A Pansy speaks - Deep Penetration

Lingamfelter’s out-of-touch sex bill.

I am beginning to get worried here. There may be something behind the Immaculate Conception of Mary after all. Otherwise just how the heck can one explain the number of Republicans reproducing.

These guys don't like sex. In fact they know it doesn't happen. Only us morons out here have it. This of course could explain their sour looks all the time. I mean look at this guy in Virginia, a republican, you guessed that right?. Anyway this guy Limpycantfeelher I think, wants to pass a bill so kids get a bunch of white lies about sex and he is going to do it in the absense of any brains.

Last year Limpycantfeelher worked to pass a bill to introduce license plates that tell everyone that he supports traditional marriage with all the baggage that goes with that. Seems he hasn't a lot to do in the State Capital so as the big guys says an idle mind is the devils playground.

------------

While he was staring at his license plate, listening to his radio in the warm welcoming late morning sun, smiling, then bang, the potted pansys near his car ignited in the absence of any means to do so.

Slowly a little puddle of water forms at his feet. He stares into the flames, aware now of the warm and wet stuff flowing down his legs. He hears a voice, a loud deep voice, full of authority, you know one of those voices republicans like.

"Go forth and tell the kiddies how babies are made and of the gift of enjoining together upon being baptised for the republican crusade" The fire goes out as the pool of water reaches it.

Limpycantfeelher was astounded, he knew that voice, he had heard it often, then it hit him like a lightning bolt out of a can of Jolt. The Lord sounds a lot like Rush Limbaugh. Amazing he thought to himself, I better go change and waddles back to the house.

He hopes the voice did not see his lil' accident. He changes, glancing into his wife's mirror, he is reminded why immaculate conception works for repubicans. "How can I do what the voice asked?" he says out loud, looking for his radio, he is often inspired by talk radio, maybe he will get a hint here. He can't find it, "dang," he says, careful not to take the Lord's name in vain, heads to his car, he will listen on the way to work, first he stops at a local Republican shrine.

Without DeLay he gets out and goes to the back of the Wal-Mart, picks up a copy of Saint Sam Walton's life, inside the cover is a check but he has to hand it over to Tom, its made out to him. As he walks out he sees a display of personnal lubricants, not sure what they are, he buys some KY jelly and heads to the counter.

The Clerk smiles and asks if he planning a good time. Limpycanfeelher says he off to do the Lord's work, he needs to be hard and the penetration has to reach the deepest darkest places of man. This will do it says the clerk!

Back in his car he has a grin, what luck, to find the jelly. He arrives at his next stop, a Casino run by the heathen Indians, Jack had told him about a machine that will pay off if he uses Jack's special card. He hands the card to a dealer, she hands him a cashiers check, Dang he says, the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Back in his car he drives to his work, the Virginia State Capital Building. A black boy rushes over and opens his door, Welcome Massa Limpycanfeelher. He loves that, and Lincoln was a republican he asks himself again as he did everyday.

As if by divine intervention the answers to what the voice in the pansys demanded of him flowed as he wrote across the page. He had a Bill, it was perfect. "Emphasis of abstinence in family life curricula," what a title he thought. What does abstinence mean he thought. He looked it up in the dictionary, amazed he had come up with such a word without knowing what it entailed.

"No sex," he says out loud, he likes to hear himself talk, trying to mimic that deep voice, like the one he heard come out of the panseys. Only Democrats will be opposed he says seeing another image of himself before his wife's mirror. Seeing the jelly laying on his desk, he picks it up, "deep penetration" he says, "I need to go deep."


Lingamfelter, Virginia, gay youth, abstinence, sex education, school, gay teens, Politics, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal, Bush, Republican, BuzzFlash, humor

Brokeback Mountain keeps giving

Read what is being said about Brokeback Mountain. I have selected a few reviews indicating just how powerful this movie has become. Its time and couldn't have come at a better time in American history. I will have more to say about the latest attacks on this movie from the christian right in an article soon. In the mean time, check out these sources. You have to like the review from the Duke himself!

--------
John Wayne Reviews 'Brokeback Mountain' The movie critics have spoken. They've announced their Ten Best lists and started handing out awards. Who better to offer the final word on one of the most honored, and reviled, films of 2005 than a man who spent half his life riding horses and eating beans -- The Duke himself.

Okay the review was not done by the Duke, but it could have been! The review can be found here at Huffington Post by George Thomas Clark.

--------
Stephen Hunter of the Washington Post writes on western movies long established homo subtext, "In fact, what's remarkable about "Brokeback Mountain" is merely that for possibly the first time, homoeroticism is the text, not the subtext. But it's not like homosexuality has been unknown in the western..."

--------
"This is a film that builds through word of mouth and critical acclaim," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. "People want to see what all the fuss is about." Response has been so robust that distributors are expanding the film's rollout ahead of schedule. It will show on 269 screens this Friday, and reach an additional 80 markets the following week, said Jack Foley, president of theatrical distribution for Focus Features. See Sandy Cohen of Associated Press report here.

--------
Acclaimed western BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN has topped Florida's annual movie critics poll, after walking away with four awards including Best Film. The controversial movie also won Best Director (ANG LEE), Best Screenplay (LARRY McMURTRY and DIANA OSSANA), and Best Cinematography (RODRIGO PRIETO) in the Florida Film Critics Circle vote.


Brokeback Mountain, Movies, Films, Gay

Casualties of the war in Iraq

My recent trip to America provided me a great deal more insight than I anticipated. All of it filling my head with ideas for future posts here.

The newspaper in Helena (pronounced Hell-en-AH), capital city for the State of Montana commissioned a poll that shows the some 49% of Montana voters feel dissatified or somewhat dissatified with George Bush. This state has been republican for years. Bush can usually count on a warm welcome here. That's changing as the US is mired in the war in Iraq and consequential budget problems at home.

My friend, a solid up standing American middle class citizen asked me what were the casualties of the war in Iraq. It was easy to quickly reply with numbers of American war dead, the lose of respect internationally, the tens of thousands of dead Iraqi citizens. He acknowledged these facts but said the casualties were much higher at home.

How many Americans still have no health care? How many are going to be able to count on Social Security? How many Americans continue to lose their jobs so Wal-Mart can pay less for the product to be outsourced to China? How many Local and State projects are on hold or cancelled because the federal government programs are being scrapped or tapped out?

The list goes on and gets quite frightening. A few years ago a report stated that fifty percent of America's bridges and overpasses were falling apart due to a lack of proper maitenance and repair. There simply is not enough money to do the upkeep. Do any of you see more money for these needed repairs coming with deficits hitting all time highs? Today news breaks that an elevated highway in Pennsylvania collapsed.

The disaster in New Orleans and all along the gulf coast could have been significantly reduced if the government had heeded reports to do repairs on the levees holding the water back. The repairs were estimated in the five to ten billion dollar range. Just how much has been spent todate since the unrepaired levees failed during Hurricane Katrina. Now not only will the federal government be forced to pay for the damage in the tens of billions of dollars but have to add fifteen to twenty billion more to ensure the levees are up to holding back the water.

