http://hubpages.com/hub/MicheleBachmannEnemyofGayMarriage

http://www.dayofsilence.org/

GLSEN Day of Silence PSA with Lance Bass:

http://youtu.be/T8kNYV5EAVw

Take action. Be a part of the solution. Let’s replace the prejudice and hatred with compassion and Respect for All.

-MsQueer

©2011 MsQueer.com. All rights reserved (NOTE: ALL quotes and/or materials from other authors or sources remain the sole property of the original authors/source.)

Stumble It!

February 14, 2011 from N3

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Lawmakers in Olympia don’t expect to pass many hot-button social bills in the midst of the budget crisis. But gay rights advocates took Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to make the case for same-sex marriage.

————————————————

It was Valentine’s Day in 1998 that Washington lawmakers voted to ban gay marriage. Since then Washington has legalized domestic partnerships. But Democratic State Senator Ed Murray thought Valentine’s Day was just the right time to introduce a bill to recognize gay and lesbian marriage.

He says it’s appropriate even while lawmakers spend most of their time trying to balance the budget.

Ed Murray: “It’s a terrible economic time for everyone in the state, but imagine those families that don’t have the protection of marriage, so I think introducing it this year, I think its a good idea.”

Still Murray concedes lawmakers are not likely to pass gay marriage this year.

On the Web:

Washington Senate Bill 5793:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5793

Same-sex marriage timeline:

http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabId=4243

Copyright 2011 Northwest News Network

repost from NPR  at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=133763097&ft=3&f=133763097

Two groups of students from the David Lloyd George Elementary and Churchill secondary schools came together recently to stage a “flashmob” scene in a metropolitan shopping mall, Oakridge Centre in Vancouver B.C.. They wanted to do something in support of International Anti-Bullying Day. Their message: Acceptance.

Here’s the phenomenal result:

Words from the song they are dancing to include:

“When I see your face

There’s not a thing I would change

Because you’re amazing

Just the way you are.”*

Love and inclusion are the most powerful Forces we have. Respect for All, compassion and allowing are the ways of the Peace Keepers. We have to focus on what we want to create for ourselves, or else we will become the object of our resentments and fears

The best way to accomplish change is to become the change you wish to see in the world.

If we want more acceptance and understanding, then we must be more accepting and understanding. I celebrate the message these young people are communicating and the creative manner in which they chose to broadcast it. May we see more and more of this is the days to come. -MsQueer

©2011 MsQueer.com. All rights reserved.

Stumble It!

Every year, children as young as 11 are trafficked involuntarily to Super Bowl cities. There, football fans – usually men, often inebriated – will pay traffickers to have sex with them.

The Texas Attorney General estimates these kids have a life expectancy of just seven years from the time they’re first trafficked.

This year, the Super Bowl Host Committee is charged “to engage in responsible planning . . . to ensure the readiness of North Texas to host the first Super Bowl in the Cowboys’ new stadium.”

Local anti-trafficking groups have repeatedly offered to help the Committee use its influence to educate fans and the public about the dangers of child trafficking — which could help to prevent thousands of rapes and abuses at America’s biggest sporting event.

But the Host Committee has refused to take meaningful action. And thousands of children will pay the price.

Tell the 2011 Super Bowl Host Committee to take a stand against child trafficking.

In Dallas, a terrific local organization called Traffick911 has created the “I’m Not Buying It” campaign. They’ve offered the Host Committee free PSAs, posters, banners and informational cards to educate the public and protect children from being abused and raped.

But the Host Committee refuses to display the information.

The Committee is working hard right now to generate good publicity for North Texas and the game, so public pressure at this moment will be especially powerful.

Tell the Super Bowl Host Committee that they have a responsibility to protect the children who’ll be trafficked to Texas for the Super Bowl:

http://change.org/petitions/view/ask_the_super_bowl_host_committee_to_stand_up_and_protect_children

After you sign, please forward this email to friends and family to let them know about this crisis, and how they can help.

Thanks for taking action,

- Patrick and the Change.org team

Tell the Super Bowl Host Committee: Don’t be a bystander to child trafficking

P.S. Once you add your name, click here to share this campaign on Facebook.

©2011 MsQueer.com. All rights reserved.

Stumble It!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 4,200 times in 2010. That’s about 10 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 23 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 103 posts. There were 6 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 3mb.

The busiest day of the year was March 13th with 56 views. The most popular post that day was LET CONSTANCE MCMILLEN TAKE HER GIRLFRIEND TO THE PROM! .

