"Flaggots": People who are passionate about a flag. ANY flag that they would fly or desecrate or disrespect out or spite or under the guise of protest or extreme celebration in the face of opposition.
If you are burning a flag, trying to change a flag, remove a flag, ban a flag, stomping on a flag or flying a big ass flag from the back of a truck to get attention, you are a FLAGGOT.
It's not my word originally, it was a word that I first heard more than a decade ago when someone was mocking a #confederateFlag activist. Now that flags of many kinds are such an issue with many, it is a universal identity embraced by some and used by some to mock the people so obsessed with an issue and taking the issue over anything of real importance.
Personally, if I use the word i'm not using it as a compliment for anyone. And I have no intention of sounding like I support ANY flag at this point. Im so sick of the issues with flags that I just no longer care if ANY flag is flying. I'd like to tell anyone with a flag (of any kind) to shove it up their butts.
This America we live in allegedly was founded with the idea of having some freedoms. But society in 2015 has betrayed that idea. Flags that have flown for years and decades are now being used as pawns for political and social bias leading to dangerous reactions from rabid supporters or detractors of any specific flag. And if people don't calm the hell down its going to become a domestic war out of control.
Do we really want that?
Showing posts with label LGBT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LGBT. Show all posts
Sunday, July 05, 2015
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Thank you Jonah Hill but you shouldn't have to apologize. You should have punched the photographer
I don't know much about Jonah Hill but I do know how much I LOATHE Politifcal Correctness and sadly Jonah Hill had to participate AFTER being harassed by some TMZ paparazzi slut. (The news article)
It really annoys me that just because someone has some celebrity that people think its perfectly fine for them to be followed and harassed during their private times and that people actually believe that these people have no right to some privacy and should be bothered when they are "off the clock".
So a photographer is following Jonah Hill around and taking pictures without his permission then makes an INAPPROPRIATE comment about the "sexiness" of Jonah Hill's shorts and its Jonah Hill that has to apologize? That's bullshit! And in this case, while there are no reports of the personal identity of the photographer or whether the photographer was gay or straight and he makes such a comment toward another man (assumed to be straight) isn't this like hitting on the guy or making inappropriate sexual harassment comment? Then Jonah Hill's response in my opinion is very JUSTIFIED. And she should not have had to apologize.
There should be MORE outrage for the parasites that follow people around taking photos of their PERSONAL and PRIVATE moments, even if they happen to be on a public sidewalk.
Period!
But Jonah Hill realized that some words hurt and the simple fact that he said some homophobic slurs may hurt some feelings and definitely will flame the cult of political correctness. Jonah Hill apologized and that makes him a good guy for appearing emotional and regretful of what he had to say.
All that is cute but my opinion is he should not have apologized, he should have punched the photographer! That makes me look bad for advocating violence and I will be branded as such. But something needs to be done to STOP harassment and stalking. Most of America is too chicken shit to enact and enforce LAWS to put a stop to it. So perhaps whooping some ass will get their attention.
Go ahead flame me for my opinion. I said it and don't give a damn.
Have a great day!
#RantOfTheDay #LGBT #Stalking #Homophobia #Paparazzo #Paparazzi #JonahHill
It really annoys me that just because someone has some celebrity that people think its perfectly fine for them to be followed and harassed during their private times and that people actually believe that these people have no right to some privacy and should be bothered when they are "off the clock".
So a photographer is following Jonah Hill around and taking pictures without his permission then makes an INAPPROPRIATE comment about the "sexiness" of Jonah Hill's shorts and its Jonah Hill that has to apologize? That's bullshit! And in this case, while there are no reports of the personal identity of the photographer or whether the photographer was gay or straight and he makes such a comment toward another man (assumed to be straight) isn't this like hitting on the guy or making inappropriate sexual harassment comment? Then Jonah Hill's response in my opinion is very JUSTIFIED. And she should not have had to apologize.
There should be MORE outrage for the parasites that follow people around taking photos of their PERSONAL and PRIVATE moments, even if they happen to be on a public sidewalk.
Period!
But Jonah Hill realized that some words hurt and the simple fact that he said some homophobic slurs may hurt some feelings and definitely will flame the cult of political correctness. Jonah Hill apologized and that makes him a good guy for appearing emotional and regretful of what he had to say.
All that is cute but my opinion is he should not have apologized, he should have punched the photographer! That makes me look bad for advocating violence and I will be branded as such. But something needs to be done to STOP harassment and stalking. Most of America is too chicken shit to enact and enforce LAWS to put a stop to it. So perhaps whooping some ass will get their attention.
Go ahead flame me for my opinion. I said it and don't give a damn.
Have a great day!
#RantOfTheDay #LGBT #Stalking #Homophobia #Paparazzo #Paparazzi #JonahHill
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Happy New Year and a symphony to 2013
Many of you reading this may have been linked to this from my personal Facebook account.
On New Years Eve, the last day of the dreaded year of 2013 I hinted in a status update that I was considering a song dedication to the year of 2013. And I am known for posting a lot of music and often using music as a commentary. So I decided to play it as if I knew (through a number of "likes" to my post) if any of my friends and family were looking forward to my doing anything like this I would post the song. But I never indicated what song I would post. Oh...but a few people not only know me but also have shared a similar opinion on the year and musically share an opinion on a specific song. However I'm going to surprise the folks on Facebook. The song you were thinking I was going to use to dedicate to the dreaded year of 2013 is NOT the one I am going to dedicate...on Facebook. Because that would have been too easy.
So to start off a new year for my old blogging account I offer that song here as an expression of happiness that 2013 is finally OVER.
Gone with the year are all of the negativity and horrible experiences, the suffering from depression and financial problems, the medical concerns, the horrible and heartbreaking news stories and struggles that I witnessed friends going through. Gone are some of the petty negative people who caused unnecessarily big and embarrassing meltdowns. The song is dedicated especially those negative and petty people, from Western Maryland, to Macon Georgia, to a few people the West coast. It will be my pleasure to play a song for you in celebration of losing you in 2013 and thankfully you and all drama shall not be a part of a new year. I'm looking forward to that.
So here on my blog, to all of that I offer a song. Simple short lyrics as orchestrated by the great Millie Jackson!
From the 1979 album "Live and Uncensored" by Millie Jackson....."The Phuck U Symphony"
Now, if you listen to Millie Jackson (while the video is available on YouTube)be sure to listen to the entire monologue and the ending when she says that you don't have to actually say the foul language and the next time someone pisses you off just play this record and say "And a Symphony to you too".
Hey 2013.......Here's a symphony for you! I curse you out with a melody.
And now on to 2014 a little stronger because of the lessons of 2013. 2013 may have been a rotten year but it didn't defeat me in the least. I hope everyone reading this didn't allow 2013 to defeat them but every struggle will make them strong enough to take on 2014 prepared for battle. Because success against struggle is the best "F you" you can give to the forces of evil.
Happy New Year EVERYONE!
On New Years Eve, the last day of the dreaded year of 2013 I hinted in a status update that I was considering a song dedication to the year of 2013. And I am known for posting a lot of music and often using music as a commentary. So I decided to play it as if I knew (through a number of "likes" to my post) if any of my friends and family were looking forward to my doing anything like this I would post the song. But I never indicated what song I would post. Oh...but a few people not only know me but also have shared a similar opinion on the year and musically share an opinion on a specific song. However I'm going to surprise the folks on Facebook. The song you were thinking I was going to use to dedicate to the dreaded year of 2013 is NOT the one I am going to dedicate...on Facebook. Because that would have been too easy.
So to start off a new year for my old blogging account I offer that song here as an expression of happiness that 2013 is finally OVER.
Gone with the year are all of the negativity and horrible experiences, the suffering from depression and financial problems, the medical concerns, the horrible and heartbreaking news stories and struggles that I witnessed friends going through. Gone are some of the petty negative people who caused unnecessarily big and embarrassing meltdowns. The song is dedicated especially those negative and petty people, from Western Maryland, to Macon Georgia, to a few people the West coast. It will be my pleasure to play a song for you in celebration of losing you in 2013 and thankfully you and all drama shall not be a part of a new year. I'm looking forward to that.
So here on my blog, to all of that I offer a song. Simple short lyrics as orchestrated by the great Millie Jackson!
