Remembering Teddy Kennedy

This morning, I heard the news of Senator Kennedy's death. I am saddened beyond belief. He was a true leader and a giant in the Senate. He was not afraid to stand up, even when others did not. Throughout his over 50 years in the Senate, Kennedy has made an impact on almost every major piece of legislation that passed through the Senate chambers. He also made his brothers proud by picking up and going, after assassin's bullets ended their lives.

He was also committed to ensuring every American had quality, affordable health care. He was in support of "Medicare for All", a single payer system that allowed everyone the right to quality care. He understood that an industry that leaves out 45 million people from having health coverage was wrong. It is my wish that Democrats listen to Kennedy's advice, and once again renew their commitment to a single payer system, or a strong public option that isn't a giveaway to the Health Insurance Industry.

Let's honor Senator Kennedy's legacy by passing a strong reform bill that will enact the change we so desperately need.

Growing apart.

Why is it ex boyfriends always want to be friends afterwards?

Tonight, I finally told me ex that we had to stop talking. It hurts to do that to someone you love, but I had to do it. I just got tired of hearing about how his life was better than mine. Even when we were together, he was constantly one upping me. It gets tiresome having to grin and bear it while he talks about his $200 jeans and his iPhone. I don't measure me life by my material assets,and I think he does.

I tried to explain that I didn't want to hurt him, but he would have none of it. I have now been accused of "using him", but I am not even sure what he means by that.

Hopefully now we can both live our lives and one day time will heal the divide between us. If it doesn't though, I will have to live with that I guess.

RIP Michael "Chicken" Roof

I would just like to make a post about my recently departed friend Michael Roof. He died too soon, and left a hole in my heart.
I started working at Johnny's Pizza in May of 2006. Soon after, I met Micheal Roof. He was sitting at the bar, having a beer and conversing with a waitress. She introduced me to Michael, and from that point on, I had a favorite customer. Anytime he walked through the door my day became brighter. He became much more than a customer though, he became a true friend. I knew he would listen to me when I needed someone to, and I tried to do the same in turn.

Micheal was also a man who loved his family. I pray for the family he left behind. 3 sons, and a wife. They deserve better than this. I can only imagine how horrible this time is for them. If I have cried a hundred times, they have a thousandfold.

Last night, the staff of Johnny's gathered together to watch a short film Roof gave me. We had a few drinks, and each said a few words about our departed friend. I will cherish the memories that we talked about, and keep that film with me forever.

RIP MICHAEL ROOF

A sad day in the lives of LGBT Americans

Today, the California Supreme Court declared that Proposition 8 is valid and should be upheld. To think that in 2009 we are still having to fight for our rights and equality in places like California is astonishing!

The opponents of same sex marriage claim that they are defending "traditional marriage", but they are in fact trying to justify bigotry and discrimination. How does same sex marriage affect heterosexual marriages (Or as Miss California calls is "opposite marriage")? Its not as if straight couples around the world are waiting to have gay marriage so they can become homosexuals themselves. Is there some kind of problem with having a broader definition of what marriage is? Why can't two consenting adults enter into a permanent partnership if they are the same sex? Isn't this in fact sexist to say that two men or two women can't raise a family just as effectively as a heterosexual couple? In fact, I am sure there are LGBT parents who are much better than some straight parents I know. I am also sure that there are shitty LGBT parents too! Some people are not meant to settle down and raise a family, but for those of us who are, we would like to have access to the same rights and benefits that everyone else receives. It isn't "special treatment for special people".

The other side of this issue is that our government is deciding what we can and cannot call a marriage. I think this is discrimination of those who feel that LGBT people should have the right to marry. This includes thousands of Churches and other temples of worship that embrace LGBT people and see their love as valid in God's eyes. Why aren't the Libertarians rising up against this attack on our individual freedom to decide what constitutes a loving union?

In closing, I hope that the people of California are ashamed at their courts. I am saddened to see that the state that Harvey Milk called home is now happy to spit on his legacy. However, this fight is not over, and the opponents of same sex marriage are in for one hell of a wake up call! There are now 5 states with legal gay marriage and more on the way. California will forever be seen as being on the wrong side of history.







LETS FIGHT TO KEEP THE HOPE THAT HARVEY MILK INSPIRED 30 YEARS AGO ALIVE! FIND YOUR LOCAL LGBT COMMUNITY AND BAND TOGETHER AND DEMAND EQUALITY!

A Special Message to opponents of same sex marriage!

