Monday, June 20, 2011

“I Thought I Was In Love with You, But I Realized I Was...

way harsh.

 
 

Sent to you by curt via Google Reader:

 
 




"I Thought I Was In Love with You, But I Realized I Was Just Using You"


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Time-Lapse of The Milky Way Over the Plains of South Dakota

 
 

Sent to you by curt via Google Reader:

 
 

via Laughing Squid by Scott Beale on 6/17/11

Randy Halverson shot a gorgeous time-lapse video The Milky Way over the plains of South Dakota.

via Wired Science


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Friday, June 17, 2011

The United Nations Officially Recognizes LGBT People For the First Time Ever

 
 

Sent to you by curt via Google Reader:

 
 

via Queerty by tefinger on 6/17/11

Friday, the United Nations passed its very first resolution based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The resolution concludes that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be extended to include LGBT individuals, declaring that there should be no violence or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This historic resolution was presented by South Africa and Brazil with 39 additional co-sponsors from around the world.

Dawn Cavanagh from Coalition of African Lesbians said:

"The South African government has now offered progressive leadership, after years of troubling and inconsistent positions on the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity. Simultaneously, the government has set a standard for themselves in international spaces. We look forward to contributing to and supporting sustained progressive leadership by this government and seeing the end of the violations we face daily."

Justus Eisfeld, Co Director of GATE said:

"The Human Rights Council has taken a step forward in history by acknowledging that both sexual and gender non-conformity make lesbian, gay, trans and bi people among those most vulnerable and indicated decisively that states have an obligation to protect us from violence."

Maurizio Cecconi reports that "the resolution requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a study on violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and calls for a panel discussion to be held at the Human Rights Council to discuss the findings of the study in a constructive and transparent manner, and to consider appropriate follow-up." This report and a plenary panel are scheduled for next March.

And if you're curious how the votes went down:

States supporting the resolution: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Thailand, UK, USA, Uruguay

States against the resolution: Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Moldova, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Uganda.

Abstentions: Burkina Faso, China, Zambia

Absent: Kyrgyzstan, Libya (suspended)

Co-Sponsors of the resolution: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Uruguay.

Photo credit via


Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us
Tagged: , , ,

Read more articles at Queerty or GayCities


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

It's National Use-Up-Your-Leftovers-in-a-Jell-O-Salad Week!

 
 

Sent to you by curt via Google Reader:

 
 

via Boing Boing by Mark Frauenfelder on 6/17/11

 -7Fgo-Gyak 4 Te4Puxmj5Li Aaaaaaaacv8 Wwxdgx5Zito S1600 Jelloleftovers1

What will you put in your Jell-O Leftovers Salad?

Jell-O Leftovers Salad -- For the hungry insinkerator (Via Ape Lad)


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Super Mario Converse high-tops

i think i need these.

 
 

Sent to you by curt via Google Reader:

 
 

via Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow on 6/17/11


Converse and Nintendo are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Super Mario with a trio of commemorative Chuck Taylor high-tops that're full of pixellated win.

CONVERSEから「スーパーマリオブラザーズ」とのコラボモデルが登場

Converse x Super Mario Bros. Chuck Taylor Hi - Part 2 (via OhGizmo)


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Giant Candy Sculptures by Nicola Freeman

 
 

Sent to you by curt via Google Reader:

 
 

via Laughing Squid by EDW Lynch on 6/16/11

Giant candy sculptures by Nicola Freeman

Giant candy sculptures by Nicola Freeman

Giant candy sculptures by Nicola Freeman

UK art student Nicola Freeman created these wonderful giant-sized candy sculptures for her degree show at the University of Wolverhampton.

I started out with food art, and then I came up with this idea of enlarging it to a scale that was shocking – but then it turned into something that was a lot more fun, so that people could relate to it, dealing with the idea of mass consumerism.