From the 1979 album "Live and Uncensored" by Millie Jackson....."The Phuck U Symphony"
Now, if you listen to Millie Jackson (while the video is available on YouTube)be sure to listen to the entire monologue and the ending when she says that you don't have to actually say the foul language and the next time someone pisses you off just play this record and say "And a Symphony to you too".
Hey 2013.......Here's a symphony for you! I curse you out with a melody.
And now on to 2014 a little stronger because of the lessons of 2013. 2013 may have been a rotten year but it didn't defeat me in the least. I hope everyone reading this didn't allow 2013 to defeat them but every struggle will make them strong enough to take on 2014 prepared for battle. Because success against struggle is the best "F you" you can give to the forces of evil.
Happy New Year EVERYONE!
Monday, October 07, 2013
Matthew Shepard, My grandmother and an LGBT awakening.
Remembering Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998)
Matthew Shepard was beaten during the overnight hours of October 6-7th 1998 and this is the sad 15th anniversary of that horrific event. On my personal Facebook account I posted the following along with a photo of Matthew Shepard with my own personal experience at the time. On the same day that Matthew was beaten and left for dead I lost my grandfather. So the Facebook post was my account of what happened that week in 1998.
Immediately after I posted this a few friends suggested that I share it. One, person especially to suggest that is a PFLAG MOM and someone I have great admiration for. I could not pass on her suggestion and I thank her for making me share this. The text of that Facebook post is below. It's one of my personal stories and in honor of Matthew Shepard and my grandfather John Pettis. And certainly honoring my now late grandmother too, Mrs. Anna Pettis.
The following below was originally a Facebook post on October 7, 2013 at 10:00 am
Earlier I mentioned this was the 15th anniversary of the passing of my grandfather. Well it is also the 15th anniversary of the horrific beating of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming.
In my personal timeline of that week in 1998 this happened on a Tuesday. I would drive to New York for my grandfather's funeral on Thursday, immediately run errands helping my grandmother and finally we had the funeral on Saturday. Then Sunday it was just me, my mother and grandmother in her apartment. All my grandmother wanted was for the three of us to rest, eat a good meal and relax all day. We had some conversations. But my grandmother constantly watched the news on TV. And after my mother went out for a walk it was my grandmother and me as she watched the news on TV and came the story of what happened to Matthew Shepard.
I even remember we were watching channel 7 (ABC). My memories do have details! The newscast was very detailed and told us everything that happened up to that point Sunday afternoon. The beating, then the hospitalization and the vigil that was being held outside of the hospital. Then the report talked about the trend of violence against gays and lesbians. And something happened with me and my grandmother that evening. I said nothing. I hadn't ever come out to her and actually gave my mother permission to tell her a couple years earlier. I just didn't feel comfortable coming out to my grandmother knowing she was a religious woman and I wasn't prepared for her reaction. None of us were ever comfortable talking about it and there was a history of negative conversations regarding sexuality in my family.
But on that Sunday after my grandfather's funeral when we first heard about Matthew Shepard my grandmother shed a tear for the first time that week. Not for the loss of her husband of 60 years. She was strong all through that. She started crying as she said to me..."Edric please be careful out there. People are crazy and it makes no sense to me why anyone can be hurt for being themselves. And I don't want my grandson to get hurt like that."
I never shared that with anyone. It was a defining moment with me and my grandma. Nobody else was there. And I knew at that point that not only had my mother told my grandmother that I was gay because I was afraid to but my grandmother accepted it just fine and was more concerned about my safety.
I left for the 18 hour drive back to Georgia at 5am the next morning. Along the way I found myself listening to HOWARD STERN on the radio. Back then he was a local NYC show that was heard in a few other cities and as I made my way south I managed to listen to Howard Stern's entire show on stations from New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC as one faded out I would find the next station. And the normally light hearted and joking show was VERY serious and talked about Matthew Shepard and the vigil that was happening and about violence against the LGBT community. It was a totally different Howard Stern than how most of us knew him. Then after his show ended at 10am as I crossed into Virginia, the radio news announced that Matthew Shepard had died.
That hit me with great anger for the rest of the day as I continued driving down I-95 and I-85 and would scan the radio for anything I could hear about what happened. But i'm driving through the bible belt of Virginia and North Carolina now and all I could hear was so-called "Christians" that were claiming Matthew Shepard was a sinner and was going to hell. It was a very long drive home while listening to that crap.
But this tragedy did do something for me. It made me stronger and less timid. Actually I think my grandmother's "approval" had something do with it. Me knowing that my mother and now grandmother was ok with me, I WAS "OK" WITH ME.
So that folks is my #FacebookRantOfTheDay remembering what happened this week 15 years ago and how it personally affected me. I lost my grandfather, the world lost Matthew Shepard and we all gained a whole new spirit of awakening. And so many of us are stronger and determined as a result.
#LGBT #EQUALITY
Matthew Shepard was beaten during the overnight hours of October 6-7th 1998 and this is the sad 15th anniversary of that horrific event. On my personal Facebook account I posted the following along with a photo of Matthew Shepard with my own personal experience at the time. On the same day that Matthew was beaten and left for dead I lost my grandfather. So the Facebook post was my account of what happened that week in 1998.
Immediately after I posted this a few friends suggested that I share it. One, person especially to suggest that is a PFLAG MOM and someone I have great admiration for. I could not pass on her suggestion and I thank her for making me share this. The text of that Facebook post is below. It's one of my personal stories and in honor of Matthew Shepard and my grandfather John Pettis. And certainly honoring my now late grandmother too, Mrs. Anna Pettis.
The following below was originally a Facebook post on October 7, 2013 at 10:00 am
Earlier I mentioned this was the 15th anniversary of the passing of my grandfather. Well it is also the 15th anniversary of the horrific beating of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming.
In my personal timeline of that week in 1998 this happened on a Tuesday. I would drive to New York for my grandfather's funeral on Thursday, immediately run errands helping my grandmother and finally we had the funeral on Saturday. Then Sunday it was just me, my mother and grandmother in her apartment. All my grandmother wanted was for the three of us to rest, eat a good meal and relax all day. We had some conversations. But my grandmother constantly watched the news on TV. And after my mother went out for a walk it was my grandmother and me as she watched the news on TV and came the story of what happened to Matthew Shepard.
I even remember we were watching channel 7 (ABC). My memories do have details! The newscast was very detailed and told us everything that happened up to that point Sunday afternoon. The beating, then the hospitalization and the vigil that was being held outside of the hospital. Then the report talked about the trend of violence against gays and lesbians. And something happened with me and my grandmother that evening. I said nothing. I hadn't ever come out to her and actually gave my mother permission to tell her a couple years earlier. I just didn't feel comfortable coming out to my grandmother knowing she was a religious woman and I wasn't prepared for her reaction. None of us were ever comfortable talking about it and there was a history of negative conversations regarding sexuality in my family.
But on that Sunday after my grandfather's funeral when we first heard about Matthew Shepard my grandmother shed a tear for the first time that week. Not for the loss of her husband of 60 years. She was strong all through that. She started crying as she said to me..."Edric please be careful out there. People are crazy and it makes no sense to me why anyone can be hurt for being themselves. And I don't want my grandson to get hurt like that."
I never shared that with anyone. It was a defining moment with me and my grandma. Nobody else was there. And I knew at that point that not only had my mother told my grandmother that I was gay because I was afraid to but my grandmother accepted it just fine and was more concerned about my safety.
I left for the 18 hour drive back to Georgia at 5am the next morning. Along the way I found myself listening to HOWARD STERN on the radio. Back then he was a local NYC show that was heard in a few other cities and as I made my way south I managed to listen to Howard Stern's entire show on stations from New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC as one faded out I would find the next station. And the normally light hearted and joking show was VERY serious and talked about Matthew Shepard and the vigil that was happening and about violence against the LGBT community. It was a totally different Howard Stern than how most of us knew him. Then after his show ended at 10am as I crossed into Virginia, the radio news announced that Matthew Shepard had died.
That hit me with great anger for the rest of the day as I continued driving down I-95 and I-85 and would scan the radio for anything I could hear about what happened. But i'm driving through the bible belt of Virginia and North Carolina now and all I could hear was so-called "Christians" that were claiming Matthew Shepard was a sinner and was going to hell. It was a very long drive home while listening to that crap.
