Benny 16 Offers Home to Anti-Gay Christians

Benedict XVI

Some of you may have heard that Pope Benedict XVI decision to allow members of the Anglican church to “re-join” the pews of the Catholics. While this may seem like a great recruitment drive, it is much more. Apparently, the Pope is offering this in part because of Anglicans’ dissatisfactions with decisions made within their congregations.

The Pope is offering the Catholic Church as a home for those Anglicans who disagree with the approval of homosexuality by their churches and the ordaining of gay bishops and other openly LGBTQ clergy members. In true fashion, the church is remaing steadfast in its dedication to denying expanded rights for the LGBTQ community and is recruiting others who may feel the same.

Hate Crimes Bill Heads to Obama

Both houses of Congress have now approved legislation that expands hate crimes to include those against people because of sexual orientation. This is another step forward and hopefully one in a string of events that will lead us closer and closer to more equity for the LGBTQ community.

Love Conquers Hate

Crude the Movie

This film presents the legal case of ChevronTexaco versus Ecuadorans in the Amazon jungle. All angles are being presented about this issue of the power of an MNC and the real environmental impacts (and such social, psychological, and economic) on the people of the area. I really suggest seeing this and watching the trailer.

Playing in Seattle: Landmark Varsity Theater Oct 23 – 29. (theater site)

It’s Global Handwashing Day!

Happy Global Handwashing Day!

Today  is the day advocating the use of handwashing with soap in all areas of the world. The purpose of today is to educate the global community about the benefits of such washing and to promote doing so.

It’s a great way to improve all of our health and to prevent the spread of many infections, viruses, and diseases!

Official Website

Senator Olympia Snowe On-Board With Healthcare Reform

The Senate Finance Committee approved the healthcare reform bill today which allows it to go onto the next level. While the decision of the Democrat-controlled committee was not a surprise, the vote of Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) is a huge step for having at least some air of bipartisanship for what seems to be the biggest issue of domestic policy for the Obama Administration.

Let’s hope that this bill will truly receive some more bi-partisan support and that equal access to healthcare will become a reality in America.

Israelis Block School Supplies to Gaza

According to the HRW, Israelis have set-up a blockade into Gaza which includes school supplies. This is highly detrimental for the school children of the Gaza region as it severly limits their access to a fruitful education. In addition to basic school supplies begin blocked, goods like ink and commercial paper are also being blockaded preventing the publication of books.

This act is harmful to the children and their futures and is not effective in preventing the violence between the two groups. HRW has sent a letter to Secretary of State Clinton urging her to oppose the Israeli blockade of school supplies into Gaza. It is terrible to see how this conflict is going to cause a generational lack of education.

The End of Poverty?

From the trailer I watched for this film (narrated by Martin Sheen), there are some really thought provoking questions and issues that will be raised. The documentary takes a look at the inequities in the distribution of resources and wealth (primarily with the large piece of the pie that the US controls), trade policies, and global debts.

I am really optimistic that enough people will see or hear about this film and some sort of positive reaction will occur. For those of you in Seattle it will be playing December 4th at the Regal Meridian 16 (7th and Pike). The showings in other cities are listed here.

Please take the time to watch the trailer!

Your Loan Can Change A Life

Click to Learn More

There was a lot of press coverage about this a year ago, but I recently stumbled back upon them on Twitter. In an age of peer-to-peer interaction via the internet, why not step it up and make those interactions worthwhile? Kiva.org allows you to choose an entrepreneur in an underdeveloped region and loan money to them (starting at $25) so that they can build their business to promote their local economy. When you are repaid your money you can reloan to another entrepreneur, donate to Kiva, or withdraw your funds. This is a great way to get directly involved in microfinance (find out more here).

Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Approve Referendum 71

On November 3, Washington voters will have the opportunity to APPROVE or reject Referendum 71. If approved, it will give registered domestic partners in the state (LGBTQ or 62+) the same legal rights as married couples without the label of marriage. It is important that we get out the word and vote to APPROVE 71 to extend the rights that registered domestic partners are receiving the rights that they deserve.

In the next few weeks, please tell all your friends and families about the importance of APPROVING Referendum 71 and the benefits that it will have. This law would provide partners with rights such as hospital visitation, medical leave provisions, insurance coverage, access to pension, retirement, and social security benefits among others.

Get Involved! Visit www.approvereferendum71.org to find ways to volunteer. Up until election day, the campaign can receive up to $5000 per individual in donations (but every little bit counts). Additionally, you can volunteer to phone bank (from the comfort of your home) or go door-to-door canvassing. Hang flyers, update your Facebook status and profile picture, and send out tweets to get the word out!

Lady Gaga Addresses The National Equality March

YouTube – Lady Gaga Addresses The National Equality March.

Lady Gaga advocating for the LGBTQ community.