Monday, December 22, 2014

Dear Pam Bondi

Dear Pam Bondi

I understand it took a bit, but . . . you're finally on the right side of history. Congratulations. I know it was a long battle for you, (allegedly) standing up for the beliefs of your political party, versus the best interests of citizens of Florida. I know it took an amazing amount of court losses - shouldn't you, as the Attorney General for FL be able to win a case or two? You might not want these losses on your resume - for you to realize that you were fighting a losing battle. 

I know this victory for the gay citizens of FL is actually a bitter defeat for you. I'm sorry that you feel that way. I'm sorry that your compassion and best interests for the citizens of FL only extends to the narrow-minded and heterosexual citizens of FL. I'm sorry that you feel that only heterosexual citizens of FL deserve equal protection under the law.

Perhaps, with that attitude, you might want to consider a career change. I mean, after all, isn't the well-being of every citizen of FL part of your job description? Is there some fine print in your contract that states you only defend the rights of heterosexual citizens of FL? Is there some more fine print that says you personally get to pick and choose that only certain citizens of FL deserve equal protection under the law? 

If not, it sure seems that way.

Okay, I know that, in order to get elected (allegedly) you had to maintain your stance against same sex marriage. I get it. Had you shown support - the morally correct option - for same-sex marriage, there was a good chance you would not get re-elected. It's quite obvious, at least to me, that your career trumps doing the right thing. It's okay, many Republicans are just like you. In fact, they no longer refer to the GOP as the Grand Old Party. It's now the Gay Oppression Party, and your actions are one of the reasons that new name applies.

But, all of that aside, SCOTUS smacking you down, as other courts have time and time and time and time and (well, this would be a really long post if I listed every time a court smacked you down) time again was the ultimate moment when you did what was actually right. Okay, your hand was forced and you probably really, really, really did not want to do it, but . . . you did.

I applaud, though only very softly, your courage - for yes, it took courage for you to finally do, at least in my mind, the right thing - to say you would no longer fight against same-sex marriage.

Here is my hope for you, Ms. Bondi: that you never have to experience what you put same-sex couples through. May you not have your fate decided by one person. May you not have to fight and fight and fight for what you know is right, only to have one single person fight against you and say "you don't deserve equal protection under the law". May you not have one person's actions tell you that your love is not right or normal. May you not have to have your hopes dashed again and again and again . . . by one single person. 

You see, Ms. Bondi, even though you're a woman, you don't have a clue what it's like to be told, by people like you, that you don't matter. You don't know what it's like, after being with someone for 20 years, to be told "oh, I don't believe you should be able to marry". You don't know what it's like to have people - twice, three times, four times and more divorced - like you, spout off about traditional marriage. Traditional marriage is about life-long commitment. But, people like you, don't get that . . . but still, my hope for you, is that you don't have to experience such things.

My ultimate hope for you, Ms. Bondi, is that one day, you'll be able to treat people how you expect to be treated, because, I certainly hope you don't expect to be treated with disrespect, or to be told you don't matter.

For that, Ms. Bondi, is how you have treated the gay community of FL!

Scottford

All Lives Matter

The most current trend, in the wake of the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, is to protest with signs that read: Black Lives Matter!

This is offensive because . . . 

. . . All Lives Matter!

Day after day, across this country, people of all colors all killed. Day after Day! Each of those lives mattered, but, according to the current protesters . . . only Black Lives Matter!

In New York City, two policemen were brutally murdered by a black man . . . in response to the death of Michael Brown. Their lives mattered just as much as every other person who has been the victim of a violent death. Their lives do not matter less than Michael Brown or Eric Garner or Trayvon Martin or anyone else senselessly killed.

ALL 

LIVES

MATTER

The fact that the people - some of them only, in my opinion, out for their 15 minutes of fame - don't get the fact that All Lives Matter is absolutely amazing. 

Where are these same people when a white man, an Asian woman, a Latino person are violently gunned down by somebody? Why aren't they protesting those deaths? Why aren't they protesting the brutal murders of the two NYC police offers? 