But this tragedy did do something for me. It made me stronger and less timid. Actually I think my grandmother's "approval" had something do with it. Me knowing that my mother and now grandmother was ok with me, I WAS "OK" WITH ME.
So that folks is my #FacebookRantOfTheDay remembering what happened this week 15 years ago and how it personally affected me. I lost my grandfather, the world lost Matthew Shepard and we all gained a whole new spirit of awakening. And so many of us are stronger and determined as a result.
#LGBT #EQUALITY
Monday, July 01, 2013
July One: RE-kicking off my blogging
July 1, 2013 is the official retirement date for the great blog PAM'S HOUSE BLEND, created by Pam Spaulding 9 years ago. Pam's blog became the voice representing several parts of the LGBT community. She lives in the South, is a woman of color and a lesbian in a long term relationship. Married but not legally recognized as such in the state of North Carolina where she lives. Most blogs are presented by a more privledged view of the gay white male living in an urban environment usually in the Northeast or the West coast. Often those voices express animosity toward the south and some can be downright nasty about that.
Pam's House Blend never expressed the type of snark and arrogance that often comes from our LGBT fellows in more "progressive" places. Pam's House Blend presented a clear viewpoint that represented the most diverse perspective of any of the blogs online. And early on it was an inspiration for some to start their own blog. But those of us who tried quickly learned what was required. The very things that kept Pam Spaulding very busy for nearly a decade until her health concerns forced her to retire her blog. Dedication, financial and personal sacrifice. Having a true love and passion to gather the best information that was carefully researched and presented with the best quality. Doing a blog is a huge responsibility and a tough one for many of us to hold.
I started this blog several years ago and life kicked into high gear. Personal responsibilities like work, family and health were the multiple full time jobs and suddenly this idea of blogging seemed to be another possible full time job. When would I sleep? How can I think of what to say and how to present it? All of those questions smacked me in the face and blogging for me became what it is for probably 90% of us, nothing more than an occasional diary.
Years ago I was inspired to start a blog because of Pam Spaulding and later Joe Jervis. Both are the leading bloggers in the LGBT community while totally different in approach they each provided an outlet that many of us in less "progressive" areas could discuss issues that are of concern to our lives.
There still are few voices and regions represented online in a fair and honest perspective. Many of us vent on our social network pages but we aren't documenting our concerns in a format that can more easily be distributed and archived. And I have a renewed personal interest in doing the right thing and bringing a different voice into the field. So my hope is to grow this blog into one of those voices. I want to do it the way Pam and many others did it. Start out sharing opinions, research and KNOW what you are blogging about before you post it and hope to inform and educate people. Eventually find others to help and share from their perspective, build a team.
I am no journalist and have had no training to become one. So this will be a learning as I go phase. Over time you will see improvements and I intend to work hard at making those improvements so those who read my posts will WANT to read whatever I have to say and hopefully can learn something form it. And I look forward to learn from the responses.
So this post is my official "Re-kicking" off of my blog. Only this time I'm not changing the name again or trying to come up with any theme. For now, it's just me "telling it like (I think) it is".
I thank Pam Spaulding for getting things started over the past 9 years and wish her all the best and hope for improved health and happiness. I will continue to follow her on the social networks and I will share my expressions across the social networks. I hope to grow in readership and I hope I have the strength to maintain this time.
So that's it, my rambling about my intent once again to get back into blogging, sharing information and experiences from a perspective that is not heard in the LGBT community. There will be many explanations along the way. You'll just have to stay tuned, or "subscribe" to find out.
So here's to the official RESTART, July 1, 2013, Edric Floyd begins a new phase in his online life.
It's time.
Pam's House Blend never expressed the type of snark and arrogance that often comes from our LGBT fellows in more "progressive" places. Pam's House Blend presented a clear viewpoint that represented the most diverse perspective of any of the blogs online. And early on it was an inspiration for some to start their own blog. But those of us who tried quickly learned what was required. The very things that kept Pam Spaulding very busy for nearly a decade until her health concerns forced her to retire her blog. Dedication, financial and personal sacrifice. Having a true love and passion to gather the best information that was carefully researched and presented with the best quality. Doing a blog is a huge responsibility and a tough one for many of us to hold.
I started this blog several years ago and life kicked into high gear. Personal responsibilities like work, family and health were the multiple full time jobs and suddenly this idea of blogging seemed to be another possible full time job. When would I sleep? How can I think of what to say and how to present it? All of those questions smacked me in the face and blogging for me became what it is for probably 90% of us, nothing more than an occasional diary.
Years ago I was inspired to start a blog because of Pam Spaulding and later Joe Jervis. Both are the leading bloggers in the LGBT community while totally different in approach they each provided an outlet that many of us in less "progressive" areas could discuss issues that are of concern to our lives.
There still are few voices and regions represented online in a fair and honest perspective. Many of us vent on our social network pages but we aren't documenting our concerns in a format that can more easily be distributed and archived. And I have a renewed personal interest in doing the right thing and bringing a different voice into the field. So my hope is to grow this blog into one of those voices. I want to do it the way Pam and many others did it. Start out sharing opinions, research and KNOW what you are blogging about before you post it and hope to inform and educate people. Eventually find others to help and share from their perspective, build a team.
I am no journalist and have had no training to become one. So this will be a learning as I go phase. Over time you will see improvements and I intend to work hard at making those improvements so those who read my posts will WANT to read whatever I have to say and hopefully can learn something form it. And I look forward to learn from the responses.
So this post is my official "Re-kicking" off of my blog. Only this time I'm not changing the name again or trying to come up with any theme. For now, it's just me "telling it like (I think) it is".
I thank Pam Spaulding for getting things started over the past 9 years and wish her all the best and hope for improved health and happiness. I will continue to follow her on the social networks and I will share my expressions across the social networks. I hope to grow in readership and I hope I have the strength to maintain this time.
So that's it, my rambling about my intent once again to get back into blogging, sharing information and experiences from a perspective that is not heard in the LGBT community. There will be many explanations along the way. You'll just have to stay tuned, or "subscribe" to find out.
So here's to the official RESTART, July 1, 2013, Edric Floyd begins a new phase in his online life.
It's time.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
The New Normal is no more!
NBC has cancelled "The New Normal" after one season. The show depicts a gay couple and their wish to start a family so they hired a surrogate. The season and show ended with the birth of their baby boy.
The "New Normal" show told all of the gay couple/family/having a baby stories it could tell in one season. Like a Brady Bunch episode, wrapped up very quickly and in hyper stereotypical fashion. More than enough. OK!!
With the other sitcoms trying to showcase the same thing I think we have crossed that barrier now. The LGBT community has had their "Good Times", "That's My Mama", "Jeffersons" and "Sanford and Son" groundbreaking if you get the drift. DONE! And please don't expect me to watch another show just because it has a gay storyline, actor or characters...ESPECIALLY IF IT IS PRODUCED BY RYAN MURPHY or has that annoying Andrew Rannells.
I deserve a new toaster oven for watching every episode of this show! Just saying. A high end one this time! The old Black & Decker from Walmart has about run its course.
The "New Normal" show told all of the gay couple/family/having a baby stories it could tell in one season. Like a Brady Bunch episode, wrapped up very quickly and in hyper stereotypical fashion. More than enough. OK!!
With the other sitcoms trying to showcase the same thing I think we have crossed that barrier now. The LGBT community has had their "Good Times", "That's My Mama", "Jeffersons" and "Sanford and Son" groundbreaking if you get the drift. DONE! And please don't expect me to watch another show just because it has a gay storyline, actor or characters...ESPECIALLY IF IT IS PRODUCED BY RYAN MURPHY or has that annoying Andrew Rannells.
I deserve a new toaster oven for watching every episode of this show! Just saying. A high end one this time! The old Black & Decker from Walmart has about run its course.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
I changed again, back to blogging for ME!
So I got the idea that I would start a blog when it was this new trend several years ago. The first one was "The E Blog, Yeah I said it" and I said whatever I felt with no shame or apology. That same trend moved on to MySpace where I did my most blogging from my account. Had lots of readers/followers there. But we all know that died as Facebook grew.
