/arguing/venting their views on Facebook.  E! Network has been in damage control-mode, and Kim herself, as attention loving as she is, canceled the remainder of her Australia trip.

On a side note, Kim and Kris renewed their “wedding vows” (can’t stop with the quotes) on The Ellen Degeneres Show last month.  Ellen has been curiously silent since the news broke.  C’mon Ellen, where’s the gay outrage?

Actually, I don’t even think my voice of gay outrage is any different from anyone else’s in the matter.  I’m mad for all the same reasons everyone else is – they have the legal right to get married and then divorced in a few months, and yet people believe gays getting married would undermine the “sanctity” of straight marriage.  That’s why we’re all mad about this, right?

I do think, however, I can fix Kim’s PR problem.  Why would she want to lose her gay fan base; we can make or break a show.  (Does she HAVE a gay fan base?)

Really, my solution solves all her problems by keeping her in the spotlight AND allowing her to show her support for the gay community.  It’s easy.

Kim, get gay married!

Everyone knows you were shopping for a basketball player boyfriend for your show long before you met Kris (who wasn’t even your first choice) so, time to start shopping for a nice Minnesota boi.  NOT me, I’m taken.  Actually, probably shouldn’t pick a Minnesota boi, either, as long as we have Michele Bachmann in this state, we’re not going to be getting married any time soon.

So, how about New York?  Any New York bois willing to step up to the plate?  Who would you like to see Kim coupled with?  I bet Dani Campbell wouldn’t mind 15 more minutes of fame.  Do we even want Kim on our team?  Share your thoughts below!

Have something to say to Riley?  Email her at RDylan1980@gmail.com or find her on Facebook.  http://facebook.com/rdylan1

442nd Regimental Combat Team looking for German movement in France

Like most people my age, I grew up on World War II. My family’s stories went back earlier than Pearl Harbor, to the day in 1938 when my grandfather was contacted about an inheritance in Poland and turned it down because he didn’t like the way things were going in Germany. My father was somewhat unique among his peers. He told us about segregation in the United States military during the war.

We heard how, with rare exception, African-Americans were confined to supporting roles, not active combat roles, and how the Japanese-Americans were sent to Europe. The assignment of Japanese-Americans to Europe, in my father’s view, was as much for their own protection as it was to “prevent” espionage or desertion. Dad felt that had the Japanese-Americans been sent to the Pacific front, too many of them would have died from friendly fire.

Interned Japanese Americans

In 1941, 120,000 Japanese-Americans, more than half of them American citizens, most of those by birth not naturalization, were ordered into internment camps. As George Iwasaki, one of those internees, told CBC News correspondent Ben Tracy, “I didn’t believe it. I was an American – I thought.”

As bad as things were for American Muslims in the months after 9-11, they have gotten worse since 2008, haven’t they? Now, imagine that same bigotry, that same hysterical fear, that same unfocused hatred, aimed at the hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans living here in 1941. There are a lot of American Muslims who don’t fit the racial profile, but there was no way for a Japanese American to blend in. In fact, we have had 60 years of films and television shows to prove that Americans are grossly ignorant of the differences between peoples of Asia, that’s why a Vietnamese actress once played a Korean woman on M*A*S*H.

The 442^nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100^th Infantry were created for Japanese-Americans, Nisei, American-born of Japanese parents. They were, for the young men who enlisted in them, an opportunity to fight for their country and for their families back in those internment camps. These men felt like Americans, they thought of themselves as Americans and yet, they were treated as un-American because of their national heritage.

On Wednesday, the men of the 442^nd received one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, the Congressional Gold Medal. It joined the list of decorations received by this highly decorated unit. Among the 13,000 men who served in the 442^nd, there were 9,486 Purple Heart recipients for wounds or combat deaths. A total of 33,000 Japanese Americans served during the war, mostly in the 100^th Infantry, the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service. . Only a few thousand are still alive. They range in age from 83 to nearly 100.

During the ceremony honoring them, Sen. Barbara Boxer, a sponsor of the Senate version of the bill granting the Nisei veterans this honor, said, “You fought World War II on two fronts. You fought not only your enemy, you fought prejudice, and you won.” One of the co-sponsors of the bill, Rep. Doris Matsui, Democrat of Sacremento, was born in an internment camp.

Life after the war was never without minor problems for all of them. They had proven their Americanism, but they were still objects of prejudice and hatred. President Truman honored them with a ceremony on the White House lawn and they were the subject of a 1951 movie called Go For Broke! California named part of State Route 99 between Salida and Manteca for the 442^nd. But the 1950′s were not times of acceptance and assimilation.

The awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal was part of a three-day celebration including a gala dinner, a trip to the World War II memorial, the medal ceremony and a memorial service for those who died in combat and since.

Pfc Sadao Munemori, Medal of Honor recipient, died in combat

Periodically, we are reminded of the events surrounding the Japanese-Americans of the 1940′s – the battle for restitution to be awarded to those who were interned and lost everything they had before the War held our attention for several years. With this honor of the Nisei soldiers, we recognize the other half of the story – the combat soldiers who risked and gave their lives in Europe and the men who worked as translators and intelligence operatives in the Pacific.

Related articles

• Congress finally honors Nisei soldiers of WWII (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Congress to honor Japanese-American soldiers (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Soldiers honored for unique struggle (cbsnews.com)
• Japanese-American WWII vets awarded special medal (cnn.com)
• Going for Broke: Japanese-American Veterans Honored with Congressional Gold Medal (abcnews.go.com)
• Harvard professor among veterans to get Congressional Gold Medal (cnn.com)
• Japanese-American veterans receive award for time in WWII ()

Town Meeting (vpr.net)

Vermont‘s a funny place. We still have real town meetings (March of every year), where the people living in the smaller communities stand up, voice their opinions and engage in spontaneous debate about the issues facing their towns. Town Meeting Day is the day the larger communities, our cities, vote on their issues. That doesn’t mean there’s no public forum, there is. Any citizen of the city of Rutland can attend the meetings of the Board of Aldermen, and there is a permanent agenda item at these meetings, asking if there is anyone “outside the rail” who wishes to speak. Simple as that. Stand up and tell the aldermen about the speeders in your neighborhood, the crappy roads, the dangerous intersections, the police commission, etc. etc. etc.

The Cost of War Monument, Unitarian Universalist Church, Rutland Vermont

All this grassroots democracy is carried out with a great deal of politeness. No other way to describe it. As long as someone doesn’t start shouting and pontificating, they will be heard

Even our protests are polite. There is a protest monument in front of the Unitarian-Universalist Church downtown that counts the dead from the Iraq war. The pile of slate slabs counts the tens of thousands of civilian casualties. The wall with the pennies counts the American military dead.  It is a quiet, persuasive presence.

There was an article published in the Rutland Herald yesterday. Our little podunk newspaper (that won a Pulitzer for its coverage of the passage of civil unions) announced our entry into the ranks of Occupy Wall Street support demonstrations.

Corner of Merchants Row and Center Street (lakesunbank.com)

A rally to support the efforts of the Occupy Wall Street movement is scheduled for Saturday in downtown Rutland. Co-organized by the Vermont Workers Center, the Occupy Rutland Rally will focus on economic justice, the end of corporate greed and support the “Put People First” campaign. The rally will be at the corner of Center Street and Merchants Row in downtown Rutland, across the street from the Rutland Farmers Market on Saturday at 10:45 a.m.

That’s it. No shouting, no lectures. Just “be there or be square”. Okay, yeah, that one’s old.

Rutland Farmers Market (rutlandcountyfarmersmarket.org)

The organizers have chosen the site because there are two banks on that corner, one of them being TDBank (no, Regis Philbin hasn’t shown up to hold the door open). The other reason is that the farmers market, touted as the largest and best in the state, draws easily over 1,000 people on a Saturday. They will be a semi-captive audience, and a possible source of additional protesters. Actually, I’ll be there at the Farmers’ Market, hoping to attract some people with disposable income.

Market policy will keep the protesters out of the market itself, but they will be heard and seen by people approaching or leaving the market.

I can’t wait.

Related articles

• Occupy Wall Street … and now what? (quinnscommentary.com)
• Occupy Wall Street Protests a Growing News Story – NYTimes.com (policyabcs.wordpress.com)
• PHOTOS: The Cute Shirtless Dudes of Occupy Wall Street (queerty.com)

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Liberia’s democratically elected female president, an Liberian feminist activist and a Yemeni woman who has organized women in the Arab Spring were chosen to share this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

When Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, set up the awards in his 1895 will, he established prizes in literature, physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, honoring significant advances in the fields of physical science and significant contribution to the human culture in literature. The physical science prizes are awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, along with the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. The physiology and medicine prize is decided by the Karolinska Institutet and the Swedish Academy awards the prize for literature.

The Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Nobel was a bit vague about the prize, which should honor “work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” It was sort of his penance for the damage his invention did. Over the century, the Committee expanded the definition to include civil rights activists. The first co-winner was Henry Dunant who founded the International Committee of the Red Cross. There have been 101 individuals and 20 organizations who have won this prize, which includes an award of $1.5 million dollars. Only fifteen have been women.

Leymah Gbowee

The first woman to be awarded the prize was Bertha von Suttner, in 1905, partly for her book Lay Down Your Arms and mostly for her contributions to the prize fund. The next woman was American Jane Addams in 1931. Addams was an activist for the poor. In 1976, two women from Northern Ireland, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan, shared the prize for founding the Northern Ireland Peace Movement. Mother Theresa won in 1979 and Alva Myrdal, a negotiator for disarmament, in 1982. The screaming omission in this list is Eleanor Roosevelt who worked for recognition of women’s rights in the founding of the United Nations.

Since 1991, women have increased their presence in the list of Nobel laureates. Ang San Suu Kyi of Burma in 1991, Rigoberta Menchú of Guatemala in 1992, Jody Williams of the United States in 1997, Shirin Ebadi of Iran in 2003, Wangari Muta Maathai of Kenya in 2004.

Joining their ranks today is Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is working to establish a stable government in a nation that has suffered too many of the upheavals common to African nations. Liberia was founded in 1847 as a home for freed American slaves. Liberia went through a civil war that began in 1989 and ended in 2003, killing about 200,000 people and displacing another 3 million. United Nations peacekeepers have been working there since 2003 to maintain the fragile peace between the factions. Sirleaf, who took her master’s degree from Harvard in public administration and held major jobs at the World Bank and the United Nations, first ran for the presidency of Liberia in 1997, losing in a landslide in a rigged election to Charles Taylor. She became the focus of the Liberian opposition, nicknamed the “Iron Lady” and was elected after a campaign that handed out buttons saying “Ellen – She’s Our Man” in 2005. Her re-election campaign is winding towards next Tuesday’s elections, facing accusations from the opposition of vote fraud before the election is even held. The Nobel Committee said that the upcoming election had no influence on their decision, but it sure can’t hurt.

Shirleaf’s fellow Liberian, Leymah Gbowee, is the organizer of a group of Muslim and Christian women to fight the warlords and, “across ethnic and religious dividing lines to bring an end to the long war in Liberia and to ensure women’s participation in electins.” She also has worked since the end of the civil war to protect and defend the victims of rape. She is the director of Women Peace and Security Network Africa and is the mother of five.

Tawakkul Karman

Choosing to honor a woman for participation in the Arab Spring was more difficult. Prize committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland told the press, “We have included the Arab Spring in this prize, but we have put it in a particular context. Namely, if one fails to include women in the revolution and the new democracies, there will be no democracy.” “It was not easy for us to say to pick one from Eygpt or pick one from Tunisia, because there were so many. And we did not want to say that one was more important than the others.” It doesn’t help that the revolutions are still in flux. In choosing Tawakkul Karman of Yemen, they chose someone whose activism predates the Arab Spring. Yemen is a very conservative nation, but the revolution has involved a lot of prominent women. It has also been very unsuccessful. Karman leads the human rights group Women Journalists without Chains. She has been a driving force in organizing the protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Karman told the Associated Press, “I give the prize to the youth of revolution in Yemen and the Yemeni people”

Though the three represents very different aspects of women’s rights, they share a determination that women do have rights, equal rights, regardless of race, nation or religion. While Western and some Far Eastern women have become complacent about their rights, the struggle is in its earliest stages in Africa and the Middle East. In addition to political rights, economic rights and education rights, those women are fighting rites and rituals that mutilate women in the name of “purity,” cultures that punish women for being victims, cultures that responded to AIDS by allowing younger and younger girls to be married off – greatly prized for their virginity.

Though Alfred Nobel did not include civil rights activists in his criteria for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, it is with the expansion of rights for all that peace becomes possible. Without rights, peace is just a state of non-violence created by oppressors.

Related articles

• Liberian President Johnson Sirleaf, Gbowee, Karman win Nobel Peace Prize (vanguardngr.com)
• Nobel Peace Prize: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee And Tawakkul Karman Awarded (jhaines6.wordpress.com)
• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman win Nobel prize (guardian.co.uk)
• Three women’s activists win Nobel Peace Prize (ctv.ca)
• Johnson Sirleaf, Gbowee, Karman Win Nobel Peace Prize (time.com)

Curried meat with chili peppers

Well, they said it was “killer curry.”

The Kismot Indian Restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland, held a curry eating contest to raise money for a children’s charity. It was advertised as the “world’s hottest curry-eating contest” and two of the participants have been admitted to a hospital, in addition to several contestants who were treated and released, and those who liked it so much, they did it twice.

The contest consisted of several rounds, each involving a progressively spicier dish. It was not reported at what level of “heat” the first reactions started. One contestant, Korean student Curie Kim, first went to the E.R. at 4 p.m., returned to the contest and had to go back to the hospital at 9 p.m. She told the press, “I’ve always enjoyed spicy foods and thought this was for a good cause. But it came with a price.”  I have been advised by my husband, the pepper lover, that there is a Pakistani chili pepper that is one of the hottest in the world, even hotter than his beloved piquinas.

The owner of the restaurant, Abdul Ali, said that half the contestants dropped out when others began vomiting and fainting. Mike Lavin came in fifth in the contest, but was transported to hospital by amulance.

The Scottish Ambulance Service was not terribly happy with the event. The EMTs couldn’t handle the type of ailments or the volume and multiple ambulances ended up being used. The service issued a statement later, “We would urge the organizers to review the way in which this event is managed in future in order to avoid another situation where emergency ambulances are required to treat their customers.”

