Patrick’s Place Saturday Six - Episode 215
1. What was the last organization you gave a monetary donation to?
Gay and Lesbian Advocate and Defenders (GLAD)
2. What was the last charitable thing you volunteered to do?
Just about every week I help out at True Colors and Connecticut TransAdovoacy Coalition
3. Someone you know comes to you in a bad situation and asks to borrow $10. Do you give them the money even if you think they might not give it back?
Yes, I do
4. Take the quiz: How Charitable Are You?
Faithful Contributor. Your sense of charity and social justice is very tied to your faith. Your charitable actions spring from both your strong sense of compassion and your religious obligations. You look toward religious leaders for guidance in where to contribute and likely participate in church or house of worship fundraisers and volunteer activities. Read up on what your faith has to say about charity and giving or find a religious service agency.
5. Do you agree with the quiz’s results?
No, I have a strong sense of social justice but it is definitely not tied to any sense of religious obligations. The quiz was biased for faith based organizations.
6. Should the United States do more to help its own citizens before helping people in other countries?
Yes, it should reinstate the funding it has cut from the budget, social services is a very tiny part of the federal budget went compared to the military budget. Programs like Head Start and WIC. The federal government should also cut out funding to faith based organizations, the funding goes almost exclusively to Christian churches and not to any other non-Christian churches or synagogues or mosques. I have seen secular food kitchens and homeless shelters lose their funding in favor of Christian food kitchens and shelters.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Out Film Festival
Last night I went with a couple of friends to the Out Film Festival at Trinity College. The feature film was preceded by a number of “Shorts” ranging from 41 seconds to 20 minutes, some of them were good others and others just… ah… lousy, one of the crazy shorts was “Gay Zombies.” The main feature was musical and was very good:
Monday I want to see...
Were the World MineAfter the movies they Question and Answers session with members of the film; the Director, the Co-writer, the producer & production designer, the Director of photography and the actor who portrayed Jonathon/ the 'jock' They also had an opening night reception following the movies, I stayed for a little while and left around 11:30.
Tom Gustafson, USA, 2008, 95 min
As the gay outcast at an all-boys prep school, Timothy daydreams about the handsome jock. But his are no ordinary flights of fancy; they're musical theater extravaganzas, complete with show-stopping songs, dazzling sets, and pirouetting rugby player chorus boys. A devilishly funny and intoxicatingly romantic musical tale of empowerment - inspired by William Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Monday I want to see...
She’s A Boy I Knewand on Thursday I want to see...
Gwen Haworth, Canada, 2007, 70 min
Using interviews, animation and old family footage, Vancouver filmmaker Gwen Haworth documents her male-to-female gender transition partially through the voices of her anxious but loving family, best friend, and wife. A comic, heartbreaking, and uplifting autobiography that breaks away from the usual marginalized depictions of transsexuality and focuses on the interpersonal relationships of a family who unexpectedly find their bonds strengthening as they overcome their preconceptions of gender and sexuality.
XXY (Centerpiece Film)
Lucía Puenzo, Argentina/Spain/France, 2007, 91 min
XXY explores the painful search for gender identity of Alex (an outstanding performance by Inés Efron), a hermaphrodite, as she enters adolescence and is pressured by her parents to “choose.” While Alex’s ambiguity is apparent and raises concerns for her parents and peers, her resolve to be her own person is undaunted. The rugged Uruguayan coast provides a stunning backdrop to the roiling emotions of family turmoil and adolescent forays into relationship. This stunning coming of age tale was chosen to represent Argentina at the 2007 Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category. In Spanish with English subtitles
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday Fill-Ins #74
Janet’s Friday Fill-Ins #74
1. For me _laziness_ is the opposite of creativity.
2. _I can’t remember what_ was the last excellent book I read was. I have been mostly reading textbooks for classes.
