I love Nancy Pelosi. There, I said it. I just have always liked her. She's smart. She's strong. She's attractive. What's not to like? I think I like her for the same reason that I liked (LOVED) Ethel Merman, Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West, Sophie Tucker, Divine, Harvey Fierstein, and the fictitious Betty Butterfield. Some personalities are just so magnetic, so winsome, so worthy of notice, that you wind up feeling connected to them. I think that's my attraction to Nancy.
Now, I don't mean to belittle her political genius. She's a good leader. I agree with many of her positions. And I am THRILLED that she will be our next Speaker of the House. She is the first woman to be the minority leader. She will be the first woman Speaker, which means she is next in line to the presidency after the Vice-President, so she will be politically the highest ranking woman in U.S. political history. I think she'll be a great Speaker and I wish her all the success in the world. But more than that, isn't she just fabulous? When you see her, don't you say to yourself, "there's a fabulous person!"?
Strong women who defy the odds and do well in a system that is meant to privilege straight, white men have always been attractive to me, and to many gay men. Their lives become a witness to anyone who has felt disenfranchised. We learn from them that we have more possibilities than we might have assumed. So, here's to Speaker Pelosi. I continue to love her.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
VOTE
If you live in the U.S., then tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 7) is election day. It's not a presidential election, that's still two years off. But it is an important election. We'll elect the entire House of Representatives. We'll elect 1/3 of the Senate. We'll elect governors and mayors and members of city councils. We'll elect judges and school boards. We'll elect leaders who collectively can make a profound difference in our lives. We'll pass or reject initiatives of local and regional importance.
I know the common rhetoric: "My vote doesn't count." Well, not if you don't cast it! Of course, your candidate may not win. We can't know who will win until all the votes are cast and counted. But give your candidate every chance; give her or him the benefit of your vote. Even if the candidate you prefer loses, your vote could make the vote closer, which sends a message. And wise leaders pay attention to such messages.
Here's another one: "'They' will just steal the election anyway." It's true that irregularities are possible; but if we all participate in our system of government, the irregularities will be few and far between. And even if mass corruption was a reality and elections were routinely "stolen" (I don't believe this to be the case), then at least make the mysterious conspirators go to the trouble of stealing them. Don't just hand them the keys to the kingdom.
In the end, whatever our political party or socio-economic class, we won't always get who we want. I have spent my entire adult life voting for people who don't win the race. Still, I vote. Still, I write letters to my representatives. Still, I have spoken at community forums. Still, I make contributions to grass roots organizations. Still, I sign petitions. I've even joined in a protest or two. I always have the gratification of knowing I did my part even if my view doesn't carry the day. And sometimes, my candidate does win, and I have the added satisfaction of knowing I was part of the victory.
Make an informed decision, support the candidates who will best represent liberty and justice and good stewardship and take pride in being part of the process. There is no charge to vote, but the cost of not voting is too high, and its a price we all pay.
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, VOTE!!!
I know the common rhetoric: "My vote doesn't count." Well, not if you don't cast it! Of course, your candidate may not win. We can't know who will win until all the votes are cast and counted. But give your candidate every chance; give her or him the benefit of your vote. Even if the candidate you prefer loses, your vote could make the vote closer, which sends a message. And wise leaders pay attention to such messages.
Here's another one: "'They' will just steal the election anyway." It's true that irregularities are possible; but if we all participate in our system of government, the irregularities will be few and far between. And even if mass corruption was a reality and elections were routinely "stolen" (I don't believe this to be the case), then at least make the mysterious conspirators go to the trouble of stealing them. Don't just hand them the keys to the kingdom.
In the end, whatever our political party or socio-economic class, we won't always get who we want. I have spent my entire adult life voting for people who don't win the race. Still, I vote. Still, I write letters to my representatives. Still, I have spoken at community forums. Still, I make contributions to grass roots organizations. Still, I sign petitions. I've even joined in a protest or two. I always have the gratification of knowing I did my part even if my view doesn't carry the day. And sometimes, my candidate does win, and I have the added satisfaction of knowing I was part of the victory.
