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The fight continues…

Adding the GLBT community to Anchorage’s anti-discrimination law has been quite the journey. For those who are unfamiliar, this all started in the 70s. At that time, there was a proposal to add sexual orientation to the state’s existing anti-discrimination policy. That proposal passed, but was vetoed by the mayor at the time. A few weeks later, the proposal passed again. Once again, the mayor vetoed. In the early 90s, an anti-discrimination policy including sexual orientation was enacted, but later repealed by a different assembly.

It is ludicrous that we are having this debate. It is absolutely insane that it is so accepted to play with other people’s protections. It isn’t enough to deny actual rights to gay and lesbian couples, these people go the extra step to ensure that members of their own community are not protected from employers or bankers who bring misguided religious beliefs into their business decisions. The proposed ordinance would prevent a person being turned down for housing based on sexual orientation.

Opponents of the ordinance feel that this would be pushing homosexuality on heterosexuals. What they really mean by that thought is they don’t want their right to exclude people they don’t understand taken away. They want to impose their own religious beliefs on others. And that is where their argument makes no sense. This is not a religious matter, but a civic one. Religious belief should keep away from it.

As a Christian myself, this sort of hate-mongering really gets under my skin. It isn’t in keeping with the lessons of love that dominate the Bible. It is such a non-issue. How is it that something so obviously not a part of Scripture has been concluded from it and used to oppress friends and neighbors. What hurts the most from these folks is the very common claim of several gay friends. Why would a person support something that prevents protections from people they refer to as friends. Ludicrous.

And really it all comes back to a larger issue. I’ve been working on some research on gay books and stumbled across a particularly irritating one. The premise of this title was to arm Christians with arguments against the new gay Christian movement. Are they serious? The synopsis claimed that this was an outreach; it stated that there was still hope for these gay Christians and that it was not their goal to push people away from God. Are they serious??? It makes me angry that there are actually Christians out there who are upset that other people are Christians. I think the worst part was the comment by a woman about her gay son. The hate in her comment made me feel so sad for her son that this sort of thinking exists in our world. And I felt so blessed to have the parents I have.

Why does this not make perfect sense to everyone else? How is it that we don’t wish for everyone to be happy and healthy and secure? How can we want anything except love and acceptance for everyone on our planet? I cannot wrap my mind around how parents can send their young children to protest the protections of other people.

Fortunately, the GLBT community is not alone. If we were, concerns about changing laws wouldn’t be as prominently on our minds. We have on our side an army of allies from the straight community who have taken up this fight, having recognized what I mentioned before. This is about friends, neighbors, family members. I owe these allies so much.

Heather & John have done more than anyone I know in Alaska to try to make sure it is a better place for me. I’m humbled by their diligence and cannot begin to express my gratitude. Anchorage Baptist Temple should look to these two as examples of how to treat other human beings. Neither approaches with hate, but with understanding, even when that understanding is for someone whose opinions makes very little sense to their own beliefs.

It is amazing to know people like this.

SOSAnchorage Blog

Enjoying Alaska

Last week, we celebrated Dru’s 30th with merriment at David & Daniel’s house. It was a nice evening, if a bit rainy. I love being surrounded by friends and these moments just seem perfect. We talked into the night in the relative closeness of the dining room and kitchen. But it was nice. Liz & Joan are talkative and enjoyable people to be around and I only regret that I tend to clam up in groups and enjoy the being rather than the interacting. Daniel and David are great hosts.

Tuesday, we celebrated Denis’ birthday with a similar soiree. We’d planned a small cookout, but surprised him with presents and guests. The sun was out and we spent our time on Denis’ deck and around a fire. The food was nice; I rediscovered my love of corn on the cob. The group was similar to last week’s and I once again retreated into myself after a time.

I love Anchorage summers almost as much as I love the winters. It is nice to sit outside with friends until almost midnight in the daylight. It was a good day.