Another victory for Marriage Equality

Now same sex marriage is legal in Maine. I can honestly feel that federal marriage recognition is soon to come.

Thanks to New Hampshire

The Granite state of New Hampshire is poised to become the 5th state in the Union to legalize same sex marriage. Now 1 in 10 states in our nation are pro marriage equality, and I feel like the ball is rolling. Hopefully it will only be a matter of time before most or all states have legally recognized same sex marriage.

RIP BEA ARTHUR!

You will be missed.

Thanks Vermont, and Announcing the 101 Iowa trip

Vermont became the first state in the union to legalize same sex marriage by passing a bill through their state's legislature (and overturning the Republican Governor's veto). This means that there are now 4 states where same sex couples can legally wed. And if you get married in one of these states and live in New York, your rights will also be recognized.
Iowa has no residency requirements for getting married, so if I was a same sex couple in New York, I would fly to Iowa and get hitched.
Speaking of, I am planning a little political action myself in Georgia. I want to bus 101 same sex couples to Iowa to get married so we can come back and sue the state for our marriage rights. While it may not produce the desired result of same sex marriage in the peach state, it may begin a dialogue which will hopefully change some hearts and minds.

If you are a same sex couple in the state of Georgia (or you know one), e-mail me @ choliv3443@hotmail.com
Put "101 same sex marriages" in the subject line, and let me know if you are interested. I am hoping to make the trip sometime in August.

Equality in the Heartland of America

This week, Iowa became the third state in the union to legalize same sex marriage. The Iowa Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision concluded that denying same sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional. Iowa joins Massachusetts and Connecticut in giving equal rights under the law. This is the first time a state in Middle America has granted these rights to LGBT people, and I see this day as a milestone in the fight for nationally recognized marriage equality.

Its been awhile

So because of my intense Anthropology course, I have been absent for a while. Many big things have happened since I last blogged.

Right now I am watching the shitstorm of AIG on CNN. It looks like there's plenty of dung to go around. Dodd and Geithner both knew about this "bonus loophole", and I would hope that each will be held accountable. I was and still am a supporter of Chris Dodd, but I hope he seriously considers the consequences of what he has done. If behavior like this continues to come from Dodd, I hope he has a strong primary opponent when re-election time comes.
Geithner was not my first choice for Treasury Secretary, and if he doesn't come up with details on recapitalizing the banks, I would hope he would only be Obama's first Treasury. Maybe we could get someone like Paul Volker there.

At least Nancy Pelosi has the right idea. Today the House passed a 90% tax on bailout bonuses. Now that's what I call the power of the purse!




RIP Andrew "Test" Martin. He died too young at age 33. While he was no hall of famer, he was a sports entertainer who sacrificed his body for the entertainment of fans. Too many wrestlers are dropping dead, its nothing new, but I had hoped the cycle would have stopped by now. May this be a lesson to all of the young up and coming wrestlers, take care of your body naturally. Don't depend on steroids and pain pills to get you through the day.

Well thats all for now.

Kudos to US of Tara

"The US of Tara", a Showtime series about a woman with MPD (multiple personality disorder), is trying to keep her family and life together. Her son on the show, Marshall is a gay teen, living openly with his family. Throughout the season, Marshall has been trying to tell another boy, Jason, about his feelings for him. In the last few episodes, Jason and Marshall have been getting closer, and on last weeks episode, Marshall finallt let his feeling be known.





I am so happy that there are people on television that young LGBT people can relate too. Kudos for US of Tara for taking a step torwards inclusion of homosexual themes into our television culture.

What is it with crazy Republican state Senators.

First it was Sally Kern, the GOP State Senator from Oklahoma. She was the one who compared homosexuality to radical Islam, and claimed the "homosexual agenda" threatens this nation.






And now we have Scott Renfroe of Colorado comparing homosexuality to murder. Why are these people allowed to say these things It is a sign that LGBT people still have a long road ahhead in the fight for equal rights in this country.






If you live in Mr. Renfroe's district, please call for his resignation.

The fight to overturn Prop 8 is now underway!

ATTENTION ALL HOMOS!!!
The fight to invalidate the Prop H8TE in California is underway. In one corner, representing discrimination and majority oppression is Kenneth Starr, made famous by his Clinton witchunt of the 1990s. In the opposite corner, representing equality and minority protection, is Shannon Price Minter, a man dedicated to LGBT equality. Its clear whose side I am on, and I hope the California Supreme Court realizes where the future opinions regarding same sex marriage will fall. I am praying for a victory against Prop 8, in my opinion this will be a signal of new beginnings and the change Obama and progressives have promised.