There are no plans to cancel next year’s event.

And to think Texans believe they make hot food. Anyone know when the last time was a chili-eating contest ended up with the participants in the hospital?

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• They won’t be eating curry in a hurry! Participants in ‘world’s hottest chilli-eating contest’ left writhing on the floor as two are hospitalised. (jboy2244.wordpress.com)
• …and it burns, burns, burns… (themediablog.typepad.com)
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• Curry Eating Competition Lands Two People in the Hospital [Eating] (gawker.com)

Rep. Barbara Jordan in Conress

The United States Post Office has unveiled the 34^th in its series of Black Heritage series. It honors the late Barbara Jordan, who became national famous during the House of Representative’s Watergate investigation. Jordan’s deep, rich, resonant voice was unforgettable and her impeccable grammar and nearly accentless articulation came as a culture shock to many people who believed in the stereotype of the shuck-and-jive, heavily accented African-American.

Barbara Jordan’s “firsts” are legendary – first African-American elected to the Texas Senate since reconstruction, first Southern black woman elected to the House of Representatives, first known lesbian black woman in Congress.

Barbara Charline Jordan was born in Houston, Texas on February 21,1936. Her father, Benjamine Jordan was a Baptist minister and her mother Arlyne was a domestic worker. At Wheatley High School, a segregated school, she was a member of the Honor Society and a debater, graduating in 1952 in the top 5% of her class. She wanted to attend the University of Texas at Austin, but it was segregated, so she attended Texas Southern, pledged the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and graduated magna cum laude with a double major in political science and history. Dissuaded from applying to Harvard Law School, she graduated instead from Boston University in 1959. After a year of teaching polisci at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, Jordan returned to Texas to take the bar exam and set up in private practice.

After two unsuccessful attempts in 1962 and 1964, she finally won a seat in the Texas State Senate in 1966, the first African-American elected to the Senate since 1883 and the first black woman ever to serve. Jordan stayed in the Texas State Senate until 1972, served as the president pro tem and for one day, June 10, 1972, was the acting governor of the state. The year she was first elected to the Senate, she met her life partner, educational psychologist Nancy Earl.

In November, 1972, Jordan became the first black woman from a southern state elected to the United States House of Representatives. The only other woman who served in the House from Texas had been Lera Thomas who was elected as a stand-in for her husband. Former President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a powerful friend and ally, helping Jordan get positions on the House Judiciary Committee. It was in that position that she have her famous speech supporting the impeachment of President Richard Nixon.

As a legislator, Jordan supported the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 which sought to end redlining by banks in making loans and mortgages, and the renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with additional language supporting voting rights for Hispanics. That was opposed by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and Texas Secretary of State Mark White.

In 1976, Jordan gave the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in which Jimmy Carter was chosen as the nominee. She had been briefly considered as a running mate for Carter. That speech was ranked as 5^th in a list of the “Top 100 American Speeches of the 20^th Century.” She actually received one delegate’s vote for the nomination.

Jordan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1973, and retired from politics in 1979 to become an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Austin – the very college she could not attend in 1952. Jordan was, again, the keynote speaker at the Democratic Convention in 1992, when Bill Clinton was nominated. She kept her health problems from the public to such an extent that President Bill Clinton wanted to appoint her to the Supreme Court, until he was told the extent of her illness.

In 1994 and 1996, Jordan chaired the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform and advocated increased immigration restrictions, a national identity card and greater penalties for people who knowingly hired illegal immigrants. She argued that “it is both a right and a responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest.” The work of her commission is frequently cited today by advocates of stronger immigration policies.

Though Barbara and Nancy were together for thirty years, Jordan never publicly acknowledged her sexual orientation. She had been warned early in her political career that to do was would keep her from any office, so Jordan and Earl maintained a very discreet relationship. The Houston Chronicle, in its obituary of Jordan, did mention her long relationship with Nancy Earl.

Barbara Jordan memorial at Univ. of Texas Austin

Barbara Jordan died on January 17, 1996, of complications from pneumonia. After lying in state at the LBJ Library at the University of Texas at Austin campus, she was buried in the Texas State Cemetery. The main terminal of the Austin-Bergstrom Airport is named in her honor. In 1993, she received the Elizabeth Blackwell Award from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, was elected to both the Texas and the National Women’s Halls of Fame, awarded the United States Military Academy’s Sylvanus Thayer Award (only the second female to do so). Her papers were given to the Barbara Jordan Archives at Texas Southern University. The Texas public schools named for her are an elementary school in Odessa, a middle school in Cibolo, and a high school in Houston. The YMCA in Martinsville, Indiana, is also named for her.

And finally, Barbara Jordan has been honored with a postage stamp. The first issue was in Houston, and the forever stamps are now on sale nationwide.

Of all Barbara Jordan’s achievements, probably the most unforgettable was her presence in the Watergate hearings. That’s “presence” with a capital P. Everyone else faded into the woodwork when Barbara Jordan spoke. Hell, they faded into the woodwork when she walked into the room. It was a subtle thing. There was nothing flashy or flamboyant about Barbara Jordan, there was just her being there, sucking up all the air in the room, filling the empty spaces with her awesome voice. She was an incredible woman who left us much too young with so much unfulfilled. Every honor is greatly deserved.

Related articles

• Stamp honors political trailblazer Barbara Jordan (sfgate.com)
• Barbara Jordan stamp to be issued (politico.com)
• 30 MORE Black Women You Should Know About (hellobeautiful.com)
• Stamp honors political trailblazer Barbara Jordan (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• New stamp honors Barbara Jordan (marketwatch.com)

September 14, 2001

Yesterday I was the family masochist. Why? Because I got up, walked the dog, made coffee and sat down to watch, listen and grieve as ABC News and Yahoo streamed the event yesterday at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. When my daughter poked her head and very pregnant belly in and asked me why I was doing that, all I could say was that I felt it was my duty to remember and honor all those who died that day.

Two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-seven people died that day, not including the nineteen hijackers. There were citizens of over sixty countries, and followers of nearly every religion on the planet amongst the dead.  Over 100 of the men who perished left pregnant wives and girlfriends, including Todd Beamer on United Flight 93, whose last known words, “Are you guys ready? Okay, let’s roll,” are enshrined in the heroic legends of the day. His posthumous daughter was born January 10, 2002. Many of the women did not even know they were pregnant yet. The first baby was born two days later, to a Muslim woman who did not know for sure if she was a widow. The child was the son they had hoped for, to complete with his older sister the “perfect family” their father wanted.

National September 11 Memorial when completed

They’re called the “9/11 babies”, those children born to dead heroes and living heroines. Many of them in the U.S. have become, with their mothers, a mutual support society. They have even invented an acronym for themselves: bffwad. It means ‘best friends forever without a dad’. These children, these amazing children, speak of dreaming about their fathers, wishing they could see and hug them, how much it means to them when they are told they look or act or laugh like their fathers.

Today they were among the 334 family members who read the 2,983 names of the fallen. They read the names of those who died in New York, the Pentagon and in Shanksville as well as the six who died at the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993. It took over four hours to read them all.

The ceremony included six moments of silence, signaled by the ringing of a bell. At 8:46, when American Flight 11 struck the North Tower; at 9:03 when United Flight 175 struck the South Tower; at 9:37 when American Flight 77 dove into the Pentagon; at 9:59 when the South Tower collapsed; at 10:03 when United Flight 93 bravely plowed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and finally at 10:28, when the North Tower collapsed, 102 minutes after being hit.

Interspersed were readings delivered by current and former Presidents, governors and mayors. Musical interludes were provided by Yo-Yo Ma, Emi Ferguson, James Taylor and Paul Simon. The Brooklyn Youth Choir opened the day with the National Anthem, and ended it with “I Will Remember You”.

Taps

The honor guard throughout the day was made up of representatives of the three forces of first responders that day: the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department and the Port Authority Police Department. They likewise supplied the bagpipers and drummers who played through the retirement and replacement of the flag from the World Trade Center, and three of the four trumpeters who played “Taps” at the very end (the U.S. military supplied the fourth).

Everyone involved in the day brought a sense of reverence to whatever part they played. Mayor Bloomberg is to be commended for his adamant insistence that there would be no political speeches or religious speakers as part of the ceremony. There is much to be said for being a wealthy political independent when it comes time to step on people’s toes.

Tomorrow I’ll be posting more, but for today this is it. Yesterday we as a nation remembered, and grieved, and were one nation, indivisible, again.

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Posted 8/31/2011

The good news this morning is that emergency ground crews have reached all but one of the towns cut off by the destruction of roads caused by the flooding. The only remaining town, Wardsboro, is hopeful that today will be their day.

US 4 Emergency Roadbed (Toby Talbot, AP)

Now that doesn’t mean that you should go pack up the car to visit Aunt Frannie. No, Emergency Management spokesman Robert Stirewalt warned that these crude roads are not for general use and are only passable by heavy-duty emergency vehicles. It does mean that air-drops of supplies can be augmented by truck deliveries, ambulances can get to medical emergencies, and the utility companies can start to get crews in to start restoring service.

Central Vermont Public Service, the state’s largest electric company, has warned that full service restoration may take up to six months.

We’re expecting eight Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters from the Illinois National Guard to arrive today to augment our own Air National Guard. Anything that can help get aid and assistance to the isolated areas of the state is welcome.

US Army Brigade 86 out of Berlin VT (Joshua Lambert, Burlington Free Press)

Social media is helping. Besides being the only way some communities were able to get word out, people have been organizing. Sunday and Monday, through the efforts of Katye Munger  here in Rutland and Aaron Kraus in Ohio, a new aid organization called Restoring Rutland was born. They have a Facebook page and a donated storefront. They are accepting non-perishable donations (no money) and coordinating ex-patriot Vermonters to  come home for a weekend to help hands-on. (You can find links for how to help at the end of this article.)

Single ATV owners and their clubs are reaching out to ATV owners across the region to put themselves and their vehicles at the disposal of the rescue efforts. ATVs can get to many communities and stranded residents easier than anything else but feet. They’re calling for help to get medications, baby formula and the like in, and get at-risk residents such as pregnant women, children and the elderly out. Volunteers are popping up like daisies.

Rt. 73 in Goshen (Caleb Kenna)

Rumor has it that the President will be here sometime today, touring the worst hit areas. If we get confirmation that he is here, we’ll let you know.

Okay, that’s about it for new info this morning. Now, so I don’t have to stay glued to my laptop today, here’s a list of sites where you can find information on all sorts of things.

News Sites:

Vermont Today                 http://rutlandherald.typepad.com/vermonttoday/

WCAX TV                              http://www.wcax.com/

Reuters News                      http://www.reuters.com

Associated Press               http://ap.org (you’ll have to search for “Vermont flooding”

Information Sites:

VT Travel Info                    http://www.511vt.com (maps with closures, Route Reports)

VT Emergency Mgmt       http://vem.vermont.gov (Daily Situation Report, links)

CVPS Power                         http://www.cvps.com/CustomerService/outages/ (reported outages)

City of Burlington             www.ci.burlington.vt.us/information/flood/

How To Help:

Restoring Rutland            http://www.facebook.com/restoringrutland

Red Cross                             http://www.vermontredcross.org

The Salvation Army         http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/

Coupons for Charity        http://www.couponsforcharity.net (collecting non-perishables)

National Organizations Active In Disaster

http://www.nvoad.org/ (amazing coalition of organizations under one non-profit umbrella)

Angelina Jolie holding the Heart of Sarajevo award

When Angelina Jolie chose the subject for her first film as a director, her decision met with protests in Bosnia. The film, In the Land of Blood and Honey, tells the story of a young Bosnian Muslim woman and the Serbian man she falls in love with during the 1992-5 war. The rumor went out that in the film, the man rapes the woman and then she falls in love with him. That rumor caused “victims of violence” women’s groups in Bosnia to protest the movie and Jolie’s permit to film there was revoked. She ended up filming in Budapest, Hungary, instead.

But, Jolie has also been the United Nations High Commission for Refugees ambassador and has worked with refugees in Bosnia and funded the construction of several houses there.

At the Sarajevo Film Festival today, Jolie was honored at the closing ceremony. Festival director Mirsad Purivatra presented Jolie with the heart-shaped award and said “Tonight we are giving the honorary Heart of Sarajevo to a great artist, not only for the great impact she has in the world of cinema, but also for persisting and her active engagement in the complexities of the real world we live in.”

Holding the award, Jolie waited the applause to die down, saying with her voice breaking, “I told Brad in the car I was afraid I was going to cry.” And she did. “I am so honored to be here at this festival. There is no greater example of the strengths of the artists and the festival that began during the war and grew stronger every year.”

The festival was started toward the end of the 43-month siege of Sarajevo by Serbian forces that turned a city that hosted the 1984 Olympics into piles of rubble. The bridges and streets became shooting galleries for snipers while Serbian military forces shelled the city relentlessly. The objections to the film were understandable, even without the idea of the heroine being a rape victim, because during the war for Bosnian liberation, rape of Muslim women was a common tactic for intimidation.

Angelina Jolie and her partner Brad Pitt are known both for their generosity in donating to a variety of causes and their hands-on work where work is needed.

Well, that and their Academy Award-nominated-and-winning acting gigs and six completely adorable kids.

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• Angelina Jolie’s Controversial Directorial Debut Gets Title, U.S. Distributor and Award Season Release Date (moviefone.com)
• Angelina Jolie in Bosnia for film festival (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
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Her Majesty arrived in a classic pink coat with matching accessories for the simple, quiet wedding of her eldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips, to rugby star Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk in the Old City of Edinburgh, Scotland. The church’s situation, in the oldest part of a very old city, limited the crowds to only a couple of thousand people. The entire royal family was in attendance.

Zara Phillips is the 30-year-old daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, who were divorced in 1992. The 45-minute ceremony was followed by a private reception at the royal palace of Holyroodhouse, which is practically up the street. The couple arrived back at Holyroodhouse to the accompaniment of the Royal Scots Association pipe band.

Zara’s gown was created by Stewart Parvin, a favorite of the Queen. In ivory duchess silk and ribbed faille, the corseted bodice surmounted a bell-shaped skirt supported by yards of stiff lace. The chevron-pleated bodice had wide silk tulle straps that vee’d in the back and the skirt actually had pockets. Zara chose Jimmy Choo shoes and her veil was held with the same Greek Key tiara that the Queen gave to Princess Anne for her first wedding in 1973.

