Being Thankful and Giving Thanks

Hey, everybody! It’s that time of year again when families comes together to enjoy the winter holidays. This week is Thanksgiving, so I figured I’d write about some of the things that I am thankful for.

What does it mean to be thankful, exactly? This thought did cross my mind. Does it mean that you acknowledge and appreciate something or someone who enriches your life? Does it mean you respect some aspect of your life but not necessarily tell it to the world? It’s hard to tell. I guess everyone has to come up with his or her own definition.

If we do chose to acknowledge such an aspect, whom do we thank? Religious types wish to thank whomever they worship for bringing the aspect into their lives. Or should we thank who or whatever personally for being there?

Also, at what point do we draw the line for what and what not to be thankful for? Should material items be valid? An X-Box may affect your life but does it make you shallow to be grateful for that? Do we thank the negatives in our lives? Surely they do make us who we are (for better or worse). Just because something negative is in your life doesn’t mean the long-term effect is negative. For example, growing up in a house of abuse could empower one to create change for young ones with similar situations. Fate is a fickle and funny thing. You never how every little thing can shape your future. So by that respect shouldn’t you thank those who do you harm?

I don’t know. Maybe I’m the only one with the time on my hands to contemplate such mind-boggling things. Trust me, I’ve had plenty of both positive and negative that have made me the person I am. The thing that really gets me is that I am not yet fully formed as an individual. At what point does this happen? We are ever changing; time amends us physically if not emotionally. So until the moment that we die, aren’t we a new person with every second? And who is to say for sure whether or not the metamorphism does not continue after earthly death? I don’t pretend to know whether or not something exists beyond the earthly form. It is not my place to know (at least at this moment in time).

It’s so confusing. But then it hit me that trying to find the meaning of life is not living. Not that such deep thought is a waste of time, but shouldn’t I be out enjoying my life? Of course, if pondering is what makes you happy, go for it. But otherwise, go forth and be free, trusting that whatever waits for you is good and deserving. I don’t believe in ends. I don’t think anything ever ends. As long as it was here, it stays in some form or another, whether it is the fossilized remains of a dinosaur or stories of segregation from the 1940s immortalized in the pages of a book.

But I digress. I personally have so much to be grateful for. So many people enrich my life. If I forget you, I’m sorry. It’s completely unintentional.

First, I’d like to thank my parents. They gave me life and raised me to be the proud person that I am today. Just because we do not agree on everything does not mean I do not have immense respect for you. For better or worse you made me who I am, even if not always directly.

Next I’d like to think my teachers from throughout the years. You gave me the education I need to succeed in the real world. Not everything you taught came from books, however. So many life lessons spilled from your founts of knowledge. I commend you for all of that.

Next, I’d like to thank the friends and enemies I’ve had all my life. These outside life experiences have shaped the way I interact with others.

Now, down to some specific people.

Shauni Lloyd, the best friend I could ever wish for.

Dakota Johnston, an amazing first love and incredible boyfriend.

Matt Combes, the person who got me through the hardships and helped me come to terms with being gay.

Sandy Loucks, the single greatest teacher EVER and the reason I’m so resilient. Without her amazing green pen, this blog would not be here.

Madonna and Britney Spears, for giving me something to rock out to as I change the world!

Fred Phelps, a reminder that I am the not the craziest person on the planet.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my readers. Without you, this whole blog means nothing. Thank you so much for giving me purpose.

Gays aren't the only ones who want equality

Hey everybody. I wasn’t going to make this post, but I ran across an article online and just had to comment.

An atheist organization called Colorado Coalition of Reason (COCORE) in my neighboring state of Colorado is promoting their message and beliefs in a series of 11 billboards: 10 around metro Denver and 1 in Colorado Springs. They will be up November 17 so as to be visible for this holiday season.

Of course, various Christian groups have discredited the tactics. From claiming the billboards are merely a desperate attempt to downplay Christianity to stating that the atheists are ignoring the “evidence” that the Bible is true (faith, they say is enough to prove an Almighty Being), they have been denouncing the action.

Anyway, the billboards have a blue sky scene background (with clouds) that read “Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.” The website for the group www.PhillyCOR.com along with a hotline (1-800-NEW-REASON) is also on the sign.

