So It Goes...

The grave of Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, highly decorated soldier, discharged after coming out. pic.twitter.com/goqNx1sJtr

— LGBT+ Proud! (@LGBTPlusProud) May 19, 2016

Picture of the Day - 437

"Untitled" by Eron Bi

If you wish to see more of Eron's photography, please visit his Flickr photostream by clicking his name under the picture.

Repost 2016: Happy Birthday Norway!

May 17 is the National Day of Norway. 

Norway and Norwegians are undoubtedly the country and the people we Swedes love most in the world, feel closest to and love to joke with and about the most. It's a pity that Norwegians don't appreciate us Swedes as much we do them, but then love isn't always mutual, is it?

As has become my tradition on this blog I give you the most loving joke with Norway and Norwegians ever produced with this classic clip from Swedish television in the early 1960's, "The Helmer Bryds Eminent Five Quartet" with their protest song "Norway".

"Norway" - the protest song 

(translated from Swedish by Bock McMillan)

"It is said that one should not gene-ra-li-ze,
and say for example that "Germany is not good"
One really shouldn't generally do that, I don't think, but this doesn't apply
to the country where Norwegians live.

Norway, Norway,it is a rotten country.
Norwegians, Norwegians, a fucking band of robbers.
Norwegians, Norwegians, they fish bad cod.
So if you see a slob, and he stinks like rotten fish
He is undoubtedly Norwegian.

Yes, the Norwegians they are terrible,
so ugly and so small.
With ties that are disgusting with Norwegian flowers on.
They fool around and fuss, and yodel and go on.
One wonders when one see´s them, how stupid can you be?

Norway, Norway, it never rises "frem".
Norway, Norway, with the thousand "hjem".
Norway, Norway, you stain on our earth.
We can feel the stench all the way down to the Dogger Bank
from your Norwegian smorgasbord.

We should give a real blow to Norway as a nation,
because they have so ugly mountains and have bad pensions too.
They don´t make cars and the bikes they make are lousy
and their only great poet, he is named Peter Dass. (Note: Dass is slang for toilet in Swedish)

Norway, Norway, is the world's worst country.
Norwegians, Norwegians, they should be taken care of.
Norwegians, Norwegians, the people that the Lord gave
a hopeless mind and a forehead that is so low
so that the hat keeps falling off"

It's IDAHOT Day!

"This day was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.

In under a decade, May 17 has established itself the single most important date for LGBTI communities to mobilise on a worldwide scale.

The Day represents an annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, opinion leaders and local authorities to the alarming situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people and all those who do not conform to majority sexual and gender norms.

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal, with 1600 events reported from 1280 organizations in 2014. These mobilisations unite millions of people in support of the recognition of human rights for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is not one centralised campaign; rather it is a moment that everyone can take advantage of to take action.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia has received official recognition from several States, international institutions as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events."
From "What is May 17th" at IDAHOT's webpage.

Picture of the Day - 436

"You don't drown by falling in the water, you drown by staying there..." by NOeditiON™

If you wish to see more of NOeditiON™'s photography, please visit his Flickr photostream by clicking his name under the picture.

Picture of the Day - 435

"Resting" by enzzo boi

If you wish to see more of enzzo's photography, please visit his Flickr photostream by clicking his name under the picture.

Benefit for Bri

Help a Teaching Dream come True! Starlight Ballroom has learned about an amazing young woman and her dream to become a teacher... and we had to help!

✯ SHOPPING EVENT MAY 14 - 31 ✯

✯EXCLUSIVE ITEMS ✯DISCOUNTED ITEMS ✯ RETURNING RETIRED ITEMS ✯ LIMITED QUANTITY ITEMS AND GACHA'S ✯ A-LIST CREATORS

Consignment - Ex Machina - StoraxTree - Blue Balls - Powerdesgin - Fix Auto - Atelier by Stephano - Yer old Gacha - Ohiomike's Kilts - Lilliput for Tinies - Rosa Fashion - The Grey Goose - RickJ Designs - Sophie's Choice - L.Querrien - Cake Fox - Photography by Tomais  and maybe even more

(Want to be in this list? There is still time! IM RickJ Ewing or Kahvy Smith )

COME SHOP TILL YOU DROP!!!

EVENT OPENS MAY 14 
Here is your SLurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dynamo/80/96/2501

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✯ BENEFIT GALA SATURDAY May 21st ✯

✯ Samm Qendra ✯ Reallymad Morpork ✯ JJ Goodman Event Photography ✯ Ballroom DJ Kahvy

Bri is an amazing young woman who found herself in a bit of a problematic financial situation as she is working hard to become part of the next generation of amazing teachers to our kids. All proceeds of this Benefit will go towards her Go Fund me Page after converting the lindens into USD and will be published there after the event - read more on this awesome initiative on https://www.gofundme.com/2wbq2uvd