Twenty-five hundred years ago, the Buddha took the outrageous step of ordaining women into the fledgling order of monks. For that bold move, we are eternally grateful! Buddhism has continued to be a leader in social change. Inequality and injustice fed by ignorance and hate can be found lurking in the dark of even the most generous and kind person. Sitting quietly, we shine a light on these dark recesses of our minds.

Sometimes, it is most appropriate to make a public statement of support of our desire for a just and peaceful world. We’ll be doing just that this Sunday by joining in the  Pride Pittsburgh walk supporting the rights of the LGBT communities.

The Rainbow Buddhist group has had a contingent in the Pride march before. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to be asked to carry the Buddha along the march route, and it was for me a reflective time. Not quite a walking meditation, but a reflective period none-the-less. I’m not sure if the broader Pittsburgh Buddhist community has participated before or not, but either way, it is exciting to see!

I’m especially touched by the wording here, as it suggests a Buddhist mind set. Here, we are talking about the Pittsburgh Pride walk instead of a Pride march. A walking meditation is a part of many Buddhist’s daily practice, and in this way brings their practice to Pride as well as takes Pride back into a daily practice. Walking, accurately describes the practical activity too, and suggests taking a slower pace, and using that time to be very present in the action of being a part of the whole experience.

Pride means many different things to different people, and people make the experience of Pride their own, bring to it, and taking away from it different things. I hope to see you at Pride, and may it be everything it can be for you.

June has become known as Pride month, and recently even the President recognized this with a statement. Pride means many different things to many different people.

Historically, Pride gets linked the the Stonewall Riots in New York City from the summer of 1969. Today, Pride celebrations, marches, parades, parties, events, and more happen, all over the globe. Some Pride activities happen in cities where the event is outlawed, as a method of activism. for others, it is common place, and seems more like a cultural “holiday” on the Queer calendar.

One of the things I value about Pride here in Pittsburgh, is the fact that the week of Pride leading up to the big Pride march and PrideFest is full of gatherings, meetings, seminars, and other events sponsored by local organizations. These various events offer gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women and men an opportunity to learn, grow, collaborate, communicate and activate. When anyone ever complains to me that Pride is simply a big useless party, I know immediately, that they don’t really know what’s going on. These Pride week activities can be fun, but they are not about a party! They are about carrying the power of Pride into many other areas of our lives. For me, one of the coolest things about this, is that any group can organize a Pride week activity, so no one person, group or perspective dominates.

So, here are some of the Pride Week events that I’m really looking forward to. More information can be found in the Pride Guide, or on-line on the Pride website.

Monday@ 6:30 PM You Belong: At School, in the Workplace, as a Family, and in Politics

This event is sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh ACLU and will feature several speakers who will cover your rights and issues across the spectrum of areas from home, to school, to work. This was a fantastic event last year, and very well attended.

Tuesday: Think Investment!

Join area professionals for a seminar discussion on investment and home ownership, retirement and related tax issues. Conversations and break-out sessions with the experts following the presentation. For more information, call 412-363-4000

Wednesday @7:00 PM You Belong (In Your Legislator’s Office)

LGBT issues remain a flashpoint at every level of government, but especially at the state and federal level where legislation that would benefit lesbian, gay. bisexual, and transgender individuals and families is stalled. You can play a key role in changing that! You will leave with step-by-step ideas about how you can make a noticeable difference towards achieving equality.

For more information, contact: Thomas Waters, thomaswaters@mac.com, http://thomascwaters.com, 412-400-8777 or 412-246-4451

This event last year was predominately a training on how to do issue advocacy. This year in addition to the training, we want to have more of a dialogue and forum. There is so much happening around the country and within Washington DC surrounding LGBT Rights! Why are tactics changing, and how can we be the most successful in achieving equality?

These are just a few of the activities listed. I’ll post about more over the coming days.

Photo by See-ming Lee ??? SML used under the Creative Commons License.

Just like there is no such thing as a female lifesyle, or a straight lifestyle or a black lifestyle. I didn’t say all of these examples- it was radio and the clock was ticking away, but I think he got my point. This is however, such a common thing to hear. Even my father, who loves me dearly but still struggles with the fact that I’m gay, uses it.

