Daily Archives: April 2, 2015
A Prayer for LGBT People in Indiana
A Prayer for LGBT People in Indiana
As one who lived through a popular vote in Minnesota about whether my family is equal to others, is worthy of respect, and deserves protection under the law, I feel called to lift up a prayer for LGBT people in Indiana. I still remember how personal it felt when the legislature decided to have a referendum on marriage here, and it is because of that memory, that I offer this prayer.
Beneath the pandering, Behind the pundits,
Before the votes get counted in the next election,
Beside the ones who judge, or deliberate,
There you are.
You are the one on my mind, in my heart.
You, queer Hoosier,
You are the one for whom I offer this prayer.
You. You matter most right now. You.
You’re not a spectator, not a viewer while a political football gets tossed down the field,
not a potential voter exhibiting trends, not someone able to boycott your own life.
Because underneath all the lies and obfuscation, all the rhetoric, all the abstract speculation, it’s your life. It’s your worth and dignity. It’s your love and your identity being raked publicly. It’s your soul being punted and kicked and thrown.
You are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer.
You are a human being, living your life.
There you are.
You’re a busy parent, trying to make ends meet, with dollars and hours.
You’re a young adult, just coming out, excited to explore this new terrain.
You’re a middle school student, head down, trying to survive.
You’re an activist, brave name in the paper, scared at nightfall.
You’re quiet at work while others argue the pros and cons of this legislation.
You’re praying for religious freedom of your own, freedom from religion that excludes.
You’re wondering if you should retire somewhere else.
There you are.
You’re grateful for those offering support, but you don’t know what can change.
Sometimes you’re afraid. Sometimes you’re angry. Sometimes you’re sad.
Sometimes you feel a toxic bitterness you can’t stop, even as you reel from it.
You’re tired.
The righteous bully’s insult is an epicenter around which you waltz: Feeling hurt, refusing to feel hurt. Feeling alone, feeling accompanied. Feeling vulnerable, feeling tough.
This prayer is for you.
May you know you are a child of God, beautiful and beloved, just as you are.
May you know that your worth and dignity can never be voted away.
May you know your people, living, dead, not yet born, and hold them to you.
May you know that straight allies who hold you dear are aching with you.
May you feel the support of people you will never meet, of all orientations and genders.
May you refuse to be a witness in the trial against yourself and your people.
May you know that your love is the precious gift you have been given.
May you feel compassion for all the people, all around the world, who have been told they did not matter, and may that compassion sustain you.
May you live in love.
May you live in love.
God of love and justice, hold these queer Hoosiers close to you, each one precious and priceless. Whisper love songs in their ears. Replenish them when they are tired and give them strength to stand up proud and strong. Give them reason for hope and confidence that justice will come.
Amen.
HRC Hails Historic Hire of Openly Gay Scout Leader
HRC Hails Historic Hire of Openly Gay Scout Leader
Prominent lawyer David Boies representing scout leader; ready to challenge national organization if it blocks employment.
HRC.org
John Mellencamp Has A Heavy Heart Over Indiana’s Discrimination Against Gays And Lesbians
John Mellencamp Has A Heavy Heart Over Indiana’s Discrimination Against Gays And Lesbians
In recent days I’ve been asked to give my opinion about what’s been going on in our state. Do I agree or disagree with the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act? What am I going to say, or do, about it? Am I going to cancel any of my upcoming Indiana shows? As many of the Star’s readers know, I have lived in Indiana since the day I was born, and I know firsthand that our state is populated with a great diversity of people who hold varying religious and political beliefs. The people in our neighborhoods are also racially diverse, live in different types of family units and also span a broad spectrum of sexual and gender identities. Indiana is now, in many ways, the American Melting Pot we all learned about in school. We are more than just tolerant, most of the time. We are welcoming.
So it is with a very heavy heart that I’ve watched the divisiveness that has occurred over our state government’s actions. I am not questioning the sincerity of those who believe they have acted in the interests of religious freedom, but I am resolutely stating my opposition to this misnamed and ill-conceived law. It is discriminatory, hurtful, and a stain on Indiana’s national reputation. I understand Governor Pence and the state legislature are working on some changes to the law’s language, and I can only hope that they will do the right thing for the people of our state.
