I was sad to hear about the closing of Lambda Rising (LR), and so soon after the demise of the Washington Blade. I think that the owner Deacon Maccubbin is right to feel that he can say "mission accomplished." LR was the first gay bookstore I visited as I was coming out. I also bought my first E. Lynn Harris novel, The Invisible Life, there, and I always went back to buy books (my first book about bears and bear culture), magazines or birthday cards (some of the best I've ever read).
But LR was more than a bookstore. It was in many ways a community center, and it was definitely a safe space. The Rainbow History Project has an excellent historical account of LR's coming to be. Yet with the rise of big box bookstores recognizing that the GLBT community read, and the world of online shopping providing virtually anything, niche stores like LR have been hit quite hard. Towleroad recently posted on the closing of a gay bookstore in Indianapolis, Out Word Bound. And I found an interesting posting about the Common Language Bookstore in Ann Arbor, MI. That bookstore, in an effort to survive did a "Book-a-Palooza" fundraising effort over the weekend (I hope that went well).
There is already talk of trying to get an historic landmark designation for one of the spaces tied to LR, and I think that it would be a wonderful way to honor the historic impact that both Deacon Maccubbin and LR had on the GLBT community of Washington, DC and the nation.
It's important to remember that hundreds of thousands of us sought out gay bookstores to help us on our journies to ourselves. Though some may feel that there is no longer a need to go to a gay bookstore anymore, those stores and the people responsible for them still deserve respect and honor for what they have contributed the GLBT community.
And of course, I will be heading down to LR to pick up some Christmas gifts.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
How Should We Sacrifice to Support Our Troops and Our Wars (Those of us Who Aren't Military)?
It's early Sunday morning, and it's finally cold in Washington. I just finished reading Frank Rich's op-ed, which is he take on Obama's speech on Afghanistan. It makes for an interesting read, but a point Rich raised that really struck me was something I've wondered since the first calls of war started: general American sacrifice in a time of war.
Rich linked to the text of a speech from Bush trying to urge Americans to get back on airplanes to show the world that things are alright. "Take your families and enjoy life, the way we want it to be enjoyed..." is what Bush said then, and I don't begrudge him that. We needed, at that time, to re-establish some semblance of normalcy. My problem came from the fact that what was asked of the majority of us stopped there.
It is no secret that our military families are the ones who have sacrificed in ways that the rest of us cannot imagine. But what have we been asked to do as a people? At the height of the bubble, when things seemed to look good, I think it would have been a good thing to consider a temporary war tax, so that we could have paid more directly for the war in Afghanistan. Why didn't we consider either raising the gasoline tax, or ration the amount of gas available to non-military consumers, because our troops needed the gas that we didn't need to use?
Think of all of the sacrifices that were made during WWII. The country as a whole sought ways to do its part to meet the needs of the mission, and there was little questioning about whether or not to sacrifice in that manner. In the end, most Americans, who were not actually in service, were doing their part to help. Right now, if it weren't for occasional news reports, and/or cynical reminders whenever politically expedient, one would not really think that the United States was engaged in one war, let alone two.
Hell, I feel guilty for not having done more for my part. We all should, and we need to do more than simply say "thanks" to our service members. And we damn sure need to move beyond the empty platitudes like "support our troops." I need to think about how I can help in some substantive fashion. I know that something like a war tax in these economic circumstances are not helpful at this time, but since it seems that we will be at war in some shape or form for a long time to come, then we need to consider better ways to sacrifice for our troops and for ourselves.
Rich linked to the text of a speech from Bush trying to urge Americans to get back on airplanes to show the world that things are alright. "Take your families and enjoy life, the way we want it to be enjoyed..." is what Bush said then, and I don't begrudge him that. We needed, at that time, to re-establish some semblance of normalcy. My problem came from the fact that what was asked of the majority of us stopped there.
It is no secret that our military families are the ones who have sacrificed in ways that the rest of us cannot imagine. But what have we been asked to do as a people? At the height of the bubble, when things seemed to look good, I think it would have been a good thing to consider a temporary war tax, so that we could have paid more directly for the war in Afghanistan. Why didn't we consider either raising the gasoline tax, or ration the amount of gas available to non-military consumers, because our troops needed the gas that we didn't need to use?
Think of all of the sacrifices that were made during WWII. The country as a whole sought ways to do its part to meet the needs of the mission, and there was little questioning about whether or not to sacrifice in that manner. In the end, most Americans, who were not actually in service, were doing their part to help. Right now, if it weren't for occasional news reports, and/or cynical reminders whenever politically expedient, one would not really think that the United States was engaged in one war, let alone two.
Hell, I feel guilty for not having done more for my part. We all should, and we need to do more than simply say "thanks" to our service members. And we damn sure need to move beyond the empty platitudes like "support our troops." I need to think about how I can help in some substantive fashion. I know that something like a war tax in these economic circumstances are not helpful at this time, but since it seems that we will be at war in some shape or form for a long time to come, then we need to consider better ways to sacrifice for our troops and for ourselves.
Will Being Gay in Uganda Lead to Execution or Imprisonment?
The developing situation in Uganda is horrific. It's bad enough that homosexuality is already criminalized there, and that remains the case in other parts of the world. But to introduce legislation that would execute sexually active gays, imprison non-sexually active gays generally, and imprison people who harbor gays is bat shit crazy. Sadly, there are people in this country who probably think this is a proper means for dealing with homosexuality.
The folks at Towleroad have put together what they call the "Uganda Hub," and there is also a good gathering of information under "Uganda" over at Rod 2.0. Definitely take a look at the compilation of information from both sites. It will make you angry, sad, or both.
