And Speaking of the United Nations--U.S. to Join Declaration Decriminalizing Gays!

Really, I wish I didn't even have to post on these things--but this is good news! After the Bush administration refused to give U.S. approval to a UN declaration calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality around the world, Obama has said he will! Finally, a president who has some sense!

Here's an excerpt:

"We join with the other supporters of this statement and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people ..." said a White House official, who added that the U.S. was concerned about "violence and human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual individuals" and was also "troubled by the criminalization of sexual orientation in many countries."

Bet they're talking about Burundi, which I posted on back in 2008. I find it so surreal that places like this still exist. Thank you, whatever gods there are that I wasn't born there! Just this week, 20,000 people marched in Burundi--in favor of making homosexuality a criminal offense! Hmmm, guess Burundi gets crossed off the list for the next White Party.

So much fear, so much drama and so unnecessary...

And Speaking of the United Nations--U.S. to Join Declaration Decriminalizing Gays!

Really, I wish I didn't even have to post on these things--but this is good news! After the Bush administration refused to give U.S. approval to a UN declaration calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality around the world, Obama has said he will! Finally, a president who has some sense!

Here's an excerpt:

"We join with the other supporters of this statement and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people ..." said a White House official, who added that the U.S. was concerned about "violence and human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual individuals" and was also "troubled by the criminalization of sexual orientation in many countries."

Bet they're talking about Burundi, which I posted on back in 2008. I find it so surreal that places like this still exist. Thank you, whatever gods there are that I wasn't born there! Just this week, 20,000 people marched in Burundi--in favor of making homosexuality a criminal offense! Hmmm, guess Burundi gets crossed off the list for the next White Party.

So much fear, so much drama and so unnecessary...

Collision of Worlds! "Battlestar Galactica" Lands at the United Nations

No, it's not a Cylon invasion--although there are some critics out there who may think the UN is run by robots. Just some Battlestar Galactica creators and actors heading to the UN to discuss heady stuff like human rights, armed conflict and terrorism.

Kind of odd having actors do this, but hey, with the moral quandaries the actors have brought to life on the show, why not? The UN needs all the help it can get. Besides, these actors aren't any worse than you or I spouting off about these things. We need Mary McDonnell (Roslin) to show 'em how it's done anyway!

Even odder, Whoopie Goldberg is moderator! Who better for that job than Guinan?! (I miss her.)

Only 3 days left til the end! Will you be ready??

Collision of Worlds! "Battlestar Galactica" Lands at the United Nations

No, it's not a Cylon invasion--although there are some critics out there who may think the UN is run by robots. Just some Battlestar Galactica creators and actors heading to the UN to discuss heady stuff like human rights, armed conflict and terrorism.

Kind of odd having actors do this, but hey, with the moral quandaries the actors have brought to life on the show, why not? The UN needs all the help it can get. Besides, these actors aren't any worse than you or I spouting off about these things. We need Mary McDonnell (Roslin) to show 'em how it's done anyway!

Even odder, Whoopie Goldberg is moderator! Who better for that job than Guinan?! (I miss her.)

Only 3 days left til the end! Will you be ready??

Ecuador: The New Gay Travel Destination (I'm thinking of moving there myself)

Well, maybe not actually moving to Ecuador (I can hardly get my partner to out of state much less out of country!), but given all the ruckus over Rick Warren leading prayer during Obama's inauguration, it's nice to entertain these daydreams.

Why is Ecuador so great for gays? Back in September, the country's new Constitution guaranteed civil unions and other protections! That's right, this small country on the Pacific coast of South America (home to the Galapagos Islands) has done what the big ol' freedom-loving' U.S. can't seem to accomplish.

But it isn't just words on paper, not for Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa. In the wake of the recent beating death in New York City of Jose Osvaldo Suchuzhanay (a Ecuadorean immigrant), Correa said:

"We will fight together ... to forever uproot these aberrations of certain maladjusted [individuals], uproot them from the face of the earth, from humanity: Xenophobia, homophobia and all kinds of discrimination, all kinds of violence."

(Suchuzhanay, incidentally, was not gay but his American attackers apparently mistook he and his brother for a gay couple.)

Imagine an American president saying similar words. Yeah, we'll just have to imagine (are you listening, Obama?) because our present government can't even sign the recent United Nations Gay Rights Resolution.

So Ecuador is looking better and better. And if I were this woman below, I'd be kissing Correa, too!

Ecuador: The New Gay Travel Destination (I'm thinking of moving there myself)

Well, maybe not actually moving to Ecuador (I can hardly get my partner to out of state much less out of country!), but given all the ruckus over Rick Warren leading prayer during Obama's inauguration, it's nice to entertain these daydreams.

Why is Ecuador so great for gays? Back in September, the country's new Constitution guaranteed civil unions and other protections! That's right, this small country on the Pacific coast of South America (home to the Galapagos Islands) has done what the big ol' freedom-loving' U.S. can't seem to accomplish.

But it isn't just words on paper, not for Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa. In the wake of the recent beating death in New York City of Jose Osvaldo Suchuzhanay (a Ecuadorean immigrant), Correa said:

"We will fight together ... to forever uproot these aberrations of certain maladjusted [individuals], uproot them from the face of the earth, from humanity: Xenophobia, homophobia and all kinds of discrimination, all kinds of violence."

(Suchuzhanay, incidentally, was not gay but his American attackers apparently mistook he and his brother for a gay couple.)

Imagine an American president saying similar words. Yeah, we'll just have to imagine (are you listening, Obama?) because our present government can't even sign the recent United Nations Gay Rights Resolution.

So Ecuador is looking better and better. And if I were this woman below, I'd be kissing Correa, too!