THE LATEST

Here' some of the latest out there on the "Internets":

Chas Bono is making the rounds http://www.queerty.com/chaz-bono-says-yes-to-being-the-face-of-transgender-america-20091119/

Seems that the haters in the Lone Star State have a bit of a kerfuffle on their hands. Turns out that in the rush to "protect" so called "traditional marriage" they may just have written themselves right into living in sin right at home.http://www.star-telegram.com/189/story/1770445.html?storylink=omni_popular Tee. Hee. Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for attorney general, says that a 22-word clause in a 2005 constitutional amendment designed to ban gay marriages erroneously endangers the legal status of all marriages in the state.

And the finger pointing has begun about the slew of LGBT publications that just bit the dust http://www.queerty.com/window-medias-demise-can-be-blamed-on-its-leaders-not-the-marketplace-20091119/ Seems that a whole bunch of $$ just went right down the El Draino.

Over in Turkey Bottom, Legend David Mixner is talking up the need for a little bit of a ruckus. Mixner, you may know, was the impetus for the National Equality March (stolen post march by The Ego). Seems that Mr. Mixner has another great idea left in him http://www.davidmixner.com/2009/11/is-it-time-for-civil-disobedience-part-two.html#more I'll follow his lead pretty much anywhere, take a look.

Beyonce and Lady Ga Ga have teamed to share a wind machine and at least a dozen stylist on their Co-Lab "VIDEO PHONE", and yes, it's FIERCE!


Come out! Come out! Where ever you are! This is GOOD! If you're a Priest practicing the "Wide Stance Bop" you better hope these guys don't get ahold of your bidness! http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/14141/dc-churchoutingorg-site-takes-on-hypocrisy-in-catholic-church More, tee hee.

STATE TREASURER TO SPEAK AT TONIGHTS CLARK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC BLACK CAUCUS MEMBERS MEETING

Gentle Reminder

November CCDBC Member Meeting
Monday, November 16th
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
NLV Library
1755 W. Alexander Rd. (at MLK Blvd.)

Guest Speaker - State Treasurer Kate Marshall
Labor Union 872 Representative - Weatherization Program
NEW! Healthcare House Bill Passage Celebration
Enjoy a slice of cake for good luck in the Senate and celebration of the hard work to pass in the House.

HealthCare for America Now has sent us 100 yard signs as a community partner and will be available for you to pick up at the meeting in hopes you'll continue the good fight.

NOTE: Don't forget to pick up your Kwanzaa tickets. A raffle will be available to win a free ticket at the conclusion of our meeting.

CAN SOMEONE UP IN THIS BITCH GROW A SET AND PUT SOME HAIR ON 'EM?

Can someone please explain to me when the memo went out to the Democratic Party faithful that we were now the "Pussy Party"?

I must have missed it.

My friends didn't get it either.

Now, since we are all progressives who worked our asses off during the last election cycle and continue to be the ones doing the phonebanking and writing the letters of support about healthcare, I would assume we would have been included in on a little thing like our nuts being grabbed right out of the sack.

No?

I would like to know how it is that we spent an entire summer being held hostage to the "Circus From Crazytown" on Healthcare when WE won the effin' election?

We DID win the election, right? Sorta with a majority in both houses of Congress.

Really.

I swear.

So, WTF?

And who EXACTLY are these "Blue Dog" Democrats and why haven't we taken them out to the woodshed and waterboarded some sense into them? I mean, don't we pay their bills? Listen, they all have a perfectly good Healthcare plan and I'm a little perplexed as to what their damage is on the rest of us getting insurance that is still light years away from the goodies they get.

I say we take 'em down.

Now.

If their is one thing that we can learn from the Republiban, it's their tactics of getting what they want. I would like for someone to explain to the DNC that the days of bringing Marigolds and Unicorn farts to a fight are over when your opponent has a switchblade hidden in their bouffant.

Let's fight like Black girls at a club. Take off the earrings and pop off the Lee Press Ons and "let's do this"!

Let's also weed out the Pussies.

If you can't stand up and do the job you were elected for then it is probably time for you to get your coat and go home. I say we start letting those who don't pass the huevos test know that we will start looking for primary challengers who will carry the water all the way back from the well. No more stopping off at every crazytown stop on the way back home leaving nothing in the damn bucket when you get to the ones who sent you out in the first damn place.

