text:
In Socrates Tenured: The Institutions of 21st-Century Philosophy, Robert Frodeman and Adam Briggle offer a diagnosis and remedy for the malaise currently gripping the study of philosophy, advocating a 'field philosophy' that aims to break free of the strictures of its disciplinary and departmental settings that have led to accusations of insularity and irrelevance. While suggesting that the authors' claims are particularly applicable to Anglo-American rather than continental strands of contemporary philosophy, this is a lively and provocative attempt to shake up the field that should prompt wider debate, writes Stephen Howard.
Socrates Tenured: The Institutions of 21st-Century Philosophy. Robert Frodeman and Adam Briggle. Rowman and Littlefield. 2016.
Funding is being cut from humanities departments. Tenure-track jobs in philosophy are drying up. Governments and funding bodies are increasingly demanding that the research they fund delivers clear and measurable 'impact'. Our globalised, technoscientific culture is throwing up a host of urgent ethical, political, even existential questions. Any answers we have come from technocrats or Silicon Valley technologists, futurists and entrepreneurs. In this context, the mainstream of philosophy is failing to address its own impending crisis or enter these major discussions. Philosophers are indulging in insular debates on narrow topics, writing only for their peers: the result of a natural-scientific academic model that encourages intense specialisation.
This, crudely put, is the bleak context that Robert Frodeman and Adam Briggle present at the outset of their lively and provocative new book. In response, Socrates Tenured: The Institutions of 21st-Century Philosophy offers an argument for a reconceived conception of philosophy for the twenty-first century. The thesis can be summarised as follows: philosophy must escape its primarily departmental setting and its primarily disciplinary nature to become 'field philosophy'. The argument emerges through the book's curious layered structure. The general thesis is stated upfront, with layers of support and detail added by the subsequent chapters. This structure risks being repetitive, but the quality of the writing prevents the reiteration of the core thesis from becoming tedious, and the central notion of 'field philosophy' shimmers into shape by the penultimate chapter of the book.
Part One diagnoses the current crisis in philosophy as double-edged. On the one hand, the discipline finds itself in an institutional setting – the neoliberal university – that is increasingly hostile to the prevailing model of philosophy. In a world of shrinking budgets and ever greater demands for return on investment and direct societal impact, professional philosophy's self-conception as the pursuit of disinterested, pure thought for its own sake seems increasingly passé. On the other hand, the mainstream of philosophy is failing to engage with the major questions of our times. The debate over our technological modernity takes place in magazines and blogs, in what the authors call our 'latter-day Republic of Letters'. Insofar as academics are consulted for help with answers to contemporary societal challenges, it is scientists and economists who tend to be called upon.
Image Credit: Philosophy Building Detail USC (Den Martinez Photography CC BY 2.0)
Part Two evaluates three attempts to remedy this predicament. These are the 'applied philosophy' that first appeared in the 1980s, environmental ethics and bioethics. Only the latter provides a salutary example for Frodeman and Briggle's field philosophy, which is finally outlined in Part Three.
What, then, is field philosophy? It would see philosophers 'escaping the department'. They would move between the university and non-academic sites: NGOs, laboratories, community groups, businesses, think tanks, policy units, and so on. Philosophers may be institutionally based in other departments: medicine, law, the sciences; or they might yo-yo between a philosophy department and wider society. This physical movement would be mirrored by an intellectual one: instead of consisting of closed debates among specialists, the content of the field philosopher's work would to a great extent be given by the needs of the non-academic field to which they are seconded. Frodeman and Briggle envisage the field philosopher in a dialectical movement, in both mind and body: between urgent, given problems and considered, rational reflection; and between the 'fray' of non-academic sites and the 'armchair' of the university. As the title shows, this represents a return to a Socratic ideal of the philosopher, embedded in the polis and attuned to the needs of their time.
Frodeman and Briggle acknowledge that this might be seen as a capitulation to neoliberal demands for immediate economic utility. True, many of their statements about the 'hand-waving' response of professional philosophy to the demands for increased accountability are not as far from neoliberal critiques of the 'useless' humanities as they might be. There is a much-cherished idea that the very conduct of non-utilitarian, specialised humanities research itself represents a performative resistance to a neoliberal agenda. But the authors' main point is that philosophy should be more pluralistic. Alongside 'pure' philosophical work – which might continue in the wealthiest universities, most independent of external pressures – Frodeman and Briggle wish to see alternative models of the figure of the philosopher, which can include the non-disciplinary field philosopher.
Yet a potentially important issue not broached by the authors is: what gives the philosopher the right to pronounce on societal, non-academic issues? Without explicit justification, philosophers appear to risk suggesting that it is simply because we think we're smart. Admittedly, Frodeman and Briggle insist that the field philosopher's engagement should be 'interstitial, horizontal, and reciprocal', and they give an example of a modest, semi-successful philosophical mediation between community groups and utility companies in a debate over an environmental energy plan.
Nevertheless, such a justification of the philosopher's input seems to me necessary, and I have two suggestions. Firstly, we might point to the resources that philosophical history offers those who have studied it. This is not just the common, narrow defence of secondary school philosophy as providing tools for logical analysis. Rather, we might point to the synthetic approach to previous systems and ideas that characterises thinkers from Aquinas to Kant to Deleuze. A further resource is the sensitivity to rhetoric and context-sensitive argument, which we see in philosophers like Leibniz or Arendt.
Secondly, we might indicate recent examples of philosophical public intellectuals, who do indeed conceive of their work as an engagement with given societal problems. I am thinking not of purveyors of inoffensive, philosophically-tinged panaceas, such as Alain de Botton, but instead the likes of Foucault or the Frankfurt school. Both of these points serve to underline the fact that it is particularly contemporary Anglo-American analytic philosophy that is the target of Frodeman and Briggle's critique. While the authors acknowledge that the predominant Anglo-American, disciplinary version of continental philosophy has also become inward-facing and exegetical, we might emphasise that the engaged 'field philosopher' is perhaps not such a new figure but was rather active in pre-war, wartime and post-war France and Germany, and has not yet died in the French-speaking world (and tiny pockets of other countries), at least.
Nonetheless, Socrates Tenured offers a bold diagnosis of philosophy's malaise and a proposed means to escape it: whatever your view of the proposals, they are worth exploring and debating – even, perhaps, outside of the academy.
Stephen Howard is currently completing a PhD at the Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy, Kingston University London, on Kant and the philosophical-scientific concept of 'force'.
Note: This review gives the views of the author, and not the position of the LSE Review of Books blog, or of the London School of Economics.


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This beautiful verse, Revelation 21:4, gives us a glimpse into the new Jerusalem where God will wipe away ALL tears from our eyes (regardless of why our tears appear), and where there is no more death, sorrow or crying. So, not only will God personally wipe away our tears, but He will ensure that no more tears come to our eyes (for any reason whatsoever). It also tells us that it will be a place where there is absolutely NO PAIN of any kind, and that ALL former things are passed away (sin, pain, sadness, etc.). The place that God has prepared for us is wonderful, and just this small glimpse of what it will be is enough to get any saved person excited. If you don't know FOR SURE that YOU will spend eternity in Heaven with God, we encourage you to settle it today. It's not, as some people think, "arrogant" to say that you know FOR SURE you're going to Heaven. It's something God wants us to know, with great certainty. It's not because of us or anything we have done or possibly could do on our own because we are sinful. It's because of Him, and what He did on the cross by giving Himself as the perfect and only worthy sacrifice for our sins. Just call on Him today, ask Him to be your Lord, confess your sinfulness, ask Him into your life, and....that's it! He died FOR YOU (and for me), and He wants us all to KNOW that this wonderful eternal life in Heaven with Him FOREVER is waiting for YOU, and for ME, and for sinners just like US!
