Not bad according to this article in Bay Windows (Boston, MA):
Although we can’t deny the Bush Administration credit on international support of HIV/AIDS, it was openly hostile to any attempts to address core issues that drive the epidemic in our own country. They ignored science and supported abstinence-only programs despite the studies that demonstrate this strategy does not work. They also reduced funding for and did whatever possible to squash innovative and evidence-based interventions for gay men.
The Obama Administration has done just the opposite. The President appointed a gay man to run ONAP and has made it clear to the CDC that a focus on gay men in its HIV prevention plans is critical. The Administration also supports evidence based programs and did not include funding for abstinence-only programs in the President’s budget. Just last week, Congress passed a budget that demonstrated its commitment to science and did not include any set aside funds for abstinence-only programming.
The President has set three very specific goals for his Administration regarding the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic:
December 26, 2009
Encouraging Words 12/26/09-Is Change Possible for Evangelicals?
Rev. Janet Edwards, a Presbyterian minister, believes that evangelicals can change their minds and accept LGBT people and stop fighting against equal rights. Here is an essay she wrote for The Advocate suggesting what needs to be done for that to happen:
It is true the tide has shifted toward acceptance of LGBT people as equal members of society. But one need look no further than the string of defeats at the ballot box to understand just how far we have to go.
The conventional wisdom tells us that to win, we should focus all our resources on getting out the progressive vote and solidifying the support of social moderates because the hearts and minds of evangelical Christians are unwinnable. I believe it’s time we dispensed with the conventional wisdom.
The fact is, we remain a country where 77% of our citizens identify as Christian. Shifting public perception on any issue requires engaging them. Evangelical Christians carry significant weight with many Christians across most denominations on this issue. For this reason, I believe the tipping point for LGBT equality will come when evangelical Christians recognize our common humanity — that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
Easier said than done? There’s no denying that LGBT people have suffered greatly from the hurtful words and actions of some within the evangelical Christian community. There will likely always be religious hard-liners who won’t budge from their convictions. Yet change is possible for many.
Click here to read the rest of the essay.
It is true the tide has shifted toward acceptance of LGBT people as equal members of society. But one need look no further than the string of defeats at the ballot box to understand just how far we have to go.
The conventional wisdom tells us that to win, we should focus all our resources on getting out the progressive vote and solidifying the support of social moderates because the hearts and minds of evangelical Christians are unwinnable. I believe it’s time we dispensed with the conventional wisdom.
The fact is, we remain a country where 77% of our citizens identify as Christian. Shifting public perception on any issue requires engaging them. Evangelical Christians carry significant weight with many Christians across most denominations on this issue. For this reason, I believe the tipping point for LGBT equality will come when evangelical Christians recognize our common humanity — that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
Easier said than done? There’s no denying that LGBT people have suffered greatly from the hurtful words and actions of some within the evangelical Christian community. There will likely always be religious hard-liners who won’t budge from their convictions. Yet change is possible for many.
Click here to read the rest of the essay.
SNN Recommends 12/26/09-"Holy Ambition: What It Takes to Make a Difference For God"
Amazon.com Ratings: 8 of 8 reviewers give it at least 4 of 5 stars
SNN Rating: 4 stars
If the idea of walking with Jesus doesn't make you uncomfortable, you haven't thought seriously enough about His presence in your life. The passed-down, packaged Jesus turns out to be quite different from the one who steps alive and kicking out of the pages of Scripture. Author, pastor and radio teacher Chip Ingram outlines what it takes to follow this renegade Jesus toward the idea of Holy Ambition. Stretching outside of your comfortable existence is just the beginning. Dislocated hearts and broken spirits give way to radical, faith-filled strategies that equip you to truly make a difference for God right now.
God is not looking for the brightest and the best. God is looking for people who are willing to live on the edge—people who so long to see God’s agenda fulfilled in this fallen world that they attempt what seems impossible, ridiculous, and “outside the box,” for God’s glory.
Click here to purchase the book and read the customer reviews.
