Monday, January 12, 2015

Via JMG: FLASHBACK: That Time In 1958 When The Supreme Court Ruled On Gay Rights



Via the Los Angeles Times:
The road to gay rights at the U.S. Supreme Court began not in San Francisco or New York, but in a small downtown Los Angeles office, where volunteer writers and editors in 1953 launched a new "magazine for homosexuals." ONE, as it was called, offered thoughtful articles, defiant editorials and none of the racy photos or sex ads often found in the gay press. "The first issue was sold in bars in the Los Angeles area for 25 cents, about the price of a draft beer," said Michael C. Oliveira, an archivist at the magazine's archives housed at the USC Library. Yet in an era when FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover was routing out "sex deviates" from the government and homosexuality was a crime in every state, the journal quickly drew negative attention, culminating with a U.S. Post Office ban of the magazine as "obscene." The cover story of the first issue censored by the postmaster proved decades ahead of its time, asking "Homosexual Marriage?" To the rescue came a young, straight California attorney fresh out of law school.
Hit the link for the rest. Fascinating story.


Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: Ho-Hum, Yet Another "Ex-Gay" Former Exodus Leader Comes Out As Gay


In what has become a fairly routine event, yet another "ex-gay" leader has decided that he was kidding himself. Today it's Randy Thomas, former Exodus International vice president and self-described "ex-gay poster boy." He writes:
Whether anyone cares, pays attention, approves, disapproves, friends or unfriends me isn’t the point. The point is that I need to stay true to how I am wired, be honest, and consistent with what I believe to be true in this regard. Writing this post is something I need to do as a part of taking personal responsibility for my past journey and being honest in my present reality. My love for Jesus and His finished work on the Cross is unwavering, and stronger than ever. I am as saved today as I was the moment I believed in, and received Him as my Lord and Savior. He rose from the dead to open the door to reconciliation with God and eternal Life. I’ve already walked through that door. He is in my heart. None of that changes regardless of my sexuality or my all-to-human musings. It doesn’t change because it’s all on Him and He never changes. He loves me, I know it. He loves you, is not angry with you, and I hope you know that truth.
Thomas says he hasn't had sex in 24 years. He notes that he published an apology to the gay community back in 2013. Former Exodus leader Alan Chambers, who has also apologized, is among those participating in the comment thread at the top link. (Tipped by JMG reader Jasun)


Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: South Dakota Turns Mustard


 
And the number of red states shrinks again.

 

BREAKING: South Dakota Marriage Ban Struck Down, Ruling Has Been Stayed


 
Read the ruling. From its conclusion:
In Loving, the Supreme Court addressed a traditionally accepted definition of marriage that prohibited Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving from marrying. Because Virginia’s laws deprived that couple of their fundamental right to marriage, the Court struck down those laws. Little distinguishes this case from Loving. Plaintiffs have a fundamental right to marry. South Dakota law deprives them of that right solely because they are same-sex couples and without sufficient justification. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment (Docket 20) is granted, and defendants’ motion for summary judgment (Docket 43) is denied.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that SDCL 25-1-1, SDCL 25-1-38, Article 21, § 9 of the South Dakota Constitution, and any other provision of state law that precludes people from marrying, or refuses to recognize an existing marriage, solely because the individuals are of the same gender are unconstitutional because they violate the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that defendants are enjoined from enforcing those laws or otherwise declining to issue a marriage license solely because the applicants are of the same gender. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a separate judgment will be entered and the effects of that judgment will be stayed until the judgment is final.


Reposted from Joe Jervis

Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 12/01/2015

“É importante tomar consciência dos hábitos e condutas que te conectam com a crueldade no seu dia a dia. Porque é a crueldade (ou maldade) que rebaixa sua consciência. O que te derruba? Qual é a porta que você abre? Dica: Não importa se o sintoma é físico ou emocional (psicológico), o que te derruba é um vício. Pode ser um alimento, uma droga, um hábito, ou até um pensamento - todo vício é uma porta de entrada para o mau.”

“Es importante tomar conciencia de los hábitos y conductas que te conectan con la crueldad en tu día a día. Porque es la crueldad (o maldad) lo que rebaja tu conciencia. ¿Qué es lo que te derriba? ¿Cuál es la puerta que tú abres? Una pista: no importa si el síntoma es físico o emocional (psicológico), lo que te derriba es un vicio. Puede ser un alimento, una droga, un hábito o incluso un pensamiento – todo vicio es una puerta de entrada al mal.”

“It’s important to become aware of the habits and behaviors that connect us to cruelty in our day-to-day lives, as cruelty, or evil, is what lowers our consciousness. What brings us down? Which doors do we open? I’ll give you a hint: it doesn’t matter whether the symptoms are physical, emotional or psychological, what knocks us down is an addiction. This addiction may either be to food, drugs, a habit, or even a thought – all addictions are an entryway for evil”.

Via Daily Dharma


A Moment of Wakefulness | January 12, 2015

Every mindful moment in which generosity displaces greed, compassion takes the place of hatred, and insight dislodges delusion is a moment in which we are awake.

- Andrew Olendzki, "A Tough But Not Impossible Act to Follow"