As always, you are welcome to save the free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges. We welcome you share your all your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards). You may link up to five (5) projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning. It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you as we share it. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules". Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to our guidelines. Please know that this doesn't mean we are judging anyone. We're simply attempting to honor God and follow His rules. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Welcome to your website!
This is your homepage. To edit it and your other site content, head to the site manager.
When you're ready, add new pages and choose which add-ons (Guestbook, Photo Album, Forum, Poll, etc.) you'd like to enable.
Personalize your site design by choosing different colors, menu layouts, logo or backgrounds ... or change it all in one go by applying a ready-made design theme. You can access these settings from the Settings > Design menu of your site manager.
Last edited: 20/10/2022


text:
The truth about conditionals
If. If is a long word in English. It may only have two letters, but placing those two letters in a sentence completely changes the meaning of that sentence. These kinds of sentences in English are often referred to as conditional sentences. Conditionals are used by every English speaker, and every English learner studies them at some point. Sometimes though, the rules aren't as clear as you might think. If you'd like to learn more, then read on...
The rules
Let's look first at the established and accepted rules. The English Language is often said to have three types of conditional sentence: the first conditional, the second conditional and the third conditional. How familiar are you with these terms? The forms below may seem familiar:
1. First Conditional (If + Present Simple..., ... will + verb)
The First Conditional is used to talk about events that may possibly happen in the future.
Example: If the weather is nice, I'll go for a walk.
2. Second Conditional (If + Past Simple ..., ... would + verb)
The Second Conditional is used to talk about what you would generally do in imaginary situations.
Example: If they worked harder, they would earn more money.
3. Third Conditional (If + Past Perfect …, … would have + past participle)
The third conditional is used when we are talking about the past and imagining something different from what actually happened.
Example: If I had known, I would have helped.
So, three types of conditionals and three very clear uses.
The truth
Although it is undoubtedly useful to learn about these structures, the reality is that there are more than just three conditional structures. Many more. It's almost impossible to say how many different forms we have. Look at these examples below. What type of conditionals do you think they are?
1. If I went to Egypt, I could learn Arabic.
2. If she had had time, she might have gone to the party.
3. Whenever that happens, you must tell me immediately.
4. When you plant them in rows, they grow better.
5. If he never returns, I would not be greatly surprised.
6. If she had been born in the United States, she wouldn't need a visa to work here.
7. If the sun were shining, I would go to the beach.
8. If I went to a friend's house for dinner in Japan, I usually took a bottle of wine or some flowers.
9. When I was homeless I'd get up about 10 or 11. If I had no money I'd go shopliffting.
10. It'll be a miracle if I make it (to the White House) but God is still in the miracle business.
Some of them look familiar. For example, number 1, 2 and 3 simply replace would/will with another modal verb. Do you notice any change in the meaning? Number 3 also uses whenever instead of if to mean every time. Number 4 is often called the zero conditional, and is used for things that are usually true all the time.
Number 5 and 6 are interesting in that the speaker mixes conditional structures (the first and second and the second and third respectively). This is very common, and it's often best to focus on the overall meaning of the sentence. Number 7 uses a continuous tense in the first clause instead of a simple tense. Why do you think they do this?
Number 8 and 9 talk about past habits. Number 10 is very common in English as we often add a condition to the end of the conditional sentence. In this case, the use of but suggests that the "miracle" may still happen.
As you can see, conditionals aren't as straightforward as you may first think. Sometimes it's better to ask yourself the following questions:
- What time does the conditional refer to?
- Does the conditional refer to a real or an unreal event?
As always, be aware that there will be exceptions with every part of English grammar. And remember, if there's any grammar you would like us to talk about here on the blog, let us know.
Thanks for reading.
By Andy
shoplifting - (n) the act of stealing something from a shop
respectively - (adv.) in the same order as two things previously mentioned
straightforward - (adv.) simple, easy to understand
exceptions - (pl.n.) things that do not agree or conform to the general rule
Improve your confidence in spoken English with our General English course or Individual English training in our centre in London or online.
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Our practical, individualised approach enables our clients to learn effectively and make rapid progress. Courses include General English, Individual English training, Legal English, Business and Professional English, IELTS preparation and Academic English. We also offer bespoke business solutions for staff training and assessment.
You can learn English with our expert trainers in our London centre at 15 Holland Park Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, or you can choose to study English online in groups or in individual classes. Contact us online or via phone +44 (0) 207 605 4142.


text:
Workshop on Publishing
Want to learn insider tips and strategies for publishing in top tier journals? Want to hear what editors are concerned with when evaluating an article for publication? Just want to gain greater understanding of the scholarly publishing process?
If so, come to the….
Workshop on Publishing
with Professor Michael Chibnik
Editor of American Anthropologist
Thursday April 9, 5-6:15pm, UK Student Center 211.
Everyone is welcome.
A reception will follow at the Hyatt Regency Hotel ("Kentucky Room" on the A level)
Sponsored by the University of Kentucky Department of Anthropology


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Have you ever read a sentence and wondered what it was trying to say? Ever gotten hung up on a word that felt out of place because the meaning of the word didn't fit the context? When was the last time you spotted a word that was unnecessarily repeated throughout a page, chapter, or book?
There are two sides to any piece of writing. The first is the message, idea, or story. The other side is the craft of stringing words together into sentences and using sentences to build paragraphs. Adept writing flows smoothy and makes sense. Readers shouldn't have to stop and dissect sentences or get hung up on words that are repetitive or confusing.
Which is why word choice is such an important skill for any writer to possess.
Common Word-Choice Mistakes
The right word can make or break a sentence. If we want our prose to be rich, vibrant, and meaningful, then we need to develop a robust vocabulary. As we write, revise, and proofread, there are plenty of common word-choice mistakes to watch out for. If we can catch those mistakes and fix them, we'll end up with better writing.
Here are some word-choice to mistakes to watch out for in your writing:
Repetition: When the same words and phrases are repeated in a short space, they act like clichés, becoming tiresome and meaningless. Some words have to be repeated, especially articles, prepositions, and conjunctions. If we're writing a story set on a submarine, the word submarine (or sub) will get repeated frequently. That's to be expected. However, repetitive descriptive words get monotonous. Every girl is pretty, every stride is long, everybody taps their keyboards. The fix: look for words that can be replaced with synonyms or alternative wording and avoid using the same descriptive words over and over again.
Connotation: With all the synonyms available, choosing the right word can be a challenge. Each word has a meaning, but most words also have connotations, which skew the meaning in a particular direction. Connotations are implied or emotional undertones that flavor a word's meaning. If your character is going home, there is a much different implication than if the character is going to her house. The fix: when choosing synonyms, consider the connotation and emotional flavor of each option.
Precision: The best word choices are specific. One word might be vague and nondescript while another is vivid and descriptive. Consider the following sentences:
He wrote a poem on a piece of paper.
He wrote a poem on a sheet of vellum.
The second sentence is more visual because the word choice (vellum) is more precise. The fix: whenever possible, choose the most precise word available.
Simplicity: Readers don't want to have to run to the dictionary to get through a page of your writing, and most don't appreciate the haughtiness that erudite writing evokes. If you're writing to a highbrow audience, then by all means, feel free to pontificate, but to reach a wider audience, make your language accessible. The fix: check your text for rare and long words, and if you can replace them with more common or shorter words, do it.
Musicality: Sometimes, word choice comes down to musicality. How does one word sound in your sentence as opposed to another? If you're trying to choose between words like bin and container, you might make your decision based on which word sounds better in the sentence. The fix: read sentences and paragraphs aloud to see how different words sound.