SNN Rating: 4 stars
If the idea of walking with Jesus doesn't make you uncomfortable, you haven't thought seriously enough about His presence in your life. The passed-down, packaged Jesus turns out to be quite different from the one who steps alive and kicking out of the pages of Scripture. Author, pastor and radio teacher Chip Ingram outlines what it takes to follow this renegade Jesus toward the idea of Holy Ambition. Stretching outside of your comfortable existence is just the beginning. Dislocated hearts and broken spirits give way to radical, faith-filled strategies that equip you to truly make a difference for God right now.
God is not looking for the brightest and the best. God is looking for people who are willing to live on the edge—people who so long to see God’s agenda fulfilled in this fallen world that they attempt what seems impossible, ridiculous, and “outside the box,” for God’s glory.
Click here to purchase the book and read the customer reviews.
"How Newsweek Got It Wrong on Gay Rights"
A few days ago we linked to a story in Newsweek that was very pessimistic about the prospect of action on gay rights matters in Congress in 2010. Here's a different view by Dr. Jillian T. Weiss posting on The Bilerico Project:
No one reading my columns here and knowing my view of LGBT rights in the Obama era will mistake me for a dewy-eyed optimist. At the same time, however, the prediction that "Obama does nada on gay rights" in 2010 is beyond bold and moves into the realm of just plain silly.
There won't be as much progress as progressives, including myself, would like, that's for sure. That's why we're called progressives. To say that there will be none, however, has a certain quality of sheer spite to it. There is movement on important LGBT rights issues that will continue into 2010 and could result in some important victories. Such victories are by no means assured, but despair is the enemy of victory.
Why would Newsweek, which has run many stories strongly sympathetic to LGBT rights, make such a wrong-headed and defeatist prediction? Anyone with any experience in legislative work knows that there are many ups-and-downs in a legislative campaign. Witness the health-care reform effort, in which the reform advocates have just pulled a health-care rabbit out of a Senatorial hat after weeks and months of moaning about the intransigence of the Senate. Admittedly, it's a sickly heath-care rabbit, and in dire need of a Medicare card, which it's not going to get, but a rabbit is a rabbit.
Have the journalists at Newsweek, hard-headed veterans of the ups-and-downs of many legislative campaigns, been assimilated by the Borg? In a word, yes. If you believe Newsweek, resistance is futile. Let me just say one thing: do not drink the kool-aid.
Click here to read the rest of the essay:
No one reading my columns here and knowing my view of LGBT rights in the Obama era will mistake me for a dewy-eyed optimist. At the same time, however, the prediction that "Obama does nada on gay rights" in 2010 is beyond bold and moves into the realm of just plain silly.
There won't be as much progress as progressives, including myself, would like, that's for sure. That's why we're called progressives. To say that there will be none, however, has a certain quality of sheer spite to it. There is movement on important LGBT rights issues that will continue into 2010 and could result in some important victories. Such victories are by no means assured, but despair is the enemy of victory.
Why would Newsweek, which has run many stories strongly sympathetic to LGBT rights, make such a wrong-headed and defeatist prediction? Anyone with any experience in legislative work knows that there are many ups-and-downs in a legislative campaign. Witness the health-care reform effort, in which the reform advocates have just pulled a health-care rabbit out of a Senatorial hat after weeks and months of moaning about the intransigence of the Senate. Admittedly, it's a sickly heath-care rabbit, and in dire need of a Medicare card, which it's not going to get, but a rabbit is a rabbit.
Have the journalists at Newsweek, hard-headed veterans of the ups-and-downs of many legislative campaigns, been assimilated by the Borg? In a word, yes. If you believe Newsweek, resistance is futile. Let me just say one thing: do not drink the kool-aid.
Click here to read the rest of the essay:
December 25, 2009
The Brady Bunch-"The Voice of Christmas"
One of the most touching Brady Bunch episodes was in their first season, when Carol was supposed to sing at their church's Christmas service but lost her voice. Did she get it back in time to sing? Did Cindy's prayers for her mom get answered/ Check out the show via You Tube (in three parts) and find out.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Encouraging Words 12/25/09-The Birth of Christ
Luke 2: 1-14
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Encouraging Music 12/25/09-You've Never Seen the Hallelujah Chorus Like This!
