Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) Coming to Washington DC

(Community Matters) Saw one of these on Andy Miller’s LIVESTRONG band and like it. Good extra form of ID in emergency

The id part slips off and onto other wrist bands easily – MyRoadID – coupon #: ThanksEugene11401819 (for a  discount) they send a coupon with the order acknowledgement

(Community Matters) The Austin Modern Home Tour this weekend

(Community Matters) a Lambda list

(Community Matters) Marriage passed Washington’s senate, is expected to easily pass their house next week, and the legislation authorizing marriage between same sex couples is supported by Governor Christine Gregoire who’s pledged to sign the bill. Washington will be the sixth state in addition to the District of Columbia where gays and lesbians enjoy equality in marriage. The other states are: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa.

(Community Matters) here’s what our dear friend Greg Rickel, the Bishop of Seattle has to say:

It seems to me we have held our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in a “catch-22″.  We say they cannot live up to our value because they cannot be married, or even blessed in their union.  While many of them have begged for this, it is still not possible.    What they ask of us, the church and the government, is to put boundaries around their relationship, to hold them in the same regard and with the same respect, which would also mean that we expect the same from them.  They are not asking for special treatment.  They are asking for equal treatment.   They are asking to be accountable, as a couple, in community.  To me, this is a conservative proposal.  I am for it, and I hope we will finally make way for this to happen, not only in our society, but also in our church. His full blog post

(Community Matters) What a great birthday bash – gospel singing program at Sweet Hill Missionary Baptist Church, a tour of the new home (next door) and savory & sweet treats from Megan at Spoon & Co. Margaret Keys celebrated her 70th in true Margaret style – in the hood, in her favorite community space with friends & family.

Lots and lots of friends there including: Michael Mitchell, Nancy Scanlan, BeeAnn Smith, Barbara Miller, Nancy, Keith, Emma & Max Graves, Janine Sagert, Lee, Jenn, Gabriella and Giulia Walker, Jeff Sandefer, Nancy Giordano, Jenn Spencer, Shawna Butler, JoLynn Free, Lavada & Jim Steed, David Smith & Skot Tulk, good gosh, and about 75 more

(Community Matters) I don’t have details but learned earlier today that Tim Young’s (attorney) & Trisha Young Brown’s (CEO, hospital district) son Joel Young passed away in the last few weeks. He was living in Colorado.

Joel’s older brother, Jared, passed away in late 2009

(Community Matters) In early Dec, I mentioned Mike Maples & Roger McNamee’s Hypernet Blog.

Mike’s recent article: Catching the Next Tech Wave in today’s AAS.

(Community Matters) Russ Gregory’s first novel, Blue, is . . . well, you won’t believe it’s a first novel. Gay mystery, complex, interwoven, multi-storied, and the setting is Austin, especially NUNA, Hyde Park & downtown. I’m sure he’s already working on the next – hoping it might be a series. I’d like to see what develops in Austin with Matt & Thatcher.

While reading this novel, I caught myself reflecting on whether or not the LGBT community shares any responsibility for the behavior of gay bashers. If most gay bashers are latent homosexuals or suffer gender identity crises, could we as a community do more for these sick people? I decided no – no we don’t share any blame for their criminal behaviors. No, undoubtedly the rhetoric of bigots who flame the hate is more to blame. Yet, I’m still thinking  . . . could we do more.

(Community Matters) Robert Kagan, The New Republic, “Not Fade Away: The myth of American decline”

Hat Tip: Politico Playbook

(Community Matters) Huff Post: Allen West To Liberals: Get the Hell Out Of The U.S.

This especially irks me because it is vividly reminiscent of what what two men told me & Margo. We served on the steering committee of a supposedly transformational community initiative. An MLK Foundation consultant had somehow mesmerized experienced and dedicated long time community leaders. Can’t remember the consultant’s name now but the king had on no clothes. Margo & I got this and inadequately tried communicating it to the steering committee. Seriously, when you actually listened to the words of the otherwise silver tongued charlatan, they said nothing about how, just painted a compelling picture of what. After being told to get on board or resign, we resigned.