Stupidly cute kitten

Stupidly cute kitten.

Letter to Newsweek

Dear Newsweek editors,

I have many religious friends who accept me for who I am: Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and believers in Native American spiritual traditions (Navajo) alike.

I also have many friends who are part of these religions, most especially Catholics and Protestants. A large majority of their families accept them for who they are.

It is my personal opinion that a majority of the people in this country (and also the post-industrial world) don't believe that homosexuality is an abomination.

Recently, it was pointed out to me that you published an article (Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy) reflecting my opinion when it comes to religion and gayness (particularly gay marriage).

Thank you for that.

I also am aware that you received a bitter reaction to the article from (I assume) members of religious right. Understandably, such a reaction might seem scary to you, to your publishers, and to your corporate sponsors. However, I would like to remind you that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" and that such a bulk of mail from one group does not mean that group's views represent a belief per-capita. It just means they hate more effectively.

In fact, the opposite may be true since they have organized themselves against gays on behalf of their own agenda. Their hatred is neither random nor representative, but rather focused. The sun, when focused through a magnifying class, can certainly burn an ant. They want to burn us, Newsweek, and it is your job to stop their childish destruction. You've already spanked them for bad behavior. Now please ignore their temper tantrum and send them to their rooms without dinner.

P.S. -- I quote, "no sensible modern person wants marriage — theirs or anyone else's — to look in its particulars anything like what the Bible describes". I believe some on the religious right would like to have marriage according to the Bible (for instance, Mormons): polygamy, wife-selling, surrogates, slaves, servants and all. Keep that in mind when you rebuff their reactions.

-Me

Lazy Soap Day

So this morning I was too lazy to actually leave the shower, go to the cabinet and get a new bar of soap. Instead, I used an old bar of SafeGuard that mom had left behind. Normally, I'm very soap-conscious, but today I just felt lazy.

Well. That was a mistake.

When I got to my office this morning I took off my jacket. Much to my chagrin, I smell like a urinal cake.

Why, oh why, would anyone design soap that smells like urinal cake?

La-la-la

Okay, so Proposition 8 in California passed. Gay people are now constitutionally discriminated against. I never thought, of all places, California would be a hate state. Never. Arkansas, yes. Missouri, yes. Arizona, maybe. But California? Isn't that the gay state? I mean, I think it's their official state motto or something.

Anyway, I'm happy Obama got himself elected. Could you imagine Palin in office? Wow.

I'm also happy that my state went back to 100% liberal. All 5 of our national representatives (2 senators, 3 house members) are now Dems. Good for us. We're not as backward as people think!

Hmm. What else? I went to the podiatrist. He gave me a new foot wrap and some injected steroids. I have plantar fasciitis. Yay! Or, not really. It sucks and will take months to heal. I probably got it by walking around Las Vegas for 72 hours. Those freaking casinos are huge.

Anyway, what else? Not much of public interest. Semi-private thoughts are reserved for the Livejournal blog.

Early Voting at University of New Mexico (UNM)

We can vote early at UNM this year.

Donate to Stop Proposition 8 - Keep Marriage Legal

Okay, so I've not posted in over a year. I guess I got burned out on the blogging thing.

Lately, the bug to write and to be active again hit me.

California legalized gay marriage, and the social conservatives are trying to take that right away. Proposition 8 in California will take away that right.

I live in New Mexico, so the only thing I could do was to donate money.

As a poor graduate student, I don't have much to give, but I did it anyway.

And so should you.

Donate here. Give $25. That's a night of movies and popcorn. There are an estimated 15-30 million gay men and women in this nation. If a fraction of those give $25, the EQCA (Equality California) will have enough money to buy enough ads to stop proposition 8 and make equality legal in California (at least until the next election, when the opposition will no doubt sink their money into the pit again).

The Silver Surfer Goes Surfing

Bunnies

Rugby Players Kissing

I like rugby. It's one of the coolest contact sports. The men are beefy and they don't wear gigantic pads like American Footballers. Plus, they're not so self-involved as US athlethes.

Oh. And did I mention. They kiss? Yeah.

Via Jockohomo:

Following last year’s campaign to attract Londoners to Paris, the Regional Tourism Committee of Paris Ile-de-France has once again called upon a French agency, to launch a new ad campaign in Britain’s capital. The campaign uses the offbeat wit of players kissing and the Rugby World Cup to show the world that Paris is also the capital of humour. The Paris region will be hosting several World Cup matches in September, including the final at the Stade de France. Kissing rugby player wallpaper here. Thanks Ben!

Washington State Domestic Partner Law Takes Effect

Neat! Hey, it's not marriage, but it's a start. Via Towleroad:

News outlets are reporting that "dozens" of couples are lining up at government offices around Washington state today to register as domestic partners under a law that took effect over the weekend.

According to The Olympian, "Couples registered as domestic partners will get enhanced rights, including hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations and inheritance rights when there is no will. But domestic partners aren't getting all the rights that traditionally married couples have, and the registry is not the same as civil unions offered to gay couples in other states. To be registered, couples must share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else, and be at least 18."

Now, I wonder if Dan Savage is signed up to get hitched?