Today, I came across the linked Vanity Fair entry by Brett Berk. He may be my kind of gay! His post is all about Newsweek’s Ramin Setoodeh, and it is a very good read. I want to focus one part of it:

The point is, no one has the right to suggest that the Swish Queen is some sort of prima facie detriment to us queers as a group, any more than they have a right to suggest that in order to garner acceptance, we should all do our best to look and act like Greg Louganis, Dan Choi, or RuPaul (out of drag). Acting against a stereotype is just as bland and limiting as feeling compelled to conform to one.

To which I reply, AMEN Brother! This sentiment, that there is one right way to be gay, is the same vulgar slur as “gay lifestyle”. It suggests, no matter who is using it, that the visibility of being who you are is the problem, rather than the solution. In fact, it dismisses the notion of who you are as a whole person, and places the entire spotlight on how a person acts, or more accurately, what some actions of a person are. Question: is the whole opposition to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans people tied up in some false sense of how people are supposed to act?

One thought I want to make about Berk’s commentary on Setoodeh’s commentary. Where is any comment on the women? Or are we talking “Gay” as in gay man and not “Gay” as in , all those who are not straight? Maybe homophobia is totally tied up in the false sense of how men are supposed to be?

Which brings me back to the basis of this blog post. God with a capital “G.” One of the most awesome things God ever said (if you buy into the idea that at one time, a long, long time ago, God actually spoke to a few human beings). God said, “I am.” And that’s what I have to say, “I am.” I am Gay. I don’t lead a gay lifestyle, I am Gay. In fact my lifestyle is closer to that of other guys in their early 50′s who have built a good career, and wish they had time to exercise more. Every gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender person: you can help set our culture straight (how’s that for a pun) or gayly forward. Own who you are, and claim it personally. I am. Say, it with me, I am. Don’t allow the dialogue about “Gay” to be a discussion of how people act, but rather, it must be dialogues about people. Real people.

Pride is just around the corner. Here in Pittsburgh, we are celebrating Pride for much of the month of June, with the biggest expressions being the Advocacy Rally on June 4th, Pride in the Streets on June 12th, and the Pride March and PrideFest on June 13th. I am so excited about all 4 of this main events, not to mention the dozens of other  events that make up the whole of Pride. Around the planet, Pride celebrations happen around the calendar, but many are focused in June to acknowledge the Stonewall Riots of 1969.

Surrounding Pride, there is usually some discussion of what song should be selected as the ultimate gay anthem, and this year, like most years, my suggestion is Gloria Gaynor’s, “I am What I Am.” Not only because of the big disco hit it was for Gaynor, but because of the roots of the song- Tony Award winning musical La Cage aux Folles, is the quintessential story of trying to be something that someone else thinks is the right way to be. If you are a young queer, go and check out the original film, not that silly remake called the Birdcage. This should be required viewing for everyone if you ask me.

In summary, all around us, people inside as well as outside of the LGBT communities often get hung up in behavior, and the reality is that Gay is all about being who you are, or put in the first person sense: “I Am.” The more we own that, and demand to be seen for who we are, and not scrutinized for how we act, we will make progress towards equality. and we will be happier as well. Just remember, the 3 “G’s.” God, Gloria Gaynor, and the Gays.

via Newsweek’s Ramin Setoodeh Can’t Stand Sissies | VF Daily | Vanity Fair.

I want to quote just one part following our recent dialogue about activism, but please check out her entire blog entry:

I’ll simply say that I agree with what Sue [Frietsche] had to say.  I need to find new ways to prompt people to take action.  However, I still believe the advocacy folks need to wrestle with some of the issues people have brought to the table and build those personal relationships with people who are expressing that they feel outside of the loop. Denying that the loop exists isn’t productive.  Broadening the loop is the key.

We truly need all voices within the GLBTQ community to be active participants in the advocacy process! I understood Sue Frietsche to say (paraphrased here):

…tell your story, or if you can’t tell your story have someone else tell your story…

I wouldn’t be surprised if sometimes those who feel most “out of the loop” are individuals who have experienced much discrimination, and are the exact voices needed in any meeting with a legislator. So to those folks and to everyone, we need you to play a role. You are wanted and welcome. Tomorrow night’s town hall forum and training is for you.

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents :: Preliminary Thoughts on the ACLU Forum.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
7:00 -9:00pm

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender business professionals and their Allies within major Pittsburgh-based businesses will be hosting a meet and greet event at the GLCC for the community at 5808 Forward Avenue In Squirrel Hill on June 9th from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM .

