----- to Rev. Nathan C. Walker on his installation on March 30, 2008 as settled minister of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. May he have a long, fruitful, and rewarding tenure.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Here We go Again !
The Pennsylvania state senate is once again taking up a proposal to amend the Pennsylvania constitution to ban gay marriage.
A constitutional amendment legislation failed in the last legislative session but is being considered anew in the current session.
During a Senate committee hearing, Maggie Gallagher, President of the National Organization for Marriage, said an amendment to the state constitution would protect against a judge’s ruling that could strike down state law defining marriage as between a man and woman. “It’s not a fantasy that this could happen. It is happening – it’s happened in New Jersey, it’s happened in Connecticut”
Gallagher was speaking to Republican Senator Jane Earll of Erie, skeptical of the need for a constitutional amendment: “We are going to hold our constitution hostage to the wackiest judge in some other state. I just think that amending the constitution is a very drastic measure”
Earll called the push for a constitutional amendment ‘perplexing’.
I not only find it perplexing but discrimatory and would like to remind the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that our constitution needs no such amendment and that within the very first Article, sections 1 and 26 read as follows (bold emphasis is mine):
Inherent Rights of Mankind Section 1.
All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.
No Discrimination by Commonwealth and Its Political Subdivisions Section 26.
Neither the Commonwealth nor any political subdivision thereof shall deny to any person the enjoyment of any civil right, nor discriminate against any person in the exercise of any civil right.
Meanwhile in my fair city of Philadelphia ----
Philadelphia is featuring its locals in a series of travel ads to be launched this week hoping to attract LGBT tourism. The "We Your People" campaign will target local newspapers in Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Pittsburgh and Columbus to be followed with national gay magazines and promotions by Southwest Airlines and The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
Pictured in the first ad is Matthew Izzo, owner of Matthew Izzo Boutiques. Other Philly locals to be featured are Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, owners of Lolita, Bindi, Grocery and Open House; Stephen Carlino and Dennis Fee, owners, Tavern on Camac; Charlie Potje, owner, Charlie Salon; Mark Segal, journalist/publisher/gay pioneer, Philadelphia Gay News; Tami Sortman, president, Philadelphia Gay Tourism; Anh Dang, president, Philadelphia GLBT Swim Club; RJ Thornburg and Warren Muller, owners, bahdeebahdu gallery; Michael Sparano and Rocco Giancaterino, owners, Salon Royale Court.
A constitutional amendment legislation failed in the last legislative session but is being considered anew in the current session.
During a Senate committee hearing, Maggie Gallagher, President of the National Organization for Marriage, said an amendment to the state constitution would protect against a judge’s ruling that could strike down state law defining marriage as between a man and woman. “It’s not a fantasy that this could happen. It is happening – it’s happened in New Jersey, it’s happened in Connecticut”
Gallagher was speaking to Republican Senator Jane Earll of Erie, skeptical of the need for a constitutional amendment: “We are going to hold our constitution hostage to the wackiest judge in some other state. I just think that amending the constitution is a very drastic measure”
Earll called the push for a constitutional amendment ‘perplexing’.
I not only find it perplexing but discrimatory and would like to remind the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that our constitution needs no such amendment and that within the very first Article, sections 1 and 26 read as follows (bold emphasis is mine):
Inherent Rights of Mankind Section 1.
All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.
No Discrimination by Commonwealth and Its Political Subdivisions Section 26.
Neither the Commonwealth nor any political subdivision thereof shall deny to any person the enjoyment of any civil right, nor discriminate against any person in the exercise of any civil right.
Meanwhile in my fair city of Philadelphia ----
Philadelphia is featuring its locals in a series of travel ads to be launched this week hoping to attract LGBT tourism. The "We Your People" campaign will target local newspapers in Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Pittsburgh and Columbus to be followed with national gay magazines and promotions by Southwest Airlines and The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
Pictured in the first ad is Matthew Izzo, owner of Matthew Izzo Boutiques. Other Philly locals to be featured are Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, owners of Lolita, Bindi, Grocery and Open House; Stephen Carlino and Dennis Fee, owners, Tavern on Camac; Charlie Potje, owner, Charlie Salon; Mark Segal, journalist/publisher/gay pioneer, Philadelphia Gay News; Tami Sortman, president, Philadelphia Gay Tourism; Anh Dang, president, Philadelphia GLBT Swim Club; RJ Thornburg and Warren Muller, owners, bahdeebahdu gallery; Michael Sparano and Rocco Giancaterino, owners, Salon Royale Court.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Senseless Times
Just when you think that times are changing and humanity is making enlightened progress, one is confronted with current events that dispel all optimism. It is not often I feel compelled to climb up on the proverbial soapbox (there need not be any eye rolling here) but due to a seemly lack of public outrage, I need to shout out or bust. Just a few events that have recently incited me are:
1) An eight grader, named Larry King, because he is different (maybe gay) is killed by a fellow student.
