Monthly Archives: July 2010

(Community Matters) Steven sent this pic from the Forbidden City. He connected with our friends John Erik Metcalf & Will Roman today.

John Erik, Steven & Will – evidently quite a few residents wanted pics with tall white guys

(Community Matters) ADL sometimes suffers from megalomanic leadership. Not sure why the national leadership felt a need to weigh in on the issue of a Ground Zero mosque and hope those reading the headlines will read further to note that it condemns all anti-Muslim rhetoric.

(Community Matters) NYTimes article about declining numbers in Boy Scouts. I’ve never organized against them or tried dissuading anyone from supporting them – heck, I was a boy scout.  And, they should discontinue their practice of discriminating against gay members.

This brings back too vivid a conversation with two relatives.  I remember when they explained that I couldn’t challenge their religious principles condemning homosexuality as immoral. It’s been nearly 12 years, and I still regret not explicitly rebutting that assertion. I’ve learned that a good test is replacing “homosexuals” with “White people,” “Christians,” “Blacks,” “Jews,” “Mexicans,” any other demographic.  If we wouldn’t tolerate a statement with any of those nouns, then don’t with any form of LGBT.  If you do, you are wrong and a bigot – perhaps a loving, otherwise compassionate person who I may love; nevertheless, a bigot.

(Community Matters) up for a long weekend with my very dear friend, Barbara Woghlemuth. Arrived late afternoon, dinner at home, long chats on the deck – reminiscing about friends, especially Barbara’s late partner and my dear friend Kay Longcope.  Met Barbara & Kay in 1992 when they started the Texas Triangle. It was a courageous and pioneering business venture, the first Texas LGBT weekly, a source of pride for so many of us around the state. We’ve been very close ever since and have shared a lot of life experiences.  They knew Steven before I did.  I still break out in smile remembering how happy they were when we got together.

from Barbara’s in N. Truro.  That’s P-Town across the harbor

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There are two iconic sayings in our small circle – “Everyone needs to find their Kay,” and “Kay & Barbara, Tom & Michael, and Steven & Eugene.” And, in fact, the Kays, Toms and Stevens need to find their Barbaras too.

Looking forward to a day on the beach and dinner with Hal McIntosh & Eric Varity.

(Community Matters) Very successful event last night.  Congrats to all the steering committee, especially to hosts Jason Berkowitz & Matt.  Heaps of people there – all ages, all faiths.

Michael Barnes, Shana Metcalf, Jason Berkowitz & Jason Mittman

Yigal Saad, Ben Kogut

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(Community Matters) From my friends at the New America Foundation

Senators Schumer and Dodd jointly introduced the ASPIRE Act. The bill supports one of our flagship proposals– to create a universal system of accounts-at-birth which are progressively funded and would enable children and their families to pursue higher education, responsible homeownership, and a more secure retirement. The time has come for a major public discussion about the way we plan for retirement, support savings and encourage homeownership. We look forward to that discussion and believe the ASPIRE Act can play a critical role in helping promote a more responsible, sustainable system.

(Community Matters) Shocked and saddened Ken Gladish is leaving ACF after only 2.5 years; the board and organization invested a lot in Ken and his brand in Central Texas.  Happy for Ken, Kendal & Seton.  He’ll make a great addition to their Central Texas team, and I’m sure he’ll make many more contributions to this community.

(Community Matters) Woke up still thinking about the grilled quail & barbacoa. Dinner last night with Steve Adler & Kirk Rudy at La Sombra Bar & Grill.  (noticed both Lew Aldridge & Roger Joseph also back within a week – good endorsements since both foodies) Tonight the special is their seafood stew – omg, this is the to-die-for.

I’d go back again tonight if  I wasn’t already booked for ADL True Colors.

(Community Matters) After 79 years, Jaime’s Spanish Village shuts down 7/30.  Of course we had to go back one last time, though 3 of our guests think they’d never been – Melissa Henderson, Tana Christie & Jill McRae.

Clint, Melissa, Drew Valcourt, Michael Mitchell, Milinda Mitchell, Stephen Yelenosky, Robert Torian, Charles Christie, Jill, Tana, Lily & Joe Christie

The Village never was first about the food, though the enchiladas are passable. Pitchers of frozen ritas topped off with a sangria shooter – we need more places selling margs by the pitcher.  And, as many Austin high schoolers and undergraduates have recalled, they didn’t scrutinized IDs very rigorously

Michael Mitchell mentions in Squirrels

(Community Matters) U.Va. study: Adoptive children of lesbian and gay couples developing well

“In a sample of 106 adoptive children living in different parts of the United States, youngsters were developing well regardless of whether they were living with lesbian, gay or heterosexual parenting couples. The study found that whether or not adoptive children were developing in positive ways was unrelated to the sexual orientation of their adoptive parents. The finding appears in the August issue of the journal Applied Developmental Science. “We found that children adopted by lesbian and gay couples are thriving,” said U.Va. psychology professor Charlotte J. Patterson, who led the study. “Our results provide no justification for denying lesbian or gay prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to adopt children. With thousands of children in need of permanent homes in the United States alone, our findings suggest that outreach to lesbian and gay prospective adoptive parents might benefit children who are in need.”

hat tip: Towelroad

(Community Matters) Seriously, me?  An Austin Fashion Awards critic voter . . .  well, someone appreciates my 16 copies (8 colors) of the same Neiman’s linen casual shirt after all

of  course John Hogg for best male model 🙂

(Community Matters) Having returned from touring Port au Prince and northern provinces of Haiti, reflecting over the weekend:  the situation is both encouraging and heart-breaking.  Encouraging in how much the NGOs to which we’ve granted & others are doing, the resiliency of the Haitian people so obvious in the amount of commercial activity, organizing in camps, slow but continuous removal of rubble, and the lack of outbreak of major disease among the 1.5mm+ displaced Haitians.  Heart-breaking in the circumstances most Haitians still find themselves, the slowness of government and ministry recovery, and the violence in camps – especially gender-based violence.

Yet, I’ve returned more optimistic.  There are enormous assumptions in any predictions for rebuilding stronger and better – stability of government being the predominant one, and the adoption of common visions for the country’s rebuilding being but one of the others.

I’ve assessed that we’ve invested the HelpHaiti monies wisely; thanks mostly to Philip Berber, we selected the right partners.  I’m encouraged by my visits to Concern Worldwide, Fonkoze and Partners in Health.  Regrettably, I didn’t have time to meet with  Catholic Relief Services.

Thinking about how we invest/grant our final monies and whether or not we should raise more.  Thoughts veer to focusing remainder of assistance on specific residents in a specific camp. Wondering if by seeding innovative collaboration with new (to Haiti) incentives for parents to continuously and sustainably prioritize elementary & middle school education for their children and healthcare & wellness as well as opportunities for families to earn a living, we might be able to effect more sustainable change, better futures.

Much more thought and conversation needs to happen – with my fellow grant committee members, our donors and our partner agencies – before we make any decisions.  Thoughts and comments appreciated.