Wednesday, August 15, 2007
GREAT TRANSGENDER WEB SITE
Marla has given us a link to a great web site full of all kinds of great and important information and resources for the Transgender community. I will be putting a permanent link to this site here on the blog and will be adding it to our web site which is in process.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
BLACK HILLS AIDS WALK
The Center West will be sponsoring a Walk to raise money for those who are suffering from AIDS on September 29th. Get all the information at the web site and make plans now to participate.
Church Cancels Memorial for Gay Navy Vet
As a Navy Vietnam Era Vet who also happens to be Gay, I am disgusted that this church would allow their hatred to prevent them from honoring a vet who put his life on the line for his country. The Church is the abomination!!
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A megachurch canceled a memorial service for a Navy veteran 24 hours before it was to start because the deceased was gay.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A megachurch canceled a memorial service for a Navy veteran 24 hours before it was to start because the deceased was gay.
Is South Dakota Really a Red State?
The recent posting by Don Frankenfeld on the Hog House blog maintained by Denise Ross formerly of the Rapid City Journal got me thinking about South Dakota politics. In his column Don tells why he, a conservative Republican, has joined the Board of Directors for the newly formed Equality South Dakota, which supports and advocates for equal rights and protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. It is a great column and well worth reading.
Many people see South Dakota as ultra conservative and hostile towards not only lgbt concerns but to any progressive and liberal thinking. While it may seem that way recently with control of the Republican party being in the hands of right wing religious extremists, I don't see that as the traditional thinking in South Dakota. Politics in South Dakota do not indicate this in the long term.
South Dakota has produced the likes of Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle. There is also a very strong Libertarian streak in South Dakota which says that while we may not all agree, we all have a right to be here and to live our lives according to our own beliefs. The fact that the draconian abortion ban was so soundly defeated and the anti gay marriage amendment came within two percentage points of loosing says a lot about the moderate nature of the real political view points in South Dakota.
The marriage amendment actually lost in 11 counties here in Western South Dakota which is supposed to be the most conservative part of the state.
Don Frankenfeld is part of a moderate group of conservative Republicans here in South Dakota which includes the likes of Stan Adelstien who was very supportive of South Dakotans Against Discrimination last year in their fight to defeat the marriage amendment.
South Dakota may be considered a red state. However, we are well on the way to making it a lavender state. In the near future I see Equality South Dakota not only pushing to have the marriage ban repealed but to have protections in place for LGBT people living and loving here.
The fight for equality will be won or lost in the small states like South Dakota. That is because in the large states they talk about six degrees of separation. In South Dakota it is two degrees of separation. It is the news of our lives and our own personal stories and contacts that make the difference and win hearts and minds. That is much easier to do in South Dakota than in New York City or Washington DC. Equality is won one heart at a time. To accomplish those victories people have to know you. In South Dakota every one knows everyone else. Good Neighbors don't discriminate!!
Many people see South Dakota as ultra conservative and hostile towards not only lgbt concerns but to any progressive and liberal thinking. While it may seem that way recently with control of the Republican party being in the hands of right wing religious extremists, I don't see that as the traditional thinking in South Dakota. Politics in South Dakota do not indicate this in the long term.
South Dakota has produced the likes of Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle. There is also a very strong Libertarian streak in South Dakota which says that while we may not all agree, we all have a right to be here and to live our lives according to our own beliefs. The fact that the draconian abortion ban was so soundly defeated and the anti gay marriage amendment came within two percentage points of loosing says a lot about the moderate nature of the real political view points in South Dakota.
The marriage amendment actually lost in 11 counties here in Western South Dakota which is supposed to be the most conservative part of the state.
Don Frankenfeld is part of a moderate group of conservative Republicans here in South Dakota which includes the likes of Stan Adelstien who was very supportive of South Dakotans Against Discrimination last year in their fight to defeat the marriage amendment.
South Dakota may be considered a red state. However, we are well on the way to making it a lavender state. In the near future I see Equality South Dakota not only pushing to have the marriage ban repealed but to have protections in place for LGBT people living and loving here.
The fight for equality will be won or lost in the small states like South Dakota. That is because in the large states they talk about six degrees of separation. In South Dakota it is two degrees of separation. It is the news of our lives and our own personal stories and contacts that make the difference and win hearts and minds. That is much easier to do in South Dakota than in New York City or Washington DC. Equality is won one heart at a time. To accomplish those victories people have to know you. In South Dakota every one knows everyone else. Good Neighbors don't discriminate!!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Pictures From Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
There are a lot of pictures of the Rally in Mt. Blogmore at the Rapid City Journal Web Site. I'll have more that I'll post here when I get time and people send them to me. It's been a crazy week!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
DON'S A STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN!!
DON FRANKENFELD HAS A GREAT "COMING OUT" COLUMN ON THE HOG HOUSE BLOG. THANKS DON FOR AGREEING TO BE ON THE BOARD FOR EQSD.
