Bahamas on Flickr.

the bahamas waters by chennette)

My girls and I at the DC Carnival!

(The following is a response to these comments)

     I don’t think the Old or New Testaments make any mention whatsoever of the “continuation of the species”. Although it’s fantastic to be so enthusiastic about Charles Darwin, one really oughtn’t confuse the two. Believe me, if Jesus had taken a break from telling everyone to be less concerned with following ancient laws, rites, and rituals and more concerned with treating everyone in the world with love and respect as fellow children of God, and just given us a quick run-down on how Earthly species diverge and evolve over time, America wouldn’t have nearly as much of a mess going on in our public schools right now.

     And since I’m sure that no one would want to be so hypocritical as to make a buffet lunch of the Bible, picking and choosing only the elements that one supports one’s narrow viewpoint and ignoring all the rest, I’ll go on and throw out some other things that it makes pretty clear, such as: No Tattoos (Leviticus 19:28)… that probably includes having the rays of the sun inked around one’s belly button. And logically, tattoo parlors are also illegal, correct?; No Shellfish (Lev. 11:10)…shellfish? like conch?; this one is actually from the New Testament, but I’ll throw that one in there, anyway: No Divorce (Mark 10:8-12)…so I’m sure that divorce is illegal in your Bible-loving paradise, too, right?; going back to the Old Testament, there’s also No Hair or Beard Trimming (Lev. 19:27)…so shaving your whole head and face is right out.

     Now let’s not forget that this is the same book that people used in a similar fashion of selective rationalizing to feel completely justified in enslaving countless numbers of Africans and their descendants for two centuries.

     Let’s put it this way: If you’re an Orthodox Jew who daily puts forth every effort to abide as literally by the laws in the Old Testament as you humanly can, then I respect that you may hold that particular stance on male homosexuality (noting that *only* men are mentioned in Lev. 18:22). Otherwise, you’re a willfully ignorant hypocrite in the company of all those who so fervently opposed the abolition of slavery, clung to anti-miscegenation laws, and fought for segregation to stay in place.

     Regardless, this is not an issue of religion or personal morals. Churches have the right to administer sacrament to whomever they choose, and deny whomever they choose. And that is something that should always remain. However, the government does not have the right to deny civil liberties to its own citizens. This is an issue of legally-protected contracts between eligible and consenting people. There is actually no pre-requisite established by the American government that I know of that requires a sexual relationship as part of the legal marriage contract.

     Very slowly, state legislature by state legislature, the people in power in our government are coming to realize that there is no legitimate, legal argument against marriage equality. Because there isn’t—the only arguments against marriage equality or any human equality are based in fear, hatred, and ignorance.

Frida on the beach.


Sunset.


Glittering water and horses.

I recently returned from a vacation in the Bahamas. It was such a beautiful and relaxing trip, which makes it difficult to get back into the swing of things. 

Next up, Peru!

Bahamas on Flickr.

So you want a horror story

This morning I come home from work and turn on the TV, by chance I had left it tuned to a news channel instead of TBS when I left.  What was I greeted by?  The news of Tyler Clementi who had apparently jumped to his death off the George Washington bridge. The police officially ruled it a suicide.  Tyler was a 18 year old freshman at Rutgers, and by reports a talented musician.

With so much bad news, honestly this just registered as just another sad story.  I hate to admit it but I went on about my daily rounds with little attention, but did make a mental note to look it up and find out more.

Before I had time to change the channels however, I heard about Asher Brown.  Asher was a 13 year old from Texas who died of a self inflicted gunshot wound.  Another tragedy.  What besides the obvious do the two teens have in common?  Both were the subject of harassment and bullying.

Asher was bullied because he was small for his age.  Small kids typically have a hard time and are the target of the stronger bully types.  However Asher was also a Buddhist, and also gay.  This made him the perfect whipping post for other kids.  Kids raised by homophobic, right wing parents.  Kids who make themselves feel stronger but beating down those who can't fight back.  maybe he could fight back if it was a fair fight but with gang mentality he never had a chance.  It's sad he chose the path of terminating his own life.  Suicide is not the answer but in Asher's case I can't call it the "easy way out." To a 13 year old kid, just coming to grips with his sexuality, with nothing to look forward to except being an outcast it had to seem to be the only way out.

With Tyler it wasn't bullying in the traditional sense, but betrayal and public embarrassment.  He was recorded by his roommate while engaged in a sexual encounter.  That recording was then posted to the Internet and the roommate tweeted about the prank inviting people to watch.  Sure , maybe it sounds like a harmless prank, but once again played upon a young man, dealing with his sexuality, a sexuality still frowned upon by so many and looked on as a source of humor.  Now in the Internet age embarrassment isn't just something between a group of people, your embarrassment can be broadcast worldwide.  What escape did Tyler have except for death?

I don't condone the suicide of either, but I do understand.  We live in a bigoted, intolerant society.  A society where if you do not fit in you don't have a right to privacy, intimacy or even life.  It would be bad enough if it were only these two, but it isn't.  I just read of an unnamed California teen, 13 years old, who hung himself due to being tormented about his sexuality.

Bigotry, racism, homophobia, hatred and fear.  When will we grow out of them?  When will we step up and do something to stop our children from killing other children?  Until that time hope your child isn't the one being tortured.

Asher Brown victim of fear and bullying

Tyler Clementi

For those who do care, please remember these kids and let's work to end this so no other parent has to lose their child this way.