The fact is . . .

ALL

LIVES

MATTER

. . . and the country should be protesting ALL LIVES lost, and not just the black lives lost.

Yes, what happened to Michael Brown and Eric Garner is wrong. Their lives mattered! There should be outrage, but . . .

. . . that same outrage should apply to every individual killed by an act of violence.

To say that all those other lives - which the actions of the protesters chanting, hash-tagging Black Lives Matter seem to indicate - shows a remarkable lack of compassion and humanity on the parts of the protesters!

So, perhaps all these protesters need to scratch out "Black" and hold up signs, chant and hash-tag that "Lives Matter". Perhaps then, just maybe, your protests will have a little bit more meaning to them.

Just my thoughts!!! 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Negative Comments

The ability to comment freely, and anonymously, on the Internet has given rise to . . .

. . . I'm not quite sure what, but, it appears to be bullying.

Recently, Renee Zellweger appeared at some event looking remarkably different. Now, all the news outlets are posting a picture of her from about 15 years ago alongside the current picture of her.

HELLO! Of course somebody is going to change in appearance from 15 years ago. Not to mention . . . the lighting is different, the angle is different, she's lost weight, she's smiling differently . . . and so many other things. So . . .

HELOO! Of course she looks different.

But, alas, that's not the point of this post. The point is the negative - she looks horrible, she's Jennifer Grey 2.0, why has she let herself go - comments.

Why do people feel the need to toss negative comments out? Why do they feel the Internet gives them free reign to be hateful/negative towards people . . . they don't even know? 

So Renee looks different. She's healthy. She's happy. That's should be the beginning, middle and end of the story, except . . .

. . . the people who just feel the need to disparage people they don't know.

Hopefully, Renee doesn't read the comments. She's heard about them, though, and her response . . . I'm happy and healthy. Good for her.

So, my comment to people that feel the need to be so hateful/negative towards people you don't know: get a life. Look in your own mirror and tell yourself . . .

OMG, I look hideous!

I look horrible!

Plastic surgery gone bad!

I'm Jennifer Grey 2.0!

Or, better yet, post a picture of yourself and let others post negative and hateful comments about that picture and . . .

. . . see how you feel! 

Silence is golden and . . .

. . . if you can't comment something nice, why not try not commenting at all. The world might just be a better place.


Friday, October 10, 2014

Dear Ted Cruz

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time finding compassion toward your fellow men/women. I'm sorry you feel it's okay to deny equal protection under the law - as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America - to citizens of the United States of America. I'm sorry you feel that only select citizens - i.e., the heterosexual ones - deserve equal protection under the law. I'm sorry that hatred of others seems a constant part of your life. 

As for me, I believe that all people should be treated with respect and consideration - something you seem incapable of doing, as evidenced by all your spotlight appearances on television - and not just a select few. I do not believe - again, unlike you - that people should be allowed to vote on constitutional - state or otherwise - amendments that openly discriminate toward one section of the population. I do not believe that being male and heterosexual makes you, or people like you (and this applies to your female counterparts) any better than the next person. To believe that it does make you better than somebody else is an elitist - you might want to look that word up since you obviously don't understand the meaning - attitude that has no place in politics or society.

Speaking of politics, I'm sorry you've sold your soul and sacrificed parts of yourself to be a Republican. It's a shame that your are obviously unable to think for yourself. It's a shame that, rather than treat people with respect and dignity, you'd rather demean and debase yourself to get votes. I guess that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end of the day. But, like other politicians, it's part and parcel of the job. 

I'm sorry you've lost your way in this world and feel it's necessary to inflict your hate and prejudice on other people. 

