Friday, July 10, 2009
Call for Action Against Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
Who knew that while on a quick trip to El Paso, Texas (I grew up here and my family lives here) that I would get involved in calling for action against an act of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Let me explain. In today's El Paso Times newspaper there is an article about an incident that happened on June 29, 2009 at Chico's Tacos, a Mexican restaurant. It appears several gay men were waiting in line for their fast food when two gays kissed each other on the lips. What happened next is what has many folks in El Paso and the ALCU in an uproar.
The restaurant's guard told the men they had to leave because of their lewd behavior; a discussion continued to the point of the guard having to call the local police to have the men escorted out of the restaurant.
What is insane is that the police told the men that the Texas law on homosexual conduct covered their lewd behavior and that they had to leave. Cut to the present: The ALCU is now looking into this because as they so ably reported the Supreme Court ruled the Texas law unconstitutional in 2003.
I have so far called the City of El Paso's Mayor office and was only able to leave a message to complain about the incident and also called the City of El Paso Police Department and just now filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General.
Now, if two straights had kissed, would they have been told to leave the restaurant?
I hope this is all resolved in an efficient manner and also to the point that the police in El Paso are educated better with regard to people's rights and current Texas law.
Let me explain. In today's El Paso Times newspaper there is an article about an incident that happened on June 29, 2009 at Chico's Tacos, a Mexican restaurant. It appears several gay men were waiting in line for their fast food when two gays kissed each other on the lips. What happened next is what has many folks in El Paso and the ALCU in an uproar.
The restaurant's guard told the men they had to leave because of their lewd behavior; a discussion continued to the point of the guard having to call the local police to have the men escorted out of the restaurant.
What is insane is that the police told the men that the Texas law on homosexual conduct covered their lewd behavior and that they had to leave. Cut to the present: The ALCU is now looking into this because as they so ably reported the Supreme Court ruled the Texas law unconstitutional in 2003.
I have so far called the City of El Paso's Mayor office and was only able to leave a message to complain about the incident and also called the City of El Paso Police Department and just now filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General.
Now, if two straights had kissed, would they have been told to leave the restaurant?
I hope this is all resolved in an efficient manner and also to the point that the police in El Paso are educated better with regard to people's rights and current Texas law.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Jules & Schimel Featured at ArLiJo.com / Paint Made Flesh
ArLiJo.com:
If you are in the mood for some poetry, take a look at the poetry by Jacqueline Jules and Lawrence Schimel at www.ArLiJo.com. Click here: ArLiJo.com
At the Phillips Gallery:
If you are out and about in Washington, DC, take an hour or so and stop by the Phillips Collection and see the latest exhibit entitled "Paint Made Flesh."
The works by such artists as Picasso, Bacon (a strange cookie he was), de Kooning (sorry I didn't pick up a small work of his over 10 years ago), and Lucien Freud (yes, a relative of Freud--perhaps even more strange than the Bacons).
Anyway, this collection more so than others works better because there is a theme going through the exhibit. There are many that make one stop and simply take in the images and contemplate: What was the artist doing here? What did he/she want to say? That perhaps is what makes me intrigued by art more than anything else--granted, a beautiful painting is wonderful but what I really enjoy is the provocation of forcing the viewer to think.
I don't recall the artists' names but these two really stood out: The featured artist on the post card for the exhibit (of two women's heads) and an artist's nude father walking (this one looks as though he is Lazarus risen from the dead and then I read that the artist's father had died--truly eerie).
If you are in the mood for some poetry, take a look at the poetry by Jacqueline Jules and Lawrence Schimel at www.ArLiJo.com. Click here: ArLiJo.com
At the Phillips Gallery:
If you are out and about in Washington, DC, take an hour or so and stop by the Phillips Collection and see the latest exhibit entitled "Paint Made Flesh."
The works by such artists as Picasso, Bacon (a strange cookie he was), de Kooning (sorry I didn't pick up a small work of his over 10 years ago), and Lucien Freud (yes, a relative of Freud--perhaps even more strange than the Bacons).