3. I like fill-ins because _it makes me thing of something witty and profound to say _.
4. In nature I like looking at _an apple orchard in bloom_.
5. _Obama_ should win the
6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was _when a comedian was talking about the time he waxed his body_.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight (Friday) I'm looking forward to _ going to the Film Festival at Trinity College_, tomorrow my plans include _ going to the Film Festival at
Grrr…
Back in the sixties, Dr. Money thought that gender identity was all nurture, a social construct and that by raising a child as a boy or a girl would result in that person becoming a boy or a girl. The classic case was a set of twins in Canada when one of the boys had an accident during circumcision. Dr. Money advised the parents to raise him as a girl, the results were disastrous, and he eventually committed suicide. His story is told in the book “As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as A Girl” by John Colapinto. Dr Money did a famous case study on the boy, following him though out his life and reporting that the boy was successfully transformed in to a woman. It wasn’t until 1997 that Dr. Milton Diamond, with the cooperation of Dr. H. Keith Sigmundson exposed the truth, that the boy never felt that he was a woman and that he went back to living as man.
Now, Dr. Zucker is still preaching that it is all nurture, that it is how you raise the child that counts, not prenatal conditions. Here is a YouTube video where Dr. Zucker expresses his views on his beliefs; it is the exact same thing that Dr Money said back in the sixties. They were proved wrong then and will be proved wrong again. Dr. Zucker also believe that homosexualism can be cured! He is often use as a reference in articles by National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuals (NARTH) AND this is the man who was appointed to chair the on the Task Force on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders to rewrite the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) which is the handbook for mental health professionals that lists different categories of mental disorders and the criteria for diagnosing them.
There is an on-line petition to ask the American Psychological Association (APA) to remove him and Dr. Blanchard from the committee. Please consider signing the petition.
Related blog entry:
NPR All Things Considered – “Two Families Grapple with Sons' Gender Preferences”
I found the video on Donna Rose’s blog
Now, Dr. Zucker is still preaching that it is all nurture, that it is how you raise the child that counts, not prenatal conditions. Here is a YouTube video where Dr. Zucker expresses his views on his beliefs; it is the exact same thing that Dr Money said back in the sixties. They were proved wrong then and will be proved wrong again. Dr. Zucker also believe that homosexualism can be cured! He is often use as a reference in articles by National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuals (NARTH) AND this is the man who was appointed to chair the on the Task Force on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders to rewrite the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) which is the handbook for mental health professionals that lists different categories of mental disorders and the criteria for diagnosing them.
There is an on-line petition to ask the American Psychological Association (APA) to remove him and Dr. Blanchard from the committee. Please consider signing the petition.
Related blog entry:
NPR All Things Considered – “Two Families Grapple with Sons' Gender Preferences”
I found the video on Donna Rose’s blog
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Memorial Day Photo
My friend Deja just sent me this photo of me at a Memorial Day picnic in Springfield...
The life of Riley.
The life of Riley.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Can You Believe This?
Kindergartener Voted Out By Students
(CBS) A Port St. Lucie, Fla., mother is outraged and considering legal action after her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.
Melissa Barton says Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo had her son's classmates say what they didn't like about 5-year-old Alex. She says the teacher then had the students vote, and voted Alex, who is being evaluated for Asperger's syndrome -- an autism spectrum disorder -- out of the class by a 14-2 margin.
…
…The state attorney's office concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed.
I am not a lawyer but it seems to me that there are anti-discrimination that protect the rights of the mentally disabled and also federal laws about integrating special needs children into the classroom.
We Care
Last week, I learn that someone that I know had trying to commit suicide. This was her second attempt.
The power of conformity is very strong; society’s pressure to conform is tremendous. When you live outside of gender normal you can physically (getting the crap beat out of you) and emotionally (from your family, friends and strangers) feel the pressure. When you are out in public, you can hear the giggles, laughter and the comments which is society’s way of letting you know that you stepped outside of its boundaries. Your family might put pressure on you, to disown you or to try and put conditions on your visits or even try to have you committed. If the pressure is too hard to bear, please get help, lookup the local number for crises intervention in your yellow pages. For trans-youth the phone number for Trevor is 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or you can visit “The Trevor Project” website at http://thetrevorproject.org/helpline.aspx
But please, I beg you, get help. We care.
The power of conformity is very strong; society’s pressure to conform is tremendous. When you live outside of gender normal you can physically (getting the crap beat out of you) and emotionally (from your family, friends and strangers) feel the pressure. When you are out in public, you can hear the giggles, laughter and the comments which is society’s way of letting you know that you stepped outside of its boundaries. Your family might put pressure on you, to disown you or to try and put conditions on your visits or even try to have you committed. If the pressure is too hard to bear, please get help, lookup the local number for crises intervention in your yellow pages. For trans-youth the phone number for Trevor is 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or you can visit “The Trevor Project” website at http://thetrevorproject.org/helpline.aspx
But please, I beg you, get help. We care.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Yeah! You Go Jesse!!!