White must be the new “in” color for attendants at weddings. Zara’s three young flower girls and her matron of honor all wore simple full-skirted white dresses.

Princess Beatrice behind Prince William and Princess Catherine

Though there was the usual British collection of precariously perched millinery frisbees, even Princess Beatrice’s hat did not reach the outrageousness seen at Prince William’s wedding three months ago.

Zara has chosen to retain her maiden name, presumably because that is the name she is known by in championship equestrian circles and competitions, as well as in the numerous contracts she has signed to fund equestrian events.

The 32-year-old groom, Mike Tindall, is one of the stars of English rugby and plays for Gloucester. He was born in Otley in Yorkshire, on the east side of the island. He and his best man, Iain Balshaw were on the 2003 Rugby World Cup team in Australia which took the title. The couple were introduced by Prince Harry and have lived together for several years. Both bride and groom will be continuing in their sporting careers, with Zara trying for the U. K. Equestrian Team for the 2012 Olympics in London next year. Princess Anne was a member of the team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and was President of the Fédération Équestre Internationale from 1986 until 1994.

The couple reside in Cheltenham in Glouchestershire, the same county as both her mother and Prince Charles.

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• Another Royal Wedding (lezgetreal.com)
• Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Arrive For Zara Phillips’s Wedding! (popsugar.com)
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• Zara Phillips, Mike Tindall Get Married (omg.yahoo.com)
• Zara Phillips to keep her maiden name following marriage to Mike Tindall (telegraph.co.uk)
• Zara marries rugby star Tindall (mirror.co.uk)

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall (photo by Chris Jackson, Getty Images)

Exactly three months and one day after Cousin William’s little wedding in London, Zara Phillips will marry rugby star Mike Tindall in Scotland.

Zara Phillips is the thirty-year-old daughter of Princess Royal Anne and second-born of Queen Elizabeth’s eight grandchildren. Like her mother, Zara is a competitive equestrian. Because Zara’s father Captain Mark Phillips refused a royal title, neither Zara nor her older brother Peter have them. They are official commoners. Peter married Canadian Autumn Kelly in 2008 and they have one daughter, Savannah, the Queen’s first great-grandchild.

The wedding is expected to be as low-key as Peter’s was, beginning this evening with a small party aboard the former royal yacht Brittania which was rented for the occasion. The entire family has been invited and there is certainly room in the Palace of Holyroodhouse to put all of them up for the weekend.

Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh

The wedding will take place tomorrow morning at Canongate Kirk, whose construction was completed in 1691. The church was busy today as white roses, carnations, stargazer lilies and beech tree branches were being delivered. The couple, along with Princess Anne were at the church early in the evening for rehearsal.

Zara and Peter Phillips were raised very much outside the public eye, with almost no royal duties and the freedom to pursue whatever careers they chose. After jobs at Jaguar and WilliamsF1, Peter is currently employed by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Peter’s job isn’t the family’s only connection to Scotland. Princess Anne married her second husband, Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence, in Scotland, and the family estate at Balmoral is where the Royals spend most of their summer holidays.

Following in her mother’s boot prints, Zara hopes to make the U.K. Equestrian Team for the 2012 Olympics in London.

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• Zara Phillips’ royal wedding details – CBS News (news.google.com)

14 July 2011
by Bridgette P. LaVictoire

We here at LGR come from a diverse background, and that just happens to be me…my ancestry is French Canadian as well as Spanish, German, Swedish, Swiss, Scottish and English. Today, in my distant ancestor’s homeland it is Bastille Day, also known as La Fête Nationale. Today is the day when a large group of common people stormed the Bastille in Paris to not only obtain gunpowder and ammunition, but to secure the release of political prisoners who were being held there without trial simply because they displeased King Louis XVI.

The celebration of 14 July goes back only to around 130 years ago. France has also seen several turn overs with regards to governance in the centuries since the storming of the Bastille, which was part of the decade long French Revolution. Currently, the French are enjoying one of the longest running governments that they have ever had with the Fifth Republic.

Still, it is nice to acknowledge it, happy Bastille Day to our French readers, and all of us who are of French descent and to all who acknowledge the sacrifices that are necessary to gain freedom from tyranny.

Alex Fox

I started with your typical sports. Tee-ball when I was old enough, moving into softball, dance (tap, ballet, jazz), eventually basketball, then when I was in eighth grade, out of nowhere, I turned to my stepmom and said:

“I want to play soccer.”
“What? Why? That’s too manly of a sport.”
“I want to play soccer.”
“No.”

Ok. There went that dream.

For the time being.

Without her approval or signature on the little slip, I decided to change the conversation:

“I want to play volleyball.”
“Oh how fun! That’ll be so much fun for you..!”

So there it was. I was a volleyball player.

NO OFFENSE! I love standing around and hitting balls, but coooome oooon! I wanted to run! I wanted to run and kick balls! But… No. It wasn’t “feminine” enough.

Two years later, I tried again.

“I want to play soccer.”
“No.”
“I’m going to play soccer.”

And so I did. And I LOVED it. Excuse me. LOVE it.

It is something they have been searching for…

Individual sports for women have always had greater success and longevity than team sports. One of the oldest professional sports for women in the United States is golf. Established in 1950, it only took two decades for it to become an international organization. Even women’s professional bowling was established before the 1960s. Women’s tennis in the 1970s. All still going strong.

It is something they have fought for…

Something they have earned…

On the opposite side, we have women’s professional team sports, which have always had a difficult time surviving and stabilizing. Why? Well, some people argue that it is the masculine image of team sports that has inhibited some women from participating. The aggression. The sweat. The contact. The competitiveness… All these “unladylike” attributes… And yet men don’t think women sports are intense or aggressive ENOUGH, so there goes that fan-base…

It is something they are slowly receiving…

Respect.

Not only as women, but as female athletes.

The professional female athletic organizations and systems are finally gaining acceptance as offering respectable and entertaining sports that are worthy of public and national attention. Now it is up to the management of these organizations to attract more spectators in order for them to be considered successful and for women’s athletics to permeate society as a whole.

Considering the lack of acknowledgement soccer has received in the United States, it doesn’t exactly surprise me that rumored gay-thletes are hesitant to come out and embrace their assumed sexuality/relationships (cough-cough Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe). The seductive looks… The matching hair… the on- and off-field chemistry… It’s all there. We see it.

And we LOVE it.

While some of us may agree that it would be extremely liberating and show immense support for the gay community, I personally don’t think it’s solely their decision to keep their relationship and sexual preferences a secret. Their “agents” more than likely view homosexuality as a “threat” to their “brand.” Even some college coaches threaten their players about announcing and admitting to their tendencies while some coaches won’t even allow gay-thletes on their team. I mean even going from the long-haired, ponytail, feminine brunette to a hair cut that just screams LESBIAN!, Wambach took a huge step forward; she now looks the “part” to fit the rumors.

And with the recent, undeniable success of the U.S.A. National Women’s soccer team? The last thing the owners/coaches/players/agents/organizations want is a reason to deter any of their potential fans.

Yet, what they neglect to consider is the number of fans they would ATTRACT by openly admitting to who they are. Showing that they have personalities outside of the soccer facade. A new [and dare-I-say and improved] role model for younger female athletes. Although some may ridicule, others would relentlessly support. Those who may have never been interested in soccer before, now would be.

BASICALLY, all I’m saying…

Abby. Megan. When you read this, just know:

1. Your sexuality is acknowledged.
2. You should embrace it.
3. You have more support than you know.
4. You would make one HOT couple.

GO U.S.A.!

Want more information on this or other gay-thletes? Contact me, Alex Fox, at theunluckyfox@gmail.com.

The question of “what is in the garment bag?” was answered when Princess Catherine stepped from their limo onto the red carpet outside the restored Belasco Theater in a pale lavender, elegant, classic Grecian gown, with boat neck, cap sleeves and a matching beltby Alexander McQueen. She definitely made some of the guests look under-dressed and over-exposed.

The “Brits to Watch” event hosted by BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) was a red carpet to match the Oscars. Prince William opened the event with “I would like to thank Colin Firth for my perfect opening line – I have a voice,” quoting from The King’s Speech, the Oscar winning film about his great-grandfather, George VI. The gathering was an opportunity for the power players in Hollywood to meet 42 new British actors, producers, writers and videogame designers. “Please give them the opportunities that you have always extended to some of the brightest and best that Britain has to offer. When American and British creative talent gets together, magic happens. Let’s continue the winning formula.”

Writer-actor Stephen Fry, who has a recurring role on Bones as Gordon Gordon, expressed the opinion that promoting British talent while the royals were in town was brilliant. “Royalty creates a glamour, prestige and luster that trumps anything Hollywood can produce.”

The guest list was formidible – Barbara Streisand and James Brolin, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Jack Black, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, chef Gordon Ramsey, James Gandolfini, Piers Morgan and dozens of stars, producers and executives. It was also a charity event, with a table going for $25,000.

Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Princess Catherine, Nicole Kidman, Prince William

Following the event, the couple took a few minutes to mingle with the fans gathered outside.

The BAFTA event and the reception Friday night at the home of Consul-General Dame Barbara Hay were the only celebrity-filled events planned for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Today they will be visiting a youth center in Los Angeles’ Skid Row, an area of old LA known as the homeless capital of America, and a job fair for discharging military personnel.

"Fantastic Four" Ioan Gruffudd and wife Alice Evans

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• Royal visitors walk the red carpet in downtown Los Angeles (latimesblogs.latimes.com)

The Place du Palais, the grand courtyard in front of Monaco’s Royal Palace, was the setting for the religious wedding of Their Serene Highnesses, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene. Radiating red carpets set off sections of seats for the 3,500 invited guests while two huge screens flanked the flower-filled double staircase where the ceremony took place. Archbishop Bernard Barsi officiated. The couple were legally married in the palace throne room in a civil ceremony on Friday, followed by a street party for the nearly 10,000, the citizens of Monaco, their guests and tourists.

Princess Charlene, on the arm of her father, walked down the aisle in an Armani gown of white duchess satin trimmed in thousands of crystal beads which reportedly took thousands of hours to embroider. The gown featured an off-the-shoulder band to which was attached the cathedral train, and fell away in a sleek, figure-skimming sheath which itself had a shorter train. Her Serene Highness had affixed a simple tulle veil to her up-swept hair that formed the third layer of train. Prince Albert wore the ceremonial uniform of the Carabinieri royal guard. Following the ceremony, in keeping with tradition, the couple went to the Chapel of St. Devote, Monaco’s patron saint, to place her bouquet there.

Prince Albert’s sisters, Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie were in attendance, both wearing pink. There was a refreshing absence of fascinators among the guests. In addition to soprano Renee Fleming, the couple were serenaded by a children’s choir and a South African singer performing the Click Song made famous by the late Miriam Makeba.

Crowned heads, famous models and fashion designers, sports figures, even actor Roger Moore of James Bond fame, were then entertained at a lavish dinner prepared by celebrated chef Alain Ducasse. The weekend of parties and ceremonies is reported to have cost over $8 million and gave Princess Charlene an opportunity to show off why Georgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld were among the guests. The lady is not only beautiful, she has exquisite taste in the designer clothes one expects in Monaco.

Lavish is what Monaco does best, since the reign of Prince Albert’s father, Prince Rainier III. With his American movie star wife, Grace Kelly, Rainier transformed Monaco from a dingy little Riviera town into a playground of the rich and famous, funded by gambling houses and tax-shelter banks. Though the 1956 wedding of Rainier and Princess Grace was a fairy tale, the lives of their three children have not been, marred as they have been with multiple marriages for the princesses and Albert’s years of being a royal playboy, with two illegitimate children to his record. Rumors of a third child surfaced last week, causing even more rumors of possible cold feet for the bride, a former South African Olympic swimmer.

Related articles

• Monaco’s Prince Albert Marries Olympic Swimmer (lezgetreal.com)
• Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock Celebrate Their Wedding With a Concert (popsugar.com)
• Their Serene Highnesses Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco: The CNN Interview (royalcorrespondent.com)

7/2/2011

Almost a week ago a historic vote allowed New York to legalize same-sex marriages, making New York the sixth, and by far the most populous, state to do so.  Massachusetts led the way, by court order, in 2004, and many other states are now considering the decision.  There has been a fight for world wide equality for so many years it’s hard to count, but it’s finally on the horizon and the GLBT community can finally start jumping for joy.

Neil Patrick Harris has decided to finally tie the knot, with long time partner David Burtka, after the New York vote was official.  The “How I Met Your Mother” star was one of the uncountable amount of people celebrating on June 24th when the news of the same-sex marriage bill passing was announced.  Also the child star of “Dougie Howser”, Harris couldn’t be any happier.

“It passed!!” He tweeted on June 24th. “Marriage equality in NY!! Yes!! Progress!!”

The couple, unknown to the public ear, has actually been engaged for quite some time now, even a little before he announced to the public that he was gay in late 2006.

“David and I did propose to each other, but over five years ago!” He tweeted last weekend in response to many questions. “We’ve been wearing engagement rings for ages, waiting for an available date.”

Harris and Burtka have been together as a couple for many years.  They are proud parents of 8 month old twins, via surrogate, and are currently planning their wedding.  However, no official date has been set yet.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco

07-01-2011 by Linda S. Carbonell

It is traditional in Monaco for a couple to be legally married in a civil ceremony on one day, and hold a church wedding on the next. On Friday, Prince Albert II wed Charlene Wittstock, South African Olympic swimmer, on the first day of what promises to be a weekend-long party in the small Riviera country. Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi is the only son of the late Prince Rainier III and American actress Grace Kelly, who died of injuries sustained in a car accident in 1982. The fifty-three-year-old prince succeeded his father on April 6, 2005.

According to the treaty which maintains Monaco’s independence from France, there must be a Grimaldi to reign. Albert was the second child of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, and his sister Caroline was heir presumptive from the time of her birth until his, and again since the death of their father. Should Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have a child, that child will become the heir. Caroline is the Princess of Hanover since her 1999 third marriage. Albert and Caroline also have a younger sister, Stephanie. Both sisters were in the throne room when Prince Albert and Princess Charlene exchanged their vows, along with several dozen friends and relations. The couple then signed the marriage register with a specially made gold and precious gem pen created by Montblanc for the occasion.