Today was warm. I threw open the doors I could and opened up my windows and just let the air through. It was nice.

what i’m up to:
reading :: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire :: J.K. Rowling
listening to :: We Are Glitter :: Goldfrapp

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Election:

I am sorry world. I am sorry. I don’t understand why people cannot see what an ignorant slut this president is. Why can’t they see that discrimination is wrong in all forms. W supports discrimination. Why can’t people see that minority issues should not be decided by voters. We did not do this with women’s rights or African American rights. Our country was so divided by a minority population to contribute to a civil war. What measures will now be required for me to be a real citizen of the country I live in and love? When will it be my turn to feel free?

Fuck you if you voted to keep this. Fuck you if you want me to be under the thumb of the religious right who have conveniently forgotten that we have a separation of church and state. I will eventually have to accept that my life will never be different. Bush will never give fair attention to any issue affecting my life. Bush will not only ignore me, but will continue pissing off the world through his ignorant arrogance. Allies matter. Fuck you, George W Bush! You are not my president. You do not have a mandate.

Half of this country still opposes you and your “Christian agenda.” That is ironic that a Christian person would support the death penalty, war, discrimination. It is amusing that these are the issues that would define them. Opposition to these issues is Christian. I am ashamed to live in the United States. I am ashamed that George W Bush was re-elected. I am upset that some people don’t understand how dangerous this man is. I want the troops home with their families, not occupying Iraq, where oil reserves forced us into attacking. Bush: Fuck you, you ignorant slut!

This is a sad day.

On the other hand, good job Kerry/Edwards. We were out here. Don’t be disheartened. You had support. I am just sorry it wasn’t enough.

My last post:

Sorry if any of you were offended by my last post. I was upset and I feel passionate about politics very rarely. It was good to release. I just feel trapped by this country lately. Jess, Lori, and I discussed this issue tonight and I feel much better about it.

Obsession(s):

I know I get obsessed easily, but I am very into squash of all kinds right now and I am on a crusade to get everyone to eat squash. Tonight I made “zingerbread” while Lori made enchilada soup, to which I added zucchini. I got 2 cookbooks and don’t want to waste them. I want to make pumpkin pies from different types of pumpkins, pumpkin soup in winter squash bowls, squash chips w/ cucumber dip, and all kinds of other things. I think summer squash is my favorite food. The zingerbread was excellent by the way.

Lazy:

I overslept because of the election and missed my dental appointment. Lori and I spent the day watching movies, talking, cooking, sleeping, and just generally relaxing. It really was nice. We had a fire going and it felt nice to not worry about work or my parents. It really made me want to start using my fireplace, which I have covered by a bookcase right now. I really wish I had someone to share my life with. Someone to cuddle with.

Top 10 Stores I Actually Shop At:
1. Target
2. Barnes & Noble
3. Lulu Faboo
4. IKEA
5. Lowe’s
6. Wal-mart Neiborhood Market
7. Walls Bargain Center
8. Reasor’s
9. Hancock Fabrics
10. Nam-Hai

Featured Image Art: meme of Hal Sparks

originally posted on Xanga

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Boo! whatever:

Yesterday was such a lazy day… terrifically so. I enjoyed it though — lazy is relaxing. Jess, Lori, and I watched Survivor (taped) and Will & Grace, ate some yummy soft tacos, and carved our jack-o-lanterns. I just cut leaves blowing in the wind into mind, as it will be up for a few days past Halloween. Not that my decorations will be down until tomorrow, but whatever. Jess’ was scary and Lori’s was silly, which wasn’t surprising from either of them. They are so wonderfully predictable. I like it.

Vote:

I did it… I can’t take it back now! Lori and I went to vote while we were on lunch today. It actually took a little too long because we were unclear on where to go, but once we got there it went pretty fast. I know my individual vote won’t matter here in Oklahoma, but I feel happy that I cancel at least one Bush vote out. It makes me sad to think that he could win tomorrow.  Blah. For anyone interested, I have nothing to hide: I voted: for John Kerry, for Brad Carson, for all gambling measures, for education lotto, against new cigarette/income tax, for immobile veterans not paying property tax, for Doug Dodd, against Native American tribes being fined for not charging cigarette tax, and against most of the justices on the ballot. That was just to be a dick, which isn’t fair. The rest were thought out votes at least.

