I don’t know about the rest of you, but this actually made me cry. Voter suppression is disenfranchisement, and disenfranchisement is criminal.
This is not the America anyone should stand for.
Category: politics & causes
HUD: Equal Access to Housing Rule Trans-Inclusive
Posted by – January 29, 2012
Wow. Housing non-discrimination for trans people? Really? What amazing news. Via NCTE:
“I am proud to announce a new Equal Access to Housing Rule that says clearly and unequivocally that LGBT individuals and couples have the right to live where they choose [...] If you are denying HUD housing to people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, actual or perceived, you’re discriminating, you’re breaking the law, and you will be held accountable. That’s what equal access means, and that’s what this rule is going to do.”
The new rule makes several urgently needed changes to current federal housing and housing-related programs including: prohibiting owners and operators of federally-funded or federally-insured housing, as well as lenders offering federally-insured mortgages from discriminating based on gender identity or sexual orientation;and clarifying the definition of “family” to ensure that LGBT families are not excluded from HUD programs.
Read the whole article. Honestly, when i first started doing advocacy around trans issues, I didn’t expect to see these kinds of rules put in place by 2012.
How We Honor Dr. King
Posted by – January 16, 2012
“Power without love is reckless & abusive,
& love without power is sentimental & anemic.
Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice
& justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”
- Dr. King
Or, as my friend Dylan posted on Facebook:
Spend this day in reflection.
Put no words in Dr. King’s mouth and make no assumptions that he would be on your side if he was alive this day; dead men can neither dispute words nor defend deeds. Create no saints where there was only a brave, fragile human who spoke for justice at his peril and ultimately to his demise.
Above all, remember the work that must be done tomorrow, for while Dr. King gave us momentum there is still so much left to do, so many challenges yet to come. May we share his strength and bravery as we act justly in the face of injustice, and in doing so honor his legacy more than any statue or holiday could attempt.
Indeed. That last bit would make a lovely start to any meeting, or any day.
Local Politics
Posted by – January 8, 2012
I will honestly say I’m flabbergasted. There is a local election coming up for the city’s Aldermen, and one of the men running, Tom Van Susteren, posted this on his Facebook page, which is public:
How on earth this could be considered appropriate for any politician’s Facebook page is beyond me. Really, I’m staggered by the bad judgment, the treatment of violence against women as funny, and the violence against a public figure as funny, plus torture as funny.
I understand that someone out there finds this entertaining, which horrifies me even more.
Santorum Comes From Behind
Posted by – January 4, 2012
It looks like Santorum may win in Iowa, so let’s keep the google bomb alive, shall we?
Christmas Present: Radical Inclusion
Posted by – December 25, 2011
This letter from local clergy in Appleton is pretty much the best Christmas present I didn’t even imagine getting:
Jesus not only preached about but a lived a message of radical inclusion. He saw God’s realm as including everyone — and especially those who were despised or downtrodden or oppressed.
That’s why we and many other Christians believe that our values are best expressed when all people and all families are treated with fairness and loving support.
It was written in response to a letter from Appleton Taxpayers United which appeared a few weeks ago, which I won’t honor by quoting. It’s lovely to read Christians who sound like Christians.
RIP Christopher Hitchens
Posted by – December 16, 2011
We needed him whether we knew it or not. He was a huge influence on me; I started reading him when he wrote for The Nation and loved his deep passion for politics and for – well, thinking. He was so intense a writer, but always seemed to have such deeply-held beliefs and convictions. He was one of the few men I ever met where you could not escape how goddamned sexy he was – because he was brilliant. His intellect and his passion radiated off him.
He was an inspiration to me, and I’m glad I had a lovely conversation with him many years ago at one of his readings.
His turn toward conservative in these years since 9/11 echoed a similar turn of one of my other favorite writer-heros, John Dos Passos. They weren’t such poor company, really: both of them so in love with the US in some ways, and so deeply critical of it in others.
I’ll miss you, Hitch. I’d say Godspeed but he was the most ardent of atheists, for which I loved him too.
Recall Update
Posted by – December 15, 2011
The good news is that the recall of WI Gov. Scott Walker is on its way, with 500,000 signatures collected from every county in WI.
I may not actually be in Wisconsin right now, but I’m happy to see some good reports coming out of the recall effort, like this one, about where the signatures – and donations – are actually coming from.
People drove up to sign petitions who had actually voted for Walker in the 2010 election; but seeing the effects of his policies on their neighbors, the loss of jobs, and the power he now holds, felt compelled to sign the petition. One woman, signing with her adult daughter, stated ”…this isn’t what I voted for.”
These stories are being repeated all over the county, and indeed, the state. They are being told by a community of people who understand, whether Republican or Democrat, that as a society we have an obligation not only to the people we see every day – but to the strangers who may be the weakest and neediest among us. The word-of-mouth stories from neighbor to neighbor are becoming the most powerful message in the recall battle. No amount of money can overcome a factual accounting of the negative impact Scott Walker is having when conveyed by a familiar and trusted friend.
It looks like they will have more than enough signatures to withstand the scrutiny these petitions will receive, too.
Fair Wisconsin Leadership Conference Jan 13-15
Posted by – December 10, 2011
The Fair Wisconsin Education Fund is hosting its first ever Leadership Conference, to take place in Milwaukee from January 13th – 15th. Why go to a Leadership Conference?
1. Meet other LGBT and allied leaders from around the state. The Leadership Conference will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with LGBT and allied people working to advance equality in their local communities. Share your experiences and gain support from people just like you who care about building a fair and just Wisconsin.
2. Learn new information and skills from local and national leaders. The Leadership Conference will offer an array of interesting and useful workshops to broaden your knowledge and help you to acquire new skills and tools to become a leader in the LGBT equality movement in Wisconsin.