Who in the disater planning failed to understand that the oil refineries and the port of New Orleans handled twenty five percent of US oil imports? Didn't they know what would happen, that lost production would squeeze the whole country and thus affect prices all over the US and the world?

How many Americans can look forward to having access to health care anytime soon? We do know that some as Ted Koppel stated on Meet the Press, have the best Health Care in the world, but sadly he said most Americans don't.

George Bush's war in Iraq has created tens of millions of casualties far from Iraq, in places like Montana City MT, Collville WA, Clearwater FL, all across the country.

The mess is only getting bigger, the undoing of America is almost a certainty. Time is short and many stretchers are going to be needed for the wounded before they can begin righting what George Bush's war has created.

Anti-gay Republican not so Holy

Update: December 31, 2005

The Senator is still not divorced, and the editor of the Bradley County paper he wants advertisors to abandon has found more on the Senator.

Read here: Miller Comes to Town with Girlfriend, Doesn't Get Divorced
______
As the Tennesse legislature was bringing legislation that would ban gay marriage the Bill's sponsor, State Senator R-Jeff Miller was days away from having his wife file for divorce. Miller has made a career in politics based on "family values".

During the course of debate on Miller's bill he fought an amendment that said, "Adultery is deemed to be a threat to the institution of marriage and contrary to public policy in Tennessee." Not something you would expect a champion of "Family Values" to do unless perhaps you were guilty of this offense yourself.

The "Marriage Protection Act" passed Februray 23, 2005 and Miller's wife of 15 years was in court February 25 filing for a divorce.

Brigitte Miller told a Capitol Hill reporter her husband is having an affair with a legislative researcher and that he and the young lady accompanied the Millers’ three daughters to a November Martina McBride concert in Nashville."They’ve been seeing each other for a while," Mrs. Miller said. "Now he admits things. But he said it’s only been since he moved out. But I know better. I’ve got things that tell me differently."

Sen. Miller's home town paper has recently reported that Miller was in fact dating a woman while waiting for his divorce to come through. Miller angered by this has written to constituents saying, "Myself and many others are going to be watching in the next several weeks to identify and remember those in this community that wish to subsidize the destructive nature of this type of publication in our community."

Miller does not dispute the fact he is dating another woman while waiting for his divorce, he just thinks it a private matter and should be respected as such by the press. The paper's editor, Barry Graham, responded in an editorial December 21, "Your platform is that of a guy who believes in the sanctity of marriage, and that marriage should be between one man and one woman. And your behavior doesn't support your platform. So, we report it."

I am one that respects the private lives of politicians unless they are doing something that they preach against, as it seems Sen Miller is doing here. This kind of hypocracy is what devalues our political system. Miller is quite willing to make political hay out of preventing those in a loving gay relationships from being married, and in the course of doing so he opposes an amendment that says Adultry is a threat to the sanctity of marriage.

Lets hope as the election nears Sen Miller is held to account for the apparent conflict between what he says and what he does.

compiled from various sources including Yahoo news

Montana for the Holidays

I am off in the Morning to see friends and family!

I am finally feeling like it is Holiday time! Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and if I don't see you before the New Year all the best to you.

Will toast you then.

Gotta run ...

Oh, I will be in Montana, checking out the American side of things! Might have something to say about that experiance when I return!

pss - Don't mess up the election while I am gone eh!

Brokeback Mountain - Finally

Brokeback Mountain

This movie could be set in Cowboy country in Cochrane Alberta, the rugged Cariboo country near Williams Lake BC, or in Meadow Lake Saskatchewan.

"Ang Lee's unmissable and unforgettable Brokeback Mountain hits you like a shot in the heart. It's a landmark film and a triumph for Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal." -- Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

"Heath Ledger, in particular, I think really has to get an Oscar nomination." -- Richard Roeper, EBERT & ROEPER

This film has the Christian set in a tither. I haven't seen it yet so can only go on what I have heard. The premise of the story is of two guys that end up having sex together, see that they like it then go off and get married. They meet up again and go on "hunting Trips". The trips being an excuse to get away together, discovering justwho they are.

See the official film trailer

It an all too sad story that repeats everyday in our culture. Men end up getting married because you have too, its expected, they have a family and then they find they cannot continue to live the lie. By this time more people are hurt. Their spouse who had no idea this was the case or knew but hoped to avoid the event.

Its looked upon as cheating, deceitful when a married man does this. Then they are accused of lying, of doing all this harm. Funny how these same people would have castigated the guy if he said as a teenager he was attracted to guys or got nervous about the wedding, wondering if it was the right thing to do. Likely they would have told him it was a phase, don't worry, the love of an honest woman will get you through this. Some guys believe it.

It is different from the usual case of growing apart, or meeting someone and deciding you can't live with your spouse as is the case in many straight divorces. Often the man in these gay relvaltion situations did not want to get married, had to get married to cover his feelings or attractions to men, compelled to meet socities norms, the family's expectations. There was always something wrong and creepy about men in their 30's or older that were not married. Not to be trusted. Whispers...

Brokeback Mountain has achieved all the major nominations for the Golden Globes. Not I trust because of the subject being addressed, but because it is a wonderful story told on film. See the critic responses above.

Doug Patton who is a conservative columnist in the United States has another view. Its Hollywood doing its social engeneering again. He calls its a big budget movie that has a high EWW factor for men.

As usual Patton known for his "that's just not right" attitude makes some errors. The film is not a big budget Hollywood movie. He goes on in the old vain, accusing the men of being deceitful, adulterers. His blinders, his faith are keeping him from seeing the story from seeing the event, from seeing the harm he is doing. The men in the story are accused of doing harm he casts them as villians while the wife is the helpless victim to the self indulgent homosexual.

While the spouse, a wife in this case is a victim as anyone is in a marriage break up, a divorce is a divorce whether your man leaves because he found someone else or doesn't love you anymore. Thats the hard fact. It can be no worse because you learn your husband is gay than he is love with some other woman. Its still the end.

I hope lots of men, gay and straight see it. I hope it is the love story people are talking about.

Finally the story of so many men is being told, and so many will see it, relate to it, not just because its their story, but because its about love.




Photos from Rotton Tomatos

Intelligent Reason prevails over Design in Court

What's this got to do with the Federal Election in Canada? Read on...

This November a small community in Pennsylvania tossed up the entire eight member school board that required students in grade nine be told that evololution was not proven and they be directed to a book entitled, Panda's and People.

The book is a clumsy attempt to make a science out of creationism as described in the Bible.

The court decision comes after Kansas adopted similar policy endorsing "Intelligent design" and requires doubt be cast upon evolution. No wonder Dorothy left. In his 139 page decision the judge said he had too "to preserve the separation of church and state."

