It Girl, Friday, October 27: New Jersey

There is marriage equality (sort of) in the state of New Jersey!

I didn't want to rely for a plain-jane map of the Garden State, so I borrowed a picture of gay-friendly, Jersey Girl, Kelly Ripa (of who I am a secret fan).

The New Jersey Supreme Judicial Court decided on Wednesday, October 25th that "Although we cannot find that a fundamental right of same-sex marriage exists in this State, the unequal dispensation of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partners can no longer be tolerated under our State Constitution."

Basically the court gave the legislature 180 days to put gay partners under the banner of "marriage" or construct some parallel civil union status.

I think this is wonderful news. What's more is that Chief Justice Poritz dissented in part because the ruling didn't go far enough, i.e. gays should be allowed to get married, and should be allowed to embrace the same term that straights do.

Obviously, the Massachusetts SJC decision is much more sweeping and gratifying, but we have to look at the fundamentals of New Jersey which undercuts the reasoning for all those other DOMA laws out there: gay couples deserve the same rights as straight couples. If we have to pay taxes, we are entitled to the same benefits and programs and essentially, symbols and language.

I know some friends will be upset with my joy ... but this "hairsplitting" New Jersey decision is still a step forward ... now hopefully the NJ legislature can have a civilized discussion of why there should be no "separate but equal."

The Ground Game and the Politics of Togetherness

Adam Reilly of the Boston Phoenix wrote a great article talking about Deval's "extreme Grassroots approach" to capturing the Dem primary. He says Deval succeeded by "methodically building a network of committed supporters in every portion of the state" and cites perfect storm attributes of the campaign, namely:

-a charismatic speaker and leader
-a great field manager (John Walsh)
-fatigue with sixteen years of ineffectual Republican governing

But there are two factors missing from this equation.

First off: Deval has been an early and unequivocal supporter of marriage rights for the GLBT community and In Newsweekly showcased his progressive views early on. We had an article about him in June of 2005. With that endorsement of same-sex marriage, Deval picked up A LOT of GLBT steadfast supporters. This significant point was absent in Adam Reilly's article.

The next thing factor is Deval's politics of togetherness which was adopted from his former boss' President Clinton's playbook ... a style that includes embracing everyone including GLBTers.

Tom Reilly tried to have it all ways with the gay community, running from cold to lukewarm to wannabe-warm on same-sex marriage. He basically voted against it before he voted for it. Gabrieli, poor guy, got into the game a little late and didn't have the innate charisma or the wide and authentic appeal (even though he was great on gay issues).

The Rovian, divisive style of politics is on its way out. Wedge issues are so 2004 and Massachusetts will soon prove it.

It Girl, Friday, October 20: Ziggy

Our new puppy, Ziggy (or Sigmund) is a gift from God. He's a Japanese Chin stray who we found at a shelter in Roslindale. He's a total lap dog and loves to take walks around JP. The only connection to blue-style-canopy is that Ziggy's owner feels like Paris Hilton and she fits into Shameless Pop Culture category.

The obvious choice

(photo by Eric Hess)

Blue-Style-Canopy endorses Deval Patrick for Governor of Massachusetts.

He's bright, capable and has been a steadfast of GLBT rights. He is also a product of opportunity, having come from the tough South side of Chicago to win a scholarship at Milton Academy. And he still lives in my hometown!

My endorsement is not only for Deval, but against Healey/Romney and their Rovian-style playbook, whose rules want to divide instead of unite. Having not lived in a swing state during the 2004 prez election, this Mass. gov 2006 election is the dirtiest that I've ever seen. And unfortunately, it seems to be working in Healey's favor as she closes the gap.

Spirtual Homes

Now for something a little softer and more organic.

My "big boy," my cat, Chester, died suddenly of a heart attack late Saturday night. We're all beat up about it and we spent Sunday and the holiday at Walden Pond where the weather was absolutely perfect. Surprisingly, being a Boston boy, it was my first time at the setting of Thoreau's famous book. Walden Pond is a magical, healing place that was the birthplace of the American conservation movement. I even started reading the book there on Monday.

Although Thoreau starts out in a somewhat bitchy tone, the pond itself is such a magnet for sanity and healing. We heard so many different languages; there were European families galore and a subgroup of American hippie baby-boomers who are regular Walden sunbathers. Then of course you have your nature fans and professional swimmers. It's a very pure place and being there helped with Chester's passing. I would love to say that Chester was carefree and a lover of leisure, but he was more fastidious than anything ... and simple. And simplicity is what Walden is all about.



My other spiritual home is Provincetown because it seems like the edge of the world and it's a great place to stroll naked on the beach. How can you argue with that?

Because nature is such a big part of these two places, I am going to start adding ENVIRONMENT under this blog's banner. Once a month I will interview either local, national or international groups or individuals who have made a positive environmental impact.

What is your spiritual home?

It Girl, Friday, October 6: John Laesch

http://www.john06.com/

I'm on the boyfriend's computer and can't figure out how to download photos, but rest assured that IT GIRL John Laesch is capable (and kind of cute).

Laesch is running for Congress against embattled House Speaker, Dennis Hastert in Illinois' 14th district. The 32-year-old rising Democrat is a unionized carpenter from Chicago. AIR AMERICA paints it as a David vs. Goliath story. Laesch is corruption-free and maybe even has a shot since Hastert's credibility and popularity has been severely disabled by the Foley debacle.

Ah. There's nothing like a good sex scandal, especially when the Republicans can't get their stories straight!

Photo tomorrow!

Time for the herd to go

This month's Washington Monthly magazine is devoted to prominent conservatives who believe it is in the Republican party's best interest to lose Congressional elections in 2006. It's a refreshing take when there is a degree of actual self-criticism going on over there!

Knee Jerk reaction

Although I was thrilled that Mark Foley resigned in shame, I think the situation requires further vetting.

A fellow blogger does make a good point that the age of consent for most sexual relationships is 16 in many states around the country. Ironically, Foley would not be in legal trouble if he himself did not co-sponsor the "Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006." This bill makes it a criminal act to even discuss sexual acts with somebody under age 18.

The bigger picture here is that Foley is the latest Republican to tarnish our form of democracy in the United States. I mean, these male pages were juniors and seniors in high school who went to Capitol Hill because they were interested in how the system works. What a rude awakening!

This embarassing situation for Mr. Foley also elucidates the fact that CLOSETED gay men are so repressed that when they do ACT OUT, they act out in a vile way, breaking all sorts of ethics and going after society's most vulnerable. Had Foley decided to come out years ago, he may have not pulled this blunder. The Republican party is just like the Catholic priesthood, trying to maintain a respectable picture at their own demise.

Click here for Foley timeline

Think Progress has a great timeline of the scandal above. A joke is already circulating around Republican circles: "So who do you think will be the next MINORITY leader?"

Mark Foley: GOP Slimebucket

FL Congressman, Mark Foley, resigns in shame after being caught text-messaging lewd remarks to teenager male pages.

And this is the party of family values!

Just one more reason why the Republicans need to go this November. And thanks to Foley the Dems' are one seat closer to restoring some dignity to the House.