Enjoy the monks from "St. Francis de la Sissies" (actually the Pittsburgh Gay Men's Chorus) perform a truly unique version of the Hallelujah Chorus:
Encouraging Words 12/25/09-"Moving Mountains of Oppression"
A group is Charlotte, NC is doing their part to reach into organizations of various faiths and help them understand why they should be open and affirming and give them resources to do so. Here's the story from Q-Notes:
Pamela Jones is adamant: Faith communities from all traditions should be more welcoming of LGBT worshipers.
A transgender advocate and member of the Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Charlotte board of directors, Jones is also co-founder of the city’s Interfaith Connection. She and other members of the group hope their outreach to local faith communities will help spark a growth in inclusive worship spaces.
“Our mission is to reach other churches on the cusp of becoming open and affirming and offer them resources,” Jones said.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Pamela Jones is adamant: Faith communities from all traditions should be more welcoming of LGBT worshipers.
A transgender advocate and member of the Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Charlotte board of directors, Jones is also co-founder of the city’s Interfaith Connection. She and other members of the group hope their outreach to local faith communities will help spark a growth in inclusive worship spaces.
“Our mission is to reach other churches on the cusp of becoming open and affirming and offer them resources,” Jones said.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Spend Christmas With Judy Garland
Merry Christmas to one and all. We are blessed to enjoy another Christmas together and hope you and your family are blessed. We invite you, through the magic of You Tube, to spend part of the day with the one and only Judy Garland (and a young Liza Minelli) enjoying her 1963 Christmas television special (in 6 parts). Unfortunately we couldn't embed the video like we usually do, but just follow the links through to You Tube.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
December 24, 2009
In Our Own Words 12/24/09-Our Merry Christmas Wishes For You
We're sitting in our warm home with the fireplace going and listening to Christmas music tonight. We realize how blessed we've been this year, and part of that blessing has been working on this blog and putting it out there for you. We're received some truly wonderful and moving feedback during the course of the year which is appreciated and tells us that we are doing something worthwhile.
As Christmas Day is almost here, we want you all to know how much we value and love each and every person who our work has touched in some way. We can say that about those of you we haven't met or even interacted with because we are children of the Most High, and are therefore of value and worthy of being loved because He first loved us.
Regardless of your family situation, we sincerely hope and pray that you seek the joy, peace, and hope that the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior, is all about. If you haven't talked to Him recently, maybe just start out by wishing Him a happy birthday and see where the conversation goes from there.
Merry Christmas and God Bless everyone!
Jim and Brenda
As Christmas Day is almost here, we want you all to know how much we value and love each and every person who our work has touched in some way. We can say that about those of you we haven't met or even interacted with because we are children of the Most High, and are therefore of value and worthy of being loved because He first loved us.
Regardless of your family situation, we sincerely hope and pray that you seek the joy, peace, and hope that the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior, is all about. If you haven't talked to Him recently, maybe just start out by wishing Him a happy birthday and see where the conversation goes from there.
Merry Christmas and God Bless everyone!
Jim and Brenda
SNN Recommends (Just For Fun) 12/24/09-I Can Has Cheezburger
Here's a little Christmas fun with the LOL cats:
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
A Look at the LGBT Health Disparities Gap
The Center for American Progess has an in-depth study of the gap between health services provided to the LGBT community vs. the general public (hat-tip to Twitter user TGWorldNews) . Here's an excerpt:
Members of the LGBT population continue to experience worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. Due to factors like low rates of health insurance coverage, high rates of stress due to systematic harassment and discrimination, and a lack of cultural competency in the health care system, LGBT people are at a higher risk for cancer, mental illnesses, and other diseases, and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, and engage in other risky behaviors.