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were zimbio.com, msqueer.com, facebook.com, rpc.blogrolling.com, and en.wordpress.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for lawrence king, who killed jenny schecter, carl joseph walker-hoover, 11 year old, and suicide due to bullying.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

LET CONSTANCE MCMILLEN TAKE HER GIRLFRIEND TO THE PROM! March 2010
2 comments

11-Year Old Commits Suicide Due to Bullying in School April 2009
10 comments

Who Killed Jenny Schecter? December 2008
19 comments

Laurel Holloman Picks Up Bravo A-List Award for TLW Elevator Scene April 2009
2 comments

Gay Buying Power: A Force To Be Reckoned With August 2008
5 comments

Free Graphics – MySpace/Xanga/Friendster

Stumble It!

There are people of all Faiths and all Religions coming together to pray, and to focus/mediate on celebrating global peace and prosperity at this time. Join us in your places of worship and praising of all good things.

Note that this falls on different days in other countries and time zones, so check yours and how it aligns with Cairo, Egypt time.

There are focused points (Meaning religious orders and groups and organizations) all over the world who have validated their participation, so we are already millions strong, so if you cannot get with organized efforts other place, do your own, gather with family, neighbors, work, and in public places with those who are willing to take a moment and know You are, because God Is.

Serve the World with intent on peace and prosperity this season….Pray and Meditate with us!!!

It is time that intelligence rises to the call, and the Peoples of this world stand in the light of truth…truth is God by its many sacred names….

Historically we are living it again. There are the few that always controlled our health, wealth and happiness, by sending forth propaganda as statistics and reports from some dark usually unable to really name source, and it is so clever in placing fear of scarcity into our minds and then as always they leave it up to F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real) to do the rest, and so it all begins and the population follows and believes it!! This has been happening for eons. When is it enough?

It’s all a Mind Game. And its suppressive power playing their game and we are the pawns.

There is more than enough wealth for all and there is no need for scarcity. Organization is realization!!! People stand and govern yourselves, in your family, in your churches, your towns and Cities, your states and countries. Let us all be of One mind, let that be health, wealth and happiness for all Peoples. And if you can at least agree that prayer and meditation can help, join our global time to focus on praising Source in its many sacred names and celebrate the gifts of faith and love all have that has a heartbeat and is breathing. We are the difference and there is always a choice, God gave it as free will and no man can deny its reality….

PLEASE PASS THIS ON! Thank you. – Msqueer

Stumble It!

Taylor’s remarks, which were not prepared, drew the attention of national media through a video first posted by a local news source that quickly went viral. No need to try to describe it, you can view here and you’ll get the picture. This young man is articulate, intelligent and confident in his extemporaneous address.

Here are some additional sources for the original story, and link to the video of his address:

openly-gay-ann-arbor-teens-defense-of-howell-teacher-gains-national-attention

Ann Arbor teenager Graeme Taylor on the Ellen Show

Yesterday he was featured on The Ellen Show and gave her a run for her money while expressing how he has come to be accepting of his identity. Watch here:

By his own admission, Graeme Taylor survived a suicide attempt at the age of 9 years. But he has come back from the bullying that drove him to nearly end his life to becoming a strong advocate for self-acceptance, human rights and fairness.

Most people discount our young people, yet they are far more sophisticated and knowledgeable than we adults give them credit for. The world is smaller today, faster, and with the advent of  the internet connecting people all around the globe, our youth are more informed and cognizant of the diversity of the Human Family, as well as critical issues of the day than I believe many of us were.

What impressed me most about this young man is how much he reminds me of the young people that grew up as part of my extended family. I’ve been privileged to work and travel with some extraordinary youth.

They were all home schooled and they accompanied their parents to many states and countries, participating in cross-cultural programs, and personal development presentations. The world was their classroom and their worldliness reflected that fact.

These young people were raised in an environment where Respect was paramount. Guided by the wisdom and experience a capable Elder, they were treated as capable individuals. They were raised to be responsible, i.e. to “respond with ability” to whatever they encountered. The adults who had the privilege to work with these young people learned a great deal about themselves in the process, their own upbringings, how to heal the past, and create a better present.

When children are raised with Respect, and provided the opportunity to realize their full potential at each step of their development, rather than being sheltered and denying their intelligence and creativity, they are fully capable of delivering a positive contribution to family, community and society at large.

Graeme Taylor is not atypical. When raised in an environment of acceptance and love, and given responsibility, young people will rise to the occasion. This 14 year old’s sexual identity isn’t really the issue here – it’s not the most important part of the story. The real heart of this story is how a young person can evolve into a courageous, forthright citizen when given the opportunity.

We need to encourage and listen to more young leaders like Graeme Taylor. Obviously one organization agreed, in that he was presented with a $10,000 Scholarship by Tonic.com, “a digital media company dedicated to promoting the good that happens around the world each day. We share the stories of people and organizations that are making a difference by inspiring good in themselves and others.”

Right on!  -MsQueer

©2010 MsQueer.com. All rights reserved.

Stumble It!