ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE IN MOSCOW

As I write this we are getting reports from Russia of arrests, violence and attacks on those who are attempting to hold a Gay Pride parade in Moscow. While we may have made great strides in this country there is still much persecution and bigotry in the rest of the world. We must support our brothers and sisters around the world who are still struggling for their place in the sun. For more on this story I'm referring everyone to the following sites:

http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk 

http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2007/05/police_rightwin.html

http://www.buggblog.com. 

Remember GLBT Vets

This memorial day as we remember the people who served and those who gave their lives for this country, there is one group that not only isn't recognized but many try to deny even exist. They try to discount their service to our country. Thousands of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people have served this country honorably in the military.

Despite the fact that they have been told they are not wanted, have been persecuted and harassed and too often murdered, they continue to love this country enough to want to serve and protect it with military service.

They have served in every war and in every branch of the military throughout this country's History. They have been enlisted and generals and admirals. They have cleaned toilets and polished brass. They patched up the wounded and killed the enemy.

They have done all this while watching their backs to protect themselves from people they were supposed to be protecting and their own buddies(?). They did this proudly but not without harm to their own sense of worth and well being.

It is not surprising that the first casualty in Iraq was a Gay marine named Eric Alva. He lost a leg in that war and is now speaking out against the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy of discriminating and harassing GLBT military personnel. He is a national hero and a hero to the GLBT community not because he is so different, But, because he is so like the vast numbers of GLBT people who have served this country so well. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice.

I ask you to respect and honor their sacrifice and service as they have loved and honored this country. A country which has not always treated them with that same respect and honor. You see I know what they have been through, what they have felt and what they have given. I too am a Gay Vet having served during Vietnam.

I know many of the GLBT veterans out there whose days would be brightened and their lives made whole if you would just say "thank you" instead of "get out".

The Center West: May 28th to 31st schedule changes

The following are changes to The Center West schedule for the next week. Mike will out of town attending the meeting for the National Association of LGBT Community Centers:
Sunday May 27th Closed
Monday May 28th 4pm - 7pm
Tuesday May 29th 5:30 - 8pm
Wednesday May 30th 5:30 - 8pm
Thursday May 31st 5:30 - 8pm
Friday June 1st back to regular schedule 1pm - 8pm daily

John Edwards answers HRC Questionaire

John Edwards Democratic candidate for President of the United States has responded to a questionnaire sent by the Human Rights Campaign on his stand on GLBT issues. He doesn't sound too bad. Check it out at Pam's House Blend Blog.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1782

IT'S A BOY: STATUS UNKNOWN!

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/mary-cheneys-baby-is-born/

Mary Cheney gave birth today to a baby boy. Thanks to the boy's grandfather and his boss the boy's family status is not protected or recognized. Need we say more?

THOUGHTS ON “JESUS CAMP”

I went to see the “Voices of the Heartland” showing of the documentary “Jesus Camp” last night at the Elks Theater in downtown Rapid City. It was indeed an experience.

First of all thank you “Voices of the Heartland” for making these films available here in Rapid City. Without you we would not have the opportunity to view this caliber of film. And thank you Elks Theater for granting the space for the viewing.

Jesus Camp is indeed an eye opener for those not familiar with the culture and tactics of the evangelical extremists. The best part of the film was that it was presented solely by the words and actions of the participants, which spoke volumes about their intentions, goals and agenda.

During the movie we witnessed every psychological trick imaginable in the indoctrination and brain washing of these little kids. Home schooled and kept in isolation from the rest of the world, science, reality and other points of view either don’t exist or are ridiculed and dismissed. The coercion and psychological pressure to be part of the group was overwhelming. Interestingly at no point did we hear any disagreement, dissent or acting out on the part of these kids. These are mostly 12 and younger and acting out and questioning should be normal behavior for kids trying to establish their own identity. Contrary thought was not tolerated.

Given that environment, the adults in charge could have told these kids anything and they would have followed it and taken it as gospel. All people who did not belong to their belief system were “of the Devil.” Even to listen to contrary thoughts was considered evil.

We have all been bestowed with a brain by the Creator and given the power to reason. To see it thwarted in such a manor to advance a personal political and financial quest for power is scary and cause for grave concern for the safety and well being of these kids and for society itself when these kids come of age.

At one point in the movie during one of their revival sessions a life sized cut out of Bush was brought out and these kids were actually praying to and groveling at the feet of this cut out. This religious fervor transformed into political idolatry creates individuals who can be led to do anything the political powers choose. The adult leaders in this group even predicted the fall of democracy because it leads to and allows for evil to exist. Of course evil is anything that disagrees with or gets in the way of their quest for power and domination.

