Picture of the Day - 195

"Always on my mind" by Shockersz Resident

If you wish to see more of Shockersz' photography, please visit his Flickr photostream here.

Same-Sex Marriage Wins

"The Supreme Court (of the United States, my addition) refused to get involved in the national debate over same-sex marriage Monday, leaving intact lower court rulings that will legalize the practice in 11 additional states. The unexpected decision by the justices, announced without further explanation, immediately affects five states in which federal appeals courts had struck down bans against gay marriage: Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah.

It also will bring along six other states located in the judicial circuits overseen by those appellate courts: North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. The action will bring to 30 the number of states where gays and lesbians can marry. Appeals courts in Cincinnati and San Francisco are considering cases that could expand that number further, presuming the Supreme Court remains outside the legal fray." (USA Today)

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By not taking up the cases offered the SCOTUS today decided to allow same-sex marriages in eleven more states where the ban on same-sex marriage had been found to be unconstitutional

"Rather than decide the issue of same-sex marriage, as virtually everyone involved in the debate expected, the justices simply let stand lower-court rulings striking down bans in five states. Within hours, marriages were set to take place.

And the justices knew their decision to stay out of the grand national debate would have further repercussions: Within days or weeks, gay marriage could be legal in 30 states representing 60% of the U.S. population. Nine more states in the Midwest and West could be added very soon if appeals courts there join the juggernaut.

Why did the Supreme Court take a pass? Most likely because it lacked the votes to stop what federal and state court judges have started.

"The far more conservative justices couldn't count to five," said Jon Davidson of the gay rights group Lambda Legal. "They were not assured of a fifth vote, and so they didn't want to grant review yet." (USA Today; First Take: Justices decide gay marriage by not deciding).

Picture of the Day - 194

"Fall in Love" by Roman Godde

If you wish to see more of Roman's photography, please visit his Flickr photostream here.

Alien Life Form on Southern Charm?

The little princes and princesses at Southern Charm have all gotten their undies in a bundle this morning, especially the biologists and zoologists among them.

What happened was that little princess Magdalene was out early this morning in the woods at Southern Charm. She was bird spotting and taking pictures, she is an avid ornithologist and photographer. 

When she looked at her pictures later this morning she spotted something unusual that caught her eye and interest. In the lower right corner of the picture there was something that shouldn't be there. Magdalene shared the magnification below with her fellow ornithologists - and everyone else that cared to look.

Magnification of the lower right corner of the
picture taken by princess Magdalene McMillan

"It is definitely humanoid in it's form, but not a human!", the royal natural scientists have concluded after a close scrutiny. "A human does not usually have a tail and this animal most definitely has a bushy striped tail."

Wild Things Tea Party

GAWD, it really takes it's toll on a man to be gay!

We must always dress appropriately - and preferably look stunning - for every occasion. I guess it must be a burden placed on us to even out the privilege we have of being able to love the pinnacle of natures creations, the wonderful, delicious and adorable creatures that are the human males.

I got this invitation to the opening of a new exhibition at Holtwaye Gallery.

To help celebrate the opening of Wayne NZ's new exhibit "Art in a Box," we’re hosting a “Wild Things Tea Party” on Saturday October 4, 2014, at 2 PM.

This exhibit illustrates Wayne’s earthy and fantasy style, with references to woodland fantasy creatures, angels, faeries, hillside dwellings, the great outdoors, and of course, tea & cupcakes!

Calling your inner playful and wild-things side! Come in your woodsy outfits, your wild hair, your capes, your loincloths, your creative tea party outfits, or even just your pointy ears - and join our “wild things tea party.” Not sure what to wear? Check out the amazing Wild Things cards below…

Yours truly will be there - of course - with hubby and son. Tomais found me a great outfit, now I only need to find amazing accessories... 

Your gilded cage awaits you for a safe transport to Holtwaye Gallery (SLurl).

Picture of the Day - 193

"Pleasant Disasters" by Hephaesteon

If you wish to see more of Hephaesteon's photography, please visit his Flickr photostream here.

Second Pride Meeting - October 2, 2014

Second Pride will have a General Meeting at the Second Pride Headquarters Conference Hall (SLurl) tomorrow Thursday October 2, 2014, at 7 PM SLT.

As posted on the Second Pride website the proposed agenda for the General Meeting will be
1. Call To Order:
2. Department Reports:
   - Chair

   - Build
   - Events
   - Community Relations
   - Security
   - Treasurer Report
   - IT
3. New Business
   - Website Transfer
4. Board Vacancies
5. Date for Next Meeting
6. Adjourn