OK so where did this all come from?

Well I got an email from my good friend deo24dd, that has commented here before; from the newspaper, The Moncton Times & Transcript, regarding the “A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet…” post that I published the other day.

There were two interesting letters sent to the editor that were published and I am going to share them with you here…

Unfortunately I have to type them out so I do apologise if there are any typos.

I am only going to space them out to make it easier to read…otherwise they are as published…

Florist makes good Christian

To the Editor:

To the dear Christian couple who were trying to act by the light of their conscience to be obedient to God, my prayers are with you.

The pressure being put on you is great, but hold fast and anchor yourselves to God rather than bend to the way of destruction.

The Word of God is still the truth and is the same yesterday, today and forever.

We Christians have the duty to be faithful to God and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

We are to be the salt of the earth and must try to stop the corrupting influence of the humanistic society Canada has become which calls evil good and good evil.

Many Christians have lost their backbones and are scared of being called names like “bigot” and “homophobic.”

They would rather insult God than offend his enemies.

I want to thank Evans for their courageous stand for Christian morals and may Jesus Christ grant you his guidance and protection.

Nicole Ross of Boundry Creek

Here is the second letter that was published in that same paper that I found extremely interesting and ties in with what I was saying in my conversation in yesterday’s post; “I Love Signorile – Even Though He is Gay”

Some Biblical Laws Outdated

To the Editor:

I have read the recent letters to the editor regarding the florist who refused to serve a lesbian couple based on her personal beliefs and I feel her supporters are missing the point.

No one believes that this woman is not entitled to her religious beliefs.

One of the wonderful things about Canada is we have freedom of religion and I support that.

But another wonderful thing about Canada is we do not allow religious beliefs to trump basic human rights.

If she wants to do business in [New Brunswick] she must not refuse service to anyone based on her “personal” beliefs, period!

I find it interesting that these people quote the scriptures from the bible that suits their purpose but seem to ignore other “laws” that are clearly written in the bible.

Times are tough, prices are rising, especially after this week’s two budgets, so I would like to sell my daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.

In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus 19:27.

How should they die?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination – Leviticus 11:10, it is a lesser abomination that homosexuality.

How so?

Can those of you who follow the “laws” of the bible please enlighten me?

May peace be with you all, even those who get their hair trimmed at the temples.

M. Sullivan, Moncton

OK MY TURN

“The word of God is true; yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

Well if that is the case why is this woman allowed to read and write, why isn’t she in the kitchen? I think she should be stoned for trying to show up her husband or any other man for that matter.

“We are to be the salt of the earth…”

Not really sure where you have been, what rock you are hiding under but SODIUM is bad for you and you need to keep those levels in check.

High blood pressure is just one of the many issues that you can experience with the “salt” so I would back off if I were you.

Thank you to M. Sullivan for pointing out some really good and poignant thoughts; out-dated is one way to put it if you want to be really nice, archaic is more along my lines of thinking.

I want to stress again that I strongly feel you can believe what you want and live your life that way as long as you afford the rest of society the same respect we afford you…

DO NOT PUSH IT ON US!

Gotta run here; time to go shave my head!

I honestly have no idea where to begin with this.  Recently we have been bombarded in daily life and media, by what I have to call, fanatical organized religion fascism.  To be honest with you, which is what my blog is all about, I am sick, tired and fed up with. No apologies.

I had seen this video posted on both Towleroad and Joe My God with of course the beneficial commentary on both sides; however; after watching the piece I had to share it with a good friend of mine ^» 01 and we had a really good conversation via email after we had both watched the video clip.

Here is the video clip, please take the time to watch it, in the entirety and then keep reading.  ^» 02

Now I just sent this to my bud because of our relationship and the conversations we have, which are healthy, smart and intellectual conversations that are not only healthy but challenge the both of us.

I do hope you enjoy the read.

turnipHed

This is so um twisted and kind of proves my point....and I have to give kudos to the caller for keeping his cool....this did not become a passionate heated debate --- but again goes right back to that good ol' meeting called the Council of Nicea ---- which when you think about it really should be scary and throw this into that line of thinking --- the popular belief ages ago was that WASHING yourself caused disease....