Thoughtful Word Choices for Better Writing
Whether you agonize over word choice while you're drafting or during revisions, there are some incredibly useful tools for making word choice a breeze. In addition to using the tools that are at your disposal, consistently working to expand your vocabulary will do wonders for improving your language and word-choice skills:
- The thesaurus and the dictionary are your friends. Use them (especially the thesaurus).
- Read voraciously. Nothing will improve your writing and your vocabulary as well as the simple act of reading.
- Read and write poetry. Poems are full of vivacious words. You'll develop a knack for word choice and grow a bountiful vocabulary if you study a little poetry.
- Play word games like Scrabble, Scattergories, and Words with Friends, which force you to actively use your vocabulary.
- Sign up for Word of the Day and commit to learning 365 words over the next year.
Have you ever gotten frustrated by reading a book that was peppered with poor word choices? Do you make a conscious effort to use the right words in your writing? How far will you go to find the perfect word for a sentence? Share your thoughts on how thoughtful word choices result in better writing by leaving a comment, and keep writing!


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How do I create a banner system message?
Banner alerts, similar to notification banners in mobile operating systems, appear at the top of the user interface and are designed for delivering simple and concise information to users. These alerts can be pushed to all users or a targeted subset of users. Furthermore, banner alerts can be delivered on all servers of a Sakai instance or to only selected servers. There are three different types of banners in the PA System, color-coded by alert priority:
- Blue (Low priority) - can be dismissed by the user
- Yellow (Medium priority) - can be hidden (minimized) by the user
- Red (High priority) - can be neither dismissed nor hidden by the user
Go to PA System.
Select the PA System tool from the Tool Menu in the Administration Workspace.
Enter the banner information.
- Message: This is the text that will display in the banner across the top of the screen.
- Type: Choose the type of priority for the message. High priority messages display in red and cannot be hidden or dismissed by users. Medium priority message display in green and can be hidden by users. Low priority message display in blue and can be dismissed by users.
- Active: Check this box to indicate that the banner message is active. This may be used as an alternative to setting start and end dates if you plan to enable/disable the message manually.
- Start Time: This is the date and time when the banner message becomes visible to users.
- End Time: This is the date and time when the banner message is not longer displayed to users.
- Hosts: If you would like to limit the banner message to specific servers, you may enter the host information here.
- When you have entered all of the message information, click Save Banner to save your changes.


text:
Hôtel Tourmalet wants to provide an exemplary hosting service. For its customers to be fully satisfied, it is essential to act in accordance with the legal framework. In this regard, we are required to provide you with certain information regarding cookies. This Cookies Policy informs you about what cookies are, the types of cookies installed on your computer or other devices when you visit our site and why we use these cookies.
Hôtel Tourmalet mainly uses cookies to improve your browsing experience on https://www.hoteltourmalet.fr (hereinafter the "Website"). All data that Hôtel Tourmalet gathers from its cookies are anonymous and are only used to enable us to understand how users interact with our Website so we may improve the services offered and users browsing experience of the Website.
Hôtel Tourmalet reserves the right to make changes to this Cookies Policy by placing a new version of this policy on the Website. Therefore, users are advised to regularly check the relevant page on the Website on which the Cookie Policy is published so they are fully aware of any, even minor, changes made. When a new Cookies Policy comes into effect, you will again be asked to authorise us to place cookies on your device.
1 – What are Cookies?
A cookie is simply a small tracking text file containing data that is stored on your device (computer, tablet, phone) when you browse a website. It is designed to help websites remember your preferences (for example, a click on a particular page or link, connections to your profile, visits a website's pages). Then when the user comes back to the same website, the data stored in the cookie may be collected by the website to inform it of the user's previous activity on the website.
Cookies have been designed as a reliable mechanism for websites to remember the state of the website or the user's past activity. They help us optimise your visit by storing the technical choices made enabling us to display more relevant offers and services. Hôtel Tourmalet would advise you to activate cookies if you wish to consult or use the Website. However, if you prefer, you are always free not to activate them. Apart from exceptional circumstances, when cookies are activated this implies that you consent to they being used by us when you browse on our Website.
Cookies may store information on the buttons you click on, the dates and time you log in and may store pages you visited months or even years ago. Although cookies cannot contain viruses and cannot install malware on your device, targeting or tracking cookies, and especially third-party tracking cookies, are often used as a means to collect long term data on the user's browsing history. There are several different types of cookies and without them, the Website could not properly function.
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These cookies are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the Website and they cannot be deactivated. They allow Hôtel Tourmalet to offer you the main features of the Website:
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We use Google Analytics cookies to collect data about your sessions on our Website. The https://www.hoteltourmalet.fr Website uses IP address masking on Google Analytics to protect user data anonymity. These cookies are used to measure and analyse traffic to our Website (traffic volume, page views, bounce rate, etc.) and to improve performance.
Site cookies classified as « performance cookies » are not used to store your preferences or your username beyond your current visit. If you block this type of cookie, we cannot guarantee the proper functioning of the Website. You must first authorise us to place these cookies on your device.
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The Website uses these cookies to share information with our partners who offer services on the Website. The shared information is only used to provide the service, the product and the function and not for any other purpose.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (NNPA) - Nearly 150 years after Emancipation, trapped by extreme poverty, isolation, fear and shame, some Blacks remain victims of neo-slavery in rural areas of the South, locked into work in fields, factories and assorted industries.
While not bought and sold at auction block, these poor Blacks are forced to work, live in shacks, often have no indoor plumbing and are often trapped in peonage, tied to land where they owe owners debts that are never repaid, according to an activist and researcher. Some Blacks are even forced to pay rent to White landowners for dilapidated housing but are fearful of identifying landlords and owners.
"Slavery never ended and that's the point, it never ended. It just disguised itself in other forms," says Antoinette Harrell, who is based in Louisiana and has documented the plight of people she describes as modern slaves in America.
Harrell has been tracking this problem for the past decade. She knows it is hard for many to accept abusive conditions that amount to slavery exist today. Blacks don't want to believe this is happening in 2010, she adds. But people are forced to stay on plantations in Glendora, Miss., Webb, Miss., Roseland, La., and other places where landowners use isolation and threats of violence to keep these Black workers under control, she says.
Though others would define the conditions as peonage, which was outlawed by the 13th Amendment in 1865, or as sharecropping, where agricultural workers live on and work on land owned by someone else for a share of the fruits of their labor, the researcher is adamant the bottom line is slavery inextricably tied to debilitating poverty.
It's slavery because people are forced to stay against their will, worked, controlled and dehumanized, she stresses. In some cases people have been murdered, charges Ms. Harrell, reciting accounts told to her over the years. In addition to extreme poverty and no opportunity, other essential elements make people vulnerable: There is no transportation, workers don't have cars, dogs are used to track people who try to run away and many feel there is nowhere else to go, says Harrell.
Ron Walters, a political scientist at the University of Maryland, explains that after Emancipation, new systems were instituted to exploit Blacks and to keep Blacks essentially enslaved. Over the years, whenever federal officials were asked to intervene, one problem was proving that Blacks were indeed suffering from slavery prohibited by the Constitution, he says.
Plantation owners, understanding the law, would argue that there was no slavery and the Justice Dept. was unable to declare what was happening illegal because of "vague" Constitutional language, he adds. Another problem was the lack of political will and a concern about confronting and exposing the continued problem of slavery and Blacks in America, Dr. Walters explains. From 1865 onward, the problem has cropped up at different times, but it has never been entirely resolved, he adds.
Harrell, a genealogist, became aware of modern manifestations of slavery while exploring the issue of reparations. Based on conversations with workers, Harrell says she found many did not know they could actually leave. Harrell is unsure of how many people may be in this condition inside the United States. She has been able to access these areas by networking, researching plantation histories and locations and through the story of Mae Miller.
