Cute bears say: Vote "NO" on Proposition 8

Big Day for Obama

The GOP is going to have to work much harder to steal this one now. 

Small Town Gay Bar

You have to rent this great, award-winning documentary (Or buy it). We watched it last night courtesy of Netflix. Maybe it resonates more with us gay folks who come from the Bible Belt and small-town America, but even city slickers will get into it. You think it's brave to be out of the closet in a big city? These rural gays from Mississippi are really the brave ones.

The documentary depicts several small-town bars and the lives of their patrons. One bar -- the Crossroads -- seemed like a wild, dangerous, and almost other-worldly wonderland snuggled away in the woods.

Now that Jesse Helms has thankfully departed this Earth, the Reverend Fred Phelps takes his place as psycho-gay hater du jour. At least no one's electing Phelps to public office...yet.

Don't forget the bonus features. You're treated to the film's producer Kevin Smith (my new hero) explaining why he's not really a bi-curious bear (Mmm hmmm) and what he would do if he were allowed a one-time pass at being gay without being labeled. Look for Kevin on your next trip to the Faultline, my bear mates. Oh, and the film's director is an uber-bear. I could feel my "husband's" temperature rise when he came on the screen.

Enjoy.

My Little Brother Marries His Husband

Just before the holiday my little brother married his "husband" of 17 years, enabling him to remove the quotation marks when he calls him his husband.

San Francisco City Hall made the perfect spot for this. First of all, it's beautiful. And also the history of that place resonates when you're inside. A sculpture of Harvey Milk looked on as they said their vows. Now, someday maybe my "husband" and I can remove our quotation marks there. That would make me happy.

The Brain Lady Says Good-Bye To Her Left Hemisphere

What's it feel like to have a stroke?

Jill's TED Talk

Here's a great TED talk by a neuroscientist describing the effects of a devastating stroke. She's also been promoting her book about the experience on Fresh Air with Terry Gross: Listen here.

The TED Talk gets a little too kooky spiritual in places, but it's fascinating to see the neurological origins of religious type experiences.

Why can't we have health insurance for everyone?

Just in case you're wondering -- and feeling cheated because you live in the wealthiest country in the world and still don't have health insurance -- this PBS documentary explains how other capitalist democracies (they're not the same thing, W) manage to extend healthcare to every citizen. Imagine being able to change jobs anytime you want without worrying about your health insurance.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/

It's a public television version of "Sicko."

Stay healthy.

t

The Boy Scouts vs. God

I heard the news today about the horrible tornado that struck the Boy Scouts camping in western Iowa. I'm saddened by the deaths and injuries. I'm also glad no gays or atheists were affected since the Scouts don't allow either to join their organization.

It doesn't take much to imagine what the televangelists and the Christian Industry would be crowing about if the tornado had struck a gay pride march or festival instead. Sunday's sermons would trumpet how a vengeful lord punishes the sinners -- just like John McCain's boy Pastor Hagee claimed Katrina struck New Orleans for the same reason.

Will this force the financial supporters (sheep) of these religious fanatics to question their relentless anti-gay dogma?