For me, it's more about the attraction from the perspective of the viewer – Everyone seems to be able to relate to these pieces, and find that they're bringing back their childhood memories. The sweets I've chosen have been around for quite a long while. I remember these from my childhood.

via Craft


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

If I Die: How to Raise My Gender Nonconforming Son

 
 

Sent to you by curt via Google Reader:

 
 

via Queerty by Raising My Rainbow on 6/14/11

To My Hubby,

I've never told you how much I worry about losing my life and leaving you and the boys behind. No mother wants to outlive her children, but no mother wants to vanish from their lives in their youth. Length of life is an even greater concern because of C.J., our little boy with uncommon wants and non-traditional needs. Sometimes, when he does something that only a mother could love, I get scared. If only a mother could love it, who will love it when I'm gone?

If something happens to me, and I'm no longer here to raise C.J., remember these things…

Enjoy the unique journey, even though I'm not here to hold your hand through it.

Seek out therapy for you, for him, for his brother. Create a solid team for raising our boys into men, like you and the ones that came before you. It takes a village to raise a child, but make sure to choose the village wisely, one that is well-suited for C.J.

If something that he is doing is bothering you, think to yourself, "Why is this bothering me so much?" I've found that the answer usually has something to do with what other people will think or say. Remember, this isn't about you; it's about him.

Let him perform. Let him sing and dance and act until his heart is content. He may be the only boy doing it, but if it doesn't bother him, try not to let it bother you.

Let him be creative, which may mean trips to the craft store. He wants to create and it's a messy process. Put down newspaper and let him go for it. It may require some direction and participation from you. Have fun! Sign him up for art classes.

Strongly encourage him to try sports. A sport. Any sport. He may not like the typical, considered-to-be-more-masculine sports, but there are other ones. Between fitness and the arts, he will have healthy outlets for release when he needs them most.

Get interested in what he's interested in. Fake interest. Just as you learned to properly identify all of the Disney Princesses, be able to understand what he is excitedly talking about.

Hold him accountable, there are no excuses.

Surround him with the right people. Protect him. Keep him safe. Be his advocate. You don't have to write a blog, but you do have to stand up for him. Stay engaged and stay in the know.

Support his spirit, never ask him to get rid of his love of make believe. Make believe with him. Show him that anything is possible and believe it yourself.

Take him to museums and the theatre and concerts and other places you wouldn't normally go. Continue to brush his hair like Justin Beiber as long as he wants you to. Keep his dress-up drawers stocked. It doesn't have to be fancy stuff. The Goodwill is good enough.

Raise him strong, with a sense of humor. Raise him smart, with compassion for others and their journeys. Things aren't "weird," they are just "different," and "different" isn't bad.

Raise him to know that if he needs to talk, you will listen. And, if you don't understand exactly, you'll still listen and, then, try to find somebody else for him to talk to who might listen and understand even better. Find him mentors, no matter the subject.

Be his biggest fan. Your job is to love him, not change him. Support him. Let him know that you are there unconditionally.

Remember that holidays are for wonder and joy and impossible things. Create them accordingly. Get him the toys that he wants most, even if it means shopping from the pink aisles, not the blue.

Take pictures. Keep report cards. Keep his secrets. Know his friends.

Remember the names of all of his boyfriends or girlfriends or boyfriends and girlfriends. Remember the names of his bullies. Let the bullies know that you know their names. Never let others feel big by making him feel small. Volunteer in his class.

Encourage him to see the world and seek out inspiration. Buy him books. Hug him and kiss him and tell him that you love him every day, even if he doesn't want you to.

Teach him to respect his body and sex, no matter his orientation.

Help him be the best at whatever he wants to do: hair stylist, mechanic, lawyer, whatever. He can follow his bliss, but encourage him to be the best at that bliss.

Let him watch Dancing with the Stars. If he continues to be a fan of Paula Deen, or, as he calls her, "The Lady Who Cooks Dinner," take him to her restaurant. Eat the fried chicken and banana puddin' for me.

Tell him that I can hear him when he whispers to me and that I'm always watching over him.

Raise him to know that his mommy adored him and fought for him as he innocently played with his Barbies in the other room. Raise him to know that you will fight for him. Raise him to know that you wouldn't want him to be any other way. He's perfectly-created as is. Never let anybody tell him any differently.

I'll miss watching you walk hand-in-hand down the street; you and the little boy in the black and white polka dot apron.

Love always,

Your Wife


Permalink | Post a comment | Add to del.icio.us
Tagged:

Read more articles at Queerty or GayCities


 
 

Things you can do from here: