ONE NIGHT MARY E. SLIPPED AWAY FROM VISIBILITY (but she´s never gone far away from me)

Mary E. looked like Helen Merren and Grandmere Mimi

Once upon a young mans lifetime, I had a very healthyminded mentor who became a good friend.  She remains nearby but she passed away decades ago.  Her name was/is Mary E. and although originally from California she spent most of her adult life raising a family with a banker husband in a elegant suberb of Chicago, Illinois.  After she divorced, she returned home to Los Angeles.

When I became aware of Mary, I was newly sober and I was 35 years old.  Mary was quite the positive influence immediately for me as she had 30+ years of sobriety and quietly chatted about being happy personally and grateful to be fully living out her life in sobriety.  Those words attracted me...I wanted to have a full and happy life in sobriety.

Mary was/remained a inspiration to me.  Mary became my confidant, my sponsor, my trusted friend.

After a year of sobriety I traveled all over the world (literally from Asia to Europe to the markets in New York) on a regular basis in a brand new job as marketing/product/design executive vice president for a fashion accessory importing company. I was away from home over 80% of the time.  Mary always encouraged (without many words) me.  I put fear and selfpity aside and went directly for happy, joyous and free, in great part thanks to Mary E.

 I was rarely home during my almost ten years as, very quickly, the President of the California division of that New York corporation.  Things went very well for me, I prospered  and so did my personal integrity. When I was home, Mary and I always got together, went to lunch or dinner (at some glamourous, or just plain ¨in¨ Los Angeles/Beverly Hills restaurant) and talked about living our full lives in sobriety...both her and me.  We had a wonderful friendship together as she, listened, she sometimes guided me when I felt overwhelmed or simply talked ¨stark reality¨ with me when I had dilemmas, moral or not, ready or not...she was a great friend who always stressed ¨the answers will come, that is, if I want them¨ .

Mary was my ever-present friend until her time amongst the living ended. One night she simply slipped away from the world and from everyones visibility...she didn't go far, she is with me. Still, as I write this blog entry sharing Mary E. Mary, another favorite and kind person for you to meet...a joyful person who moved on after sharing good real life experience and adventure while offering solid reasoning to me for maintaining lasting hope, earning trust, learning trust...eternally.  Ideals that still make me glad everyday and enthusiastic about life sober.

Thank you Mary E,

Len/Leonardo C. B.
Guatemala, Central America

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY: ¨...I think that it will all come right. That this cruelty too will end¨

Almost forgot that this is
Holocaust Remembrance Day
6 million Jews were slain
and an additional 11 million comprised of:
Poles, Slavs, Soviets, Romanies, Non-Aryans, the Deaf, the Mentally troubled, Homosexuals. Transexuals, Freemasons, Religious and Political Dissidents.

Biracial Lesbian Vying for Miss South Carolina Crown: Analouisa Valencia breaks all the pageant stereotypes

She's articulate, mixed-race, and proudly, openly gay.

BY NEAL BROVERMAN

¨It's some kind of miracle how comfortable Analouisa Valencia — a lesbian African-American/Latina beauty queen — is in her skin. Currently Miss Lyman, S.C., Valencia travels to the state capitol in July to compete in the Miss South Carolina contest and, hopefully, advance to the Miss America pageant. Valencia isn't coming out per se, because the 19-year-old college student has been out for years; she took her girlfriend, Tamyra Bell, to her prom and attended Bell's. But Valencia is ready to tell the world her story and remains optimistic the judges in Columbia will see her like so many already do: as a role model. The teen was candid in a recent interview with The Advocate, talking excitedly about her future and the women who inspire her...¨  

Thanks to The Advocate, sidebar

http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/people/2013/04/05/biracial-lesbian-vying-miss-south-carolina-crown

HENRIQUE CAPRILES -- CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA: ¨Respect for all Venezuelans¨

Venezuelan Presidential Candidate Fights Antigay Talk

Opposition party candidate Henrique Capriles condemns the interim president's homophobic remarks

¨The candidate vying for the position of Venezuelan president after the death of Hugo Chavez said that homophobia is "absolute fascism...from the extreme right."

