Welcome to my blog! You will find that the majority of my posts these days are in regards to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) rights, but not exclusively. Hopefully you will find it informative and/or entertaining.

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There are "tags" on the right and on corresponding articles. You can click on them to filter only "gay issues," for lgbt rights, for example. Click on a title to get the direct link address. Click on my name in the upper left to return to this page.

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There was quite a bit of vitriol on twitter last night after Adam Lambert's performance, and not just from the right wing, but even in the gay community, for once more the "gay celebrity guidelines" were violated.

First, Michelangelo Signorile's comment:
Whatever you thought of Adam Lambert's performance on American Music Awards, the moralists weighing on twitter were gross. I tweeted the following: Thk u #Adamlambert for scandalizing America and the moralists on twitter. They need it. Het sex ok, but gay sex a scandal. Hypocrites.

I think Adam Lambert is going to be the male version of Madonna – whom he admires. Always controversial. I admit it was a bit beyond my comfort zone, but not really too surprising. This was more shocking and unacceptable to some because it was mostly same sex (that aspect makes no difference to me). Some heads probably exploded. Also, as Adam has observed, men expressing sexuality of any sort is not as readily accepted. His performance was not the only one that had erotic undertones to it. I had some advance notice via his tweets and the rehearsal videos on ABS’s website of what he would be doing. It was smart of ABC to have him close the show, so younger kids should have been in bed by that point.

Still, we show all kinds of blood and gore on TV and no one thinks much about it. Meanwhile, we have people shooting people in schools, etc., yet God forbid anyone portrays anything sexual – something that is not a bad thing in and of itself. If this country was more comfortable with sex, Adam would have to find another way to shock people. ;) He’s sure got everyone talking.

Perez Hilton and Aaron Hicklin can’t say he’s not gay enough now!

I do wish his singing had been better because I really like the song.

I bought the CD tonight. It sounds FANTASTIC in my car. :)

Adam Lambert's album comes out Monday. If you'd like to hear it, you can go here. (It's really good!)

Meanwhile, there is some controversy concerning a cover shoot and interview Adam did for "Out" magazine. Apparently, they wanted him on the cover very badly, but there were some sour grapes over some stipulations made by Adam and his management. Aaron Hicklin, editor for "Out," wrote an open letter to Adam in the issue, bitching about the experience, and saying basically that Adam has a responsibility to the gay community, meaning that he must follow some sort of gay celebritiy guidelines, of which Hicklin apparently has extensive knowledge.

This, despite the fact that they got their cover shot, as well an hour long, typically nothing-held-back interview. (The link to the letter is in the Huffington Post article below. I will not give him the hits directly, and this is one hard copy publication featuring Adam that I will not buy, though I did read it online.)

This open letter has spawned several rebuttals, most notably Adam's own just snarky enough tweets:

"Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine."

"Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career."

Joe Vogel of the Huffington Post put up this very sarcastic and funny post, another "Open letter," which Adam liked, because he tweeted the link.

(And no, I'm not on Twitter. I got the tweets from here and from the album preview link.)

LGBT people have existed since the beginning of time. Here's how two such people lived and loved 103 years ago.

http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2009/11/no-law-against-woman-marrying-another-woman-says-103-years-ago.html

And Jeremy Hooper's comments are pretty funny, too.

(Just hit Jeremy's link; I can't get this to embed.)

Karl Frisch of Media Matters for America quoted on the Michelangelo Signorile Show:

"Some of my best friends are straight people."

Got this from kernsville

The Emperor sounds somewhat like Yoda. Hmmm...

Happy Birthday, sarafim!!

I’ve worked for the same employer for almost 17 years. I started at the receptionist’s desk, working in one of two areas we know affectionately as “the fish bowl.”



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From Troy Tempest (an infectious disease physician) on FB.

The H1N1 Pandemic has been around since April 2009. It shows no signs of leaving, and will likely extend to at least April of 2010. What do you need to know, or do?

1. Best defense: proper hand hygiene. Although flu viruses can be contracted via "droplet"s of fluid emitted during coughing or sneezing if within 3-6 feet of a person, most influenza is transmitted via hand contact with live virus on fomites (inanimate objects, such as doorknobs, computer keyboards that viruses can live on for up to 2 hours or more).
--wash your hands for 15 seconds before touching any part of your face, or poopy place
--alcohol gel sanitizers are actually very effective and can be used in lieu of soap and water if your hands are not soiled

2. The Regular Seasonal Flu kills approximately 40,000 Americans a year. So far, the death attributed for H1N1 has not matched regular seasonal flu, but remember: H1N1 may become this year's seasonal flu (there are influenza B's being reported, so it could be a mixture).

