Thursday, June 30, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 681"

"Let Your Love Be An Example..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 680"


"Love Can Share Anything..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.



"Same Gender Loving People - No. 679"

"To Know The Joy Of Life... Find Love"


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 678"

"Love Makes You Happy!"


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 677"

"Congratulations New York...!"


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Friday, June 24, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 676"

"The Comfort of Love..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 675"

"Love Is A Fun Adventure..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 674"

"The Color Of Love Is Beautiful..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 673"


"Sometimes You Do Find Love On A First Date..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.



"What's It All About...?"

My friend Mark says that I'm way too into conspiracy theories, but I have to say that this one got me thinking...


Don't believe it...? Read this wikipedia article or simply Google Stuxnet

Saturday, June 18, 2011

"And, The Truth Shall Set You Free..."

If you've never seen any of these videos, then this is a great first video to watch. This is Jay... He and his husband Brian are vlog/bloggers from Northern California who have shared their lives openly on the web to help people understand why marriage matters...

This is Jay's Coming Out Story




He is a man who knows...

"Fear Eats the Soul"

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 672"

"The Nature of Things... Love Is Only Natural"

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.


Friday, June 17, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 671"

"Love Makes Life Better..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 670"

"Love Makes It's Own Light..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 669"

"Life, Love, Marriage, Family... Happiness!"


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 668"

"Sharing Life and Love... Being Happy!"


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"The Artist's Corner"

"The Way We Were"
Acrylic on canvas
Steve Walker

Monday, June 13, 2011

"Reflections On Married Life..."


Dear Readers,

It's been a while since I've been able to write or post anything beyond "SGL People" and the "Artist Corner", but today's been a good day with a little free time, so I thought I'd share some reflections on married life.  First off, it's wonderful to have someone to share life's joys and frustrations with.  Recently, there have been more than a few in my own life.

At work I got a promotion about 7 weeks ago and as is usually the case, it was so I could go to fix a problem location for the company.  So with that as my challenge and goal, I've been working some incredible hours.  On average, I've been working about 100 hours, 7 days a week since the last week of April.  Eddie, my husband has been very forgiving of my resulting grumpy moods, and the fact that I'm never home and always tired. 

My first day off in over 7 weeks was last Saturday, which was also my birthday.  Although I had been looking forward to the day for many weeks, when it finally came, none of my big plans for the day came to fruition, but still I had a chance to rest my weary bones and reflect on what I'm doing in my career and more importantly in my home life.

I had planned to work 16 hours today, but I've made a lot of progress this week so I came home after just 10 hours.  As I'm writing this, I'm waiting on Eddie to come home... I just talked to him and he's on his way.  This is a very busy time of year for him as a professional gardener.  He's doing lots of installations at work and for his private clients and his hectic schedule and my own have added up to a couple of horrible little spats.  But in a strange way, I think they've brought us closer by helping us realize how important we are to each other.  Our marriage is "real" and it means something and we're committed to working to make it stronger with each passing day. 

After more than a year together and now happily married for a couple of months, I have to say that I am happy... I never thought real happiness would come, but it has.  It "does" feel different when you're "married".

Well, I've got to go cook the hubby's dinner.  Until next time, remember...

"A life lived in fear is a life half-lived"

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 667"

"To Thine Ownself Be True... Love Is Love"

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 665"

"The Beauty of Love Is A Wonder to Behold..."

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

"Love Is A Verb..."

65 Ways to Say "I Love You"

1.   Don't compare them to anyone.
2.   Be courteous at all times.
3.   Embrace the present moments without fear or guilt.
4.   Live by the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you).
5.   Say "I love you" by giving your full attention when talking.
6.   Become their biggest fan and cheerleader!
7.   Toast each other over breakfast or dinner to say I love you.
8.   Tell them how they bring love to your life.
9.   Laugh about kids quotes on love or events.
10. Talk about your day during mealtimes.
11. Read books aloud together.
12. Say you're sorry.
13. Recall good and bad memories.
14. Let go of the past to say "I love you."
15. Do nothing together.
16. Encourage health in all its forms.
17. Trust your partner enough to cry together.
18. Act silly together.
19. Be lavish in praise.
20. Ask questions about opinions, feelings, thoughts.
21. To say I love you, forget about labels.
22. Encourage adventures and risks!
23. Remember: there is one best way to say "I love you"!
24. Show your joy when they come home.
25. Bake cookies.
26. Leave stress at work to say "I love you."
27. Use flannel sheets in the winter.
28. Solve problems together - such as crosswords or Suduku.
29. Show your gratitude for them.
30. Be a good sounding board.
31. To say I love you, take pride in them -- and show it.
32. Compliment them in front of others.
33. Spend time with them.
34. Listen.
35. Ask for hugs and kisses.
36. Take vacations together.
37. Tell the truth to say I love you.
38. Use pet names to say "I love you."
39. Practice self-acceptance.
40. Hunt for treasure together.
41. Be interested in their interests.
42. To say I love you, let go of jealousy.
43. Accept their weaknesses and flaws.
44. Ditch work or responsibilities to play with them.
45. Be yourself.
46. Share chocolates, ice cream sundaes, milkshakes.
47. To say "I love you", ignore slights.
48. Pray or meditate together.
49. Practice forgiveness.
50. Watch classic movies together.
51. Leave notes or send letters.
52. To say I love you, buy a "for no reason at all" gift.
53. Don't gossip or judge.
54. Give the benefit of the doubt to say I love you.
55. Give space when they're in a bad or sad mood.
56. Learn something new together.
57. Go dancing.
58. Keep your promises to say I love you.
59. Make them laugh.
60. Consider their feelings.
61. Learn ways to rekindle the romance.
62. Hide a treat in their lunch.
63. To say "I love you," make home a fun place to be.
64. Let them make their own decisions.
65. Say what you mean when you say I love you. Say why.