The featured speaker at the event is Anthony C. Infanti. His topic will focus on sexual orientation and the law.

Anthony C. Infanti is a Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. His work focuses on sexual orientation and the law, paying particular attention to the application of the tax laws to lesbians and gay men. Professor Infanti is the author of Everyday Law for Gays and Lesbians (And Those Who Care About Them) (Paradigm Publishers 2007).

The Pittsburgh GLBT Corporate Roundtable’s mission is to assist and educate Pittsburgh-area workplaces in creating a safe and affirming work environment, where all employees are empowered to reach their full human and career potential, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

For more information about this event contact GLBT Roundtable members Christine Kaczkowski or  Scott Stegman 

COMMUNITY PRIDE ECUMENICAL SERVICE

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
7:30pm

ONEchurch Pittsburgh- Reverend Deryck Tines
937 Liberty Ave (downtown)

Special Ecumenical Service with Guest Speaker: Chuck Christen and music by ONEvoice choir

412/261-1692

The first Pride event I remember vividly, was 1982, the year I graduated from college. but it wasn’t my first “pride” involvement by any means. In 1976 or ’77 a coalition of gay rights groups from around Ohio, formed the Ohio Gay Rights Coalition (OGRC). Made up mainly of Gay Alliance groups at some of the various Ohio schools, it was the first place I learned about queer community dynamics. Over time, the name of the group changed to reflect a growing sensitivity to mirror everyone’s involvement, and soon it was the Ohio Gay and Lesbian Rights Coalition. Change continued, till the name was a alphabet strong where no one should have felt left out.

Two major events still have visceral memories for me. The first planned march, was a demonstration around the state house to demand equal protection in employment. Maybe more, but that is what I remember from 1976 or ’77. The plan was to walk around the Oho State Capital with signs. We were to wear masks since any of us could be fired for being gay. I didn’t go. I was afraid. I wasn’t ready to put myself out there like that. The other “event” was actually a yearly thing. The OGLRC sponsored a booth at the Ohio State Fair! Yes indeed! If you aren’t from Ohio or haven’t been to the State Fair, the significance of this may be lost to you. But here in the vendor/exhibition area, there was always a booth where people could get information about being gay, coming out, or finding organizations in your area of the state. As 4-H’ers and other came from every corner of Ohio, for some, this was the first time, thee notion of “Gay and Lesbian” was ever introduced to them. I fondly remember working the booth. You never knew what type of question or comment you would receive.

In 1982, Stonewall Union had been formed as a gay political activist group, headquartered in Columbus, building upon what the OGLRC had begun. Maybe the Pride March in 1982 wasn’t the first actual Pride march, but I don’t remember one earlier. But it was big, festive and exciting. I wish my memory worked better.

What is Pride-2009 style for me? Personally, I’m looking forward to getting the most out of Pride this week. I want to try and get to an evening event, every night this week with my mix of events including information, entertainment, activism and plain old socializing fun.

On Wednesday, thomascwaters.com is proud to be a co-sponsor of an public forum/training called GLBTQ Rights: How you can change government for your rights. One mindset I am bringing to Pride this year is that if we want equal rights we each need to play our part at bringing that into being. It isn’t enough to vote for a pro-gay rights candidate. At every level, from local politics up to the national arena, each and every one of us can make a difference by engaging with our elected officials one on one. I’m all for high tech and digital communication, but at the same time, some old tech tools, like a phone call, a personal snail mail letter (not an email) and a face to face meeting can have more impact than anything high tech. Sounds counter intuitive- as if high tech ought to get us more, but doesn’t work out that way.

Even though I’ll be facilitating the Wednesday event, everything I’m doing this year is for me, so that I leave Pride Week energized, happy and ready to head back into all the things that I do. I’m not involved in Pride so that some politician out there sees that I deserve rights, or so that the LGBT community is visible to some vague idea of the “straight” community. I want it to charge my inner batteries, bring me joy and comraderie and new friendships.

This “battery recharge” is especially important this year I think. Since issues affecting GLBTQ people are so in the foreground, the level of negative backlash is also huge and can be very draining. While for most GLBTQ’s, the idea that we deserve equal rights is a no brainer, there is still much struggle ahead, and everyone needs the energy it will take to keep the battles going towards successful ends.

I can list some things that Pride 2009 are not, at least in my opinion.