More info on Shannon Price Minter can be found here http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=About_Staff_ShannonMinter

Do you know who Bayard Rustin is?

Since we are coming to the end of Black History month, I thought I should write a little bit about Bayard Rustin, the unsung hero of the struggle for African American civil rights. Rustin, who was raised a Quaker, was one of the influences that convinced MLK that nonviolent resistance was the best way to win the struggle for freedom. He was also on of the key organizers of the 1963 march on Washington, where MLK gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Yet he is almost unknown to most Americans, black and white. The reason for this is a simple one, he was gay. At the time, his sexuality forced him into the background of the civil rights movement,but he continued to fight for equality for both black and LGBT people for the remainder of his life. If the LGBT people are going to ever have equality, then we must remember those who fought for our rights. We owe it to Bayard Rustin to remember him.

About the Oscars...

So most of my predictions were wrong. My favorite moment however was the acceptance speech of Dustin Lance Black. His words made me tear up as I sat next to my mother, who for the first time has decided to accept me as a gay man. I hope he is right about us getting our rights one day.

And I cant forget Sean Penn, who made Harvey Come back to life, if only for a few hours on film. I think he has given Harvey Milk's story to a whole new generation of LGBT youth who otherwise might not know him.

RIP Harvey Milk

The Oscars!

Here are my picks, like them or not.

Best Picture- Milk. Out of the films I have seen, I think Milk is the best. Of course, I haven't seen Slumdog Millionaire.

Best Actor- Mickey Rourke(The Wrestler). While Sean Penn was great, Mickey Rourke's performance in "The Wrestler" was nothing short of Earth Shattering. He brought that movie (and his career) to life in a way many would have never thought capable by Rourke.

Best Actress-Kate Winslet(The Reader). One of two great performances by Winslet this year. If she were not nominated, I think Streep would have it wrapped up.

Best Director-Gus Van Sant (Milk). This movie was blessed with an awesome director in Gus Van Sant, and this Oscar should be his. It will probably go to Danny Boyle though :(

Supporting Actor- Heath Ledger (Dark Knight). DUH! I'm wondering who will accept the award for him. Maybe Michelle Williams? RIP Heath

Supporting Actress- Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler). She literally bared everything for this role, and I think her charm help create some shine to an otherwise depressing movie.

Why does Ken Starr care?

Ken Starr, once (in)famous for his role in the Clinton impeachment, is now trying to forcibly divorce over 18,000 Lesbian and Gay married couples. These people were married before Prop 8 passed, and their marriages were legal and binding in the State of California. I know I am biased, but is it really right to do such a thing? This kind of retroactive action is unlawful and dangerous in my opinion. It sets all kinds of precedents. As far as I know, this will be the first time married couples have been divorced through no fault of their own. This is discrimination, out in the open for everyone to see.

These married couples were only trying to do what all of us are trained to do from birth. Find someone you love, settle down with them, and create a loving environment to raise a family. In fact, many people who are anti gay accuse LGBT people of being to promiscuous to have a stable family home. This is a stereotype, and simply untrue. While there are many LGBT couples who don't want children, the same can be said for heterosexual couples. Yet these heterosexuals, who have no intention on raising a family are allowed to enter into the bonds of marriage. Why is it they can go childless, and at the same time the far right uses the lack of wanting children as an excuse to forbid homosexual unions? Isn't this a double standard?

So my real question is, why does Kenneth Starr care about this? Maybe he just doesn't think that all people deserve equal treatment under the law. If that's the case, then why would a school as great as Pepperdine have such a horse's ass as a dean? Maybe they don't know that a bigot is running their Law School!

Michael Phelps passes the dutchie!

So Americas 23 year old golden boy was caught hitting a bong in South Carolina. How do I feel about this?

I am a liberal who feels that anything you do in your own home is fine, so long as nobody is being harmed or exploited. I also feel that the entire "war on drugs" is a complete waste of money, and keeping pot from being legal is preventing our government from obtaining a huge source for taxable income. So I think Michael Phelps should be able to get stoned if he wants to. After all, how many people are worth $30 million dollars at the age of 23. He has been doing nothing but swimming for the last 8 years, he deserves a little downtime. Even Superman had a fortress of solitude, and if smoking a little reefer makes him feel okay, what is the problem. He is also over 21 as well. Its not as if he is a child, he can make his own decisions.

As for the Sheriff who wants to arrest him. Its nothing more than a publicity stunt. There is no law against smoking weed retroactively as far as I know.

