Destruction of Family

There is an inherent problem with the logic that legally recognizing same-sex couples will lead to the further destruction of the American family. Those who believe this assume that these families do not already exist; when in fact, they do. Recognizing same-sex parented families does not do anything to create these families, they already exist. It would provide stabilization and protection for the families that do already exist.

The only thing that it might do to create families is finally provide some sort of verification of the lives of those of us who feel like second class citizens. We in same-sex committed relationships are constantly being bombarded with messages and images telling us that we are not deserving of each other. This imagery comes from both the gay and straight media.

When coming out of the closet (in spite of many advances) we are still told that our relationships will amount to nothing. Something that many straight allies don't understand or appreciate is how much support they have for their marriages and relationships from the world as a whole. This network of support does not yet exist in the GLBT community. I hope that perhaps with some sort of recognition and acknowledgment of our relationships and validation of our existence, some day it will.

The White Temple of Goodness

I knew I wasn't the only one who thought of the Mac store as Mecca.

Now for a quick poll out there in Blogger land, why did you chose to buy the computer you own?

The Dilemma Grows

One thing I had held onto in my struggle for love of country was it's citizens. More specifically the sane citizens of our country who see oppression and discrimination and want to stand against it. Gallup released a poll today that cited 57% of Americans support the Federal Marriage Amendment. This statistic while not surprising did not hurt any where near as much as this: 45% of Democrats support the FMA.

I have said a lot of things on this Blog about leaving the country. Let me make this very clear, if the FMA passes, I will no longer desire to be an American Citizen. Period.

What can we do? Write your Senators and Congressional Representatives. Tell them that you do not want the FMA passed. But don't stop there. If the FMA legislation makes it out of congress it has to be ratified by 3/4 of the States. Write your state representatives and express your opposition to the FMA.

Think I sound like chicken little? Let me remind you that 18 states have voter approved constitutional amendments that ban same-sex marriage. The ballot measures were passed with an average of 70% support and no amendment that has been put to a ballot has failed. The congress will see this poll as the support that they need to pass the FMA, don't let the 57% go unanswered.

View Full Gallup Poll Results Here

What's Wrong With This Picture?

I turned on the television with the intention of watching regular broadcast television for the first time in a very long time. Since moving back to the hill we have been without cable, a choice we made because we were watching way too much television and not living enough. So, I have no idea what the network lineup looks like any more and since we only get two maybe three channels, I didn’t bother to check a TV Guide.

When I turned on the television, I sat and watched about 10 minutes of some reality television show that involved some woman telling these two people how to raise their children. I watched up until the point where the woman told the parents that they needed therapy because they were emotionally endangering their children. I am not sure what exactly had happened to cause this woman to come to this conclusion, but I must say that she was quite adamant about it.

After her I can’t do anything for you speech the couple sat down to discuss their marital and familial problems. It was during this discussion that it hit me. I should not be watching this. Understand not me personally, but anyone. These two people were arguing and airing their families dirty laundry on National Television. All I could think of was, why would they do this?

I don’t want to believe that we live in a society where anyone’s private life can become fodder for television. I don’t think that it is appropriate for these people to participate in this incredibly public airing of a private matter. I have never been a big fan of “reality television.” I think that the only reality based television should be the news, which ironically is not all that reality based.

The line between real and imaginary is getting thinner and thinner each day. With tabloid news coverage making its way into mainstream media, we have endless coverage of the Michael Jackson trial, Terry Schaivo’s death and the relentless fear mongering sex-offender hourly update on who is living where and what they had for breakfast. I am just waiting for the day when the headlines on Fox News are no different than the ones on the National Enquirer. Hell maybe Bill Oreilly can finally get that alien that has been helping all the presidents to go on national television, that I would pay for cable to see.

Another Fuzzy Thought

Why didn't I think of this?

Today's Warm and Fuzzy

Wow, you truly can get everything at a Super Wal*Mart.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Since moving to the hill, Valium and I have been able to participate regularly in recycling; I really like the idea of being able to have an alternative to throwing something in the trash. I have been inspired by the environmental consciousness of the Telluride Film Festival where nearly everything was recyclable, compost or reusable. I have long been an advocate of responsible environmentalism in every day life, now I am able to “practice what I preach.”

A Little Catching Up

Ok, so I have several posts today that are really some things that I wrote but hadn't posted, so enjoy!

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought (actually a couple of them)

Gays = Beastiality. Are we really still talking about this? I have to give CO State Rep Paccione props, she stood up and finally said what we were all thinking.

The attendees of the funeral for Pope John Paul II on Friday shows how important he was. While he only technically lead a small country, he led the world of the faithful. I hope that the next Pope continues his message of peace and love; I also hope that his successor will have a more open view on social issues and perhaps a more inclusive view on the church as a whole.

I find it interesting that we are fourth in the world in the number of executions in 2004. What I find to be even more interesting is the nations that are rank around us. Looking at the political climate in some of those other Nations might provide some insight into our own politics.

Here is an interesting essay on the culture war and the concepts behind compassionate conservatism.

Al Gayda and other Social Protest

What if there really were a gay and liberal revolution? We could start with a national GLBTQS walkout, supported by members of the community and allies where on October 11th (National Coming Out Day) everyone who supports GLBTQS rights doesn't go to work. Instead, we gather at people's homes. Business could voluntarily close completely if their staff agreed to a whole shut down. Imagine an entire nation calling in queer to work "Sorry can't come into day, still queer." If being gay is an illness, why not?

Then later we follow the "Al Gayda" walk out with a significantly larger progressive walkout where we could gather in parks and demonstrate on all the various progressive issues. Huge demonstrations would take place all over the country and the conservative "Love America or Leave It" Bush supporters would finally understand what it would mean if we all really left. Given the last election, as much as half the nation would not report to work.

We would be called hippies, freaks, un-American and probably even terrorists, but it would be worth it. It would be unifying for a purpose and would energize progressives and give us purpose. In a time where being "liberal" is as bad as being "gay" we would all come out of our closets and stand tall as proud American Liberals, shouting at the tops of our lungs: "We're here! We're Liberal! And we want our Country back!"

What I have realized is how wonderful our nation could be. We have amazing beautiful and talented people who could make this a wonderful place to live. There is no reason we couldn't be the nation that I dream of. A place where corporations don't rule and where individuality and personality are cherished. We just have to come out of the closet, stand tall and with a clear and untied voice, say "This is not acceptable. We want better for ourselves and our children and damnit, we deserve a government that is ours for good."

Overheard at Breakfast

The following was overheard at a Waffle House while Valium and I were having breakfast. I know, "Waffle House Bad" but we were in Colorado Springs, it kind of felt right. This was a conversation between our waitress and the short order cook:

Waitress: Bacon, egg, hash, cheese.
Short Order Cook: What?
Waitress: Bacon, egg, hash, cheese.
Short Order Cook: What?
Waitress: (slower this time) Bacon, egg, hash, cheese.
Short Order Cook: What?
Waitress: Oh, sorry. Bacon, egg, hash AND cheese.
Short Order Cook: Thank you. How's that open conjunction working for you?

Todays Warm and Fuzzy Thought

And yet, I still want to live there.