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 664"

"Fighting For The Freedom To Love..."

Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Friday, June 10, 2011

"Why Loving Matters..."


In the Loving decision, a unanimous court held that marriage is “one of the basic civil rights of man…fundamental to our very existence and survival.”

Today, we look at anti-miscegenation laws as a stain on our history and an affront to our beliefs as Americans. In this country, we do not create separate classes of Americans based upon inherent characteristics. Sexual orientation is immutable and unchangeable. It is as much a part of our DNA as our race.

Because I have spent my life fighting to make ours a more just society for all Americans, I’m a supporter of marriage equality. I believe this to be a fight for civil rights.

Mildred and Richard Loving were not political people—they were a committed couple who believed they should have the same ability to share their lives together, just as their neighbors did.

Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo, the plaintiffs in Perry v. Brown, are no different. They want to be married. There is nothing in the world they want more, and as Americans, we owe them nothing less.

As Mildred Loving said four years ago, “That’s what Loving [v. Virginia], and loving [each other], are all about.”

And that is why Proposition 8 must not stand.

Sincerely,

Julian Bond
Chairman Emeritus, NAACP
Advisory Board Member, American Foundation for Equal Rights


Thursday, June 9, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 663"

"Love And Happiness..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 662"

"Love Makes Life Better..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 661"

"When There's Love, Life Is For Living..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Sunday, June 5, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 660"

"Love Brings Light Into Your World..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"The Truth Is In The Scriptures"

The Good News Proclaimed
Preached by the Reverend Doctor Durrell Watkins at the Sunshine Cathedral on Sunday, June 6, 2010.

We are discussing something today that in many other houses of worship would be a scandal. We are talking about love, but not just love, romantic love…and not just romantic love, but romantic love shared between persons of the same gender. And, we aren’t condemning it; in fact, we are celebrating it. And, we daring to suggest there are models of such love in our own sacred scriptures…if you are feeling light headed it’s because the air is being sucked out of the room all at once.

Now, the story we are focusing on today is about two men, but that is only because most of the bible focuses on the lives of men. The bible comes from a patriarchal culture in the very distant past and the biases of its time and place have wound up in the bible, but the news we find in today’s story is good for men and women, it’s good for gays and lesbians, and bisexuals and heterosexuals and those who now call themselves heteroflexible, it’s even good news for those who are questioning and haven’t really come to the full realization of how their love and attraction can be most authentically expressed. Whoever you are today, wherever you happen to be in your journey, if you feel you have love to give or have ever enjoyed the tenderness of love shared, today’s story is in fact, your story.

Now, let’s get the some of the discomfort out of the way right off. Some people assume that the bible condemns homosexuality…in fact, some assume that the bible condemns any joyful experience of sexuality…in fact, some assume that the bible condemns any experience of fun. I, as you might imagine, disagree. We are not fundamentalists at Sunshine Cathedral…a fundamentalist is someone who is desperately afraid that someone somewhere is having a good time. At Sunshine Cathedral, we PRAY that everyone everywhere is having a good time.

Some will point to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as a condemnation of same-gender love and attraction…the only problem with that is that love and mutual attraction are never mentioned anywhere in that story. Strangers narrowly escape an attempted act of violence, and violence is deplorable, but nowhere in the story will one find any trace of chocolate or roses or dancing cheek to cheek.

Mob violence is the reprehensible act in the story, not love or attraction, which of course the story isn’t even about. In addition to the mob violence, we also see the world’s worst father willing to sacrifice his daughters to the mob, and we see the same father committing incest with his daughters at the end of the story. Oh there is plenty of wrongness in the Sodom and Gomorrah tale, but love or mutual attraction between two unrelated persons never even make an appearance in the story. Attempted rape, inhospitality to strangers, drunkenness, incest, manipulation, and disregard for human dignity all stain the story, but same-gender loving relationships are never condemned, they are never even mentioned.

