Homocide?

While the vast majority of gay people in relationships have normal, healthy relationships (as normal as they get) we still lead str8 people in domestic violence.  You are far more likely to be assaulted by someone you know than by a stranger... murdered as well.

With rights come responsibilities.  EVERYONE must make domestic violence unacceptable.  Ill admit even I make jokes about booting someone in the balls or ass...and I think Ill stop that...  I don't want to be a downer... but we have to talk about it... make it unacceptable... and provide a positive alternative.

Man on Man violence and Woman on Woman on violence, fueled by the passion of a relationship CAN lead to 'homocide'*.  I know its easy to say 'get out of the relationship', but without offering real alternatives or even acknowledging that it is a problem the advice means little.  There can be financial or social reasons for staying...and often there is love for the abuser... there are NO easy answers.

I have volunteered for the local Interval House, I have told employees that joking about domestic violence is unacceptable...but I feel I have not done enough to think an talk about this... hmmmm... I have one friend an another acquaintance that have been victims of violence at the hands of their partners.   

We need to do something about this problem in our community.

ACKNOWLEDGE IT!

TALK ABOUT IT!

STOP IT!

*the term was coined by NYC Police investigating (or not investigating) domestic violence in the gay village. 

True Colors

The goal of the True Colors Tour is to promote equality for us (GLBTQ people) and raise awareness about the discrimination that we face... and to raise some monies for  organizations that work to this purpose.  This is a fun example of how we all can get out and support our community and a very good cause...

Feeling Oppressed?

I couldn't help showing off this letter... we are fortunate to have the rights we have... and we have come a long way... BUT it is important to remember... those that govern us... are often NOT enlightened even if they seem so... an use highfalutin words... [text below]





DEPARTMENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
CIRCULAR
OTTAWA, 15th December,1921.
Sir,-

It is observed with alarm that the holding of dances by the Indians on their reserves is on the increase, and that these practices tend to disorganize the efforts the Department is putting forth to make them self supporting.

I have, therefore, to direct you to use your utmost endeavours to dissuade the Indians from excessive indulgence in the practice of dancing. You should suppress any dance which cause waste of time, interfere with the occupations of the Indians, unsettle them for serious work. injure their health or encourage them in sloth and idleness. You should also dissuade, and, if possible, prevent them from leaving their reserves for the purpose of attending fairs, exhibitions etc., when their absence would result in their own farming other interests being neglected. It is realized that reasonable amusement and recreation should be enjoyed by Indians, but they should not be allowed to dissipate their energies and abandon themselves to demoralizing amusements. By the use of tact and firmness you can obtain control and keep it, and this obstacle to continued progress will then disappear.

The rooms, halls other places in which Indians congregate should be under constant inspection. They should be scrubbed, fumigated, cleansed or disinfected to prevent the dissemination of disease. The Indians should be lnstructed in regard to the matter of proper ventilation and the avoidance of over crowding-rooms where public assemblies ire being held, and proper arrangements should be made for the shelter of their horses and ponies. The Agent will avail himself of the services of the medical attendant of his agency in this connection.

Except where further information is desired, there will be no necessity to acknowledge the receipt of this circular.


Deputy Superintendent General.

Thos. Graham, Esq., Indian Agent,

Previous Posts

Rather than starting fresh... I have pulled posts from my old blog on the website....

I guess I started the new blog cuz I feel a RANT coming on...

More later... Bye for now...

Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Yesterday the US House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This act if it is not vetoed by the president would make it illegal to discriminate against employees based on their sexual orientation.

It did NOT include the trans-gendered.

I suppose I can understand trying to make some headway in this area but passing this incomplete protection is another case of divide and conquer. Sad. If WE do not stick together, support each other, we are is guilty of the sort of discrimination that has been perpetrated on all lesbian, gay and bisexual people over the years.

Trans-gendered people deserve our support, Period.

Gay for Dummies?

Almost all behaviors we have are learned... this makes it difficult if you are gay to learn how to have a normal, healthy relationship. Relationships are about a number of things... about common interests, companionship, love, sex, building a family and a place in the community.

Today there are some examples of “normal” gay relationships some healthy... some not. It is critical for proper development for young gay people see these relationships so they have blueprint. We like to think we know it all...about relationships and about sex... but these things are learned. It is also critical that they are seen in a positive light.

I remember one professor giving the example of a couple having trouble conceiving. When the doctor explored the situation with the couple, he found that the man was trying to penetrate his wife's navel.

Now.. with todays availability of explicit depictions of sex that may not be a problem. But it suggests another problem. Young people see the mechanical act of sex but do not see relationship attached to the act. ( I am not thinking of about casual sex here. )

The same professor made it clear that you cannot have neutral attitudes about things such as masturbation: YOU have to be positive about it...

A Sad Story

Today I was listening to Sirius OutQ today... with the story of the Idaho Senator who was charged with engaging in lewd behavior (in a police sting operation in an airport) in the news it brings to mind two issues... both that are sorts sad...

The fact that the police still engage in these sting operations is sad...they really only target closeted men or married men who are after gay sex. Well.. maybe just homosexual behavior. The police do this why? Some of these boys get off on this for sure (sadists and those cops are practicing). It feeds the myth that we are perverts and predators. Most of us have or have had normal relationships... Almost all of us have never engaged in public sex with strangers. It is sad that married men and closeted men are the target of the police in this way.

The fact that a United States Senator has to go into a public washroom for sex is sad. Why cant a person who wants to have sex with other men.. have sex with other men. I believe in the 10% rule.... 10% of people are GAY... well... homosexual... Some of us are gay. What makes this even more sad, is that this Senator is a hypocrite. He professes family values. He married an assistant with children to keep up his str8 charade. He is one of many. This is hard on his family... and hard on the bigger gay community.

For a country that professes a love of freedom.. the United States has little freedom... REAL and PERCEIVED... sad...

Queer Culture

Culture is an interesting thing... language is important when we transmit culture. Not only the words but how the words are used are important and there are sometimes issues when outsiders use 'our' language. I have been called queer and fag... I sorta like those words... While I am gay... I am sure I am outside the mainstream.. if there is a mainstream gay culture.

It is wrong to assume that we have things in common just because of our sexuality, BUT we do need to come together to ensure that our basic freedoms are not threatened.

I have enjoyed many of the programming on Sirius OutQ. The Frank DeCaro show was out at OutFest in Los Angeles and had guests who talked about the many gay films past and present... sometimes you don't realize how many gay directors and films there are.

There was also some controversy about Hairspray which came out on Friday... about John Travolta playing a character, when he is Scientologist. Apparently John Waters (who directed the original) is upset. Hairspray is a gay classic... but does that mean an actor (who has had some controversy about his sexuality) and belongs to a religious group that is anti-gay can't play in the film? I think I'll skip it... remakes often don't measure up...

Since I 'found' OutQ... I have had another source to learn about the diversity of our community... boy... am I rambling or what... more later... bye for now...