My 'Veteran's Day' Inspiration Van entry

More--and hopefully better quality--pics as possible...Thanks!

"Don't Ask Don't Tell" Photography Exhibit by Jeff Sheng

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/11/12/natpkg.dont.ask.cnn

Most Excellent Outreach!

Okay, well, this week's episode of GLEE was just beyond spectacular;
one of the best t.v. shows EVAH! (And yes, parts were very unrealistic
and stretched thin; Get over It!)

You can watch the episode from this week, "Never Been Kissed", here on
www.hulu.com;

http://www.hulu.com/watch/188956/glee-never-been-kissed

This was the bomb! It had everything!

-It was the oh-so-topical 'gay bullying' episode. (I could FEEL myself
drifting through time as the jock pushed Kurt into the lockers. More
importantly, I could feel the impact of no one saying or doing anything
hitting even harder.)
  By the by; this episode is not a stand-alone 'hot topic' story; it's been
building and this character has been going through changes and discomfort
leading up to this.

-It introduced a smoking hot new character (Kurt's potential boyfriend,
who, if nothing else, is a great source of hope and inspiration for Kurt on this
current dark and lonely path--and what's hotter than that?!)
  Now, one point that didn't ring true for me (but which was storyline dictated,
so, no big; an all boys school was the Source of my heartache in the 1980s...
it was hardly heaven from where homophobia did retreat! Of course, this is
20+ years later and I didn't catch whether or not there was a religious affiliation
with the school; I'll assume not.

-The nerd sees a need and fills it, not caving in to the peer pressure of the
(reportedly) cool guy; Artie gets a backbone and some face time!

-A very sad/scary/striking revelation plays out with Kurt's locker room
confrontation.

-'The Beast' gets some more story play, and shows off Dot's acting chops.
I really LOVE her character! The scene with Shuster's 'solution' was a bit
much, but touching nonetheless.

-And of course. great music!

The great part of the story was how wonderfully we were shown how
EVERYONE was feeling the effects of being an outsider in one way or another.
It's so easy to forget that we have more in common than we do differences...
and what a difference that makes.

The impetus of the episode was doing what isn't expected....mixing things up and
looking through a new lens...and it was quite a ride. A+++

(We do need to get some 'Mercedes' and 'Santana' stories rolling, but otherwise,
everyone is getting a nice slice every week--in my book at least!)

Courage Campaign; Joel Burns' "It Gets Better" public plea

I've found myself crying in public more often than I could have imagined over the past week.

What made me cry? The suicides of gay kids (or kids perceived to be gay) and their struggles -- and the heartbreaking stories inspired by the "It Gets Better" campaign launched by Dan Savage to stop those suicides.

You might have already seen the powerful "It Gets Better" story told by Joel Burns, a member of the Ft. Worth City Council in Texas. Since a video of Joel's poignant city council testimony was posted on Wednesday, more than 1.6 million Americans have watched it and shared it with their friends. And now, many more will see it today after messages like this one from Courage, the Trevor Project, MoveOn and the Victory Fund.  

Please take a moment to watch Joel's story now -- and join us in thanking him for his courage in expressing his personal story to the world. Along with thousands of other people, your signature will be presented to Joel Burns on behalf of the Courage community:

WATCH HIS MOVING SPEECH NOW......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghOnY4

http://www.couragecampaign.org/ThankYouJoel

Tears burst forth when we're angry or sorry or compassionate or mourning or simply incapable of expressing what's in our soul.

Friday night, I spoke in Stockton, California. I choked up as I tried to relate some of the testimony from the Prop 8 trial -- testimony from an old and famous book that informed millions of Americans that gay people were inferior. The passage I cited sounded funny at first, but then I cried. That passage has been with me my whole life, never out in the open until it was in open court.

That's what Joel Burns did. He said what was in his heart and locked in his soul, never released until he publicly testified, connecting his story with the teens who killed themselves because they were made to feel like they were less than human beings.

Joel said he may face repercussions for being honest about his story. Will you join us in showing Joel that he faces not repercussions but support for his courage? Just click here to watch Joel's amazing testimony and  then sign our community card thanking him:


Thank you for showing your support for Joel. If we all raise our voices together, lives will be saved.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign Institute

P.S. Joel's story is just one of many ways you can help spread the word about bullying and teen suicide. If you're looking for a helpful list of resources and organizations working to help solve the problem, click here:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Support
Courage Campaign Institute is a part of the Courage Campaign's multi-issue online organizing network that empowers more than 700,000 grassroots and netroots supporters to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country. To get involved in the Courage Campaign Institute, visit "Testimony: Equality on Trial" -- our year-long campaign to bring the Prop 8 trial into the lives of Americans.