American justice is all over the place when it comes to religion and the state. In 1925 the State of Tennessee enacted a law prohibiting the teaching or discussion of Evolution.

PUBLIC ACTS
OF THE
STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE
SIXTY - FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1925
________
CHAPTER NO. 27
House Bill
No. 185
(By Mr. Butler)

AN ACT prohibiting the teaching of the Evolution Theory in all the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of Tennessee, which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, and to provide penalties for the violations thereof. Read more here

We have people in politics in Canada that would support such legislation. Of course the person most likely to address it is Stockwell Day. A man that taught evolution had no basis in fact. A man that believes Man walked with dinonsoars.

This is not a small group of people. Many Conservative and Liberal MP's and their candidates hold these views. In their attempt to be perceived moderate they down play these views. "Nothing scary about us, were all for the family." In Harper's case he has issued duct tape for his candidates and has a standing order at Wal-Mart, run out just charge it to head office and the Liberals have relied on local candidates keeping quiet about their own views. When was the last time a Liberal MP during the election said anything out of tune with the National campaign.

The American Christian Crusade has invaded Canada with its money, its organizers and its zeal for "re-godding". Ralph Reed was likely paid to come to Toronto recently to preach the gospel of electoral politics, but you can be sure he was not paid by a Canadian group. It was likely the through the charitable kindness (albeit Tax Deductible) of a large American group like the Heritage Foundation.

These are people that are wealthy, espouse cuts to welfare, employment insurance, fight against free healthcare and cheaper medications, support large multi national companies like Wal-Mart and the Insurance and pharmaceutical business.

When Harper and Day go on about healthcare, they refuse to reject any private care yet are being dishonest when they say they support our public system. The want more private care, more private schools, lower levels of government support for people, no daycare plan, reduced environmental standards or self policing industry, lower working standards.

All of the above will lead to Canadians having to pay more, to do with out, to become more reliant of the "free market" just like the USA. Some of you may think that is economic policy and has little to do with religion. In the case of Paul Martin and the Liberals I agree, they simply want to make all things easier for the wealthy and large corporations.

The Conservatives are different though. Many of the Conservatives have a hidden agenda. An agenda wholly endorsed by the likes of Ralph Reed and wealthy foundations like the American Heritage. Disguised as economic policy.

Its a clever strategy, its long term and well funded. If they succeed in ever electing a majority government it will come at us in little bits at a time and before you know it we are all on bended knees. They are building in Canada, they have key folks in place, they have access to millions of American dollars and organizers.

So while some may laugh at the United States and its approach, be ready!

More of what the Judge said in his ruling ...

"The citizens of the Dover area were poorly served by the members of the (school board) who voted for the ID Policy. It is ironic that several of these individuals, who so staunchly and proudly touted their religious convictions in public, would time and again lie to cover their tracks and disguise the real purpose behind the ID Policy."

"The overwhelming evidence at trial established that ID is a religious view, a mere re-labeling of creationism, and not a scientific theory."

For more information on social conservatives, Stephen Harper, gay, same-sex or equal marriage, James Dobson, evangelicals, Focus on the Family, Ralph Reed, Conservatives, Bishop Henry, use the Technorati search box in the side bar here and at Politics in BC.

Imagine, Harpers new theme song?

Harper gets backing of the Institute for Canadian Values on his same-sex marriage position. Just what the heck is the Institute for Canadian Values (ICV) you ask? It is the new leader for the Conservative Christian Right.

In a press release dated December 15, the group appears to be speaking to (shoring up) the Christian demographic important to Harper's election hopes, stated "it continues to support Conservative leader Stephen HarperÂ’s promise to allow a free vote on the issue of marriage in spite of his declaration that he will not use the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights to overturn any future decision of the Supreme Court on the matter."

This of course is not news to many voters. It is not news to many of Harper's Conservative Christian supporters. The news part is really who the release is aimed at. It is meant to help reduce the fallout over Harper's stated refusal to use the "notwithstanding clause" to prevent same sex marriage if the courts strike down a new law that prevents same-sex marriage.

"Mr. Harper has pledged to hold a truly free vote on the issue of marriage if he is elected Prime Minister, a promise that was endorsed by the overwhelming number of delegates, including a majority of those from Quebec, at the Conservative Party convention earlier this year," said Joseph Ben-Ami, executive director of the ICV. "He did not promise to use the notwithstanding clause to overturn any future Supreme Court ruling on the issue and we are not asking him to do so."

The group is worried its supporters may abandon the Conservative party. Remarks like this one made by Jim Hughes of Campaign Life have then worried, "what an appalling situation. Harper has said he won't use the very vehicle (Notwithstanding Clause") that was placed in the constitution to deal with situations like this."- LifeSiteNews. com

Campaign Life and the ICV and other Conservative Christian groups are excited about this election after US Evangelical political hardliner Ralph Reed gave them a big morale booster, "queer banging" speech at a Toronto conference that ended December 1, 2005 after three days on to organize successful grassroots campaigns that support their agenda of social conservative values.

Readers may recall that many in the the social conservative set were pretty ticked off when Harper proposed a compromise to Bill C-38 offering same-sex couples everything except the title "marriage". Even this was too much for them.

The ticked off folks made sure they were well represented at the Conservative party convention held in March. In fact they were very visible including having a $300,000 motorhome parked in the Convention parkade to act as an office and base of operatioSubsequentlyantly the convention voted 74% in favour of "traditional marriage" and came within a whisker of passing a motion that would have banneseverelyverly restricted access to abortion.

Harper has to play to these people, yet he needs millions of average Canadians to vote for him as well. Thus Harper is saying what he thinks he has to in order to reduce the fears of those Canadians. In somewhat surprising statements this week Harper has told us he won't use the nuke button on same-sex marriage and those already married can remain that way, he wrote the Washington Times (not to be confused with the Washington Post) stating a Conservative government will not change abortion rights and he won't support the Bush War in Iraq.

Now you know Harper has too elections going on, one in Church where he is leaving the battle to his political operatives at the ICV and the other where he asks us all to believe something we all know he doesn't even believe himself.

I can just see it now, Harper running up on stage at Conservative pep rallies to the tune of John Lennon's Imagine...

"Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today..."

For more information on same-sex, equal or gay marriage, gay rights, evangelical and Christian opposition, Conservatives, Stephen Harper, Bishop Henry, James Dobson, Ralph Reed, Supreme Court of Canada, Civil Marriage Bill (C38) use the Technorati Search Box in the side bar and and at Politics in BC.

tags: Gay, Canada, Human Rights, Christian Right, Conservative Party of Canada, Stephen Harper

Harper won't but his buddies will

The Conservative leader, Stephen Harper brought up same-sex marriage on the first day of the election campaign in an effort to get it out of the way early. It was a good try. During last evenings French language debate Harper was asked if he would use the "notwithstanding clause" of the Charter of Rights to prevent people of the same sex from getting married.