For the civil ceremony, Prince Albert wore a dark suit and white tie, while Princess Charlene wore a silken blue jacket and pants from the House of Chanel. It is assumed that for the church wedding tomorrow, Prince Albert will be wearing a military uniform, but Princess Charlene’s gown is still a state secret. Whatever she has chosen, she has a hard act to follow. Princess Grace’s 1956 wedding gown has become something of an icon in royal weddings, blending modesty, elegance and simplicity to stunning impact.

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds appeared at one of the palace windows to kiss and wave to the crowds gathered outside.

The thirty-three-year-old, blonde, blue-eyed Princess Charlene has been favorably compared to the late Princess Grace, who was considered one of Hollywood’s great beauties. She was born in Zimbabwe, but moved to South Africa as a child and was a member of the South African Olympic team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the same year when the couple met at a swim meet in Monaco. She moved to Monaco in 2006 and the country has been waiting for this wedding ever since.

The festivities began with a concert Thursday night by The Eagles. On Friday, Monaco’s 7,618 citizens and partners were invited to the square in front of the palace to view the ceremony on big-screen monitors, and then have cocktails, followed by a concert by Jean Michel Jarre and a laser light show.

Saturday’s Catholic ceremony will take place at the Palace, and the guest list includes the kings of Spain, Sweden, Lesotho and Belgium, the Presidents of France, Ireland, Iceland, Lebanon, Malta, Germany and Hungary, opera stars, models and race car drivers. Following the ceremony there will be a lavish dinner prepared by Michelin three-star chef Alain Ducasse, with all the ingredients coming from within a 6 mile radius of the palace.

There was some minor drama this past week Prince Albert has acknowledged fathering two illegitimate children, and this past week rumors surfaced of another one. That led to more rumors of Princess Charlene backing out the wedding and running home to South Africa.

Related articles

• Royalty Inside: ‘Charlene & Albert’ Two Video Reports (royalcorrespondent.com)
• Two-Day Party As Monaco Prince Gets Married (news.sky.com)
• The Fairy Tale Principality of Monaco on the French Riviera is Hosting a Royal Wedding (vinoconvistablog.wordpress.com)

6/30/2011

I remember when I was young, going to piano classes that my mom would pay for, and enjoying it so much.  The feel of the keys beneath my fingers and the harmonious sound of the notes that filled the room as I practiced.  My instructor always told me I was a really fast learner, and playing the piano quickly became a favorite pastime of mine.  Throughout the years I have drifted away from playing, however the memories still rest deep in my mind of those wonderful days sitting in front of the worlds most beautiful instrument.

From Beethoven to Fiona Apple, many people, gay and straight, have embraced the beauty of the piano’s sound.  Thanks to British artist Luke Jerram thousands of people in NYC can join the musicians around the world by sitting at a piano and performing for the public for free.

Jerram, sponsored in New York by the non-profit arts group “Sing for Hope,” has placed 88 decorated pianos around NYC for public display and use.  Debuting in 2008, the artist’s musical project has been touring the world ever since.  The decorated street pianos have been seen, so far, in eight cities around the world, with more to come.

What is awesome about this display is that all 88 pianos have been decorated differently by well known, and not so well known, visual artists.  There are pink pianos, rainbow pianos, spatter painted pianos, abstract pianos, flower power pianos, and many more.

“A blank slate for everyone’s creativity” is what Jarram is calling his piano installments.  Which is a very true statement.  Each host city the project hits is given brand new pianos that are painted, and designed, by local students and artists, and then placed randomly around the city.  After the instillation is shut down, the pianos are donated to schools and community centers so the music never stops.

People throughout NYC were skeptical about playing the pianos at first, but not for long.  Soon enough sounds of Beethoven, Billy Joel, Bach, Elton John, Mozart, Alicia Keys, and many more pianists started to flow through the summer air through strange fingers.  These sounds will probably never leave.

The piano instillation will soon be seen in other cities such as Cincinnati, San Jose, and Grand Rapids later this year.  The NYC instillation can  be seen, and played, through July 5th.

To some, British comedienne and writer Dawn French is the Fat Lady in the portrait who opens the door to Gryffindor Tower, to others, the star of The Vicar of Dibley. For thirty years, she has been partnered with Jennifer Saunders of Absolutely Fabulous fame in a team that formed part of the center of a generation of British comedians and actors whose one-degree-of-separation includes Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and just about everyone in British television and movies who’s around 50 years old. People tend to forget that Laurie, of House, and Fry, of Bones, started as a comedy duo within an overlapping group of skit comedy shows.

To women of a certain size, though, Dawn French was an earth goddess who celebrated her “19 stones” weight (265 pounds) on a five-foot tall body and posed nude for some absolutely fabulous artistic portraits during her “Big Is Beautiful” campaign aimed at improving British women’s self-image problems. She carried that weight with far more dignity than Kirstie Alley, but could make fun of it constantly in Dibley with candy-bar binges and jokes about growing up nurturing dreams of being a super model, but never getting tall enough. Geraldine Granger’s romantic encounters were both glorious hosannas to huge boobs and poignant reminders of the manner in which society equates boney rib cages with sex appeal. I was disappointed when she was cast as the Fat Lady in the Gryffindor portrait. I wanted her to play Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons. The Vicar of Dibley was both slapstick comedy and social commentary, touching on such issues as hunger in the third world and the quiet coming-out of an older gay man.

Dawn French, now

At this week’s Glamour Magazine awards in London, French revealed her new body, nearly 25% slimmer than her former self, having shed “four-and-a-half stones” (63 lbs.). Still favoring the tent-like tunic-and-pants look of the past (where are Trini and Suzanne when someone needs to learn What Not To Wear?) Dawn’s new figure became the headline, instead of her award-winning first novel A Tiny Bit Marvellous. She had previously written Dear Fatty, which was not addressed to herself, but was a collection of fictionalized letters to her jokingly-nicknamed, skinnier partner Jennifer Saunders.

The novel was the result of her British-cliche separation and divorce from fellow comedian Lennie Henry, best known to American PBS audiences as the title character in the series Chef!  They continued to share their Cornwall home for nearly a year after separating, just as Prince Andrew and Fergie have continued to share homes. A Tiny Bit Marvellous draws on the people in French’s life for the story of a family in meltdown. French retreated to a few rooms in her home and began writing as a coping mechanism. She continued performing primarily as a guest, but French and Saunders were on a hiatus from their joint work as writers, directors, producers and performers in a broad range of projects while Saunders successfully battled breast cancer.

French explained the weight loss as something that just evolved. She reached the age of 50 and accepted what professionals had been saying about her weight for years in their condemnation of her “Big Is Beautiful” campaign – being overweight is unhealthy. For the sake of her daughter Billie, (now 19) French changed her “life priorities” from “my daughter, writing, chocolate and kissing” to her daughter, writing, walking and kissing, though she’s not revealing who she’s kissing these days. In the course of her career, she’s kissed Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, chef Gordon Ramsay and Hugh Grant – and that doesn’t even include her co-stars. French’s “diet” consisted of making healthy food choices and doing a lot of walking. Though nowhere near the size 0 that is the current standard of beauty on both sides of the ocean, French is poised to become the next role model in the mold of Queen Latifah – a woman who can publicly express the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and strong body while still being voluptuous. We don’t have to trade in our grapefruits for Keira Knightly’s grapes. We can exalt in our natural cleavage instead of relying on Victoria’s Secret trickery.

Now fully recovered from both breast cancer and the debilitating effects of chemo, Saunders is apparently moving ahead with a reunion show for AbFab with Joanna Lumley, and hopefully to more joint projects with French. As individuals, they are extraordinary performers, as a partnership, they have always been greater than the sum of their parts, no matter how zaftig those parts were.

Related articles

• Dawn French is dating again and “open to marrying again” after her split from Lenny Henry (mirror.co.uk)
• Dawn French reveals health fears inspired her weight loss (mirror.co.uk)
• Comic Strip returns for one-off potshot at Tony Blair (guardian.co.uk)
• My Crushes (mradclyffe.wordpress.com)
• The 9 0′Clock News – Victoria Beckham converts her gym to a new nursery (heatworld.com)
• AbFab To Return, Sweetie (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• All jokes aside, there’s nothing funny about obesity (thepunch.com.au)
• Radio review: French and Saunders (guardian.co.uk)

Tom Hanks

Thursday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, there was a screening of a video appeal by Tom Hanks to the Pulitizer Prize Committee for recognition of the exceptional work done by The Onion. What followed was a humorous debate among “real journalists” about the role of satire in information sharing and how or why it should not be judged alongside mainstream media.

I was reminded of an interview given by Mel Brooks shortly after the premiere of the musical The Producers. He was asked how, as a Jew, he could make fun of Hitler and the Third Reich. He responded that humor is the best way to deal with evil because it diminishes the power of that evil. That is the function of satire. It diminishes the power of evil, exposes its illogic, strips off its hypocrisy, makes people less afraid of it and more able to stand up to it.

The Pulitzer Prize is awarded for excellence in print journalism. The Peabody is the broadcast equivalent. In 2001 and 2005, the Peabody for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism did not go to any of the broadcast networks or one of the 24 hour news networks. It went to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart for their coverage of the elections in 2000 and 2004. The Peabody committee recognized that sometimes there is more truth and more power in humor than in partisan rants or deliberately de-biased blandness. The Pulitzer committee could make the same choice – deny their prize to bias, partisanship and blandness and award it to insightfulness. The Pulitzer committee has made unexpected choices in the past, ignoring the major newspapers and magazines to award their prize for editorial writing to a tiny little newspaper in Vermont, The Rutland Herald,  for a series on civil unions. They search out the best, no matter where it is.

It is time to admit that where politics is concerned in this country, satire is where the best can be found.

Related articles

• Tom Hanks & Arianna Huffington Threaten Pulitzer Board In Support Of The Onion [Video] (socialtimes.com)
• WATCH: ‘The Onion’ Enlists Arianna Huffington And Tom Hanks To Stump For Their Pulitzer (thenewspundit.com)
• The Onion launches YouTube campaign in quest to win Pulitzer (digitaltrends.com)
• The Onion Demands Prize From ‘Ignorant, Negligent Swine’ At The Pulitzer Committee (mediaite.com)

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June 11, 2011

By: Jamie Clark

People usually surround themselves with others that have identical morals, values and goals whether it be as friends or colleagues. That is why I feel obligated to share a few grim reminders here, just in case anyone has missed the connections between Uganda and Minnesota.
Yesterday, the Minnesota Independent posted an article which included a picture of Bradlee “kill the gays” Dean with Minnesota Family Council President, Tom Prichard. This sounds innocent enough (if that’s even possible) until, of course, you look at the rest of their circle of friends. Dean is also pals with Bryan Fischer from the American Family Association, who has also been a guest on Dean’s radio talk shows. In one such interview, he promotes a book called “The Pink Swastika,” which is really nothing more than hate propaganda attempting to once again demonize homosexuals. He promotes it because he is friends with the author, Scott Lively.
In 2009, Lively and two associates traveled to Uganda to talk about what he calls “the gay agenda” to basically destroy everything we touch. This country already condemned homosexuality, but now they were being told that their families and even their health, would be threatened as long as gays existed in their society. Easily influenced by a man who they saw as a honest American minister, the people demanded action. Homosexuals in Uganda insist it was the message brought by Lively and his pals that caused panic to turn into what we refer to as  the Uganda “kill the gays” Bill. Written by Ugandan Parliament member David Bahati, this bill called for the execution of homosexuals not willing to endure so called  “ex-gay therapy.”
I know that this may seem like nothing more than a series of coincidental acquaintances, that is until you throw the Minnesota Family Council and Tom Prichard into the mix.
Last month, the MFC had an article on it’s site that accused homosexuals of “aberrant behavior such as those who commit incest, adultery, bestiality or pedophilia ” and added that we “ingest urine and feces.” Most American’s know these accusations are ridiculous and such acts are not due to homosexuality. The  MFC quickly deleted the article, but Prichard still defended the sentiments afterward. Some of these words have been used before in recent history, by none other than Ugandan pastor Martin Ssempa, who is also a top “kill the gays” activist in that country. No wonder  the MFC was so quick to hit the delete button.
I know this is the United States, and there are laws that protect homosexuals from being rounded up for execution. We need to keep in mind however, that not only do all these guys have a hateful bond, a few of them also have direct ties to political figures such as Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann. The link between them and Bradlee Dean is more than obvious after his “prayer” on the MN Legislative floor, and both of them have even been on  Bryan Fischer’s radio talk show. I find it very unsettling that these members of our political parties are spending time with people such as Dean and Fischer, both of whom think homosexuals are monsters that need to eliminated for society to be pure. What exactly is the big picture in all of this?
I feel that these hate groups and individuals think Minnesotan’s are simple minded and closed off from the world. Why else would they not even bother to pretend that they don’t run in the same circles? Why did the MFC use language on their website reminiscent of things used to mobilize hate in Uganda?  Did they want to see if Minnesotan’s would react in the same way Ugandans did, or do they just think that Ssempa is a great role model to base their “Christian“ ministries on? I can’t help but worry about what could happen if anyone in this circle of hate were to hold a major office such as President, especially now that we are seeing a major push across the country for religious domination of our rights. Writing discrimination into a document meant to protect citizens can open doors to laws and dangers we never thought would be possible here.

Lively insists the Ugandan’s took his message much further than he ever intended. Some people think however, that Uganda was a test, a sort of warped experiment on human nature.  Maybe, maybe not-  I‘m beginning to think anything could be possible. Either way the fact remains that these people definitely know each other in one way or another, and like I said, we do seek friends that share our morals, values and goals.

Related articles

• The Bachmann and Friends Death Squad (lezgetreal.com)
• Alert: Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill is Getting its Hearing Today (lezgetreal.com)
• Uganda – Watch Martin Ssempa Explain Homosexuality as TWO Calls for Investigation (lezgetreal.com)

There are a ton of great ways to help raise both money and awareness for breast cancer, but few are as fun as Athena’s Cup! Spa/Sensual product company Athena’s Home Novelties is sponsoring the drive to collect over 169,000 bras in an effort to break the current world record of the longest chain of linked bras.

Lesbian friendly Athena’s is asking that you mail them your old/ill fitting bras to help them break the world record this October in order for them to bring even more awareness to breast cancer. If you have a particular loved one who has ever suffered from this heartbreaking disease, write her name on the bra you donate and make her a part of the potentially record breaking chain. They are also asking for a 5$ donation that you can mail in along with your bra to help further the cause.