I have thought seriously about canceling my upcoming shows, not wanting the resulting tax revenues from ticket sales, concessions and the like to help fill the same government coffers that would enforce this terrible law. But then I realized that I would be letting our government divide us again, keeping me apart from my most important audience: My Indiana fans who have been there for me from the very beginning. Our evenings together will be about music, and hopefully this situation will be made right by the time I see you in May.
My best to you all,
John Mellencamp
— Rock icon John Mellencamp, who was born and still resides in Indiana, in a note posted to his official website about the state’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed by Gov. Mike Pence
Jeremy Kinser
National Coalition for LGBT Health Congressional Briefing 3.26.2015
National Coalition for LGBT Health Congressional Briefing 3.26.2015
National Coalition for LGBT Health, LGBT Health Awareness Week 2015. Congressional Briefing: "Its Time for Health Transparency" Thursday, March 26, 2015 Cannon House Office Building.
WATCH: Nick Jonas Gets His Party On in "Chains"
WATCH: Nick Jonas Gets His Party On in "Chains"
The 22-year-old former boy band star has fun in a sexy new video.
Gina Vivinetto
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2015/04/02/watch-nick-jonas-gets-his-party-chains
Arkansas Legislature Approves Revised Religious Freedom Bill, Sends To Governor
Arkansas Legislature Approves Revised Religious Freedom Bill, Sends To Governor
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 2 (Reuters) – The Republican-controlled Arkansas House of Representatives on Thursday approved a revised religion bill, changing sections in the previous measure that critics said targeted gays.
The bill now goes to Governor Asa Hutchinson, who had asked for the changes. He had also received a request from world’s biggest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which is based in the state, to veto the previous measure. (Reporting by Steve Barnes; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by James Dalgleish)
News: Robert Menendez, Iran, Coca-Cola, Curiosity, Winnie the Pooh
News: Robert Menendez, Iran, Coca-Cola, Curiosity, Winnie the Pooh
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) indicted on corruption charges.
Is Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig’s upcoming Lifetime movie A Deadly Adoption the greatest April Fools’ joke ever?
TIME cover story on the showdown between religion and gay rights. “The culture war over gay rights is largely decided; what remains is the mainly rhetorical question of whether a florist or baker or photographer can refuse, on religious grounds, to supply a wedding bouquet where there is no bride, or a celebratory cake without a groom on top…. But symbols count, and the ones at stake in this unexpected clash are significant in a number of ways… but it would be wise to brace for more conflict. As long as social conservatives are able to influence early presidential competitions in states like Iowa and South Carolina—while winning elections in polarized congressional districts—their voices will be heard. Their opponents, as we have seen in Indiana and Arkansas, are determined that those voices not be heeded.”
Have Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield called it quits?
CNN digs into the Iran nuclear deal.
British couple wins $1.5 million lottery twice in two years.
Harry Reid says he’d rather be “beat with whips” than become a lobbyist after he leaves the Senate.
Televangelist Robert H. Schuller dead at 88.
Britney Spears proudly shows off her son Sean’s artwork.
Disney is making a live action Winnie the Pooh.
Coca-Cola releases anti-#RFRA statement. “Coca-Cola does not support any legislation that discriminates, in our home state of Georgia or anywhere else. Coca-Cola values and celebrates diversity. We believe policies that would allow a business to refuse service to an individual based upon discrimination of any kind, does not only violate our Company’s core values, but would also negatively affect our consumers, customers, suppliers, bottling partners and associates. As a business, it is appropriate for us to help foster diversity, unity and respect among all people. We advocate for inclusion, equality and diversity through both our policies and practices.Coca-Cola does not condone intolerance or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world.”
The Curiosity rover has hit a Martian mineral jackpot.
How Russia’s ‘gay propaganda’ ban targets teachers.
The 30 most anticipated movies of the summer.
Matt Bomer continues to use New York City as his personal runway.
Kyler Geoffroy
Janis Lippman Reviews the 2014 National LGBT Real Estate Conference
Janis Lippman Reviews the 2014 National LGBT Real Estate Conference
Janis Lippman of RE/MAX Destiny in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts reviews the 2014 National LGBT Real Estate Conference.
Rainbow Child