Henrique Capriles, is running against interim president and former vice president Nicolás Maduro, who had previously used an antigay slur to describe Capriles's party in 2012. Capriles, who is Jewish, was also attacked last year for his religious background, as well as for being presumably gay because he is single.

On Monday, Maduro made another assertion referring to Capriles' sexual orientation during a campaign speech.

"I do have a wife, you know? I do like women!" he said, according to Reuters. His wife, attorney general Cilia Flores, was at his side. She will step down from her post to join her husband's campaign.

Capriles, who is straight, condemned the remarks, and said he would continue to stand up for "respect for all Venezuelans."

http://www.advocate.com/news/world-news/2013/03/12/venezuelan-presidential-candidate-fights-antigay-talk

Thanks to Michelle Garcia March

Thanks to The Advocate

TERRANCE HEATH: ¨Friends Don't Ask Friends to Live With Inequality¨

I’ve got news for Cardinal Timothy Dolan

¨...There are times when I wonder if we lose something of ourselves by not calling things what they are. Do we give people a pass they don’t deserve, because they are able to hide behind their religious beliefs? When people gather for the express purpose of denying equality to another group of people, what else can we call it but hate?

From a religious perspective, is it really possible to love someone that you don’t see as an equal? Is it possible to see someone as less than equal without hatred, or without at least contempt? If so, how?

From my perspective, either you see me as equal or you don’t. If you don’t, as far as I’m concerned it amounts to hate – and the actions taken to maintain inequality stem from hatred. I don’t care if it’s for religious reasons. If you can’t see me as equal – and treat me as equal – then you have to see me as (even slightly) less than human. You can’t really see me as equal and still deny me equal treatment. That’s called having your cake and eating it too.

I’ve heard all I can stand of “love the sinner, hate the sin.” My gayness is not what I do. It’s a part of who I am – who I’ve always been. It’s what I feel – have always felt – in my heart. Even if I became celibate (giving up my partner and my son), I would still be the same gay person. I would still feel the same in my heart.

My gayness is not something I do. It’s part of who I am, and what is in my heart. Hate it, and you hate who I am. You hate what is in my heart. You hate me.

It’s that simple. Isn’t it?¨

Thanks to Bilerico Project, sidebar

There is so much more from Terrance Heath:

http://www.bilerico.com/2013/04/friends_dont_ask_friends_to_live_with_inequality.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BilericoProject+%28The+Bilerico+Project%29

FIRST DAY BACK TO THE GYM: Juan Carlos gave me a gift (pre-paid-membership at the local torture chamber)

So here I am, well, the picture isn't me, but I'm here at the foot of volcano looking a little intense (not as mean as this guy)!

It's true, I gotta get down to the business of getting fit again.  A few years ago I had several eye operations.  Therefore, coward that I am, I spent lots of hours/days in/around my bedroom and studio, sometimes isolating but that is not easy when one loves people (as I do, mostly).  I was also eating whatever I wanted to, you know, to feel better, to help cure my eye.  I'm great at pretend,  it's sooo multi-purpose if you really get into it.  Rush, fret, rush, twist and shout! Well, all that is history now as my dear devoted pal Juan Carlitos gave me a gym membership for Happy Easter (happy gym bunny to you too as he also treated himself to one).

I received it last night (after returning from a great dinner party) as Juan Carlos was home after a overnight house/dog sitting gig was cancelled.  So, in I came. Rolling in after a wonderful dinner amongst wonderful people (and a well-known Architect and fab/talented Designer from NYC who said wonderful things about my work and may order some custom art-- I had a little more dessert in celebration) and the free-for-all food frenzy/party is over.  Kerplunk. Stop, look and listen. HALT!

Juan Carlos presented me with my reality -- a gym membership.

Today was the first day back in YEARS!

I loved it.

Thanks to Juan Carlos and all of you for being my friends.  Plump or not, ready or not...just as I am (and I might be in a few months).