Make an informed decision, support the candidates who will best represent liberty and justice and good stewardship and take pride in being part of the process. There is no charge to vote, but the cost of not voting is too high, and its a price we all pay.
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, VOTE!!!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Healing for Haggard
Between the neo-fascists in our government and our ubiquitous technology, privacy is a thing of the past. People who live in the fish bowl need to learn that it is now almost impossible to hide anything.
That having been said, I do hope something good comes from this. I hope the Religious Right begins to rethink its sex negative and homophobic rhetoric. It doesn't prevent same-sex love, attraction, or activity. It only causes people to hide their activity and lie about their lives. When they get caught, they are then judged as hypocrites. When religion becomes what it can offer to enrich life rather than who or what it can oppose or condemn, life will be better for all of us and scandals will be harder to produce.
Finally, though I disagree with the homophobic rhetoric and political activity of Mr. Haggard, I take no pleasure in his fall. I'm sorry that he felt the need to say one thing and do another; that level of self-hatred is the result of homophobic religion. He is as much a victim as a perpetrator in all this. I also feel for his family who must be humiliated and hurt by these recent disclosures. I wish healing for all of them and for a more tolerant and inclusive Church and State.
That having been said, I do hope something good comes from this. I hope the Religious Right begins to rethink its sex negative and homophobic rhetoric. It doesn't prevent same-sex love, attraction, or activity. It only causes people to hide their activity and lie about their lives. When they get caught, they are then judged as hypocrites. When religion becomes what it can offer to enrich life rather than who or what it can oppose or condemn, life will be better for all of us and scandals will be harder to produce.
Finally, though I disagree with the homophobic rhetoric and political activity of Mr. Haggard, I take no pleasure in his fall. I'm sorry that he felt the need to say one thing and do another; that level of self-hatred is the result of homophobic religion. He is as much a victim as a perpetrator in all this. I also feel for his family who must be humiliated and hurt by these recent disclosures. I wish healing for all of them and for a more tolerant and inclusive Church and State.
Gay News This Week
"Doogie Houser" (Neil Patrick Harris) comes out as a gay man. I'm delighted whenever someone uses their celebrity status to bring tolerance and understanding to the world. The handsome and talented Harris puts a warm smile and attractive personality forward. When people like Harris come out, they show a real person who we can feel like we know and want to like rather than just letting sexuality be an "issue" for people to argue about. Harris is a real person and his real life is that of a same-gender loving person. That places it at a different level than an "issue," "opinion," or "belief." Good for him.
Other news this week - The Episcopal Church installs their new primate, the first woman ever to head a province of the Anglican Communion. The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori personally believes in gay marriage, but says she won't push her personal beliefs. That's too bad. We need allies who will actively try to educate people and use their influence for progress, rather than trying to protect "unity" or the status quo. Unity that is maintained by who it excludes or condemns is obscene.
Finally, evangelical leader Ted Haggard now admits to buying drugs and hiring a male prostitute. BUT, he claims to have not used the drugs and only received a massage from the escort. I'm sure there is more to the story than is being told and unfortunately, more will be revealed which will hurt his family, his career, and his church. But what we can all learn from this is what the 12 Steppers have always told us: We are as sick as our secrets. Closeted living is not healthy and it causes people to make regrettable choices. Perhaps these recent events will cause conservative Christians to re-think their gay-bashing, homophobic positions and entertain the possibility that human sexuality is diverse and complex and cannot be boiled down to a few simple THOU SHALT NOTS.
Other news this week - The Episcopal Church installs their new primate, the first woman ever to head a province of the Anglican Communion. The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori personally believes in gay marriage, but says she won't push her personal beliefs. That's too bad. We need allies who will actively try to educate people and use their influence for progress, rather than trying to protect "unity" or the status quo. Unity that is maintained by who it excludes or condemns is obscene.
