There is even deep division and even indifference on the issue within the GBL community itself. This division and lack of full GBL community support seriously jeopardizes any major strides and advances in this culture war.

Regardless of personal views on marriage, it is ultimately a multi-faceted institution. Portions of marriage are absolutely government-sanctioned whereas other aspects of marriage are definitely religious and spiritual in nature. Therefore, personal views of a religious nature as well as issues of civil rights play a role in defining marriage.

Freedom from religion and equality are what the United States originally was founded. Equality was certainly not all-inclusive at the birth of this republic, as blacks and women were obviously ignored with regards to holding any power or position within the government.

However, those mistakes were eventually rectified through the amending of the U.S. Constitution. Countries across the globe have over the last few years done similar recalibrations to begin the elimination of double standards in government-sanctioned marriage, simultaneously strengthening concepts of equality and justice for all.

With the premise that marriage is a government institution that carries not only government benefits but also potential personal costs, it seems logical to realize that all relationships of that caliber are deserving of the same rights and the same detriments. On a deeply personal level, confusion, doubt and misinformation are quite problematic to this civil rights issue. Additionally, personal views are not going to change much within any single generation. Therefore, the issue of expanding and limiting marriage will be fervently discussed and legislated for at least the next two decades throughout the global community.

Despite the personal nature of the issue of marriage, should one specific group, sect or generation impose their personal views on these critical social concepts on the population as a whole? If you aren’t in the majority, the answer is never as clear as some civil rights activists would prefer.

Portions of minority communities will always reach out to the majority by acting, behaving and even thinking as the majority does. These community elements oftentimes act against their own best interests hoping to better fit into society. This explains at least a portion of the division in the GBL community on the marriage issue.

The clarification of the rights of marriage along with a community education on the consequences of potential legislation at both the state and federal level is necessary to increase unity within the GBL community as well as the community-at-large on the issue of gay marriage.
The Quotable Queer

Check out my first post on gay marriage as well as my first post onThe Quotable Queer

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer

I am writing you to urge your support of Proposition 622. Proposition 622 will update the Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

No matter our personal beliefs, my hope would be that we all could agree that discrimination is not acceptable. Unfortunately, some people will always discriminate, and public policy must act to level the playing field.

Housing and employment should be based on merits alone, not on personal beliefs on personal issues. People will always disagree. Acceptance that a group exists within society does not require agreement with that group or what they represent.

I urge you to side with acceptance that discrimination does indeed take place and is not an acceptable practice in Indianapolis. Vote against discrimination and vote YES on Proposition 622.

The religious right certainly has a stranglehold on Washington politics. Many Republican legislators will do anything to please their extremist constituency.

A simple examination of what happened to former Supreme Court nominee, Harriet Miers, yields much to the current power of the religious right. Although the now Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is undoubtedly conservative-minded when it comes to judicial philosophy, he is certainly not from outward appearances an activist, religious right co-opted individual. The same cannot be said about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. He certainly was a replacement that appeased the religious right wing of the Republican party.

Now, the religious right is fighting the use of Happy Holidays by the government and the business industry. What is so wrong about Happy Holidays being used as a holiday slogan? It not only encompasses Merry Christmas but also many other traditions and their holidays. Do they wish to exclude cultural and religious minorities from publicly celebrating and acknowledging their holidays?

Bill O’Reilly of the Fox News Network is possibly the top promoter of this Happy Holidays bashing. He’s even had success in changing the government response to the holidays as well as the business world. Both Sears and Target now “see the Christmas Light“, as he puts it.

What is behind this war waged by the religious right? I believe it to be the last ditch effort to achieve as much of their political, social and economic agenda before their power in Washington and in this country falls apart.

Intelligent design has now pushed so far into Kansas as to actually have the State change the definition of science! (MSNBC, November 8th, 2005)

The religious right certainly knows when to play hardball. Likely, their influence in Washington will be greatly diminished after the November midterm elections. Therefore, they must begin using their limited power now before they have no power to make any change.

Certainly, any religious right victories in the coming year are going to have some staying power, as their influence is not going to disappear, just diminish . . . However, in time what damage they wage now on both American and the World will begin to be fixed and healed. Until then, we must all fight the important fights . . . even the losing battles. Any victory adds momentum.

We must turn the tide sooner rather later and begin building our own momentum! No fight is impossible. Strategy is vital. Doing nothing could be deadly. What can you do today? That is the question we all need to ask ourselves every new day; what can we do.

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“These people must be received with respect and delicacy; one will avoid every mark of unjust discrimination with respect to them.� The Catholic Church appears to be standing against discrimination of homosexuals here. However, the wording could be particularly telling, barring any translation issues. The word “unjust� is of most concern as what is just and right for one is unjust to another. At least there is some progress here with the Church stating discrimination should not take place.

It seems unfathomable the separation of sexual acts with regards to the priesthood within this “Instruction” from the Vatican, stating that “such tendencies must be overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate.” This statement by the Catholic Church absolutely separates homosexual acts from that of other sexual acts. It declares that homosexual acts cannot take place during the three years prior to priesthood. It does not state, however, that the same can be said about heterosexual acts.

This just doesn’t make sense. A sexual act is a sexual act, regardless of who or what is involved. All sexual acts should be barred from the priesthood the three years prior to ordination if that is what the Vatican really desires in the diaconate. To separate one or more sexual acts from others seems silly at best. Those desiring to be and already in the priesthood are today misleading both the Church and the public. It seems that making some three year benchmark for no homosexual acts will not change the reality of the situation.

