Because as we’ve learned this week, the world can still be a scary and awful place. But we make it better each and every day by coming out and being more visible; and just by that act, reminding those around us that we’re humans. Just like you.
So if you are in a place where you can safely (physically, emotionally, financially, work-relatedly, yeah, I made that “word” up) come out, start with yourself, and work your way outward. You’ll feel better, I promise.
And to celebrate the 25th annual national coming out day, a day dedicated to LGBT visibility, a quick video. And yes, Randy Phillip’s still chokes me up a little bit, because we’re in a world where he had to ask his dad if he would still love him.
See, the title is a little bit of a pun, since I’m going to be talking about Pennsylvania. Oh, I amuse myself.
So, Pa. is the only state in the northeast that doesn’t recognize same-sex couples (all New England and Mid-Atlantic states have marriage equality, except New Jersey which has civil unions, and they’re moving towards marriage). And on top of that, Pa. has no employment protection for LGBT workers, meaning outside of areas (such as Allegheny county or places like State College), employers are able to fire workers for no other reason than that they’re gay.
So if we are successful in obtaining marriage equality, we’ll also be the only state to have done so without a state-wide ENDA. Of course we’re ass-backwards.
Our Governor is kind of the laughing stock of the country. One of his staff previously compared same-sex marriages to the marriages of 12 year olds, he has now said a better analogy is that of incest. And he has the fucking nerve to laugh:
Our job isn’t just to be frustrated with the homophobia coming from the Governor’s Mansion, it’s to do everything we can to ensure that his chapter in Pennsylvania’s political history is as sad and short as his record on schools, economic development and civil rights.
But this is also the state that has said spousal benefits for same-sex couples is just like throwing money at cats and dogs. There is also a line of thinking (that I lost the link to, of courseNope, found the link), that he specifically used that reference to further demonize and demoralize LGBT citizens in very pointed way; either way, he’s an asshole.
But marriage equality is being fought on four different fronts:
ACLU lawsuit, the first in the country brought after the DOMA/Prop 8 decisions.
Montgomery County and the Montgomery County Clerk have filed appeals to keep issuing same-sex marriage licenses. These may be the same appeal, or they may be separate, I’m not sure, I’ve seen them reported on both ways.
Almost four decades of science and medicine that says if you are LGBTQ, just like me, that there is nothing wrong with you, that you are not broken, you don’t need to be fixed and you don’t need to have a diagnosis, and that being LGBT, like so many other characteristics in your life, some days will be a blessing and some days will be a burden, but is not something that needs to be fixed or can be fixed and that you are just fine the way you are.
So we’re moving forward, in any way (and many ways) possible, it’s a lot of fighting, but when you have to fight for your rights, you do what you must, I suppose. And who knows how long this will take and how messy it will get, but I’ll keep you updated.
The commissioner of the NBA slams the Olympics for their handling of the Russia LGBT laws. And speaking of, Brian Brown, head of NOM, worked with Russia lawmakers to draft the legislation working its way through the Duma to forcibly take children from LGBT adults.
And lastly about Russia, a music video about the torture of the Russian church:
Just like you can’t open a business and refuse to serve the Irish, or women, or Jews, you can’t flat our refuse to serve the LGBT community. Unless the Republican party gets it way, of course.
Alright, let’s see what we have today. First up, seriously, it’s not hard. With very few exceptions, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that your brand can add to the 9/11 conversation. Every marketer should memorize this immediately:
It’s a scary and bad situation, but it really does look like Mt. Doom in the SF Bay area:
The head of the Sochi Olympic Games has asked the new head of the IOC for help stopping the criticism of Russia’s anti-LGBT laws, which means, at least I think, they’re starting to feel pressure.
A drone’s view of Burning Man 2013:
That’s it for now, short update today. Have a great one!
Alright, let’s see what we have today, first up, this amazing ad from Guinness:
Also in the world of advertising, this guy spend over $1,000 on Twitter ads because an airline lost his luggage and he wanted them to actually do their job.
Russia is now moving towards forcibly taking children away from LGBT parents. At the end of the G-20 summit, when Obama met with Activists, they begged him to help get them out of the country. Things are only going to get worse as we head towards the Olympics.
Utah follows in Florida’s idiotic footsteps. Again, for those keeping score: those on public assistance are far less likely than the general public to be on drugs, stop wasting money.
And finally, a great idea for a public service campaign:
I could probably talk about this over at the King of Spades, but as it turns out, schools with anti-homophobia policies are safer…for all their students. Amazing.
But then again, according to Justice Scalia, we’re an “invented” minority, and thus don’t deserve equal rights.. I wonder when I first came into being?
And here’s the three articles that make me furious. An Iraq vet was booed at a city council meeting…because he’s gay.
A church in Tennessee kicks out a family…for supporting their daughter, who just happens to be a lesbian.
And lastly, an interracial couple gets assaulted, and has homophobic slurs thrown at them (they had been out with a gay friend), in New York City, which has this rash of homophobic attacks lately.
Well, this has been a depressing post. In happier news, I’m heading to a reading of “The Birdcage” tomorrow as a fundraiser for the Zoo (the flamingo enclosure, specifically), and this Saturday is the City of Play Festival. Come downtown to play some new games and run around downtown, it will be fun! And if the games aren’t fun, we’ll make it fun!
Alright, let’s see what we have today. First up, the Patton Oswalt Star Wars filibuster (all from his head by the way, not scripted) has been animated:
Between 2000 and 2010 there were 649 million votes cast in general elections; 47,000 UFO sightings; 441 Americans killed by lightning; and 13 credible cases of in-person voter impersonation.
So this is really, really scary: a child has burst into flames…four times! And to be fair, he would more likely be part of the FF (Fantastic Four/Future Force, whatever they’re called at the moment).
Awesome music video from Mumford and Sons…and fiends:
A federal court has struck down a bigoted anti-Islamic law in Oklahoma. It’s really nice to see that, as there has been a rash of hatred in the south (and the west) and it all seems so knee-jerk racism with no grounds in reality.
Alright, let’s see what we have today. First up, the new trailer for Kick Ass 2 (NSFW):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nje6dcArZrI
A Firefly MMO has been announced, although it appears to be exclusively for mobile phones. Will be interesting to see what it’s like, but it may be too late.
A great ad campaign which uses national flags. Very well done.
First up, need a pick-me up? Watch this crazy video. Sometimes I really miss soap operas.
Or just watch this:
Just remember, the separation of Church and State is only applicable if it’s what you want. Or something like that.
I never thought of it this way, but second amendment extremists have met their match: insurance companies.
Whoever is running the social media accounts at JCPenny is awesome:
As a reminder, Orson Scott Card, the writer of Ender’s Game, is a hateful bigot. Like, he has said that he thinks members of the LGBT community should be rounded up arrested and put in camps. But now, he wants us to forget about that, so he can make money on his new movie. Needless to say, the responses have been epic, and I won’t be seeing the movie.
And this is what happens when capitalism goes unchecked:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvA1E2MgrI4
There is a cool documentary coming out about Walt Disney trying to secure the rights to Mary Poppins, and it looks amazing. Also, Tom Hanks looks exactly like Walt Disney himself. Check it out here.