I know my words can't make you understand how little of Christianity or human kindness you've failed to understand. I know my words will have no impact at all upon you. But, that's okay . . . I'll still pray for you. I'll still hope - because, unlike you, I look for the best in people - that maybe, one day you'll be able to step away from your hate and bigotry, your disrespect for those within the gay community, and understand that you should treat people how you want to be treated . . . with respect and consideration, with human kindness, and with love and acceptance. None of us were born, or will ever be, perfect, Mr. Cruz. We're human. We have human failings. But the greatest gift we humans have, whether heterosexual or homosexual, is the capacity to treat others as we want to be treated. Maybe one day you'll learn that lesson. Until that time, I'll add you into my prayers and pray that day comes sooner for you, rather than later.

Best wishes, Mr. Cruz, in all you do!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Things That Offend Me

Things that offend me as a gay man . . .

  • Saying to people well I have a gay friend - just because you have a gay friend(s) does not make you any less homophobic. A certain Senator believes in reparative therapy (i.e., turning a gay person straight) and yet likes to spout off that she has "gay friends". Pity her poor friends that happen to be gay . . . and the fact that she so blatantly disrespects them. 
  • Hearing people say my being gay is a choice - no, it's not. How many people do you know who would willing choose to have people call them names - faggot, queer, co#%$ucker, sodomite, et al? Or, choose to be blatantly discriminated against, bullied, oppressed, and . . . so much other crap I sometimes think I might have a stroke from reading all the ignorant comments people make when they attempt to defend their homophobia and bigotry? My homosexuality is just like your heterosexuality - it's how God made me, DNA! I didn't choose anything, just as you heterosexuals didn't choose to be heterosexual.
  • Calling my being gay a lifestyle - it's not a lifestyle, people, it's how God made me, DNA!! Is your being straight a lifestyle? Of course not, so don't disrespect me, or any gay man, women, transgender person, by using that term. It's my life, end of discussion. The only style is my snappy dressing!
  • Assuming all gay men are effeminate or all lesbians are masculine. Hate to disappoint, but . . . my people came in all shapes, sizes, colors, femininity and masculinity.  
I could go on and on and on, but these are the top four, at least for today!

Seriously, people, get a clue when you toss these things out in your misguided hate and bigotry. Your words are offensive and disrespectful. Oh, and stop wielding the Bible as a weapon and stop taking it out of context to support your narrow-mindedness and bigotry. The Bible was never intended to be a) used as a weapon or b) taken out of context. So, quit doing it! 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Blood Moon

The "blood moon" which occurred in the early hours of this morning, just after midnight is a total eclipse of the moon, not to be mistaken with Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart! Some, i.e., religious zealots hoping to make a profit, would like people to believe that the blood moon is a sign of the End of Days because of this line out of Joel 2:31: The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.

First off, this description applies to a total eclipse of the moon or the sun.

Second off - if this were true, then the End of Days should have happened . . .

  • 162 - 163 
  • 795 - 796 
  • 842 - 843 
  • 860 - 861 
  • 1493 - 1494 
  • 1949 - 1950
  • 1967 - 1968
  • 2003 - 2004
  • 2014 - 2015
And these are only the blood moons, more commonly known as a lunar tetrad, that have occurred during the Jewish feasts of Passover and Tabernacles. This doesn't count, the 52 others that have previously occurred and . . .

. . . the End of Days hasn't happened.

So, that lovely, newly termed phrase created by a religious zealot proclaiming doom and gloom for profit, blood moon is a meaningless term.

The End of Days - no matter how the alleged prophets want to spin it - are not upon the world, because blood moons have occurred 62 times already and . . .

. . . you're still here and reading my blog!

So, rather than listening to someone trying to create a portent out of a red moon, why not just go outside and enjoy the beauty of the red moon and understand . . . 

. . . it's happened before, and it will happen again!

For more information go here: http://goo.gl/H1rs0L

S

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Many Rants All Wrapped Up in One

One Million Moms - well, not exactly, I think total membership is like 20 moms - has a right to their beliefs, or what I like to refer to as . . . hate and intolerance. They have every right to boycott Honey Maid, just as I have every right to boycott Brawny Paper Towels, Chik-fil-a, and any other number of organizations that feel discrimination to the LGBT Community is totally justified in - what I like to think of as - their narrow little minds.