Visit http://www.athenascup.org/ for more information!

Related articles

• Lez Ask the Femme: I Want Sexier Bras! (lezgetreal.com)
• Lez Ask the Femme: Are Padded Bras False Advertising? (lezgetreal.com)
• Ellen & Portia Are Selling Their Beverly Hills Compound (lezgetreal.com)

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June 9, 2011

By: Jamie Clark

St. Paul/Minneapolis Archbishop, John Nienstedt defends the Minnesota Catholic Conference decision to become involved in the Minnesota (un)Constitutional Marriage Amendment.  According to the Minnesota Independent, he used the old discredited claim that kids need a mom and a dad, adding that this measure is “not anti-gay, mean spirited or prejudicial,” even though it will ban Minnesota’s LGBT community from a fundamental right allowed to heterosexual citizens. This is not the first time that the St. Paul/Minneapolis Archdiocese has been in the Minnesota news this week.
On Tuesday, a federal lawsuit was filed in MN by a man alleging that former St. John’s Abbey Abbot Timothy Kelly (deceased) abused him when he was an altar boy in New York at St. Anselm’s Church between 1966-67. The man decided to come forward when he learned of his abusers death.  Kelly even  co-founded the “Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute” (no longer operating) at St. John’s Abbey in 1993, which was created to deal with sex offenders in the Catholic Church. I can understand why St. John’s would decide it needed to step up on this issue, after all, it is known as  dumping grounds for “holy” sex offender’s .
BehindthePineCurtain.com, is a site dedicated to “more than 300 victims of sexual abuse and misconduct by monastic and other personnel” in Minnesota. St. John’s itself has faced over fifty allegations, and ten of the accused were allowed to stay under “restrictions.” I would like someone to explain exactly what a “restricted sex offender” is, because I thought children were the ones we were suppose to protect, not their abusers.

The Abbey “Policy on Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation” states, “Monks of Saint John’s Abbey are vowed to a celibate way of life.” A vow is nothing more than a promise and I do not feel like a promise to not molest children should even be considered, no matter who you are. Under “Intervention with the Accused Monk” this policy states that “if a psychological evaluation recommends professional treatment” and the monk receives said treatment, he will be allowed to “live at the monastery” where they will “establish appropriate limitations.” When they say “professional treatment” do they mean the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, because I can not imagine that the church is capable of dealing with the rehabilitation of sex offenders. Honestly, the state provided rehabilitation doesn’t seem to work either, according to a November 2009 Minnesota Independent article titled “MN Sex Offender Program costs $70 million a year but rehabilitates no one.” Either way it seems, these “holy” sex offenders shouldn’t have been allowed to return to any position in the Catholic Church.
Where is the justification in this? I thought sex offenders in Minnesota were not allowed near any environment where children may be present? Why are these pedophiles so different? I know that the Catholic Church has used all of this to further stigmatize homosexuals, most specifically gay men, because most allegations involved men and young boys. I need to point out that the abuse reported is said to have happened years ago, in a day when girls were nearly nonexistent in the lives of the accused. It has nothing to do with homosexuality, and a lot to do with opportunity. Once you look at child molesters in other denominations, the number of female victims greatly increases.
The days of using the LGBT community for a scapegoat for their crimes are over, so now they have decided to attack our families by supporting what I think has been most appropriately referred to by MN DFL members as the “Bradlee Dean Amendment.” How does Archbishop Nienstedt know what is best for anyone else’s family? And why is he involving Catholic Churches across Minnesota in his agenda to help write discrimination into our state Constitution? If he wants to participate, maybe he should volunteer his personal time outside of the Church instead of labeling every Minnesota Catholic as someone who does not believe in equal rights. Though, I think an even better idea would be for him to concentrate less time on ruining the lives of kids with same sex parents, and more on protecting  children in the church that allows sex offenders to stick around on “sex offender restrictions.”

Related articles

• Nine victims of clergy abuse settle with St. John’s Abbey (reuters.com)
• NY man sues Minn. monastery, alleging clergy abuse (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

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June 8, 2011

By:Jamie Clark

Target Corp. held its annual shareholders meeting today and there was some explaining to do on their part. Last year, after they  contributed $150,000 to MN Forward, a group that was backing the anti-gay Tom Emmer for Governor of Minnesota, the backlash was heard acorss the country. There was the  boycott, decrease in stock, thousands of emails, a lot of disappointed LGBT Target employees, and angry stockholders want to be sure it doesn’t happen again. Lady Gaga lit a fire under them also by revoking the exclusive privileges they had for the special edition of her new album, Born This Way, which by the way has  sold 2 million copies since it’s May 23 release.  The message that Target was given did not go unnoticed by other businesses and corporations across the country. For example, take the spankings the NBA has been giving players for using anti-gay slurs.

Here in Minnesota, newspapers  have either directly spoken out against the Amendment or they have stated there are much better things to worry about besides discriminating against minorities.  I’m not saying some newspapers either, I’m saying as of last month, not a single editorial board in any newspaper in this state had backed the MN Marriage Amendment (“Bradlee Dean Amendment”). Speaking of Dean, he has not dodged the bullet on the backlash lately either. Salem Communications stepped up  and told Bradlee Dean to take a hike, along with his “Sons of Liberty” radio talk show. Minnesota WalMarts also took a stand against Dean,  a move that I am still shocked over, and told him he can no longer hold fundraisers in their parking lots. Salem Communications, which is a Christian Broadcaster here, was  disgusted by his  extremist rants and wanted nothing to do with it. WalMart spokeswoman Ashlie Hardie stated that Dean” falsified documents” by registering his kill the gays ministry under a fake name, to gain permission to solicit outside their stores. The smack down against hate in Minnesota is well underway.

Target has stated that it will not be getting involved in the fight for human rights in Minnesota, and they now have new policies in place to prevent such a donation “mishap”  from happening again. I guess only time will tell.

Related articles

• Bradlee Dean’s “Moral” Obligation To Execute Gays In the Name of Jesus (lezgetreal.com)
• Target CEO: Company Will Be Neutral on Marriage Vote (advocate.com)
• MINNESOTA: Anti-Gay Preacher Told To Stop Raising Money At Walmart (joemygod.blogspot.com)

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June 7, 2011

By: Jamie Clark
Right now, I can’t help but wonder why the Minnesota Republican Party members who are connected to Bradlee Dean didn’t remember to pay him to keep his mouth shut. I am thankful however, that they didn’t, because he has managed to open the eyes of many people who thought he was nothing more than a harmless, arrogant threat. Turns out, Minnesota has a political mafia on our hands.

Today, the Minnesota Independent posted an article titled, “Bradlee Dean takes credit for passing anti-gay marriage amendment.” The harbinger of death (aka Dean), wrote on his June 4th blog that he believes he has “done his duty.”  He continued by saying, “The people of the great state of Minnesota now have the power to vote.” I find this quite telling since he has direct ties to  Minnesota Republican Party members who helped push the overthrow of our state Constitution, including Michele Bachmann, who has been fighting for years to let people vote on the human rights of others. Also, lets not forget Tom Emmer and the Target boycott that brought demonstrations outside their stores due to their major contribution to his campaigns, which include anti-gay proposals.  Emmer and Dean run in the same circle, which apparently has meetings (“prayers”) right in front of everyone, and so far, the joke has been on us for not seeing all of this. This inside joke was not funny and, due to Bradlee Dean and his big mouth, we are in on it now too.

Dean thinks that homosexuals “engage in illegal activities” that he calls “immoral,”  and due to his “christian” beliefs, he finds that it is “moral” to imprison or execute them. He also uses the youth involved in his “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” ministries to go out and collect money for what he calls “suicide prevention,” when really he is stealing from uninformed citizens looking to help a good cause. Of course, Dean defends this because he apparently feels that homosexuality  will lead to suicide, never mind the fact that gay kids (and adults) are killing themselves due to people like him, not homosexuality.  Dean will be bringing his “suicide prevention” team to the Minnesota State Fair this summer to collect more money for his kill the gays ministry. I would like to urge you to contact them and inform them that he is taking money from people under false pretenses, which actually is an illegal activity.

I need to know that I am painting a clear enough picture for everyone to see just how involved the man that wants to kill homosexuals is with the Minnesota Marriage (un)Constitutional Amendment. Not only is he backed by several Republican Party members, many in the MN DFL have even referred to this Amendment as the “Bradlee Dean Amendment.“ Senate District 44 DFLers took to Twitter to share their sentiments about the situation. They tweeted “MNGOP knows they are on the wrong side of history by passing the Bradlee Dean Amendment. It WILL be defeated in 2012.” Right here on the Iron Range of Minnesota, DFL-Hibbing Representative Carly Melin had tweeted “Bradlee Dean Amendment placed on the calendar this evening.” How’s that for a crystal clear picture?

I really do not enjoy giving a false prophet like Bradlee Dean attention, he has already had too much. The problem is that the focus has been merely on the horrible things he says and not the people that he has supporting him, and what is really going on with the hijacking of our state Constitution. Even if you disagree with same sex marriage and homosexuality, do you really want us dead? Do you really want to give these people the chance to write discrimination into the document that protects us all? I think decent people and good Christians will need to think about  their votes very carefully. This is not a decision to take lightly because, in the end, the lives of people could be at stake, and it‘s hard to think otherwise anymore. This Amendment is just the beginning of something that may be very hazardous to the well being of your neighbors. Changing a Constitution to discriminate against a minority due to your personal feelings is not only wrong, but it is dangerous. He is the stunning example of the term “sociopath.”
“Sociopath- (noun)-a person, as a psychopathic personality, whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.” – This word is also used to describe Charles Manson, who was another  false prophet. He convinced his  followers that he was Jesus reincarnated and was able to get them to murder innocent people based on his word. People are easily brainwashed, which makes the situation in Minnesota even more urgent. Yes, Bachmann, Dean and the other hijackers of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, have been very busy here. Michele is “talking to God” and Dean wants to kill homosexuals in the name of Jesus, but to keep the blood off their hands, the GOP is putting it on the hands of Minnesota voters.

Bradlee Dean makes a mockery out of Christianity, which is based on the morals and teachings of Jesus Christ.  He even states in the introduction to “My War,” that the “ultimate message of My War is Jesus Christ” adding that the so called homosexual “illegal agenda” is “aimed at demoralizing children.“ Don’t forget that this is the same guy using kids to steal money from people, while he points the finger elsewhere when child corruption is sitting on his shoulders.  It sounds like he feels that he is obligated, in the name of Jesus, to kill gay people to make sure they get into Heaven. Good, true Christians should be angry that this man is spitting on the sacrifice Jesus made that day on the cross. Right now, I am asking myself ‘who would Jesus kill?’

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”-Luke 23:34

Related articles

• The GOP’s “How To Manipulate A Nation Like the Third Reich” Handbook (lezgetreal.com)
• The Bachmann and Friends Death Squad (lezgetreal.com)
• MN Marriage Ban In Jeopardy After Anti-Gay Prayer By Bradlee Dean (joemygod.blogspot.com)

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June 7, 2011

By: Jamie Clark

Bradlee Dean is often called an attention seeker with a love of controversy. I can agree but, when you look between the lines he is more like a harbinger of death and destruction, set loose on Minnesota with the full support of Michele Bachmann and friends. The war on America runs deeper than some people take the time to realize.

Dean is the founder of “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” (YCRBYCH) ministries. Honestly the name is perfect in a way, especially since he thinks homosexuals should be imprisoned or even executed. There is no escaping the fact that he could  be the doppelganger of Fred Phelps, at least that’s how crazy he sounds. The biggest difference is the fact that quite possibly all of America despises Phelps, but a lot of  people actually buy into Dean’s garbage. The fact that the original Fred rants about God “hating” America so much that he is even thankful for dead soldiers, is enough to anger pretty much anyone because only a monster would do that. Dean’s trick is that he claims to be a person of God trying to save the United States from the evil that he calls homosexuality. He doesn’t push the line that Phelps does so people seem to think he is more credible, even though he thinks gays and lesbians need to be wiped out.

Last month Minnesota was in the spotlight after the Republican majority had Dean deliver an opening prayer at a state legislative session. Apparently they thought it was okay to have the kill the gays guy do this, otherwise they wouldn’t have asked him to come. There was no turning back once he gave his discriminatory prayer, no matter how much they tried to act like they felt guilty. Michele Bachmann however, must love this guy because she prays for him, helps fund his programs and even  recommends his ministry,  according to the YCRBYCH website.

Dean is also friends with fellow gay hater Bryan Fischer, who supports  claims that Hitler was a homosexual, therefore the the slaughter of millions of innocent people was the fault of gay people. Fischer gets this disgusting, ungrounded sentiment from another leader in the full out assault on homosexuals from a man named Scott Lively. I get a very unsettled feeling in my soul when I know that a man who has ties to the “Uganda Kill the Gays” bill, which calls for the imprisonment or execution of homosexuals in that country, has connections like this with people like Dean.

I can almost see Minnesota in the year 2014 if Bachmann’s evil scheme to sabotage the state Constitution works. Homosexuals would be running with no where to hide, while Bradllee Dean and his brothers in arms gather us up for our eradication. I would hope the federal government would step in, but one can not be sure of even that, especially if a GOP candidate takes the presidency. I wonder  if it would be cheaper to get rid of us here, or to ship us to Uganda and let them deal with us?

I hope I don’t regret putting that question here.  You never know when Michele or Dean might be taking notes to share at their next tea party with the boys.

Related articles

• The GOP’s “How To Manipulate A Nation Like the Third Reich” Handbook (lezgetreal.com)
• Radio talker Bradlee Dean accuses Keith Ellison (D-MN) of trying to overthrow the US Constitution and replace it with Shari’a law. (barenakedislam.wordpress.com)
• Watch: Anti-Gay Minister Sneaks In Jesus References During Non-denominational Prayer AT Minn. House, Slams Obama (towleroad.com)

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06/05/2011 – by Cynthia S. Wright

Well, if you never had a reason NOT to go to Montana. If former KKK member, John Abarr runs under the Republican Congress ticket and wins – you will definitely have found your reason.

What does that mean exactly?

Former KKK + Congress = attempt of eradication of homosexuals, minorities and pretty much anything that doesn’t scream pure and Caucasian. Abarr, who has been upfront and honest about his allegiances to the KKK is making it is one of his big goals to purify the “realm of Montana” by attempting to deport gay men, lesbians and Jews (he didn’t mention people of color but one could safely assume, we’re lumped in there as well).