Anyway, this collection more so than others works better because there is a theme going through the exhibit. There are many that make one stop and simply take in the images and contemplate: What was the artist doing here? What did he/she want to say? That perhaps is what makes me intrigued by art more than anything else--granted, a beautiful painting is wonderful but what I really enjoy is the provocation of forcing the viewer to think.
I don't recall the artists' names but these two really stood out: The featured artist on the post card for the exhibit (of two women's heads) and an artist's nude father walking (this one looks as though he is Lazarus risen from the dead and then I read that the artist's father had died--truly eerie).
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thank You, Mr. President / David Sedaris Doesn't Disappoint
Stonewall Meeting of Sorts at The White House:
Thank you, Mr. President, for taking the time and energy to meet with the GLBT community to reassure folks that you have not forgotten them, nor their drive for equal rights in this country.
It is now clear that Congress needs to do some work. Yes, that would include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to rally up the Democrats and Others in Congress who truly believe in equality in this country and not lip service.
David Sedaris:
This past Friday I was lucky enough to meet and hear David Sedaris at the Borders (Crossroads).
I have read and heard him on NPR before especially on Fresh Air and laughed so hard it hurt. Certainly this Friday, although he had laryngitis (boy, that's dedication to his fans), he was both charming and entertaining.
I had second thoughts about standing in line to get my copy of When You Are Engulfed in Flames signed by him since standing is quite painful, given that I have 4 screws in my spine, but leaning against the stacks and sitting on the side tables until I got my "time" with him was worth it. And I had no idea he would give me his chair so I could stay and listen to his reading. I explained that I had had enough just waiting for the signature and he jumped from his chair and said: "Here, you can take my chair." In fact, he also ordered the staff to get a chair for my partner as well so we both were able to stay and listen and laugh and laugh.
I don't recall any reading where I have laughed so much or so hard. Certainly, as I told Sedaris, laughter is the best medicine.
His stories amaze and Lord knows he at times doesn't know when to stop. His sharing a story someone told him about a girlfriend who had an embarrassing accident in his car was perhaps a bit over the top. The audience laughed and went "oooo".
So if you want a fun read and many good laughs, I strongly recommend that you read David Sedaris. He does not disappoint, not even when he is truly barely able to speak.
You talk pretty, David, even with the frog in your throat.
Thank you, Mr. President, for taking the time and energy to meet with the GLBT community to reassure folks that you have not forgotten them, nor their drive for equal rights in this country.
It is now clear that Congress needs to do some work. Yes, that would include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to rally up the Democrats and Others in Congress who truly believe in equality in this country and not lip service.
David Sedaris:
This past Friday I was lucky enough to meet and hear David Sedaris at the Borders (Crossroads).
I have read and heard him on NPR before especially on Fresh Air and laughed so hard it hurt. Certainly this Friday, although he had laryngitis (boy, that's dedication to his fans), he was both charming and entertaining.
I had second thoughts about standing in line to get my copy of When You Are Engulfed in Flames signed by him since standing is quite painful, given that I have 4 screws in my spine, but leaning against the stacks and sitting on the side tables until I got my "time" with him was worth it. And I had no idea he would give me his chair so I could stay and listen to his reading. I explained that I had had enough just waiting for the signature and he jumped from his chair and said: "Here, you can take my chair." In fact, he also ordered the staff to get a chair for my partner as well so we both were able to stay and listen and laugh and laugh.
I don't recall any reading where I have laughed so much or so hard. Certainly, as I told Sedaris, laughter is the best medicine.
His stories amaze and Lord knows he at times doesn't know when to stop. His sharing a story someone told him about a girlfriend who had an embarrassing accident in his car was perhaps a bit over the top. The audience laughed and went "oooo".
So if you want a fun read and many good laughs, I strongly recommend that you read David Sedaris. He does not disappoint, not even when he is truly barely able to speak.