I found this on Pam’s House Blend…
On MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams on May 22, 2008 former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura said that marriage equality should not be a referendum question on the ballot in California because “…you can't put a civil rights issue on the general ballot in a state and let people vote on it, because if you do that, in the southern states before, you can bet they would have voted to continued slavery." This is exactly what I was talking about in my rant of last week that Human Right should not be put to a popular vote.
On MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams on May 22, 2008 former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura said that marriage equality should not be a referendum question on the ballot in California because “…you can't put a civil rights issue on the general ballot in a state and let people vote on it, because if you do that, in the southern states before, you can bet they would have voted to continued slavery." This is exactly what I was talking about in my rant of last week that Human Right should not be put to a popular vote.
Ventura on gay marriage: Civil rights should not be up to popular vote
PageOneQ
by Nick Langewis
During a panel discussion on Senator John McCain's recent interview with Ellen DeGeneres, former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura strongly disagreed with conservative commentator Pat Buchanan on the issue of voting on fellow citizens' civil rights.
"First of all," Ventura began, "I made a statement when I was Governor and I stand by it today: Love is bigger than government.
"Who the hell are we as a government to tell people who you can fall in love with? I think it's absurd, the fact that it's even being debated."
…
Marriage, being a "cinderblock of society," should be exclusive to heterosexuals, he [Buchanan] concluded. "If government wants to set up civil unions and benefits for 'people like that,' it ought to be done by elected legislators, not by unanointed judges who are behaving more and more like tyrants in this country, imposing their values on us."
"If the elected officials will stand up for what's right and do what's right with civil rights, I fully agree with you," Ventura countered. "But you can't put a civil rights issue on the general ballot in a state and let people vote on it, because if you do that, in the southern states before, you can bet they would have voted to continued slavery."
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Manic Monday
Lisa’s Manic Monday #118
Do good things come to those who wait?
No, I believe that you have to create you own opportunities, that you have to go hunt for them. They are out there for you to find only if you look.
Your best friend's spouse is being unfaithful. Would you tell your friend? If so, how?
No, I think I wouldn’t tell. I would give them the benefit of the doubt, suppose it was only a passing fling, a one-night stand and the spouse was faithful from then on. Maybe they already know and have worked it out already. Would you want to be the one to break up their marriage?
Which part of your body do you like the least? Would you change it through plastic surgery, if possible?
Three guesses and the first two do not count. :-)
Do good things come to those who wait?
No, I believe that you have to create you own opportunities, that you have to go hunt for them. They are out there for you to find only if you look.
Your best friend's spouse is being unfaithful. Would you tell your friend? If so, how?
No, I think I wouldn’t tell. I would give them the benefit of the doubt, suppose it was only a passing fling, a one-night stand and the spouse was faithful from then on. Maybe they already know and have worked it out already. Would you want to be the one to break up their marriage?
Which part of your body do you like the least? Would you change it through plastic surgery, if possible?
Three guesses and the first two do not count. :-)
Flowers Around My Yard
This is my Lilac tree that is under my bedroom window…
The Alyssums are in a planter on my back deck…
Busy little bees buzzing around my White Azaleas in the front yard…
The Red Azaleas are also in my front yard…
The Alyssums are in a planter on my back deck…
Busy little bees buzzing around my White Azaleas in the front yard…
The Red Azaleas are also in my front yard…
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Gnome
This is a 15 minute short staring Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls. Amanda (Lauren's character) gets into an accident and has to get a ride home from three transsexuals whose car she hit, Joe Holt (from Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order and he was also on Gilmore Girls) the driver. The short was written and directed by Jenny Bricks of Sex and the City, Men in Trees, Naked Truth, Dawson's Creek fame.
I am impressed with the list of organizations that sponsored the movie.
Part 1
Part 2
I want to thanks Staci on who’s blog (Femulate) I found this.
I am impressed with the list of organizations that sponsored the movie.
Part 1
Part 2
I want to thanks Staci on who’s blog (Femulate) I found this.