Harper responded that he would not use the clause for that purpose. Were any of you reassured with his words. I wasn't. Even if Harper is being truthful, somehow I just don't beleive he can keep his caucus from using it. Mr. Reid a candidate in Richmond BC for his party has spent a great deal of his life fighting against gay rights. Cindy Silver a conservative candidate in North Vancouver has fought against gay rights in the courts, making a living doing it for the likes of Real Women and Focus on the Family.

Then think of all those Conservative MP's from Alberta and Saskatchewan. Think of all those Conservatives that voted against same-sex marriage. Yeah Stephen Harper may want us to believe him, may even need us too.

Remember the line, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me"

NO - Leaves of Grass - unturned

It was 150 years ago that Walt Whitman, likely the greatest American poet published "Leaves of Grass" a collection of 12 poems that shook the then infant country of the United States.

To say he upset the apple cart would be an understatement. His poetry was written against the norm. While many people read his poetry thinking it too boldly spoke of heterosexual love it is today and toward to then end of the 19th century became clear to most he was talking of homosexual love much in the context we look at it today.

You can check out NPR's Celebrating Walt Whitman and 'Leaves of Grass'. You can also find a good deal of his published works here.

Today many of the religious right are trying to ban his poems from school and public libraries. They have been successful in some areas. We have these people entering Canada now, to provide us with their wisdom. Recently Ralph Reed, one of the masterminds behind the political activism on the American religious right was the guest speaker at a conference in Toronto. The conference brought together Evangelical and conservative folks to learn how to get involved in politics.

Lorne Gunter a Conservative columnist of the National Post (is there any other kind at the NP)said Canada really needs a Ralph Reed...

(September 26, 2005), "...if Canadian Christians want clout ... they would do well to emulate some of the Americans' lessons."Gunters adds, "Our religious conservatives are today where the U.S. movement was two decades ago, and if they have finally accepted that if they are to save any of the values they cherish, they must become fully engaged in politics."

The conference was held in Toronto just in time to get all these folks out on the campaign trail largely supportive of Stephen Harper and is group of unINtelligence re-Designers. The religious right has found a comfortable home in Harper's party. They voted to hold a another vote on gay marriage if the Conservatives win and they came within a whisker of passing an anti chresolutiontuion that would have compelled the Conservatives if elected to pass laws against abortion.

The Canadian Religious right is out in full force this election, they do have an agenda that is not so hidden within the Conservative Party of Canada. Stephen Harper may well keep the duct tape on these people long enough to get through the election. My guess is won't last too long...


tags: Gay, Canada, Human Rights, Christian Right, Conservative partyCanada, Stephen Harper

Oil and Water - HIV Positive and Negative

World AIDS Day.

What is like being a gay couple, one HIV positive, the other negative. Here is what it was like from the horse's mouth so to speak. The perceptions out there in the bigger world are bad enough, in the gay world they can be as bad.

So as we observe World AIDS Day, in the middle of an election in Canada, lets see what its like in one small sector of Canada, those relationships within the gay community, where HIV is ever present...


Oil and Water - HIV Positive and Negative

This guy Steven I came to know has HIV. He tried meeting other guys, to be straight with them and his HIV. He said he always was, always told the guy he was positive. One day Steven decided to date only men who were positive. He didn't want to face rejection, he couldn’t take another “oh, sorry, see you later,” response. And He also didn't want to fall for someone and risk infecting the guy he loved. This guy I just met had been living with HIV for eight years. Eight years of being rejected.

More from this post from a year ago

AIDS, Aid and the peace - A country of Fools?

Today is World AIDS Day. Canada should be holding its collective head high. We looked for awhile like we would be. Singer Bono even came to Canada to cheer us on. What happened?

"What the world needs is more Canadians," Bono.

Canadians use to have a reputation for caring, for doing the right thing. In many ways we are trading on that reputation. We use to be the honest broker, bringing opposite sides together and stood with our friends.

Today we are into a federal election. Lets reflect on the Liberals promises as it applies to International aid, peace keeping and HIV/AIDS. Canada now ranks 33rd on peace keeping, a concept we perfected and lead the world on. Today we can't get our rapid response team DART anywhere rapidly unless we hitch a ride with someone or wait for a big enough taxi to become available.

International aid has also been less than what would or should be happening. Canada has cut foreign aid from the level maintained by the former Progressive Conservative Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney. Yes the so called "liberals" have been outdone by a conservative when it comes to helping out internationally.

Canada under Lester Pearson pledged to give .7% of our gross domestic product in foreign aid. Prime Minister Martin said we would work toward it, yet the only significant addition to spending was the the money Jack Layton and the NDP put in their budget amendment. Canada remains the only G-8 country to balance budgets and show continual growth, yet our leadership have decided that foreign aid is not important.

Many of you will recall Paul Martin traveling the world, demanding third world countries have access to generic HIV meds. Canada passed a law supposedly supportive of this initiative. Canada again was seen to be doing the right thing. As it turns out we did nothing. People in third world countries are dying because they have no access to cheap HIV medications.

If Canada has made it easier for cheap pills to be made then you might ask why are people still dying due to a lack of access to HIV meds? The answer is simple. Canada has not produced one single generic pill. Not one and many of you will recall Prime Minister Martin calling it a travesty that people were dying due to the fact they could not afford or get HIV medications. Canada will lead the world.

We did not, like foreign aid, Canada was all talk and no action. The law makes it darn near impossible for any generic manufacturer to make the drug. On World AIDS day, Canada should be able to hold its head up high, we had so many things to hope for, to be proud of.

It would appear that we need to bring back ACT UP chapters. It would appear the Liberals will have all the right words, we are in an election after all. How many times have they promised us they would act on AIDS, International Aid, Childcare, healthcare, and first nations issues?

As Bono stated, what the world needs is more Canadians. I would like our leaders to look at that. Lets be proud again.

"Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me."

Bush as a Girl, Nah!

If George W. Bush were a Girl.

This is scary folks!

Georgie boy

Thanks to the yahoo group posting of this. Check them out. "thequeercollective"

A Queer thought developed one year ago

Happy Birthday to Queer Thoughts.

I was not too sure what would happen here, but it looks to have taken off on me. One year ago today I was sitting in my apartment in Victoria, a little lost and came across blogging.

446 posts later and some 50,000 unique vistors have been here. I changed stats programs to this one and have over 40,000 unique in the last seven months. Lately for some reason I am getting 700 to 1200 a day. Must be the racey pictures or the search words like gay or homosexual.

The blog became a little over whelming and I started another blog to deal with a wider range of things, Politics in BC, From the Heartlands. I wanted to try to keep Queer stuff here. It has not been easy to separate issues. So much of one affects the other.

I have learned a fair bit about blogging and still have much to learn. My english could be better and a couple of readers were down right rude in telling me so. Proof reading is important and that means time. Time I don't always have so I post anyway. Sorry for that if it bothers you. It just is not important when you have to say something. I am not the CBC.

