The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Release an “It Gets Better” Video

httpv://youtu.be/FJDvetmwaKg

I love this video. My husband is Canadian, and he often talks about how being LGBT there is such a non issue.

Dallas Approves Domestic Partner Benefits

Maurine Dickey, Dallas County Commissioner

Despite Texas’ reputation as being a particularly anti gay state, there has been some progress toward LGBT equality. Earlier this week, the Dallas County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 to grant medical insurance subsidy for gay and straight domestic partners. The 2 republican commissioners voted against the measure (of course). One GOB member, aptly named Maurine DICKey trotted out the old “slippery slope” argument that soon they’ll be funding obese people, smokers and pontiac drivers. I guess make senseless comparisons is a lot easier than coming up with a pertinent argument…. in my opinion, the GOP has long since given up any substantive discussions on LGBT rights.

Read the full article at the Huffington Post.

Video: Lana Wachowski -Matrix Dorector-Accepts HRC Award

httpv://youtu.be/crHHycz7T_c

This is a great video of Lana Wachowski. She is a transgendered woman who, with her brother, created the Matrix movie trilogy. I am just learning about transgender issues and her speech is fascinating… And her comic timing is great. Worth the 30 minutes.

Bare Bones Equality

From my friend and great gay ally, Dave. Amazing when you think about all the time spent on trying to define one another – we are all just humans trying to get by.

Video: Marriage News Watch for 10/22/12

httpv://youtu.be/OYws-RYPXKE

DOMA found unconstitutional for the 8th time. Polling shows support for marriage equality in WA and MD.

Violent, Homophobic Cartoon in Univ of AZ Newspaper

The above cartoon was published this week in the Daily Wildcat, the University of Arizona’s daily newspaper. Obviously, in received a lot of attention. Yesterday, the paper ran an apology that read, in part:

“On Tuesday, the Wildcat staff made a serious error in judgment in printing a cartoon that some readers felt was homophobic and inappropriate.

The views of individual staff members do not represent the views of the Wildcat, nor does the Wildcat reflect the views of the UA. However, printing the cartoon was irresponsible to our readers. We apologize.”

A few things crossed my mind. First of all, how did this cartoon get in the paper? I am a big supporter of free speech, but something that condones violence against anyone, especially a child, has no place in a school newspaper. Secondly, to say that “… some readers felt [the cartoon] was homophobic and inappropriate.” boggles my mind. No matter what your views are on gays, a cartoon that has a father joking about killing a gay child cannot, in anyone’s imagination, be anything BUT homophobic.

If you feel as strongly as I do, I urge you to sign the change.org petition asking for consequences for the cartoonist, editor and copy editor. I don’t know if I think they should be fired, but something more than the half-hearted, non committal apology the paper ran yesterday is certainly in order. You’ll find a link to the petition here.

The Trevor Project

Workplace Discrimination

Check out this infographic from Compliance and Safety, a safety training company in Delaware. It shows the economic cost of discrimination. The message? Discrimination is bad business…. hear that FRC, GOP, AFA, Chick-fil-a, etc?

Today is National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day was started in 1988 by psychologist Robert Erichberg. Observed internationally, it is a day LGBT individuals celebrate the fact that they live openly within their communities.

I came out late in life. For a variety of reasons, I could not accept the fact that I was gay. Denial can be powerful, but due to some life changing events, I began to work with a therapist in 2005. During one session I said the three words that would change my life – I am gay. The first time I said those words out loud, I had a rush of adrenaline so powerful, I almost passed out. It was one of the most frightening experiences I had ever experienced, but at the same time, it was a relief. It was something I had hidden, even from myself, from the time I was very young. Over time, I practiced saying it to close friends. I changed my password to “IAMGAY” to help get used to it. Coming out to my wife of over 21 years was very difficult. After the initial shock and sadness, she became my closest ally and helped me accept myself. We told our two children together. Again, this was very difficult – but my kids were amazing. They were devastated that we would be getting a divorce, but they wanted me to be happy. When I told my daughter I was sorry, she said, “Daddy, why would you ever be sorry for being who you are?”. My son said, “Dad, I am so proud of you”.

Our marriage was probably the best one that has ever ended in divorce. We continue to be close and involved together as parents, but more importantly, as best friends.

Being out has lead me to be truly happy and at ease for the first time in my life. I am happily (and legally) married to love of my life, Michael. The issues and problems that come up as a part of life are much more manageable without the weight of the closet door holding me back.

My dad died last week. I am so sad about losing him I have a constant ache in my chest – but I have no regrets. My dad accepted me completely as a gay man. He loved my ex-wife like a daughter, but equally accepted Michael as a part of our family. We had no secrets or barriers when he died – only love and acceptance.

Coming out never really ends for a gay person. Each time you meet someone new, or you see someone from your past, you need to come out all over again. It may be by introducing your husband or mentioning that you belong to an LGBT running group, but it still comes up. But it gets easier and easier. And people are more accepting. Over 70% of Americans know or are related to someone who is gay, and as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people continue to come out and live their lives openly, that number will reach 100% soon. I believe we will have marriage equality soon. I believe the bigots that shout and shake their fists will go the way of the racists of the 60’s and be judged as villains by our children studying history. I believe more athletes, actors and public figures will begin to come out. And within a few a decade or two, being gay will be about as exotic and notable as being left handed. I can’t wait.

Yes Jesus Loves Me

I saw this on Facebook today. I have many Christian friends and this anti gay uproar coming from the fundamentalists is as repulsive to them as it is to me. History will place these folks along side the George Wallaces, the David Dukes and the Stron Thurmans of this world. Pity how they are giving true Christians a bad name.