Finally, evangelical leader Ted Haggard now admits to buying drugs and hiring a male prostitute. BUT, he claims to have not used the drugs and only received a massage from the escort. I'm sure there is more to the story than is being told and unfortunately, more will be revealed which will hurt his family, his career, and his church. But what we can all learn from this is what the 12 Steppers have always told us: We are as sick as our secrets. Closeted living is not healthy and it causes people to make regrettable choices. Perhaps these recent events will cause conservative Christians to re-think their gay-bashing, homophobic positions and entertain the possibility that human sexuality is diverse and complex and cannot be boiled down to a few simple THOU SHALT NOTS.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Let That Be a Lesson, Ted Haggard
BUFFY: I told one lie; I had one drink.
GILES: Yes, and you were very nearly devoured by a giant demon snake. The words, 'let that be a lesson' are a tad redundant at this juncture. (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Ted Haggard, powerful evangelical, anti-gay religious figure is accused of hiring a man for sex and using drugs. Initial reports suggest that there is at least some truth to the allegations.
The accusation is that he had an on-going homosexual affair that involved drug use for three years. Did he do it? I wouldn't care, except...
Pastor Haggard is part of the Right Wing that has so much influence on the politics of the day, and he has been instrumental in trying to block marriage equality for same-gender loving people. If he has been engaging in same-sex activity while trying to hurt the cause of same-gender loving people who want equal rights in society - well, one sees easily enough how such hypocrisy is problematic.
Here is my hope: First, I wish healing for his family that is undoubtedly hurt by the public accusations of impropriety. Secondly, I hope that the scandal does not sour people on religion in general (though I always hope that people discover that religion need not be homophobic!). Finally, my hope is that something good comes out of all this. Maybe someone as influential as Haggard, whether he is guilty or not, will realize how hurtful it is to be targeted, labeled, and accused because of sexuality. If he and his friends and followers learn from this to not target, label, and accuse same-gender loving people and if they will cease to marginalize gay and lesbian people, then something healthy will be the result of all this.
I'm not judging Pastor Haggard for what he does in his bedroom, but I am appalled by the ways he has tried to keep gay people disenfranchised. Now that he has experienced a small taste of being accused and condemned because of what people think he does in private, perhaps his ministry will have more room for grace and tolerance. We can all pray.
GILES: Yes, and you were very nearly devoured by a giant demon snake. The words, 'let that be a lesson' are a tad redundant at this juncture. (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Ted Haggard, powerful evangelical, anti-gay religious figure is accused of hiring a man for sex and using drugs. Initial reports suggest that there is at least some truth to the allegations.
The accusation is that he had an on-going homosexual affair that involved drug use for three years. Did he do it? I wouldn't care, except...
Pastor Haggard is part of the Right Wing that has so much influence on the politics of the day, and he has been instrumental in trying to block marriage equality for same-gender loving people. If he has been engaging in same-sex activity while trying to hurt the cause of same-gender loving people who want equal rights in society - well, one sees easily enough how such hypocrisy is problematic.
Here is my hope: First, I wish healing for his family that is undoubtedly hurt by the public accusations of impropriety. Secondly, I hope that the scandal does not sour people on religion in general (though I always hope that people discover that religion need not be homophobic!). Finally, my hope is that something good comes out of all this. Maybe someone as influential as Haggard, whether he is guilty or not, will realize how hurtful it is to be targeted, labeled, and accused because of sexuality. If he and his friends and followers learn from this to not target, label, and accuse same-gender loving people and if they will cease to marginalize gay and lesbian people, then something healthy will be the result of all this.