Anyway I am not preaching here at ALL --- just thought you might like to hear the radio-call-in.

readyboy4fun

Interesting for sure...not 100% sure of the case at that church, but some interesting points…

I am a believer that it is not necessarily a choice...though some do.

I believe there is a legitimacy in the fact that some people are born gay....

I know that totally goes against my Christian path but it's what I believe...

The argument is that God would not make someone gay because he is against it...maybe, however; I still believe all are innately gay to some degree...

One thing that really kind of bothered me about the DJ is the whole “Love” thing...

I'm sorry, but I do totally disagree with him ^» 03 and we can have love to those we do not know.

The bible says we are to love everyone as God so loved us...it is not the type of love he ^» 04 is trying to twist it into.

What [Signorile] is not understanding is that everything [the caller] is saying we can do is a form of love.

I actually found [Signorile]a little rude by the end of it.

Kudos to both sides staying so calm because this could have got very ugly.

turnipHed

Background:  Basically the Crystal Cathedral ^» 05 has forced the choir members to sign a legal contract that they will not have extra-marrital or homosexual sex.

We all make choices; so if one is born allergic to peanuts ^» 06 they have a CHOICE to eat peanuts or not eat peanuts.

I have as much choice on what my sexuality is as I do my hair colour.

But I make choices on what to do with it or about it.

Simple as that.

Celibacy is a choice, however that action is often confused with Abstinence.

But [both of those are] a sexuality choice as well.

AS for the "love" issue.

OK, what that [word] should have been translated to is "compassion" and not love, for the evolution of the English language and society as well.

The word "love" is used too frequently and with almost a passing care.

I completely understand where you are coming from, what you are saying and what you feel.  I would argue that you feel a strong compassion but not real love.

Another argument I will always make is that nothing was ever written by God himself.

Everything was written by man and then later accepted by other men to be acceptable [or unacceptable] as the "Word of God", again I refer to the council of Nicea - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea. ^» 07

I know that this is where the argument comes in to play about the 2 stone tablets with the 10 Commandments on them.

The only thing about that is one ONE man went up into the "hills" and came back and everyone was supposed to believe him.

Sounds like "blind faith" to me.

If that were to happen now, which it is if you look at the folks at Westboro, the others saying that the Earthquake in Japan is because God is angry.

Do you really believe that?

Those people get laughed at, by those with a reasonable level of common sense (which I know is not so common).

The one thing that I see a lot of Christian sects ignoring, is that when you read the accounts from Jesus, his lectures and actions, he leaned more to the side away from "organised religion" and was trying to impart a life-philosophy.

Religion has been used from the dawn of time to control.  It is just another form of law, order, restriction and an excuse to judge and persecute.

No where in the philosophy of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism ^» 08 are there edicts that call to judge, persecute, segregate or hurt others.

With so much fanaticism running out of control these days, religion of any kind, on an organized level, has become a joke.

What is going on right now in the US is exactly what happened Pre-Nazi Germany and all moderates are going to fall victim.

Just to tie it all together and back to what you said, ^» 09 this is where that woman in NB failed herself, her faith and her God, in my eyes and became a tyrannical hypocrite.

The; sick, lame, blind, deaf, leper, sinner, prostitute ^» 10.

Jesus and the disciples took in, gave shelter and food to a prostitute and Jesus went on to say; "hate the sin while loving the sinner."

There is no love in picketing soldiers' funerals.

There is no love in blowing up government buildings and day care centres.

There is no love in calling a homosexual a deviant and a second class citizen.

Funny thing just flashed across my thought process; that old adage that says, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease."

Well that got me to think, hey the part that makes the most noise is the part that has the most wrong with it.

Then I thought about Palin and Gingrich.

Yup there be two model citizens of perfection.

Glass house?  Crystal Cathedral?

So then that rough statement that is so not PC but does ring true to some extent..."get off the cross someone needs the wood"

Still love me?

readyboy4fun

Wow!! You should write a blog or something 

I totally hear you... ^» 11

I agree on the organized religion, and again why organized religion is not part of my belief system.

