Discouraged

Between politics and propoganda, it seems nothing is getting done on marriage equality or DADT. These issues are mired in political in-fighting and religious wackiness.
Personally, I've lost enthusiasm--probably because one of my brothers was just diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Putting things in perspective and giving them time lines, makes me realize as he has sped up the fight for his life, all gay issues seem to be constantly slowed down, put on the back burner--luke warm and shoved aside, hoping that they will go away. And then there's the Dream Act--pass it, please.
Discouraged.

PFLAG with Rabbi David Horowitz as their leader

Rabbi David M. Horowitz was recently elected President of PFLAG, an organization that supports parents, family and friends of LGBT children, and he is dedicatated to moving equality forward. In a recent statement Rabbi Horowitz had this to say:
"I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am to have been elected as PFLAG’s National President. You see, I’m a PFLAG dad. I can still recall vividly the day Toby and I walked into our first meeting at PFLAG Akron, Ohio. I was sure I was the only parent in the world who had a gay child (our daughter had come out about a month before). I don’t know whom I thought birthed gay children. I believed I was the only clergy person to have a gay child. I was confused and knew almost nothing about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
PFLAG introduced me to people who were just like me; parents and even clergy parents. I began my education and moved forward with some fear. What would people think? What would the members of my congregation think? It was all so new.
But on the course of my personal journey, something incredible happened.
As I came out as the parent of a lesbian daughter, so did more than 200 families in my congregation who had a close connection to the LGBT community. As I learned more and found myself around this new and expanding family, I became comfortable with my daughter’s sexual orientation and was able to reach out to others. That ability to connect with people – especially those in the very start of their own learning and acceptance process – keeps me an active part of my local chapter today.
...
Together, PFLAG is the family voice of the LGBT community, and our voice is heard from our meeting rooms, to corporate boardrooms, and to the offices in the White House and on Capitol Hill. I am pleased to be a part of that effort."
Rabbi Horowitz is a true, honest and respected representative of parents of LGBT children. What a great example!

Marriage becoming obsolete?

According to the Associated Press, 4 out of 10 people say marriage is becoming obsolete.
I guess they didn't ask any gay people--who continue to struggle for marriage equality. Funny thing about civil rights, when you have them you don't really appreciate them, I guess.
So if nobody really cares about marriage anymore, why is the on-going quest for the rights of gay people to marry such a big hurdle? Beats me!

Who cares?

When Portia DeRossi told her mother she was gay, her mom said she accepted her, but that she should keep it private. That wasn't the right answer, of course. But sometimes as parents we really don't say the right thing when our child tells us he/she is gay. DeRossi said her mother should have just said, "Who cares," and let her be her true self. "Living in fear is all in your head," said Ricky Martin after finally coming out as a gay man.
Usually, the last to know, we parents haven't experienced the agonizing transition that our children have in coming out--and we have to adjust.  I just wish we could be the first to know instead of the last. We care so much for our children that we should be able to help them come out of the closet--come out with them. We need to openly present ourselves as proud parents of gay children. Then maybe all of the anti-gay stuff would dissipate.
In parenting 101, we should be aware of the possibility of having a gay child and be open and aware and not give our children mixed messages or stereotypical expectations. Whether we have a gay child or not, we need to teach acceptance, then maybe the anti-gay discrimination wouldn't exist.
Maybe then the attitude would become, "Who cares."

Proud mother has to shout it out

It is with great pride that I announce that today is my daughter's record release in New York City. Amy Bezunartea's record is called Restaurants & Bars. A singer/songwriter for many years, she recorded these originals several months ago for Kiam Records, the record label of her girlfriend Jennifer O'Connor, a singer/songwriter herself who has produced several records for other artists on Kiam and who herself recorded many times for Matador Records. These lovely and talented women make a great pair.Go to the link below and read Amy's bio and hear two of her songs. "Doubles," is the gay song of the collection--"My baby she works doubles, I can't help her with her troubles, I've got my own. I'm not alone, not alone,"     www.kiamrecords.com/amybez.html
Amy's songs are pure poetry--sensitive, honest and melancholy.
You can also see some recent interviews and reviews at Kiam Records on Facebook including "An interview with Amy Bezunartea--People, Celebrities, Actresses  & Profiles of Gay, Lesbian..."
http://www.afterellen.com/
I wish I could be in New York tonight to see her debut and join my son and his boyfriend and all of Amy's friends and fans to celebrate her accomplishment.
Like Oprah said: "If everyone who was gay would come out, it could change the world."
Here's to Amy! I am so proud.

As a parent, megachurch pastor comes out to help teenagers

A father of four, Jim Swilley, 52 had to finally come out. If it meant saving the life of a teenager, he was willing to risk his career as a pastor. His former wife--who had always know he was gay--convinced him to make the announcement.
This is a courageous and honorable man.
I hope that only good things come from his announcement. As a parent and a gay man he has a two-fold understanding of the importance of his decision.



Megachurch Pastor Comes Out

News
http://www.advocate.com/

Am I Purple!

After many submissions on marriage equality weren't acceptec by The Arizona Republic, finally my letter to the editor on "Bullying of gay children abhorrent," was published today.
Click on it below, and you can read it and see how bloggers can twist this issue into abuse of tea party people--completely insensitive to the issue.
That made my face as purple as my shirt.
But hey, I'm in Arizona. I heard that there were a lot of people in New York wearing purple.
That's progress!
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/9490146