It is not a time to take stock and scrutinize the GLBTQ communities. In a recent blog thread, a fellow blogger wrote about what she feels is a level of class elitism among GLBT organizations. From my perspective, this evaluation is counter productive at the moment when it is just a discourse without action. No organization I know isn’t interested in having people join their ranks. so, for anyone wishing to spend time and energy bashing GLBT groups, I’d say, stop the negativity and get involved. If you feel the organization has problems, change them from the inside. I am not suggesting that anyone just pretending everything is wonderful, because it isn’t. All organizations can do a better job meeting the needs of the communities they serve. So make that change come into being a part of the organization rather than criticize it from on the outside.

Pride is not a time to play being the victim. GLBTQ’s get victimized by society all the time. But Pride is a time to find some level of self-empowerment with which to fight those forces which try to victimize people. If we are going to win the struggles and assure that GLBTQ’s have full equal rights, it will come by reframing the issues in such a way that the larger moderate majority see where equality is missing. Characterizing ourselves as victims won’t accomplish that reframing.

Pride is not a time to look for others to be our heroes. Pride is a time to find the inner hero in all of us, so that we can access that inner hero during the rest of the year. If Pride is something that exists only in one week of June, we will never achieve equality. Rather, if we find the inner hero, and carry that into everyday or every week, we will make our future a bight one of real freedom and liberty for all.

Did you know that there are 3 leagues in Pittsburgh that are “gay” or intentionally mixed? The Pride League, one of the co-sponsors of this evening, is a fun league that bowls a full season, but bowls every other Sunday night. Steel City Bowling Leagie bowls on Sundays also, but bowls everyweek for a regular season. On Monday nights, there is the Monday Night Doubles(MND) league which will start its 2nd season this Fall. Started with the intention of providing a more social, and yet still competitive league experience, but bowling a short season of 12 weeks in the Fall and then another short season in the Spring. I’m the secretary/treasurer for MND, and everyone is welcome! It was started by a number of folks who had bowled in the Pump/Pittsburgh Sports League at Arsenal Lanes. There, teams were openly gay, bowling right alongside straight teams. We were looking to create the same dynamic where everyone could be open/out and have a good time. All three of these leagues are handicap leagues so you don’t have to be a great bowler to come- Just ready to have a good time.

You will find me tonight at the ACLU forum!  With Marriage Equality and other GLBTQ related news going on all over the nation, these “rights” issues are more important than ever. The conservative backlash from a growing acceptance of same-sex marriage means anti-gay groups are taking am at anything they feel can slow the gay rights progress. Knowing everything you can about your rights, and then using that info to protect yourself, and your family is essential.

Boob Tube Follies
A Television Masquerade Party
Hard Rock Café
230 West Station Square Drive
6:30 – 11 pm
$25
To benefit and celebrate PFLAG Pittsburgh’s 20th Anniversary   Come as your favorite Television character- Prizes for best costumes   Entertainment by: Phat Man Dee, Gab Bonesso, Patrick Arena. Mark Lucas,  Brenda Jean and Tracy Drach
Box Office: (412) 828- 0910 or at A Pleasant Present (cash only)

Pride Bowling Extravaganza
Forward Lanes
Squirrel Hill
Registration 6:30 Bowl 7:00
$15 per person + onsite shoe rental
Sponsored by the GLCC and Pride Bowling League Kick-off your Pride Week and Come Bowl with Us! Last year – A great time was had by all! Includes 3 games of bowling, pizza, and wonderful prizes. Be sure and sign up now! We will fill the alley with 16 lanes of 4 people/lane.
http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.pghpride.org

Our Rights, Your Rights, Human Rights- An ACLU Forum
University Center, CMU campus
7 pm
Featuring “The Experts’ Corners” – individual and small group conversations with local legal experts on non-discrimination, civil partnerships, tax issues, healthcare decisions and more. Larry Frankel, State Legislative Counsel, ACLU of PA. Sue Frietsche, Senior Staff Attorney, Women’s Law Project. Maureen Cohon, Family Law and Mediation Counsel, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. Anthony Infanti, Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-681-7736 or email info@http://www.facebook.com/l/;aclupgh.org

I want to comment however, on Sue’s commentary:

This could be useful for new-to-advocay persons.  Equality Advocates has conducted similar sessions in the past. My frustration with these events is that they gear people up for an activity which can be very difficult to pursue – face to face meetings with elected officials.  There’s also the historical lack of follow through.  These organizations are all very strapped for resources and do not (for various reasons) utilize new social media very well to mobilize the troops.  If you are a tech person, perhaps that’s how you can volunteer!  Set up a FB page with frequent status updates, get wall discussions going and send out email blasts profiling different legislators.  So go into this trainings with a very open mind as to how you can get involved.  Make your own opportunity.