Secretary of State Clinton Speaks to LGBT Youth

This is one of the most phenomenal things I have
ever witnessed. Never has a public figure of such
stature taken such a strong stand of support for
the hurting youth dealing with sexual orientation.

For those ignorant to it, this is a horribly risky
career move, and the frankness of Clinton's words
(as well as her long dedication to assisting gay youth,
such as with the Harvey Milk School) is powerful.

Thank you, Secretary Clinton, for your message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXBpW8GCDtY

C.A.R.E. for LGBTQ Youth: Suicide Response

YOU 
are never alone. You are not responsible for anyone who
chooses to take their own life. As friends, family, and loved ones,
all you can do is listen, support, and assist the person in getting the
help they need.

CONNECT the person the resources and to a
    supportive, trusted adult.
ACCEPT and listen to the person's feelings and
    take them seriously.
RESPOND if a person has a plan to attempt
    suicide, and tell someone you trust.
EMPOWER the person to get help and to call
    the Trevor Lifeline (1-866-488-7386).

Because....
   suicide is the third leading cause of death
   among 15 to 24 year-olds.

Because LGBTQ youth are up to 4 times more
    likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.

Because....
    depression is treatable and suicide is preventable.

Because...
    when you CARE, you can help save a life.



(This is a from a flier received at Tallahassee's FSU
Coming Out Week events; author unknown.)

Lack of Choices for GLBT Matters in Kentucky

Well, it's a good thing Kentucky's abbreviation is KY, cuz they're
gonna be needing some lubrication come November, either damned
way you go!

Ron Paul's crazy-ass bedbug son is a nut job to the highest degree,
but that's hardly surprising. Let's look at the evidence;
-He's Ron Paul's son...
-He's sort of a cross between Danny Bonaduce and 'Ralph Mouth'...
-He's a staunch Republican, in line with their new Nutty McKook hook
-He's made insane promises and assertions regarding race, big business,
    and abortion
-He dislikes the government having a say in who a business can serve
   (that's code for "Whites Only", if you're keeping score at home)
-He's a hard line Tea Party rep who's in bed with/comes from Big Money,
    but wants to play like he's an average Joe

(Here's a telling video; when George Will thinks you're bad for the puds!)

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=10722476


However, his opponent, 'Democrat' Jack Conway, is like a Satanic 'Ken'
doll. He's more conservative and flip-flopping than your typical Log Cabiner,
and he seems pretty squirrely indeed. Picture Ted Haggard circa the big
molestation charges fallout; possessed, repressed, insane, and high on anything
he could get up his nose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWdSlrxWGN0

I rather imagine Conway will be arrested for being in the park after dark with
a young man probably in his employ, while Paul has all his dirty laundry and
insanity out in the open, where the Republicans can tout it as character.

Choices are 'slim' and 'none' for the governor's office this election season.
Off with their heads, Alice.

PFLAG Dad Sends Open Letter to Youth

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)  

"You deserve to be happy, you deserve to be alive, and you deserve to be loved."

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- John R. Cepek, national president of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) issued the following open letter to youth in light of the mounting reports of bullying, harassment, and suicide among youth:


Dear ___________,

I know it may seem strange that you're getting a letter from someone you've never met. To be honest with you, I feel a little odd writing this letter to people I've never met. But this is a difficult time, and I want to make sure that someone delivers an important message to you.

My wife and I have two sons. We think that they are the best kids in the whole world. They're very different, with very diverse personalities, talents, and interests. One of the other things that makes them different is that one is straight and one is gay.

But the important thing is this: we love them equally.

That's why it is so painful to us to read the reports of the kids out there who have killed themselves because somehow they felt that their lives were not equal or worth living, either because they were mercilessly bullied and teased for being different, or tortured because they were gay.

That's why I'm writing to you today. There have been a lot of people out there sending some important messages your way. They've been telling you that there are people who can help, and that it is going to get better, and your job is to be strong and stick it out. You should listen to them, because they're right.
But as a dad, I want to send you one more message. Here it is: there are people who love you and accept you for who you are right now. Whether you're gay or straight, it doesn't matter.

I hope that your parents are among these people. I hope that in the same way I'm proud of both my sons, someone is proud of you just because you're there and because you're alive. You deserve that, no matter who you are or how different you feel.