3. Those at increased risk for regular seasonal flu are NOT all the same as those at risk for serious H1N1 infections
-->At risk for serious H1N1 infections (unexpectedly higher death rates reported*):
pregnant persons*
children less than 6 years (particularly <2*)
people with chronic hematologic (sickle cell disease, leukemia), oncologic (Lymphoma, cancers), immune dysfunction (HIV/AIDS, patients on chemotherapy or immune system altering drugs such as remicade), cardiac (history of MI/heart attack), pulmonary (COPD, asthma) chronic disorders such as diabetes

4. The regular seasonal flu has typically been of H3 subtype since the late 1950's, however before then it was generally H1N1 subtypes-- this is why persons > 60 appear to be more immune to serious H1N1 disease; they are already partially immune. This is also thought to be why the more serious disease is occuring in those <50-- we have not been exposed to any H1 subtype of influenza until this season, therefore not even partial immunity.

5. H1N1 Vaccination: get it, especially if you are in a high risk group or take care of someone in a high risk group. The vaccine is made the same way regular seasonal flu vaccines are made. Comparisons to the 1950's vaccine are bogus. Technology has improved since then.
--attenuated live H1N1 intranasal virus: NOT for immunecomprimised. If you have HIV, are on chemotherapy, or have a lymphoma/cancer/leukemia, you should avoid this type of vaccine
--"killed" intramuscular vaccine: this is ok for most everybody, except those with egg allergies

All H1N1 vaccine is being supplied by the government. 40 million doses were expected by now; 28 milliion have been delivered, so there is a current, temporary shortage. Don't blame your doctor, blame the drug companies who "promised" they could make 40 million doses by now.

6. When to go back to work?--> 24 hours after fever has resolved, preferably any cough as well. There is a chance for post-infectious viral bronchitis which is just an inflammatory reaction to the past virus--> this is annoying, but does NOT denote infectivity. Consult your MD if you are wary. If you are sick, febrile and coughing you should stay away from work or dense, highly populated areas. Yes, you are Typhoid Mary at this point.

7. Tamiflu: this is the main drug being given to treat H1N1. It's efficacy is unknown. In medical studies for regular seasonal influenza, Tamiflu given 75mg bid (twice a day) x 5 days afforded about 24 hours less symptoms compared to placebo. So in other words, it shaves off only one day of illness...not the most effective drug. Take it if you need it but know it's limitations. Also, you might experience "CNS" or Gi side effects (dizziness, slow thinking, upset stomach, diarrhea) and temporary hair loss (not on the package insert, but trust me on that one).

8. Theoretically, gargling with salt water and/or daily nasal washings with normal saline *may* help in decreasing viral load. The theory is that the osmotic gradient will force fluid out of the viral cell and cause cell death. Just a theory, but I have seen this around a few times now on the web.

9. Most Hospitals or large clinics that know what they are doing will have a dedicated Flu Clinic which is separate from other medicine clinics, or will shunt you to a different waiting area and exam room. Don't be alarmed. . This is for infection control issues, public safety, and conservation of personal protection equipment (so don't freak out if your doctor is wearing a funny looking mask). If you need to see a doctor and you think you have H1N1, ask about any special Flu Evaluation Clinics available.

I dressed as Adam Lambert for work on Friday. I’ve heard from friends whose coworkers don’t get the costuming thing and look at them like they’re freaks. I suppose some people think the same of me, but they don’t say anything. On the other hand, I always have a few who are in awe of the costume, complementing me on details, etc., so I feel like my efforts are appreciated.

Many loved the hair – as is true with the other costumes, the wig is one of the more expensive details. His cost around $100. And of course, I still had to alter it; you can’t buy an “Adam Lambert” wig. ;)

Adam’s neck chains are the most interesting detail, IMO. There are several chains in linear strands, not closed loops. I drape them around my neck and tie them like a scarf. These were made from six necklaces I bought at Claire’s. The chains were tied in a knot with some cheap looking plastic beads. Remove the beads and voila!

