Gay marriage on the line in MA

That's right folks, when we achieve a small step, whether it is a small domestic partnership registry or full marriage equality, the other side is prepared to go to the mat to force their bigotry on everyone. Marriage in Massachusetts is on the line with a referendum to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Rights groups battle question on gay nuptials

Gay and lesbian advocates are hoping that a video and house parties will boost their campaign to block a referendum that would outlaw gay marriage in Massachusetts.

An 11-minute video arguing for the preservation of gay marriage is scheduled to be unveiled today and tomorrow at house parties across the state, said Marc Solomon , campaign director for Mass Equality, a gay rights advocacy group.

"Advocates for gay rights are getting their family and friends together to watch the video and go out and support us," Solomon said.

The target of the campaign: the state's 200 legislators, and in particular, the 63 legislators who in January voted to put gay marriage on a statewide ballot in November 2008.

So you think we are all set here in WA with our minuscule step towards equality? Do you think the fight is over and we are just one legislative session away from full marriage? Think again! The DP registry will be the catalyst to rally the Washington Wingnuts to attempt a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage altogether. All they need are a few more social conservatives in office and we can kiss all of the great work goodbye right along with recognition of our relationships.

I would wager that none of you readers out there even know that a marriage amendment was introduced this year? Resolution SJR 8219 "Defining marriage as between a male and a female" introduced by Senators Swecker, Hargrove, Benton, Sheldon, Holmquist, Carrell, Roach, Zarelli, Clements, Delvin, Rasmussen.

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:

THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of the state of Washington by adding a new section to read as follows:

Article I, section Marriage in Washington state shall consist solely of two persons, a male and a female. The uniting of two persons other than a male and a female in any marital relationship is not valid in this state, and, although valid in another jurisdiction, is not recognized as valid in this state. The legislature may provide for such restrictions or sanctions on marriage related to age or degree of kinship as it deems necessary.

So it is all ready to go. All they need is enough politicians in office to get it out of committee. Can we sit back on our collective gay asses now? As a community we tend to relax and become apathetic to what is really going on after a small victory, that would be wrong! We now have to work harder than ever in Washington to ensure our fair minded elected officials stay in office.

What will you do this week to support the cause?

So many BAAAAAD puns so little time!

Too funny -

Ewe've been conned ladies

THOUSANDS of rich women were conned by a firm into believing LAMBS were valuable miniature POODLES.

Entire flocks were imported to Japan from the UK and Australia then sold by the internet company as the latest “must have” pet.

The bizarre scam was rumbled when Japanese movie star Maiko Kawakami complained on a talk show that her new poodle refused to bark or eat dog food.

She showed photos of the animal and was devastated when told that it was a lamb.

One couple found out the truth only after a dog beautician told them that she could not trim their poodle’s claws — because they were HOOVES.

This would be really funny if it were actually true! Unfortunately this is another urban legend propagated via email. I can't begin to tell you how many people send me email on a daily basis that are fake news stories. If you receive an email that is bizarre or too good to be true it most likely is.

The best place to verify is at the SNOPES web site. One of the most reliable urban myth busters that I have come across.

Case in point - the sheep story.

Check out the accuracy of that email before you hit the send button and you wont end up spamming your friends.

Hooray!

Hate Crimes Bill Heads To House Vote

Legislation that would add crimes based on sexuality to the federal hate crime law passed out of the House Judiciary Committee late Wednesday night and now heads to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.

SOAP - somewhere around the U bend of the toilet

Seattle Out And Proud was a group of people who organized the 2006 Seattle Pride rally and moved the parade from the traditional Capital Hill route ending at Volunteer Park to downtown Seattle ending at the Seattle Center.

There was much back biting, boycotting and controversy over the move last year and now, with a short six weeks before the event, SOAP calls it quits.

Seattle Pride Files For Bankruptcy

For 32 years the festival was held on Capitol Hill, the center of Seattle's gay community. But with crowds exceeding 200,000 the decision was made last year to move to Seattle Center.

