WE DO

Yesterday, history was made, and it continues today. This morning's San Francisco Chronicle had a two word banner headline: WE DO. Below it was a picture (not this one, but similar) from inside San Francisco City Hall. We do can refer to the agreement that to people make, each to the other, at a wedding, but it can also refer to acceptance. We do finally accept you as a complete and equal part of society. Well, at least that's how I would like to look at it.

So now that same-sex couples can wed in North American and in much of Europe and in some other parts of the world, let's stop saying marriage equality and let's stop saying gay marriage. Let's just call it marriage.

How wonderful that such a landmark decision came on the weekend that LGBT Pride Celebrations take place in so many cities. Talk about perfect timing! That will make the events today and tomorrow that much more special. These Pride events are held toward the end of June annually throughout the world to mark the Stonewall riots which happened in New York City on June 28th of 1969. Equality has marched forward ever since with the biggest victory coming yesterday. The military ban is gone. In many states there is housing and job protection. Things have gotten better. Before we do much more celebrating though we need to work on equality for all.

Our transgender sisters and brothers are still facing a huge amount of hate and discrimination. A White House event this week drew attention to that and a courageous transgender woman who spoke up and interrupted the President, should be applauded and joined in her struggle, instead of scolded for breaking the rules of a social engagement.  It's NOT about me.  It's about all of us.  Her struggle is my struggle.

We make history every time we stand up for justice and fairness and equality. We make history every time we do good and every time we speak the truth and every time we say we want a better world. We do want to change the world! We do!

He said what?

Some folks say that any word should be allowed to be said. Isn't that partly what Freedom of Speech is all about? Does a vulgar vocabulary have a place in polite society, or should some words simply never be spoken? What about using just letters? Is WTF alright or saying "the F word," or even "the N word" when we all know what words are being referred to?

Pejorative words about individuals is not the same thing as cursing or talking graphically about sex acts, but both are types of language that have been discussed a lot lately. Are decency and respect linked to the way we talk to each other and about each other?

President Barack Obama uttered the N word in making a point yesterday, during an interview. The President was talking about racism and some outlets that carried the conversation bleeped the word, while others broadcast it exactly as Mr Obama said it. There has been a lot of discussion since.  Let's carry it a little farther - was the President wrong in using the word?  Is there ever a case when that word can be uttered?  Should folks be allowed to say anything they like?

What do YOU think?  I'd really like to hear from you.  Please leave your comments below, but please be respectful as you do so.  Thanks!

Noah's Run for Rare

Right now the state of Arizona is being crossed by a man who has come all the way across the country to bring awareness to rare diseases. That might sound a bit odd, but Noah Coughlan is really making a difference, by bringing awareness and also raising money for the 30 million Americans and affected by rare diseases.

It began when he was touched by two different people who had Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjögren-Batten disease, a very rare, fatal brain disease.  While Batten disease is what got him running, he is now bringing awareness to any rare disease.

I've never met this guy, and all that I know about him is from television reports and the internet.  I sure am impressed though.  This is one of those situations I talk about here every day, where someone sees a need, and does something about it. Noah is a true hero.  Spend a few minutes with his website at https://www.run4rare.org/ and you will be filled with so much information. You'll also be filled with hope. Run For Rare is a documentary chronicling Noah Coughlan's transcontinental run, and two prior runs, and you can also find out more about the film on his website too.

Soon, he'll be back in California, but his amazing work is far from over. You can help him by spreading the word and also by donating. As he says on his site: Every Life Matters. We don't hear about rare diseases and so work on treating them and curing them, doesn't come as quickly and as easily as the better known ailments. Thanks to Noah's Run for Rare, that is changing.

Some late May updates

Earlier this month I wrote here about several things you could get involved in, and since some ask how things turn out, I wanted to give you a few updates this morning. Let me first go back to last month and tell you about a lady many rallied for and then a few more recent events. If you ever wonder what comes next, please feel free to add comments below, and I'll come up with some answers.

Back in April, I wrote about Joan, an active San Francisco volunteer who was about to become homeless. Well her problem is permanently solved, but things are much better. The original post is HERE. In 28 days, $4,396 has been raised in a GoFundMe campaign for Joan. Some folks took her cat in and she has been "couch surfing" (going from one home to another for a few nights at a time) thanks to members of her church. Hopefully the money will help her find something lasting, but of course she is in one of the most expensive cities in the world! Donations (any amount helps) can still be made HERE.