People who are both LGBT and members of a racial or ethnic minority will often face the highest level of health disparities. For example, as the National Coalition for LGBT Health notes, a black gay man faces disparities common to the African-American community as well as those suffered by the LGBT community, and a transgender Spanish-speaking woman, regardless of her sexual orientation, must navigate multiple instances of discrimination based on language, ethnicity, and gender.
Click here to read the rest of the report, there's a LOT more included.
Members of the LGBT population continue to experience worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. Due to factors like low rates of health insurance coverage, high rates of stress due to systematic harassment and discrimination, and a lack of cultural competency in the health care system, LGBT people are at a higher risk for cancer, mental illnesses, and other diseases, and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, and engage in other risky behaviors.
People who are both LGBT and members of a racial or ethnic minority will often face the highest level of health disparities. For example, as the National Coalition for LGBT Health notes, a black gay man faces disparities common to the African-American community as well as those suffered by the LGBT community, and a transgender Spanish-speaking woman, regardless of her sexual orientation, must navigate multiple instances of discrimination based on language, ethnicity, and gender.
Click here to read the rest of the report, there's a LOT more included.
December 23, 2009
Conflict Over Gays Leads Churches to Withdraw From Homeless Ministry
You will probably find that headline aggravating and hard to believe. Right on the first count, but unfortunately wrong on the second count. From the Kalamazoo News via PageOneQ:
Theological disagreements over homosexuality are causing a divide within a downtown ministry that serves the poor, homeless and lonely.
Martha’s Table, through which eight churches have provided Sunday afternoon worship and meals for the needy at First Congregational Church, is losing three of the churches because of the issue of homosexuality, even though the ecumenical ministry takes no position on it, said the Rev. Matt Laney, pastor of First Congregational.
Agape Christian Church and Word for Life Church of God plan to withdraw from Martha’s Table at the end of the year, and Centerpoint Church (formerly Third Reformed Church) has already done so, Laney said.
Theological disagreements over homosexuality are causing a divide within a downtown ministry that serves the poor, homeless and lonely.
Martha’s Table, through which eight churches have provided Sunday afternoon worship and meals for the needy at First Congregational Church, is losing three of the churches because of the issue of homosexuality, even though the ecumenical ministry takes no position on it, said the Rev. Matt Laney, pastor of First Congregational.
Agape Christian Church and Word for Life Church of God plan to withdraw from Martha’s Table at the end of the year, and Centerpoint Church (formerly Third Reformed Church) has already done so, Laney said.
Matthew 25 Resource 12/23/09-Ruth Meiers Hospitality House (Bismark, ND)
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House opened its doors in 1987. The House is named after North Dakota's former lieutenant governor, Ruth Meiers, and rooted in her belief that each individual is unique with value and talents deserving respect and appreciation.
The mission of Ruth Meiers Hospitality House is to "provide housing and supportive services to assist homeless and low income people in achieving self-sufficiency".
According to the 2009 Point-in-Time survey conducted by the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People, there are 276 homeless people on any given day in the Bismarck-Mandan region. We are proud to provide food shelter and support to these individuals in our community who need our help.
Please take the time to look through our beautiful website to learn more about our programs and how you can help the homeless in your area.
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House is grateful for the wonderful support that we receive from all the communities in this region of North Dakota. You can make a donation to Ruth Meiers by clicking on the "Donate with Impact" button.
Together we can make a difference!
Susan Martin, Executive Director
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House
Click here to find out more.
The mission of Ruth Meiers Hospitality House is to "provide housing and supportive services to assist homeless and low income people in achieving self-sufficiency".
According to the 2009 Point-in-Time survey conducted by the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People, there are 276 homeless people on any given day in the Bismarck-Mandan region. We are proud to provide food shelter and support to these individuals in our community who need our help.
Please take the time to look through our beautiful website to learn more about our programs and how you can help the homeless in your area.
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House is grateful for the wonderful support that we receive from all the communities in this region of North Dakota. You can make a donation to Ruth Meiers by clicking on the "Donate with Impact" button.
Together we can make a difference!
Susan Martin, Executive Director
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House
Click here to find out more.
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