I just hope Phelps doesn't smoke too much. He needs to preserve those lungs for 2012 to extend his medal count.

Its been awhile

I haven't posted lately because I've been a bit busy with work and other things. This years Superbowl was amazing! What a nail biter, if a few plays had gone differently Arizona would have been victorious. For the first time in a while, I cared more about the game than the commercials.

In Obama news, Tom Daschle has announced his backing out from the HHS job. Apparently he had some tax issues which is now becoming a theme with this cabinet. This bugs me, but at least we are getting to see all of these people down to the nitty gritty. Past administrations (I think we all know who I am talking about!) would have tried to sweep these problems under the rug, and use their majority in congress to push the nomination through. So while it may look bad to see all of these career politicians go down in flames, it is encouraging to know that the congress is once again representing the will of the American people. Maybe now we can get out of Iraq, and close Gitmo.

In other news, a woman in San Antonio Texas claims that she and her girlfriend were unfairly targeted and discriminated against by mall security and the San Antonio sheriffs department. Jessica Garcia and her girlfriend were at Rolling Oaks mall in San Antonio where they were encountered by security staff after Garcia's girlfriend gave her a kiss on the cheek. They were later thrown out and accused of trespassing while taking a shortcut to their car. In my mind this is blatant discrimination, and I hope a case is brought against the mall. You can see this full story at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6243685.html

Mickey Rourke in the ring FOR REAL!

Apparently, Mickey Rourke has decided to take his devotion to his golden globe winning performance as Randy "the Ram" Robinson to a whole new level. This past Monday on WWE Monday Night RAW Chris Jerhico challenged Rourke to a match at Wrestlemania, the Superbowl of professional wrestling. Every year we see a new celebrity come to the Wrestlemania. Last year it was Floyd Mayweather, the lightweight boxer who challenged The Big Show, a 500 pound wrestler. We have seen other celebrity memories from wrestlemanias past such as Donald Trump shaving Vince Mcmahon bald a few years ago.

This tradition is nothing new. At the first Wrestlemanina,Cindy Lauper manages Wendi Richter to victory in the women's match. Muhammad Ali was the referee of the main event which featured Mr. T. And lets not forget that Liberace was the timekeeper!

For years, the WWE has tried to boost ratings with celebrity spectacle, and I think Rourke is an excellent fit. If this match goes well, I think I know who the next celebrity inductee into the WWE hall of fame is going to be.

Making change in the environment

President Obama today signed executive orders which will allow states such as California to set emission standers for automobiles at the state level. This will allow California to pressure the American auto manufacturers to create energy efficient vehicles that are needed if we expect to have an auto industry in the future. It amazes me that President Bush blocked this kind of step forward. Being a republican usually means that you believe in the states rights. But instead, we had a President who was in the pocket of big business. I am happy that this is no longer the case. The pundits are already saying that the honeymoon is over, but if these type of steps produce results, Obama could have the public's favor for many years to come.

Now its up to congress to draft legislation that will begin converting our nation into a green powered country, independent of the terrorist oil that funds those who seek us harm. It is in our national security interest to stop buying oil and start cleaning up the planet. Conservation is also the key to stopping radical climate change which could soon threaten our very existence on Earth. The time is now to act, we have been stalling for too long.

Obama in action

If you haven't gone to www.whitehouse.gov , I recommend you give it a look. You can see how the new administration is already different from the old one. I went and looked up the executive orders that Obama has already released, and I am happy to say that he is starting his term off on the right foot.

He has started to close Gitmo, and stopped the use of torture in our interrogations. He has started us on the path of renewal this country needs. He is giving America a new image for the world to see.

That's a great first step!

Just a few things...

Let me start off by saying how happy I am that Barack Obama was sworn in today. It has been my hope that he would become President for about 2 years now, and to see my dream fulfilled is an amazing feeling. For the first time since I have been politically active, my guy won! It is a rush. But lets talk about what else happened today.


Portland Mayor, Sam Adams admitted an affair with an 18 year old intern named Beau Breedlove. When rumors of the affair came up 2 years ago, the Mayor (then Commissioner) called the attacks a "homophobic slur". Well it turns out that the slurs were in fact the truth. Anyone wondering why he came public yesterday. Because he knew the media would be busy covering the inauguration. Smart move. I still hope he gets punished electorally.

He should understand that LGBT people face enough trouble getting elected without scandal. To some people, just being LGBT is scandal enough. His error in judgement worries me. That being said, maybe another LGBT candidate can run against him in the primary. We can only hope.