Miller, whose life as a modern slave in Mississippi and Louisiana has been documented, escaped captivity in 1961. The problem exists today, she declares. Miller, who says she was raped by a slave master beginning at age five, told The Final Call her family and others who moved from one plantation to another where they worked and were kept in horrible conditions and weren't regularly fed. We were beaten and barely fed table scraps, she recalls.
Miller says she didn't realize she had been kept illegally as a slave until 2001. She recalls that her father, her mother, her siblings, her grandfather were with her. She says she didn't know anything about other family members or what was happening in the outside world.
Miller says she knows people that are still on these plantations—and who still live under the fear and conditions that she suffered from. Her story was told in 2007 in People magazine, as well on ABC Nightline and CNN. She declines to talk about her family's experience—it brings up painful memories loved ones would like to forget. Her family's plight was called peonage in the People article.
Slavery in all its forms
According to the Florida-based Coalition for Immokalee Workers the problem of real slavery exists today—in particular among tomato pickers and agriculture workers in the Sunshine State. "Slavery in Florida today is not separate from the past—indeed its roots extend deep within our state's history. Farm workers have always been, and remain today, the state's poorest, least powerful workers," says Gerardo Reyes of the coalition.
Reyes says, "If we are to abolish slavery once and for all in Florida agriculture, we must pull it up by the roots by addressing farm worker poverty and powerlessness."
Adds Dr. Kevin Bales of Free the Slaves, an international organization, "There is real slavery in the fields of Florida. This is not about lousy jobs, but violent control, vicious exploitation, and the potential for serious harm and even death."
The coalition is kicking off a July 25-Aug. 14 tour of its Modern-Day Slavery Museum, which will visit the northeast. The exhibit consists of a cargo truck designed as a replica of trucks involved in a 2008 slave operation in Florida. Dozens of farm workers from Mexico and Guatemala were kept in trucks and shacks, beaten, forced to pay for food and showers, and plied with alcohol. Some of victims suffered in bondage for years and were forced to work fields in Florida and other locations in North Carolina and South Carolina.
The Coalition for Immokalee Workers, a farm worker justice group, says the upcoming tour is also an attempt to raise awareness of conditions in the tomato supply chains for Ahod's USA supermarket brands, which it says includes Giant, Stop&Shop, and Martins.
Since 1997, the coalition says it has helped the Justice Dept. prosecute seven farm slavery operations and helped free over 1,000 people.
"I am not surprised with that because it's the same system and Florida was one of the 16 states that really heavy peonage cases came from there," says Harrell. "The new slaves that they are focusing on in 2010 are the immigrants."
The 16 states that Harrell's research has shown were once involved in post-Emancipation slavery included Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arizona, New York, Illinois and Georgia. Today the problem exists in Louisiana and Mississippi, she says.
Calls to the U.S. Department of Justice about allegations of modern slavery in the South went unanswered at Final Call press time, however cases of slavery involving immigrant workers have been prosecuted by the federal agency. Attempts to reach state officials in Louisiana were unsuccessful, Mississippi officials, however, did respond. "No one has complained of this to our office. If you have specific allegations, we'd be happy to hear them and see what we can do or help refer to the appropriate agency," says Jan Shaffer, a public information officer with the Mississippi state attorney general's office.
While the plight of immigrant workers, sexual bondage, holding women against their will and forcing them into prostitution; human trafficking, in which immigrants pay for passage to America and are forced to work in factories, prostitution or restaurants; or child labor, where children are exploited and abused to make products, are acknowledged and called forms of slavery, calling poor Blacks in the South "slaves" remains distasteful and is seen as almost impossible.
Harrell traces the connections to slavery and post-slavery practices through the U.S. National Archives, Justice Department records, local court records and interviews victims living on plantations to understand and document its existence.
"The documents are there from the slave holders; companies that insured our family members, our ancestors and once you start to look into records, you find something a little bit deeper," Harrell says.
She says she met people in St. Johns and St. Charles parish in Louisiana who were on sugar cane plantations well into the 1960s and 1970s.
According to Harrell, letters appealing for investigations into the claims, filed at the National Archives expose that no fewer than three U.S. presidents knew of post-Emancipation slavery during their terms—Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Digging through U.S. Department of Justice records in Washington, D.C., Walters, who is also director of the African-American Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland, found the extent to which the federal government was aware of post-Emancipation slavery and its challenges with addressing the problem.
Mayor Johnny Thomas of Glendora, Miss., agrees that bogus debt schemes like peonage and sharecropping were used to exploit Black people well into the 20th century. This was his experience growing up as a sharecropper in the late 1950s.
"It's pre-meditated," Mayor Thomas explains. "You were kept indebted to the point where you couldn't leave." In these cases the plantation owner pays the debt, then the "debtor" and—in most instances—his entire family work the plantation to repay the money. Only the debt is never caught up.
Mayor Thomas says as far as he knows sharecropping is going on, albeit hurt by the economy, but not slavery.
Both Harrell and Walters told The Final Call that the deplorable conditions people are living under on the plantations is nothing short of slavery regardless of the label.
"They are in deep rural areas, miles off the main highways, back off into cotton fields where you got 2,000 acres; how can they get away?" asks Harrell.
"I was born into slavery, I guess because my father was in slavery. I don't know if it was generational or only us," Mae Miller says. "As far as I can remember back when I was a little bitty girl it was happening to us."
Talks with Miller expose the extent of isolation experienced with no exposure to the world outside of the plantations. She later learned to read and write and worked following her literal escape from a White landowner under, she says, a death threat.
According to Harrell, two things must happen as awareness of slavery in modern America grows: The language of what is understood as slavery in the history books must be expanded and there must be a legal injunction against the U.S. for allowing slavery to continue illegally.
Eradication of slavery in America is an issue for the World Court because the practice is a crime against humanity, argues Harrell. She also sees the atrocity as another example of why Blacks deserve reparations.
Harrell argues, "It is necessary for the attorneys to come and further the case for reparations, not only for the 19th century but the 20th and 21st century."


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There are a number of interesting and useful blogs written by literary agents that can help aspiring writers learn the process of querying agents, writing and formatting manuscripts, publishing, and more. However, there are five blogs written by agents that are absolute must-reads for any writer that has goals to publish a book through a well-known publisher one day.
A few of these blogs helped me immensely as I taught myself how to get a literary agent and publisher for my first book.
If you want to get published, start reading the following literary agent blogs today:
1. Nathan Bransford
Nathan is a respected agent working for the well-known Curtis Brown agency in the San Fransisco office. His blog was one of my key resources as I researched how to get a literary agent. I loved how Nathan took the time to provide an incredible amount of useful information and was always available to respond to comments.
2. Miss Snark
Even though Miss Snark stopped writing her blog in 2007, it's still an incredible resource to learn how to write query letters. Her blunt way of analyzing real query letters left no room for confusion. Miss Snark's identity was never revealed (although there was quite a bit of speculation).
3. BookEnds, LLC
This is another blog that I read a lot as I tried to learn how to get a literary agent. Jessica Faust and Kim Lionetti are the primary agents at BookEnds today. One of the things that I liked about this blog was that the agents were very communicative through the comments published on blog posts.
4. Query Shark
Janet Reid writes her own literary agent blog as well as the Query Shark blog, which is filled with great information to help you learn how to write query letters. With a tagline like, "How To Write Query Letters…or really, how to revise query letters so they actually work," it's hard to resist this blog.
5. Pub Rants
Kristin Nelson writes Pub Rants, which she describes with the following tagline, "a very nice literary agent indulges in polite rants about queries, writers, and the publishing industry." She writes about a wide variety of topics that affect aspiring writers, including submissions, query letters, advances, royalties, and much more.
Image: stock.xchng


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May you all have a fun and safe time tonight wherever and however you choose to celerate the New Year. Let's move forward into 2010 more energized and ready to live, love, and thrive as openly queer people and allies.
