Tag: politics

Definitely worth noting

From the International Day Against Homophobia web site:

“Homophobia is an insidious process that channels its effects through subtle, usually transparent ways. No one is safe from hostile manifestations to homosexuality. Quite surprisingly, many homosexual individuals themselves adopt homophobic behaviour, hoping it will protect them against prejudice from their entourage. The International Day Against Homophobia aims to reach all groups of society, regardless of their sexual orientation.

An International Day Against Homophobia belongs to no one individual. It’s about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Inspired by all world theme-days, the day set aside to fight homophobia needs to be appropriated by all of those actively involved in civil society: gay and lesbian community organisations, those organisations focusing on other types of sexual diversity, unions, employers, private businesses, governments, public administration, professional associations, and all individuals seeking equality.”

For more information, background, and positive steps toward eliminating homophobia, check out the web site linked above.

Homophobia hurts everyone.

Some more random Friday stuff


First lizard of the season sees shadow

Did you know these little lizards can bite? Me, either. I’ve never been bitten by one, but then again, I never touch them. I love looking at them though, and every year a few new photos of them end up in my vast photo archives.

Today I have learned that wherever my LJ friends hail from, they cherish the “F” word. This could be the one thing we all have in common.

I have been reminded that I absolutely love reading Mark Doty.

And if I don’t stop reading, I’ll never finish writing.

But whatever I’m doing today, thanks to FARB, it’ll be to the haunting tune of “The Lonely Goatherd.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIO! If I could, I’d arrange for Condi to jump out of your birthday cake. =)

And now, Timothy, I’ll shut the fuck hell up before I go after John McCain and his really, really bad attempt at a joke. Because, you know, I think what William Tecumseh Sherman meant to say was, “War is hilarious.”

Messages from a busy writer

Todd, thanks for the Earth Day card. =) You are always so thoughtful. Someday I will have to tell you and Chaos the white ferret story.

Greg–that cover is smokin’!

And Mark. Oh, Mark. Do you have a copy of Comfort & Joy lying around the house? Yes? I think you should find it and check out pages 38-39.

Linda, if you are reading this, thanks for your willingness to help. As I get to that part of what I’m writing, I just may take you up on your offer of information. And you will be added to the acknowledgments that a certain reader in the northeast fears will one day be longer than our novels.

Finally, whoever was the jokester that hooked up one of my e-mail addresses with an anti-gay marriage site, I have unsubscribed and have a bonus button for you:

they wanted to go to school

VIRGINIA TECH, April 16, 2007, 32 dead

An undergraduate student at the university killed 32 people and wounded 17 others with two semi-automatic pistols, a .22-caliber Walther P22 semi-automatic handgun and a 9 mm semi-automatic Glock 19 handgun. The shootings took place at two locations, a residence hall and an academic building, before the perpetrator turned his own life at the scene. Officials said the perpetrator’s choice of 9 mm hollow-point ammunition increased the severity of the 17 injuries.

Six others were injured jumping out of windows to escape the shooter.

Ross A. Alameddine, student, age 20
Christopher James Bishop, instructor, 35
Brian R. Bluhm, student, 25
Ryan Christopher Clark, student, 22
Austin Michelle Cloyd, student, 18
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, professor, 49
Kevin P. Granata, professor, 45
Matthew Gregory Gwaltney, student, 24
Caitlin Millar Hammaren, student, 19
Jeremy Michael Herbstritt, student, 27
Rachael Elizabeth Hill, student, 18
Emily Jane Hilscher, student, 19
Jarrett Lee Lane, student, 22
Matthew Joseph La Porte, student, 20
Henry J. Lee (Henh Ly), student, 20
Liviu Librescu, professor, 76
G.V. Loganathan, professor, 53
Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan, student, 34
Lauren Ashley McCain, student, 20
Daniel Patrick O’Neil, student, 22
Juan Ramon Ortiz-Ortiz, student, 26
Minal Hiralal Panchal, student, 26
Daniel Alejandro Perez Cueva, student, 21
Erin Nicole Peterson, student, 18
Michael Steven Pohle, Jr., student, 23
Julia Kathleen Pryde, student, 23
Mary Karen Read, student, 19
Reema Joseph Samaha, student, 18
Waleed Mohamed Shaalan, student, 32
Leslie Geraldine Sherman, student, 20
Maxine Shelly Turner, student, 22
Nicole Regina White, student, 20

Another thing that was on my mind today

This week, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act was re-introduced in the House of Representatives. This legislation seeks to update federal hate crime laws by adding protections for people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

This is NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. The bill is endorsed by notable individuals and over 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations, including: President George H.W. Bush’s Attorney General Dick Thornburgh; National Sheriffs’ Association; International Association of Chiefs of Police; U.S. Conference of Mayors; Presbyterian Church; Episcopal Church; and the Parent’s Network on Disabilities. Poll after poll continues to show that the American public supports hate crimes legislation inclusive of sexual orientation, including a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in November 2001 showing 73 percent of Americans supporting hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation.

This link on the Human Rights Campaign site will help you find your legislators by using your zip code. Let your representatives and senators know that you want to give local law enforcement agencies the extra tools and resources they need to prevent and combat hate violence.

Thank you.

Most of the text of this post was taken from the HRC Web site.

Just one of the things on my mind today

Years ago, I was in an AOL chat room one night when a newcomer came in. We chatted for a while and he finally told me his “real” name: Mel White. I knew who Mel White was. A former ghostwriter for Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Billy Graham, among others, Rev. White had fallen out of favor with his former associates when he came out publicly as a gay man. The reason I knew of him was because he’d written a book about his life called Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America, and I’d seen the book advertised and discussed a few years earlier in the GLBT media.
click to read more

Random Musings

–I think the reason the Oscars seem like they’re longer every year is because there’s a little voice in my head saying, “HELLO, I’m hovering ever closer to the abyss–the one with the Grim Reaper standing at the edge–so could we GET ON WITH IT?”

–Anyone who talks smack about Meryl Streep? Show me your fourteen freaking Oscar nominations, ‘kay? Do ANY two people ever look like they’re having more fun at the Oscars than Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson? Proof that a) they have SO made it, and b) they understand that the right work is joy and life is fun, and oh, okay, possibly for one of them, c) substances can be our friend.

–I don’t think it’s likely that many straight women and most gay men can hear the song “It’s Raining Men” while driving in the car without shouting out at least one smiling, “Hallelujah!”

–Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies? Little circles of paradise.

–I still love Al Gore. I understand him. He’s an Aries. I once had a dream about Al Gore, and–but wait. I mostly don’t talk about my dreams on LiveJournal.