I have been encouraged, many people pick up on what I have to say, some have linked to me, others have accused me of writing the homosexual agenda. (By the way, if any of you were at the meeting where the agenda was passed, I missed it, can you get me a copy?)

There was fun where I broke some news on Don Cherry and gay marriage. Sports fans may have caught it live on TSN but the mainstream media did not. Don in case you missed it was supportive of gay marriage and why wouldn't he be? I don't know any hockey commentator that has kissed more guys in front of 3 million people than he has. (Just Kidding Don if your are reading this, I don't need Tie Domi sent over the boards.)

Some of my blogging has been pretty personal. Type Steven Hennessy or Father's Day in the technorati search box in the sidebar for some examples. The personal "from the heart" posts seem to get the most attention.

I have also discovered that I do know my queer stuff even if I could pass for a straight guy on the once hit show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". The hard part is posting regularly, so people come back. At first it was easy post a couple times a day, then it was work for awhile. This summer I took a little time off and so did readers.

I hope to keep posting and be here one year from now. So much is happening, so much work is needed. Equality has yet to arrive for all of us. I think of the 15 year old that emailed me, looking for help. He was kicked out by his Dad, or the married guy that can no longer live a lie and is crucified because he had to be who he was. So much harm is done to people. Each of us handle it differently. We are all individuals, each with different tools to use in this world.

To the many that email me, that read my queer thoughts often, thank you, thanks for your guidance, your support and thoughtful comments. I write this blog to make a difference. I know it does sometimes and that will be what I hope the second year will continue to do.

The pic is of me some 46 years ago. I am sure I was driving to a protest!

23rd (p)slam tag

Wow, I was tagged. It just happens to be the 364th day of Queer Thoughts too. Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of my step into the scary world of the blogging.

The tag asks for the 5th sentance from the 23rd post. That post was not all that happy.

The fifth sentance of the 23rd (p)slam of Rick was...

"Matthew Shepard's story is only one case of hate motivated crimes against gays in the United States."

Interesting it would this one. These issues were what motivated me to start blogging. Looks like in this case, I was on topic.

Tomorrow I will tag a few 5 more of you. Lets see where you were on your 23rd (p)slam.

Gay Web Radio

I discovered this great music station on the web. Free to listen too. For those of you that like to dance, like to move to music this is it. Likely those of you in my late baby boomer stage would love it and my 21 year old daughter was groovin too.

The station caters to a gay audiance, yet I think all you Queer as Folk fans will like this too.

Check them out. WFAG has several DJ's all of them fun! Exciting and just plain good. Alternative Electronic Mainstream Club Hip-Hop/Rap Pop/Rock: R & B/Soul:

Top ten songs

WFAG Radio
Madonna ~ Hung Up
Deborah Cox ~ House is Not A Home
Kelly Clarkson ~ Beacause of You
Lasgo ~ Lying
Georgie Porgie ~ Love Is Gonna Save The Day
Simon and Shaker ~ Walk into The Room
TaTu ~ Friend or Foe
Taxi Doll ~ Waiting
Donna Summer ~ I Feel For Love
Roxette Vs Dancing Djs ~ Fading Like a Flower

Gay, Queer, GLBT, Homosexual
Music, Party, dj, Musik, Club, disco

http://www.wfagradio.com/index.php

"A proud day," said Pop Pop

Remembrance Day 2005

Today I remember my Grandfather and many others that served for Canada.

He was a good man and until he learned I was gay did not look upon gays as good people. We both learned as I came out to him. It took a few years and I don't know when it was exactly but his acceptance though never spoken was evident as he welcomed my partner into the family.

He fought to have Grandchildren of veterans to have the right to become members of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was very proud to see me marching in the Williams Lake Branch of the Legion's Parade, in the colour party holding the Canadian Flag. He was proud to be at a Remembrance ceremony when I was working for the government and laid the wreath for the Government of BC. He was wearing his Poppy and a red ribbon for my friend who had recently passed away because of AIDS.

He told me Canada was a great country, that I was making it even better, doing what I was. He never said the word gay to me, he did not have too. He met a friend of mine, who was in the armed forces and gave him a hug telling him he was alright. My friend was there with his partner. We played crib because if you liked someone you played crib.

Today I will play crib with friends and some veterans.

We have come a long way from the days when gays were shunned. My Grandfather knew. Today I remember Pop Pop, our name for our grandfather, others knew him as Bob. Robert Gorst Barnes.



Tags: canada, november 11, remembrance day, veterans, queer, GLBT, gay

Holy Anus Christian Batman!

'Holy Anus' stirs up unholy row

Cape Town - Well-known campaigner against homosexuality Dr Peet Botha has come under fire because a section in his latest book is entitled The Anus is Holy.

I did not make this up, its a church battle going on in South Africa. The Dutch Reformed Church is currently considering its stance on homosexuality, having made clear their stance on Heterosexuality a few hundred years ago.

In the midst of these deliberations Dr. Botha has released a new book on why the Church should not change their position on homosexuality. The Chapter in the book entitled The Holy Anus has ticked off both gay activists and church members alike.

The convener of the Dutch Reformed Church's task team on homosexuality, Dr André Bartlett, also spoke up and accused Botha of inaccurate research.

I wonder if it will catch on like Holy Cow!

Queer, GLBT, gay, religion, south africa

Designing Creative Intelligence

Just as Kansas was turning its back on science, a Pennsylvania school board is wiped out for doing the same.

In Dover PA the school board was the first in the United States to introduce Intelligent Design (ID) to classrooms. That board was then sued according to the New York Times contending...

"...that intelligent design was religious creationism in new packaging, and that the board was trying to impose its religion on students. The parents were represented by lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and a private law firm, Pepper Hamilton LLP."

The policy required teachers to read a prepared statement at the start of the semester saying that there were "gaps" in the theory of evolution, that intelligent design was an alternative and that students could learn more about it by reading a textbook "Of Pandas and People," available in the high school library.

The newly elected school board, all of them opposed to ID, have stated they have a couple of options open to them. They can refuse to appeal the case if it goes against the School Board and or simply remove the policy.

Here is part of the court transcript courtesy of The Panda's Thumb ...

Q Actually in this version of the book it describes who creationists are, doesn't it, if you look at pages 22 and 23 and 24. It says there's different types of creationist's literature. There are older [old earth] creationists, younger [young earth] creationists, agnostic creationists, right?

A Yes. We were trying to give some articulation to the breadth of what that term means.

Q And then if you could turn back to page 22, you explain that "Creation is the theory that various forms of life began abruptly, with their distinctive features already intact: Fish with fins and scales, birds with feathers and wings, mammals with fur and mammary glands." That's how you defined creation, correct?

A Yes.

Q All right. And I would like to take, you to take a look at an excerpt from Pandas and People. Turn to page 99 in the excerpt I gave you.

A All right.