What are your plans for New Year's and more importantly what are your queer resolutions for the the upcoming year?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Cheers Queers - Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Web Spotlight: Kashish - Mumbai Queer Film Festival
The Kashish - Mumbai Queer Film Festival is the first ever film festival in the region for Indian and Desi queer films that celebrate sexual diversity. The four day festival is scheduled to be held April 22-25th 2010.
Upcoming January 2010 Phelps-A-Thon's
The Phelps-a-Thon is continuing on into the New Year, proceeding with it's protests and fundraising for LGBT equality to counter the Westboro Baptist Church's anti-gay hateful rhetoric. This January counter protests will be held at a highschool and college in New Hampshire, and at the Golden Globes in California.
Join the demonstration, and help the fundraiser for LGBT equality, for every minute the Phelps clan protests, they will be helping to promote the gay agenda through Phelps-A-Thon.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Top Five Straight Allies in Congress for 2009
Who are the leading advocates for LGBT rights inside the Beltway? Well, common sense would lead you to the three openly gay and lesbian politicians currently serving in the U.S. Congress –- Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Barney Frank, and Rep. Jared Polis. Great or legendary figures, but what happens when you get beyond these three folks?
5. Senator Tom Harkin – Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin did what a handful of Senators did this year –- publicly stated that he regretted his vote on the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. Harkin joined Sen. Arlen Specter and Sen. Chris Dodd in denouncing their vote for DOMA. But Harkin had a sense of eloquence in his comments that made his thoughts seem particularly genuine. It also helps that they came right after Iowa's Supreme Court ruled that the state's constitution required the recognition of same-sex marriage in order to ensure equal rights for all of Iowa's residents. Talk about reinforcements. "We all grow as we get older, and we learn things and we become more sensitive to people and people's lives," Harkin said. "And the more I've looked at that, I've grown to think differently about how people — how we should live. And I guess I'm at the point that, you know — I'm to that point of live and let live." Anyone else see visions of their own parents in that statement?
4. Rep. Earl Blumenauer – Count Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer among the legislators blasting the Defense of Marriage Act. Like Sen. Harkin above, Rep. Blumenauer also issued a blaring statement regretting his original vote for DOMA. (Note: Nothing is quite so blaring as one of Rep. Blumenauer's bow ties.) But Blumenauer not only said he was regretful – he went so far as to say it was the worst vote he ever cast in his entire political career. And that covers more than 37 years (we're going all the way back to the times of Richard Nixon). Blumenauer also said that he would lobby his fellow legislators in efforts to overturn DOMA. "I will work to make sure that my colleagues who once, for whatever reason, joined me in supporting [DOMA] take this opportunity to correct their record and eliminate an injustice," said Blumenauer.
3. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand – Talk about crossing the ocean in support of LGBT rights. New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand started this year as kind of a Blue Dog Democrat in the U.S. House, and is ending this year as one of the Senate's biggest supporters for equal rights. Gillibrand is one of the lead voices in the U.S. Senate for repealing the military's discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and in an interview with the Women's Rights blog here at change.org, went so far as to say that marriage equality could be the civil rights battle of today's generation. She even tried to exert some pull with the New York State Senate, encouraging the body to vote for marriage equality legislation earlier this year (sadly, that vote failed). And to top it off? She's also a supporter of a fully inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which ought to be a legislative goal for every LGBT rights activist in 2010.
2. Rep. Patrick Murphy – As the first Iraq War veteran to serve in the halls of Congress, Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy certainly has the bonafides to talk about military issues. That's why his voice on ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is so critical. But Rep. Murphy isn't just a casual proponent of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He's a downright leader on the issue, making it one of his legislative goals, and touring with the Human Rights Campaign's "Voices of Honor" tour, calling attention to how eliminating gays and lesbians from the U.S. Armed Forces not only smacks in the face of equality and freedom – the very principles that our military stands for – but also threatens our national security. "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' clearly isn't working for our military, and it hinders national security and military readiness at a time when America is fighting in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," Rep. Murphy said. "My time in Iraq taught me that our military needs and deserves the best and the brightest who are willing to serve -- and that means all Americans, regardless of their orientation." Anybody have the resume to argue with Rep. Murphy on that? Didn't think so.
1. (Tie) Rep. Joe Sestak - Another Pennsylvania Congressman, Rep. Joe Sestak has emerged as a fighter for LGBT equality. As Rep. Sestak wrote for change.org earlier this year, one of the fights that keeps him going in politics is the battle to end the only form of institutionalized discrimination still legal in the U.S. – discrimination against LGBT people, as evident by policies like the Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." In fact, that's one of the best things about Rep. Sestak – he draws the connection between both of those bad policies in ways that would make even the hardest heart melt. "How can we demand that the 65,000 of our troops who are estimated to be gay act dishonestly and conceal information from their comrades and commanders? No one who serves in defense of liberty should be forced to live a lie," writes Rep. Sestak. "I cannot imagine denying equal rights to anyone I served with. How can anyone say, we fought and served together, we depended on one another, we risked our lives for this country, but back home you shouldn't enjoy the rights that you defended?"
1. (Tie) Rep. Jerrold Nadler – Being the lead voice in the U.S. Congress on dumping the Defense of Marriage Act better be good enough to get you first place! Rep. Nadler, long one of the biggest allies the LGBT population has in Congress, continued his streak of homerun hitting for equal rights. This year it came in the form of introducing the Respect for Marriage Act. It's a proposed piece of legislation that will dismantle DOMA, billed by many as the most discriminatory law passed by the U.S. in decades. Rep. Nadler's reason for introducing the Respect for Marriage Act (ROMA, if you will!): he wants to send DOMA "into the history books where it belongs."
Crossposted via Gay Rights @ Change.org
Web Spotlight: Asexual Meetups
Asexual Meetups is a place to find groups, members and those interested in meeting with others who have little to no sexual desire.
Word of the Gay: "Bias Crime"
A "bias crime" is a crime perpetrated on the account of a persons sexual, gender, religious, ethnic or racial identity.
Monday, December 28, 2009
New Year's Resolution: LGBT Inclusivity on Dr. Phil Show!
People who have been reading this blog for some time know that I have been monitoring and demanding that the Dr. Phil show refrain from using homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic topics on their show as they have done several times in the past. I was also quick to praise them for their attempt to create positive and LGBT-affirming coverage.
Over the past several months I have continued to monitor their upcoming shows to make sure that topics such as those in the past are not scheduled. I am pleased to say that there seems to have been major improvement, although instead of negative LGBT coverage, there now is no LGBT coverage.
Make 2010 the year Dr. Phil tackles topics sensitive to the LGBT community in a fair, affirming, and positive way!
Sign the Twitter petition demanding positive coverage, and send the show a direct email.
Word of the Gay: "Queen Bee"
The "queen bee" is a gay man who constantly feels the need to be the center of attention.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Shameless Self Promotion Sunday
Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.
Word of the Gay: "Change Your Luck"
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Word of the Gay: "Amphigenic Invert"
An "amphigenic invert" is a term created by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud to indicate someone who is equally attracted to people of the same and opposite sex.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Conservative Political Action Conference Censors LGBT Group
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) an annual gathering of conservative activists will allow GOProud a newly formed conservative gay/lesbian group to co-sponsor the convention, but refuses to allow them the opportunity to speak. Controversy erupted after far right groups threatened to pull out and boycott the event, and so called "family value" organizations were outraged.
The organizers of the conference will gladly take the money from the gay group but maintains that opposition to same-sex marriage is a consensus among conservatives and that it is not subject to debate or discussion.
Demand that CPAC allows all conservative voices to shape the values of their philosophical base and party.
