Hello and welcome to my blog* (short for web log - think: an online diary of sorts). Besides using the site to keep my family and friends up-to-date with my comings and goings, my goal is to use this site as a way to level the playing field between the "gays" and the "straights" in the U.S. - proving, once and for all, that we ("the gays") are just like everyone else... leading normal, boring lives and attending to things like laundry, making lunches, picking schools for our kids, trying to save money for a vacation, etc. So,
welcome!

Now, on to business. While I originally wanted to start a blog to air my thoughts and feelings about riding public transportation in Philadelphia ("out with the bad air, in with the good"), I realized recently -- ok, last night when Bushie called us all "sinners" -- that I have a lot more to say about the "real" State of our Union... what most of us Americans experience every day, not from our high horses on the hill.

Since I'm about to turn the big 4-oh (and proud of it, thank you very much), I've taken on the new mantra (thanks to Aunt Jo) of, "Life is short. Go ahead and eat the ice cream cone!" Roughly translated to mean, say what needs to be said, do what you've always wanted to do, why wait until tomorrow?

Thus, I've booked my flight to Vegas to vacation with my family, I'm taking off early on Monday to celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday, and, I'm gonna say what needs to be said. Today, it is this (with big props to my girl, MarcyParm): "With all the poverty, homelessness, lack of health insurance, and sadness in the world, not to mention the "war" and its needless deaths, the violence in our homes and on our streets, alcoholism, unemployment, child abuse, and on and on. . . where are our leaders?"

Bushie (didn't vote for him), Rick (him neither), that Rep. in Colorado (didn't have the chance not to vote for her)...they gotta pick on "the gays" (and I use that term affectionately)? I am offended. I'm gonna fight back. Write my letters. Call my elected officials. And, write. Just to put it out there - "I'm here, I'm queer, I have a family". . . all we (gays) want is to live decent lives, make a decent wage, have some health insurance, take care of our kids, not get spit at or frowned upon or beat up. Look out world, here we come!

= = =

Ok, me again. Just had to, see, 'cuz I listen to NPR all day and they are "reporting" that the Vatican has -- oh, my! -- come out against gay marriage. As if we didn't know this. So, the Vatican wrote a new report. That pope, he has nothing better to do either?

Now mind you, those Catholics can believe whatever they want. This IS America, land of the free and all, weren't we formed by oppressed persons yearning to be free -- of religious oppression!

But when the pope goes as far as to tell Catholic lawmakers to vote against any sort of gay marriage legislation; well, isn't that lobbying, I ask you? There's gotta be a law against that, somewheres. Although, I'm pretty sure the pope thinks he is "above the law" (unintentional reference to the bad Steven Seagal movie of the same name).

So, the pope can say these things - and the Catholics will fear that they will burn in hell if they don't vote like he sez - and, in the meantime, the hatred that is spewed forth surely breaks commandment or two. Or, if it's in the name of Christ, I guess that's okay? Now, I DO know that if any "church or religious organization devotes a substantial part of their activities to attempt to influence legislation," they may jeopardize their non-profit tax exempt status. Of course, the question is always -- how much is "substantial"?

Most of us understand that it's very hard to go against the "teachings" of your church - one of the reasons there's so many screwed up, Recovering Catholics in the world. It's like a brainwashing. That power & control the Church has over folks - it's a scary thing. So, speak out. Stand up. I implore you. If your church, your church leaders, use their pulpits to lobby or urge YOU to lobby against gay and lesbian legislation, call the IRS. 1-800-829-0433.