g_b New Jersey’s Marriage Moment
THE NEW YORK TIMES November 26, 2009 Editorial New Jersey’s Marriage Moment There can come a moment in a politician’s career when doing the right thing requires summoning the courage to buck strong voter sentiment. The drama over same-sex marriage in a lame-duck session of the New Jersey State Legislature is not that kind of moment. Doing the right thing — promptly enacting legislation discarding inadequate civil unions in favor of full marriage equality for same-sex couples — requires no gargantuan amount of courage or risk-taking on the part of rank-and-file New Jersey legislators or their leaders. In fact, the recent elections did turn on same-sex marriage and a recent Rutgers-Eagleton poll showed that a majority of voters would accept legalization. The chance that approving marriage equality would provoke a mass voter revolt seems remote. True, the measure’s opponents have been taking loud aim at lawmakers from both parties who have openly voiced support, especially those whose districts include conservative communities. But elected officials should be able to take a little heat. Just weeks ago, as David Kocieniewski of The Times reported, Democrats were speaking confidently about passing a marriage equality bill after the election. Gov. Jon Corzine, a fellow Democrat, pledged to sign it even if he was not re-elected. After Mr. Corzine’s defeat, some Democrats appear to be wavering. Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney, who will become the Senate president in January, has expressed fears that voters concerned about the economy might resent elected officials who appear distracted by social issues. The lame-duck session is not the right time to enact same-sex marriage, he suggested, only to backtrack a little while later. Note that the actual civil rights issue gets lost in the spin. More is expected from the future leader of the State Senate’s majority caucus. By endorsing the same-sex marriage bill, Mr. Sweeney can show that he is ready for his influential new role. The outgoing Senate president, Richard Cody, who, in fact, has a reputation for doing the right thing, could polish that legacy by arranging for a vote — and getting the votes to pass the measure. Inaction is not an acceptable option. Delaying past Mr. Corzine’s departure means delaying justice for gay and lesbian couples and their families for four or even eight years. Christopher Christie, the Republican who was elected to succeed Mr. Corzine, has said he would veto any legalization bill (although he mostly forgot to mention the issue while campaigning in a decidedly moderate state). If the Democratic majorities in New Jersey’s Legislature are unwilling to stand up for a fundamental civil right that a majority of voters would accept, when exactly would they stand up? The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage. http://in.yahoo.com/
g_b The GayBombay Sunday Meet at Thane
The GayBombay Sunday Meet at THANE on 29 November 2009 Day Date: Sunday, 29 November 2009 Time: 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Venue: Café Coffee Day, Panchpkhadi, Thane (West). Cover: Free entry to the meet The Café Coffee Day at Panchpakhadi, Thane, remains the place we gather at before proceeding to someone's place not far off for another round of chatar patar catching up on each others lives or just bitch about nothing :-) We would be at the Cafe Coffee day for approx 30 min from 5.30pm Directions: For those coming by trains: the place is just a 5 minute ride from the Station and you can ask for `Pizza Hut, Panchpakhadi, near Hari Niwas Circle', For those coming by Highway: turn in towards Thane City at Teen Hath Naka (opposite Eternity Mall) and take a left turn just before Hari Niwas Circle. There is a series of outlets like Pizza Hut, Dominos, etc where you can find the Café. Note : 1. Do get your friends along to help them gain access to a group especially if they are not netizens. 2. You do not have to be out to the world to attend. This is a discreet event being held as a clean, safe social get-together of a non-sexual nature. Hardly any of those attending are out as such. 3. You need to be at least 18 years of age to attend. 4. There may be many who will prefer being discreet or may be still be coming to terms with themselves hence a request that all be sensitive to this and act and dress accordingly. 5. To identify the group look out for someone wearing a black cap See you all on Sunday. New Email addresses available on Yahoo! Get the Email name you#39;ve always wanted on the new @ymail and @rocketmail. Hurry before someone else does! http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/aa/
g_b Re: Bombay Dost Sunday High, 29-Nov, 5pm: Film screenings: 'Shortbus' and 'Breakfast on Pluto'