The Cottage
I was planning on staying up at our cottage in New Hampshire until Sunday but the weather wasn’t that great, cloudy, with a chance of showers, very windy and a high of around 60F, so I came home today. Its ten degrees warmer here in Connecticut and no wind.
Opening the cottage went with out a hitch, there were no problems with turning on the water. Closed all the values that had to be closed, opened all the values that had to be opened, put on all the drain caps in the pipes, turned on the water pump and sat back listening for the tell tail hiss of a leak. Silence, only the sound of the pump.
Friday after I turned on the water and the gas, I walked down to the lower deck by the water (The one I am standing on in my avatar.), the wind was whipping across the water making white caps on the lake and I went back inside to get warm and out of the wind. That night around 3:00am I woke with a start, the dock was missing! Every fall we take the dock out of the water and store in up on the beach tying it to a tree because the ice would tear it apart. In the morning, I looked out the window and the dock was missing! So, I took the canoe out to look for it but the wind was blowing me down the lake so I had to come back to shore. SHIT! Hopefully the floats are not punctured and that someone saw it brought it to shore before it got damaged.
Opening the cottage went with out a hitch, there were no problems with turning on the water. Closed all the values that had to be closed, opened all the values that had to be opened, put on all the drain caps in the pipes, turned on the water pump and sat back listening for the tell tail hiss of a leak. Silence, only the sound of the pump.
Friday after I turned on the water and the gas, I walked down to the lower deck by the water (The one I am standing on in my avatar.), the wind was whipping across the water making white caps on the lake and I went back inside to get warm and out of the wind. That night around 3:00am I woke with a start, the dock was missing! Every fall we take the dock out of the water and store in up on the beach tying it to a tree because the ice would tear it apart. In the morning, I looked out the window and the dock was missing! So, I took the canoe out to look for it but the wind was blowing me down the lake so I had to come back to shore. SHIT! Hopefully the floats are not punctured and that someone saw it brought it to shore before it got damaged.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Friday Fill-Ins #73
Janet’s Friday Fill-Ins #73
1. On my laziest day I like to _lay in the hammock, read and nap _!
2. _Helping others_ makes me feel like I'm being productive.
3. I love little _kisses_ and big _hugs_. (I know it is a pretty lame answers but its eleven PM and I am going to bed when I finish this.)
4. This summer I want to _finish the cottage_.
5. _Peterson_ made me start my blog.
6. Red _is for apples_ and orange _is for Oranges_.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight (Friday) I'm looking forward to _opening up the cottage_, tomorrow (Saturday) my plans include _working on the cottage_ and Sunday, I want to _go to a party_! Memorial Day I want to _go to another party_.
How Independent Are You?
I found this on Cat's blog: Sweet Memes
Your Independence Level: High |
 You are extremely self reliant and autonomous. You are definitely into doing your own thing. But you also wouldn't turn down help if you needed it. You follow your own path, but you don't do so blindly. |
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Busy Day Yesterday
Yesterday I went to a reception for the “Permanent Commission on the Status of Women” that was held at St. Joseph’s College. The commission is part of the Anti-Discrimination Coalition and they have been very actively lobbying for the bill. It was a good networking experience and I met many people from the area who work for non-profits that support trans issues.
After the reception, I went home, changed and headed down to Hamden to “The Space” to hear a folk signer Namoli Brennet, she is from Tucson (but was born in Waterbury CT). I have heard her play at other area clubs and I like her style of music. She writes, plays, records and published her CDs and I bought two of her latest CDs, “alive” and “Singer Shine Your Light”. A number of my friends were there already and I joined them, they had come earlier to hear the open mike artists perform. I just wanted to hear Namoli at 9:00pm, I got there around 8:30 and I heard some of the “open mike” singers and some were good and others were roll your eyes up bad.
Tonight I am going to Norwich to the support group Transgender and Loving Life (TaLL) meeting. Thursday, I plan on helping out at True Colors for a couple of hours in the afternoon and then at night go up to Springfield to the uniTy meeting, I want to find out what the plans are for Trans Pride. I think I will march with the Connecticut groups.
On Friday, (as if I haven’t traveled enough this week) I am going up to the cottage in New Hampshire to open it up for the season. I don’t know how long I will be up there, it all depends on the weather and the black flies.