But if for some reason you don't feel like you've got that support, I want you to know that there are parents and families who love you. Maybe they're people you already know. Or maybe they are people like me who you haven't met yet, and the other parents who belong to a group that I'm a member of called PFLAG – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

So if you're reading this and feel like no one loves you for you who are today and who you're becoming, I want you to do something for me. I want you to go online to www.pflag.org and find a PFLAG chapter near you. Contact them and tell them your story. Ask them for help. Tell them what you're experiencing, and tell them what you need. These are families who understand what is happening and who want to support you.

I can't imagine a world in which either of my kids felt like life wasn't worth living because people rejected them, and I have a hard time imagining what some of you might be going through right now. But please know that you're not alone. There are people to talk to, and families and friends nearby who will support you and your own family, too. All you need to do is ask.

I hope that one day we will meet and I'll know that you made it. You deserve to be happy, you deserve to be alive, and you deserve to be loved. Lots of people agree with me on that. Trust me.

Sincerely,

John R. Cepek
President, PFLAG National
www.pflag.org

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the nation's foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 members and supporters in more than 250 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit www.pflag.org

National Coming Out Day

So, until I get some pics uploaded, here is what my newly
designed Inspiration Mobile has tagged on it. Stand up.
Speak out!

* QUIT KILLING GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE

* HOW MANY GAY SOLDIERS DIED FOR YOUR
FREEDOM TO DISCRIMINATE?

* TREVOR PROJECT

* YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

* EQUAL RIGHTS ARE NOT SPECIAL RIGHTS

* TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE

* STOP THE HATE

* BE STRONG

* THE BLOOD OF GAY YOUTH IS ON THE CHURCH

* YOU  CAN DO IT! DON'T GIVE UP!

* "IT GETS BETTER" ON YOUTUBE

(I wanted to put on
"GOD LOVES GAYS-- CAN'T STAND BIGOTS, FRAUDS,
AND ZEALOTS!" but I ran out of room!)

I also included pictures of out gays and lesbians
I have known to personalize the matter for those
who think they have never met a 'regular' gay person.

Do what you can, right where you are.
You don't need a team, a safe place, or permission
to stand up and be counted.

I am formidable.
I am incredible.
I am inevitable.
We all are.

Together or alone, we are community.

Homophobia in the Arena

Here is a great article on a July 31st incident of unprecedented
ant-gay verbal abuse in baseball. The larger story is of the life
of the ump who was targeted by the assault, Billy Van Raaphorst.
It's a coming out story that many can relate to, especially those
who are part of worlds that are less accepting of gays, like sports,
wealthy families, and Southern towns.

The author, Jason Whitlock, produced a great piece, especially
telling in his personal reveals on bias and questioning the recent
marriage equality debate. Worth a look; if the link goes wonky,
it's at FoxSports.com, his August 13th column.


http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/gay-umpires-ordeal-shows-sad-state-of-sports-081310/?GT1=39002

Closeted Men

There are a lot of different takes on men who remain in
the closet. However, unless such a person is actively
targeting other gay people with homophobic verbage
or action, I only have compassion for them.

Here's an excellent site from the point of view that
married gay/bi men in particular have a lot of specific
special needs and complicated stories.

Maybe you can relate to what you read. Maybe you
or someone you know is (or was) in such a situation.
It's delicate, it's personal, and only the person involved
and their wife and kids (or husband and kids in the case
of closeted women) can make the decisions necessary.

Read, get educated, be connected, and think things
through. But you aren't alone, and you don't have to be
without resources...regardless of what decision you make.

www.marriedgay.org

You can bleed and die for us...

"You can bleed and die for us....just don't expect those freedoms
you're fighting and sacrificing for to extend to your worthless
faggot ass."


No, the DOJ didn't actually finally release the above statement
about the thousands of gay and lesbian service members serving in
our military, but they might as well have.


The much-touted "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (DADT) surveys were sent
out, and the questions included have hit the Internet. Every one of
them stilted and accusatory, making it sound worse than the right-wing
propaganda that has been behind this anti-gay push all along.


Not to mention, it's likely really a ploy to IDENTIFY gay/lesbian
members--and those sympathetic to them--so that when this archaic
shit remains in effect, our ignorant ass government can do a new house
cleaning. Yeah, help our military; get rid of the brighter, more effective
ones.


It's all calamity-filled and hysterics like sharing a bathroom with a gay
guy will make the rest of the platoon resign or go AWOL. And it
even goes beyond the scope of DADT, thereby muddying the waters
and further invalidating the waters, by asking its questions in relation to
'perceived' gay and lesbian service members.