Our church is non-denominational and considered as such.

We are all Christians with a common purpose of living accordingly to the word of God, not what a religion organization says we need to ^» 12

I also agree with the fact that Jesus hung with some pretty shady characters and it is about "hate the sin not the sinner."

[There is a piece here that was added and edited out as an aside that turned into another conversation. Yes inspired by this but still a different conversation for another post]

Anyway, you are a very gifted writer.

Just needed to say that.

You are quite compelling in your points and all well taken, most agreed, room for discussion and debate, but overall good!! ^» 13

1. who has commented on here before and been the source of many inspiration as well as caused me to stop to ponder on what I believe in or rather my method of thinking
2. This is going to be a long post
3. turnipHed is thinking we are referring to Signorile here
4. again I took this as to a reference to Signorile
5. and that place is scary on so many levels – my sister the radishHed has photos from her visit there and it sent shivers to places I did not even know I had
6. I know easy target
7. this speaks to previous conversations we have had
8. need I go on
9. please see the previous post at http://www.turnipstyle.com/a-rose-by-any-other-name-would-smell-as-sweet/
10. Do I have to ask again, need I go on??) were never turned from Jesus ((as it has been written by man - oh and don't even get me started on the Agnostic Gospels that were found and deemed heresy even though it is clear that they are recordings of events that apparently occurred, just like the stories painted on cave walls or carvings in statues that are accepted as an accurate reflection of past events
11. and still love you my brother
12. this coming from a former Catholic
13. turniphed – I think he is just being nice to me but I will take the compliment

Is she crazy?

Is she a wing nut?

Is she the voice of reason?

Tell me!

This is going to be a A Strongly Worded Letter to Kim Evans of Petals and Promises Wedding Flowers, with a bit of commentary to bring the rest of you up to speed.

I came across an article from a few sources this morning and had to not only share it with you but of course take the chance to share my 2 cents, yet again. ^» 01

Source :: Florist refuses to outfit same-sex couple's wedding – CBC

So as it appears, a florist in Riverview, New Brunswick has refused to provide the flowers for a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple.  Yes, I just heard the needle scratch across the record there!

The florist is quoted as saying in an email to the client;

I am choosing to decline your business. As a born-again Christian, I must respect my conscience before God and have no part in this matter.

Well sorry to tell you this and perhaps embarrass you in a public forum, oh you know what, NO I am not sorry to tell you this, Petals and Promises, YOU SCREWED UP!

See I am not sure what your background is or how long you have been in Canada but we have this handy-dandy piece of paper which is legal documentation called the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

While you are more than enabled to live your life the way you deem fit, within the law, the catch phrase there is “within the law”.

As a business person, in Canada, you can NOT choose who you will and will not do business with unless they break the law.

No one will force you to do business with someone that does not uphold and respect, what I hate to say here as it will sound like a cliché, the “law of the land.”

Here is the part that really adds the icing to the cake, my dear Kim Evans, you just broke the law!

We do not even have to take this to a Federal level, at the Provincial level in the province of New Brunswick there is this document you may not have heard of and it is called the New Brunswick Human Rights Act and it states clearly that; “anyone doing business in the province cannot refuse customers based on race, religion or sexual orientation.”

Regardless, here is the thing you need to realise, in Canada, the same rights that are afforded you, you must extend to your fellow citizens.

Don’t like it? Then get out! ^» 02

I have to commend this commentary in the article, as it follows not only the provincial as well as the federal statutes;

Eldon Hay, a United Church minister in Sackville and a well-known gay rights advocate, said he still sympathizes with the florist.

"The shopkeeper has every right to her own convictions as long as she is a private citizen in her own house," Hay said.

"But if she opens her doors to sell flowers, then she must be prepared to meet and deal with the public.”

And there you have it folks.

So again I am inclined to say, “Get off the cross.  Some one needs the wood!”

