SwimFinsSF

On a lighter note

We’re goin to the Tonga Room at the Farimont Hotel on Nob Hill tonight with a friend of Kevin’s from College… Looks like it could very well be the cheesiest place on the planet… I don’t know if I should be scared or excited… 😉

The Catholic Church

After reading a number of articles and posts (including this one over at Daddy, Papa & Me) regarding the latest statement from the catholic church I had to go and dig up the original text for myself.

CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS
TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION
TO UNIONS
BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS

Overall there wasn’t that much that I didn’t expect. The catholic church has a long standing history of discrimination and condemnation of homosexuality which has resulted in violence and discrimination against the gay community. However there was one section of the text that I found particularly despicable:

“… Allowing children to be adopted by persons living in such unions would actually mean doing violence to these children, in the sense that their condition of dependency would be used to place them in an environment that is not conducive to their full human development. …”

Stating that children raised in gay households are being subject to violence due to the “the absence of sexual complementarity” (i.e. heterosexual married parents) is beyond appalling. I have had experience with many children raised by gay and lesbian parents and these children are being raised in some of the most loving and supportive environments imaginable. Furthermore, study after study has PROVEN that these children have grown to be well adjusted stable productive adults.

In contrast I have also seen many children who have been raised in extremely violent and abusive households where, while they had both a mother and a father raising them, they grew up witness to abuse between the parents as well as abuse to themselves personally.

As a very specific example, a friend of mine and his partner adopted a wonderful little boy from an at risk children’s adoption agency. This little boy was taken from his mother because his mother’s boyfriend was dunking the child in scalding water as punishment and now has permanent scars on both legs. Now he lives with two people who feed him, care for him, love him and protect him. In which environment do you think he is better off?

You be the judge. Personally, I think gays and lesbians have the potential to be just as effective and loving parents as their heterosexual counterparts and, in many situations, better because they have to fight that much harder to become parents in the first place.

For the catholic church to accuse them of violence is not only ignorant and irresponsible – it is ultimately hurtful to many families throughout the world – gay and straight alike.

Lunchtime Radio

If ya want something to listen to as you eat your lunch KQED will have an interesting show on “Day to Day” at lunch:

Fri, August 1, 2003 — 12:00pm

Gays on TV, gay marriage, gay bishops — these are stories that have all been in the news this week. We compare and contrast the Gay rights movement with the struggle for Civil rights by black Americans.

You can get more information here

or just go to the top level page if you want to listen to it online.. there is a ‘Listen Live’ link..

There was also an interesting show on Forum this morning at 10 – I don’t know if they’ll archive it to listen to but you can find information on here

Happy Friday!

Friday 5

1. What time do you wake up on weekday mornings?
Gym days I’m up at 6:15 (thanks Matt)… Non gym days I get up at 7:15… Got a 45 minute drive to work and I shoot to be in by 9 or 9:15…

2. Do you sleep in on the weekends? How late?
Not a whole lot.. usually still up by 8 or 9… I hate it when I miss the morning – love getting up for coffee and the news..

3. Aside from waking up, what is the first thing you do in the morning?
Honestly? I’m a geek – check the news on my computer and read my mail… Then shower – can’t leave the house without a shower – even if i’m just going to the gym…

4. How long does it take to get ready for your day?
Not long really… 20 minutes or so – shower and everything… or maybe that is long – I dunno… but I don’t go through multiple costume changes like some I know.. 🙂 🙂

5. When possible, what is your favorite place to go for breakfast?
A place called The Metro Cafe. It is the CUTEST little french restaurant in the base of a Hotel.. Great outside patio and wonderful staff.