Now, I vowed to keep this a non-religious site. My blog is about sexual orientation, not religion. I was about to brush this story off until I read further. Apparently, the group wanted to put signs up in the towns of Fort Collins and Greeley, but the billboard company there refused to carry the message so as not to offend the Christian population.

COCORE rejects this based on the First Amendment. Joel Guttormson of Metro State Atheists said, "And I've read the First Amendment up and down, and nowhere does it say that I have to care about your feelings. We're either 10 to 16 percent of the population, and the reason we don't really know is because people are scared to come out because they're ostracized by the people around them.”

Okay, does anyone else see the similarity between this and sexual orientation? I could use the same quote to justify this blog or being out and proud. Of course, I’m not insinuating COCORE is anti-gay (I’d hope not, being an atheistic group and all). My point is that Mr. Guttormson is right! Even though he may have come across as a real jackass, his statement is true.

By that same justification, however, the Westboro Baptist Church has every right to spread their homophobic and ludicrous beliefs. So does every other anti-gay group. It doesn’t mean their message is correct, but they do have every right to spread it. I know these people piss us off, but we just have to take it in stride and remember that the amendment works both ways. This blog is proof of that. I do respect Fred Phelps’ right to tell me that I’ll burn in some sort of fiery place underground after I die and that my homosexuality caused Hurricane Katrina, even though I think the man is a conflict-loving, bitter sociopath (and don’t say he’s gay, either. We do not need to be affiliated with that loony) and his message is a grossly interpreted part of the Bible.

Guttormson also said the billboard were "to let non-believers, free-thinkers and atheists know that they are not alone, especially in a country like ours that is predominantly Christian." Heck, replace a couple words and there’s another description of my goals with Rural Rainbow.

So anyone who doesn’t agree with this blog, there you go. If you hate it that much, go make your own.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17977308/detail.html#- My source for this post

BTW- did anyone else notice how much “COCORE” sounds like “coke whore?” LOL-just had to point that out.

GREAT NEWS!!!

Hey everybody! Even though Prop 8 was passed in California, we have new hope as the LGBT community.

Connecticut has officially began same-sex marriage!

On Wednesday, November 12, 2008, Judge Jonathan Silbert entered final judgment and finally allowed gay and lesbian couple tie the knot. The ruling also makes any laws that prevent such unions illegal.

Connecticut is currently only the second state to have legal gay marriage (until California gets Prop 8 turned over). While Californians voted for a marriage amendment, the people of Connecticut rejected a ballot measure that amended their
constitution. This is incredible news for the gay rights movement. I was personally unaware there was such a measure on the Connecticut ballot (I figured that when their Supreme Court ruled in favor of equality on October 10th that “traditionalists” couldn’t get their amendment on the ballot until the next election).

There are more than 9,500 same-sex couples in the state according to studies conducted by the UCLA (University of California). They estimate that about 3,000 couples will marry in the next year, and 4,700 in the next three.

This is very exciting. Connecticut may not have much influence as California, but to be frank, we really anything we can get right now. Prop 8 really screwed us over. Now that we have another state where the decision is secure from bigotry and being overturned, we are taking another step in equality.

Connecticut was also to first state to approve civil unions.

It gets me wondering: which state will be the next? I know it’s not gonna be Kansas (that doesn’t really matter to me; I have no plans of marrying before I get out of this hell hole). I hope the decision comes soon. I’d love to see the Democrats add a constitutional amendment about marriage-something along the lines of “no state shall limit or prohibit marriage based on gender.”

Some say America isn’t ready for full equality. I do agree. But was Arkansas ready in the 1960s when the Supreme Court ordered racial integration? Nope. They got over it really quickly though. It’s time the religious right gets the same medicine.

I have hope. I know one day gays and lesbians will not be second-class citizens. Until then, it’s time to fly that rainbow flag and spread the word the word of anti-prejudice. I don’t believe that there’s a “homosexual agenda,” but heck, maybe it’s time to put one together.