Some will say, “but what about Leviticus?” Leviticus gives us exactly two verses, two, that can be used to promote a homophobic agenda. Strangely, those two verses come from a holiness code that also condemns the eating of pork and shellfish, the wearing of clothes made from mixed fibers, the eating of rare meat, and even getting tattoos. I find it strange that someone with a tattoo in a polycotton blend shirt, eating a salad with bacon bits, shrimp cocktail, and a medium rare steak would ever dare to bring up Leviticus as a justification for anti-gay prejudice…but strangely, people do. According to Levitical Law, it is as much a sin to eat at a Cajun restaurant, to under cook your beef, to get a tattoo, or to shop a Wal-Mart as it is to be gay.

Ah, but what of St. Paul, one might ask. Well, besides being a closet case himself (yes, I said it), Paul’s very few mentions of same-sex activity are always in the context of practices associated with idolatry. Not even Paul condemns same-sex loving relationships or the mutual attraction shared by any two people.

So, of the six or so passages in the bible that homophobic religionists sling like poisonous darts to wound same-gender loving people, we can dismiss and dismantle their interpretations and abusive use of each of those texts. But the good news doesn’t end there.

The good news is that there are also passages of scripture where same-gender love seems to be affirmed. Time won’t let us go through all of them, but we did hear two of them this morning. The gospel shows a Roman centurion who is very concerned for the welfare of his servant. This story is told in two gospels. And in both versions we see a man so concerned for the welfare of a “slave” that he seeks out someone outside his community, outside his religion, outside his class…he seeks out Jesus, a Jewish peasant faith-healer in the land the centurion’s people are occupying…how desperate the centurion must have been to go to such links.

What sort of relationship would cause someone to go to all that trouble, to take such risks? No, this is no mere slave…this is someone special to the centurion’s heart. This is the centurion’s lover for whom he will obviously do anything. The centurion’s relationship is not condemned, his lover is healed, and Jesus goes so far as to praise the centurion’s faith. That’s enough to make a former Episcopalian shout – almost.

The other story is even more obvious. That is the story about Jonathan and David…yes, King David, ancestor of Jesus, warrior, sovereign, poet, and legendary hero…THAT David.

Jonathan loved David as if his life depended on him; he loved him as if they were one.

Jonathan and David held each other, and kissed each other, and wept together….you know, like buddies do(!). And then we see Jonathan swearing an oath to David, making a vow, entering into a life-long covenantal relationship: “We two have sworn by the name of God that God will hold us together, forever.” Wedding vows couldn’t be any more tender, heart-felt, or even romantic.

The story sounds every bit like a warrior love story from ancient military cultures. Jonathan’s father, King Saul, figures out the nature of the relationship, and reacts like macho fathers sometimes will. In verse 30 of 1 Samuel chapter 20, King Saul confronts Jonathan, saying, “You son of a rebellious and perverse woman, do you not know that I know that you have chosen David, the son of Jesse to your own confusion?” Really, Saul? It’s the mother’s fault and Jonathan is just really confused…it’s a phase?! We’ve all heard that. But Jonathan doesn’t accept the guilt and shame his father tries to use against him, and remains faithful to the love of his life, David, until the very end. And that end comes when Jonathan is killed on the battlefield, and David wails, “I grieve for you my dear Jonathan! Most precious have you been to me; more precious have I held love for you than love for women.” David, the bible says, was a man after God’s own heart. Well, David gave his godly heart to Jonathan. They were bonded together in a covenant they chose to make together. They share intimacy, without shame. Jonathan’s father makes accusations about Jonathan and threats against David, and still, their love endured. And when Jonathan died, David wept and mourned as any widower would.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying LBGT people are OK because David might have been one of us. We’re OK whether or not anyone in the bible is like us; but what I am saying is that people who use the bible to condone their prejudices need to learn that there are other ways of viewing scripture. In fact, if they look with open minds, they might just find the very people they are trying to beat up with the bible are in fact part of the bible, and part of God’s plan, and part of the sacred story that we all hold so dear.

It remains true that God is love and whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. Jesus demonstrated that when he responded favorably to the Centurion’s love for his “servant.” And David and Jonathan show us that a covenant based on love is blessed by God, regardless of the genders of the people who make up that covenantal relationship.

I hope the stories you’ve heard today will let you affirm boldly with the Apostle Paul, “It is by the grace of God that I am what I am.” And this is the good news. Amen.

*******

"Fear Eats the Soul"

Saturday, June 4, 2011

"A Thought To Ponder..."

Is he our friend...? 


"We've got a lot of hard work that we still have to do, but we can already point to extraordinary progress that we've made... on behalf of Americans who are gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender."
- President Obama, June 22, 2010


"This Made Me Smile..."

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 659"

"Love Makes Life Happy..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 658"

"Now We Are A Family..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.

"Same Gender Loving People - No. 657"

"Happiness Is Love And Family..."


Positive images of people like me... The truth of the matter is that we all need to see people like ourselves. So everyday, I'll post a photo, drawing or some other artwork that depicts Same Gender Loving People as what we are... Only Human.