2) Four white women attack a female reporter covering a homicide investigation. Another white reporter is not threatened. Bystanders do nothing.
3) Gay Iranian Medi Kazemi, who will surely be executed if he returns to Iran, may be denied asylum by the Netherlands and the United Kingdom because of some legal technicality.
4) Geraldine Ferraro publicly states that if Obama was a white man, he would not be in his present position.
5) Oklahoma Senator Sally Kern tells us that homosexuality is a greater threat to American than terrorism and that the homosexual agenda is destroying the nation.
6) To date almost 4,000 US military men and women have been killed fighting a futile battle in Iraq.
7) The American economy is on the brink of a recession.
8) The homicide rate in Philadelphia (my fair city) now stands at almost 60 for just this year. Last year reached the dubious distinction of over 400.
Again why is there no public outrage? Why is there no action being initiated to make the necessary changes. Why does the nightly news spend ten minutes on the benefits/dangers of Botox and three minutes on the Iraq war. Why is the story of Larry King's death followed by commercial on drugs to make you feel better? Why, Why, Why?
I recently read that remnants of various drugs have been found in our drinking water. Do those drugs contain bigotry, hate, apathy, discrimination, stupidity, lack of caring and self respect? If so, may I suggest that we stop drinking the water and wake up before it is too late. We live in a cold, uncaring world and it is up to us to build caring, warm fires.
1) An eight grader, named Larry King, because he is different (maybe gay) is killed by a fellow student.
2) Four white women attack a female reporter covering a homicide investigation. Another white reporter is not threatened. Bystanders do nothing.
3) Gay Iranian Medi Kazemi, who will surely be executed if he returns to Iran, may be denied asylum by the Netherlands and the United Kingdom because of some legal technicality.
4) Geraldine Ferraro publicly states that if Obama was a white man, he would not be in his present position.
5) Oklahoma Senator Sally Kern tells us that homosexuality is a greater threat to American than terrorism and that the homosexual agenda is destroying the nation.
6) To date almost 4,000 US military men and women have been killed fighting a futile battle in Iraq.
7) The American economy is on the brink of a recession.
8) The homicide rate in Philadelphia (my fair city) now stands at almost 60 for just this year. Last year reached the dubious distinction of over 400.
Again why is there no public outrage? Why is there no action being initiated to make the necessary changes. Why does the nightly news spend ten minutes on the benefits/dangers of Botox and three minutes on the Iraq war. Why is the story of Larry King's death followed by commercial on drugs to make you feel better? Why, Why, Why?
I recently read that remnants of various drugs have been found in our drinking water. Do those drugs contain bigotry, hate, apathy, discrimination, stupidity, lack of caring and self respect? If so, may I suggest that we stop drinking the water and wake up before it is too late. We live in a cold, uncaring world and it is up to us to build caring, warm fires.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Back in School
Mm - over two weeks since I last posted. Well, am going to use the excuse that school is keeping me busy. That is right. I have returned to the academic world. After a thirty some year absence have decided to once again "hit the books" and pursue getting another Master's degree. This time am working towards a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary located adjacent to the Columbia University in New York city. Aside from having to commute a couple of times a week to New York from Philly, there are lots and lots of readings and papers to do. Don't remember school being this demanding and now laptop computers have replaced the quill pen and ink. I do enjoy the intellectual stimuli but the grunt work, not at all. The question is - can I persevere? As a part time student, it will take me a least six years. Stamina steroids anyone (just kidding)? One might ask, why am I doing this. Well aside from enjoying the intellectual and learning aspect, coming to terms with my spiritual identity, I aspire to ordination as a Unitarian Universalist minister someday. Every since I can remember, I have always wanted to be a part of and work in the ministry but life happened and took me every which way but there. So now that I finally have the opportunity, am going for it. Let's pray that I make it.
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