“It’s not any different than the NAACP. The Klan is basically a civil rights organization that stands up for the rights of white people. The Montana Human Rights Network likes to blow everything out of proportion.”

Somehow it didn’t occur to Abarr to go research the course of American history because when are the rights of white people not in play? After all, was it those protected by the KKK the ones that had their land taken from them when the settlers from Europe arrived on American soil? Where they the ones taken from Africa and forced into slavery or segregation? Yet, their rights are the ones that need to be stood up for? Although, the KKK is known for using any means possible to keep those they posed as a threat in line – it is hard to believe that the Montana Human Rights Network would blow their doings out of proportion.

It has been reported by The Advocate that Abarr is not viewed favorable by most in the Montana Republican Part. GOP Chairman, James Parker Shield told the magazine that the Republicans wouldn’t help Abarr in anyway, in fact they would look for someone to run against him, if he decided to pursue the seat.

Related articles

• John Abarr, Montana Candidate With KKK Ties, Running For Congress (huffingtonpost.com)
• Montana Republican Wants Gays Deported, Says KKK = NAACP, is not so Different from Other Republicans (queerty.com)
• KKK running for Congress (rt.com)
• Mont. candidate with KKK ties running for Congress (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

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June 4, 2011

By: Jamie Clark

Michele Bachmann was in Washington D.C. yesterday speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference. She applauded Minnesota lawmakers for “carrying the torch” of discrimination, and said “This is the time to outlaw gay marriage” and called on other states to begin the overthrow of their Constitutions. This, of course, from the woman that claims “God” is speaking to her. In March of 2004, when speaking about the possible chance to hijack the Constitution to permanently ban gay marriage, she even said that it would be an “awesome day” to have the opportunity to “beseech the Lord.”

Maybe, I should not be so hard on Michelle, after all, it’s not like she is the only person in politics who has had one on one talks with the Big Guy. One man in particular comes to mind. Here are a couple of his quotes.

“Who say I am not under the special protection of God?” and “Hence today, I believe that I am acting in accordance with the Will of the Almighty Creator.”
No, those are not the words of a saint or holy prophet, quite the opposite actually. These are both quotes from the mass murderer, Adolf Hitler (A.H.).  Now, I’m not saying that Bachmann is a reincarnation of pure evil, but honestly,  she does sounds a little like him, leaving me to wonder where her true inspiration comes from. As I have researched this thought more, I can’t help but feel perhaps she has a “this is how to brainwash in the Third Reich way” handbook and she has made copies that she sent out to her buddies. After all, you can’t overthrow freedom all by your lonesome. That kind of tactical take over needs reinforcements.

One of Bachmann’s go to guys is Bradlee “Fred Phelps is my hero” Dean, the man responsible for the “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” anti-gay ministry. Right now Dean is using young members of his organization to go in the community and ask unknowing citizens for donations to assist in suicide prevention.  People think this is a great cause and don’t mind giving a few bucks, not realizing they are helping fund an anti-gay hate group. This guy is bad enough that even Wal-Mart no longer wants him gracing their parking lots with his hate agenda.  Bachmann however,  fully supports Dean’s dangerous ministry. After he did the now notorious opening prayer on the Minnesota Legislature floor, there were complaints from all over the state. Pathetically, Michelle  feels that Dean is an upstanding citizen, so much so, in fact, that not only does she contribute funds to his campaign of hate, she also offered some kind words to those that oppose him and his beliefs. She said, “This ministry ‘You Can Run But You Can’t Hide,’ they are not sidetracked, they are on course. They’re way on course, because they get it. They get what this is all about.” ……Wait a minute, hold that thought.

Bradlee Dean is the “Christian” that believes homosexuality should be punishable by death  in this country. A year ago Dean said the following  “Muslims are calling for the executions of homosexuals in America,” Dean said on YCR’s May 15 radio show on AM 1280 the Patriot. “This just shows you they themselves are upholding the laws that are even in the Bible of the Judeo-Christian God, but they seem to be more moral than even the American Christians do, because these people are livid about enforcing their laws. They know homosexuality is an abomination.”  This is when I began to think about other things that  Bachmann and her “Christian” extremists have done and said , after all, I am a lesbian in Minnesota. The big picture does not look pretty, in fact it  looks down right disturbing .

“Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.”  A.H.

Well, obviously this works because, a lot of people think homosexuals recruit and molest children, something that is said time and time (and time and time) again by people like Bachmann, Dean, and many religious leaders, particuarily in the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The involvement of the RCC in this smear campaign reminds me however, of the old saying that  ‘the one pointing fingers is usually the guilty party.’ Here is a nice site that shows just who is really destroying the lives of innocent children. We are living in a sad time when there is a need to have a website that tracks pedophiles in the church. Sure there have been a large reports of men in church positions who have molested boys, however, these child molesters are nothing but opportunists. They take what they can get. Honestly, how many alter girls have you seen running around churches these days anyway?….

“Thus inwardly armed with confidence in God and the unshakable stupidity of the voting citizenry, the politicians can begin the fight for the ‘remaking’ of the Reich as they call it.” A.H. (from Mein Kampf)— I think this one simply speaks for itself.
“Demoralize the enemy from within by surprise, terror, sabotage, assassination. This is the war of the future.” A.H.

Well, here we are in that future. The parts about demoralization, surprise, terror and sabotage definitely hit the mark. These people and organizations have been doing all of these to the gay community for years, rather successfully I might add. What about the “assassination” part though?

Have you heard of the “Minnesota Shoot First Bill?” Republican legislators were also working on this unnecassary and dangerous bill at the same time they were arguing about the the hijacking of the MN state Constitution (aka the Minnesota Marriage Amendment). The bill, which didn’t make it past the Senate but will most likely rear its ugly head again in January, would allow a person to “shoot whenever there is a perceived threat, even if the shooter could safely walk away.” Now let me take you to the story  Michele told about being held “captive” by lesbians that she thought were a threat to her life. Imagine a state that you could shoot someone just for a perceived threat then, think about this bathroom hostage story one more time. Hmmm… See where I’m going here?

Now, I’m not saying that these mercenaries are necessarily planning a modern day “Third Reich” vs the homosexuals in Minnesota and the rest of the country, but when you break things down it’s pretty noteworthy, especially when the GOP (and friends) have sentiments like “locked and loaded“- “if ballots don’t work bullets will“- “execution” of homosexuals being “moral”- and of course my pal Michelle Bachmann, who keeps saying that “God” is telling her to do things, including pushing the overthrow of the Minnesota Constitution. I just hope her voice is not the same one that the face of evil heard, for her sake and ours.

Michelle, please do us a favor. First, burn all of the “brainwash through propaganda” how-to books that you have been handing out, and then listen closer to your “voice of God” and make sure you can’t hear the crackle of hell fire in the static. If you do these things, you might sound a little more trustworthy, though not a whole lot. At least then, you and your pals won’t sound so much like war criminals…

After reading so many horrible truths, I think it is necessary to close this with words that can inspire the gay community to stand against these truth bending hijackers of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” -  E.E. Cummings

Related articles

• MINNESOTA: Anti-Gay Preacher Told To Stop Raising Money At Walmart (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• Bachmann’s Christianist BFF (andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com)
• Bachmann Agenda May Bring Hate Group Invasion To MN Churches (lezgetreal.com)
• Minnesota Family Council and NOM Promote Anti-Gay Bullying (lezgetreal.com)

Cinderella's Castle, Disney World (great restaurant)

Today is the final day of Central Florida’s six day “Gay Days” celebration. This is Gay Day at Disney World. According to the Florida Family Association, thousands of people enter the park, then turn around and leave when they see the same-sex couples. They say that mainstream America is offended. That’s total bull.

The event is twenty years old. I was living in Florida when the first Disney Gay Pride day occurred. This event is thoroughly advertised inside Florida – complete with all the usual Christian protests – and is part of the calendars of Disney events. Any unsuspecting Christian family who might be offended would have to have been living under a rock or in one of those Christian communities that wouldn’t go to Disney World to begin with.

Why do these people insist that they speak for the majority of Americans? Where do they get the arrogance? Over half of all Americans support same-sex marriage according to all the most recent surveys. That’s “support same sex marriage,” not just tolerate the presence of gays in our society.

One of these Christian organizations hired airplanes to fly banners over Orlando “warning” the unsuspecting that they would be entering a gay zone if they went to Disney World. The price for this protest of what they call “an immoral lifestyle” is $7,000. Now that’s immoral. If these people had $7,000 sitting around doing nothing, they should have donated it to the Red Cross for relief efforts in those states that have been devastated by tornados and floods this year. They could have donated it to Haitian orphans. They could have used it for just about any charitable purpose that would have honored Christ’s work, instead of using it in direct defiance of Christ’s words about tolerance, love and understanding.

In twenty years, these protesters have not had a serious impact on the event. That’s good for Central Florida. The week-long event pumps around $150 million into the region’s economy every year. Tourism has been suffering in Florida for the past few years – first because of the recession and then because of the BP oil spill which never really impacted the state. Disney World especially has suffered because it is seriously expensive to go there and the Universal theme park has Harry Potter. Florida is in deep trouble right now. They elected an idiot of a governor who is imposing a budget that takes almost two billion dollars away from education to give the rich and corporations an identical tax cut. Rick Scott isn’t solving the state’s budget problems, he’s increasing them by cutting off vitally needed revenue. If the Florida Family Association cared about real people, they wouldn’t be protesting an event that helps real people by pumping real money into their pockets.

These anti-gay Christian groups don’t care about “mainstream America” they care about themselves. They are so insecure in their own faith that they think they have to shut down anything that doesn’t match their narrow definition of the world rather than risk having their children exposed to contrary ideas. They don’t believe in their God enough to trust themselves to impart His Word and their morality to their own children.

As Chris Alexander-Manley, president of gaydays.com, said, “Our crowd behaves better than most convention crowds, so come on out and see what it is really about.” He’s right. No one from the Florida Family Association would be caught dead anywhere near Disney World today, so they have no way of knowing what people will see. I do. They will not see what they think gays do in public – the spectacle of some of our more Carnivale-like Gay Pride parades. No one except the staff will be running around in theatrical costumes. There will be some hand-holding by same sex couples, but no sex in the teacups. In fact, people at Disney World tend to meet and form groups rather spontaneously, instead of just hanging out as couples. It’s fun watching childless couples join up with families because it’s sort of embarrassing to be middle-aged and want to go on the kiddie attractions without kids.

To everyone who attended, we hope you had a great time and are sure the people of Central Florida appreciate your money.

Related articles

• Anti-Gay Group Flies Gay Day ‘Warning’ Over Disney World (towleroad.com)
• Vacationing At Walt Disney World With Food Allergies (thefoodallergymom.wordpress.com)
• JW Marriott Orlando Hotel Welcomes LGBT Community to Gay Days (prweb.com)
• Walt Disney World On Television (damouse.com)
• WDW: The Way We Were (damouse.com)
• Scotty McCreery Performs ‘I Love You This Big’ At Disney World (VIDEO!) (rightcelebrity.com)
• Disney World (Spring Break 2011) – Orlando, FL (travelpod.com)
• The Liberman’s: We’re Going to Disney World (cyclingroo.com)
• Lady Gaga Poses With the Evil Queen at Disney World (shoppingblog.com)

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06/03/2011- by Natasia Langfelder

Mega-retailer and my personal favorite place to shop, Macy’s is celebrating Pride Month in a big way this year. Macy’s has dubbed the celebration, which will include events and sales, Pride + Joy.

Macy’s released a press statement saying:

“Macy’s is proud to recognize and honor our LGBT employees and customers during Pride Month with our nationwide Pride + Joy campaign. These festive celebrations and community initiatives showcase our steadfast commitment to inclusiveness in all aspects of our business,” said Corliss Fong, Macy’s vice president of diversity strategies. “During Pride Month and throughout the year, we will remain committed to supporting the LGBT community through a variety of initiatives including our long-standing partnership with the Human Rights Campaign.” [Source]

Macy’s will also be holding events all over the country. The events range from fashions shows and same-sex friendly registry booths to celebrity events with Olympic Skater Johnny Weir, Miss Lawrence from Real Housewives of Atlanta and Pandora Boxx and Alexis Mateo from Rupaul’s Drag Race. These are such awesome celebs to include as they really challenge the traditional rules of gender and are not “family friendly.” Johnny Weir was even excluded from a national ice skating tour because of his deemed “not family friendly” status. So it’s great to see a large mainstream corporation embracing these individuals. Especially when Urban Outfitters and Target have been caught donating money to homophobic politicians. Yes, I know no celesbians were included, but I’ll let that one slide. Hopefully we can get one in next year.

So go to the events! It’s a great place to feel comfortable shopping and to meet other gays. Who knows? Make some eye contact with a cutie and you might even score a date. For a listing of all the events in your area visit: www.macys.com/events.

For more info on their Pride celebration check out www.macys.com/pride

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• LGBT Wedding Trends to Watch For 2011 (lezgetreal.com)

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June 2,2011

By: Jamie Clark

St. Cloud–  In a strange twist, Michele Bachmann’s Minnesota Marriage Amendment has brought same sex marriage to the MN United Methodist Church.

Today, Rose French of the Star Tribune reported that forty Minnesota United Methodist clergy members have stepped up to protect the Minnesota Constitution and human rights at their annual conference held in St. Cloud. The Reverend Bruce Robbins of the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church in Minneapolis called upon his colleagues to join him in marrying all couples that ask for their service- including same sex couples. Robbins stated that “With the possibility of a Constitutional amendment in the state of Minnesota, this seems important.” The United Methodist Church doesn’t allow same sex marriage, so this brave stand could cost any clergy involved their conference membership, or even perhaps their clergy credentials. Reverend Robbins knows all of this but, according to the Star Tribune he said that will not stop him from “offering the grace of the Church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage.” Bishop Sally Dyck confirmed that they would be putting their credentials at risk but added that “it is important for us to be mindful of each other and recognize differences and hold each other in grace.”

I have a strange feeling that Michele “I hear God in my head” Bachmann will see this as an opportunity to mention that the so called “gay agenda” is making its way into Minnesota churches. I would like to take a moment however,  to repeat the above quote by Reverend Robbins.– “With the possibility of a Constitutional amendment in the state of Minnesota, this seems important.”

