orientation

There's a New Pope In Town

shaktinah — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:37:03 -0700

In case it was possible for anyone to not know, the Pope is in town. And DC seems to be agog. All week long the metro platforms have been announcing that you can take the train to Nationals stadium (if you have a ticket). On the trains, I've heard several cellphone conversations about the pontiff. And the Post is running stories about people who paid thousands of dollars to fly here, or drove all night... And of course there is stuff like this.

How Low Can We Go?

shaktinah — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:41:37 -0700

It's sad enough that Heath Ledger was found dead on Tuesday. By all accounts he was a talented actor and a good guy. I was particularly touched by an article in CNN that consisted of comments from everyday people who had had encounters with Ledger. The shock and loss felt reminds me very much of when River Phoenix died.

excluded from ENDA

shaktinah — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:27:33 -0700

Today, the House passed their version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). It should be a time of rejoicing but it's not. The act passed without transgender inclusion, meaning that even if this bill becomes law, transgender people will not be protected from discrimination in the workplace. The people who are most marginalized, most at risk are not protected. The UUA is one of the only non-BGLT exclusive groups that opposed a non transgender inclusive bill, and for that I am very proud of us.

Making God in Their Image

shaktinah — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:55:13 -0700

A federal jury in Baltimore yesterday decided that the disruption of the funeral of a marine and the emotional harm that caused was worth close to $11 million.

While I am sensitive to how vulnerable people are when grieving for their loved ones, especially when they are taken violently and in their prime, I would normally think that $11 million is unreasonably excessive.

Dumbledore Outed

shaktinah — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:53:38 -0700

J.K. Rowling has just informed us that one of the most beloved fictional characters of our time is gay. I'm sure that the whackos who already hate the Potter books because they teach tolerance towards witches are having proper conniptions.

Well, Rowling did describe Grindelwald as very handsome and said that their friendship was very close. As one character put it, they "got on like a caldron on fire." Perhaps I shoulda seen it.

Hooray for Iowa!!

shaktinah — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:52:03 -0700

(CNN) An Iowa district court ruled Thursday that same-sex couples can marry based on the state constitution's guarantee of equal treatment, court documents show.

The ruling was in response to a December 2005 lawsuit brought by six same-sex couples seeking to wed. They were denied marriage licenses and claimed such treatment violates equal-protection and due-process clauses in the Iowa constitution.

Disowning Senator Craig

shaktinah — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:43:32 -0700

The party of family values strikes again. To the list of Foley, Haggard, Gannon..., add Larry Craig. It's like a moral implosion. As the Buddha said, if you wind the bow string too tight, it will snap.