There are bigger issues to deal with, lets talk about and focus on um I don’t know, global literacy, clean drinking water for everyone, access to medical, education…and in this case stop worrying about who the fuck the roses are for. ((I really hope they weren't roses, too blah))

The last time I looked, my money had the same; Prime Ministers and Queen on it, my VISA card and Mastercard had the same logos and when I went to shop with either I got the same tomatoes as the next person…funny how that works…EH?

Tabarnac.

Caulice.

Vraiment?

Franchement!

Madame Evans, le Monsieur içi n’est pas content…

Madame Evans, ici, tu dois faire plus que “faites l’étoile”

Honte!

I am so glad that here in Canada there is a recourse for this kind of behaviour, which, is not tolerated.  I wish it was the same for all the people I care about, all around the world…

I find it a bit ironic that I am writing about this now today and last night I wrote about a couple desperate to get married in California.

1. But isn’t that what a blog is all about?
2. kind of reminds me of that adage, “if it is too hot in the kitchen then get out!”

Whether you are the dude in New York called for jury duty ^» 01 or this sweet couple…each and every one of us deserve the exact same rights…

Tying this together it absolutely blows my mind, to the state of beyond comprehension, how a society or even a government can expect a “citizen” to perform their civic duties yet not have the same rights.

All these boys want is so simple.

It isn’t going to affect Martha and John, fuck it isn’t going to affect anyone if these two blokes get to marry.

In fact, they want to marry for the EXACT reason all the “righteous” claim marriage is about…

And  correct me if I am wrong but 40 years? For the love of cheese n’ rice how is that a bad track record?

So here is my message to all those self-righteous, right wing nut jobs…

Get off the fucking cross…the wood is needed elsewhere…

I want to make the world a better place for everyone, wish I knew how to do that but if I win the lottery tonight, first thing I am doing is flying these boys up to Canada, the true land of the free, and I am going to see them married.

Screw my bills, screw my rent…screw it all…love is more important.

Watch this…

Special big thanks to Towleroad.com for bringing this to my attention...

1. and for the record I totally support his argument and would have done the same

A lengthy 2 year legal ordeal, on top of being viciously attacked in front of their son and his classmates, has come to a close for the family Jane Currie and Anji Dimitriou.

Mark Scott, received the verdict in Court yesterday from Justice Katrina Mulligan, whom has ordered Mark Scott be remanded in custody until his sentencing slotted for 14 March 2011.

Justice Mulligan is quoted as saying;

“[Mark Scott] flip-flipped on questions” and his “responses were cagey.”

She even stated that his evidence was “troubling” and “at times entirely inconsistent”

Xtra has a much more in-depth report that I would encourage you to read for more information on the events of the legal proceedings.

The Toronto Star also published a short piece on this topic as well; Man guilty of assaulting women in schoolyard fight

I will be keeping an eye out for the sentencing hearing; I am very curious what will happen.

This is something I have never shared with anyone other than shhortBus and my sister but I think it is time I start taking care of me and doing what I need to do for me.

I wish this woman, that you will see below, was my Grandma…

How lucky this man is to have someone who loves him like this and will stand up for him because of who he is not what he is.

This woman has a true understanding of what human nature is about, what makes us the people we are.  Really people it is as simple as why some people like brussel sprouts and others do not.

OK where is turnipHed going with this?

Why this means so much to me is because after my Grandma died I was handed an envelope ^» 01 by my Grandpa as were we all there; my mother, my sister and those that could make their way through the blizzard.  My Grandma did have a flair, just saying.))

Curiosity got the best of all of us and we all went to a private corner to read what had been written.

It was a letter from Grandma, knowing she was going to be leaving, she has written it beforehand. ^» 02

Mine started out really sweet.

She talked about her memories of me being a little boy, some of the times we spent together in the kitchen and how she never could make enough cookies for the “ladies function at church” because I would eat half the cookie dough while she wasn’t looking.  But, she knew. 

That brought back fond memories. 

I smiled.

She talked to me about how amazing it was that we had the chance to spend time in Africa ^» 03 together.  For her to share with me why she had been drawn there and why she chose the path that she did and why she made the decisions she did.