After work, “Adam” went to a club where a friend of mine runs karaoke. It was fun trying to choose songs in character. I would have done “Whole Lotta Love” (in a lower key, lol), but the Led Zeppelin version has that whole instrumental “orgasmic” thing going on in the middle, and I didn’t want to go there, hehe. I sang “Ring of Fire,” though, sort of in Adam’s style. I also sang “Tracks of My Tears,” “Like a Prayer,” “Working for the Weekend,” and “I Want Your Sex.”



Saturday, Adam handed out candy to about 210 kids. A couple of people guessed who I was. One thought I was Sharon Osbourne. Huh?

The cutest costumes were Raggedy Ann and Andy in a twin stroller and a two-year-old kid dressed as a soldier – who could barely climb up the curb to my sidewalk. ;)

William Shatner appeared on the Tonight Show this week reading Levi Johnston's tweets. I was going to put it up, but it has since been revealed that the tweets were from an impostor. Shatner read some real ones the next night, but they weren't as funny.

But back in July, Shatner read Sarah Palin's speech as she resigned as governor of Alaska.

In tonight's paper: Number 6

Written in response to a letter stating that the hate crimes law would cause letter writers to be fined or jailed for expressing their views:

Americans Have Right to Hate

In exercising his right to free speech, Mr. ******* propagated some misinformation in his letter of October 28th.

This country protects the right of free speech for its citizens more fiercely than any other nation in the world. People have exercised this right by criticizing our President, a few going so far as to equate him to Hitler. Others have called Republicans fascists and Democrats immoral or un-Christian. They were not arrested.

On October 28th, President Obama signed the Defense Authorization bill into law. Attached to it was the hate crimes bill, also known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, of which Mr. ******* warned us so ominously.

People will continue to exercise their right to criticize our President, a few going so far as to call him a racist. They will not be arrested.

The Westboro Baptist Church will plan their next protest at the funeral of a soldier killed in Iraq, holding signs that read “Thank God for dead soldiers.” They will not be arrested because they will remain on public property.

The signs I’ve seen on... my way to work saying, “Obama is a liar,” etc., will still be there. The owner will not be arrested.

Hate becomes a crime when a man is attacked because he is gay, and beaten so severely that he dies five days later. Hate becomes a crime when a man is dragged to his death behind a car because he is black.

With freedom comes responsibility. And part of our responsibility as citizens is to avoid taking everything we read or hear at face value. We must seek the truth, including the truth that hate speech is still protected speech in this country.



This display has grown to three times this size. I took this picture a few weeks ago, anticipating a blog about free speech. It turned into this letter.

Found these here. (emphasis mine)

"Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression." --1st Inaugural, 1801.

"The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society."

"Those who bear equally the burdens of Government should equally participate of its benefits." --Virginia Resolutions, 1775.

"No one has a right to obstruct another exercising his faculties innocently for the relief of sensibilities made a part of his nature." --to Pierre Samuel Dupont de Nemours, 1816

"I know no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power."

Happy Birthday, pktaxwench!!

Happy Birthday, shadowfax8!!

Happy Birthday, shelaghc!!

Today, President Obama signed the Defense Authorization bill into law. Attached to it was the Hate Crimes bill, also known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

This is the first federal legislation that acknowledges and offers protection to lgbt's as a class of people.

Yes. At long last, I’ve finally gotten to those D*C photos.

I’ll keep the comments brief. D*C was more of a blur than ever. I came into it having barely finished knickers for Gerard and packing in a rush. I felt like I was playing catch-up the whole weekend.

So…next year at D*C, as they say, here’s what I would like to change:

If the new costume’s not done by August, it ain’t gettin’ done for that year. I had to make an exception for Gerard after Yvette made such a huge effort with the bulk of the costume. And it was gorgeous.

New costume will NOT be worn at D*C the first time. It will get a dry run at Pittsburgh Comicon or at least at home.

I am considering arriving on Wednesday because it seems Thursday is not soon enough to get situated, iron the costumes, get the badge, and plan my itinerary, while still enjoying a dinner with my friends (Yes, I have gone completely insane.).

I will get into costume sooner in the day. Bella didn’t get nearly the time she deserved.

A few favorite pics (a couple of these belong to someone else, and I don't remember who for sure, so if you want credit or want me to remove them, LMK)

Adam Lambert (This did not work because Goth is so popular, and I just blended in. I should have had a microphone.)


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