On May 13th, I introduced you to Mike Nguyen, an incredible guy who is soon to leave for a couple years in the Peace Corps.  He's going to be doing incredible work there and could use a bit of help for some supplies and emergencies.  It's been almost two weeks and only a tiny bit of money has been raised ($530).  The work he will be doing in Zambia is important.  Click HERE if you can help.  His blog (HERE) will give you future updates.

I recently wrote here about AIDS Walk (HERE is that original post) and I am thrilled that several donors have come forward it the past few days.  This is an important cause too, and I would be honored to have your support.  Go to https://sf.aidswalk.net/michaelfullam to donate.

My blog post from May 19th got more attention than anything I have ever written here, except for when I posted about my mother's death. It was titled What Jesus said about homosexuality and in the space where my message usually appears, there was nothing at all. I had several rude comments (which I didn't allow to be posted) saying I was against Jesus, or that I was stupid. Some folks didn't get it at all. Jesus never preached about homosexuality, at least not according to the Bible, and that was my point.

 

Thanks for reading these messages.  Now, I think we are all updated!

The greatest gift

I say this every year, but it's important to remember. Today is not about sales or races or picnics, although there is certainly nothing wrong with doing any of those things. Today though is a special day of remembrance. It is NOT the day we honor all who have served in our military. It is good and right that they be remembered, but there is a special time, Veterans Day in November which celebrates the service of all US military veterans. Today has a different purpose. Today we remember the fallen.

 

It is good and right that we should remember such a sacrifice. (By the way, this was originally Decoration Day after the US Civil War, a time for the people across the country to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers).  These days we remember them at their gravesites with flowers and flags and we remember them in our minds and in our conversations with others who knew them, and in our prayers.  We remember that they gave the greatest gift: themselves.

To serve in the armed forces is already a huge gift to our fellow citizens.  Men and women in uniform protect the security of the nation and help in times of disaster.  It isn't always a war that is being fought, but that is a part of it.  It doesn't matter is we believe in fighting or not.  This day is not a political on and it isn't about beliefs of philosophy.  This is a day of giving thanks and remembering all those people who gave their lives.  Take a moment today to think specifically about any you know who may have died over the years and remember those whose names are not known as well.  They gave the greatest gift.

The hope of Milk

The US Supreme Court will decide within the next month or so whether marriage equality will be the law of the land. Folks are hopeful. Same-sex marriage is now legal more places than ever and people are hopeful that someday all barriers will be gone. Ireland is voting right now on the matter and is poised to leave tolerance far behind and replace it with true equality. These are the hopeful things that Harvey Milk spoke about.

Today is the birthday of that American politician, Harvey Milk, who became the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California and who in death, became an lgbt icon. Because of his legacy, today in California is a day which is annually recognized as a day of special significance for public schools. Last year on this date, the United States Postal Service issued a new forever stamp featuring Milk's face. Recognition of an lgbt hero - certainly a hopeful sign.

It was way back in 1978, not long before an assassin's bullet would end his life, that Milk told crowds "you have to give people hope." There are still hate crimes and there is still discrimination, and many lgbt people might see the future as hopeless, but it is not. More and more people are standing up to bigots and haters and saying enough! Change, even though it may at times seem slow, is coming. I think Harvey Milk would be hopeful.  I think there are many positive events around the world that are indeed giving people hope!

Red Nose Day

One of the things I have said here for years, is go out and find a creative way to help other people - to give back to the world. Red Nose Day has done just that. The very first Red Nose Day is today, and it's a delightfully creative campaign dedicated to raising money for kids living in poverty by simply having fun and making people laugh. There's a tv special with big stars. Walgreens stores are selling red clown type noses to raise funds. That's only a tiny bit of it all though.

The public is encouraged to get involved. Put up a red nose picture of yourself on facebook, for example. Help raise money. Share information with friends. There's a whole bunch of ideas HERE on the official event webpage.  Of course you can donate money too.

 

If you see folks running around with red noses today, smile and be happy that folks care.  Get involved too.  This is really an easy one!  Stop by a Walgreens and get yourself a red nose - while you're at it, get one for all of your family!