Archive for the ‘acceptance’ Category
Live Powerfully
February 11, 2015
We’ve Come a Long Way, But Keep Your Hiking Shoes
December 3, 2014
As we approach the ending of 2014, there is a lot for which to be grateful as LGBTQ Persons. Marriage Equality still has its fight on in some states, but the battle has been won in others, and truly – I see this as going the same way the ERA did years ago. Popular opinion of the vast majority of the population in America shows support for Gay Marriage, or at the very least…indifference as to the need to oppose it. We’re almost there.
Of course we know from humankind’s history that you can legislate prejudice away, but eliminating it as a practice is quite another issue. I still believe in Respect and Dignity for All. I don’t expect to change everyone. I just want to co-exist peacefully alongside my neighbors and have the same rights and protections for my family, as they wants for theirs.
I want to know that “community” is not just a campy word used to describe a sub-culture or fragment of the population, but a truly inclusive term that encompasses my neighbors, my fellow residents of state, country and planet.
I received an email from Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force with an invitation to let her know what my concerns were for the coming year. Of course, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only person who got that email, still it was a personable gesture and I took some time to put my thoughts together and share.
Here’s what I sent. I share these with you who have followed this blog, and those who may be checking in for the first time. They aren’t necessarily unique or profound, they are just mine…
Dear Rea,
Thank you for this opportunity to communicate with you directly. I have 2 major areas of concern that I would like to see as part of our focus for the coming year.
First, according to the StopBullying.gov site, there are still no Federal laws on the books that specifically address bullying. Although bullying can be covered under other anti-discrimination legislation, I believe that still permits for a degree of “interpretation” when it comes to schools and other institutions. We have made excellent advances in awareness on this issue, but I would also like the awareness and proactive work to extend to the workplace as well. Again, we have made great strides, and I believe we can go even further to ensure that Everyone is guaranteed their Rights and Freedoms as fellow human beings.
Secondly, I’m not even sure what work has been done in this area, so forgive me if I am asking for something already in progress, but I would also like to see more educational efforts and outreach within the LGBTQ community, as well as with law enforcement and other agencies, in the area of domestic violence within LGBTQ relationships and partnerships. I believe we must first remove the “stigma” and element of denial within our own community, and then help to educate the appropriate agencies so that there can be accurate assessment and help can be given to those in need.
I appreciate all your dedication and work on the Task Force, and this invitation to offer my feedback. May you, your family, your staff and friends and their families have meaningful and joyful holidays. After all, we deserve it! 🙂
Sincerely,
Deb Adler
author, MsQueer blog: www.msqueer.com
website: www.debadler.com
Cheers,
MsQueer
©2014 Deborah Adler and MsQueer.com. All rights reserved.
I’m Back!
November 11, 2014
Okay, it’s been a while since I’ve written any posts here, and there have been many exciting developments, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage in 32 states now! Yes, there have been some set-backs, but we are definitely moving forward in the right direction.
So time to ‘pick up the pen” again, so to speak, because this is a particularly challenging time for all. I will be sharing information regarding spiritual development as well as political concerns. Just be cause we’re getting some rights doesn’t mean we’ve got our shit together!
So for those who have been following, I hope you are well. There have been lots of changes in my life during this “radio silence” and I’ll be sharing about those as we go along.
Peace.
-MsQueer
©2014 Deborah Adler and MsQueer.com. All rights reserved.
Day of Silence April 15th 2011
April 14, 2011
Friday, April 15th is the National Day of Silence sponsored by GLSEN. To find out how you can participate go to their website:
GLSEN Day of Silence PSA with Lance Bass:
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!
via NPR: Wash. Lawmaker Introduces Valentine’s Day Gay Marriage Bill
February 15, 2011
by Brianna Butterfield
You can also listen to the audio HERE
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
Acceptance
February 10, 2011
“What matters most is what’s inside. What matters most is the sense of integrity, of quality and beauty.” –Oprah Winfrey
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.
MsQueer 