After the reception, I went home, changed and headed down to Hamden to “The Space” to hear a folk signer Namoli Brennet, she is from Tucson (but was born in Waterbury CT). I have heard her play at other area clubs and I like her style of music. She writes, plays, records and published her CDs and I bought two of her latest CDs, “alive” and “Singer Shine Your Light”. A number of my friends were there already and I joined them, they had come earlier to hear the open mike artists perform. I just wanted to hear Namoli at 9:00pm, I got there around 8:30 and I heard some of the “open mike” singers and some were good and others were roll your eyes up bad.
Tonight I am going to Norwich to the support group Transgender and Loving Life (TaLL) meeting. Thursday, I plan on helping out at True Colors for a couple of hours in the afternoon and then at night go up to Springfield to the uniTy meeting, I want to find out what the plans are for Trans Pride. I think I will march with the Connecticut groups.
On Friday, (as if I haven’t traveled enough this week) I am going up to the cottage in New Hampshire to open it up for the season. I don’t know how long I will be up there, it all depends on the weather and the black flies.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Live Long and Prosper
Gay wedding for Star Trek's Takei
US actor George Takei is to wed his long-term partner after California lifted its ban on same-sex marriage.
Takei, 71, best known for playing Mr Sulu in Star Trek, said he and Brad Altman were going through the "delicious dilemma" of where to marry.
The actor and 54-year-old Mr Altman have been together for 21 years.
US actor George Takei is to wed his long-term partner after California lifted its ban on same-sex marriage.
Takei, 71, best known for playing Mr Sulu in Star Trek, said he and Brad Altman were going through the "delicious dilemma" of where to marry.
The actor and 54-year-old Mr Altman have been together for 21 years.
A Silent “T” Party
I found this on Helen Boyd’s blog "(en)gendered" and I felt that it is worth sharing. Even though it was produced back in October I think, it is important for two reasons. First, it shows the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) thinking on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Second, the video is about college students who want to become teachers and they might not be able to teach because they are transgender.
Please do not support the HRC, there are so many other good Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) organizations out there that support the “T” in LGBT. Please give to them instead.
Please do not support the HRC, there are so many other good Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) organizations out there that support the “T” in LGBT. Please give to them instead.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Manic Monday
Lisa’s Manic Monday #117
If you knew that every minute of the next 24 hours of your life would be recorded on camera is there anything you would change about your habits?
Yes, I would take a shower before hand and try to avoid going the bathroom.
If you could take a one-month trip to any single destination in the world and money is not a consideration, where would you go?
Some private tropical island in either the South Pacific or the Caribbean. I was watching a program the other day about private islands and they had one that rented for $45,000 a day in the Caribbean.
What is the best example of “perfection” that you can think of?
That is very hard, there are so many good things but I wouldn’t describe any of them as perfect. I guess I will give a flippant answer and say, a “pizza” it is versatile in that there are many toppings that you can add. You can choose from a veggie pizza to a meat lovers pizza or from a plain cheese pizza or to a five cheese pizza or from a clam pizza to a lobster pizza or a white sauce pizza or a red sauce pizza.
If you knew that every minute of the next 24 hours of your life would be recorded on camera is there anything you would change about your habits?
Yes, I would take a shower before hand and try to avoid going the bathroom.
If you could take a one-month trip to any single destination in the world and money is not a consideration, where would you go?
Some private tropical island in either the South Pacific or the Caribbean. I was watching a program the other day about private islands and they had one that rented for $45,000 a day in the Caribbean.
What is the best example of “perfection” that you can think of?
That is very hard, there are so many good things but I wouldn’t describe any of them as perfect. I guess I will give a flippant answer and say, a “pizza” it is versatile in that there are many toppings that you can add. You can choose from a veggie pizza to a meat lovers pizza or from a plain cheese pizza or to a five cheese pizza or from a clam pizza to a lobster pizza or a white sauce pizza or a red sauce pizza.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Ogunquit Maine Trip
I went up to Ogunquit ME for the weekend and I had a pretty good time. I was disappointed that there were not more members of the Connecticut Outreach Society there, when we organized the trip, six or seven members said that they wanted to go. Well there were only five of us that went and two were not any of the original members who said that they wanted to go. However, we still had a good time and weather cooperated.