This shit reads like a bad sleepover with a bunch of little girls.
"So, like, if Bobby J. showed up, and you were already with
Joe, but you liked Bobby better...what would you dooooo!?!"
Tee-hee-hee.


I really am laughing about the inanity of our military forces being
run by a bunch of numb-nut pencil pushers who think that ridding
the military of queers is their top fucking priority.


It's equally a laugh riot that so many 'non-traditional' families get
no support or recognition while their same-sex partner is risking
their life for a nation that fears and hates them.


Or that people have lost their careers, their pensions, their dignity
because of this back-woods hillbilly lame-ass policy being touted
as necessary in the 'most free country in the world' in 2010.


I get cramps from laughing so hard about all the dead gays and
lesbians who were not honored as full people, but were disrespected
by their country and the division they devoted themselves to.


What a world.

HEARTSTRONG, INC.

Remembering Robbie Kirkland

A kept promise 

 

In 2001, I stood with Robbie Kirkland's mom, Leslie Sadasivan, in Robbie's bedroom.
It was as if he had just left for school that day. Not much had changed in that room.

In fact, as we begin to sift through his belongings and in particular his school notebooks,
we began to find more clues as to how he got to a place of no return.

Robbie's mom knew he was struggling at his Catholic school. When I opened one of his
notebooks I found the phrase "I hate the way god made me" scribbled over and over again.

I didn't have to look any further. Those words written in a panic clearly explained the
course of Robbie's short life.

That day, I promised Leslie that at HeartStrong we would never forget her son and never
stop reminding our HeartStrong Friends of all of the "Robbie's" in this world.

It's been a while since we last talked about Robbie who for us symbolizes so many students
at religious schools who attempt or succeed at taking their lives.

I know there are a lot of people reading this email who don't know about Robbie or others
like him so we thought we would publish his story again. I am also including a link here to
some photos his mom has made available.

A lot of time has passed since I stood in Robbie's bedroom trying not to cry in front of his still
grieving mother. Over these years I have met many other parents who sent their children to
religious schools and were then grieving over their deaths.

I am often asked how it's possible for me (or anyone) to continue doing the work of HeartStrong
without large amounts of public support. My answer is always the same, I do it for Robbie and
every other boy or girl who has ever struggled to stay alive in an educational environment which
teaches them to hate and reject who they are.

I could have been a "Robbie." So many of my friends could have been a "Robbie." How we found
enough grace to accept ourselves is how we are able to help others still on that journey.

Marc Adams

For more Info, check out www.heartstrong.org

Positive Religion for Gays: Gaychurch.org

If you're home bound, shy, or leery of groups,
check out this website for an alternative to
the mind-and-spirit numbing effect of the
fire-and-brimstone churches of much of
this sad world.

There is only one way to express love; fully.

http://www.gaychurch.org/

"WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY?"

Rock on, Jesus!

And who are those protesting these billboards?

The ones who have (Truly) been misrepresenting
the word and teachings of the King of Peace for decades.

Righteous! Radical! Recognize!

Positive Religion for Gays:Unitarian Universalist

"Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person." Hmmm..what a concept!

Copied from their website ate their seven governing principles:

"There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part."

If you would like to learn more or see about attending, check out their website at:


http://www.uua.org/

http://www.uua.org/socialmedia/blogs/

Positive Religion for Gays: Metropolitan Community Church

Next verse, same as the first.

Not all churches honor God, but a bad experience with
a bad church need not cause us to eliminate God (or
spirituality) from our lives.

Here's another church for those who are interested in
finding/reconnecting with a spiritual component,
specifically in an organized group context.

Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) started in 1968
as a congregation specifically dedicated to the LGBT
community. For more info, check below.

Enjoy!


http://www.mccchurch.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

(Link isn't working for some reason; please "Copy" and "Paste"
the info!)

Positive Religion for Gays: Cathedral of Hope

Not all the news is bad news.

For those who wish to maintain a foothold in the church,
there are some alternatives to pain and fear-based old
school congregations and denominations.

Check these out for more information.

And, if you have no use for religion or spirituality,
it's still informative to learn the truth about the teachings
of Jesus that have been obfuscated by puritanical anti-sex
zealots.

Enjoy!


http://www.cathedralofhope.com/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=225&srcid=305

Rise when Royalty enters, dammit!

RECOGNIZE!

If the tiara fits.......work it!

(And if it don't fit, force it!)

Look at how grand this
old girl got it;