Happy Holidays!!!!!

What a year it has been! One filled with promise, as well as the breaking of those promises. One filled with hope, and yet, those that want to dash the hopes of others. A year of challenges, yet, those that can face them undaunted.

Whether you are celebrating with your family of origin, family of choice, spouses, partners, children, neighbors or friends, remember that we will continue on in fighting for full equality, justice, and peace. And, that we will continue to educate and inform our communities about who we truly are.

We here at the Upper Delaware GLBT Center are wishing you and your loved ones a most blessed, joyful, and safe holiday season. What ever it is you celebrate, be grateful for the moments that you share with those that you love. We look forward to seeing many of you in 2010, when we get our activities going in the community; watch for us!





Peace!

Washington, D.C.!

If you haven't heard, just hours ago, Washington, D.C. voted, by a vote of 11-2, to allow gay marriages in the city. Although it isn't a federal law, it is yet one more step in recognizing equal rights for gay and lesbian couples.

There is opposition, the kind that tends to be predictable, when it comes to religious opponents of the measure. The Catholic diocese in the city of Washington, D.C. has even stated that they will consider not running certain social service agencies in the city due to the measure being passed. I am fairly certain that to do such a thing will only hurt more people.

My only hope and wish is that as time goes by, people that are strongly opposed to equal marriage will come to understand that it is an issue of equal civil rights; that granting us marriage will in no way damage heterosexual marriage; and that we can love, live, and conduct our lives in legitimate ways, without resulting in the demise of society as we know it.

We deserve equality. No questions asked.

Let's keep working toward that end.

World AIDS Day, 2009

December 1st was World AIDS Day. The time to remember, among other days, this disease that takes so many lives. This year is the twenty first anniversary of the first World AIDS Day. It seems like the more time that goes by, the more apathy develops about this disease.
Still, people die every day. Awareness lacks in terms of the dangers of transmission. We have become complacent, because no matter what the virus does and can do to us, many people do not change their minds, their hearts, their behaviors in regard to it. It is 100 percent preventable these days from the most frequent transmission means: unprotected sexual contact and IV drug use.
Please, say a prayer, wear a ribbon, read about it, talk about it, do SOMETHING.
Please, let us never forget all of those that have perished as a result of this horrible illness, and how we need to keep ourselves and others safe. Remember those who are fighting this illness every day of their lives. Reach out. Connect. Share your love and your heart with someone who is affected by this.