I got up to Ogunquit a little after 2:30 on Friday and I met up with the other member who was staying at the Bed and Breakfast. We walked to the center of town around five and went to a piano bar to wait for the others. There were not too many people in the bar when we got there but by the time all my friends arrived the bar was packed, there were six of us, five members and a spouse and we left to go to dinner.
Since this is Maine and a shore town, that meant a seafood dinner and we went down to a restaurant at Perkin’s Cove. I had haddock stuffed with lobster (you knew that lobster had to be involved some how) which was delicious.
Over night it rained but by morning the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to come out, we drove over to Nubble Lighthouse because a couple of had never been to Maine before and we had to do the tourist thing. We then went back and walked around town window shopping. I never did make it down the Marginal Way, one of my friends had a sore knee so we couldn’t walk that long of a distance. We dodged rain showers and had lunch at a nice little place on a deck under umbrellas.
We were down to just three of us, that couple was only there for dinner and one of my friends had to go home because of a family engagement. So the three of us went to the RV park where my other friends had their RV parked and we sat around there for a little while, I made the mistake laying down in a lawn chair and dozed off. Later we went down to Ogunquit for some bar hopping, we went to this “lesbian bar” for some drinks… well it was a lesbian bar but now it was a gay country and western bar! (It turned out that only a couple of nights during the summer it is women's night.) When we walked in there was about eight or ten guys in cowboy hats standing around. I went into panic mode when I saw all of the cowboy hats but calmed down thinking this is Ogunquit, so we stayed for a couple of drinks out on the deck. Around seven we went to get dinner but all the restaurants we packed, so we had pizza. After dinner we went back to the piano bar that we went to the night before and it was packed but we managed to find some seats.
Here is a photo of Nubble Lighthouse and it was the only photos I was able to take even though I lugged my camera all around town.
The B&B was nice but the bed was unbelievable high, it was up to my waist (and I am six feet tall) and I needed a stepstool to get in bed. I can’t figure out why they wanted a bed so high. You can’t sit on it because your feet do not touch the floor and you slide off.
The bathroom had a neat shower with nozzles on two walls and a rain nozzle overhead… I want one for my house!
I got up to Ogunquit a little after 2:30 on Friday and I met up with the other member who was staying at the Bed and Breakfast. We walked to the center of town around five and went to a piano bar to wait for the others. There were not too many people in the bar when we got there but by the time all my friends arrived the bar was packed, there were six of us, five members and a spouse and we left to go to dinner.
Since this is Maine and a shore town, that meant a seafood dinner and we went down to a restaurant at Perkin’s Cove. I had haddock stuffed with lobster (you knew that lobster had to be involved some how) which was delicious.
Over night it rained but by morning the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to come out, we drove over to Nubble Lighthouse because a couple of had never been to Maine before and we had to do the tourist thing. We then went back and walked around town window shopping. I never did make it down the Marginal Way, one of my friends had a sore knee so we couldn’t walk that long of a distance. We dodged rain showers and had lunch at a nice little place on a deck under umbrellas.
We were down to just three of us, that couple was only there for dinner and one of my friends had to go home because of a family engagement. So the three of us went to the RV park where my other friends had their RV parked and we sat around there for a little while, I made the mistake laying down in a lawn chair and dozed off. Later we went down to Ogunquit for some bar hopping, we went to this “lesbian bar” for some drinks… well it was a lesbian bar but now it was a gay country and western bar! (It turned out that only a couple of nights during the summer it is women's night.) When we walked in there was about eight or ten guys in cowboy hats standing around. I went into panic mode when I saw all of the cowboy hats but calmed down thinking this is Ogunquit, so we stayed for a couple of drinks out on the deck. Around seven we went to get dinner but all the restaurants we packed, so we had pizza. After dinner we went back to the piano bar that we went to the night before and it was packed but we managed to find some seats.
Here is a photo of Nubble Lighthouse and it was the only photos I was able to take even though I lugged my camera all around town.
The B&B was nice but the bed was unbelievable high, it was up to my waist (and I am six feet tall) and I needed a stepstool to get in bed. I can’t figure out why they wanted a bed so high. You can’t sit on it because your feet do not touch the floor and you slide off.
