THE TROUBLE WITH LIBERALS.....

Over the past few months I've noticed something with liberals - we've gotten too nice and complacent in our victories.

Think about it: liberals used to be the ones in the 60s and 70s that were rabid fanatics raging against 'the man' and 'the establishment' for issues such as gay rights, rights for minorities, equal rights for women, legalization of pot, etc. Liberals strange fixation with various herbs and experimental lifestyles based on what you ate or how you lived were seen as 'different'. We fought for the right to be listened to - trying to get others to understand our side of the argument BUT accepting their views as a temper against any severe radicals in the group.

During those memorable decades conservatives were those in power who clung to their religion and crosses in fear, trying to protect their 2.5 kids and their houses surrounded by white picket fences while faithfully saving their money in safe havens such as banks and credit unions. Conservatives believed that the government knew what they were doing in protecting the nation and its interests - after all, the Liberal Commies were coming and they already have foot soldiers in the streets! Next thing you know - they'll want to have a Negro holding office in Washington!

Flash forward to the present.

The issues liberals fought for have been enacted and put into law. Civil rights acts have leveled the playing field (legally anyway) for minorities and gays, women are entitled to equal rights, technology and science rules and has changed the way we live, those strange eating habits and lifestyles are seen as healthy and/or environmentally friendly. The nuclear family has changed.

Liberals became the establishment - and in the process we STILL give others the chance to talk in the hopes that we can learn from our differences.

Conservatives are now the rabid protesters - waving crosses and chanting religious verses hypnotically and incoherently against women's rights and gays. They now see all government as evil and INSIST on the marriage between Judea-Christian values and the state in order to combat any social unrest. GOD - preferably white with blond hair and blue eyes - IS THE ANSWER.

Hypocrisy is now their god - cherry-picking bible verses is the preferred method to ram their views down your throat; logic and reason are seen as a weaknesses.

They play dirty - under the guise of 'doing God's work'. After all, "onward Christian soldiers!"

Ya know - liberals need to stop being so 'understanding' and fight back!!!! If they need a cross to burn to get a point across to the conservatives I'm sure there's a HUGE one located in the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas...in fact, why burn the cross only? Trying burning down the entire bloody church while we're at it, I mean, these people are......

*KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!*

(Damn, the Feds are at the door again. Gotta' run.........down to the valley, cross through the river......the dogs are getting close.........!)

DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER TO VOTE!

Cool video - reminder that we need to register to vote for this election, one of the most important in recent history.

This is courtesy of Rock The Vote , a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1990. Rock the Vote works to engages youth in the political process by incorporating the entertainment community and youth culture into its activities.

The organization was founded in Los Angeles in 1990 by Jeff Ayeroff for the purposes of political advocacy. Rock the Vote's stated mission is to "build the political clout and engagement of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country." The first Rock the Vote campaign was called, "Censorship is UnAmerican." The Canadian version of Rock the Vote was founded by Nat zeke Zavier in 1981, while the Irish version of Rock the Vote was founded by Patrick Cosgrove in 2006, and was active during the 2007 Irish elections. While the organization is officially non-partisan, its viewpoints are almost exclusively liberal or progressive and generally in-line with the Democratic National Committee. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

AND REMEMBER: just because you're registered won't help if you don't go out and physically vote - it's your civil duty!

For information on registering to vote in your state click here.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

Again, an appeal for donations for the Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org) - the political arm or the GLBT movement.

The HRC is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, and represents a grassroots force of more than 700,000 members and supporters nationwide.

The HRC envisions an America where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community.

For information on what issues the HRC is working on click here.

To make a donation click here or to purchase HRC merchandise click here.

WHY WE CELEBRATE GAY PRIDE IN JUNE

Worldwide, June is celebrated as GAY PRIDE month (for those of us who can) and is recognized as the month of acceptance to welcome diversity in communities regardless of sexual orientation. Celebrations during the month is meant to recognize the impact Gay, Lesbian and Transgender individuals have had on the world.

PRIDE marches are organized each year in June to celebrate gay pride in world-cities such as Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Sydney, Mexico City, etc. Gay and lesbian groups also celebrate this special time with picnics, parties, memorials for those lost from HIV and AIDS, and other group gathering events that attract thousands upon thousands of individuals. The international impact has been so influential to so many people that it makes for a perfect time for an organization to be a part of the festivities.

Why June? It was during this month in 1969 that riots outside the Stonewall Inn in New York began the modern Gay Rights Movement. Although there had been organizations and activists working for gay rights preceding this event, it was the response to this event did that makes it a milestone for the gay rights.

In a nutshell, in the 60's NY police regularly made raids on establishments that the gay community patronized. Raids were commonplace and held earlier in the day when establishments had few customers. However on June 28, 1969 the police raided Stonewall at 1 am when it was packed with clients, and were met with resistance that grew into a protest heard around the world that mobilized the gay community into action. For a more detailed and very interesting look at the start of the gay rights movement click here.

Although no one can pin-point exactly why this one incident brought the community together in such a force of solidarity I have my own theory: they raided Stonewall when drag queens were enforce.

Think about it - these are persons who have no qualms about sashe-ing around during the day (when they are not in costume) with long nails, plucked eyebrows, enduring public insults, ridicule and physical abuse - yet when in a dangerous situation they are still not afraid to speak their mind and do not give a shit what others think. I feel that on that day in 1969 they had enough of the raids and disrespect and fought back. I mean, some even refer to this date as the "hairpin drop heard around the world..."

I have always admired them for their strength - and am actually a bit scared of them.

Since Stonewall advances in rights fo the LGBT community has made large gains despite legal obstacles and the anti-gay rhetorhic of some religious organizations. Today, gay marriage is recognized in Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, South Africa and Spain, with same-sex civil unions recognized in a majority of developed nations. In the United States, advances are being made in this area with two states now recognizing gay marriage, and a number of states either recognizing same-sex civil unions or are in the midst of making a decision on this issue. The push is on for many states to include sexual-orientation as a protected class under discrimination laws.

Here in Chicago, PRIDE Week begins June 22nd culminating with the PRIDE parade - attended by at least 400,000 persons - on Sunday June 29th in Boystown.

(Click here for Chicago PRIDE information.)

Recently, some have questioned that with such advances in gay rights does the community still see the need to march each June. The answer is quite simple - we'll march until members of the LGBT community can stand equal with the same rights and protection as heterosexual couples.

Besides, we have to march each summer - it's written in the bible:

"PRIDE cometh before the fall......."