To slow down the fake spambot profiles, membership in this group requires application for the time being. We regret the inconvenience (for the 'bots...) *biggestgrin*
The article at the following link - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090823/local/anti-gay-graffiti-sprayed-on-walls-in-mans-home - raises a question in my mind. However, a hate crime is a hate crime and there can be and is no excuse. A friend of mine who some months back courageously went on a talk show in Valetta, Malta to open up eyes and minds. I hope this person at the end of thge hate crime is not him, of course. Still, what individuals versus what a country holds to be true can be quite different, of course
PS: I am guilty of posting this same post in two other groups with a LGBTI focus on this site. Apologies. I am not sure how much crosspollination or cross reading there may be between the groups.
Full citizenship rights should not be dependent and contingent upon one’s sexual orientation. American history has chronicled the painful and unjust suffering of women (gender discrimination), Native Americans and African-Americans (race discrimination). The plight of gay Americans centers around sexual orientation. Gay Americans have been a part of a minority group disenfranchised from full citizenship ever since the founding of this nation. Legal, religious, and social roadblocks and detours have always stood in their way when, like women and African-Americans, gay Americans challenge the white male/heterosexual status-quo. Indeed, America needs to erase the last remnants of apartheid that plague the our nation.
Please take the time to participate in the following petition. Your participation is very important. Additionally, please feel free to circulate this information to friends and family.
It's fitting that Apple's logo was once a rainbow colored apple. The computer giant has declared it supports for the No on 8 campaign today. They are giving a generous gift of $100,000.
"Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8." (Apple)
Be sure to support LGBTQ friendly companies and to thank them for supporting our community's efforts to defeat proposition 8.
Where can we turn for help when even professionals are biased? What’s happened to tolerance, understanding and acceptance?
I was watching a repeat of the Dr. Phil show the other day. There was a family, two daughters of a man who had decided to live his life as a woman – Kayla. She made this decision to be a happier, integrated whole person. The issue presented was by her daughters, one of which was a grown adult of 21, who could not accept this decision and refused to accept this transition. The only way they would accept this person was if they returned to the life they has previously been living. This ‘life strategist’ very assuredly took sides with the daughters, who’s anger was palatable, to the extent of insisting that Kayla had put up barricades against her children’s love. They hadn’t spoken in a year and neither party had made a move, contentious –yes, though I would think that a 21 year old, who makes a television appearance has enough composure and intelligence to make a phone call.
How does it come to be that professionals judge and increase the shame and disenfranchisement of those they profess to be helping? Has good ‘TV’ become so sensationalized for ratings that is has taken the place of acceptance, understanding and compassion? When a professional reiterates statements which include ‘murder’ to confront and inflame the issue, how does this work towards healing, sharing and becoming our ‘better’ self?
This guest was repeatedly antagonized by the host who hurled repetitive verbal daggers, admonition and blame. Dr. Phil repeatedly said this was to open dialogue, yet only aggressive and offensive tactics were used.
Kayla admitted to being a detached father and now was ready to be “nurturing and loving” as the integration of body and mind were now complete. Yet, these grown children said, “We don’t have a dad.” By the admission they never had one previously and now there was an opportunity to have a full, loving relationship with the person who would always be their biological father. They insisted they were ‘victims’ of this decision to which the host agreed.
Dr. Phil allowed this incredible anger to be directed at the fragile person, who was in all ways trying to maintain composure under a very stressful situation. He stated, “You put a huge detour in that path (to their love).” There were continued attacks with didactic phrasing with continued pronouncement of ‘You…”, “You…”, “You…”. Yet, this professional said there was no judgement from him, in stating so there is certainly a judgement and the antagonism was clearly indicated by the use of this verbal assault. It is not always what is said that includes the judgement but how it is said and what isn’t said.
As this program continued there were further attacks including late payments with child support. The supposition by the children that the funds were going to pay for Kayla’s hair styling and manicures and pedicures was again greeted by overwhelming agreement by Dr. Phil. Yet, the explanation of a business failure and turn around in the economic environment was passed over like wind in the trees – totally ignored. Now, this was not a great deal of money and there are many other children in worst circumstance than these two girls, one old enough to support her self.
In all of this it was Kayla who was described as selfish, self absorbed and non-caring. Kayla was accused by the host as being defensive. How would any one react under similar circumstance? Dr. Phil described this individual, going through much emotional turmoil, as being flighty and disregarded any other concerns.
The most disconcerting thing about the show, was that through the anger and the tears of this person’s children, was the insouciant grins of self satisfaction. Was this picked up by the host? Certainly not! When the oldest read a poem, there were decisions that her she would not be walked down the aisle by her father, again more smirks from these two supposed victims. Nowhere is it written that this is in stone, I have seen many brides walked down the aisle by there mother or some one else. Was this addressed, again sorrowfully no. How shocked, no matter the circumstance could this be taken by a parent?
Again, Dr. Phil accused Kayla of being Stone faced like waiting for a bus. How is this not yet another judgement, by a professional who legitimizing one side of the dialogue and blind to the other perspective.
For all the words protesting non-judgement, there seems to be little doubt that judgement persists in many forms, something we all need to learn to release on our ‘Path to Light’.
I was informed by a few very kind individuals that the link to my petition was not working. Thank you so much for letting me know. I cannot figure out how to make the link stick, but you can find this petition if you go to "Find a petition" and type in the petition's name, "Blood Donor Discrimination" You will find it listed under "Hottest Petitions." Thank you for your support!!!!
To whom it may concern,
A study by Randall Sell, James Wells and David Wypij at Harvard School of Public Health, found that 6.2% to 20.8% of American men could be considered "incidentally homosexual." The higher percentages are based on admitted homosexual behavior or attraction since age 15. The lower percentages are admissions of actual same sex behavior in the past 5 years. Regardless of whether the number is 2% or 20%, my cause here is to end The American Red Cross' blatant and appalling discrimination against willing and able men simply because we have a natural homosexual gender orientation. It is estimated that 5 million recipients are transfused with blood components in the U.S. annually. Obviously, blood components can only be collected from healthy donors and have a very short shelf life. There are continuous shortages nationwide. In order to ensure that there is a consistent and adequate blood supply, why not encourage healthy homosexual men to donate blood regularly? Blood donation eligibility guidelines, according to the American Red Cross state, "You are at risk for getting infected with HIV/AIDS if you: are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977." There is something profoundly wrong with that statement. Forty thousand Americans become infected with HIV each year, and an estimated 1 million are already living with the disease. They are not all homosexual men. They are also heterosexual men, women and children. It is particularly alarming that 22 years into the AIDS epidemic, we are still faced with fundamental misunderstandings that HIV and AIDS are "gay" diseases. HIV and AIDS do not discriminate, neither should you. You claim that the blood supply is "safer than ever before" due to the sophisticated testing that each and every blood donation is subject to. All donated blood is screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, HTLV, West Nile Virus, Chaga's Disease and Syphilis, yet homosexual men are barred from donating blood. Why? With our willingness to donate, imagine the additional lives that could be saved each year if you would simply permit us to do so. Blood centers such as yours provide a great service to men, women and children in need of blood components. However, you are a providing a greater public disservice by contributing to hate, discrimination and intolerance of homosexual men. You have a moral obligation to right this terrible wrong.