Nice:

Nice has been the theme of the day. We started the day hearing about Jeff’s Kindness Campaign 2004, as he calls it. It calls for random acts of kindness between managers to the point that we actually drew names to be sure we have a person to do something extra for… a card, helping them out, a gift of appreciation… it doesn’t require money. It was interesting because later I was looking at a book about groups of people who don’t fit in, but who have come together. In it was “Join Me!” This group, British I believe, started when a guy took out an ad in a paper that simply said “Join Me!” He has received responses from around the world and the group now has a mission. “Random acts of kindness for random people.” I think it is great. Too often we take our fellow human beings for granted.

Website/Photos:

I spent hours yesterday morning working on my homepage… hours!  I am pretty happy with it now and it includes a photo album. Visit Brian’s homepage here. Let me know what you think of it! It was fun, but I would like the button at the top to open pages in a new window and could figure out how. If anyone knows, please let me know here. Also, I added reviews. I just put 3 on, but check ’em out.

Featured Image Art: photo of “I Voted” stickers

originally posted on Xanga

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Vote:

I have decided to vote. I was wavering last week, but I think it is important for me to just do it. Part of my problem is that Oklahoma has already been declared and no votes have taken place.  I know that my vote doesn’t really count in the long run and that is disheartening. I guess the only way to change things is to get out there. It makes me terribly sad that discrimination will be added to the Oklahoma constitution with the anti gay marriage amendment. It also makes me sad that consumers of cigarettes will be saddled with additional taxes.  This is one of the many things that irritates me. I have never understood this, even before I started smoking. Raising taxes on a small part of the population is not an acceptable substitute for parenting.

Soapbox:

Society is not responsible for the following: smoking, underage drinking, gambling problems, or disrespect. Parents are. Too often, parents sit around waiting for morality to fall into their children’s laps.  Apathetic and lazy parenting is to blame for kids not understanding how to behave around other people. It always amazes me how wonderful my parents are. They really taught us responsibility, respect, a strong work ethic, and the importance of family. I am so proud to be a part of what seems to be such a rare type of family.

Halloween Fun:

I hope my Halloween is relaxing. I plan on cleaning, carving a jack-o-lantern, and watching The Others with Lori. I really want to get this place cleaned up… I don’t know why I can’t get my brain to work properly. I just can’t get myself to organize the way Lori, my dad, and so many others I know can. They all argue that I have too much, but I don’t really think that is the problem.  Anyway, what better way to spend a day off than making my house more livable. I invited Patrick and Justin to join us, but for some reason they will be doing a lot of work… it seems a little odd that they would be so busy on a Sunday, but I guess the homeowners have the day off so landscaping is more of a weekend thing.

Commercial:

Although the Child Abuse Network does extremely important work, the commercial playing in Oklahoma is scary. Wynonna Judd is HUGE. And the top she is wearing just gave me a headache. God, it is annoying.

Featured Image Art: painting of children at Halloween (artist unknown)

originally posted on Xanga

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Voting?
I am sitting here listening to this most painful rhetoric coming from my television. I strongly believe in “anyone but Bush,” not necessarily backing any certain person. When offered John Kerry, by way of nomination, I backed him. But I still don’t agree with Kerry 100%. And now I can’t decide if I should get out and vote or just let Bush take Oklahoma without my opposition, which would not make a difference anyway. I also cannot even choose a candidate based on interest in my own life. Kerry is not our strongest defender, as gays. It drives me nuts that this is where we will be for the next 4 years. I am so tired of a group of people with larger numbers than most other minorities is being ignored. With the exception of the Hispanic community, gays and lesbians are the largest minority group in the U.S. But we have no voice — no real support.

I didn’t choose to be gay; I didn’t choose to be alive; all I can do is make the most of what has happened to this world and pray that one of these days (maybe after I am gone), gays and lesbians will gain the right to be happy. It will happen, so why make those here today suffer.

I am feeling very political today, in spite of myself.

Featured Image Art: Kerry/Edwards campaign illustration

originally posted on Xanga