You talk pretty, David, even with the frog in your throat.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Stonewall: Is Congress Stonewalling? / Terrorism Against Hispanics
Stonewall: Is Congress Stonewalling?
Forty years ago today the GLBT community in New York City helped propel the rights of GLBT to the forefront. Yes, this community has come a long way, but oddly the man behind the curtain still hasn't produced all the goods for Dorothy's Friends.
What do I mean? Now that we have a Congress controlled by Democrats and a president who vowed to help the community gain equal protection under the Constitution, the very leaders who claimed they would help this community are stonewalling. If not now, when? Certainly, the Other Party is not going to do anything to help this community, but that doesn't mean that Democrats can count on individuals to sit complacently and simply be ignored and be told figuratively to go to the back of the bus, similar to what Rosa Parks was told in the 1960s. These days have passed. Individuals want action and are fed up with platitudes of empty promises. Dorothy's Friends not only want to send Dorothy back to Kansas, they also want their just rights and the Man Behind the Curtain can no longer hide.
So, Mr. President and Congress, the GLBT community is waiting. If not now, when?
Terrorism Against Hispanics:
I was extremely troubled by the article in the New York Times this morning about the shooting and killing of innocent people in Arizona by terrorists---Yes, that's right, Americans acting on behalf of the Minutemen American Defense entered a home in Arivaca, Arizona and opened fire and killed a father and his daughter in cold blood for the terrorists believed they were in the USA illegally.
Fortunately, a woman by the name of Gina Gonzalez survived the incident but only because she used her dead husband's gun to defend herself. This is truly sad.
Regardless of whether an individual is in the USA legally or illegally does not give anyone the right to enter a home and kill anyone. Americans who do not believe that Hispanics (legal Americans and many here illegally) are being terrorized are not being honest and do not know what is happening in this country.
How is this any different from Nazis entered Jewish homes in Nazi Germany and killing Jews for no other reason than for being Jews?
How is this any different from American terrorists killing gays/lesbians for no other reason than because they are gay/lesbian?
How is this any different from American terrorists who lynched Blacks?
Where is the statement from President Obama or Congress condemning the actions by the Minutemen American Defense and groups who practice such actions?
Mr. President and Congress, Americans (regardless of our ethnicity) are calling upon you to speak out against this kind of American terrorism for no one, be they American citizens, residents/visitors (legal or illegal) should be attacked or killed for simply being who he/she is.
Therefore, I call upon individuals to call the White House (202.456.1111) and their respective Congressional representatives on Monday to ask that they condemn this horrific action.
Forty years ago today the GLBT community in New York City helped propel the rights of GLBT to the forefront. Yes, this community has come a long way, but oddly the man behind the curtain still hasn't produced all the goods for Dorothy's Friends.
What do I mean? Now that we have a Congress controlled by Democrats and a president who vowed to help the community gain equal protection under the Constitution, the very leaders who claimed they would help this community are stonewalling. If not now, when? Certainly, the Other Party is not going to do anything to help this community, but that doesn't mean that Democrats can count on individuals to sit complacently and simply be ignored and be told figuratively to go to the back of the bus, similar to what Rosa Parks was told in the 1960s. These days have passed. Individuals want action and are fed up with platitudes of empty promises. Dorothy's Friends not only want to send Dorothy back to Kansas, they also want their just rights and the Man Behind the Curtain can no longer hide.
So, Mr. President and Congress, the GLBT community is waiting. If not now, when?
Terrorism Against Hispanics:
I was extremely troubled by the article in the New York Times this morning about the shooting and killing of innocent people in Arizona by terrorists---Yes, that's right, Americans acting on behalf of the Minutemen American Defense entered a home in Arivaca, Arizona and opened fire and killed a father and his daughter in cold blood for the terrorists believed they were in the USA illegally.
Fortunately, a woman by the name of Gina Gonzalez survived the incident but only because she used her dead husband's gun to defend herself. This is truly sad.