A True Disappointment

Hey guys. Apparently, California’s Proposition 8 passed on Tuesday with a vote of 52.5% to 47.5%. Damn. This is major step backwards for the equality movement. It is truly a sad day for the LGBT community. It’s not yet official, but it’s looking like that’s the way the vote is going.
But there is still hope. Three different groups, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have petitioned to the California Supreme Court to block the ban, citing several reasons.
First of all, they argue the new amendment goes against the very core of the original document that promises equality for all. The amendment is out-right discrimination: blocking one group (gay and lesbian Californians) from a basic fundamental right. Since a major goal of the state constitution is protect minorities from the majority, they argue the new amendment is not valid.
Another argument of the lawsuit states that an amendment of this magnitude is not a direct decision of the citizens. While the constitution allows private citizens to make minor changes to document through the initiative process, only state legislature can make amendments that change the very core of the constitution. Prop 8 does this. The legislature has to decide whether or not to put it on the ballot with such amendments. Since this was not the case, the entire process was illegal.
This is not the first petition the groups have sent. Before the election even occurred, they submitted a list of similar arguments to prevent the measure from even being on the ballot. It was dismissed (without addressing it), so no precedent was sent by that ruling. According to the NCLR, the courts often avoid such disputes. Typically, they will wait and see what happens at the polls before they do consider the legal arguments. They believe now that the prop may pass, the court will evaluate the new petition.
The courts have struck down improper voter initiatives before. In 1990, they struck down an amendment that changed the constitution and stripped the courts their rights of being the independent interpreters of the constitution in certain cases.
The California Attorney General backs the group in another statement that urges the state to honor the marriages of the 18,000 same-sex couples.
So we still have hope. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will see the mistake of even allowing the prop on the ballot and dishonor it. Of course, the “traditionalists” will probably try to get in on the next ballot through legislation, but with a Democrat controlled state congress, it should easily be shot down.
Personally, I think the whole majority thing is BS. I mean the ballot passed with less than 500,000 votes more. Shouldn’t anything that changes the very structure of the government at least require a 2/3 decision? We’ve been discussing government procedures in my American Government class, so I know a little bit about the procedure of government.
I might not be a citizen of California, but I urge and plead with the court to agree with the lawsuit. As for anyone else, get out there and protest. Do it right (don’t break any laws) and make some influence. We already lost similar measures this year in Florida and Arizona; lets fight for this one and set some precedence for the country.
More than anything, I urge my readers to pray to whatever or whoever they believe in. If God does truly hate fags, maybe we can change his mind. Go forth!

Prop 8 affects us all

Hey everyone! We are at an exciting point in our nation. Tomorrow we will have either our first African American president or female vice president in the history of our nation. I’m writing this from Creative Writing around 12:30 on Tuesday, so I don’t know who won yet. But by midnight, we will know who changes history.

Personally, it really doesn’t matter to me who wins the election. Neither candidate offers anything special one way or another that would sway my choice, so it’s not that big a deal. However, there is one thing that I’m anxious to hear the results about: California’s Proposition 8.

In case you’ve been living on a rock these past months, the California Supreme Court deemed the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional in May. Since then, hundreds of gay and lesbian couples have tied the knot. However, so-called “family values” traditionalists have proposed Prop 8, which changes the California State Constitution and defines marriage as between a man and women. Their campaign has been a heinous, untruthful attack on the LGBT community. Most politicians and public figures have spoken out against Prop 8, including Brad Pitt, Governor Schwarzenegger, and many, many more.

How does this affect little ol’ me here in Kansas? Trust me, it does. It affects the entire LGBT community of the United States. If it’s passed, it’s a huge blow to gay rights and hate and discrimination will triumph. If it fails, it will be a humongous milestone for us. California has been known as one of the most progressive states in America. Other states have been known to follow suit. In fact, Massachusetts and Connecticut have also lifted the ban on same-sex marriage after California. Hopefully, other states will do so also.

It’s gonna take a long time. It may be decades before gay couples can marry anywhere in the US. Several states have marriage defined in their constitutions as between a man and women.

Tomorrow, I’ll make another post on the election results. My personal life has also been great, but that’s another post entirely :P. DON’T FORGET TO GET OUT THERE AND VOTE! YOUR RIGHTS DEPEND ON IT! NO ON PROP H8TE!