Yes, being a bit harsh. The thing is: what gives any of these people the right to deny equality, for that is precisely what they are doing, to other people? 

Yes, they like to say they're doing it because their Christians, but . . .

. . . sorry, that's not Christianity.

No where in the Bible does it say . . .

Thou Shall Deny Equality to those YOU Deem not Equal to Yourself
Thou Shall Discriminate
Thou Shall Take the Bible Out of Context to Justify Your Own Narrow Minded Purposes
Thou Shall Wield the Bible as a Weapon

But, maybe there's a newer version of the Bible that I know nothing about, that actually embraces such commandments that disrespects, rather than respects, other human beings.

I just don't get it. Everybody deserves EQUALITY!!! Equal Protection Under the Law should not be something a portion of the human population has to fight for, and yet . . . 

. . . time and again, these battles have played out throughout the centuries of human existence.

Women had to fight for the right to vote, to work, and . . . are still fighting for equal pay.

The Black community had to fight for the right to vote, to marry a white person, to drink at the same water fountain as the white community, and so many other things.

And now, the forefront of the fight, is the LGBT community fighting for equal protection under the law.

Those that don't wish for the LGBT community to have equal protection under the law, consistently use the phrase "traditional marriage" . . .

Well, Google "traditional marriage" and see what you find out. Go ahead. I'll wait . . . 

. . . Ah, now you're thinking (well, if you're not, you should be) who knew traditional marriage consisted of polygamy, consensual adultery, and incest? Yes, that's exactly what I thought.

So, when Mike Huckabee stands up and proclaims he's not a hater or a homophobe, but just someone who believes in "traditional marriage", I think to myself . . .

Does Mrs. Huckabee know that her husbands wants to have more than one wife . . . at the same time? Does she know her husband wants her to consent to him having adultery? And does she know . . .

Well, hopefully, you get my point. 

The point of marriage has changed throughout the centuries of existence. The benefits granted by marriage today are benefits bestowed by . . . man's law, and not God's law. God doesn't mention right of survivorship in the Bible, or that you don't have to pay outrageous inheritance taxes, or the fact that you can't visit a loved one in the hospital (yes, this has changed) if not legally married to them, or . . . so many of the at least 1,100 benefits granted to legally married couples. God said nothing about that in the Bible. These were benefits created by man . . .

 . . . and denied to members of the LGBT Community.

So, I say, if people want traditional marriage, as vaguely outlined in the Bible, then every single benefit , created by man, currently enjoyed by heterosexual legally married couples should be stripped away. Their marriage should be strictly as God intended . . .

. . . with the wife becoming the property of the man, and having no rights whatsoever to his land, his money, or anything. 

Ooooooooh, I bet arteries are imploding in the heads of people right about now at the very thought of stripping away these benefits that they believe are granted through them by "traditional marriage", but, in fact, were created by man to make life easier for him and his wife. 

Why shouldn't I, as a gay man, have those same rights? Why should I have to worry - well, I don't because I have a loving and supportive family - about crafting a detailed will that covers every possible loophole so that the love of my life can inherit everything I have? Why should I have to worry about me being sick and in the ICU and the hospital saying the love of my life can't sit with me because he's not a) legally my spouse or b) blood related? Why should I, or him, have to pay higher inheritance taxes? 

The simple answer is: we shouldn't!

And yet, there is a portion of this country that believes we should. There is a portion of this country that is so filled with hate - though they will deny they are acting in hatred, or homophobia - that they will fight to their dying breath to deny equality to Frank and me! They will go to court, time and again, with arguments that will not stand up in court, just so Frank and I don't get any of the 1,100 benefits they enjoy as married couples?

Their hate, ignorance, narrow-mindedness and what not, anger me! Heck, they're the reason I'll probably have cirrhosis of the liver one day! Kidding! I don't give them that much thought. Why?

Because they are not worth it! 

And with that, dear readers, you get my many rants all wrapped up in one!!