Most of those who oppose same sex marriage hide behind thinly veiled prejudices shrouded in moral overtones that reek of discrimination. Am I a one issue-voter; absolutely not, but if you are not in favor of same-sex marriage you probably won’t get my vote. Moreover, I’ll have a tough time respecting you and will likely work to financially support those who will run against you.
According to the Advocate Magazine, the Seattle Weekly has posted on the Internet a previously secret list of more than 100,000 people who signed a petition that tried to overturn domestic partnerships in Washington. After the contentious vote (which failed), the group that organized the petition, Protect Marriage Washington, tried to keep the petitioners’ names private, but a judge ruled earlier this month the names would have to become public.
This story reminds me of the hateful petitions that turned up in Massachusetts back in 2003 after the State Supreme Court ruled banning Same Sex marriage illegal and conservative groups started petitions to have gay marriage brought to the ballot. A local non-profit called Know Thy Neighbor started publishing the names of people who signed these petitions. Despite the best efforts of conservative groups to try and keep these names secret, every court sided with Know Thy Neighbor.
The morale of the story is, you are entitled to your opinion but your neighbor is also entitled to know because bigotry tends to shrivel and whither by the light of day. So I say cheers to the Washington State court that ruled these names could be made public.
Personal Note: The image above was taken outside the MA State house. I was there – not in the picture, but I was there and met that sick, demented man so I always like to post this photo because it reminds me of what hate looks like.
The Boston Globe has compiled a 2-minute video of Occupy Boston that I’ve included. Occupy Boston started as a sympathy or copy cat movement inspired by the protests in NYC called Occupy Wall Street.
The movement has garnered much attention locally and has been trending on Twitter for the past several days. Like all forms of civil disobedience now, the group relies upon and heavily uses social media including Twitter and facebook as well as maintaining a website, occupyboston.com. Local politicians like Boston’s Mayor have expressed sympathy for the protesters, acknowledging their frustrations while asking them to be respectful of the public space they are occupying.
Is Occupy Wall Street and the nearly dozen other copy cat protests in most major cities of the US the Left’s response to the Tea Party which energized the political Right? Time will tell but I’m glad that this movement is taking hold because its forcing a dialog that should continue.
Check out Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream response to these protests called Those who occupy: We stand with you I’d love to see more follow in the steps of B&J.
Tagged #OccupyBoston, BosGuy, Boston Guy, Occupy Boston, Politics, The Boston Globe
This quick video from the Democratic National Committee is a firm reminder of how perverse the Republican Party and those who seek that party’s nomination have become.
I understand there are many who vote Republican simply based on a perception that the money they earn will be taxed less, but the political posturing of these candidates and behavior exemplified by attendees at these debates is shameful.
Considering many Republicans speak in terms of “Christian” values and the lack of them in our society today, there seems to be a wide gap between the lip service paid and the actions they exhibit. Frankly, I find it embarrassing and shameful. However, if you are consumed in the pursuit of the Almighty Dollar and firmly believe “What’s mine is mine and to the hell with the rest of you”, such behavior shouldn’t be so surprising.
Thanks to WGB for bringing this to my attention.
The U.S. military’s shameful and homophobic policy banning homosexuals from serving openly was officially repealed at midnight today. No doubt in the years that follow, history will remember Don’t Ask Don’t Tell as a strange policy. Initially signed into law by President Clinton, it took another Democrat, President Obama, to end this discriminatory policy some 18 years later.
Where does this rank in importance to me? Its hard to say. I never had any desire to serve in the military but the fact that this policy was on the books was shameful. Even more frustrating is knowing that so many leading Republicans tried to stop DADT from being repealed. Add it to one more thing that makes me despise the Republican party. Intellectually, I know the Republican party is made up of many moderates who are advocates for greater equality, but my heart has hardened over the years and I no longer consider this party a viable option for me. Chalk up DADT as just one more nail in the Republican Party coffin, because I’ll be quite pleased to bury this shameful party which has spent the last half a century promoting divisive and prejudice-laden language.
Its been awhile since I’ve included a political rant, but an OpEd from Warren Buffett in Sunday’s NYT Stop Coddling the Super Rich got me all fired up again. He starts his editorial saying,
Mr. Buffet’s editorial is well timed, coming on the heels of more political posturing than honest discussion and legitimate compromise, regarding raising the US debt ceiling and deficit reduction talks. Buffett points out that his tax rate last year was 17.4% (half the tax rate of the other 20 people in his office), and that the “super rich” now pay less than they ever have, despite benefiting from a system that has allowed them to reap record salaries, bonuses and perks. However, I don’t believe Buffett’s editorial is likely to budge an increasingly intransigent Congress, nor foster debate and dialog about his suggestion to raise taxes on the “super rich” with the newly appointed bipartisan Committee of 12.Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Politics
Matt Damon proves once again that he’s not only a great actor (and damn sexy) but someone who is articulate and quick on his feet. Have you seen this 1min. clip where Matt Damon sticks up for teachers and the teaching profession?
