Actually no fish will be harmed on our trip, but I'll be away for a few days visiting my brother in beautiful Rochester, NY. I'll be back blogging on Monday night.
For all my American readers, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. For everyone else around the globe, have a wonderful time doing whatever it is you normally do.
May 24, 2006
May 23, 2006
"Even deep in Dixie, gays sense acceptance"
I ran across an interesting Associated Press story via USA Today. It focuses on the state of the GLBT community in Alabama.
On the one hand, things aren't so good. The state is certain to overwhelmingly vote to strengthen its prohibition against same-sex marriage in early June. A national gay magazine says Alabama is the worst state in America for gays and lesbians. A gubanatorial candidate has called homosexuality evil.
Not so good.
Despite that, however, the GLBT community has made some progress toward acceptance and eventually equal rights. There's a long way to go, but there is a growing feeling that more opportunities exist for gay and lesbians to have a full, happy life in Alabama. Check out the article to find out why.
On the one hand, things aren't so good. The state is certain to overwhelmingly vote to strengthen its prohibition against same-sex marriage in early June. A national gay magazine says Alabama is the worst state in America for gays and lesbians. A gubanatorial candidate has called homosexuality evil.
Not so good.
Despite that, however, the GLBT community has made some progress toward acceptance and eventually equal rights. There's a long way to go, but there is a growing feeling that more opportunities exist for gay and lesbians to have a full, happy life in Alabama. Check out the article to find out why.
May 22, 2006
A Look Inside the "Double Closet"
As many of you know, it can be challenging if you are a GLBT person living in the United States these days. Imagine in this post-9/11 society being Arab-American AND GLBT.
That, folks, in an open invitation for harassment and discrimination in today's America. This story from AlterNet tells the story of a few individuals who are dealing with that on a daily basis.
Of course, it would probably be even tougher back in their families' native lands. There are some horror stories told in this piece about treatment of GLBT people in the Middle East.
The story also tells us about a group named AL-GAMEA that has been started with the goal of acting like a PFLAG organization for Arab-Americans.
They clearly have their work cut out for them.
That, folks, in an open invitation for harassment and discrimination in today's America. This story from AlterNet tells the story of a few individuals who are dealing with that on a daily basis.
Of course, it would probably be even tougher back in their families' native lands. There are some horror stories told in this piece about treatment of GLBT people in the Middle East.
The story also tells us about a group named AL-GAMEA that has been started with the goal of acting like a PFLAG organization for Arab-Americans.
They clearly have their work cut out for them.
June 1: Blogging for LGBT Families Day
I want to let you know about a grass roots blogging event that I will be participating in on June 1. It is called "Blogging for LGBT Familes Day." The event is being driven by the blog "Mombian" (Sustenance for Lesbian Moms) and is designed to raise awareness about LGBT families. You can click through on the link for more background and details.
It's actually very simple--those of you who blog can post an entry on or before June 1 and let the folks over at Mombian know so they can get it linked up. What should you write about? Quoting from Mombian:
"The choice of topic is up to you. If you are part of an LGBT family, and normally blog about your family’s activities, you may simply do so again. You may also choose to write on broader issues of LGBT family rights, acceptance, your personal path to parenthood, being the child of an LGBT family, what you’ve learned from the LGBT family down the street, or anything else that supports the goal above. Regardless, please let me know you’re participating."
If you don't have a blog and still want to participate, you can e-mail me your piece and I'll be glad to post it under your byline, or you can contact Mombian directly.
As part of the event, I'll be sharing a very personal story about my family. I encourage all of my readers to consider participating.
It's actually very simple--those of you who blog can post an entry on or before June 1 and let the folks over at Mombian know so they can get it linked up. What should you write about? Quoting from Mombian:
"The choice of topic is up to you. If you are part of an LGBT family, and normally blog about your family’s activities, you may simply do so again. You may also choose to write on broader issues of LGBT family rights, acceptance, your personal path to parenthood, being the child of an LGBT family, what you’ve learned from the LGBT family down the street, or anything else that supports the goal above. Regardless, please let me know you’re participating."
If you don't have a blog and still want to participate, you can e-mail me your piece and I'll be glad to post it under your byline, or you can contact Mombian directly.
As part of the event, I'll be sharing a very personal story about my family. I encourage all of my readers to consider participating.
May 21, 2006
"The DaVinci Code" Fact vs. Fiction
As far as I know, there aren't any gay folks running around in "The DaVinci Code" movie just released this weekend, but I still wanted to post on it since this blog is ultimately about Jesus Christ.
I have not read the book or seen the movie, so I don't have any great depth to add to the national debate about both, but this column by Dr. R. Albert Mohler does.
Mohler is part of the "fundamentalist" leadership I write about often, usually not in a flattering way. That doesn't mean they are wrong about everything, though, and I felt Dr. Mohler knocked it out of the park with this address he gave regarding "The DaVinci Code." Oddly enough, he was speaking only a few miles away from my home in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mohler's talk was very informative and thorough and I think it is definately worth reading if you have any questions at all about the issues raised by this book and/or movie.
Just keep in mind that if you have a choice between what a novel and movie teach about Jesus Christ vs. what the bible says, stick with the bible. The bible shows the path to the Holy Spirit, not Tom Hanks, especially not with that funky haircut.
I have not read the book or seen the movie, so I don't have any great depth to add to the national debate about both, but this column by Dr. R. Albert Mohler does.
Mohler is part of the "fundamentalist" leadership I write about often, usually not in a flattering way. That doesn't mean they are wrong about everything, though, and I felt Dr. Mohler knocked it out of the park with this address he gave regarding "The DaVinci Code." Oddly enough, he was speaking only a few miles away from my home in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mohler's talk was very informative and thorough and I think it is definately worth reading if you have any questions at all about the issues raised by this book and/or movie.
Just keep in mind that if you have a choice between what a novel and movie teach about Jesus Christ vs. what the bible says, stick with the bible. The bible shows the path to the Holy Spirit, not Tom Hanks, especially not with that funky haircut.
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