The American Conservative Union
1007 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
CPAC Phone: (800) 7524391
Email: email@example.com
Word of the Gay: "Pink Christmas"
"Pink Christmas" is a term used when elements of the Christmas holiday are given a queer twist, such as a pink tree, gay nativity scene, or changing the lyrics to certain carols, etc.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Word of the Gay: "Homoamorous"
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Take Action: Ensure LGBT's Included in Immigration Reform Bill
The House of Representatives has introduced an immigration reform bill that does not include protections for same-sex couples. The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) would establish criteria for "permanent partners" enabling bi-national couples to obtain immigration rights if one spouse has citizenship and the other does not.
Keep up the pressure on congress and the senate to push for broader and comprehensive immigration reform that protects same-sex couples and their families.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Anger Into Action Declaration
This declaration is about showing wide public support for the fundamental rights of LGBT people. The latest marriage amendments and adoption ban passed by our fellow citizens are built on lies and deception, and we can't stand for it.
But we also refuse to fight lies with lies, or hate with hate. We will not give into our anger, and we will not unfairly lay blame for Prop. 8 passing. Instead, we are committed to channeling our energies into bringing about more positive change.
Stand with us against discrimination and pledge to fight until full equality is won for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people everywhere. Once you sign, please send a message to all of your friends and family and help us grow our movement of individuals who are committed to equal rights and justice for all.
Sign the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Declaration.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Shameless Self Promotion Sunday
Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Open Forum: LGBT/Queer Personals List
Are you LGBTQIA or a straight ally but single and looking to mingle? Well here's your chance to meet someone else who also cares about queer culture and rights. This personals/dating post is open to all sexual orientations and gender identities and is non-location specific.
*Entries will only be accepted if they are in the order below and no personal information will be accepted.
Your Location: where in the world you are
Your Description: your physical and personality traits, gender identity, sexual orientation
Your Ideal Match: what you are looking for in a partner(s)
Contact: email, profile link, screen name
Who knows? Thousands of readers come here from all parts of the world. Maybe your match is one of them! Good luck.
BBC News Pseudo Apologizes for Homophobic Poll
12/18/09: From the Director of BBC World Service:
"The original headline on our website was, in hindsight, too stark. We apologise for any offence it caused. But it's important that this does not detract from what is a crucial debate for Africans and the international community.
The programme was a legitimate and responsible attempt to support a challenging discussion about proposed legislation that advocates the death penalty for those who undertake certain homosexual activities in Uganda - an important issue where the BBC can provide a platform for debate that otherwise would not exist across the continent and beyond"
The BBC does not understand that the nature of this poll is not only offensive, but provides a platform for homophobic and violent attitudes.
12/16/09: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the subject of controversy over their latest 'Have Your Say' section asking "should homosexuals should face execution?"
The site discusses how Uganda is debating the death penalty for homosexuals, and asks users to weigh in.
Naturally this has brought up many intensely homophobic and some violent commentary. This is not a 'debate' to be had, and since it incites hatred and violence against LGBT people, this is totally unacceptable. The BBC has a rule against users leaving homophobic comments, yet many remain on the forum.
Voice your concerns with the BBC complaint form.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Organization Spotlight: Gay and Lesbian Association of Dentists and Doctors (GLADD)
The Gay and Lesbian Association of Dentists and Doctors (GLADD) is available for those in the United Kingdom looking for help/support/advice or to make social contacts with other LGBT dentists and doctors.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Washington D.C. Legalizes Gay Marriage!
The Washington D.C. city council has finalized a bill legalizing same-sex marriage by a vote of 11-2. The two councilmembers who opposed the measure were Marion Barry, and Yvette Alexander.
The bill now goes to Mayor Adrian Fenty who has promised to sign the bill into law. Following that congress has 30 days to veto the bill, but the Democratic majority is likely not to interfere with the districts ruling.
Washington D.C. joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Vermont in affirming their LGBT residents right to marriage.
Demand McDonald's Offer Protections Based on Gender Identity/Expression
The worlds largest fast food chain McDonald's has been under the spotlight after an Orlando manager refused to hire a seventeen year old transgender woman Zikkeria Bellamy because of her gender identity. The manager harassed the teen by leaving a voice-mail saying: "You will not get hired, we do not hire faggots" The manager of that location has since been fired, but the corporate policy still does not include protections on the basis of gender identity/expression.
McDonald's issued this press release regarding the incident:
"McDonald's has a strict policy prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment in hiring, termination, or any other aspect of employment in the organization. The restaurant requires all employees to comply with local, state and federal employment laws." (GLAAD)Please urge McDonald's to alter their corporate policy regarding employment practice to include protections on the basis of gender identity/expression.
Also, be sure to sign our act.ly petition to McDonald's on Twitter.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Senator DeMint: "Gay President Would be Immoral"
Social conservative Republican South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint has made outrageous remarks about how he thinks the election of a gay president would be "immoral". He also restated his opposition to marriage equality both federally and locally.
"It would be bothersome to me just personally because I consider it immoral. Marriage is a religious institution. The federal government has no business redefining what it is DeMint told Hunt, adding that even state governments should not have the right to permit same-sex marriages. Governments should not be in the business of promoting a behavior that's proven to be destructive to our society" (The Advocate).This type of divisive and homophobic language is dangerous coming from a U.S. Senator. Demand he apologize for these outrageous remarks.
Senator DeMint can be contacted through his e-contact form, guestbook, and Twitter.
D.C. Marriage Equality Rally Tonight!
The Human Rights Campaign has scheduled a rally tonight in support of the expected final passage of the marriage equality bill tomorrow. The Mayor of the capital has promised to sign the legislation, and congress has 30 days to decide whether to veto the bill.
Even though a win looks very likely, it is critical to come out and show support for the measure.
Monday, December 14
7 pm
The Kennedy Recreation Center
1401 7th ST, NW Washington, D.C.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Shameless Self Promotion Sunday
Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Open Forum: Will the Gay Vote Be Taken Seriously?
The gay community has been angered over the fact that neither mainstream political party makes a sincere effort on LGBT legislation. Every election cycle talk of whether the Democrats take the gay vote for granted and whether gays will go out to the polls comes up for discussion but nothing ever happens.
Financially speaking the LGBT community holds a large portion of the donations received by the DNC. Many queer people are withholding donations until change is made, and some are saying that it appears this gets the Democrats moving on legislation. Some threaten they will switch parties or won't go out to vote, but ultimately the Democrats know this won't go far since the other major contender is worse off on LGBT issues and not voting at all is unlikely among a heavily political base.
Will the gay vote ever be taken seriously? Does it require more funding to be cut from gay donors, a shift to another party, or more people self identifying as queer?
Weekend Protests Directed at Anti-Marriage Equality NY Senators
Marriage Equality New York is organizing several protests against senators who voted against equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. The protests follow a recent vote by the New York State Senate where same-sex marriage failed by a 38-24 margin.
The protests are scheduled throughout the weekend. Activists are responding by supporting opposition (pro-equality) candidates for the upcoming 2010 election.
MENY Protests are against Senators Hiram Monserrate, Carl Kruger, George Onorato, and Thomas Morahan.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Stop Maryland Vehicle Admin's Gender Change Policy
Equality Maryland is asking people to take action to ensure that the proposed new rule at the Maryland Vehicle Administration regarding changing gender does not take place. The new rule would make it more costly, difficult, and lead to potential embarrassment and harassment for transgender Marylander's.
Click here to stop MVA drivers license changes.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Bill O'Reilly Furious Over 'That Gay Guy' Adam Lambert Being on 'Fascinating List'
Fox News political commentator and host of the O'Reilly Factor is furious over the fact that Barbara Walters has chosen American Idol runner up Adam Lambert among her top most fascinating people of the year list. O'Reilly previously made headlines by Dividing American Idol's "Gay" and "Christian" Vote.