On Facebook you are most known for your status updates and as the allowed number of characters grew, status updates often became RANTS and for some of us that replaced blogging as a form of expressing themselves. Sure there is also the Facebook notes option but it isn't always easy to find and unless you post it frequently or tag people who likely didn't want to be tagged, your "notes" weren't easily read. So that at least for me didn't work.
But one thing I always kept was my blogger account. And I thought I would try different formats and ideas and changed the name of the blog a few times. I even created a logo for one of the concepts I had. All of them failed. Failed because I lost interest or life's circumstances didn't allow me to have the passion I needed to make it work. And so I will try again and make another change, almost back to where I started.
This change in my blog account did come with a few roadblocks. Changing the URL didn't allow me to return to my original web address, so I added a word and you can find my blog at THEEdricfloyd.blogspot.com . Now that might seem a bit bold and self promoting of me but I don't really care.
The new theme is EDRIC FLOYD: TELLING IT LIKE IT IS! and that is exactly what I plan to do, tell it like it is, or at least like I think it is. This will be a blog of honestly, integrity, openminded consideration and a serious look at ALL sides of a story. Somewhere along the way there will be a suggestion of common sense. Possibly there will be some humor, and surely I am likely to upset some with my expression of the painful truth. I did that before when talking about religion, sexuality and stereotypical discrimination.
So, I hope I am going to finally find the right groove here and blog away. You'll never know what you'll get but I hope to give you the best that I got.
Thank you to those who have stuck with me over the years and through the many changes. And welcome to everyone about to experience me, Edric Floyd telling it like (I think) it is.
On Facebook you are most known for your status updates and as the allowed number of characters grew, status updates often became RANTS and for some of us that replaced blogging as a form of expressing themselves. Sure there is also the Facebook notes option but it isn't always easy to find and unless you post it frequently or tag people who likely didn't want to be tagged, your "notes" weren't easily read. So that at least for me didn't work.
But one thing I always kept was my blogger account. And I thought I would try different formats and ideas and changed the name of the blog a few times. I even created a logo for one of the concepts I had. All of them failed. Failed because I lost interest or life's circumstances didn't allow me to have the passion I needed to make it work. And so I will try again and make another change, almost back to where I started.
This change in my blog account did come with a few roadblocks. Changing the URL didn't allow me to return to my original web address, so I added a word and you can find my blog at THEEdricfloyd.blogspot.com . Now that might seem a bit bold and self promoting of me but I don't really care.
The new theme is EDRIC FLOYD: TELLING IT LIKE IT IS! and that is exactly what I plan to do, tell it like it is, or at least like I think it is. This will be a blog of honestly, integrity, openminded consideration and a serious look at ALL sides of a story. Somewhere along the way there will be a suggestion of common sense. Possibly there will be some humor, and surely I am likely to upset some with my expression of the painful truth. I did that before when talking about religion, sexuality and stereotypical discrimination.
So, I hope I am going to finally find the right groove here and blog away. You'll never know what you'll get but I hope to give you the best that I got.
Thank you to those who have stuck with me over the years and through the many changes. And welcome to everyone about to experience me, Edric Floyd telling it like (I think) it is.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
National Coming Out day special
October 11th is National Coming out Day, a designated day to celebrate the opportunity for people who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender to COME OUT to others.
Seriously, it is a struggle for some to come out to others with the fear of being accepted by their family, friends and community. If you are LGBT and need to find a good resource to help you with coming out to your family or others, I suggest you seek out a P-FLAG chapter. P-FLAG is Parents, Families, Friends and Gays, a wonderful supportive resource with the friendliest people you will ever know. To find a local chapter near you go to www.pflag.org
Now on a lighter note, I found a video posted on YouTube of a FULL LENGTH movie from 1976 that involves a coming out of a son to his parents. It was a controversial comedy starring Redd Foxx and Pearl Bailey. Also included in this movie is the late Waylon Flowers and Madame. This movie to me is a 70's gay iconic film. It's really a horrible movie in the days when political correctness didn't exist which makes this blogger actually love the movie. Yes I saw this when it was new and I was young and church folk would cringe at the fact that my mother took us to see this.
Ironically I came across this while looking for something to post on Facebook in honor of the anniversary of the death of Redd Foxx, who died on October 11, 1991 at the age of 69.
Enjoy while it lasts on YouTube, the movie "Norman Is That You" and feel free to discuss in the comments below. :)
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Subway stands with Chick-Fil-A ?
On Wednesday August 1st, an overwhelming amount of the citizens of America celebrated "Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day", a day declared by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in response to the public stance taken by Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy a couple weeks earlier.
Dan Cathy affirmed in an interview with the Baptist Press his support for "traditional marriage" and his pledge to run his restaurant business with "biblical principles" most of which are a smack in the face of LGBT people. So the LGBT community responded with calls for a boycott of the chain. However the heterosexual community and its religious zealots and as many conservative opinion peddlers you can shake a chicken strip at banded together in support of the restaurant chain by lining up for hours for a chance to buy a meal at Chick-Fil-A. The record breaking day of sales for the restaurant chain is like having all of society respond to a minority with a resounding "Fuck You"! We don't give a crap about your rights, we officially declare you gay people SECOND CLASS CITIZENS!
Well in the days leading up to this Chick-fil-A appreciation day photos surfaced showing other restaurant chains with their message boards that said they were in support of their competitor. Many of those signs appeared to be photoshopped creations but this blogger is here to tell you about one sign that was honest and true.
(Click to view LIVE VIDEO of this sign taken to prove this is not photoshopped. video posted via I-Phone on Facebook)
The SUBWAY located at 20 East Cruselle Street in Roberta Georgia posted on both sides of their street sign that they "stand with Dan Cathy and Chick Fil A".
The restaurant is located about 25 miles west of the closest Chick-Fil-A in Macon Georgia. This Subway franchise promoted another restaurant and likely shares the same "Christian" values. Or more honestly, they have an anti-gay point of view.
Perhaps fair minded people, if there are any left after the massive showing of "support" for the hateful Chick-Fil-A company, may want to contact Subway and ask why any of their restaurants would want to support discrimination by publicly supporting Chick-Fil-A.
Or you could choose to get your cheap sandwiches somewhere else.
Dan Cathy affirmed in an interview with the Baptist Press his support for "traditional marriage" and his pledge to run his restaurant business with "biblical principles" most of which are a smack in the face of LGBT people. So the LGBT community responded with calls for a boycott of the chain. However the heterosexual community and its religious zealots and as many conservative opinion peddlers you can shake a chicken strip at banded together in support of the restaurant chain by lining up for hours for a chance to buy a meal at Chick-Fil-A. The record breaking day of sales for the restaurant chain is like having all of society respond to a minority with a resounding "Fuck You"! We don't give a crap about your rights, we officially declare you gay people SECOND CLASS CITIZENS!
Well in the days leading up to this Chick-fil-A appreciation day photos surfaced showing other restaurant chains with their message boards that said they were in support of their competitor. Many of those signs appeared to be photoshopped creations but this blogger is here to tell you about one sign that was honest and true.
(Click to view LIVE VIDEO of this sign taken to prove this is not photoshopped. video posted via I-Phone on Facebook)
The SUBWAY located at 20 East Cruselle Street in Roberta Georgia posted on both sides of their street sign that they "stand with Dan Cathy and Chick Fil A".
The restaurant is located about 25 miles west of the closest Chick-Fil-A in Macon Georgia. This Subway franchise promoted another restaurant and likely shares the same "Christian" values. Or more honestly, they have an anti-gay point of view.
Perhaps fair minded people, if there are any left after the massive showing of "support" for the hateful Chick-Fil-A company, may want to contact Subway and ask why any of their restaurants would want to support discrimination by publicly supporting Chick-Fil-A.
Or you could choose to get your cheap sandwiches somewhere else.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Chris L. Hough of Atlanta, you are a WIMP!
Hey Atlanta folks on Facebook! I am posting this on my blog so it can easily be shared.
Some of you are friends with a Chris L.Hough on Facebook. According to his profile he is an Atlanta area real estate agent.
Well he is a punk ass wimp! That is what I call people who block me on Facebook because they are incapable of having a conversation where there may be a disagreement.