Q Says, "Intelligent design means that various forms of life began abruptly through an intelligent agency, with their distinctive features already intact: Fish with fins and scales, birds with feathers, beaks and wings, et cetera." Do you see that?

A I see it.

Q So that's pretty much the exact same sentence substituting creation for intelligent design, isn't that right?

A The reason that you find the similarity in the two passages is because this obviously was at a time when we were developing the manuscript. We had not chosen the term "intelligent design" at that point. We were trying to, this was just a place holder term until we came to grips with which of the plausible two or three terms that are in scientific literature we would settle on. And that was the last thing we did before the book was revise, I mean was sent to the publisher.

Q It was creation, creation, creation until the end and then it was intelligent design.
(Court transcript, pp.97-99)

See also Middle Ages, here we come!

evolution, Religion, Science, Intelligent Design, Kansas, Current events

What would Dorothy say?

When is a Republican intelligent? Can you design it? I doubt it.

I just got in from traveling the Okanagan where I am assisting progressive candidates across the region in our municipal and school board elections in BC and I find an email informing me of another step toward stupidity has occurred. The Kansas Board of Education approved new public-school science standards providing for the teaching of "intelligent design". What would Dorothy say?

Intelligent design (ID) purveyors say the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power. The motion was passed by a vote of 6 - 4. You may have guessed already that the six were republican. Those voting against the motion were two republicans and two democrats.

These slick snake oil salesman are running rampant over common sense and good science to the south of us and we are likely to see them attempt this harmful step to a flat earth existence in Canada.

Robert at My Blahg wrote earlier tonight that the ID folks had been having a bad week. And he was right in that there were some good strikes against them. Cardinal Paul Poupard, Chair of the Pontifical Council for Culture said ...

"...we also know the dangers of a religion that severs its links with reason and becomes prey to fundamentalism."

The Cardinal made his comments at a news conference with respect to the evolution debate in the United States. To support his case the Cardinal pointed to the Catholic Churches own denunciation of Galileo for supporting Nicolaus Copernicus ' discovery that the Earth revolved around the sun.

The efforts of those in the United States to return to the days of Galileo are paying dividends. Today they got one whole state. Tomorrow who knows. This is not really a debate about how we all got here and what happened before. It is a Christian Crusade, fought on many battle fronts. ID is simply one of the many weapons being used.

This crusade is gaining. We saw the Surrey School Board go to great lengths to keep books out of a school because they depicted well adjusted kids with two moms or two dads. They lost but they did build momentum. The Chair of the Central Okanagan School District, Nicki Hokazono in the mid 1990's was cast aside by a brutal attack when she challenged the School Districts teaching to students that the depiction of gay life in negative light was wrong.

Now we have the darling of the Christian Crusade coming to Canada. Ralph Reed is on his way. He will be addressing a new activist conference for the crusade in Canada. Building an army of folks to take on those opposed to the tyranny of religion.

Back to where I started. Can any of us stand back and hand over the keys to our school boards to the Christian right? We are doing it everywhere. We keep saying it can not happen in Canada. The Americans are different. Well, twenty years ago, no one would have dared speak of ID in science class or mention the bible. Its a different story today.

This Ain't Kansas - But it could be...

A Blogger at ThePete.com points us to the Scientific American Magazine where they wrote tonight ...

Somewhere right now in Kansas, there is a little child who may grow up to be a brilliant scientist. She may make fantastic contributions to science, and future generations may remember her as one of the brightest intellectual lights of her time. But if so, it will be despite the public education that she received in Kansas, because today six dimwits on the state's Board of Education voted to lower the standards for how science is taught.

For more on Intelligent Design, Stephen Harper, Evangelicals, Conservative Christians, Gay rights, Bishop Henry, Pope John Paul II, Mary Polak, Ralph Reed, use the Technorati search box in the side bar. You can find more at "Politcis in BC" where you can use a Technorati search box to find specific information.

Bush, Politics, President, Republicans, Religion, Current events, Kansas, intelligent

Delay, Bush and a Priest (Its a Joke!)

Last Wish

Some humour to brighten your day! Off topic a little but it does include George Bush and Tom Delay two in bed the Christian Right I received this from one of the many elists I belong to. Thanks to Harlan for posting it!

The old priest lay dying in the hospital. For years he had faithfully served the people of the nation's capital. He motioned for one of his aides to come near.

"Yes father," said the aide.

"I would really like to see George W. Bush and Tom DeLay before I die," whispered the priest.

"I'll see what I can do, father," replied the aide.

The aide sent the request to the White House and waited for a response. Soon the word arrived. Bush and DeLay would be delighted to visit the priest.

As they went to the hospital, Delay commented to Bush, "I don't know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly help our images after the number the Democrats have done on us." Bush couldn't help but agree.

When they arrived at the priest's room, the priest took Bush's hand in his right hand and DeLay's hand in his left. There was silence and a look of serenity on the old priest's face.

Finally Congressman DeLay spoke, "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?"

The old priest slowly replied "I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

"Amen," said Bush
"Amen," said DeLay

The old priest continued... "He died between two thieves. I would like to do the same."

Bush, Politics, President, Religion, humor, humour

Wincing at Homo sex

The LGBT Smart List points us to this little ditty in the New York Times by columnist William Safire.

Safire explores the usage of preferred terms when writing about LGBT issues. One "reason for the wincing at homosexual, especially as a noun, is the emphasis that the word places on sexuality, while gay and lesbian also may range across cultural and social attitudes [but watch out for that no-no lifestyle]," Safire writes.

It does have alot to do with language. It occurs here in Canada, remember the Conservatives saying there were more important issues than homosexual marriage in the country...

"Have the Conservatives put up an alternative budget? Have they told us what should done about healthcare? What about national security, foreign aid? They spout off now and again, yet no alternative is ever offered or suggested. About the only thing one can get a firm hard opinion on is same-sex marriage." Politics in BC, June 23, 2005

No the Conservatives big problem was ...

...visions of two men kissing prance around in heads of sleeping conservative Tories. Nightmares inducing even more questions like "geesh they do that in bed, why'd you have to go and tell me?" Politics in BC, June 23, 2005

To the Conservatives of Stephen Harpers ilk it is that picture they get in their heads. Stan Persky wrote in a column for The Tyee ...

"Be real. They’re not against same sex marriage. They’re fighting same sex sex"

It is Homo sex that keeps all those straight men up at night. Check out some of those "sex" sites and see how many married men are out, maybe you will find a Conservative or even Harper himself. Just kidding about Stephen, who would want ...


Gay Rights, Religion, Gay, Civil Rights, Canada, Human Rights, ralph reed, Christian Right, conservative party of canada, Stephen Harper

Batman takes Robin

I have always been keen on Batman and Robin. Were they gay? I don't know for sure. Artist Mark Chamberlain seems to have assured me they were. Now can anyone find me a Robin costume in time for next year's Halloween?

See more of Mark Chamberlain's work here.