Regardless of whether an individual is in the USA legally or illegally does not give anyone the right to enter a home and kill anyone. Americans who do not believe that Hispanics (legal Americans and many here illegally) are being terrorized are not being honest and do not know what is happening in this country.
How is this any different from Nazis entered Jewish homes in Nazi Germany and killing Jews for no other reason than for being Jews?
How is this any different from American terrorists killing gays/lesbians for no other reason than because they are gay/lesbian?
How is this any different from American terrorists who lynched Blacks?
Where is the statement from President Obama or Congress condemning the actions by the Minutemen American Defense and groups who practice such actions?
Mr. President and Congress, Americans (regardless of our ethnicity) are calling upon you to speak out against this kind of American terrorism for no one, be they American citizens, residents/visitors (legal or illegal) should be attacked or killed for simply being who he/she is.
Therefore, I call upon individuals to call the White House (202.456.1111) and their respective Congressional representatives on Monday to ask that they condemn this horrific action.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson: A Legend Has Died
Wow, what can those who grew up with Michael Jackson's music say about his sudden death?
Aside from being shocked and now as many wait to see what may have caused his sudden death, it is his music that still rings strong, for millions of us have danced to his music.
Granted he had a difficult life, but his influence on our culture and reach of his style and efforts will continue long after his death.
Aside from being shocked and now as many wait to see what may have caused his sudden death, it is his music that still rings strong, for millions of us have danced to his music.
Granted he had a difficult life, but his influence on our culture and reach of his style and efforts will continue long after his death.
Need for Healthcare Reform / GLBT Poetry Contest Deadline June 27th
National Healthcare:
It's quite strange that one of the richest (never mind our national debt) and most industrialized countries in the world does not have a national healthcare plan.
Fortunately, President Obama is trying to remedy this but Democrats in Congress need get on board. If this fails again (do you remember Clinton's attempt?) this time, a Democratic Congress will have only itself to blame.
On the topic of Poetry:
Poets out there are encouraged to enter the Gival Press Oscar Wilde Award for the best GLBT poem of any length and form. There is a reading fee of $5 for each poem submitted and the prize is $100, plus online publication at www.givalpress.com.
For more details click here: Oscar Wilde Award Guidelines
It's quite strange that one of the richest (never mind our national debt) and most industrialized countries in the world does not have a national healthcare plan.
Fortunately, President Obama is trying to remedy this but Democrats in Congress need get on board. If this fails again (do you remember Clinton's attempt?) this time, a Democratic Congress will have only itself to blame.
On the topic of Poetry:
Poets out there are encouraged to enter the Gival Press Oscar Wilde Award for the best GLBT poem of any length and form. There is a reading fee of $5 for each poem submitted and the prize is $100, plus online publication at www.givalpress.com.
For more details click here: Oscar Wilde Award Guidelines
Monday, June 22, 2009
In Solidarity for Free Elections in Iran
Whereas Americans might want to pitch in with regard to the situation in Iran, it is a very tricky predicament.
Having gotten advice with regard to the situation from one of my Iranian students today who spoke with his mother this weekend who lives in Iran, I yield to my student who suggested that the USA stay out of the situation and he further agreed that President Obama is taking the right position.
The situation in Iran is an internal matter and other countries interfering will only make matters worse.
Republicans who are quick to turn situations to their liking should take note.
Of course, who would not want free elections in any country? But the Iranian situation could quickly get out of hand and as one Iranian police was quoted in the New York Times recently (I paraphrase here): Please, I have a wife and children; I don't want to hurt anyone.
Who in his right mind wants to argue with that or knowingly would want to cause harm to a people and its country?
Elected officials should not try to enhance their own agenda at the cause of other people's lives.
Having gotten advice with regard to the situation from one of my Iranian students today who spoke with his mother this weekend who lives in Iran, I yield to my student who suggested that the USA stay out of the situation and he further agreed that President Obama is taking the right position.
The situation in Iran is an internal matter and other countries interfering will only make matters worse.
Republicans who are quick to turn situations to their liking should take note.