He seems to support a CHILDISH and misleading video that runs OFF TOPIC to the Facebook group where the video was posted. (Screen caps of conversation below)
On my personal Facebook account Chris L. Hough's posts disappeared. That is the result of his BLOCKING me on Facebook. His last post addressing me said "I rest my case,another asshole to block I think". Well Chris L. Hough, you are the ASSHOLE for sure and blocking me was a PUNK ASS WIMPY move on your part!
So these screen captures were done through another undisclosed Facebook account. Yeah CHRIS L. HOUGH, I had a way to see what you said. Your "asshole" comment was done AFTER you blocked me! If not for the other FB account access to the group I would never have seen it.
I probably shouldn't use my blog for a personal anger from some asshole on Facebook but what the hell. This is my way of exposing what some people will do when they cannot handle a disagreement like an ADULT! And this is my way of getting the last word. If you block me on Facebook or Twitter I am very likely to expose you here!
There is a lot of emotion over Chick-Fil-A and the homophobic stance of its CEO Dan Cathy. I am on the side of LGBT EQUALITY but it's dealing with crap like this and people like CHRIS HOUGH that are pushing me away from the Chick-Fil-A debate. I have a low tolerance for immaturity and misinformation. There is plenty of that coming from the GAY side of the debate. I feel we can behave BETTER than that and sometimes I might be called a "prude" for my stance.
Well I could use all of the sources I have to support LGBT equality as it also supports ME. But I will NOT be associated with immaturity and misinformation. I will call it out regardless of which side it comes from. I don't feel that the playground bully tactic and getting cheap laughs at the expense of the opponent are EVER going to solve the problems at hand.
And I won't play that game.
Some of you are friends with a Chris L.Hough on Facebook. According to his profile he is an Atlanta area real estate agent.
Well he is a punk ass wimp! That is what I call people who block me on Facebook because they are incapable of having a conversation where there may be a disagreement.
He seems to support a CHILDISH and misleading video that runs OFF TOPIC to the Facebook group where the video was posted. (Screen caps of conversation below)
On my personal Facebook account Chris L. Hough's posts disappeared. That is the result of his BLOCKING me on Facebook. His last post addressing me said "I rest my case,another asshole to block I think". Well Chris L. Hough, you are the ASSHOLE for sure and blocking me was a PUNK ASS WIMPY move on your part!
So these screen captures were done through another undisclosed Facebook account. Yeah CHRIS L. HOUGH, I had a way to see what you said. Your "asshole" comment was done AFTER you blocked me! If not for the other FB account access to the group I would never have seen it.
I probably shouldn't use my blog for a personal anger from some asshole on Facebook but what the hell. This is my way of exposing what some people will do when they cannot handle a disagreement like an ADULT! And this is my way of getting the last word. If you block me on Facebook or Twitter I am very likely to expose you here!
There is a lot of emotion over Chick-Fil-A and the homophobic stance of its CEO Dan Cathy. I am on the side of LGBT EQUALITY but it's dealing with crap like this and people like CHRIS HOUGH that are pushing me away from the Chick-Fil-A debate. I have a low tolerance for immaturity and misinformation. There is plenty of that coming from the GAY side of the debate. I feel we can behave BETTER than that and sometimes I might be called a "prude" for my stance.
Well I could use all of the sources I have to support LGBT equality as it also supports ME. But I will NOT be associated with immaturity and misinformation. I will call it out regardless of which side it comes from. I don't feel that the playground bully tactic and getting cheap laughs at the expense of the opponent are EVER going to solve the problems at hand.
And I won't play that game.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Chicken Sandwiches Served with Hate?
In July 2012, the fast food chain Chick-Fil-A faced additional opposition from the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT) over public comments by CEO Dan Cathy expressing his support for "traditional" and "bibical" values in regards to marriage. This is seen in the LGBT community as being against same-sex marriage. This backs up earlier news of the chain's financial support of organizations for marriage between one man and one woman. This is seen mostly as "hate" by the LGBT community and is frequently expressed in opposition to Chick-Fil-A. There are calls for boycotting the chain and efforts exist to prevent the chain from expanding into new areas or to have them removed from some locations.
As a member of the LGBT community and a customer of Chick-Fil-A for decades I am certainly concerned about the issues with the chain and this blog will address those issues in many posts over time. But this is the first of many posts talking about Chick-Fil-A and its alternatives. This is a comparison of my average experiences that include Chick-Fil-A
Sunday, July 22, 2012: Well it's Sunday and Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sunday so IF I wanted to eat something out that wouldn't be an option today. But I was out and about and facing an hour of driving on the interstate I stopped by a KFC drive-thru and ordered one of their chicken sandwiches. Something that can be easily eaten while driving. I ordered a combo of 2 KFC "Stackers", a side order of their potato wedges and a medium drink. I always prefer a sweetened Ice Tea but getting that from KFC is always a crap shoot. Either its too sweet, too warm because they just made a batch or getting spoiled because the batch they made is several hours old. So my drink of choice was a Sierra Mist and it was a disappointment.
And so I placed my order, spent less than $5 dollars and continued on my drive. 90 minutes later I am at a supermarket close to my home and just before I reached the checkout I felt a VERY sudden urge to use the restroom. I hate using public bathrooms but luckily I was at a supermarket that is known to have VERY clean restrooms. So I pushed my shopping cart aside and quickly made my way to the restroom. And not to get graphic, lets just say I was in the right place at the right time. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in pain or in fear of messing myself. I did what I had to do and resumed my shopping. This was less than 90 minutes AFTER consuming food from a KFC and it is not the first time experience for me. Any time I eat something from Kentucky Fried Chicken usually requires a bathroom visit within 2 hours. If it is a sandwich I have eaten by KFC, the need for a restroom comes much sooner with slightly extreme results pending.
Compare to earlier this month (Before Dan Cathy's confirmation of anti-gay policies), I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. I ordered a deluxe chicken club sandwich combo that came with their famous waffle fries and I ordered a large sweet Ice tea. The Tea was just right. Perfectly chilled and on ice and when I asked for lemon in my tea I got what I ordered.
My Chick-Fil-A order was at lunchtime and I continued with my day feeling great and no issues were had. There was no rush to find a restroom and no ill feelings at all.
For me a gay man in 2012 to admit that I ate at Chick-Fil-A can be seen by some as my supporting hate. Well here is a comparison of "hate". One sandwich tasted horrible and forced me to interrupt what I was doing to go to the rest room. The other tasted pretty good and I suffered no effects after eating it.
One chain is known for anti-gay donations and we don't know anything about KFC, its franchise operators or its CEO's donations for or against LGBT concerns. But some of my fellow LGBT community members would suggest I purchase food from KFC over Chick-Fil-A.
But in this case, the physical HATE came from eating the KFC sandwich. Something I have never experienced at a Chick-Fil-A.
I had an even worse experience after eating a KFC "double down" sandwich. I had to rush to find a rest room only 45 minutes after eating and almost didn't make it. That means I experienced a little more direct "hate" from KFC than Chick-Fil-A
I'm just being honest about it.
As a member of the LGBT community and a customer of Chick-Fil-A for decades I am certainly concerned about the issues with the chain and this blog will address those issues in many posts over time. But this is the first of many posts talking about Chick-Fil-A and its alternatives. This is a comparison of my average experiences that include Chick-Fil-A
Sunday, July 22, 2012: Well it's Sunday and Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sunday so IF I wanted to eat something out that wouldn't be an option today. But I was out and about and facing an hour of driving on the interstate I stopped by a KFC drive-thru and ordered one of their chicken sandwiches. Something that can be easily eaten while driving. I ordered a combo of 2 KFC "Stackers", a side order of their potato wedges and a medium drink. I always prefer a sweetened Ice Tea but getting that from KFC is always a crap shoot. Either its too sweet, too warm because they just made a batch or getting spoiled because the batch they made is several hours old. So my drink of choice was a Sierra Mist and it was a disappointment.