The bathroom had a neat shower with nozzles on two walls and a rain nozzle overhead… I want one for my house!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Constitutional Ballot Question
I think it is wrong to have ballot initiatives that can change the state constitutions. We have given our state legislators the power to enact laws; if those laws are unpopular then we can vote them out of office and enact new laws.
One of the purposes of constitutions is to protect the rights of the minority from the tyranny of the majority. Our U.S. Bill of Rights protects, among other things, freedom of religion, speech, to assembly and to petition the government for regress of grievances. The freedom of religion allows for religions that are not as popular as the dominate religion to exist with hindrance. The freedom of speech and assembly is to allow minority and unpopular points of view to be expressed. The freedom to petition the government for regress of grievances allows us to convey our dissatisfaction and to lobby our elected and government officials.
Over time, we have come to see the need to protect other segments of the population from the oppression of the majority, those that are based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Where would we be now if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was voted on by a ballot initiative? Or the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, would it have been recalled by a ballot initiative? Now on many states ballots there are voter initiatives that would constitutionally ban marriage equality. The ballot initiative is being used by the conservatives to deny rights to a minority by a religious majority, the exact opposite of what our Constitution stands for, to protect the rights of minorities.
The religious right argues that the courts are making law and its decision needs to be over turned by a constitutional ballot initiative. That is wrong the courts have regressed a grievance, the unequal treatment of its citizens. When the laws grants rights to one segment of the population and denies it to another segment of the population that is WRONG! That is discriminatory and that is what the courts have found.
One of the purposes of constitutions is to protect the rights of the minority from the tyranny of the majority. Our U.S. Bill of Rights protects, among other things, freedom of religion, speech, to assembly and to petition the government for regress of grievances. The freedom of religion allows for religions that are not as popular as the dominate religion to exist with hindrance. The freedom of speech and assembly is to allow minority and unpopular points of view to be expressed. The freedom to petition the government for regress of grievances allows us to convey our dissatisfaction and to lobby our elected and government officials.
Over time, we have come to see the need to protect other segments of the population from the oppression of the majority, those that are based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Where would we be now if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was voted on by a ballot initiative? Or the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, would it have been recalled by a ballot initiative? Now on many states ballots there are voter initiatives that would constitutionally ban marriage equality. The ballot initiative is being used by the conservatives to deny rights to a minority by a religious majority, the exact opposite of what our Constitution stands for, to protect the rights of minorities.
The religious right argues that the courts are making law and its decision needs to be over turned by a constitutional ballot initiative. That is wrong the courts have regressed a grievance, the unequal treatment of its citizens. When the laws grants rights to one segment of the population and denies it to another segment of the population that is WRONG! That is discriminatory and that is what the courts have found.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Just In Case You Have Not Heard....
A press release from Love Makes A Family...
California Supreme Court Says Same-Sex Couples Can Marry!
Today, in a historic decision, the California Supreme Court affirmed the dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, by ruling that same-sex couples can marry in that state.
This momentous judgment profoundly supports same-sex couples and their families, and recognizes that two loving, committed people deserve the rights, respect, and equality that come with the freedom to marry.
The decision is also a victory for every American who visualizes a country of inclusion, fairness, and opportunity for all its citizens.
The impact of this decision is enormous, directly affecting over 36 million people who reside in California, well over 10% of the total population of America.
Today's win energizes our work in Connecticut more than ever. We await a decision in our own marriage case, Kerrigan and Mock v. the Connecticut Department of Public Health. And our advocacy, lobbying, and educational efforts continue intensely around the state--this weekend alone, we will co-sponsor a faith forum on marriage equality
in Danbury, and our organizers will be collecting signed postcards to legislators in West Hartford, Brookfield, New Britain, and Danbury.
California's highest court did its job today and ensured all Californians are treated equally under the law. We look forward to the day when we can say the same for Connecticut, and, with your help, we will break down the door of marriage discrimination in this state. And that day is coming very soon.
Anne Stanback
Executive Director
P.S. The Supreme Court's decision will be posted on our home page
later today.
Update: From the Associated Press...
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement today regarding the state Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage:
"I respect the Court's decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling."
California Supreme Court Says Same-Sex Couples Can Marry!
Today, in a historic decision, the California Supreme Court affirmed the dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, by ruling that same-sex couples can marry in that state.
