Noah Has Something To Tell Us

(via +Joe Jervis at J.M.G.)

Noah St.John, 15 y.o., has something to tell us about his family and their lives together. And what a storyteller he is.

Keep your biggest smiles and handkerchiefs handy.

Larry+Randy=♥&∞

I have been waiting for this news, so I post it as soon as I found it.

Here is the picture showing my favorite couple of the year Larry Duncan (56) and Randy Shepherd (48), from North Bend, WA, on the way to their wedding ceremony on Sunday December 9, 2012. They cleaned up nicely for their wedding day, didn't they?

My readers will perhaps remember the adorable guys from my previous post Love Is Beautiful (url).

May you both live long and prosper with love in your hearts and a long happy marriage!

Love Is Beautiful

Photo by Meryl Schenker

(via J.M.G.)

Before going to bed I took a look at Joe.My.God. where I saw the photo above, by photographer Meryl Schenker, of two beautiful guys getting a marriage licence in Washington state on the first possible day.

It brought tears to my eyes of happiness for them and I needed to share it with you. Good night!

UPDATE: According to a comment on J.M.G and other sources. the mens names are Larry Duncan, 56, and Randy Shepherd,  48, from North Bend, WA. The two plan to get married on December 9, 2012, the first day it is possible for them to marry in Washington state. They have been together for 11 years.

More On NOH8

My dear friend Blanche Argus, with the blog Blanche´s Arena, asks what the NOH8 Campaign is all about. I am grateful to Blanche for asking the question outright because it gives me the opportunity to explain.

The video above should answer some of her, and others, questions but I will nonetheless say a few things more.

The campaign first started out as a grassroot reaction when Proposition 8 was passed into law by a ballot measure in California, U.S.A. The proposition added an amendment to the California Constitution whereby "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.". Same-sex marriages were thus effectively outlawed in California. The NOH8 Campaign has since developed into a silent photographic protest against homophobia and discriminatory legislation all over the world.

An infamous Swedish Internet-troll in a comment to Blanche´s post makes the interpretation that the campaign suggests that we shut down communication by covering our mouths with duct tape. I am guessing she must´ve failed miserably in the courses on "investigative journalism".

Contrary to the troll´s  stupid assumption, the symbolism of the manifestation should of course - as most reasonable people will understand - rather be interpreted as "you may try to shut us up but be will not be silenced". The campaign makes use of the well known adage that "a picture is worth more than a thousand words" which refers to the notion that a complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image.

For more information you should visit the website NOH8. Campaign.

To Conor Burns, MP (Con)

From: X.X
Sebt: November 24, 2012, 17:48
To: 'conor.burns.mp@parliament.uk'
Subject: Same-sex marriage

Dear sir,

I am not one of your constituents or even a Briton for that matter. I was, however, so deeply saddened to learn that you are taking part in an organized Tory “rebellion” in parliament opposing Prime Minister David Cameron´s policy to make same-sex marriage legal in Britain that I felt the need to contact you all the same.

According to press coverage you have stated that, ’(you) marvel at why we’re bringing this forward. There is no clamour for this at all within the gay community.’. In my not so humble opinion the issue of the state’s position on same-sex marriage is a highly symbolic issue with a great deal of significance. It should have nothing to do with whether you feel that there is a great demand for it in the gay community or not, in fact it should be enough if you know that there are some individual citizens who want it. The issue is rather a matter of fundamental human rights and whether the state, on the grounds of sexual orientation, should deny a minority of its citizens the same protection under the laws and same and equal rights that it affords to the majority.

Let the various churches and other religions take whatever position they feel that their teachings tell them to on this issue, but the state itself should never differentiate on discriminatory grounds.

What really shocks and amazes me about your position is that you (reportedly) are an openly gay man, just like myself. I cannot understand how you can find it in you to collaborate with bigots, who would deny you your fundamental human right in every other aspect also if they were able to turn the tide, instead of siding with your PM.

Kind regards

X. X.
a.k.a The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm and prince of Cascade Falls
http://bocksl.blogspot.com/

The NOH8 Campaign In SecondLife (Updated)

Photo of Kahvy Sands by Save Zsun

The NOH8 Campaign (url) has now moved from first life into SecondLife, Kahvy Sands, one of my oldest friends inworld, informed me today.

Update
The move, according to my information, came about through the work of Thorn Andel. Kudos to him!

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Proposition 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest.

To join in the campaign in SecondLife you take a picture of yourself and post it among the pics on your profile.

The necessary utensils (the duct tape and the cheek painting) can be picked up free of charge at Kahvy Sands venue Big Momma´s Ballroom Update new location inserted. You get the the NOH8 stuff by touching the vase with roses in the left corner.

"The dream of marriage shouldn't just be limited to heterosexual people, it should be about two people who love each other. Period. Don't H8, it's unbecoming." -  Lisa Ling (American journalist)
...