Tab Hunter Teen Idol tells it in book

Who didn't know? Tab Hunter is gay. Okay so many have known for years now and he has a new book out to tell his story. Hunter told the SF Gate ...

"I had to get the book out there. I didn't want some schmuck writing about me after I'd died and gone."

Hunter who is 74 reveils some of his flings and the closeted life he led to protect his career. As many of us want to claim these guys as our heros we should also understand their personal struggle and what the costs were.
Outing gay people is just wrong whatever the end point we wish to get too. There is one exception I support outing. When the person is actively fighting against gay rights. They should keep their mouths shut then. If you can't then out them!

Ballet star Rudolf Nureyev we learn in Tab Hunter Confidential had a fling with Tab. The photo shows the two of them enjoying the water.

The photo above is from Algonquin books, the publisher of "Tab Hunter confidential: The making of a Movie Star" You will find it at SF Gate Here.

For a list of Tab Hunter movies go to his website here.

movies, GLBT, Gay, Television, Tab Hunter, Squeal Appeal, books

Who set this table?

This table is for sale on eBay.

Can you tell if the picture was taken by a man or a woman?

Put your answers below. I will post the answer tomorrow.

Look at the picture carefully. There are many clues!

Gay men in Sports

Gay men is sports stay undercover, in the closet to protect both themselves from harm and ridicule and to maintain their potential sponsorship deals. Sports is one of the last frontiers for gays. They are openly parents, foster parents, community leaders, politicians, actors, entertainers and business people.

Below I have posted some links to commentary on the issue supplied by Gay & Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief. You can sign up for a newsletter with all the latest news affecting the LGBTQ communities. It is an American group and list, though often they cover issues outside the United States.


Commentary: What are they afraid of? Palm Beach Post sports columnist Greg Stoda wants to know why straight men would punish an openly gay teammate. "Maybe they derive a wicked joy from being cruel and judgmental," Stoda writes. The Palm Beach Post (10/31)

Commentary: Sports world ready for openly gay men: The first openly gay professional male athlete will be following in the footsteps of Jackie Robinson, who famously broke baseball's color barrier, writes Ian O'Connor in this commentary piece. LGBT groups see locker room antics and sponsor reactions as inhibiting gay players from coming out, but say today's more open-minded fans would support such an announcement. USA TODAY (10/29)

NFL commissioner honored by PFLAG: Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays this month honored National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue for his support. Tagliabue's son, Drew, is openly gay and a co-founder of Stay Close, PFLAG's campaign centered around celebrities support of their gay family members. Click here to read sports blog Deadspin's account.


Tags: Gay Rights, Religion, Gay, Current events, sports, pro sports, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, discrimination, Civil Rights

Bush plays Con game with SCOTUS

George W. Bush in polling free fall, pulls emergency parachute rip cord

Harriet Miers was criticized by both Republicans and Democrats and was withdrawn from nomination by President Bush (she withdrew but that's not the way it really happens). Bush just did not have the clout to get her through the Senate especially given his falling poll numbers.

Many Conservatives were concerned about two speeches Miers gave in the 1990's, speeches which did not come solidly out against abortion. Her paise of former Clinton Attorney General, Janet Reno also got her in trouble with some on the Christian Right. She had to go.

Bush went back to his base, the people that continually provide him cover and support, the Christian Right. Before putting a name forward publicly, Bush ran the nomination by a few very anti-gay groups including Concerned Women for America.

Janet LeRue of Concerned Women for America told the Washington Post, "Alito and Luttig have always been at the top of our list. We think either of them would be a supreme pick. There isn't a thing stealthy about them. They've got a long, proven record."

Judge Samuel Alito, Bush's nomination for the Supreme Court, has many of the same views as Justice Antonin Scalia, likely one of the more right wing conservative appointments ever. George W. Bush likely sat down and prayed for his choice before announcing his nomination. He has good cause to worry. If he can't get the Justice appointed he will remain a lame duck President for the rest of his term, with Republicans wishing he had left with Libby.

Conservatives want this guy...

"The president has made an excellent choice today which reflects his commitment to appoint judges in the mold of (Antonin) Scalia and (Clarence) Thomas. Sam Alito, a 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals judge, has consistently embraced the original intent of the Constitution." - Kay Daly, the president of the very right wing Coalition for a Fair Judiciary.

"Of course, he's against abortion," 90-year-old Rose Alito said of her son, Judge Sam Alito, a Catholic.

I can see school children all over America learning about intelligent design in science class. A kind of reverse evolution "science" to add some humour to a serious issue.

Now the war is on, forget 2,000 dead in Iraq, we have the hearts and minds of American kids to think about. Kids that will one day grow up to fight the war in Iraq for god, country and Wal-Mart. Then we can all Celebrate Diversity!

See: An Embattled and Weakened Bush Goes Nuclear

Bush, Politics, President, Republicans, supreme court, Alito, scotus, Gay Rights, Religion, Gay, Current events

T-Shirt from American Conservative Humour (sic) group

Canadian Ralph Reed needed says Gunter

The Christian Right or Religious Right in Canada has been doing some navel gazing. Don't worry its their own navel.

Looking enviously to the the south the Christian Right is kicking itself into action with some words admonishing its past efforts and the failure of the Conservative party, the usual home of Conservative Christians in Canada.

National Post columnist Lorne Gunter said in a recent article (September 26, 2005), "...if Canadian Christians want clout ... they would do well to emulate some of the Americans' lessons.” Gunters adds, “Our religious conservatives are today where the U.S. movement was two decades ago,” and if “they have finally accepted that if they are to save any of the values they cherish, they must become fully engaged in politics.”

Further Gunter suggests, “what they lack is their own version of Christian Coalition founder Ralph Reed…It was Reed, who in the Reagan and George Bush Sr. eras taught the nascent religious right how to poll, canvass, recruit, raise money and get out the vote.”

The Christian right say they were asleep at the wheel when they got hit over the head with gay marriage. They should have worked harder. That could be and if they had a Canadian ala Ralph Reed working for them they may have succeeded in stalling gay marriage in our country.

What the Christian Right have is a problem with our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The United States has nothing that compares. I am sure the Christian Right would have it thrown out along with any positive historial reference to the late Prmie Minister Trudeau.

Who will be the new Messiah to lead the Christian Right? Stephen Harper? Maybe not eh.


tags: Gay, Canada, Human Rights, ralph reed, Christian Right, conservative party of canada, Stephen Harper

Victoria Prime Timer passes

The following obituary will run in the Victoria Times-Colonist and Vancouver Sun

FRASER, Colin William (Bill)

1925-2005. Passed away peacefully October 12, 2005, with his loving family by his side, in Victoria, BC. Colin was born in Matsqui, BC Oct. 29, 1925, the son of Colin William Fraser and Anna Margaret Gilchrist, and grew up in Abbotsford, BC. He earned his degree in Librarianship from McGill, began his career as a librarian in Toronto and Nanaimo then became the first librarian at the Prince George Public Library.