There is foul language so turn down the volume if you are watching this in the office or if children are near.
Massachusetts recognition of same sex marriage 7+ years ago was a game changer which both inspired the GLBT movement and horrified the Christian Coalition. Since then several states have legalized gay marriage, but California’s hateful Proposition 8 and a number of State Constitutional Amendments defining marriage strictly in terms of Man and Woman have proven to be bitter reminders that progress should never be taken for granted.
New York’s recognition of same sex marriage breathes new life into the GLBT and marriage equality movement. First, the state of NY is home to more than 1 million gay men and women. Second, NY is the nation’s 3rd most populous state and home to our country’s largest city. This may not seem like a big deal, but think about the implications. By legalizing same sex marriage in NY, more gay men and women now have the right to marry than in all of MA, CT, VT, NH, IA, and DC combined. That means something and don’t discount it. Its also why New York’s vote will galvanize marriage activists and hopefully bring more money and attention back to California. I hope this will also pressure the US Supreme Court to address the issue.
How will New York’s vote impact you? I’d like to hear from you.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay, Politics
This is my response to the moving video from GetEqual. My hope is that in the next few hours that the state of NY will join MA, VT, NH, CT, IA and Washington DC in recognizing same sex marriage.
However, an even greater hope is for President Obama, a man I supported because of his promise of Hope and Change, will be a catalyst for the GLBT community by supporting same sex marriage. President Obama your time on the sidelines is over, its time for you to #EvolveAlready.
If you are on Twitter, perhaps you’ll consider sending a message to President Obama.
Recently a 51 year old actor married a 16 year old girl. Anderson Cooper provides an insightful and rather humorous take on the relationship, bride and groom and parents. Its worth the watch.
I might add that currently the NY State Legislature is debating if same sex marriage should be recognized. Many opponents claim that recognizing marriage between two men or women makes a mockery of the institution and takes away from their own marriage. Hmmm… is it really the gay community that is making a mockery of the institution of marriage? I think not. I’d like to get your thoughts if you have any to share.
Thank you to Rob from VAwhere I found the video.
This is actually a couple days late, but better late than never. Huffington Post right now has a collection of funny tweets that were sent during the CNN Republican Presidential debate in NH. If you’d like to peruse them all you can link here.
Posted in People say the funniest things, Twitter
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Politics
Thank you to my friend Lenny who alerted me to this video. You can check out his blog here. And thanks to Jay Asuncion who created this fantastic video montage of NOH8 Boston/New England.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston, Boston Guy, Gay, Politics
Back in March, celebrity photographer, Adam Bouska, came to Boston to help raise awareness of the NoH8 campaign. Sergio and I had so much fun meeting people while we waited for our pictures to be taken. Today I received my photograph and I have to admit I couldn’t be happier. If you’d like to read about the photo shoot you can link here.
If you’d like to learn more about the NoH8 Campaign you can link here.
Sergio also had an individual photograph taken and I think he looks great. 
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay, Politics
There will be no blogging today to show my support of THE DAY OF SILENCE, sponsored by GLSEN. Today is a day of action in which bloggers across the US can take a vow of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.
I remember the words and threats addressed to me and others when I was growing up and what paralyzed me and kept me in the closet when I was younger have emboldened and made me stronger as an adult. However, in memory of the frightened and confused teenager and young adult I once was and to show my support, today I am refraining from blogging. Your comments and thoughts are of course welcome, and I’ll be back to blogging on Saturday.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay, Politics
The NOH8 Campaign came to Boston today w/ celebrity photographer Adam Bouska snapping photographs. For a brief while the W Boston Hotel had the vibe of a very friendly Tea Dance with hundreds of people mingling and dancing to great music as DJs entertained everyone. I arrived with my Partner, Sergio, just after 4pm. I quickly found out that I was to be #374 photographed and that they would not photograph more than 700 – glad I was not fashionably late!
It was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon and I enjoyed meeting and chatting with people. My phone really does not take great pictures and Sergio’s phone died early so I’ve only included a handful of pictures from the day. I’ll proudly post the photograph Adam took when I receive it in approximately 6 weeks. Until then, these will have to do. 
NOH8 DJs played an excellent mix that made the time fly
Adam snapping photos of people at W Hotel Boston
Everyone was happy to strike a pose
And the photo pulled when I tweeted: Would this be considered porn w a conscious?
I’d like to entitle this picture which I took from a particularly enthusiastic supporter of the NOH8 Campaign: Haters can kiss my ass
Mind you its NSFW – just barely
(Scroll down)
That’s all for now, but I’ll share a few more when I get my photo from Adam. To all those that showed up to express your support – thanks. It was really a fantastic day and something I’ll remember for quite awhile.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston, Boston Guy, Gay, Politics
BosGuy 