I am going to get my picture ready next time I am inworld more than a few minutes.
---

P.S. If you would please send me your picture (fullperm), I will be happy to post it. Name the picture NOH8 and your avatar name and drop it on my profile or send it to my email lundamats@gmail.com.

Support Us or Else: Message to Straight Men

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

This threa... ummm message should convince more straight guys to support same-sex marriage!

Thank You U.S.A!

The New York Times "Presidential Map", November 7, 2012

Florida is still undecided (all votes have not been counted yet), but leaning towards Obama.

Support for marriage equality won in all four states where there were referendums on that issue!
(P.S. J.M.G just reported that the count of the ballots in the referendum in Washington state has not been completed yet, although things look good.)
UPDATE: Washington state has now declared that marriage equality won in the referendum!
---

I couldn't stay awake long enough last night to get the result of the presidential election but it was althemore sweet to wake up to the news in the morning!

Governor Romney gave a nice concession speech and president Obama gave an awesome victory speech. Life is wonderful, living is beautiful and exciting!

Thank you so much my sisters and brothers in the U.S!

I Love Our Straight Allies

Chris Kluwe

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo (see video) has spoken out in favor of a Maryland ballot initiative that would legalize gay marriage. Yahoo has published a letter that Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. wrote last week to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, urging him to "inhibit such expressions from your employee." This is Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe's response to Burns.

"Dear Emmett C. Burns Jr.,

I find it inconceivable that you are an elected official of Maryland's state government. Your vitriolic hatred and bigotry make me ashamed and disgusted to think that you are in any way responsible for shaping policy at any level. The views you espouse neglect to consider several fundamental key points, which I will outline in great detail (you may want to hire an intern to help you with the longer words):

1. As I suspect you have not read the Constitution, I would like to remind you that the very first, the VERY FIRST Amendment in this founding document deals with the freedom of speech, particularly the abridgment of said freedom. By using your position as an elected official (when referring to your constituents so as to implicitly threaten the Ravens organization) to state that the Ravens should "inhibit such expressions from your employees," more specifically Brendon Ayanbadejo, not only are you clearly violating the First Amendment, you also come across as a narcissistic fromunda stain. What on earth would possess you to be so mind-boggingly stupid? It baffles me that a man such as yourself, a man who relies on that same First Amendment to pursue your own religious studies without fear of persecution from the state, could somehow justify stifling another person's right to speech. To call that hypocritical would be to do a disservice to the word. Mindfucking obscenely hypocritical starts to approach it a little bit.

2. "Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment, and excitement." Holy fucking shitballs. Did you seriously just say that, as someone who's "deeply involved in government task forces on the legacy of slavery in Maryland"? Have you not heard of Kenny Washington? Jackie Robinson? As recently as 1962 the NFL still had segregation, which was only done away with by brave athletes and coaches daring to speak their mind and do the right thing, and you're going to say that political views have "no place in a sport"? I can't even begin to fathom the cognitive dissonance that must be coursing through your rapidly addled mind right now; the mental gymnastics your brain has to tortuously contort itself through to make such a preposterous statement are surely worthy of an Olympic gold medal (the Russian judge gives you a 10 for "beautiful oppressionism").

3. This is more a personal quibble of mine, but why do you hate freedom? Why do you hate the fact that other people want a chance to live their lives and be happy, even though they may believe in something different than you, or act different than you? How does gay marriage, in any way shape or form, affect your life? If gay marriage becomes legal, are you worried that all of a sudden you'll start thinking about penis? "Oh shit. Gay marriage just passed. Gotta get me some of that hot dong action!" Will all of your friends suddenly turn gay and refuse to come to your Sunday Ticket grill-outs? (Unlikely, since gay people enjoy watching football too.)

I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won't come into your house and steal your children. They won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster. They won't even overthrow the government in an orgy of hedonistic debauchery because all of a sudden they have the same legal rights as the other 90 percent of our population—rights like Social Security benefits, child care tax credits, Family and Medical Leave to take care of loved ones, and COBRA healthcare for spouses and children. You know what having these rights will make gays? Full-fledged American citizens just like everyone else, with the freedom to pursue happiness and all that entails. Do the civil-rights struggles of the past 200 years mean absolutely nothing to you?

In closing, I would like to say that I hope this letter, in some small way, causes you to reflect upon the magnitude of the colossal foot in mouth clusterfuck you so brazenly unleashed on a man whose only crime was speaking out for something he believed in. Best of luck in the next election; I'm fairly certain you might need it.

Sincerely,

Chris Kluwe

P.S. I've also been vocal as hell about the issue of gay marriage so you can take your "I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing" and shove it in your close-minded, totally lacking in empathy piehole and choke on it. Asshole."

Chris Kluwe is a punter for the Vikings. Follow him on Twitter, @ChrisWarcraft.

----

Quoted from Deadspin.

I think I am in love with Chris Kluwe or Brendon Ayanbadejo or both... I love our straight allies!