I send you my love (don't mention any See's Easter Eggs should you have hunted them down)

Happy Easter and Passover everyone,

Len

BREAKING - URUGUAY - SOUTHERN CONE - Advances Gay Marriage: JULY/AUGUST the bells will ring out! (joining Chile, Argentina, Brazil)

Forte Santa Teresa, 

¨The Uruguayan Senate will vote the marriage equality bill tomorrow, Tuesday, April 2. As you may remember, the bill had been passed by the Chamber of Deputies in December, but the Senate has modified it. According to our Constitution, those modifications will have to be confirmed by the Deputies for the bill to be finally approved. The modifications are minor and do not affect the bill's essence. We know the bill will be passed by both Chambers by an overwhelming majority, and in a speedy way. After this Tuesday's vote by the Senate, the lower chamber will probably vote and pass it in one or two weeks (all in April). Once passed, the government has up to 90 days to regulate it, i.e., to make the necessary changes in red tape to implement it. Hopefully, the first couples will be getting married in July/August.¨

Thanks to Rex Woncker
Thanks to Uruguay
Thanks to Senate and Chamber of Deputies

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/04/uruguay-to-advance-marriage-tomorrow.html

UPDATE:   Thanks to Box Turtle Bulletin

Uruguay Senate Approves Marriage Equality Bill

Jim Burroway

April 2nd, 2013

Uruguay’s Senate, after several hours of debate, approved a bill which would provide marriage equality to same-sex couples in a 23-8 vote.

Sen. Rafael Michelini opened the hours long debate by declaring that same-sex marriage represented a “radical change” that future generations may compare to the abolition of slavery. “Of course I cannot compare it to finaly abolishing slavery, because they were fighting that for hundres of years, but for the purposes of a person acquiring rights, is it not a kind of liberation?” Opposition Senator Francisco Gallinal objected to characterizing same-sex marriage as “marriage equality,” warning that other members of society may demand the legalization of polygamy. The bill was strongly supported by the ruling Broad Front party, while the main opposition parties allowed their members a conscience vote.

The Senate version of the bill is slightly different from the version approved by the Chamber of Deputies inDecember. The bill now goes back to the lower house for final approval. President José Mujica has said he will signed the bill into law when it reaches his desk.

CHURCH of ENGLAND HOMOPHOBIA: ¨The word 'homophobic' comes loaded with very negative connotations but it is a word with which the Church will forever be justifiably saddled if it continues to oppose advances like equal marriage...¨

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

“We have to be very clear about homophobia”, said the freshly enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury to the BBC last week. This quite obviously being the case, the first point on which one ought to be 'clear' is the following: the Church of England is institutionally homophobic.

This kind of statement is controversial only to those wishing to downplay the Church's direct opposition to the rights and the dignity of homosexuals. To the growing numbers of ex-believers and non-believers it is perfectly self-evident; indeed to many believers, who see no conflict between Jesus and marriage equality, it is equally self-evident. But it is not apparently so to the head of the Anglican community. And this, though I commend his eagerness to meet with Peter Tatchell as a genuine advance in this department, is a point on which Justin Welby needs some forthright clarification.

After all, if there is one activity at which the Church of England excels it is euphemism; its spokespersons are known to use language in a frustratingly vague manner, frequently leaving audiences with no clear impression of what they were trying to communicate. The Church has first and foremost a duty to respect the rights of individuals but it is therefore imperative that it respects language and its usage. The word 'homophobic' comes loaded with very negative connotations but it is a word with which the Church will forever be justifiably saddled if it continues to oppose advances like equal marriage, as it so strenuously does either directly or through politicians speaking on its behalf...¨ there is more

Thanks to the Independent, United Kingdom

Thanks to Ralph Jones

Thanks to Thinking Anglicans, sidebar

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-church-of-england-is-in-desperate-need-of-a-modern-dictionary-8547430.html

My name is Cason Crane and I'm a 20-year-old adventurer, mountain climber, and LGBTQ rights activist who is currently raising awareness for suicide prevention in the LGBTQ community

Cason Crane at Vinson Massif (Antarctica)

Meet 20-year-old gay activist and mountain climber Cason Crane, who has raised US$100,000 for the Trevor Project which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT youths in the US, by climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.