3. Be a part of something new. This conference is a new opportunity that we have never seen before. Don’t miss out on being the first to participate in what is poised to be a hugely successful program!
4. Strengthen the movement. The Leadership Conference is a prime opportunity to build a strong base of support for the LGBT movement in Wisconsin. Join us as we build a fair Wisconsin together.
5. Celebrate and have fun! No conference is complete without some fun and celebration! Work hard and play hard at the first ever Fair Wisconsin Education Fund Leadership Conference!
Student registration is only $35! I’ll be there, and Chaz Bono is doing the keynote speech.
Pepper Spray
Posted by – November 23, 2011
It turns out the pepper Spray Pike used is on Amazon, and people have been reviewing the product. There is some really good political satire in there:
1.0 out of 5 stars Product Warnng: This product multiplies protesters
I casually used this product to try to disperse a small band of non-violent campers who had locked their arms together. Although initially it seemed to be effective, it took two applications! The worst part is that the next day they multiplied exponentially! Now what?One positive outcome, I did receive a paid vacation for my efforts.
There is a tumblr, of course, that is gathering all the images of Lt. John Pike pepper spraying his way through history, art, and movies, although my two favories are the Wheres John Pike? and of course, honey badger:
= When memes collide.
Russia To Make Speaking About Being LGBT Illegal
Posted by – November 21, 2011
Russia wants ot make it illegal to write, speak or publish anything about being LGBT. Sign the petition, and sign it fast.
#OWS NYC
Posted by – November 15, 2011
Liberty Park was raided by NYPD, FDNY & DSNY starting around 1am EST last night. The live feed is down for now, but it’s here otherwise: http://www.livestream.com/occupynyc
Apparently the press were kicked out before they started throwing tents and other stuff into industrial garbage bins.
And in the meantime, the recall of Governor Scott Walker has started here in WI – at the same time #OWS started being raided, midnight WI time.
Tonight in Appleton
Posted by – November 10, 2011
Tonight, progressives in Appleton faced the possibility that the position of Diversity Coordinator and the Diversity program would be cut or not funded. Also, there was a possibility that the domestic partner benefits for Appleton city employees might not make it through the budget process, too.
But tonight we kept a priority on diversity and equality.
And while I’m pleased – this is the 4th time (?) I’ve testified before Appleton’s Common Council, and I’m sure they’re tired of me by now – it was pretty rough sitting and listening to a bunch of people who don’t know me call me a moral stain and tell me I’m going to hell. It’s not something I haven’t heard before – as a feminist, as a green, as a queer – but there is something particularly painful to me when I hear that kind of rhetoric coming from Christians, and who say those things because they’re Christians.
It makes me wonder if I missed the part about the Good Samaritan asking first if the guy was gay.
I also wonder – when I hear haters stand behind their status as tax payers – if it ever occurs to homophobic types that LGBTQ people pay taxes too, and into a government that doesn’t treat them as equals. I wonder how well that would sit with people who don’t understand but who – for other reasons – are of a more libertarian stripe.
I pointed that latter piece out tonight, because I think that’s at least some of who I’m talking to here in Appleton.
But “moral stain” I really can’t get past. There’s something so dehumanizing and miserable about that one.
My other bit of wonder is how it is that people who think homosexuality is immoral – and they’re free to think it is – somehow think that justifies treating LGBTQ people as less than citizens. I mean, it’s not like queers have the corner on immorality, right? So do we stop paying health insurance for the partner of a man who commits adultery? I mean, which sins count, exactly, when it comes to citizenship? Which morality matters?
Eh, the whole process makes me sad, but I’m thankful for the other progressives who came tonight, and other nights, to speak truth to power. I’m thankful to all the common council members who are still there, at midnight, wrestling with a budget for this city I live in. I feel thankful that I’ve been given at least some skills to fight for justice.
#OWS: Oakland & Atlanta
Posted by – October 26, 2011
This NYT piece on the recent crackdowns on both #OccupyAtlanta and #OccupyOakland covers a little bit of why the violence has escalated. Oakland has not had easy relationship with the police force for (at least) a few years now.
Cops: you are the 99%.
Protestors, stay peaceful and stay safe.
Occupy Writers #OWS
Posted by – October 23, 2011
I’m very proud to be one of the signatories on this list of writers who are in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Go check out a poem by Alice Walker titled “the joyful news of your arrest”, a list by Lemony Snicket, or a dispatch by Francine Prose (via Walt Whitman).
I’ll be writing something soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
Imagine More #OWS
Posted by – October 20, 2011
This is the piece about #OWS that says it best, for me.
No one deserves to live in a world built upon the degradation of human beings, forests, waters, and the rest of our living planet. Speaking to our brethren on Wall Street, no one deserves to spend their lives playing with numbers while the world burns. Ultimately, we are protesting not only on behalf of the 99% left behind, but on behalf of the 1% as well. We have no enemies. We want everyone to wake up to the beauty of what we can create.
It’s a gorgeous piece, full of wonder and optimism: It’s not supposed to be like this.
47% Condescension
Posted by – October 13, 2011
A friend of mine put up this Daily Kos “letter to the 53%er” whose image and letter have been showing up all over the place.
I was disgusted by the condescension, and maybe that’s because I’m a working class asshole like that guy in his photo.
But liberals – oh, I love you liberals, and know that I’m one of you – really sometimes get caught up in their own superiority to such a degree that I don’t want to be a part of them at all. I understand, when I read a letter like that, guys like the 53% who think we’re all a bunch of overeducated elites.
So here’s my letter to that guy:
Dude, watch the movie Animal Farm. You’re the horse. Don’t fall for it.