Fiscal Conservatism

Quoted from ©2011 Peter Dunlap-Shohl | Frozengrin.blogspot.com

I'm always stunned with amazement when I hear or read about this or that group in the world voting against their own individual and social interests because they claim to prefer a particular politician or political party for being "fiscally conservative".

I simply cannot get into my head how it can be more important for anyone to have lower taxes, a balanced budgets or less government spending etc., than to receive full and equal human rights, the full protection of the law from harassment and bullying in the workplace and other walks of life, the right to marry the one you love or even the right to negotiate your wages the way you want or through whatever group you choose.

Cartoon by Drew Sheneman-Tribune Media Services

Taxation is not an evil in itself, not if you by taxation can ensure that your population gets decent healthcare, decent schooling, decent housing and decent social care, a decent police force, a decent defense and anything else we need from our government to feel good about ourselves as a society.

This rant was brought on today by the news that 34% of the trade unionists in Wisconsin, United States of America, yesterday voted for governor Scott Walker in the recall election. The same governor Walker who last year pushed through legislation that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees and teachers in Wisconsin. However, I have been mulling over this to me bewildering phenomenon for some years now at different occasions, usually when I notice gay individuals or groups supporting bigoted and homophobic politicians and political parties that will not allow them full and equal human rights.

A Sacrifice For Love

(via J.M.G)

Only a smoker can understand how much this means...

"It Could Happen To You"

Thomas Lee Bridegroom (1982-2011) was an American film and commercial actor, television host and photographer.

Tom died on May 7, 2011, after a fall from a rooftop during a photo session. In May 2012, a year after his death, his partner for six years Shane Bitney Crone released this clip in which he tells us his story in order to speak out in favor of rights for same-sex couples.

...

Please follow Shane´s sound advice, "Whatever your sexual orientation, I plead with you to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and the ones you love.". That advice applies in both your first and your second lives.

I first saw this clip about a week ago on Joe.My.God. and was deeply moved by it, but still I hesitated to re-post it here for reasons of my own. After speaking with my friend Kahvy Ewing-Sands in SecondLife about it last evening I decided to post it anyway. The video is worth all the attention it can get.

I am indebted to Kahvy for convincing me this was the right thing to do!

Barack Comes Out...

...for same-sex marriage. Now be a polite girl or boy (or both or none) and go there and say thank you nicely! (Click the picture to get to the site)

See You at Starbucks!

(via J.M.G.)

We all have date on Saturday April 21, 2012. See you at the closest Starbucks - and if you are not at the same place I will think of you enjoying your coffee at another Starbucks.

Thank you Starbucks for supporting same-sex marriage!

Are You Married?

On the amazing J.M.G. I saw this news.

If you are heterosexually challenged and married (hand-fasted, jumped over the broom or whatever ceremony was performed) to someone of the opposite sex but do not feel threatened by allowing marriage to be extended to same-sex couples there is a group for you to "Like" if you are on Facebook.

The group is called "Heterosexuals for Same-Sex Equality" (HSSE)

Link to the HSSE-group on Facebook. The group is presently running a photo campaign where you and your spouse can post pictures of yourselves. The HSSE also has a website.
---

And as that group on Facebook must likely will only accept first life contributions I will offer my blog as an affiliate to it and will start accepting contributions from avatars in SecondLife.

The following rules apply
1. Heterosexually challenged couples
2. Married, partnered etc. etc.
3. A sign in the picture showing the message
"Gay marriage doesn't threaten our marriage"
4. Send  your contribution to my e-mail lundamats@gmail.com. or drop it on my SecondLife profile (make certain the picture is sent with full rights). Some editing of the picture may occur.
5. If you drop the picture on my profile name the picture with both the spouses avatar names. If you send an email tell me the avatar names in the message.

Cute straight couple

Example from Facebook, but hey play around with the theme!

In Support of Same-sex Marriage

This is Lady Gaga with "The Edge of Glory". (I saw it first on J.M.G.)

Interesting story unfolding in the video, I was starting to get steamed about the dear Lady glorifying adultery... Well watch it, you will see what I mean.

BREAKING! New York Senate Votes For Same-Sex Marriage!

Photography by Jay Fine

The State Senate of  New York a few moments ago voted for same-sex marriages with the votes Ayes 33 - Nays 29.

Due to some changes of the wording in the bill to get it to pass in the senate the bill will have to pass in the the State Assembly once again for confirmation before governor Andrew Cuomo - as he has stated he will - can sign it into law.

My warmest congratulations to all gay and lesbian New Yorkers for being granted your fundamental human rights!

The light of Jeebus has struck the city and yet she stands firm, and the straight marriages don´t dissolve either, what a wonderful day!

America's Best Christian Explains Marriage for Non-Christians

Wooooooohooooo I am a believer!

A condiment is sauce, or seasoning added to food to impart a particular flavor or to complement the dish. Often pungent in flavour and therefore added in fairly small quantities, popular condiments include salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, olive oil, vinegar and sugar.