Or, to put it another way, leave with the one who brung you.

Bitch.

And what the Hell happened in Maine?

Was that just the height of the Pussification of the Democratic Party or what?

A bunch of right wingers come in and attack the base of the Democratic (the 'mo's) and the DNC has the utter temerity to say, "we don't involve ourselves in local ballot issues." AND THEN they turned around and send some dumbass letter to the voters in Maine asking them to phonebank for a corrupt loser and an inept campaigner!

Bitch, please.

Tim Kaine, kiss my grits!

What exactly do the brains at the DNC (and Organizing for America, for that matter) think is the right wings main method of attacking LGBT folks?

Could it be , oh I don't know, maybe , let's see, um, BALLOT MEASURES YOU FUCKING IDIOTS?

Sorry, that wasn't very ladylike.

Whatever.

Listen and listen good. I would like to put the leaders of the DNC on short notice about a little something. There's a storm a comin' and it aint gonna be pretty. If the DNC thinks that it can get away with not only not supporting the LGBT community when it is attacked, but, also ignoring EVERY SINGLE initiative we have put forth (oh, yeah we got some crumbs a few weeks ago. My bad.) then they have a really bad few months ahead of them. The DNC didn't even bother to send a condolence card to the people of Maine who got politically raped by the right wingers.

Not even so much as a, "here's a Kleenex, wipe yourself up."

This kind of behavior will have to come to an end and soon.

Just like my people (the Negroes), we LGBT MF's need to let the DNC know that we will NOT be taken for granted from this point forward. EVERY single politician that comes to us lookin' all sad with their hands out is going to have to answer Miss Jacksons' (if you're nasty) question: What have you done for me lately?

If you have some time today, contact Tim Kaine and tell him what you think about his lack of concern for your issues and community. And don't sugarcoat it, talk cash.

Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Phone: (804) 786-2211
Fax: (804) 371-6351

MY FRIEND, LT. DAN CHOI, AN AMERICAN HERO

I have a friend.

A kindred spirit.

A brother in arms.

He speaks fluent Arabic.

He loves his country, my country, The United States of America.

He may love his country, my country, even more than I do. He volunteered to join the Armed Forces and put himself in harms way in Iraq because he felt it was his duty to defend his country.

This was after an exemplary career at West Point.

He was in a unit that was violently attacked on his first day in Iraq.

He kept moving forward with his eye on protecting our country and yours and my freedom. He moved forward and up in the ranks.

My friend, Lt. Dan Choi is a very honorable and honest man.

His honesty became his undoing.

You see, my friend, Lt. Dan Choi, doesn't believe in lying. It's not the thing an honorable man does. Especially not one who has pledged to honor his country and his commitment to the United States Armed Forces.

So, Lt. Dan Choi, my friend, told the truth.

He is Gay.

I won't bog YOU down in the details of what his life has been like since the moment that he stood up and said he would no longer lie about who he is, you can google his name for that drama. I will, however, say that he did a thing so right and so brave that I don't know if I could have done the same.

Could you?

Lt. Dan Choi is no longer in the Armed Forces due to the policy of "Don't Ask Don't Tell".

An Arabic linguist and true American Hero, an honorable man who won't lie, is not a member of the Armed Forces of the United States of American because he told the truth.

Isn't the truth what EVERY child is told to tell from the time they figure out how to lie?

Why should my friend, Lt. Dan Choi have to lie to serve his country?

I went to the Veterans Day parade today.

I was so proud of how many youth were there all spiffy in their fancy uniforms. The bands were playing and they all were smiling and laughing. I wondered if they understood that they were committing themselves to a career of telling the truth.

I also wondered how many of them would grow up to be liars in order to continue forward in their chosen career.

I have to say something to the folks who don't believe that Gays should be allowed to serve in the Military.

My friend, Lt. Dan Choi, is an Arabic linguist.

Ponder this:

You can waterboard a terrorist all you want.

But.

You can't make him speak English.

Happy Veterans Day.

Please send Senator Harry Reid a letter asking him to lead the way on ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Learn more about "DADT" at the following links:

http://knightsout.org/

http://www.ltdanchoi.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_ask,_don%27t_tell

http://www.freep.com/article/20091111/NEWS15/911110324/1001/news/Doctors-Repeal-dont-ask-dont-tell

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/06/dont_ask_dont_tell.html

http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/Don%27t_ask%2C_don%27t_tell?qpvt=dont+ask+dont+tell&src=abop&q=dont+ask+dont+tell&fwd=1

“The Sensei” Delivers a Wake-Up Punch Against Hate

By Jay Fermin,
Fil-Am Director Diana Lee Inosanto had a very important message that need to be expressed strongly in today’s postmodern world when we caught up with her. She was at the red-carpet opening of the 24th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival that ran May 1-8, 2008 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA). The message has faced a lot of challenges and took two years to complete. D. Lee Inosanto, daughter of martial artist Dan Inosanto (taking the namesake of her honorary uncle, the legendary Bruce Lee) is herself a martial arts practitioner together with her husband.The message was her directorial debut film “The Sensei” which premiered at the Film fest and what Education Director (Matthew Shepard Foundation) Thomas Howard Jr. has labeled, A film that will change hearts and minds and save lives. D.Lee Inosanto confides that she was compelled to make the film years ago after the senseless murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming in 1998. Matthew was tied to a split-rail fence where he was beaten and left to die in the cold of the night. Almost 18 hours later, he was found by a cyclist who initially mistook him for a scarecrow. D.Lee’s message about hate-crime, tolerance and diversity found further relevance today with the recent murder of 15 year-old Lawrence King who was shot in Oxnard, California because he was gay.

The movie is totally different‚ from Bruce Lee’s movies which I grew up with where evil is always defeated. It jabs harder than “Karate Kid” as the plot weaves its way from a lonely gay teen named McClain being bullied and delivers kick and punches to the social and sociological structures that struggle to stereotype human conduct and are relentless in punishing those that stray from the pre-conceived mold of society.

Set in a small conservative town in Colorado during the HIV-Aids panic of the late 1980’s, young McClain Evans (Michael O’Laskey) is a gay teen who was constantly harassed and bullied. Karen Nakano-O’Neil (played by D. Lee Inosanto) was denied the highly respected “Black Belt” from the family’s successful martial arts business because she was a woman. After 5 years of absence, she returns home after the death of her fiance, boxer Mark Corey (Louis Mandylor) to make amends with her Asian-American family, who‚ are also very involved in the local church. When three teens badly beat up McClain sending him near death to the hospital, McClain’s mom secretly asked Karen to train McClain at night so he can defend himself.

“The Sensei” movie is not as comfortable to watch as other martial arts film. And it never pretends to be. The movie examines the intricate and complicated preconceptions that result in prejudices that allow hatred towards others. The plot hinges on Karen’s uncle, a Sensei in martial arts – a teacher who refuses to bestow the deserved Black Belt to Karen because she is a woman.

However, the discipline of being a sensei requires traits not only of skills in martial arts but of fairness, leadership, honor, and the ability to do the best for others. One of the pivotal moments was when Karen with her Christian background in the depths of hate and darkness went to see a Buddhist priest who reminded her that all of us are teachers and students, always teaching as well as learning. All of us can be sensei.

D.Lee Inosanto who directed, co-produced (together with producers Tarik Heitmann & Ron Balicki), and starred in “The Sensei” brilliantly brings a very difficult message on the wide screen thru the venue of martial arts. Having been endorsed by civil rights groups like the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the current Hate Crimes Bill lead by Senators Ted Kennedy and Gordon Smith, and having been contacted by Human Rights Campaign, Simon Wiesenthal Center: Museum of Tolerance, and Rainbow Alley, indeed “The Sensei” has awakened Hollywood and the world to The Right to Protect Yourself from Hatred.

Cinematographer Mark Ruthledge has brought the flashback to 1980 and the high paced fight scenes its proper setting, while keeping the intensity of the complex human interaction as close shot as possible lending a personal empathy to the characters; I could hear a number of muffled tears from the audience during premiere night. Brilliantly told, the story of “The Sensei” touched more hearts towards the end when the most common hatred of all was uncovered self hatred – which usually lead to other forms of hatred to others.

I am proud of D.Lee Inosanto’s work of heart: “The Sensei” and do highly recommend viewers to watch the film. For all of its 95 minutes running time, and its fast paced scene development and dramatic flashbacks, it will surely touch and change not only your mind but most importantly your heart.

reprinted from an original article by Jay Fermin

Diana Lee Inosanto will be a guest on this weeks' "Miller & Washington" 8-10pm Wednesday November 11 2009 www.vegasallnetradio.com

http://blog.thesenseimovie.com/

"MILLER & WASHINGTON" WEDNESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2009

On this weeks "Miller & Washington":

Legendary author, playwright & gender theorist, Kate Bornstein.