In the segment below, O'Reilly takes issue with several of Walter's choice of fascinating people, this list is subjective and he has every right to critique her. The problem arises over the fact that he refers to Lambert as "that gay guy" without giving any credence to his vocal abilities and insisting that he is capitalizing and misbehaving simply because he is gay, and that non-gay people would not engage in those behaviors.
Tell Bill O'Reilly to stop his "culture war" against LGBT Americans:
Love Takes Over - Campaign to Bring Queer Voice to Nationwide Newspapers
Love Takes Over is a new campaign to take place during the week of January 3rd to January 9th to write an opinion piece to your local newspaper in support of same-sex marriage. All across the nation, others will be doing the same to ensure a unified voice in support of equal rights.
Please also email your article to email@example.com so they can post it up on their blog (http://lovetakesover.tumblr.com)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Word of the Gay: "Front Marriage"
A "front marriage" is a straight marriage of convenience between one or more spouses who are gay or lesbian for the purposes of adoption.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Straight Woman Offers Right to Marry on Ebay
In a clever bit of activism a straight unmarried woman named Jamie Frevele from New York is reacting to the NY Senate voting down marriage equality by offering her right to marry to the highest bidder. Proceeds will go to the Point Foundation which provides financial support, mentoring, leadership training and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
A snippet of her ebay auction listing:
"I'm an unmarried heterosexual woman, and since I probably won't be using my right to get married, I would like to give it away. I would like to sell it to the highest bidder and donate the proceeds to an organization that supports LGBT rights since the government designed to protect all of us is picking and choosing based on what they think is icky, weird, or unkown to them.Check out her entire piece and possibly even join the bidders, oh and shipping is included!
Bid now, and you can have my super wonderful privilege and legal ability to get married as many times as you want in a classy place like the one pictured. You don't have to know the person, you don't have to like them, you don't have to think through your decision to get married or anything - you can just do it! Because you can! Come on, it's cool to get married, and think of the pictures you'll have to show people of this person that they will definitely think is so wrong for you and probably is! But heavens to BETSY, do NOT marry someone of the same gender because that would be a mockery of the institution of marriage"
The Affirmation Declaration
The Affirmation Declaration is a statement that expresses the convictions of Christians all over the world. It was written in response to the now famous Manhattan Declaration, to correct egregious errors contained in the document, errors that have been preached in the pulpits of many local churches for far too long.
With the growing notoriety and support for the Manhattan Declaration, our Affirmation Declaration reflects an urgent need to respond to the portion of the Manhattan Declaration dealing with issues related to sexual orientation—specifically, homosexuality and same-sex marriage. We strongly disagree with the contention that same-sex attractions and the oft-resulting romantic activities are immoral.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Urge NJ Senate Judiciary Committee to Approve Marriage
The 13 member New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee is voting today on whether to let the same-sex marriage bill go to a vote before the entire senate this Thursday.
Please contact the members of the committee below and urge them to vote in favor of marriage equality!
Sen. Paul Sarlo (Chair): (201) 804-8118
Sen. John Girgenti (Vice-Chair): (973) 427-1229
Sen. Bill Baroni: (609) 631-9988
Sen. Christopher Bateman: (908) 526-3600
Sen. Jennifer Beck: (732) 933-1591
Sen. Gerard Cardinale: (201) 567-2324
Sen. Nia Gill: (973) 509-0388
Sen. Joseph Kyrillos: (732) 671-3206
Sen. Raymond Lesnick: (908) 624-0880
Sen. Nicholas Scutari: (908) 587-0404
Sen. Bob Smith: (732) 752-0770
Sen. Brian Stack: (201) 861-5091
Sen. Loretta Weinberg: (201) 928-0100
H/T to Good as You for the senate contact numbers.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Web Spotlight: BiFest UK
BiFest is a one-day event celebrating bisexuality, for bisexuals and bi-friendly people. Originating in London, it has now spread to several other United Kingdom locations and seeks to expand further.
Shameless Self Promotion Sunday
Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sign the New Jersey Marriage Equality Open Letter!
The open letter in support of marriage equality has made big news across New Jersey state, prompting the legislature to promise to take up the issue this week. Over 200 influential democrats and ordinary citizens have signed the petition demanding marriage equality.
Please join with Mayor Cory Booker, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee to sign this petition to push lawmakers to vote on and approve marriage equality in NJ.
Washington D.C. Marriage Rally Dec 14th
The Campaign for All DC Families and DC Clergy United will co-host a rally in support of marriage equality in Washington D.C. to advocate for the final passage of the marriage bill. The bill is scheduled to be voted on in mid December and is expected to pass by a wide margin.
Monday, December 14
7:00 pm
Kennedy Recreation Center
1401 7th Street N.W.
Open Forum: Sexualism Versus Homophobia
In recent years there has been a linguistic movement by some academics against using the term homophobia and replacing it with terms like sexualism or sexual prejudice which are considered broader and more appropriate with the growing list of sexual and gender self identifications.
For one the definition of homophobia is a fear of homosexuals or homosexual orientation, which is not true of all anti-gay people. The common line from so called "homophobes" is that "they have no issue with homosexuals, and even have homosexual friends" when defending their dislike or opposition to queer rights. The other dilemma is that many people associate homophobia as being exclusive to the discussion of gay and lesbian orientation, while leaving out bisexuals and transgender minorities.
Sexualism or sexual prejudice is the predisposition to thinking heterosexuality is the only norm, it is the concept of consciously embracing heteronormativity although is not synonymous with the term.
What do you make of the whole idea of bedding the term homophobia for something more inclusive such as sexualism or sexual prejudice? Does this term unfairly exclude transgender people whose discrimination against them is on the basis of gender or should gender issues have a separate word like transphobia or transsexual prejudice?
Friday, December 4, 2009
Rapper Eminem Resorts to Anti-Gay Lyrics
Rapper Eminem cleverly avoids using the word "faggots" in his new song "Elevator" when referring to Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken, replacing it with the words "fake it's":
"Eminem Sorry Lance, Mr. Lambert and Aiken ain't gonna make it
They get so mad, when I call them both fake it's
All these f@#king voices in my head I can't take it
Someone shut that f@#king baby up, 'for I shake it
You're standing adjacent to Jason's last slut, they're facing
Together makes 'em, a f@#king bad combination
I lashed at the doctor in my last operation
Shoved the weiner snitzel up his ass, hopped away some-
body please stop the patient, get the cops to mase him"
Phonetically, it sounds just like "faggots" and considering his anti-gay troubles in the past, there is no doubt in most peoples minds what the intention was, and that's to stir publicity and pr drama at the expense of the gay community.
These lyrics peretrate hatred, fear and violence against sexual minorities and cannot be tolerated!
Eminem can be contacted via Twitter and Myspace
Crossposted via Towleroad.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
New York Marriage Inequality Protest Tonight!
After marriage equality suffered a 24-38 loss in the NY state senate, advocates are now protesting the outcome and demanding full equality for all residents.
Tonight marks the second rally in response to the vote and is organized by Marriage Equality New York. NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is also expected to be among the crowd. Signs and noise-makers are highly encouraged.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Union Square - North End (17th Street)
17th Street & Broadway
New York, NY
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Anti-Gay NOM Considered for Chase Bank Charity
Chase Bank is running a contest called 'Community Giving' for users to select charities worthy of receiving a chunk of a 5 million dollar donation by the bank. Among the non-profits listed are the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage.
NOM being on the list is a direct violation of Chase's own non-discrimination policy:
"Chase Community Giving's own "clear and simple" rules state in Section 4 that any organization that "by itself or through an affiliated entity, discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, medical condition, citizenship, ancestry or marital status is not eligible" (Queerty).The Chase list likely came from a standard non-profits list and was not edited to take out organizations that violate the non-discrimination policy.