This is the same process that is used to create the terrorists we’re a supposed to be combating throughout the world and is strikingly similar to the Nazi and Communist training facilities that created the monsters and atrocities of our History.

One positive note which seemed to forebode the decline of these fanatics was the introduction of Ted Haggard as a leader of the fundamentalist evangelical movement. It showed him with the kids and promoting the fundamentalist agenda. Maybe with his fall from grace the hypocrisy of this entire movement will start to be exposed.

It is my firm belief that this is the Achilles heel of this movement. We need to hold their feet to the fire and expose the hypocrisy and transgressions that are rampant in their quest for power and world domination.

It was very obvious throughout this movie that Christian religion was secondary and subservient to their quest for earthly power. That, my friends, is dangerous and threatens our democratic way of life.

Gay B Que at Camp Michael.

It is Sunday, May 27. 12 Noon to 9 PM. Bring a dish to share. Main course will be supplied. BYOB. No underage drinking will be tolerated.

For directions go to www.campmike.com or call 605 342-5590.

PAHA SAPA TWO SPIRIT PRESS RELEASE

PAHA SAPA TWO SPIRIT FORMED

A large group of very enthusiastic Native Americans representing three different tribes came together on Saturday evening May 19^th at The Center West in Rapid City to create an organization for Native Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people.

They chose the name Paha Sapa Two Spirit as the name of the group. Paha Sapa because it is the Native term for The Black Hills and Two Spirit because it is the term that describes the traditional place and role of GLBT Natives in the traditional culture and spirituality of most Native American tribes.

The purpose of Paha Sapa Two Spirit will be to provide support for Two Spirited Natives and to be a vehicle for educating each other, the various tribes and the community as a whole about the traditional place of honor for GLBT people in Native Spirituality and Culture. It will help to inform the community about the unique problems and struggles of GLBT Natives in South Dakota. It will also provide a means for Native Two Spirits to come together, network, socialize and have fun in a positive, productive environment.

Paha Sapa Two Spirit will be meeting twice a month at 7pm on the first and third Saturday of each month at The Center West, 3601 Canyon Lake Dr. Suite 4 Rapid City, SD. It is planned that the next meeting on June 2^nd will be a sweat at a place to be announced.

Plans were also made to participate in South Dakota PrideFest 2007 to be held July 21^st and 22^nd at the Whispering Pines Campground in the Black Hills and to help with the Aids Walk to be held on September 29^th in Rapid City.

A Two Spirit logo and brochures are in the works and should be ready for distribution by the middle of June.

Paha Sapa Two Spirit is sponsored and supported by The Center West, a 501-c-3 Non-profit providing support, information, education and referral services to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community in Western South Dakota. For more information about Paha Sapa Two Spirit or any of the other services and programs offered by The Center West, call 605-348-3244 or e-mail: info@thecenterwest.org. Tax Deductible contributions can be sent to: The Center West, 3601 Canyon Lake Dr. Suite 4, Rapid City, S.D. 57702.

Thoughts on Jerry Falwell's Passing

Jerry Falwell started his rise to fame as an avowed segregationist and racist. He used the Bible and religious racial intolerance to build a right wing Christian based political movement.

When that became unpopular and no longer viable in the political arena, he turned his attention to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community. Once again he used the Bible, fear, ignorance and intolerance to build his church and political movement.

As Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out puts it: "While our hearts go out to his family, we can't help but to reflect on his life and about all the families he's torn apart and teenagers that committed suicide because he made them feel inferior. He never missed an opportunity to kick our better angels to the curb and capitalize on our lesser demons to advance his career." http://www.TruthWinsOut.org

Jerry Falwell became rich and powerful at the expense of GLBT people. He also polarized and divided the country and Christianity itself. Because of the hatred and intolerance espoused by Falwell and his organizations many Christians whose beliefs were based on the loving and forgiving life of Jesus became embarrassed to call themselves Christian and ashamed of the evil that Falwell espoused in the name of Christianity.

For someone who claimed to believe in the strict interpretation of the Scripture he seems to have missed the parts about not exploiting Christianity for personal, financial and political gain. They must be making smaller camels or larger needles these days. I assume that Falwell has finally stood naked before God. He had best hope that She is more loving, compassionate and forgiving than he has been.

NEED HEALTH CARE REFORM

Today I'm angry and just about had it with the entire health care system. Something needs to be done. I am retired from government service and have a health care plan through the Federal Government. Between my share and the government's share we pay almost $1000 a month. I have $1000 deductible.

