Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

Finished the turkey! Put up the decorations! Started the shopping! Been listening to the music of the season!

Not sure why the Christmas bug has hit me earlier than usual this year, but it has! So I am wishing you, "Seasons Greeting!"

Not Ready Yet

Firstly, let me say from the beginning that I am a gay man, and that I believe any couple in the US, regardless of sexual orientation, should have the right to experience full marriage equality! These same marriage rights that straight couples can have should be afforded to same-sex couples as well. Do I want to get married to my gay partner? I do not know, but if I choose to, I should be able to do so! Full marriage equality should be the goal of any LGTB Organization.

However, I think the majority of people in the US have shown that America is still not ready for Gay Marriage at this time in our history. We have seen too many times recently where, when put to a vote, the people of the US are still too uncomfortable with changing the meaning of “marriage” from a union between one man and one woman. The majority in the US are accepting of “civil unions,” giving what they perceive as full, equal “marriage” rights to the LGBT Community. However to change the perception that marriage is some sacred bond between a man and a woman will take some time.

In November 2008, California voters passed Proposition 8 which stated,
“Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” This vote overturned a ruling by the California Supreme Court giving same-sex couples the right to marry. Just a few weeks ago, the voters in Maine overturned the right of gay couples to marry. In that state, the legislature and Governor approved marriage equality for same-sex couples, but the voters rejected that law. In New Jersey, which currently has Civil Unions for gay couples, polls showed both the majority of citizens approve of gay marriage, but that 49% of voters in NJ oppose a law to allow same-sex marriage. In total, 40 US States have laws forbidding gay marriage in some form or another.

Only 5 states in the US allow marriage rights for the LGBT Community. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont currently permit marriage between same-sex couples, and New Hampshire will begin performing gay marriages in January 2010. It was NOT by the vote of its citizens did these states begin marriage equality, but mostly by the Court issuing a ruling that the State Constitution did not prohibit gay marriage.

I don’t like it! I don’t think it’s fair! But it is what it is! I think that instead of continuing the fight for “marriage” equality at this time, that the LGBT Community needs to focus on furthering Civil Union rights, not only in individual states, but through the Federal Government as well. Firstly, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), along with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” needs to be repealed. President Obama has supported this, but so far done little to promote the repeals. Secondly, Federal regulations should provide same-sex couples joining through Civil Union the SAME rights, totally and fully, as straight married couples.

Marriage Equality for same-sex couples will come one day in the US! It is only a matter of time! Unfortunately we have to take one step at a time, starting with each state and then the Federal government.

Just Answer The Question

This weekend was a tremendous show of support for Gay Rights. The National Equality March and rally in Washington, DC was very inspiring.

However, on Sunday morning I watched CNN's State of the Union with John King. I watched in awe as two US Senators, both Democrats, Senator Debbie Stubenow, Michigan, and Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania, could not answer a simple question put to them by John King, "Would you vote to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which state marriage is between one man and one woman. Neither Senator could answer the question! Watch:

I guess neither Senator can take a stand because they don't want to ruin their chance of re-election! Such politics!

Reason # 11 (Why I Cannot Vote For Chris Christie)

Reason number 11 why I cannot vote for Chris Christie in the race for Governor of NJ: He opposes Marriage Equality for the LGBT Community and will do everything in his power to stop it! Christie said he will do all he can to block the state from allowing gay marriage, possibly even pushing to amend the state constitution. Christie believes marriage equality for Gays and Lesbians should be put to the voters for approval or disapproval. (Wonder if Christie believes the US should have put to a vote a woman's right to vote, or a black person's right to vote, or whether or not we allowed slavery to continue?).

Jon Corzine on the other hand, has acknowledged that Civil Unions in NJ have not gone far enough and that couples, regardless of their sex, should be treated equally as determined by our courts. Corzine has vowed to push for marriage equality in the next year if reelected.

Chris Christie has drawn the line in the sand for the LGBT Community! Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgendered in NJ need to support Jon Corzine! And if by some chance Christie is elected, I am confident the People of NJ will not support a ban on gay marriage. I'm not afraid of that fight, but I hope it doesn't come down to it!

Ten Reasons I Cannot Vote For Christie

After reading Chris Christie's proposals if elected Governor, here are the reasons why I cannot vote for Christie:

1. I will run our state government like a business. Heard that one before, time and time again. Heard it throughout much of the past 8 years!

2. I will save taxpayer dollars and end political cronyism by eliminating political patronage jobs. Right! Christie's patrons will replace the political cronies now in state government.

3. I will lower overtime costs by reducing the number of state holidays and eliminating those not recognized as federal holidays. State employees have a contract and any change needs to be negotiated.

4. I will increase efficiency and lower costs by changing to a single, unitary approach to state public employee compensation, benefits, and work rules – ending the separate statutes governing health benefits, antiquated civil service rules, and the collective bargaining agreements. Ok. Again, let's mess with State employees!

5. I will increase fairness and reduce costs by bringing the compensation and benefits for the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) back in line with employees who have defined contribution plans (such as federal government employees) by closing defined benefit plans for new employees, and replacing them with defined contribution plans.

6. I will eliminate pension and health benefits for all part-time employees and political appointees. Only full-time employees should qualify for a public pension. Part time employees are important to the function of state government and they should get some pension for their work.

7. I will require all new state hires and state employee retirees to contribute to their health insurance costs. WE already do to the surprise and misunderstanding of many!

8. I will devote more resources to assist parents and educators attempting to start new charter schools by utilizing my revamped Department of Education (DOE) to encourage and nurture those seeking to start a charter school. Good use of taxpayers money! Use it for Private schools instead of bettering Public Schools.

9. Christie will take away state mandates on health insurance companies to allow "bare-bones" policies that could limit coverage. This despite what he says.

10. Christie is about 150 pounds overweight! Can't take care of yourself, how can you take care of the State!

I don't know about all State employees, but I take pride in doing a good job providing care for the Developmentally Disabled of our state. Don't fix the state's financial woes on my back!

You Go, Barney!

It's about time Democrats start defending their position on Healh Care Reform and tell it like it is about these opponen

The Church That Preys...

Article in the New York Times about ministries that preach God-to-riches philosophy. Specifically mentioned is the ministry of Gloria and Kenneth Copeland. These “prosperity gospel” preachers delighted the crowd with anecdotes about the luxurious lives they had attained by following the Word of God. The message of this ministry and others like it, simply put, if you have sufficient faith in God, and donate generously, God will multiply your offerings a hundredfold — is reassuring to many in hard times. Guess these preachers do not know too much about Jesus Christ, do they?

Jesus had nothing! He gave up everything he had to live a life of committment and helping others. Jesus did not show people how to become rich. Jesus led the life of a pauper for the sake of others. He did not ask God, His Father, for riches and kingdoms. If you believe what Jesus said, "...If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." ( Matthew 19:20), then Jesus preached just the opposite of the Copelands and those like them!

Shame on you, Gloria and Kenneth Copeland!