Of course, who would not want free elections in any country? But the Iranian situation could quickly get out of hand and as one Iranian police was quoted in the New York Times recently (I paraphrase here): Please, I have a wife and children; I don't want to hurt anyone.
Who in his right mind wants to argue with that or knowingly would want to cause harm to a people and its country?
Elected officials should not try to enhance their own agenda at the cause of other people's lives.
Friday, June 19, 2009
National Days of Prayer / Republican Hypocrisy / Obama Still Has Grace
Native American Sacred Places:
Today begins the national observance of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places.
There will be numerous activities across the country. For more information, click on the link below:
Morning Star Institute
Republican Hypocrisy:
Will men, for rarely have we had an elected official who is female who has confessed to having an extra-marital affair, never learn?
President Clinton, Senator Edwards, and no doubt other Democrats have fallen into this pit. But it seems Republicans take the cake for not only falling into the pit of extra-marital affairs but they also embrace hypocrisy while stumbling.
That is, are these the family values Republicans seem to want to keep sacred by preventing same-sex partners from being able to engage in?
Now, single people are not less inclined to having extra-relationship affairs but GLBT folks at least have done so without the grace of marriage.
Did we forget that Newt Gingrich left his wife for a younger women and that he told his wife so while she was in her hospital bed?
Now we have Senator John Ensign who admits to an affair while in the past he condemned President Clinton for his indiscretion while in the White House.
I think the best philosophy is quite simple: Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.
What gets many quite angry is the hypocrisy of Republicans who purport to be models of virtue and family values while all the long they have sh-t on their shoes.
Oh, well, life continues as does Karma.
Obama Still Has Grace:
Let Republicans, including our ex-President George W. Bush and ex-Vice President Cheney be aware that though folks are not completely happy with everything President Obama has done or will do in the future, we are still strongly behind President Obama and wish him success, for if the USA doesn't succeed, we are all in trouble.
So, President Obama, we hope your administration will listen more carefully to the public and make sure that they read what they submit on your behalf and we especially hope that you will make sure to make everyone aware that what they do represents you via their actions and words and that we do not want anyone to discredit your potential for success.
So as far as I am concerned, President Obama is still walking with grace and I pray that he will succeed in spite of the Rush Limbaughs who want him to fail.
Today begins the national observance of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places.
There will be numerous activities across the country. For more information, click on the link below:
Morning Star Institute
Republican Hypocrisy:
Will men, for rarely have we had an elected official who is female who has confessed to having an extra-marital affair, never learn?
President Clinton, Senator Edwards, and no doubt other Democrats have fallen into this pit. But it seems Republicans take the cake for not only falling into the pit of extra-marital affairs but they also embrace hypocrisy while stumbling.
That is, are these the family values Republicans seem to want to keep sacred by preventing same-sex partners from being able to engage in?
Now, single people are not less inclined to having extra-relationship affairs but GLBT folks at least have done so without the grace of marriage.
Did we forget that Newt Gingrich left his wife for a younger women and that he told his wife so while she was in her hospital bed?
Now we have Senator John Ensign who admits to an affair while in the past he condemned President Clinton for his indiscretion while in the White House.
I think the best philosophy is quite simple: Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.
What gets many quite angry is the hypocrisy of Republicans who purport to be models of virtue and family values while all the long they have sh-t on their shoes.
Oh, well, life continues as does Karma.
Obama Still Has Grace:
Let Republicans, including our ex-President George W. Bush and ex-Vice President Cheney be aware that though folks are not completely happy with everything President Obama has done or will do in the future, we are still strongly behind President Obama and wish him success, for if the USA doesn't succeed, we are all in trouble.
So, President Obama, we hope your administration will listen more carefully to the public and make sure that they read what they submit on your behalf and we especially hope that you will make sure to make everyone aware that what they do represents you via their actions and words and that we do not want anyone to discredit your potential for success.
So as far as I am concerned, President Obama is still walking with grace and I pray that he will succeed in spite of the Rush Limbaughs who want him to fail.