I think it is quite obvious who is bringing gay marriage to the United Methodist Church. It is not homosexuals or even the good Reverend Robbins. It turns out that our pal Michele made this great occasion possible for LGBT couples in Minnesota. The gay community is not asking for our state Constitution to be to be changed, she is. Obviously, the clergy who signed this feel that our state Constitution is important enough to protect from Bachmann and her loyal band of mercenaries at the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and the Minnesota Family Council.

Sadly, this will divide many in the Minnesota Methodist Church because so many feel that same sex marriage does not belong there, even though it is apparent that those who actually do talk to God are seeing that this needs to change.  There are 365 United Methodist Churches in MN that serve about 75,000 people across the state. In one way or another, this will effect all of them. As Christian turns against Christian in the wake of this, let it be known that no one is to blame for the turmoil except those who are making a joke out of the freedom of ALL Minnesotans. Homosexuals are not hijacking the Constitution or dividing churches. Michele Bachmann is. The Minnesota Marriage (Constitutional) Amendment was her doing. She pushed it time and time again even though Minnesotans kept telling her no.

Right now my  hope is that a trained to hate national group doesn’t start a war against the United Methodist Church the way the Presbyterian Layman Committee turned on the Presbyterian Church (USA). Their campaign to close down the PC (USA) has caused a lot hate in churches across the country. Places of worship are being turned into battle grounds by people like Michele Bachmann. Apparently it is not enough for them to get good people to discriminate against minority groups, they also want good people to discriminate against those that support minorities. They call themselves good “Christians” but really they are using Christians to push their agenda just like they are using our Constitution. They will risk anyone and anything to make sure that tax paying citizens are denied the equality promised to them under law just because of who they are and love. Churches and Christians are no exception.  This really has to stop. Terrorism doesn’t belong in church. Christianity itself is at stake here.

Be vigilant Christians of Minnesota. There really is an agenda coming to your local place of worship. It’s called “divide and conquer” and the General hears voices who disguise themselves as God,  that are telling her to do it.

Related articles

• United Methodist Clergy Vow To Marry Gay Couples (advocate.com)
• Methodist Clergy Pledge to Marry Same-Sex Couples in Minnesota (towleroad.com)

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June 1, 2011

By: Jamie Clark

Minnesota- The Minnesota “gay’s eat feces” Family Council has officially registered with the state campaign finance board to begin their war of lies and deceit in MN. They are joined by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and the Associated Press noted that the Minnesota Catholic Conference, which handles policies here for the Roman Catholic Church, are also locked and loaded for the assault.

This article however, is not about who is playing. This article is about who is sleeping while the Minnesota state CONSTITUTION IS BEING HIJACKED right under our noses. The very same Constitution that guarantees my freedom AND yours is being used as a piece of scratch paper that they think is theirs to do a rewrite on as needed.  If these anti-LGBT, anti-family organizations are allowed to do this to the gay population in this state, who is to say that the rest of you will not be next. WAKE UP Minnesota. They are not coming, they are already here. They are ready for battle so it’s time for us to be to.

They will lie to you. They will say that voting yes won’t change anything since gay Minnesotan’s are already denied the “sanctity” of marriage, so this is just a technicality. True, we are not allowed to get married, but voting yes will make our Constitution a joke, because it will seem like it means nothing to us. Do you really want billion dollar organizations who are paid to hate others and wage wars on minorities to use you to push their agenda through the very thing that protects you from people like them?

They have already shown us that their “we will play the Minnesota nice way” strategy was just a tactical maneuver to convince Minnesotans that they won’t act like the Westboro Baptist Church. They told all of us that the “focus of this campaign is the nature and purpose of marriage” meaning, what will define it. They said it would be a clean fight. Despite this the Minnesota Family Council posted an article which referred to homosexuals as pedophiles that practice bestiality. They were even kind enough to say that we eat human excrement and drink urine. So much for the “Minnesota nice” way.

These anti freedom “Christian” groups even turn on Christian organizations, so why wouldn‘t they turn on you?  Just look at what the Presbyterian Layman Committee is doing to the Presbyterian Church (USA). This “Christian” group didn’t like PC (USA) policies so they have  started a hateful smear campaign against them in an attempt to get good Christians to leave their welcoming churches. Will they come after single mothers in Minnesota next? Perhaps it will be our unions. Maybe next time, it will be your loved one and then finally you.

This war is dirty, mean and full of lies. It is the exact opposite of everything we stand for. They are taking advantage of people that are known as good, hardworking American’s, and honestly, right now they are laughing. They know that no Minnesota organization has registered the way that they did today. They hear how quiet our National anti hate organizations are being on this matter. They are laughing as we take our time getting things together and I don’t like the idea that our state and my neighbors are a  joke to people like them. I am angry and you should be too!

We need to protect our state and our freedom and right now there are too many of us that think someone else will do it for us. The MN Marriage Amendment is not like what happened in California and all the other states that these groups have trampled on. This time it is not about heterosexuals and homosexuals. This time it is about protecting the very document that keeps them from waging war on every Minnesotan. Now take a minute to ask yourself ‘who will they come for next if we let them win?’

The answer however, just might scare you.

Related articles

• Minnesota- to Bigotry And Beyond! (lezgetreal.com)
• Raising Funds To Hate (therainbowpost.com)
• Presbyterian Layman Committee Calls MN Paper “Intolerant” For Refusing Discriminatory Religious Ad (lezgetreal.com)

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May 31,2011

By:Jamie Clark

Michele Bachmann is talking to God again and this time he wants her to run for President.

Iowa Public Television interviewed the bringer of God’s plan on Friday the 27th. When her previous conversations with God about running for government positions were mentioned, Bachmann was asked if she was receiving the same phone call when it comes to her maybe/maybe not bid for the presidency. Her response should be seen as the confirmation of her intentions.
Bachmann stated, “ Well, every decision that I make I pray about as does my husband and I can tell you, yes, I’ve had that calling and that tugging on my heart that this is the right thing to do and because it’s such a momentous decision, not only for myself, my husband and our (28) children, it is a momentous decision what ideas will I bring to bear?”
Well that’s it folks. She has had the “calling.“ Jesus help us, she is going to run. She always does what the voices in her head tell her to.
She will never win of course. Most American’s think she is a joke, and honestly most Minnesotans feel she makes our state look bad. Do not be side tracked with the humor that she will bring with her nonsense. The GOP has a game plan. It’s called ‘distraction’ and they are good at it. The fact is, someone like Bachmann can make a guy like Tim Pawlenty look like an honest and caring fella to people that do not know where to turn. To sum that up, when Michele says or does something ridiculous, look to see what Tim is doing, and I bet you find out he is trying to sneak something through the cracks.
I have been dealing with both of them for years here in Minnesota. As a Minnesotan I can tell you Pawlenty hurt our state. He hurt my home on the Iron Range even more. As a lesbian and American, I can tell you Bachmann knows nothing about what the U.S. stands for. We are just here for votes, that’s it. We are not people, we are pawns.
Someone really needs to tell Bachmann that it’s not God talking to her. If the Big Guy has something to say, it wouldn’t be through someone that uses him as a pawn too.

Related articles

• Bachmann Makes “Nice” With New Hampshire Republicans (lezgetreal.com)
• Michele Bachmann Tells Iowans She “Has A Calling” To Run For POTUS (outsidethebeltway.com)

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05/31/2011 – by Cynthia S. Wright

Nothing says Memorial Day more than a “peaceful” hate protest outside Arlington National cemetery. Over the weekend, parishioners from Westboro Baptist Church – the church notorious for its strong hatred dislike for the U.S. government and homosexuals gathered at Arlington to do what they do best – ruin events.

However, they weren’t expecting to compete for attention with members from the local KKK. As passerby’s watched outside the cemeteries main gate, the two oppression loving groups squared off – peacefully, of course.

Imperial Wizard Dennis LaBonte stated to CNN, “It’s the soldier that fought and died and gave them that right to free speech.”

Fred Phelps daughter, Abigail Phelps refused to let the KKK’s appearance deter her or the churches efforts.

“They have no moral authority on anything,” she told CNN. “People like them say it’s white power … white supremacy. The Bible doesn’t say anywhere that it’s an abomination to be born of a certain gender or race.”

Didn’t any of these people have a cookout to attend?

Related articles

• Watch: KKK Protests Westboro Baptist Church at Arlington National Cemetery (towleroad.com)
• KKK Versus Westboro at Memorial Day Protest (advocate.com)
• KKK vs. Westboro Baptist (Watch) (manolith.com)

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May 30, 2011

by: Jamie Clark

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann might be sharing her plan to run without even saying it. She was in Dover, New Hampshire today for a joint county GOP picnic, but actually arrived last night for the first of two not so secret private meetings with nameless Republicans and big money.

The Granite State Patriots Political Action Committee has been seeking a candidate to endorse and the head of their organization, Jerry DeLumus, was far too impressed with Bachmann. He even told Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) News that she did an “awesome job” explaining her intentions to “repeal the Democratic-led healthcare overhaul” and she was “promoting a flat tax.” Despite the fact that Bachmann won’t be announcing whether she will run until next month, DeLumus felt safe to add that he is “quite convinced” she will decide to grace us with her political agenda.

Bachmann will be holding another private meeting with this New Hampshire group next month.

If she runs it will be Bachmann vs Pawlenty as GOP candidates. I think it’s possible the Republicans are hoping that with both of them out there, Americans will be too busy shaking their heads at Michele to see the holes in Pawlenty’s truth campaign. Nice try GOP. Two wrongs will never make a right.

Related articles

• Will Bachmann Be GOP Candidate? (thenationalbugle.com)
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Old Navy has decided to turn it up a notch on all those anti-LGBT haters by releasing a special line of Pride wear for those that love rainbows, equality and PRIDE.

Rainbow Goodness

The new rainbow-themed line will have four designs in all the sizes Old Navy has to offer (women, men and babies). Pricing will range from $7.50 – $14.50 (have to love Old Navy prices), so you can buy every shirt to complete your fabulous summer wardrobe.

Gone are the days when you had to go to a more “upscale” store to purchase LGBT themed clothing with a price tag to match. It is nice to see a recognizable clothing company step out promoting quality.

To those who are fans of Dan Savage and his “it Gets Better” project, 10% from each shirt sold will go towards the organization. Although, I am not a big fan of Savage by any means – I do love to flaunt my gayness when I can – so I will be sure to pick one of these up for Pride this year.

The rest of the shirt designs can be seen here.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

May 28, 2011

by: Jamie Clark
St.Paul, Minn.-  When former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty officially announced his 2012 presidential campaign, a dark cloud fell over the hearts and memories of many Minnesotans. Perhaps it was this doom and gloom feeling that caused the St. Paul Pioneer Press to place the announcement in the most appropriate place….. the obituary page.

The headline reads “Pawlenty offers ‘tell the truth’ theme for race- will seek GOP presidential nomination” and there is no chance that you can miss the words “Today’s Obituaries” right next to it. Readers spoke in numbers about this “mistake”(?) with comments such as “that is so hilarious” and “right where it belongs” as Minnesota’s oldest running daily newspaper received more attention than it has probably seen in years.

Tim Pawlenty is offering a promise to you America. In his official campaign video he states, “I could promise that I can eliminate a 14 trillion dollar debt, create  jobs for ten million people, restructure Social Security and healthcare… or I could try something different. I could just tell you the truth.”

I live on the Iron Range of Minnesota, so my relationship with our former Governor is close to my heart. I feel I should help him in his campaign of “truth.” So, here is what you can look forward to hearing from GOP Presidential hopeful, Tim Pawlenty,  on  healthcare.

As a healthcare worker on the Iron Range of Minnesota, who has lobbied for healthcare at the State Capital and in Washington D.C. for the United Steelworkers, I can tell you that he fought for nursing homes… to close their doors. He believes that we need to take care of our own and keep our 70 year old parents in that empty room at the back of our homes, be their nurse and meet their needs ourselves. Or…. Help his friends out in Minnesota’s booming assisted living business by putting mom and dad in one of their beautiful, yet mostly unregulated by the state, facilities. After all it is a homey atmosphere. On the down side though, since roughly 500 nursing homes closed across the state during Tim’s term here, the tranquility could be broken by the screams of dementia and Alzheimer patients who are being cared for by over worked “resident aides” not qualified to meet their needs.

I can’t forget to mention also that as Minnesota nursing home funding dropped, Tim was kind enough to let them sell beds to the state on his lay-a-way plan. How this works is pretty remarkable. A nursing home in trouble can take an empty bed, promise the state to not fill it, and then in turn, the state will pay the home per bed set aside. Tim approves and so do the owners of the assisted living homes, which by the way are filling so fast they are building new ones every month. Corporate owners of the nursing homes nod their approval too, because they still get their end of the year “good job on the budget” bonuses. Everyone wins! Except for the following… healthcare workers, who receive chump change for raises because they really only get one when the state contributes to funding; families looking for qualified homes for their elderly love ones, who can’t find one close to home, forcing them to even  look out of state therefore severing most contact in the end of their loved ones life; then of course there is our greatest generation. Living in what use to be Iron Range nursing homes, spending life savings for care that is hard to come by and worrying if they can afford to take that big nursing home trip to the local Walmart.

Finally, just a smaller note on  my pal Tim and Social Security. I think he should try the following for his campaign. ‘If your old or disabled, get on with dying please. You’re ruining my balanced budget.’ I just hope he remembers to give the St. Paul Pioneer Press “kudos” for the inspiration.

Related articles

• Tim Pawlenty Campaign Dead? Presidential Announcement Runs On Obituary Page (PHOTO) (huffingtonpost.com)
• Minnesota paper puts Pawlenty presidential bid on obits page (thehill.com)

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May 27, 2012

Jamie Clark

The Minnesota Republican Party has launched a new website that lays the blame of a possible state government shutdown entirely on the shoulders of (D)Governor Mark Dayton.
The site, www.daytonshutdown.com, boasts that “When the Going Gets Tough, Mark Dayton Gets Gone” and compares him to a child throwing a tantrum over dessert. Meanwhile, Gov. Dayton spent Thursday touring Minnesota to personally propose his budget to the people.
Minn. Republicans spent valuable time pushing House Representative Michele Bachman’s “one man/one woman” constitutional amendment onto the 2012 ballot, as the legislative session quickly passed them by, causing quite a stir amongst state voters worried about jobs and education. Now, with no budget solution in sight, they seem too willing to throw stones at Dayton for vetoing their  proposed budget. Governor Dayton has already stated that he felt that Republicans were “singling out” cities with a democratic majority such as St. Paul and Duluth, for larger cuts in Government Aid. He also noted that three school districts in these areas would  also suffer from “drastic cuts” if the Republican proposed budget was signed, and offered three budget compromises that were swiftly rejected by the GOP.
Governor Dayton turned heads this week when he stood in support of the LGBT community in Minnesota with  his “symbolic veto” of the MN marriage amendment. During his speech he urged Minnesotans to remember that all people have the right under law to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and stated that he knows “Minnesota and Minnesotans are better than this.”
The Republican funded site also proposes that “Republicans understand compassion better than Gov. Dayton understands economics.” This statement alone gives their effort a sarcastic tone that is rather inappropriate considering their effort to destroy Minnesota’s LGBT families and communities instead of working on the things that really matter.

