California's Rally for Equal Marriage Rights

The "Love is Love" video posted above is from Equality California Institute. They are promoting a project called "Let California Ring". It is a project to educate the public about the freedom to marry. Follow the link below to their web page and click on "find out more" followed by "facts". Scroll down close to the end of the page and you will find what rights are not afforded to gay and lesbian couples by not allowing legal marriage. After that you will also find some interesting statistics taken in a 2000 Census. This is one of the statistics mentioned; "There are an estimated 3.1 million people living together in gay or lesbian relationships in the United States." (n.a.l., 2007)

Island Dyke

Reference:

No Author Listed. (2007). Let California Ring. Retrieved on December 06, 2007 from
http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3554233/k.C3D3/Videos/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp

Being a GLBT Parent in Saipan

I recently wished all of you a happy Thanksgiving Holiday and then dove right into the celebration of our son's first birthday. He turned the big one on November 28th and we, both mommies, took the day off to celebrate the happy occasion. This was followed up with a big party on Saturday with hamburgers and hotdogs. For our daughter's first birthday, who is now three, we had a very small party. (It is recommend one child guest for every year the child is) However, this time we decided when the child is only one years old the party really is for the parents, not the child. Additionally, in this community we have been invited to many children's birthday parties and they are usually full of lots of adults and children. One tends to feel obligated to invite all of those who have invited you to their children's birthday party, not to mention if you invite one you have to invite all as word gets around. Ultimately you still miss inviting people out of pure short-sidedness and hope in the end to not have offended too many.

This leads me into talking about how it is to be a GLBT parent living in Saipan. I have only known of three other GLBT parents here is Saipan. (one gay local couple, one gay mainland couple, and one lesbian Asian couple) When I think of there being four GLBT parent couples (that I know of) in Saipan it makes me think it must be a fairly supportive environment. Yes there isn't any GLBT parent clubs or social support groups. However, I do not feel as if my life is in danger or feel contempt from others living around me which can happen living in other places. I can say that 99% of me feel's just like everyone else. The one percent that doesn't was based on less than a hand-full of experiences here in the past seven years. Living in those places where one does feel a threat it is important to have support groups however, living here I do not feel different from others and that need isn't so important. Every now and then I do miss the GLBT community support group though because it is nice to be around people like myself.

Island Dyke

Thanksgiving Cheer

Hi all,

Hope your having a nice Thanksgiving Holiday. I just completed my course on musculoskeletal physical therapy and can finally relax and have a nice holiday with the family. Sorry for neglecting this blog. I'm headed back for more desert and snuggling up for a movie with the honey. But not to leave you empty-handed I found this gem of a story on line....worthy of sharing.

David L. Wylie shares his story titled "My First Gay Thanksgiving: Trading Indians & Pilgrims for Drag Queens & Lesbians". Check it out, it really is touching. http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/view_press_release.php?rID=36501


Happy Thanksgiving,

Island Dyke

UN panel talks international GLBT discrimination issues

Last month the United Nations hosted a panel discussion to explore GLBT issues of discrimination. The event was co-sponsored by Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The event was scheduled to discuss the Yogyakarta Principles. (Grew, 2007)

I have been busy the past month, surviving personal and family illnesses and amongst a pile of doctoral studies that I have not kept up on the latest GLBT news. I have to admit I had not heard of the Yogyakarta Principles. Please take some time to follow the link in the references and read them. These individuals from 29 different countries are real heroes for human rights in my book.


"Q. What are the Yogyakarta Principles? The Yogyakarta Principles are a set of principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Principles affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply. They promise a different future where all people born free and equal in dignity and rights can fulfil that precious birthright." (PRINCIPLES, 2007)

Island Dyke

Reference:

Grew, T. (2007) United Nations hosts LGBT rights panel. pinknews.co.uk. Retrieved on November 7, 2007 from http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5987.html.

PRINCIPLES (2007) WWW The Yogyakarta Principles: The Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Retrieved on November 7, 2007 from http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/principles_en.htm.

Monthly poll results: Is it nobodies business?

Ok, so the monthly poll tallies are in AND....(drum roll please) results for: Should prominent community figures in Saipan be held accountable to be honest about their sexual orientation?

• 75% say it's really no ones business
• 15% say no
• 10% say not sure

Well, one thing you can be sure of is that over on www.saipanmiddleroad.com there is a heated debate as to whether Nahal, a teacher/actor resident here in Saipan, has scruples as she did an acting job for a local political parties television advertisement. Nahal, after being railed, responds that she didn't get paid and that she did it to add credits to her resume which needed some bolstering up for when she sheds this island in search of future employment.

My question is: Would these individuals, who are pointing out and accusing Nahal of having no scruples, continue on if they learned she actually does support that political party? And would these individuals be in agreement with the 75% above saying it really is no ones business when it comes to sharing one's sexuality? Is there a double standard for something's? I feel like I'm starting to sound a little like Harry B. in sharing "some food for thought". (LOL)

Thanks to the writers over at saipanmiddleroad for spotlighting my site this week.

Island Dyke

GLBT Teenagers

So did any of you read the GLBT History Month's presentation of Virginia Uribe on day 15? Some of you, who may be school teachers, may have heard of Project 10. Virgina was a science teacher and school counselor in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She founded Project 10, a drop-out prevention program for the GLBT teens, after seeing the problems that these students endure. Since the 1984 birth of Project 10 many of the aspects of Project 10 have been incorporated in high schools across the nation. She received the National Education Association's Annual Human and Civil Rights Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights in 1992. Currently she is the Executive Director of Friends of Project 10, Inc. This is a nonprofit program that assists with lobbying for educational issues and assisting with gay and lesbian proms. Her famous quote is: "As long as I have a breath in me, I will continue to fight for the rights of gay and lesbian students." (GLBTHISTORYMONTH, 22nd)

After reading about the gay and lesbian prom, it took me back to some memories of living in San Diego. I use to volunteer at the North County Gay and Lesbian Center from time to time and an opportunity came up to volunteer as a chaperone at a gay and lesbian prom down in San Diego's Hillcrest community. Now some of you may be thinking why does there need to be a gay and lesbian prom? I have to say until you have walked in another's shoes please don't judge. The happiness that these teens had was evident on their faces. The individuality they all shared openly I could only imagine felt safe and satisfying. Until society is more excepting of the GLBT individuals within our communities then perhaps these events are needed.

Island Dyke


Reference:

GLBTHISTORYMONTH 22nd WWW 2007. Retrieved on October 22, 2007 from
http://www.glbthistorymonth.com/glbthistorymonth/2007/icon.cfm?LeaderID=15&tab=bio

Celebrating Coming Out Day

The PT's from CHC celebrated "Coming Out Day" last week together in the colors of the rainbow. Can you guess which one is coming out? (HINT) You have seen her on this blog site before.

Island Dyke