This momentous judgment profoundly supports same-sex couples and their families, and recognizes that two loving, committed people deserve the rights, respect, and equality that come with the freedom to marry.
The decision is also a victory for every American who visualizes a country of inclusion, fairness, and opportunity for all its citizens.
The impact of this decision is enormous, directly affecting over 36 million people who reside in California, well over 10% of the total population of America.
Today's win energizes our work in Connecticut more than ever. We await a decision in our own marriage case, Kerrigan and Mock v. the Connecticut Department of Public Health. And our advocacy, lobbying, and educational efforts continue intensely around the state--this weekend alone, we will co-sponsor a faith forum on marriage equality
in Danbury, and our organizers will be collecting signed postcards to legislators in West Hartford, Brookfield, New Britain, and Danbury.
California's highest court did its job today and ensured all Californians are treated equally under the law. We look forward to the day when we can say the same for Connecticut, and, with your help, we will break down the door of marriage discrimination in this state. And that day is coming very soon.
Anne Stanback
Executive Director
P.S. The Supreme Court's decision will be posted on our home page
later today.
Update: From the Associated Press...
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement today regarding the state Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage:
"I respect the Court's decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling."
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Over The Edge Homophobia
These two items on Pam’s House Blend caught my eye this morning…
Now just how does he plan to accomplish that? Will he require everyone to carry a card saying that they are straight or gay? On the other hand, maybe you will have to sign an affidavit that states that you are straight before going to the bathroom.
And from the “Didn’t the Supreme Court already rule that you cannot do that” file…
But…
Walt Bayes: Schools need separate bathrooms for gay students
Mike Butts mbutts@idahopress.com
Saturday, May 10th, 2008
TREASURE VALLEY — Homosexual and heterosexual students should have separate bathrooms and showers in Idaho schools, a Wilder Republican running for the Idaho House said Friday...
...The topic came up after Bayes mentioned it in his campaign literature, where he wrote, “It is absolutely wrong to force any student to share the same bathrooms and showers with homosexual teachers or students.”
Now just how does he plan to accomplish that? Will he require everyone to carry a card saying that they are straight or gay? On the other hand, maybe you will have to sign an affidavit that states that you are straight before going to the bathroom.
And from the “Didn’t the Supreme Court already rule that you cannot do that” file…
Principal Questioned in Gay Rights Case
Monday, May 12, 2008 - 07:17 PM Updated: 10:02 PM
By Mark Jenkins
A principal takes the stand Monday, for allegedly violating the civil rights of some students.
David Davis, the principal of Ponce de Leon High School.
He's accused of preventing students from wearing clothing or showing homosexual symbols…
…The string of incidents began last September, when a student who was ridiculed for being gay approached Principal Davis to file a complaint.
Monday in court, Davis says he told the student not to discuss her sexual orientation with other students.
Days later, Davis heard of students making gay rights signs, and reports of 25 of them coming to school with the letters "GP" or "Gay Pride" written on their hands.
Gillman says she is not gay, but her cousin (a student at PDL High) is.
Gillman made t-shirts with slogans like:
-"I support equal marriage rights"
-"I support gays"
-"Equal not special rights"
Principal Davis said the t-shirts violate the school board dress code.
But…
…Another interesting point, Davis says clothes with the confederate flag are allowed at school. He says they haven't caused a distraction. Of the 406 students at the high school, none of them are African American…
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Ogunquit ME Trip This Weekend
Well the forecast says that it will be partly cloudy for the weekend with a high in the 60’s. Last year the weather was lousy, drizzle with a high in the 40’s, so anything will be an improvement over last year. It is a trip with the Connecticut Outreach Society and it is for our members who want to go some place where they can dress full time and not to have to worry about bumping into someone that they know. This year we have also invited a support group from New York. In the past, I organized the trip but this another member offered to organize it. She found a B&B and arranged for us to get a group rate, other than the B&B we are on our own to wander around the town. We usually ask if anyone wants to join us for dinner, last year we went to a seafood restaurant in Perkin’s Cove one night and I would like to go back there again this year.
I have no idea how many members from our groups have signed up for the trip, if the number of rooms rented for the two nights is any indication, then we are going to have maybe ten people in our group.
I have no idea how many members from our groups have signed up for the trip, if the number of rooms rented for the two nights is any indication, then we are going to have maybe ten people in our group.