And so I placed my order, spent less than $5 dollars and continued on my drive. 90 minutes later I am at a supermarket close to my home and just before I reached the checkout I felt a VERY sudden urge to use the restroom. I hate using public bathrooms but luckily I was at a supermarket that is known to have VERY clean restrooms. So I pushed my shopping cart aside and quickly made my way to the restroom. And not to get graphic, lets just say I was in the right place at the right time. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in pain or in fear of messing myself. I did what I had to do and resumed my shopping. This was less than 90 minutes AFTER consuming food from a KFC and it is not the first time experience for me. Any time I eat something from Kentucky Fried Chicken usually requires a bathroom visit within 2 hours. If it is a sandwich I have eaten by KFC, the need for a restroom comes much sooner with slightly extreme results pending.
Compare to earlier this month (Before Dan Cathy's confirmation of anti-gay policies), I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. I ordered a deluxe chicken club sandwich combo that came with their famous waffle fries and I ordered a large sweet Ice tea. The Tea was just right. Perfectly chilled and on ice and when I asked for lemon in my tea I got what I ordered.
My Chick-Fil-A order was at lunchtime and I continued with my day feeling great and no issues were had. There was no rush to find a restroom and no ill feelings at all.
For me a gay man in 2012 to admit that I ate at Chick-Fil-A can be seen by some as my supporting hate. Well here is a comparison of "hate". One sandwich tasted horrible and forced me to interrupt what I was doing to go to the rest room. The other tasted pretty good and I suffered no effects after eating it.
One chain is known for anti-gay donations and we don't know anything about KFC, its franchise operators or its CEO's donations for or against LGBT concerns. But some of my fellow LGBT community members would suggest I purchase food from KFC over Chick-Fil-A.
But in this case, the physical HATE came from eating the KFC sandwich. Something I have never experienced at a Chick-Fil-A.
I had an even worse experience after eating a KFC "double down" sandwich. I had to rush to find a rest room only 45 minutes after eating and almost didn't make it. That means I experienced a little more direct "hate" from KFC than Chick-Fil-A
I'm just being honest about it.
Saturday, July 07, 2012
Mark and Beau want to get married and Texas says no!
The Daily Sweet Tea Toast Salute on July 7th 2012 goes to Mark "Major" Jiminez and Beau Chandler, the Texas couple who decided to protest their state's ban of same-sex marriages.
On Thursday July 5th, they went to the Dallas County clerk's office to apply for a marriage license and were denied because Texas law only allows marriages that are between one man and one woman. Not accepting this form of discrimination, Mark and Beau handcuffed themselves in the county clerk's office and refused to leave until they either granted the marriage license or were forcibly removed. They were arrested and now face possible fines and jail time.
Video of their sit-in and arrest courtesy of The Dallas Voice.
What Mark and Beau did was STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS! They took action and sacrificed to bring attention to the inequality that exists in America. For that The Daily Sweet Tea lifts up our glass in a toast to the Texas couple and hopes that we see more people standing up and fighting for equality.
For more information about this you should reference GET EQUAL TEXAS for the best local updates and perhaps show your support for Mark and Beau as they face their legal challenges.
On Thursday July 5th, they went to the Dallas County clerk's office to apply for a marriage license and were denied because Texas law only allows marriages that are between one man and one woman. Not accepting this form of discrimination, Mark and Beau handcuffed themselves in the county clerk's office and refused to leave until they either granted the marriage license or were forcibly removed. They were arrested and now face possible fines and jail time.
Video of their sit-in and arrest courtesy of The Dallas Voice.
What Mark and Beau did was STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS! They took action and sacrificed to bring attention to the inequality that exists in America. For that The Daily Sweet Tea lifts up our glass in a toast to the Texas couple and hopes that we see more people standing up and fighting for equality.
For more information about this you should reference GET EQUAL TEXAS for the best local updates and perhaps show your support for Mark and Beau as they face their legal challenges.
Sunday, July 01, 2012
Tea Toast Salute: Happy Anniversary Pam & Kate (Spaulding)
Here is a Daily Sweet Tea Toast salute to Pam Spaulding and her wife Kate on the 8th anniversary of their marriage in Canada on July 1, 2004. The lesbian couple were legally married in Canada where same-sex marriages are legal but they are residents of North Carolina which recently became the 32nd state in the USA to approve a constitutional amendment that bans legalization of their relationship. Pam Spaulding is one of the legends of the blogisphere and known affectionately as the "Blogmistress". And if you aren't reading her blog at PAM'S HOUSE BLEND then this must be your first time on the internet! All hail to the Blogmistress and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Pam Spaulding and her WIFE Kate! This weekend happens to be the birthday of BILLY BROWN, of the R&B group Ray, Goodman & Brown. And today I share their 1980 hit "Happy Anniversary"
Monday, June 11, 2012
Netroots notes: More than Marriage and don't abandon the south
Last week there was a convention called "Netroots Nation" held in Providence Rhode Island. It is mostly made up of Liberal and Progressive political bloggers and activists and just before the conference was "Netroots Connect" targeting the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and thanks to modern technology you could follow almost everything from these events online. And I did just that.
Of the Netroots connect conference of LGBT activists there were some great topics of interest to those of us who live in "red states" including mostly conservative rural and southern regions. One, the matter "Marriage Equality" or same-sex marriage dominating the so-called "gay agenda" politically.
While marriage equality is an important concern it was FINALLY mentioned in a public forum that for many of us, economic and other social issues take president to whether one can legally get married or not. To quote one of the attendees via twitter (not exact wording) "Getting married isn't all that when I can be fired from my job for talking about it". That was in reference to the possibility of someone who is LGBT losing their job simply because of who they are and having no legal recourse. And there are other primary issues of concern that effect singles as well as LGBT couples. Tax concerns. National security. JOB security! Crime and government corruption. These are issues that concern most anyone in any segment of our society and are often compounded for the LGBT community but take a backseat to marriage equality for most of the attention given by the LGBT community politically.
We need to start focusing on many other issues, especially local issues in our community that also effect our straight relatives and neighbors.
And another issue that was brought up is one that is close to home for me and my neighbors. The fact that the national LGBT community and our national organizations frequently discard its community that lives in what is considered a "red state", especially states in the Southern United States. So questions were asked as to what can the national LGBT community do to help its rural, southern and "red state" members of the family. Many in the LGBT and so-called "progressive" community have simply abandoned and written off places that are not urban or in the Northeast or Western areas of our country. So the easy answer is to COME to our red states, our rural areas, our southern states and walk with us as we work to educate and make ALL of our homes a better place.
Many disparage our areas, especially the South for our negative education statistics and the higher domination of conservative politics and religion and if you are LGBT living in these areas it is often suggested to us that we move to other areas, to LEAVE our hometowns for places that appear to be more open minded, welcoming or "safe". But the reality is that those places are no more safer or open minded than many small towns in the rural south. There are many instances of gay bashings and police harassment in urban areas and "blue states". Places we are supposed to believe are safe. While there are things that happen in all areas of our world that are often undocumented, the problems of being LGBT in American society have no boundaries. Even if you can marry your same-sex partner in the few states that allow it, you still don't have all of your rights. You are just like us who live down here in the red states.
I had a good twitter conversation with blog mistress (and North Carolina resident) Pam Spaulding as was told by some that she should pack up and leave NC and consider it a lost cause. But because of the hard work of the citizens of NC the results of their recent constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage were actually more who voted IN FAVOR of marriage equality compared to other states. The amendment passed with only 60% of the vote. In other states where similar amendment votes were held, those who wanted to see marriage limited to one man-one woman won by as much as 75-85%. My point is, thanks to the hard work of the citizens of North Carolina, nearly 40% voted with the right intentions. That is so much more than what happened in the neighboring states. So the amendment vote failed for our side. But progress was made because people didn't give up. And North Carolina proved that you can't just pack up and move away we need our LGBT community to stand with our family regardless of where we live and build progress one step at a time.
I have experienced other instances where it was suggested by the LGBT community to run away from our southern home towns and don't look back like Blacks did during the civil rights movement. But think about it! The Blacks who stayed in the south marched and sacrificed AT HOME while those who moved away may have lived a happier life but in retrospect haven't done or achieved that much. Take a good look at our inner cities of the North and Midwest and their decades of decay. Many of my own relatives who left the south in the 1940's through the 1960's eventually retired back in their original home states to find places that were made better because of the people who worked hard to make it a better place. They didn't have to work to make it a better place, somebody else did it for them. And that is the mindset of the LGBT community in too many cases. Those who live in "safe" urban areas and the North and West where life is happy and there are many things to do don't realize that all of that comes at a price. You have to work for it and can make it happen anywhere.