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May 27, 2011

Jamie Clark

St Cloud, Minn.- Dozens of demonstrators took to the streets Wednesday night in downtown St.Cloud in an effort to show the LGBT community support following an apparent hate crime.

St. Cloud police arrested three men following the assault of a 22 year old  man in St. Louis Park Monday night.  Matthew Warren Thomas, 24; Chad Vincent Hands, 21 and Ryan Andrew Frane, 23, were taken to the Stearns County Jail under possible fourth-degree assault charges, but have been released pending further investigation.
The victim reported to police that the assailants  were calling him “inappropriate” things during the assault that left him with cuts and bruises on his face and hands. Police stated that the three men in question thought that the victim was gay.

News of the demonstration spread quickly on Facebook and Twitter in part because Minnesota has become a major focal point in the Republican led war on LGBT families.  Monday’s attack is the first noted hate crime since the Minnesota legislature promoted intolerance through a constitutional amendment that will let Minnesota voters decide if “one man/one woman” should be our message to the world.

Demonstrators held signs that read “not in our town” and “NOH8″ as traffic slowed and drivers honked their approval of the event that was organized by Janet Cleland-Dullinger. She felt that now, more than ever, it was important to get the message out that hate crimes will not be tolerated here.

The battle is well under way in Minnesota and it’s more than apparent that people are ready to stand and fight with their gay neighbors. Hopefully “Minnesota Nice” will prevail and there will be no need for anyone to organize another demonstration due to a hate crime in this state.

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05/25/2011 – by Cynthia S. Wright

Today, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton let it be known that he isn’t trying to play when it comes to the recently passed anti-gay marriage bill and he let the whole world know it.  During a recent press conference, Dayton performed a symbolic veto of the anti-gay rights bill. Even though, as governor, Dayton doesn’t have the power to veto constitutional amendments, at least he went on record to state that what the Minnesota Senate underhandedly pushed forward is not right and “un-American.”

Many feel that the bill won’t be passed by those who live in Minnesota, when the bill appears on the ballot next year but even with all that, it is nice to have someone involved heavily in Minnesotan politics in our court. Openly gay lawmakers Rep. Karen Clark and Sen. Scott Dibble also attended the conference.

Hopefully, this sends a message that we aren’t going away and that no matter how the conservatives try to dice it – nothing can rationalize destroying families and loving homes. It is time for conservatives to know that we are here, queer and not going anywhere (yea, I went there!) and we will fight until we receive justice.

Related articles

• Minnesota Legislature Moves To Pass Anti-Marriage Amendment While No One Is Looking (topix.net)
• Minnesota Legislature Moves To Pass Anti-Marriage Amendment While No One Is Looking (lezgetreal.com)
• Minnesota: The Next Marriage Battle? (advocate.com)

It’s wedding season! Gay, straight or otherwise you are probably gearing up to attend someone else’s special day. Or maybe you are thinking of planning your own big event? Or daydreaming about the hot barista and planning a wedding before she even knows your name? Here are some of the top trends that the gays are employing into their nuptial celebrations so your big day doesn’t turn into a “My Big Fat Gay Wedding” disaster:

1. Destination Weddings

This trend used to be called “eloping” or “We’re going to Canada where it’s legal” but Destination Wedding sounds so much sexier, doesn’t it? Why is this trend popular? Because there is a one in 10 chance that you live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, so most of us are going to be traveling for our big day so make it fabulous! Don’t sneak away by yourselves, hire a planner or quit your job and devote yourself to planning your big day in an exotic locale. Iowa, the gay-friendly state that could, is reporting a boost in tourism directly related to same-sex weddings. Giving back to a community that has recognized our rights is a great way to celebrate your love! Plus, I hear the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye there…or something like that.

2. Joint Bachelor/ette Parties

File this one under Best. Trend. Ever. Joint Bachelor and bachelorette parties mean that the wedding isn’t going to be called off because someone got drunk and accidentally groped a stripper. If you can party with your spouse-to-be you avoid all the drama, hurt feelings, jealousy and anxiety that live hand-in-hand with these bashes. Or you can sleep with the stripper together! Whatever works.

3. Furry Flowergirls and Ring Bearers

I know lesbians, we love our pussycats but maybe putting them in our wedding ceremonies is crossing the line? Apparently, the answer is no. Cats in tophats and dogs in bridesmaid dresses are taking over the internet. I for one, am guilty of following this trend. My 3 pound Yorkie wore lilac silk to my wedding. The only rule to remember when putting your pooch in the nuptial line of fire is be kind. Make sure you have someone to put your pet someplace safe once the festivities are underway and make sure they have food and water. Plus, keep any animal tormenting children far, far away.

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4. Same-sex Wedding Cake Toppers

Cute and kitch, many LGBT couples are opting to put two little Grooms or two little Brides at the top of their cakes. Wedding cake toppers have gone out of style among the hetero set, with outrageously priced and fondant sleek cakes being the norm. However, if you are queer- go ahead and shout it from the top of your cake!

5. Green Weddings

No, I’m not talking about color schemes, I’m talking saving the earth! Gays love a good trip down altruism lane and we have led the charge when it comes to environmental friendliness. When I got married last September, we contracted with a printer that used all recycled paper. This meant that our save-the-dates, invitations, menus, place cards and thank-you notes were all green! We also used a party bus to shuttle people to and from their hotels, that really cut down on the CO2 emissions and let our guests get as drunk as they wanted! Totally a win-win for all involved.

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Image by macbiff via Flickr

05/20/2011 – by Cynthia S. Wright

On June 18th at Hong Lim Park, the third annual Pink Dot Festival will take place in Singapore. This festival brings the straight and LGBT communities together for a celebration surrounding honor and support.

In anticipation of the event, Pink Dot issued a video, in which various scenarios are taking place involving someone LGBT. However, instead of having the LGBT character be the voice of clarity, this time the straight person witnessing the scene chimes in with what they wish they could say – instead of remaining silent.

The video is poignant and delivers a statement to the world that being LGBT affects everyone and that those that support the community need to step up and make their opinions known. Hopefully, this video goes viral and shows that not only is Singapore making a pivotal stand in LGBT support.

There is much speculation in the Blogger realm, as we speak, as to whether or not the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 – has been reintroduced in the Ugandan Parliament and whether it’s passage is imminent.  Activists have been reporting two different possibilities; Firstly, via Jim Burroway of  Box Turtle Bulletin - who quotes the BBC – stating that the Bill could pass forthwith as a priority and secondly word from  Warren Throckmorton that the Bill has not been reintroduced, at least not as of now, into this new 9th Session of the Ugandan parliament.

I have been working with an unlikely whistleblower (confidential source at this time) in Uganda, with  ‘ear close to the table’ (so to speak) – who informs me today that it is now official that the Bill “will be passed after minor amendments.”

Through our discussions I am informed that there is a lot more to this picture than meets the eye, with regard to the handling as well as the purpose and widespread motivation for the Anti-homosexuality Bill. The Kill the Gays aspect, my source informs, has been a ploy and the plan has more insidious political revelations which have yet to be revealed.

While I have been unable to confirm these allegations, other than to rely on the one source, I would be remiss if I did not publish this at the very least as food for thought!  So at this time this is what I am able to quote from this insider:-

“The plan,masterminded by security brass and top government officials, is to do away with the hanging clause to deflect worldwide criticism. This is the latest development.  MP Bahati has now been given a go ahead to push the bill. Remember the ruling party NRM has majority MPs in Parliament.

The last meeting they convened at State House Entebbe recently opened their eyes to bribery of the regime – they were given shs1.5m each as “transport facilitation to pass the bills NRM is interested in”.  I doubt whether these chaps will thinks twice about the bill – our country is homophobic – it’s just a show of hands and that will mark end of gayism in the country-

You know most activists did not read the bill. When they heard about hanging, they got excited. Little did they know that it was a trap. They focused their attention on “killing” thus neglecting more crucial clauses. Therefore, when the “hanging clause” is kicked out, the activists are stripped naked of any arguments.

Their protest, out of incompetence and poor research, rotated around the issue of “hanging”. Yet, there are tougher punishments with even political dimensions— such as long term sentences in jail.

Notwithystanding the Throckmorton report that – ” Kawesa said the Ninth Parliament was just getting started, and elected Rebbecca Kadagato the post of Speaker, the first woman to hold that position in Uganda’s history. Kawesa said that bills will not be considered during this initial period when committees are being formed and chairs of those committes are appointed. She also confirmed that no motion to re-introduce or continue bills had been made.” – I am convinced that what my source reveals may not be precluded by the Speaker’s statement -  in the sense that Bahati has been given a green light to promote and push for the Bill to take some path to enactment – however soon that may be.

The Whistleblower’s sources have suggested that only a telephone call from US President Barrack Obama to Museveni will stop the process. The bill is more than a bill. It’s a matter planned by the intelligence community but with a political face.”

I encourage the NGO’s such as HRW and US State department, UK Home Office to urge investigations by the Ugandan Government into these allegations of Bribery, to include outside conveners and international neutral parties.

Also see http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2011/05/uganda-kill-gays-bill-is-back-report.html

LISTEN TO OUR MAY 07, 2011 – Swirl Radio INTERVIEW WITH BAHATI – Michelle Meow and Melanie Nathan spoke to David Bahati on Swirl Radio, aired yesterday – and here the podcast can be found by clicking here: First the News, then Bahati- http://swirlradio.com/

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READ ARTICLES ON UGANDAN Kill THE GAYS BILL – all articles are located at :- http://lezgetreal.com/?s=Uganda%2C+.

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By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

There is a popular bumper sticker down South “In Case Of Rapture, This Vehicle Will Be Unoccupied.” My sum total reaction to it was – hasn’t anyone ever explained to these people that pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins?

Let’s see – Christ was supposed to return in 50 A.D., 100 A.D., 1,000 A.D., and then things got interesting….1757, 1829, 1844, 1914, 1917, 1930, 1939, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2022 and 2025. There is a whole body of writings, contemporary with Revelations, that dealt with the end of the world.

Harold Camping

This time, it’s not Pat Robertson (who’s been wrong about 6 times) who’s causing all the rapture talk. It’s Harold Camping, the 89-year old founder of Family Radio Worldwide, an independent ministry based in Oakland, California. He’s based the date on numerological calculations based on reading the Bible. Everyone who believes in the rapture believes that the countdown to the end of the world began with the creation of the modern state of Israel. Israelis hate the idea. The last time, at the Millennium, they were imposing a strict no-entry policy for members of independent churches. Since Glenn Beck is planning to rally in Jerusalem in August, we appear to be having a conflict of apocalypse predictors. The whole rapture thing is a very new concept in Christianity, primarily dating from the 19^th century, though there are a few references as far back as the Puritans and the late 18^th century. It is also primarily an American idea. There have been a few proponents of the idea in Europe, but very few.

So, before we get to the end of the Mayan calendar, we have yet another decree that the Christian world is ending – on May 21, 2011 to be exact. This time, at least, the rest of us are taking this with a sense of humor.

There is a Facebook page called “Post rapture looting” – 175,000 friends have signed up for the event “When everyone is gone and god’s not looking, we need to pick up some sweet stereo equipment and maybe some new furniture for the mansion we’re going to squat in.” Gary Trudeau is mocking it all in Doonesbury and there are “Rapture Parties” being planned. In Fayetteville, North Carolina, their chapter of the American Humanist Association is holding a two-day event with the Saturday night party being followed by a Sunday concert.

Of course, if the rapture should happen, we can finally get rid of all that fundamentalist Christian social engineering that has been clogging up our political debate and get around some progressive law-making.

So, after 18 end dates and more “prophets” of the end of the world than anyone can really count, we can all just expect to wake up on Sunday morning and deal with the world. As for the end of the Mayan calendar, now that’s the one to really be concerned about. They’ve finally figured out that the world will not end in 2012, it will change gender. The age of a female earth is coming. We should just look at the natural disasters of the past couple of years as a male temper tantrum.

Related articles

• Don’t drink the punch! (openparachute.wordpress.com)
• Atheists counter prediction of doom with ‘Rapture party’ (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Arnold and The Rapture (fnkybee.wordpress.com)
• The Rapture This Saturday? (mgpcpastor.wordpress.com)
• What Do You Need For The Rapture? The Official Rapture Kit! (tinfoilhatman45.wordpress.com)
• Major Supernatural Event This Saturday! (Rapture Prediction Analyzed!) (ncregister.com)
• Time of the end (fellowshiproom.org)

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

05/18/2011 – by Cynthia S. Wright

Toronto Maple Leafs GM, Brian Burke called for an end to homophobia at City Hall this Tuesday. During a press conference commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Burke discussed that no child should be made to feel afraid and unaccepted.

“Imagine being afraid to go to school, imagine being afraid to step on a school bus, imagine being afraid to walk the halls. That’s a life that no child should lead and that’s the life that many children lead in Ontario.”

Even though, most are led to believe that Canada is more progressive when it comes to LGBT equality, in sports that is definitely not the case. For Burke’s conference, only one television camera bothered to come and document the occasion. Thankfully, Burke made sure that everyone was aware of that fact.

“One camera here folks, we’ve got a long way to go, shame on the people that didn’t show up to publicize this, shame on you.”

This hits home for Burke personally being that his hockey playing son, Brendan made headlines when he publicly declared that he was gay. After his coming out, Brendan made it a point to fight tolerance in professional sports. Unfortunately, he died in a car crash in 2010.

After his son’s passing, Burke marched with PFLAG last year, this year he plans to do the same but this time, he’ll be wearing his Leafs’ jersey.