Just a reminder about this Sunday. On 11/25/09, Nitin Karani nitin.kar...@gmail.com wrote: You are cordially invited to * * *Sunday High, 29 November 2009* 'Shortbus' and 'Breakfast on Pluto' *Two recent films on finding love, fulfilment.* *Shortbus (2006)* 101mins, English *Synopsis:* Numerous New York City-dwellers come to the exclusive club Shortbus to work out problems in their sexual relationships. Rob and Sophia are a happily married couple, except for the fact that she has never experienced sexual climax. This irony follows her to work, because she is a couples counselor who frequently has to deal with the sexual issues other couples have. Two of her patients are Jamie and James, a gay couple who have been monogamous for five years and counting. James wants to bring other men in to the relationship, and his own history with depression may hint at an ulterior motive. Ceth may be the perfect addition to their family, but Caleb, a voyeur from across the street, may have his own ideas about that. Sophia visits Severin, a dominatrix with secrets of her own to reveal. *A review:* ...The superb cast of characters of John Cameron Mitchell's [of Hedwig and the Angry Inch fame] Shortbus powerfully draws the viewer in to each of the characters' lives and problems Yes, the on-screen sex is real. And there's lots of it. But rather than displaying sexually explicit scenes for the sake of cheap titillation, Shortbus is provocative with an actual purpose Shortbus deals with all manners of human relations. Not stressing one form over another, it shows how sex, friendship and love continually intermingle. Because one's comfort level with their sexuality mirrors how one relates in all other relationships, showing the raw and carnal aspect of each character so explicitly works beautifully to accurately convey their motivations and struggles. ...Whether dealing with sexual oppression, struggling with sexual desires deemed socially deviant, seeking redemption for having already been there and done that, or feeling generally unaccepted for being who you are, the redemption value in this film is tenderly perceptible. Shortbus lets us know that gay, straight, bi, transgender, whatever – we all just want to feel accepted. . *Breakfast on Pluto (2005)* 128 mins, English Synopsis: A foundling lad, Patrick Kitten Braden, comes of age in the 1970s. He leaves his Irish town, in part to look for his mother and in part because his transgender nature is beyond the town's understanding. He's taken in by a rock band, falls for the lead singer, has brushes with the IRA, is arrested by the London police, works in a peep show, and poses as a survey researcher for the phone company. Throughout, his nationality and his nature put him at great risk. In his search for his mother, he makes surprising discoveries of friendship and family. But, will he survive? *Reviews:* This film is fabulous -- and has nothing to do with the solar system. Cillian Murphy is AMAZING in his complicated role as a trans-sexual man growing up in Ireland in the 1970's and his quest to find what he wants in his life Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea, and Brandon Gleeson are far more than excellent in supporting roles. This film is dependent on its star (Mr. Murphy) and he shines. The themes in this film are universal. Even while the story is sad and the situation the main character - Kitten - finds herself in are very sad, it somehow always becomes funny. The interaction between Kitten and the people around her is fascinating, funny and true-to-life Don't want to spoil anything about the plot but if anyone has read the book DO NOT expect the same situations or ending If you strip away the complicated details of this trans-sexual Irish male and his travels during the 70's you can find the root, universal story of a young person looking for love. --- What could have been a one-dimensional caricature becomes a three dimensional movie in the hands of a good director like Neil Jordan Cillian Murphy imbues Patrick Kitten with growing dignity as he/she matures through the film, and at the end she has become a self-assured woman, who has 'found' family, her mother and father, and a meaning in life. The film does not shy away from the Irish-English conflict, either, and the prejudice directed against Paddy is appalling, reminiscent of In the Name of the Father. It is not for the faint-hearted, be aware! Costumes and music of the late 60's / early 70's are both equally impressive. There is an excellent soundtrack. *(All info sourced from IMDB.com)* -- *Time:* 5.00 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. One intermission during which light refreshments will be served. *Venue:* The Humsafar Trust's Drop-in Centre, 4th