Might I also add blogging as an opportunity?  There are not enough queer voices in the Burghosphere and, with all due respect, two out of three are white gay men.  Minority voices within the community should seize this opportunity to speak out loud.

Sue is right on the money that blogging is a great way to play a part and we need to bring more gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered voices to the blogosphere. Sure uses the phrase, Burghosphere, and that is a good one too. In my experience, many of my most loyal readers and commenters are not local, which is one of the most exciting parts of blogging. That others in many places can appreciate what you have to share. It isn’t hard to start blogging, and there is no time like the present to dig in. But this Fall, an opportunity that can help you get going in blogging or other types of Social Media, is Pittsburgh’s Podcamp, a free 2-day unconference where you can learn most everything you need to get your voice out there.

But I really disagree that face to face meetings with legislators is difficult. It is enormously easy, and even fun! All state representatives and senators make time to meet face to face with their constituents. PA representatives spend Thursdays and Fridays in their district specifically to facilitate these types of meetings and other responsibilities. A simple phone call is all it takes to get a meeting arranged.

Joe Preston is the state representative for my area, and I met with him about a month ago. He encouraged me to stop by to see him 2 or 3 times a year to catch up. Joe expressed that face to face meetings are extremely important to legislators, because it gives them a chance to hear directly from their constituents. He wishes more of his constituents would meet with him.

If there is a difficult part to it, it is that meetings are during regular business days, so people who work have to find a way to make that work out for them. I’m fortunate, that Joe’s office is quite close to where I work, and can schedule a 15 or 30 minute meeting on my lunch hour. I was also recently involved with a meeting with Joe Petrarca in Vandergrift. For me, this was important enough (and far enough from home) that I took a half day vacation. Thursdays and Fridays legislators are in the district offices. You can also meet with your elected official in Harrisburg on other days of the week, but that is much more difficult as they have many responsibilities including the House or Senate being in session. So, my suggestion is to go for the local office meeting.

Aside from this time issue, face to face meetings are extremely easy to pursue. In the town hall forum and training, you will get step by step instructions and assistance so that anyone can help to lobby your elected official for legislation that impacts your life and your community.

Lastly, I really want to echo Sue’s comment:  ”Make your own opportunity.” There is no one way to get involved in shaping your community. But it takes all of us getting involved in whatever way we can to make a difference!

GLTBQ Civil rights: How you can change government for your rights. A town hall forum and training session.

A groundswell of activity is happening across the country to provide GLBTQ Americans with their civil rights ranging from hate crimes and nondiscrimination legislation to marriage equality battles. There have been successes, setbacks, and many big hurdles to come. Allegheny County and Pennsylvania are in the middle of such battles, and your rights may be placed in jeopardy! If we are not successful now, it may be a long time before we have basic civil rights in employment, housing and public accommodations.

It is easy to think about democracy being about the right to cast a vote, but there are other ways that you can assure passage of needed        nondiscrimination legislation like PA HB 300 and the local county ordinance. Democracy is a participation activity! In this town hall forum, learn about the status of pending legislation and the things you can do to assure passage of these critical protections. You will leave with step-by-step ideas about how you can make a noticeable difference towards achieving equality.

This event is co-sponsored by Equality Advocates PA, Pittsburgh PFLAG, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, thomascwaters.com, and the Women’s Law Project.

Wednesday June 10, 2009, 7pm- 9pm

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church

304 Morewood Ave, Pgh, PA 15213

Contact: Thomas Waters, thomaswaters@mac.com,

http://thomascwaters.com, 412-400-8777

Thanks to @Stonewallone for posting a link to Twitter! Took at look at this and had a “Duh!” moment. Do you think that Pride events across the country will be more politicized this year? In a number of cities there are often a few protestors, but with the advances in Marriage Equality having the radical right so in a tizzy, got me thinking that perhaps we will see bigger protests this year than usual.

CitizenLink: Christian Rally Set for Same Day as Gay-Pride Parade.