Martin Luther King didn't run away to New York or Detroit, he stayed close to his home and helped fight to make a difference. And if the LGBT community loves to latch onto the history of the civil rights movement as so many of us within the LGBT community do, then you should take heed from Dr. King. He didn't abandon the small town, the "red states" of the time or the South. And the LGBT community shouldn't abandon US either.
Of the Netroots connect conference of LGBT activists there were some great topics of interest to those of us who live in "red states" including mostly conservative rural and southern regions. One, the matter "Marriage Equality" or same-sex marriage dominating the so-called "gay agenda" politically.
While marriage equality is an important concern it was FINALLY mentioned in a public forum that for many of us, economic and other social issues take president to whether one can legally get married or not. To quote one of the attendees via twitter (not exact wording) "Getting married isn't all that when I can be fired from my job for talking about it". That was in reference to the possibility of someone who is LGBT losing their job simply because of who they are and having no legal recourse. And there are other primary issues of concern that effect singles as well as LGBT couples. Tax concerns. National security. JOB security! Crime and government corruption. These are issues that concern most anyone in any segment of our society and are often compounded for the LGBT community but take a backseat to marriage equality for most of the attention given by the LGBT community politically.
We need to start focusing on many other issues, especially local issues in our community that also effect our straight relatives and neighbors.
And another issue that was brought up is one that is close to home for me and my neighbors. The fact that the national LGBT community and our national organizations frequently discard its community that lives in what is considered a "red state", especially states in the Southern United States. So questions were asked as to what can the national LGBT community do to help its rural, southern and "red state" members of the family. Many in the LGBT and so-called "progressive" community have simply abandoned and written off places that are not urban or in the Northeast or Western areas of our country. So the easy answer is to COME to our red states, our rural areas, our southern states and walk with us as we work to educate and make ALL of our homes a better place.
Many disparage our areas, especially the South for our negative education statistics and the higher domination of conservative politics and religion and if you are LGBT living in these areas it is often suggested to us that we move to other areas, to LEAVE our hometowns for places that appear to be more open minded, welcoming or "safe". But the reality is that those places are no more safer or open minded than many small towns in the rural south. There are many instances of gay bashings and police harassment in urban areas and "blue states". Places we are supposed to believe are safe. While there are things that happen in all areas of our world that are often undocumented, the problems of being LGBT in American society have no boundaries. Even if you can marry your same-sex partner in the few states that allow it, you still don't have all of your rights. You are just like us who live down here in the red states.
I had a good twitter conversation with blog mistress (and North Carolina resident) Pam Spaulding as was told by some that she should pack up and leave NC and consider it a lost cause. But because of the hard work of the citizens of NC the results of their recent constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage were actually more who voted IN FAVOR of marriage equality compared to other states. The amendment passed with only 60% of the vote. In other states where similar amendment votes were held, those who wanted to see marriage limited to one man-one woman won by as much as 75-85%. My point is, thanks to the hard work of the citizens of North Carolina, nearly 40% voted with the right intentions. That is so much more than what happened in the neighboring states. So the amendment vote failed for our side. But progress was made because people didn't give up. And North Carolina proved that you can't just pack up and move away we need our LGBT community to stand with our family regardless of where we live and build progress one step at a time.
I have experienced other instances where it was suggested by the LGBT community to run away from our southern home towns and don't look back like Blacks did during the civil rights movement. But think about it! The Blacks who stayed in the south marched and sacrificed AT HOME while those who moved away may have lived a happier life but in retrospect haven't done or achieved that much. Take a good look at our inner cities of the North and Midwest and their decades of decay. Many of my own relatives who left the south in the 1940's through the 1960's eventually retired back in their original home states to find places that were made better because of the people who worked hard to make it a better place. They didn't have to work to make it a better place, somebody else did it for them. And that is the mindset of the LGBT community in too many cases. Those who live in "safe" urban areas and the North and West where life is happy and there are many things to do don't realize that all of that comes at a price. You have to work for it and can make it happen anywhere.
Martin Luther King didn't run away to New York or Detroit, he stayed close to his home and helped fight to make a difference. And if the LGBT community loves to latch onto the history of the civil rights movement as so many of us within the LGBT community do, then you should take heed from Dr. King. He didn't abandon the small town, the "red states" of the time or the South. And the LGBT community shouldn't abandon US either.
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
WIMP of the Day: Caiden Cowger of West Virginia
The WIMP of the day for June 6, 2012 is 14 year old Caiden Cowger of West Virginia.
The host of "The Caiden Cowger Program" as a young Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck wannabe recently posted a rather insane homophobic video rant saying that the President was making children gay. Then when he started getting comments and taking heat for his video rant, he little boy CLOSED his YouTube account basically running and hiding from the results of his own making.
Hey Caiden, here is some advice from some old guy in his mid 40s. GROW UP! If you want to play in the grown up game of public commentary then you have to have the nerve to accept both the praise AND the scorn. You'll never be taken seriously, not because of your youth and proven ignorance but because of your cowardly running away by removing the videos you wanted everyone to hear so you can impress the big boys you hoped to be when you grow up.
You are forever marked as a wimp.
Go away little boy!
The host of "The Caiden Cowger Program" as a young Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck wannabe recently posted a rather insane homophobic video rant saying that the President was making children gay. Then when he started getting comments and taking heat for his video rant, he little boy CLOSED his YouTube account basically running and hiding from the results of his own making.
Hey Caiden, here is some advice from some old guy in his mid 40s. GROW UP! If you want to play in the grown up game of public commentary then you have to have the nerve to accept both the praise AND the scorn. You'll never be taken seriously, not because of your youth and proven ignorance but because of your cowardly running away by removing the videos you wanted everyone to hear so you can impress the big boys you hoped to be when you grow up.
You are forever marked as a wimp.
Go away little boy!
President Barack Obama is making kids GAY!
President Barack Obama is making kids GAY!
So said a 14 year old with too much spare time on his hands!- AND AFTER HE POSTED THIS VIDEO, IT WENT VIRAL AND HE RECIEVED COMMENTS, THE LITTLE PUNK CLOSED HIS YOUTUBE ACCOUNT!! (update 7:30pm, a few hours after the video was posted)
If I find another link to this I will share it! He basically went on a rant about how he felt that homosexuality was a "belief" and the traditional rant that it is a sin against god and that the president was making kids gay.
Update 6/7/2012 @ 2:41am, here is a "mirrored" copy of the video saved and reposted after Caiden took down his original YouTube account!
You know, my elders used to believe in a philosophy that children should be seen and not heard. THIS KID HAS HIS OWN RADIO TALK SHOW, A Facebook "fan" page and a YouTube channel! He is seen AND heard by at least a few!
And who is it they say is going to hell? Well if there are any more Caiden Cowger's out there we're ALL going to hell in a hurry. Beware world! This kid is eligible for a driver's license in a couple years and perhaps more dangerously, eligible to VOTE by 2016!
So said a 14 year old with too much spare time on his hands!- AND AFTER HE POSTED THIS VIDEO, IT WENT VIRAL AND HE RECIEVED COMMENTS, THE LITTLE PUNK CLOSED HIS YOUTUBE ACCOUNT!! (update 7:30pm, a few hours after the video was posted)
If I find another link to this I will share it! He basically went on a rant about how he felt that homosexuality was a "belief" and the traditional rant that it is a sin against god and that the president was making kids gay.
Update 6/7/2012 @ 2:41am, here is a "mirrored" copy of the video saved and reposted after Caiden took down his original YouTube account!
You know, my elders used to believe in a philosophy that children should be seen and not heard. THIS KID HAS HIS OWN RADIO TALK SHOW, A Facebook "fan" page and a YouTube channel! He is seen AND heard by at least a few!
And who is it they say is going to hell? Well if there are any more Caiden Cowger's out there we're ALL going to hell in a hurry. Beware world! This kid is eligible for a driver's license in a couple years and perhaps more dangerously, eligible to VOTE by 2016!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Protesting in West Georgia
A conference promoting failed teachings that people could be "cured" of their homosexuality was protested by more than 50. And I was one of the protesters. On Saturday February 18, 2012 several groups from Atlanta, Macon, Athens and Savannah Georgia representing The Queer Justice League, Get Equal, Georgia Equality, PFLAG, Macon State College GSA and even folks from Ohio traveled to participate in this protest.
Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out was there and wrote the best summary of the event LINKED HERE!
Please visit www.truthwinsout.org for a more educated view on the subject and understand why we were there to protest.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Respect the Lady Bird!
I think its a damn shame that some people have HIJACKED the name "Ladybird" and applied it to the husband of a now former 2012 presidential candidate. Members of the gay community mainly fueled by blogger Joe Jervis constantly tweet and blog about the husband of the former candidate who dropped out of the 2012 Presidential race after a dismal showing in the Iowa Caucus. People assume he is gay because of his mannerisms and staunch anti-gay campaign. And now there are calls for him to "come out". But for me as a member of the gay community I can honestly say I DON'T WANT HIM ON MY TEAM.
I also hate that people call this "man" "Ladybird"! What an insult this is to the memory of Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson (December 22, 1912 – July 11, 2007) the former first lady who actually did some good in her life. Read the biography of the REAL and ONE AND ONLY "Lady bird".
Oh and now that that 2012 presidential candidate has dropped/suspended her campaign I think they deserve absolutely NO further attention. Not even a name mention.
Please let them crawl back under their rock!
I also hate that people call this "man" "Ladybird"! What an insult this is to the memory of Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson (December 22, 1912 – July 11, 2007) the former first lady who actually did some good in her life. Read the biography of the REAL and ONE AND ONLY "Lady bird".
Oh and now that that 2012 presidential candidate has dropped/suspended her campaign I think they deserve absolutely NO further attention. Not even a name mention.
Please let them crawl back under their rock!
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Black Bigots
After a recent personal confrontation I have decided to begin a regular blog series highlighting something that is way too often swept under the rug. I will call that series "Black Bigots" and it will feature people who are Black/African-American and who display the many aspects of being a bigot. Racism, homophobia, sexism and any other form of discrimination practices by persons of color toward other races and in many cases "Black On Black" discrimination. If it smells of bigotry I plan to air it out.
"Black Bigots" is being presented by me as a Black man who happens to also be gay. And I have experienced some bigotry within the same Black community where black men like to refer to other black men as "Brothers", or more commonly misspelled as "Brotha". But if you are revealed to be gay in the community those "brothers" will turn on you in a hot minute. Such is the case of a recent confrontation I had which I will dedicate its own blog post.
I have always wanted to blog with total honesty and integrity and I don't care about stepping on anyones toes as long as I am sure that the truth is being exposed. I am not also a very good writer, this is my practice and I will improve over time. But I will not hold back on the exposure of BLACK BIGOTS! Black people often talk about racism and bigotry from other ethnicitys but seem to think that it is OK for them to express the same type of hatred without being accountable. Like whenever someone uses the "N" word. If the person who says it happens to be white, they may have hell to pay. But if you are Black, its supposed to be ok. I won't give them a pass.
I am also inspired by famous Black people when they sometimes speak out on issues that they may feel make the Black community look bad. Bill Cosby has expressed his opinions many times and he caught a lot of flack for it. Some say we as black people shouldn't air out our dirty laundry. I say bullshit! It's long overdue for the truth to be exposed and dealt with. It is time to air out ALL of the dirty laundry including those HOLY DRAWZ with skid marks down the back. And if BLACK BIGOTS don't want their dirty laundry aired out in public then they need to use extra detergent to clean the laundry, or to put in simple terms....wash your ass and keep it clean.
But for those who are funky, you will be put out in the open for the light of day to expose your darkest "secrets". I will name names with no shame. And I dare you to prove me wrong. But I will also encourage you to help make things right.
"Black Bigots" is being presented by me as a Black man who happens to also be gay. And I have experienced some bigotry within the same Black community where black men like to refer to other black men as "Brothers", or more commonly misspelled as "Brotha". But if you are revealed to be gay in the community those "brothers" will turn on you in a hot minute. Such is the case of a recent confrontation I had which I will dedicate its own blog post.
I have always wanted to blog with total honesty and integrity and I don't care about stepping on anyones toes as long as I am sure that the truth is being exposed. I am not also a very good writer, this is my practice and I will improve over time. But I will not hold back on the exposure of BLACK BIGOTS! Black people often talk about racism and bigotry from other ethnicitys but seem to think that it is OK for them to express the same type of hatred without being accountable. Like whenever someone uses the "N" word. If the person who says it happens to be white, they may have hell to pay. But if you are Black, its supposed to be ok. I won't give them a pass.
I am also inspired by famous Black people when they sometimes speak out on issues that they may feel make the Black community look bad. Bill Cosby has expressed his opinions many times and he caught a lot of flack for it. Some say we as black people shouldn't air out our dirty laundry. I say bullshit! It's long overdue for the truth to be exposed and dealt with. It is time to air out ALL of the dirty laundry including those HOLY DRAWZ with skid marks down the back. And if BLACK BIGOTS don't want their dirty laundry aired out in public then they need to use extra detergent to clean the laundry, or to put in simple terms....wash your ass and keep it clean.
But for those who are funky, you will be put out in the open for the light of day to expose your darkest "secrets". I will name names with no shame. And I dare you to prove me wrong. But I will also encourage you to help make things right.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Disco Saturday: Liberty and the freedom to dance
This week's Disco Saturday celebrates Liberty and the Freedom to dance your ass off.
Happy 4th of July weekend to everyone in the United States.
Happy Birthday in heaven to the great Phyllis Hyman (7/6/1949-6/30/1995)
"Heavenly"
Also happy birthday in heaven to Gene McFadden (July 2, 1948 – January 27, 2006), half of the team McFadden & Whitehead as legendary songwriters with Victor Carstarphen at Philadelphia International. One of their disco gems here is "Tell The World How I Feel About Cha' Baby" by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
"Sing A Happy Song" by The O'Jays
"Over and Over" Sylvester
"There But For The Grace of God" by Machine
"Any Love" Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
"Shine On Silver Moon" by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr
Billy Davis celebrated a birthday recently and it was also his wedding anniversary to Marilyn McCoo. Both the same day, June 26th.
This was their entry in the Disco genre.
"Don't You Want My Love" by Debbie Jacobs
"This Time Baby" by Jackie Moore
And in closing, Disco Saturday would be remiss to not offer a congratulations to the Disco fans of New York State who happen to be Gay or Lesbian as the state of New York legalized their right to marry. There have been celebrations for the past week from Gay Pride and many weddings are being planned as New Yorkers enter the Fourth of July holiday weekend and the official start of marriage equality in the coming weeks.
Here are two disco-ish songs in your honor.
The vocal version of "Loves Theme" by Love Unlimited
And
"I Love New York" by Steve Karmen
Happy 4th of July weekend to everyone in the United States.
Happy Birthday in heaven to the great Phyllis Hyman (7/6/1949-6/30/1995)
"Heavenly"
Also happy birthday in heaven to Gene McFadden (July 2, 1948 – January 27, 2006), half of the team McFadden & Whitehead as legendary songwriters with Victor Carstarphen at Philadelphia International. One of their disco gems here is "Tell The World How I Feel About Cha' Baby" by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
"Sing A Happy Song" by The O'Jays
"Over and Over" Sylvester
"There But For The Grace of God" by Machine
"Any Love" Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan
"Shine On Silver Moon" by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr
Billy Davis celebrated a birthday recently and it was also his wedding anniversary to Marilyn McCoo. Both the same day, June 26th.
This was their entry in the Disco genre.
"Don't You Want My Love" by Debbie Jacobs
"This Time Baby" by Jackie Moore
And in closing, Disco Saturday would be remiss to not offer a congratulations to the Disco fans of New York State who happen to be Gay or Lesbian as the state of New York legalized their right to marry. There have been celebrations for the past week from Gay Pride and many weddings are being planned as New Yorkers enter the Fourth of July holiday weekend and the official start of marriage equality in the coming weeks.
Here are two disco-ish songs in your honor.
The vocal version of "Loves Theme" by Love Unlimited
And
"I Love New York" by Steve Karmen
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