In the Hawaiian language, 'Aloha' can mean either hello or goodbye depending on the context that it is used. Aloha is the most accurate word to describe the state of the decisions to allow civil unions for same-sex couples in the state of Hawaii. Although the State House already passed it, there is a chance it can be denied in the Senate, which is currently in a deadlock with the committee divided. The vote is set to take place Tuesday on whether or not this decision will be passed. Since it's announcement, religious groups have begun buying television airtime and have erected blogs to announce the evils in passing such bill (of course).
Could Hawaii be the next state to allow same-sex civil unions, joining the list along with Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Vermont? Only time will tell.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
England Hates Phelps
Well, the title is a bit too much, I know, but I was trying to simulate some of the hate-mongering protest slogans Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church followers (which, as it turns out, is Baptist in name only) come out with. Such mantras include: "God Hates America", "God Hates Fags", "You're Going To Hell", and my all time favorite, "God Is Your Enemy." This "church" has been known for protesting high profile events, homosexual related events, and also soldiers funerals.
Their infamy knows no bounds, except for the ones set for them. This week, while Fred Phelps (accompanied by his daughter) were on their way to England to protest a play about the murder of a gay man, England decided to bar Phelps from entering the country once it was known that his intentions were to protest. Bravo, England, Bravo. Their reasons for keeping the Westboro Minister (of hate) from entering the country are as follow:
"We do not share their hatred of lesbian and gay people. We believe that God loves all, irrespective of sexual orientation, and we unreservedly stand against their message of hate toward those communities."
Once again, England prevails before the United States of America. I, for one, commend Great Britain on their completely justified (and open-minded) response to the Phelps threat. Now if only England can get rid of its bias against Catholicism and we'd be good to go.....
Their infamy knows no bounds, except for the ones set for them. This week, while Fred Phelps (accompanied by his daughter) were on their way to England to protest a play about the murder of a gay man, England decided to bar Phelps from entering the country once it was known that his intentions were to protest. Bravo, England, Bravo. Their reasons for keeping the Westboro Minister (of hate) from entering the country are as follow:"We do not share their hatred of lesbian and gay people. We believe that God loves all, irrespective of sexual orientation, and we unreservedly stand against their message of hate toward those communities."
Once again, England prevails before the United States of America. I, for one, commend Great Britain on their completely justified (and open-minded) response to the Phelps threat. Now if only England can get rid of its bias against Catholicism and we'd be good to go.....
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
"You Commie Homo Loving Sons Of Gun"
The Oscars this year proved a big achievement for the film Milk--the story of the life and struggles of gay rights activist Harvey Milk--with two Oscar wins in the categories of Best Original Screenplay (by Dustin Lance Black) and Best Actor in a Leading Role (by Sean Penn). Both Dustin and Sean's acceptance speeches were highly inspiration for the GLBTQ community and every word mattered (despite the feeble homophobic protest outside the Oscars).
An excerpt from Sean Penn's Acceptance Speech:
You Commie homo-loving sons of guns! I did not expect this, but I — and I want to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often. But I — I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I scribbled down — so I have the names in case you were Commie homo-loving sons of guns.
For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, and, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.
An excerpt from Dustin Lance Black's Acceptance Speech:
I want to thank my mom who has always loved me for who I am, even when there was pressure not to. But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours. Thank you, thank you, and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk.
Now imagine both speeches without the words "gay" or "lesbian" in them. It wouldn't make much sense now would it? Tell that to the 53 Asian nations that censored such words that mentioned equal rights for homosexuals. The STARS satellite network, owned by Rupert Murdoch (big surprise there), felt the need to take it upon themselves to censure such words in the Asian nations, as well as current speculations that same thing was done in India. Public outcry against this censorship has sprung up all over Asian forums.
The only response from the company came from Jannie Poon, STAR's Hong Kong-based spokeswoman, who said that the company had no intention of upsetting any viewers, but said it had "a responsibility to take the sensitivities and guidelines of all our markets into consideration." I wonder what other things such networks feel the "responsibility" to censure from us.
An excerpt from Sean Penn's Acceptance Speech:You Commie homo-loving sons of guns! I did not expect this, but I — and I want to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often. But I — I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I scribbled down — so I have the names in case you were Commie homo-loving sons of guns.
For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, and, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.
An excerpt from Dustin Lance Black's Acceptance Speech:I want to thank my mom who has always loved me for who I am, even when there was pressure not to. But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours. Thank you, thank you, and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk.
Now imagine both speeches without the words "gay" or "lesbian" in them. It wouldn't make much sense now would it? Tell that to the 53 Asian nations that censored such words that mentioned equal rights for homosexuals. The STARS satellite network, owned by Rupert Murdoch (big surprise there), felt the need to take it upon themselves to censure such words in the Asian nations, as well as current speculations that same thing was done in India. Public outcry against this censorship has sprung up all over Asian forums.
The only response from the company came from Jannie Poon, STAR's Hong Kong-based spokeswoman, who said that the company had no intention of upsetting any viewers, but said it had "a responsibility to take the sensitivities and guidelines of all our markets into consideration." I wonder what other things such networks feel the "responsibility" to censure from us.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Queer Ear - Introductions
My name is Jonathan Espino and I am a bisexual Journalism student at Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago. I mention bisexual as a sort of way to establish a backdrop for blogging about the topic I will discuss.
At first glance, this would appear like another rant-driven blog with yet another person posting their completely bias opinion on issues with half truths, and even less facts. I'm sure at some points that will be true, but I come bearing the gift of information. I will non-denominationally christen this website The Queer Ear. [Original, huh?]
As you can probably gather from the title, this blog will consist of information concerning the GLBTQ community, as well as news (on a global scale) that consists of GLBTQ topics. When people think of gay rights, only the struggles in the United States come to mind, but that is obviously not the case. Intolerance exists all around the world, and it's time their struggles were also brought to light.
At first glance, this would appear like another rant-driven blog with yet another person posting their completely bias opinion on issues with half truths, and even less facts. I'm sure at some points that will be true, but I come bearing the gift of information. I will non-denominationally christen this website The Queer Ear. [Original, huh?]
As you can probably gather from the title, this blog will consist of information concerning the GLBTQ community, as well as news (on a global scale) that consists of GLBTQ topics. When people think of gay rights, only the struggles in the United States come to mind, but that is obviously not the case. Intolerance exists all around the world, and it's time their struggles were also brought to light.
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