That raised the cost and Out and Proud still owes the city more than $102,000 for last year.

So now SOAP has scrapped the idea of a end-of-parade festival (and no wonder with booth fees in excess of $1500) and just have a parade, once again downtown. Registration fees for participating in the parade have tripled since last year.

It looks like the Seattle LGBT Community Center will again host "QueerFest" at Volunteer park on June 23rd. But details are sketchy on if they will also host a parade on Broadway.

The back and forth decision making by SOAP, I will even go so far as to say "flip flopping" has caused quite a stir and much confusion in the LGBT community in Seattle. First the parade and festival is going to happen, next they are declaring bankruptcy and so there won't be a parade, then, as of this AM at least, its back to having a parade but no festival.

Organizers vow to keep gay-pride parade going

The all-volunteer organizing group of the Seattle Pride celebration Tuesday night decided to go ahead with plans to stage the parade along Fourth Avenue downtown, but scrap the festival that traditionally has followed.

The vote by the board of Seattle Out and Proud came only hours after the group -- staggering under $102,000 in debt to the city of Seattle from last year's event -- announced it would cancel both the parade and festival planned for June 24, file for bankruptcy and dissolve.

Troy Campbell, a board member and spokesman for the group, said an outpouring of support from the community persuaded the board to change directions.

How many times are they going to change directions? Hard to say. I hope they pull it off this year and have a successful event (and actually plan well enough to pay all of their bills).

RIP Kitty Carlisle

Actress Kitty Carlisle Hart Dies at 96

NEW YORK - Kitty Carlisle Hart, whose long career spanned Broadway, opera, television and film, including the classic Marx Brothers movie "A Night at the Opera," has died at age 96, her son said Wednesday.

Christopher Hart said his mother had been in and out of the hospital since contracting pneumonia over the Christmas holidays.

SHHHHHHHH!!!

April 18th - National Day of Silence

The Day of Silence is an annual event held to bring attention to anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. Students and teachers nationwide will observe the day in silence to echo the silence that LGBT and ally students face everyday. In it's 11th year, the Day of Silence is one of the largest student-led actions in the country.

Hooray!

Now for some good news...

Clergy From All 50 States Call For Passage Of Gay Hate & Workplace Bills

Clergy from across the country gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday to call for passage of the Matthew Shepard Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

What a day for the blogosphere

I was attempting to come up with something profound to address the tragedy at Virginia Tech and I am at a loss. There is not a word that goes beyond horrific.

Many are comparing this event with the daily deaths in Iraq which I think is asinine. Two separate issues which cannot be compared.

Take a moment of silence today and reflect on your life and loved ones. Then think how your life would be affected if one of your loved ones was brutally gunned down.

JJ has entered the building!

My my my, gone for a week and so much has happened I am overwhelmed with things post and comment on!

Our esteemed legislature was very busy last week!

First, the Domestic Partnership bill passed:

Washington Legislature passes domestic partner bill

The bill passed easily on a 63-35 House vote despite condemnations from conservatives who said the bill was an affront to community values and religious freedom.

Then the Healthy Youth Act was passed:
Healthy Youth Act Approved

After four hours of debate, the Washington House of Representatives voted 63-34 Wednesday to require sexual education in public schools to be medically accurate. The vote sends the bill to Gov. Christine Gregoire for her signature.

Both of these items initiated a violent response from Joe Fuiten, self proclaimed leader of all Washington wingnuts. He is calling all Christians to pray for plague, famine, earthquakes etc. etc. to be called down upon Washington to demonstrate Gods displeasure with the passage of these two bills.

So far no earthquakes or famine have happened, I guess that means that God supports this legislation.

Out of town for a couple of days....

Stay tuned, regular blogging will start again on Monday April 16th.

You just can't make this stuff up

Girl Assaulted By Woman Posing As Boy

A 14-year-old girl authorities allege was sexually abused by a 30-year-old woman who posed as a teenage boy said she didn't know about the ruse but eventually suspected it.