Cason Crane is just 20 years old and he has already scaled five of the world's seven highest peaks and could well be the first openly gay person to complete the Seven Summits not just for himself but to raise both awareness and funds for the Trevor Project. The non-profit group provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the US. Since the start of his Rainbow Summits Project, Cason has raised US$100,000 for the Trevor Project.

The avid runner, swimmer, and triathlete who came out as gay in his teens said he was devastated when one of his friends and classmates in high school committed suicide and was shocked when he learnt that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. He was also impacted by the death of Tyler Clementi, a gay teenager from New Jersey who had been bullied

"His death opened my eyes to the growing problem of youth suicide, specifically in the LGBTQ community. I learned that LGB youth are four times more likely than their straight peers to attempt suicide. Underlying these tragedies were my own personal experiences -- being teased and called names, getting shunned in the locker room -- but I was fortunate to have the loving support of my family and friends, unlike so many others." Cason wrote in a column published in theHuffington Post.

He will be making a stop in Singapore enroute to Nepal to climb his second-last mountain, Everest in April, and is slated to meet young LGBTQ people at a Young Out Here event on Friday, March 29 at 3pm. The event is open to all LGBTQ youths age 25 and below. Sign up here.

Since climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (Africa) with his mother in 2008 at age 15, Cason has climbed Cerro Aconcagua in Argentina (South America), Mount Elbrus in Russia (Europe), Vinson Massif (Antarctica); and Carstensz Pyramid in New Guinea (Australasia). He expects to climb his last mountain on the list, Alaska’s Mount McKinley, later this year. And when he does that, he will be the fifth youngest and one of about 350 people to conquer all seven peaks.

He writes on his website rainbowsummits.org about climbing Everest, the tallest mountain in the world: "I'm busy getting ready for what I think will be the biggest challenge of all. As part of this climb, I will be carrying prayer flags to the summit of Mt. Everest, with dedications on them to people who have committed suicide or been the victim of harassment, bullying, homophobia or intolerance. I welcome anyone who would like to dedicate a prayer flag to go torainbowsummits.org/get-involved and let me know how you would like the dedication to read. I will transcribe it onto a traditional Tibetan prayer flag and take it to the top of the world with me.

"I hope my adventure will serve as an inspiration to young people like me to be true to who they are and to know that they are not alone. It’s also my hope that calling attention to this rampant problem will help kids’ parents, families and friends be there for the young people in their lives as they discover and embrace who they are."

---

The following interview was provided by Young Out Here, a LGBTQ community youth group in Singapore:

Cason Crane at Mount Elbrus in Russia (Europe)

Thanks to Fridae Asia, sidebar

http://www.fridae.asia/newsfeatures/2013/03/27/12276.gay-mountain-climber-cason-crane-to-meet-youths-in-singapore-mar-29?n=sec

SHE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THEIR KINDNESS: Edie Windsor has overcome, no matter what the Court decides.

Edie Windsor, 83 year old widow

My Heart Broke a Little Today

83-year-old widow Edie Windsor is suing the government to strike down DOMA, and today was her day in front of the Supreme Court. She spoke on the sidewalk afterward about the heart attack she had not long after her wife Thea’s death and how the government had treated their relationship like it never existed.

What moved me most was her description of how she’d been closeted for so many years, and how she was so grateful today for the kindness in how the Justices treated her.

She was grateful for their kindness.

Take a moment to realize that for most of her life, this kindness — this civility and dignity and respect — was something she and Thea had no reason to expect. It breaks my heart with regret at what these women had to live through, and it breaks my heart with joy that this heroine has never let it overcome her. Edie Windsor has overcome, no matter what the Court decides.

This is a precious moment in the struggle for dignity. The dignity our elders were denied, the dignity they fought for and won, the dignity we feel today, and the dignity we’ll pass down to those who are now only kids, starting to wonder if they’re gay, and taking hope from the courage of this tiny 83-year-old lady.

Thanks to Waking Up Now:

http://wakingupnow.com/blog/my-heart-broke-a-little-today?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wakingupnow+%28wakingupnow.com%29