I'm not judging Pastor Haggard for what he does in his bedroom, but I am appalled by the ways he has tried to keep gay people disenfranchised. Now that he has experienced a small taste of being accused and condemned because of what people think he does in private, perhaps his ministry will have more room for grace and tolerance. We can all pray.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Nov. 2 is All Souls Day
Below, I have named just a few souls that I lovingly remember today. Some were my heroes. Some were my family of choice. Some were my family of origin. Some were important to members of my chosen family. Some inspired me directly. Some influenced who I have become and how I live from day to day. The "Church" recognizes some people as saints, but today we honor the sacred value of all souls who have touched our lives and our world in a positive way. Today, we can affirm that All Souls have dignity and value and all souls will live forever in the heart of God. Name some of your departed loved ones or heroes and bless their memory and know that they live on somewhere, somehow with eternal possibilities of Good before them. Let light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
Stella Audrey Thomas Willard (maternal grandmother)
O.D. Marie Duckett Watkins Roberts (paternal grandmother)
Viola Jeanette Thomas Beggs (favorite great aunt)
T.L. Willard (maternal grandfather)
Mattie Griffin (life-partner's mother)
Tim Alvarado (childhood friend)
Ruby Una Miller (college friend)
Helen Matthis (college roommate's mother)
Ina Mae Cherry (great aunt)
W.C. Watkins (paternal grandfather)
Mae West (icon, cherished celebrity)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (hero)
Howard Thurman (theologian)
Sophie Tucker (icon, cherished celebrity)
Matthew Shepherd (gay martyr)
Lord Lawrence Olivier (legendary actor)
Sir Ralph Richardson (legendary actor)
Sir John Gielgud (legendary actor)
Keith Duckett (great uncle)
Ethel Merman (larger than life persona)
Charles Ludlam (off-broadway theatrical genius)
Ryan White (brave young public figure who lost battle with AIDS)
Larry Smith (friend and former lover)
Jose (life-partner's late lover)
Tuna Star (stage name of local drag celebrity in 1980s South Central Arkansas)
Sidhartha, the Buddha (enlightened sage)
Thurgood Marshall (hero, jurist)
Princess Diana (everyone loved her, the people's princess)
Princess Margaret (the party princess of the UK)
Princess Grace (the American princess of Monaco)
Bobby Kennedy (hero, role-model)
Ernesto "Che" Guevara (revolutionary, martyr)
Archbishop Oscar Romero (hero, champion of the people)
Ernest Holmes (philosopher, founder of Religious Science)
Bishop James Pike (visionary, progressive theologian)
Ralph Waldo Emerson (philosopher, essayist)
Stella Audrey Thomas Willard (maternal grandmother)
O.D. Marie Duckett Watkins Roberts (paternal grandmother)
Viola Jeanette Thomas Beggs (favorite great aunt)
T.L. Willard (maternal grandfather)
Mattie Griffin (life-partner's mother)
Tim Alvarado (childhood friend)
Ruby Una Miller (college friend)
Helen Matthis (college roommate's mother)
Ina Mae Cherry (great aunt)
W.C. Watkins (paternal grandfather)
Mae West (icon, cherished celebrity)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (hero)
Howard Thurman (theologian)
Sophie Tucker (icon, cherished celebrity)
Matthew Shepherd (gay martyr)
Lord Lawrence Olivier (legendary actor)
Sir Ralph Richardson (legendary actor)
Sir John Gielgud (legendary actor)
Keith Duckett (great uncle)
Ethel Merman (larger than life persona)
Charles Ludlam (off-broadway theatrical genius)
Ryan White (brave young public figure who lost battle with AIDS)
Larry Smith (friend and former lover)
Jose (life-partner's late lover)
Tuna Star (stage name of local drag celebrity in 1980s South Central Arkansas)
Sidhartha, the Buddha (enlightened sage)
Thurgood Marshall (hero, jurist)
Princess Diana (everyone loved her, the people's princess)
Princess Margaret (the party princess of the UK)
Princess Grace (the American princess of Monaco)
Bobby Kennedy (hero, role-model)
Ernesto "Che" Guevara (revolutionary, martyr)
Archbishop Oscar Romero (hero, champion of the people)
Ernest Holmes (philosopher, founder of Religious Science)
Bishop James Pike (visionary, progressive theologian)
Ralph Waldo Emerson (philosopher, essayist)
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Saints Preserve Us
St. Christopher - the Christ-bearer.
St. Joan - the youthful and androgynous visionary, willing to die for her truth.
St. Anthony - the one who helps find lost things.
St. Luke - the physician.
St. Raphael - the archangel of healing.
St. Gabriel - the announcer of important news.
St. Michael (I have a special affinity for him) - the warrior.
St. Anne - the grandmother of Jesus.
St. Jude (I've called on him a time or two) - the patron saint of nearly hopeless causes.
St. George - the slayer of dragons.
St. Genesius (my patron saint) - the brave comedian who challenged imperialism from the stage.