Last month I went in to the local Emergicare clinic for a routine emergency. I was told that because they and my insurance company couldn't agree on how much should be charged, I would have to pay up front and be reimbursed when the insurance check came in. With the outrageous amount I'm paying for Health Insurance I didn't think this appropriate, but, I needed care so I agreed and paid the bill upfront.

One month later I get notice from the insurance company that they have reimbursed the clinic a portion of the cost. They pay a little over half. So I stopped by the Emergicare clinic to get reimbursed. I was told that I would have to go to the Medical Center across town to get the money. They can all take your money but try to get them to pay their bills.

I called the Medical Center Patient Billing Department and asked for the refund. At first I was told that no check had arrived from the insurance company. When I insisted that I had been notified that they had received it, suddenly they found that "Oh yes we received it."

I asked them to please send the check to my address and was told that it would take four to six weeks. You have got to be kidding!! They want their money upfront or you can't get treatment. But, they will hang on to my money as long as they possibly can. Why do I feel violated?

Now, I know the amount they owe me doesn't amount to much. But, if they do this to everyone, the interest they earn on that money would amount to alot of money. It's a great deal for them but a real scam and ripoff to their patients.

I live in a modest home on retirement income and work to supplement it. I'm happy with what I have. But I'll be damned if I should be forced to let the scam artists posing as health care providers maximize their profits at my expense so they can live in Carriage Hills, drive fancy cars and lord it over the rest of us.. If the situation were reversed, they would have the sheriff at my door. Actually the situation wouldn't be reversed. They would let me die first.

Socialized medicine is sounding better all the time. The scam artists and profit maximizers are shooting themselves in the foot with their greed. Those of us who are paying their wages are just about fed up.

Christians vs Fundamentalists

I had a conversation the other day with a fundamentalist about parables. Actually it was more of a debate. During that conversation I realized how differently we view the Bible, spirituality and religion.

A Christian reading scripture, parables in particular, see themselves and how they can improve, develop and get closer to God. Their goal is to become a better person by being a conduit for His Love, compassion and forgiveness.

A fundamentalist reading the same passages sees everyone else, their sins, faults and imperfections. The world’s problems are caused by other people’s imperfections. Their God punishes the world because other people are evil. All they have to do is to believe.

A Christian’s’ mission is not about what other people do but about Christian love and building non-judgmental, positive personal relationships. The world is saved through His word, which is Love.

Fundamentalists see their mission as creating a society based on their perceptions of God’s will by following rules and forcing everyone into one line of thought and way of living.

For Christians only two rules apply. Those are the two great commandments: Love of God and Love of Neighbor. They take precedence over everything.

Fundamentalists seek to create a kingdom on earth by controlling the government, laws and the use of force. People become secondary to the rules. People only have value by giving validation to fundamentalist beliefs, doctrines and domination.

Those who screaming the loudest about decadence and earthly pleasures are themselves directly tied to the earthly pursuits of power and money.

The biggest problem with the fundamentalist belief system is that it relies on a strict interpretation of the scriptures, Unfortunately that creates all kinds of conflicts and inconsistencies. It denies and comes into direct conflict with all knowledge and understandings that have developed since those writings were created. It comes into direct conflict with reality itself.

In order to follow fundamentalist beliefs one has to deny science and reality itself. When a religion is based on beliefs and opinions, which have nothing to do with scientific facts and observable phenomenon, any distortion and outrageous political agenda becomes possible.

A quote I read in Ann Landers column a few years ago comes to mind: “There is no arguing with a religious fanatic. They see what they want to see. Hear what they want to hear. Imagine the worst of everyone and pass judgment on everyone based upon those assumptions.”

RESPONSE TO OPPOSITION TO FEDERAL HATE CRIME LEGISLATION

Donna Fletcher’s May 1^st letter in the Rapid City Journal denouncing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender inclusion in hate crimes legislation displays classic prejudicial reasoning.

Her comment that “HR1592 would give elevated status to certain citizens based on how they have sex and how they dress” reduces individuals to a single, distorted, inaccurate stereotype robbing them of individuality and identity making it easier to justify prejudice and hatred.

Would Ms Fletcher define herself by her sexual activities? Does she change genders by wearing a pair of pants? Why does she reduce me to a single negative stereotype?

Even if I never engage in sexual activity, I’d still be homosexual because that’s how I was created. And I’d still be a target of homophobes and bigots and subject to hate crimes.

When individuals are singled out for attack based on a label, characteristic, the group to which they belong or a negative stereotype, it’s not just an attack on an individual. It attacks the entire group. It’s intended to create fear and anxiety in the minority group forcing them into silence and an inferior, subservient status. It’s insidious, Un-American and Un-Christian and attacks the basic premise of fairness and equality on which this nation was founded.