Who me? Doing Yoga?

I certainly never thought I would. Especially after I got kicked out of Yoga class in the mid 90's and ordered never to return. My friend convinced me that we should start attending a yoga class. OK, fine, I am willing to try anything. I had visions of a bone thin old man with white hair wearing diapers tying himself into pretzel knots. When we arrived at the yoga studio my vision was pretty much accurate except he had black hair.

We did some warm up poses and then the instructor folded himself up like a lawn chair and instructed us to do the same. I quickly jabbed the lady next to me in the ribs and said "Hey look! The guy in the diapers can kiss his own ass!!!" then I started guffawing. I was quickly ushered out of the studio with strict instructions never to return.

Fast forward to December of 2006 when another friend asked me to join her at a new yoga studio in the Garland district. I told her I had a bad experience with yoga a long time ago but I would think about it.

In January, I started a work out regime since, as Bridget Jones would say, my "wiggly bits" were showing. I decided it was time to shape up and tone up. I did a little checking into the benefits of yoga and discovered that shaping and toning plus flexibility are some of the many benefits. The list of benefits for doing yoga is surprisingly long, many people attend for many reasons from mind-body spirituality to just getting a really firm butt and tightening up those "wiggly bits".

Well, after a little research and the constant bullying from my friend, I finally succumbed and began attending the classes.

I joined my friend at Yoga Motion with some trepidation as I flashed back to those visions of the old diaper wearing man who was so mean that he kicked me out of class. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the instructor was a perky young blond wearing sweat pants and a tank top! Cassie, the owner and proprietor of Yoga Motion put the class through the paces.

I have to admit, I broke a sweat and my thighs and buns were screaming at me (I wasn't about to let Cassie know that!) After my second class my thighs and buns weren't speaking to me at all, just trembling in fear.

Being a beginning yoga student this experience was much different from the fateful "diaper dude" incident of the 90's. Cassie talked the class through each of the poses with such clarity that I could keep my eyes closed (the mirrors reminded my why I was there, wiggly bits and all) and still be successful in achieving the poses.

Yoga always sounded like some kind of weird cult to me, however, since starting yoga I can already feel my "wiggly bits" firming up and even the hubby noticed! I think he is getting as much enjoyment of my doing yoga as I am.(*evil grin*) One of the side benefits that I did not even consider is that persistent tension between my shoulder blades has disappeared. I find that I am using the relaxation techniques almost daily now as my stress with the job and the 12 credits I am taking pile up right in that sweet spot between the shoulder blade and the spine.

I am now a fan of yoga! I highly recommend it if you need to alleviate some of the tension that your body has stored up, want to firm up your "wiggly bits" or just need to take an hour of relaxing downtime for yourself. Winter is over now, summer is just around the corner and I am determined to see my abs again, but, like many people I have to get rid of that nice comfy covering of fat first.

Yoga Motion is very much a gay friendly establishment, all are welcome there. It is at 603 W. Garland, phone 327.0470 and, if you decide to go, you might see your favorite blogger "striking a pose" on Monday's and Wednesday's! Tell Cassie that JJ sent ya!

US Religious extremist

Are they any different from terrorists?

Good As You has the goods on the Fred Phelps clan.

Video: 'The Sur-Real World'

Just a teaser from their blog...

Catch a glimpse of the hatred as they sing "I'm ashamed to be an American - where the fags can freely roam"



If they hate America so much there is a nice place in Fallujah for them.

Spokane to Seattle in 45 minutes

If only we had forward thinking leaders that would fund this type of transportation technology.

This train in France broke the record - travels at 320 MPH. At that rate you could board in Spokane and get off in Seattle faster than you could fly.

Oh - and did I mention it runs on electricity?

Hoooray!

Patrick orders 26 gay marriages recorded

Gov. Deval Patrick has ordered officials to record the marriages of 26 out-of-state gay couples whose unions were blocked by his Republican predecessor from being registered in the state's vital records.