Ss. Sergius & Bacchus (of course I like these guys) - martyred lovers.
St. Maximillian Kolbe - WW2 hero who offered his life so another concentration camp detainee could live.
St. Francis - the Dr. Doolittle of the middle ages.
Blessed John 23rd - modern day reformer
St. Lazarus - a close friend of Jesus (how close? what kind of friend? one wonders...)
St. John the Beloved - a "close friend" of Jesus (could he actually be Lazarus?)
St. Mary of Magdala - a "close friend" of Jesus (some say his favorite disciple; others even suggest she was his wife)
St. James - the brother of Jesus
St. Mary, the Blessed Lady (I was very devoted to her in younger years) - the Mother of Jesus, co-redemptrix, symbol of the divine feminine, and some believe our spiritual mother.
St. Thomas (another one of my faves) - the apostle whose faith required both reason and experience
Uriel - archangel named in apocryphal texts
Sophia - the Wisdom of God (and possible Christ figure)
Nov. 1st is All Saints Day. The saints: some of them existed, others...who knows? But those who lived and those who live only in human imagination, those who were courageous and those whose courage have been exaggerated, those who modeled the best of human potential and those who were just in the right place at the right time...they all represent something powerful to those of us who revere them. They represent that ordinary people can become holy. They represent the hope that we are never really alone. We have friends we can't even see who are cheering us on, believing in us, hoping that we do well in life. They intercede for us. They represent miraculous possibilities. They remind us that life and community and meaning are not limited to this experience of life. The saints as symbols of faith have a very important role to play. They encourage us to be our best selves and when we manage that, we accomplish great things.
Saints and sages, teachers and healers, holy souls of all times and all places, cosmic beings known and unknown, all who are committed to Goodness and Light in every realm - pray for us and grant us your ceaseless friendship and aid. Amen.
St. Joan - the youthful and androgynous visionary, willing to die for her truth.
St. Anthony - the one who helps find lost things.
St. Luke - the physician.
St. Raphael - the archangel of healing.
St. Gabriel - the announcer of important news.
St. Michael (I have a special affinity for him) - the warrior.
St. Anne - the grandmother of Jesus.
St. Jude (I've called on him a time or two) - the patron saint of nearly hopeless causes.
St. George - the slayer of dragons.
St. Genesius (my patron saint) - the brave comedian who challenged imperialism from the stage.
Ss. Sergius & Bacchus (of course I like these guys) - martyred lovers.
St. Maximillian Kolbe - WW2 hero who offered his life so another concentration camp detainee could live.
St. Francis - the Dr. Doolittle of the middle ages.
Blessed John 23rd - modern day reformer
St. Lazarus - a close friend of Jesus (how close? what kind of friend? one wonders...)
St. John the Beloved - a "close friend" of Jesus (could he actually be Lazarus?)
St. Mary of Magdala - a "close friend" of Jesus (some say his favorite disciple; others even suggest she was his wife)
St. James - the brother of Jesus
St. Mary, the Blessed Lady (I was very devoted to her in younger years) - the Mother of Jesus, co-redemptrix, symbol of the divine feminine, and some believe our spiritual mother.
St. Thomas (another one of my faves) - the apostle whose faith required both reason and experience
Uriel - archangel named in apocryphal texts
Sophia - the Wisdom of God (and possible Christ figure)
Nov. 1st is All Saints Day. The saints: some of them existed, others...who knows? But those who lived and those who live only in human imagination, those who were courageous and those whose courage have been exaggerated, those who modeled the best of human potential and those who were just in the right place at the right time...they all represent something powerful to those of us who revere them. They represent that ordinary people can become holy. They represent the hope that we are never really alone. We have friends we can't even see who are cheering us on, believing in us, hoping that we do well in life. They intercede for us. They represent miraculous possibilities. They remind us that life and community and meaning are not limited to this experience of life. The saints as symbols of faith have a very important role to play. They encourage us to be our best selves and when we manage that, we accomplish great things.
Saints and sages, teachers and healers, holy souls of all times and all places, cosmic beings known and unknown, all who are committed to Goodness and Light in every realm - pray for us and grant us your ceaseless friendship and aid. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