Considering Pope Benedict XVI’s previous statements and positions on homosexuality as Cardinal Ratzinger, the “Olive Branch” regarding discrimination of homosexuals seems a positive move. However, it is no positive sign to see the Church make such foolhardy statements as it does in this “Instruction” regarding the priesthood and homosexuality.

Are they really serious? Of course they are.

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Homosexuality and ordained ministry

Regarding acts, it teaches that, in Sacred Scripture, these are presented as grave sins. Tradition has constantly considered them to be intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law. These, consequently, may not be approved in any case.

Concerning profoundly deep-rooted homosexual tendencies, that one discovers in a certain number of men and women, these are also objectively disordered and often constitute a trial, even for these men and women. These people must be received with respect and delicacy; one will avoid every mark of unjust discrimination with respect to them. These are called to realize the will of God in their lives and to unite to the Sacrifice of the Lord the difficulties that they may encounter.

In light of this teaching, this department, in agreement with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, holds it necessary clearly to affirm that the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, may not admit to the seminary and Holy Orders those who practice homosexuality, show profoundly deep-rooted homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called gay culture.

The above persons find themselves, in fact, in a situation that gravely obstructs a right way of relating with men and women. The negative consequences that may derive from the Ordination of persons with profoundly deep-rooted homosexual tendencies are by no means to by ignored.

If, however, one is dealing with homosexual tendencies that may be simply the expression of a transitory problem, such as for example an adolescence not yet complete, such tendencies must be overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate.
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If a candidate practices homosexuality or present profoundly deep-rooted homosexual tendencies, his spiritual director, like his confessor, must dissuade him, in conscience, from proceeding towards Ordination.

It remains understood that the candidate himself has the first responsibility for his own formation. He must offer himself with faith to the discernment of the Church, the bishop who calls to Orders, the rector of the seminary, the spiritual director, and the other teachers of the seminary to whom the bishop or the superior general has entrusted the duty of forming future priests. It would be gravely dishonest if a candidate were to hide his own homosexuality to enter, notwithstanding everything, to Ordination. An attitude so inauthentic does not correspond to the spirit of truth, allegiance, and availability that must characterize the personality of he who believes to be called to serve Christ and His Church in the priestly ministry.
–Catholic World News, November 27th, 2005; Excerpts from “Instruction”

It seems ridiculous to me that this issue still has not been resolved effectively by the City-County Council. Let us all hope that the forces of hatred and bigotry do not overwhelm the councilors once again.

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How many times have you found yourself sitting at a red stop light when no traffic is going through the green light? How many times did traffic arrive just when their light turns red and yours turns green?

It seems that all that sitting at stop lights when there is absolutely no necessity to do so is a big drain on gas mileage. Think of all the vehicles in your city, your state and in the country and the world that sit at red lights for no need.

The government needs to step up to its responsibility to decrease our dependency on oil and update and modernize our traffic control systems. Better traffic flow patterns will increase our overall gas mileage which will decrease our need for fuel. It’s better for the consumer, it’s better for the state and it’s better for the environment.

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It is absolutely possible to just wait for an accidental solution. The concern with this method is when, if ever, the accident will take place. For those who wish not to wait, contemplation on this obstinate mental mindset is a first step to outlining the real problem. Certainly, thinking about the problem is not the solution. However, the information, knowledge and understanding that can rise out of this process are both crucial and critical.

A clearer picture of the roadblock can certainly aid in defeating it. Sometimes, more clarity is necessary. Gain additional focus through having discussions with other people about what already has been discovered. This can bring added dimensions to light. By speaking out loud what you have thought can take the problem out of the abstract mind. Sometimes, the added move from abstract to concrete can be achieved through putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

If no solution is achieved through this method, there are other ways to be successful against the war on stubbornness. However, focusing ourselves on outlining the problem and taking it out of the clouds and onto land can certainly be useful in ultimately defeating this state of mind.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer

There were multiple issues outlined in the ruling on the State College Area school district (SCASD) policy. It was determined that the policy was broad and open-ended, prohibiting harassment on “personal characteristics”. Also, the policy was an attempt to limit speech on “values”, restricting debate on differing points of view.

Ultimately, the SCASD policy was extreme and problematic for all involved and was a sound decision. It also laid groundwork for continued governmental intervention to stop harassment in public schools. The decision also gives added dimensions for current and future anti-harassment policies that avoid going so far as to limit free speech.

Certainly, anti-harassment policies to protect GBLT youth are critical for receiving adequate and equal education in public schools. However, these policies cannot go so far as to limit free speech and debate. In this case I would agree with Judge Alito’s decision. Certainly, others will disagree with this assessment. However, if the gay community ever hopes to change public opinion, they must be able to have the debate on GBLT values in the public square.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer

A thorough examination of Judge Alito will offer much food for thought for the country. Time for us all to get to work!

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What is happening with the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council? Both Governor Daniels and Brizzi have made these bold steps in face of tremendous pressure from what I call social conservative thugs in Indiana. They didn’t do it because it was easy; they did it because it was right.

Considering the City-County Council is under Democrat control, one would think this issue would have resolved itself when the Human Rights Ordinance was updated. Unfortunately, some local Democrats seem to lack the initiative to make these changes permanent. Can the Indianapolis community be that socially conservative? These councillors are simply doing the bidding of social conservative thugs, most of which are not even within their jurisdiction. We must all deliver a much deserved reality check to these select councillors when going to the polls.

And you can Quote me on that. The Quotable Queer