Rachel Maddow, meanwhile, has presented excellent segments on what is happening in Uganda, and she has been pointing out the links to members of Congress and Christianists here in the U.S.
November 30, 2009
December 2, 2009
December 3, 2009
December 4, 2009
In that last segment, Melissa Harris-Lacewell really hit the nail on the head regarding our country's lack of moral standing on the issue of GLBT rights. It will be interesting to see how the Obama administration and/or the Congress will handle this tragic turn of events in Uganda.
The folks at Towleroad have put together what they call the "Uganda Hub," and there is also a good gathering of information under "Uganda" over at Rod 2.0. Definitely take a look at the compilation of information from both sites. It will make you angry, sad, or both.
Rachel Maddow, meanwhile, has presented excellent segments on what is happening in Uganda, and she has been pointing out the links to members of Congress and Christianists here in the U.S.
November 30, 2009
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
December 2, 2009
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
December 3, 2009
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
December 4, 2009
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
In that last segment, Melissa Harris-Lacewell really hit the nail on the head regarding our country's lack of moral standing on the issue of GLBT rights. It will be interesting to see how the Obama administration and/or the Congress will handle this tragic turn of events in Uganda.
The Legitimate Meaning of Teabagging for the Fools Who Didn't Know Before They Started Using It
Rachel Maddow broke it down with the help of the fabulous John Waters, and her righteous indignation is totally justified. And yes, it is funny as hell each time one of these "teabagging" individuals talks about "teabagging." This is what happens when one is sexually repressed and/or uninformed.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Autumn in New York Without Gay Marriage
I followed the sad news that came out of New York this afternoon, and it is disappointing that civil marriage equality did not move the majority of New York State Senators to follow the lead of the Assembly. It's a reminder of how proud I am of the DC Council for its vote for marriage equality yesterday (as well as the second vote coming soon).
Over at the blog Good As You, there is a post showing the photos of all of the State Senators grouped by their vote on marriage. What is heartening to see is that the supporters of marriage equality was a really diverse group of people. Yet when you look at the roster of folks on the side of marriage inequality, it looks like the make-up of the Republican National Convention of 2008.
I raise this, just like the folks over at Good As You, to remind the GLBT community that the line that black folks are more homophobic that other communities is a red herring. The motivating factor for most of the people who are against GLBT rights of any sort is religion, not race. My guess is that each and every one of the people who voted against marriage equality in New York would invoke religion in the explanations of their votes.
It's that simple.
Now over at Pam's House Blend, I saw the statement from the Log Cabin Republicans of New York. Considering that not a single Republican voted for marriage equality, it took balls/breasts of steel to put a statement out blaming the Democrats for this outcome. They might want to revisit the votes of their side of the aisle one more time, and put the cocktail down this time.
Finally, I thought that the statement issued by Governor David Paterson was spot on. That dude is a fierce advocate for the GLBT community.
Over at the blog Good As You, there is a post showing the photos of all of the State Senators grouped by their vote on marriage. What is heartening to see is that the supporters of marriage equality was a really diverse group of people. Yet when you look at the roster of folks on the side of marriage inequality, it looks like the make-up of the Republican National Convention of 2008.
I raise this, just like the folks over at Good As You, to remind the GLBT community that the line that black folks are more homophobic that other communities is a red herring. The motivating factor for most of the people who are against GLBT rights of any sort is religion, not race. My guess is that each and every one of the people who voted against marriage equality in New York would invoke religion in the explanations of their votes.
It's that simple.
Now over at Pam's House Blend, I saw the statement from the Log Cabin Republicans of New York. Considering that not a single Republican voted for marriage equality, it took balls/breasts of steel to put a statement out blaming the Democrats for this outcome. They might want to revisit the votes of their side of the aisle one more time, and put the cocktail down this time.
Finally, I thought that the statement issued by Governor David Paterson was spot on. That dude is a fierce advocate for the GLBT community.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Conservadem Strategy: Make the Liberal Democrats Kill Health Insurance Reform By Making the Debate About Abortion
Now it makes sense. Conservative Democrats who don't want any form of health insurance reform have devised a plan, so it seems, to make reform unpalatable to liberal/progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Sen. Nelson (D-Nebraska) will introduce an amendment to the current bill that will mirror the amendment introduced by Rep. Stupak (D-Michigan).
By taking this action, conservative Democrats seem to want to force the hand of liberal Democrats by creating a bill that they would be unwilling to support. The public option component seems too up for grabs in terms of support from the general public. But to put into the legislation stronger restrictions on federal financial support for abortion procedures effectively turns the health insurance reform issue into an abortion rights issue, thus blurring the lines regarding overall issue.
By taking this action, conservative Democrats seem to want to force the hand of liberal Democrats by creating a bill that they would be unwilling to support. The public option component seems too up for grabs in terms of support from the general public. But to put into the legislation stronger restrictions on federal financial support for abortion procedures effectively turns the health insurance reform issue into an abortion rights issue, thus blurring the lines regarding overall issue.
Civil Marriage Equality in DC: First Hurdle Cleared
I just found out that the DC City Council passed the legislation for civil marriage equality this afternoon by a vote of 11-2 (Council members Marion Barry (ward 8) and Yvette Alexander (ward 7) were the dissenting votes). There is another vote later this month, Mayor Fenty has promised to sign the legislation, and then there is the Congressional review period (30 days).
I am sad to see that the two Council members who represent both wards east of the Anacostia River voted against the legislation, but I am also not surprised. Alexander in particular has been getting pressure from ministers (most likely Marylanders) to oppose this legislation.
I am sad to see that the two Council members who represent both wards east of the Anacostia River voted against the legislation, but I am also not surprised. Alexander in particular has been getting pressure from ministers (most likely Marylanders) to oppose this legislation.
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