And lets all keep Senator Ted Kennedy in our thoughts and prayers today. He is fighting a tough battle, and we should support him for all the tough battles he has fought in the past on behalf of the LGBT community. Every homo in America is in his debt. As a Senator, he has fought for civil equality for over four decades.

Butt Out!

According to the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network, LGBT people are between 50% and 200% more likely to smoke. Not sure why this is, maybe because the bar scene is so big in the gay community. While I normally don't use tobacco, I will have a few cigarettes while I am out at the bar.

Well, maybe 2009 should be the year for the LGBT community to quit!

Say hello to Yes! On Equality

In the wake of the Prop 8 vote, LGBT organizers have started the "Yes! on Equality" movement. This group is trying to get a vote on LGBT marriage in the 2010 election. Make sure you visit their website and contribute any way you can. This is the next fight in the struggle for LGBT equality! Every LGBT person in America should stand up and say YES!

Visit Yes! on Equality @ http://www.yesonequality.com/sign.html

I know its a miricle, but there's a war going on.

Okay, I understand how amazing the Hudson river plane crash was today, but seriously, do we have to talk about it all day. It dominated the news cycle today. Its a feel good story, I understand, but there are important issues we need to be discussing. We have a war in Iraq, crisis in Gaza, a plummeting economy, and huge unemployment numbers. In addition to all of this, we are still burning foreign oil and destroying our climate, and our infrastructure is crumbling. I don't mean to sound like an alarmist, but we must sound the alarms. We can all have a feel good day on Tuesday when Barack is sworn in, but work must start Wednesday morning. Ready for a feel good moment? Watch Obama at the Iowa Jefferson Jackson dinner over a year ago. Moments like this reassure me in my choice for President.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tydfsfSQiYc

Thanks Tom Hanks

Super celebrity Tom Hanks decided to stand up for LGBT people, and speak out against Prop 8 at the "Big Love" premiere party Wednesday night. Hanks is one of the producers of Big Love, and some of his comments were critical of the Mormon Church and the role they played in funding "yes on 8" advertising. Here are some quotes from Mr. Hanks.

"The truth is this takes place in Utah, the truth is these people are some bizarre offshoot of the Mormon Church, and the truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen"


"There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them. I do not like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of paper... A little bit of light can be shed and people can see who's responsible and that can motivate the next go around of our self correcting constitution and hopefully we can move forward instead of backwards. So lets have faith in not only the American, but Californian constitutional process"



You Go Tom Hanks!

Making Change Happen

With a new president, comes a new agenda. Help Barack create that agenda, and make sure that LGBT equality is high on the list of things to do. Here's how you can help.

1.Go to www.change.gov and register.2. go to the Citizens Briefing Book and search for gay marriage.3. Vote for the #1 result and help the issue of LGBT(Q?) equality reach the desk of the new President.While you are there, feel free to vote on any other issue that tickles your fancy. You can also vote against things too. I went through and voted against all of the anti gay ideas.

Other random thoughts

In addition to helping LGBT activists pursue public office, this blog was also created for my personal use. I wanted an outlet for my thoughts and here we are. Anything pertaining to my personal life is my opinion and mine alone.

So let me introduce myself. I am from Snellville, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. I have lived here since I was seven years old, and in my mind, Snellville will always be my home. I am a die hard Democrat, and supported Barack Obama for president ever since he announced his intentions to run. Needless to say, January 20th will be a great day for me. In addition to being a political buff, I also enjoy Professional Wrestling. I am currently employed at a local pizza parlor, and attend Ashford University online. I am working on my BA in PR and Marketing, and I hope to work in the fast paced world of political campaigns.


Well, that's enough about me for now.

Hello and Welcome

My name is Chase. Welcome to the Milkmen Project blog. Named after Harvey Milk, the milkmen project is dedicated to expanding equality for LGBT citizens across the United States, as well as across the globe. We live in a time where it may be okay to be gay, but it is far from accepted by mainstream society. We have come a long way from the stonewall riots, but there are many barriers left to overcome before we are no longer second class citizens.

So what should we do? The LGBT community should be doing what other minorities have been doing for years, electing their own to represent them. I created this blog (and podcast eventually) to help LGBT citizens have a voice in their government. There are many areas of the country where the LGBT community is a significant percentage of the voting block. This is where we should start. Areas like NYC, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Why not?

Once again, thanks for reading, and welcome to the blog. Check back again for updates soon.

-Chase