PETRELIS FILES REPORTS ON GLBT PRESENCE AT MOTORCYCLE RALLY
THE PETRELIS FILES DOES A POST ABOUT THE GLBT BOOTH AT THE STURGIS RALLY.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
DIRECTIONS TO THE GLBT SPACE AT TOP FIFTY RALLY VENUE
TAKE EXIT 46 OFF I-90 TO ELK VALE ROAD. TAKE A LEFT ON ELK VALE ROAD AND GO ACROSS I-90 TO THE STOP SIGN AT THE SERVICE ROAD. TAKE A LEFT ON TO THE SERVICE ROAD. GO APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE AND THE VENUE WILL BE ON YOUR LEFT. WE ARE ON THE FIRST LEVEL ALL THE WAY IN THE BACK BY THE OFFICE. STOP IN AND SAY HELLO.
Friday, August 3, 2007
GLBT EVENTS AT THIS YEAR STURGIS RALLY
THE CENTER WEST WILL HAVE A BOOTH AT THE INDEPENDENT CYCLE TENT AT THE TOP FIFTY RALLY VENUE IN PIEDMONT. IT IS AT ELK VALE ROAD, EXIT 46 ON I-90 AT PIEDMONT. THE VENUE IS OPEN 10 AM UNTIL 7 PM FROM SUNDAY AUGUST 5TH THROUGH SATURDAY AUGUST 11TH. WE WILL BE PASSING OUT LITERATURE AND SOLICITING DONATIONS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A FIRST FOR THE RALLY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A GAY MEN'S BIKE RIDE THROUGH THE HILLS ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8TH. A FULL RALLY SCHEDULE IS POSTED HERE.
I HAVE ALSO HEARD RUMORS ABOUT A DYKES ON BIKES RIDE BUT I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON IT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A GAY MEN'S BIKE RIDE THROUGH THE HILLS ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8TH. A FULL RALLY SCHEDULE IS POSTED HERE.
I HAVE ALSO HEARD RUMORS ABOUT A DYKES ON BIKES RIDE BUT I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON IT.
ABSTINENCE ONLY DOESN'T WORK
AS WE'VE ALL KNOWN ABSTINENCE ONLY PROGRAMS DON'T WORK. MSNBC REPORTS STUDIES NOW PROVE IT. IN REALITY IT HAS ALWAYS JUST BEEN AN EXCUSE TO GIVE MONEY TO FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCHES TO PROMOTE THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
GREAT NEW DOCUMENTARY
PREACHER'S SONS
No matter what you think about same-sex parenting, your assumptions will be challenged as you watch this compelling story unfold over the course of five years. The Stewarts are an unconventional family, with surprisingly conventional values. Their odyssey is intimate and moving; but it exists within a wider context of the national debate over same-sex marriage and adoption. This film presents a rich body of evidence that encourages thoughtful discussion of these hot-button topics.
No matter what you think about same-sex parenting, your assumptions will be challenged as you watch this compelling story unfold over the course of five years. The Stewarts are an unconventional family, with surprisingly conventional values. Their odyssey is intimate and moving; but it exists within a wider context of the national debate over same-sex marriage and adoption. This film presents a rich body of evidence that encourages thoughtful discussion of these hot-button topics.
OLD QUOTE FROM TONY BLAIR
An interesting - and obscure - speech by Tony Blair (English Prime Miinister) in 1994 when Labour was in opposition to the Conservative Government of John Major.
It was delivered during the debate on an amendment tabled by a Conservative to reduce the then age of consent for gay men (21) to 16, in line with heterosexuals.
This is what Blair - incidentally a devout Christian - told the House of Commons:
"People are entitled to think that homosexuality is wrong, but they are not entitled to use the criminal law to force that view upon others. A society that has learned, over time, racial and sexual equality can surely come to terms with equality of sexuality. That is the moral case for change tonight. It is our chance to welcome people � I do not care whether there are 50,000, 500,000 or 5 million; it matters not a damn � into full membership of our society on equal terms. It is our chance to do good, and we should take it.� (Source: Hansard, the official record of the UK Parliament - Date of speech: February 21, 1994)
Since Tony Blair is such a darling of Bush and the right wing maybe they should take notice.
It was delivered during the debate on an amendment tabled by a Conservative to reduce the then age of consent for gay men (21) to 16, in line with heterosexuals.
This is what Blair - incidentally a devout Christian - told the House of Commons:
"People are entitled to think that homosexuality is wrong, but they are not entitled to use the criminal law to force that view upon others. A society that has learned, over time, racial and sexual equality can surely come to terms with equality of sexuality. That is the moral case for change tonight. It is our chance to welcome people � I do not care whether there are 50,000, 500,000 or 5 million; it matters not a damn � into full membership of our society on equal terms. It is our chance to do good, and we should take it.� (Source: Hansard, the official record of the UK Parliament - Date of speech: February 21, 1994)
Since Tony Blair is such a darling of Bush and the right wing maybe they should take notice.
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