In the early sixties, he became Director of the BC Medical Library Service in Vancouver. He served the doctors and health professionals of BC for thirty years, expanding and shaping a wide network of hospital libraries. As a frequent speaker, teacher, mentor and leader, Colin was a respected and cherished member of Health Libraries associations and the library profession. He leaves the legacy of a scholarship at UBC, given annually to the most promising student in Medical Librarianship. He moved to Victoria in 1995.

All who knew this kind and generous man will remember his keen intellect, wide ranging interests, and caring and passionate commitment to humanism. He was an active member of the Unitarian Church in Vancouver and Victoria, offering his leadership on many committees, running the church library, establishing a Welcoming Congregation, and inaugurating an annual GBTL Art Show, recently named the Fraser Art Show in his honour. He was also an active member of Prime Timers Victoria. A lifelong supporter of the arts, Colin loved film, theatre, opera, music, literature and dance. He cared deeply about the world, and left a lasting legacy by making regular generous contributions to a multitude of worthy causes. A spiritual, insightful man who lived his beliefs, he was often a pioneer who helped others to be or do more.

Colin will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed as a wonderful father, grandfather, and brother by his four children Meg, Kate, Don, and Bruce, sons-in-law Del and Rich, daughter-in-law Trish, grandchildren Auren, Amy, Megan, Sarah, Ayla, Jenna, Angelica, and Ramona, loving sister Margaret, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Donna. Colin will also be missed by his many beloved friends who were so important to him, and the many people he touched and inspired throughout his life. They and his family will always remember his supportive, enduring, and unconditional friendship, his lively, intelligent humour, his sparkling blue eyes, and his warm, gentle smile.

Friends are invited to share in a Celebration of Life for Colin on Sat. November 5, 2005 at 1:00pm, at the First Unitarian Church, 5575 West Saanich Rd. Victoria, BC, Reverend Jane Bramadat officiating. For more information or to send a message, please email katechallenger@shaw.ca Memorial donations may be made to the BC Schizophrenia Society, Victoria, and to the Victoria Hospice Society. The family would like to thank Dr. Derek Carroll, and the Victoria Hospice special staff and nurses for their loving and compassionate care of Colin.

If they made condoms ...

Condoms Types

1. Campbell's Hungry Man Soup Condoms: Mmm, mmmm, good...
2. Coca Cola Condoms: the real thing.
3. Diet pepsi Condoms: You got the right one, baby.
4. Double Mint: Double your pleasure, Double your fun!
5. Energizer: It keeps going and going and going...
6. Ford condoms: the best never Rest.
7. Hewlett Packard Condoms; Expanding possibilities.
8. KFC Condoms: Finger-lickin good.
9. M&M Condom: It melts in your mouth, not in your hands!
10. Mars Bar condoms: The quicker picker upper!
11. Maxwell House: good to the last drop!
12. Microsoft: Where do you want to go today?
13. Nike Condoms: just do it.
14. Pringles Condoms: Once you pop, you can't stop.
15. Taco Bell: Get some; make a run for the border.
16. Tattslotto Condoms: Who's next?
17. Star Trek condoms: To boldly go where no man has gone before.
18. Toyota Condoms: Oh what a feeling.
19. United Airlines travel pack: Fly United.
20. Yellow pages Condoms: Aren't you glad you use it? don't you wish everybody did?

Thanks to a poster to the Canadian Gay Yahoo group!

Vatican to ban Homosexuals!

AIDS Groups walk away from gay men

It is time for AIDS Walks across Canada.

Each year the walk continues, each of the last few years the numbers of walkers and funds raised is lower.

Here in British Columbia the numbers of gay men becoming infected with HIV is rising as many of us predicted three years ago. Look at these numbers...

• 2000 - 144 positive test results

  2001 - 153;

  2002 - 160;

  2003 - 159;

  2004 - 180 gay men testing positive for HIV

These numbers should be going down. We live in a modern developed country. Why are they rising? The answer to that is not difficult to come too. The provincial government has failed to deliver funds despite a plea from gay men working in gay men's health. We have shown an increase in unsafe activity in data collected from the sexNow survey over the last four years.

There is an increasing movement of AIDS organizations to focus on other population demographics to detriment of gay men. Instead of acquiring more funds to do this work, the current funding has been moved out of gay mens health and prevention.

A few token efforts remain. Gayway in Vancouver is a promising program for gay men yet is being starved for prevention dollars. Their efforts are confined largely to one prevention campaign per year funded largely by Health Canada for a national effort. The money is ridiculously low. It amounts to about $150,000 for cross Canada development, production and distribution. It is amazing they get anything done at all.

The interest of AIDS organizations including those in BC has been to shift dollars to First Nations, injection drug users and women. This effort is driven in part for a need to place some emphasis there, but also to "de-gay" HIV/AIDS.

AIDS Groups are becoming institutionally homophobic in order to survive. This despite a number of gay men involved at or near the top of many of these groups. BC's three largest AIDS organizations are guilty of this and smaller ones have always been wary of being defined for providing services to gay men.

AIDS Vancouver Island and AIDS Vancouver both operate gay mens health programs. Both programs are well down the agenda of the organizations. Yet in both Vancouver and Vancouver Island, the number one group living with HIV is gay men. The number one group being newly tested with HIV is gay men.

Both these organizations were established by gay men and run by them for years, are failing the gay men that fought so hard to establish them.

Here are some examples of those failings, neither organization provides gay male case workers that gay men can relate too. They have very few if any HIV positive staff or membership on their boards of directors.

You would be hard pressed to find a time recently when their executive director spoke out about gay men and HIV in the media. Listen next time you hear them speak. They will refer to the growing numbers of new infections among women and first nations and concern for immigrant and youth. If they mention gay men it will be at the end.

In my work within AIDS organizations and I have worked with and or volunteered with eleven of them in BC, I have found internal resistance due to a lack of funds or other priorities moving to the forefront.

It has not been a healthy situation for gay guys. As the real numbers of gay men contracting HIV continues to rise, AIDS Organizations sit quietly back and hope the problem goes away and or some benevolent government or funder may drop some dollars in their pockets to address the problems and causes of increasing infections among gay men.

I know that the Aids Organizations maybe quiet as they are afraid of offending the provincial government. They are like every other group out there reliant on dollars from the government to operate and they have seen this BC Liberal government's mean spirited approach to those that dare criticize them. There is one difference here. These organizations in BC were started by gay men in the face of the same kind of government indifference years ago.

The largest number of people living in BC with HIV/AIDS are gay men and the fastest rising rate of new infections are gay men.

I wonder what those brave gay men, many living with AIDS, would think of the groups they started if they were around today. Would they say the AIDS movement has been taken over by a bunch of do gooders intent on survival? Would they think they were serving gay men well? Would they believe it was possible to see the number of new infections among gay men rise?

I suspect they would not be amused.

Read more in Xtra West!