Please tell Chase to review and remove the National Organization for Marriage at firstname.lastname@example.com
You can head over to the Chase Community Giving page on Facebook and vote for LGBT friendly charities to receive funding.
Action Alert: Marriage Vote Scheduled for New York
The New York State Senate is scheduled to debate and vote on the issue of marriage equality today. The outcome is unpredictable at the moment, with some democrats and republicans opposed, in favor, or unsure of their vote. It is essential that you urge your senator to vote in favor of full equality for their LGBT constituents.
Below is a live feed of the NYS Senate:
The following is a list of key "swing" senators to contact courtesy of Queerty.
John Bonacic, R-Mt. Hope
Brian Foley, D-Suffolk
Ruth Hassel-Thompson, D-Bronx/Westchester
Owen Johnson, R-Suffolk
Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island
Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga
Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens
John Sampson, D-Brooklyn
David Valesky, D-Oneida
Wouldn't Say
Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens
James Alesi, R-East Rochester
Kemp Hannon, R-Nassau
Vincent Leibell, R-Westchester
Thomas Morahan, R-Rockland
Take action by filling out this form by the New York Civil Liberties to contact your senators and senate leaders to affirm marriage fairness.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Ten Ways Homophobia & Transphobia Affect Straight People
1. Homophobia and transphobia force us to act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine" if we are a woman. This limits our individuality and self-expression.
2. Homophobia and transphobia put pressure on straight people to act aggressively and angrily towards LGBTQI people.
3. Homophobia and transphobia can make it harder to be close friends with someone of the same sex.
4. Homophobia and transphobia often strain family and community relationships.
5. Homophobia and transphobia can cause youth to become sexually active before they are ready in order to prove they are "normal." This can lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
6. Homophobia and transphobia prevent vital information on sex and sexuality to be readily available in classrooms, medical offices, and other educational venues. Without this information, LGBTQI people are putting themselves at a greater risk for HIV and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
7. Homophobia and transphobia can be used to hurt a straight person if they "appear to be gay" and/or express her/his gender outside societal expectations.
8. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard for straight people and LGBTQ people to be friends.
9. Homophobia and transphobia, along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. make it hard to put an end to AIDS.
10. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard to appreciate true diversity and the unique traits that are not "mainstream."
Crossposted via Q Resources.
Spare 3 Minutes for Marriage Equality in New Jersey?
Garden State Equality is urging Democrats to bring the long awaited marriage equality bill to the floor for a vote. It is critical that the bill be voted on passed now while Democrat Jon Corzine who promised to sign the bill finishes out his term. The incoming republican Governor Chris Christie is vehemently opposed to marriage rights.
If you can spend weekdays calling your legislator once a day anytime, anywhere from 9-5 pm to vote on marriage equality, please fill out this form!
Contact GSE for other ways to get involved at firstname.lastname@example.com or call (973) GSE-LGBT
Monday, November 30, 2009
Queers United in Top 25 Gay Rights Blogs
It is flattering to see that Queers United has been listed as one of the top 25 most influential gay rights blog. It is also great that the site Online Paralegal Degree notes our effort to include all sexual and gender minorities and not just focus solely on gay and lesbian issues.
"Queers United stands as one of the few blogs which actively seeks out relating to intersexual and asexual issues in addition to the usual GLBT news. They promote the importance of activism and education as the best routes towards obtaining equality for the community, citing Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and other nonviolent civil rights leaders as their main influences. Content encompasses issues, developments, and movements from around the United States, and readers can handily pick what subjects they would like to learn more about from a tab at the top of the menu."
Thanks to Online Paralegal Degree for recognizing us and the other great blogs listed on there! Thank you to all readers for your continued support and e-activism, and please also visit the other great sites listed!
The Cleveland Show Features Transphobic Episode
The Cleveland Show an animated series spin off of the Family Guy which appears on Fox has created a disgustingly transphobic episode.
The character Auntie Mama a beloved but "outrageous" woman who is overtly sexual and has poor manners is discovered by Cleveland to have a penis. Cleveland immediately declares her a man and feels sick to his stomach over his discovery. Cleveland's father hits on Auntie Mama and has sex with her and Cleveland debates how to tell his dad that "Auntie Mama is really a man" There were many jokes over her gender identity, and her genitalia. Cleveland confronts Auntie Mama and her voice suddenly deepens and she says she pretends to be a woman so that his wife whose mother died can have a feminine influence in her life. Ultimately, both Cleveland and his dad vomit several times to show their overt disgust with finding out that Auntie Mama is trans.
The entire episode can be seen below:
This show is problematic on multiple levels, for one it questions the characters gender identity, it makes fun of gender, and it reinforces the misconception that transgender people are purposefully deceptive.
Contact Fox to let them know your thoughts:
The Cleveland Show on Twitter.
H/T to Bilerico Project.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Shameless Self Promotion Sunday
Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Open Forum: How Do You Self-Identify?
I'm bringing this post back because it was so popular and I'd like to get more of an idea of where my readers are coming from and who they are.
It would be interesting to know how most people who participate here identify. Don't feel the need to classify but if you wish to opine...
Sexual Orientation: Are you gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, asexual, questioning, pansexual, straight?
Gender Identity: Are you male female, intersex, m2f, f2m, androgyne, genderqueer, questioning?
Friday, November 27, 2009
The Soulforce Equality Ride 2010
Soulforce an organization dedicated to freedom for LGBT people from religious and political oppression through the practice of non-violent means is taking to the road again this year to send 25 LGBTQ youth to colleges and universities that do not allow openly homosexual students.
The Equality Ride is a nationwide bus trip that stops at anti-equality academic institutions and seeks to engage and dialogue on issues relating to sexuality, gender identity and affirming verses in scripture. The students engage in non-violent direct action, and even accept arrest when universities demand they leave their premises and they refuse to comply.
Please support the Equality Ride by making a much needed donation, to support the costs of the bus, food, accommodations, and bail needed for riders.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A Thanksgiving Message to Pro-Equality Democrats
This Thanksgiving send a message of thanks to Democrats who have led the fight for LGBT equality in congress. The message of thanks through the Stonewall Democrats form goes to Representatives: Conyers, Frank, Murphy, Baldwin, Nadler, Sanchez, Honda, Stark, Christensen and Senators: Merkley, Leahy, and Whitehouse. They are the movers and shakers behind legislation such as the Matthew Shepard Act, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Military Readiness Act, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, the Respect of Marriage Act, the Uniting American Families Act, the Safe Schools Improvement Act, the Reuniting Families Act, and the Every Child Deserves A Family Act.
Fill out the form to send them a Thanksgiving card of appreciation!


text:
Is Ariana Grande Planning on Launching a Beauty Line?
Ariana Grande is reportedly about to embark on her next venture: a beauty line.
TMZ reports the singer has plans to release a new fragrance line and is "seeking permission" to trademark the phrase "Ariana Grande Thank U, Next" on her next collection. In case you didn't know, Grande already has released six perfumes, including her latest, Cloud, which she used to tease her fourth album, Sweetener.
But now, she wants to expand her collection and add "perfumes, colognes, body lotions, bath and shower gels, body scrubs, body powders, body mists," according to the website.
After the success of both her albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next, we're not surprised Grande is jumping on the opportunity. Also, considering she recently became the most followed woman on Instagram with 150 million followers, it's no wonder she wants to try to brand herself as the next beauty mogul.
She'll have some competition, though, since right now a lot of other famous women have taken a stab at creating their own beauty products. Some of the more successful celebs include Rihanna (Fenty Beauty), Kylie Jenner (Kylie Cosmetics), Bella Thorne (Thorne By Bella), and Kim Kardashian (KKW Beauty).