Co-Chair of the National Equality March, Kip Williams.

From the National Stonewall Democrats, Jenna Lowenstein

Out Hip Hop Records, Camilo Arenivar

And the Queen of The Las Vegas Strip, Debbie Hall with all of the latest goings on in the city that never sleeps!

8-10pm (pst) www.vegasallnetradio.com

Ohio Democratic Party Celebrates Election of 10 LGBT Municipal Candidates Throughout Ohio

COLUMBUS – Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern issued the following statement on the victories of openly-gay and lesbian candidates in this week’s municipal elections:

“The Ohio Democratic Party is proud to have recruited and groomed candidates across Ohio who reflect the great diversity of our Party and our state,” said Redfern. “Democrats helped elect candidates young and old, male and female, gay and straight, from all geographical areas and of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. Ohio Democrats fielded an unprecedented number of openly-gay and lesbian candidates this year and achieved historic success by electing ten of these candidates to office. We celebrate that success.”

The Ohio Democratic Party's LGBT Caucus provided constant support to these candidates, hosting fundraising events, providing boots on the ground and helping their campaigns push back on anti-gay attacks.”

Profiles of the ten candidates follow:

Amanda Armstrong (elected to the Medina Educational Service Center Governing Board) is a 2007 graduate from Cloverleaf Local Schools, seeks to bring new insight to the board. Having formerly led the Medina County Young Democrats at age 16, as well as having served as the High School Coordinator for the Ohio Young Democrats, Amanda is experienced in helping young people voice their concerns. Currently a Junior at The College of Wooster, Amanda is devoted to hearing and communicating the concerns and ideas of students and parents.

Kevin Johnson (elected to the Portsmouth City Council Ward 1) brings to the Portsmouth City Council 39 years of experience in government, business and civic involvement. His priorities are to focus in on the nuts and bolts of Council operations, improve them and encourage public participation in the process of strengthening the City's image and infrastructure.

Nickie Antonio (elected to the Lakewood City Council) will continue work responsively and collaboratively in the community to improve the health, safety and viability of our city for all its citizens of Lakewood.

Joe Lacey (elected to the Dayton City School Board), a Certified Public Accountant, brings valuable experience to the Board. In the past four years Joe's colleagues have looked to him on questions of budgeting, forecasting, insurance, bond refinancing and other finance related issues. Joe serves as the chair of the Board's Finance Committee.

Mark Tumeo (elected to the Cleveland Heights City Council), has a long, distinguished record of public service and community involvement. Before he was elected to the Cleveland Heights City Council, Mark held a series of civic and political positions in various parts of the nation.

Eric Resnick (elected to the Canton City School Board) is best known around the Ohio LGBT community as a staff reporter for the Gay People's Chronicle. He is a lifelong resident of Canton and a product of the Canton City Schools, having graduated Timken High School in 1981 before heading to the University of Akron to study Special Education.

Carol Fey (elected to the Bexley City School Board) has 16 years of involvement with Bexley Schools, from Elementary to High School. She served as School Board liaison for the Cassingham Elementary School PTO for several years, then became Vice President, and President of that PTO for 2004-05; she served as President of the Bexley Middle School PTO for 2005-06.

Sandra Kurt (elected to the Akron City Council Ward 8) a long-time engineer with a major local corporation and community advocate, will fight to ensure Akron prospers during these tough times, so that Akron remains a place where our children want to extend their roots.

Judge Jerry Larson (elected to the Akron Municipal Court) is committed to the future of our community. A graduate of Firestone High School and The University of Akron, he has also been involved in several community organizations such as Board of Trustees for the Community AIDS Network, the Phi Delta Theta Scholarship Committee, he was a MADD Red Ribbon Award Winner and is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Jim Sands (elected to the Athens City Council) has a long history of service to the community. He has been an active member of Project Plant, a past Chair of the Board of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Athens A.M. Rotary Club and currently its President, he is president of the Athens Foundation Board of Directors, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Dairy Barn southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center, a past member of the Athens Board of Zoning Appeals, a member of the Advisory Board for the Horticulture Program at Tri-County