I accept all that, I am proud of my Grandma for following her convictions. For following her passions. For being true to herself.  ^» 04

I can and do even respect that.

Sadly…

The message in her letter quickly changed, and so has my mood, emotion and the way I am approaching this article right now.

Her letter told me how disappointed she was that I “chose” to be gay.

CHOSE?

Those of you reading this, may all have your opinion about sexuality.  I really do not want to get into that discussion here any more than to say to you; I hate brussel sprouts, but shhortBus loves them, I put mayonnaise on my sandwiches but BigFatty hates mayonnaise, I enjoy a Gin Martini but @FoulMonkeys hates gin but BigFatty loves gin too.

Tonight I am choosing to stop at the Greek restaurant and get a donair for supper – THAT IS A CHOICE.

What is not a choice is who I am, not who I fall in love with, what is a choice is what I choose to do with it.

It really is not any different than putting the same 5 ingredients in front of 3 different chefs, they will all come up with a different dish.

I realise it takes time for people to understand ideas, concepts, I think we call that “evolution of the mind.”

If I really need to point it out, in the Dark Ages, people were afraid of water because they thought water itself carried disease.

Well we all know that not to be true…don’t we?

I do not want to sound like I am on a soap box here at all, my sexual, emotional, physical, mental behaviour are all really part of my humanity. 

Humanity is where it is at and that is what this woman in the video below is talking about.

Humanity…

Pretty simple isn’t it?

I will say this, I am proud of the impact my Grandma had on others in her life.  I love her, I will always love her. I don’t and won’t and haven’t always liked her, or stuff she has said to me, but I can be proud of her still the same.

Especially when I come across someone that my Grandma has touched and effected their life.  Such as I wrote about here.

What saddens me is that I was not one of those people. 

So I just do it for myself.  ^» 05

Ok so enough is enough…here is the video that I am referring to but please scroll down because if you have not seen it yet ^» 06 I want you to watch the video that started it all – it is a true testament to my life.

I did not turn out any different, I do not hold any values different than my family.  In fact I open my door as often as I can to those that need it. 

Remind me sometime to tell you the story about Sunday evenings at my apartment when I lived in Edmonton and how that relates to a massive snow storm way back in the old days!.

So here is  an Iowa Grandmother Speaking in Favour of Marriage Equality – or what I like to call “Human Rights”

And here is Zack Wahls speaking to the fact that he is NO different because of his upbringing.

I bow my head to both of YOU.

Please do visit the actual YouTube pages of both these videos to read the comments that have been posted.  Add your voice.

Also please do follow Towleroad – I am so glad I learned about Towleroad ^» 07 and this site is part of my everyday reading.  It should be yours too.

And as always Sophia knew how to punctuate it…when you are in your quiet moment, sitting side by side, holding hands, touch knees, watching the snow fall or the sun rise or set, who else is there in that moment and what rite does anyone have to dictate what that means to you and that person there with you.

1. at the body viewing, of all times – I mean really?!
2. I mean that was going to happen, she was in her 90s
3. Cameroon to be exact
4. Shakespeare – “to thine own self be true….”
5. which is really what we need to do first but its always nice when someone else does it – I mean I can make myself smile and laugh and giggle but it is way more fun when someone you care about makes you smile, laugh and giggle or just feel safe
6. what rock are you hiding under?
7. I wish I could thank the person that turned me in the direction of Towleroad but he no longer can be named due to…shutting up now

I have had to change all of my Feedburner URLS so all my old URLS are DEAD.

So I have to kindly ask you to revist my RSS Feeds Page and click on the LINKS there to either update your RSS Reader or your email subscriptions.

I hope to see ya there…

Thanks!

I read this article over at Towleroad and had to share it with you and encourage you to head on over and read the entire article…

A gay UK couple has won a landmark discrimination claim against a pair of Bed & Breakfast owners who refused to allow them to share a room because of the owners' "deep regard for marriage."

The Guardian reports:

Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy, who are civil partners, won their landmark claim for discrimination in a case funded and supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The ruling, one of the first made under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, is likely to provide those in partnerships with greater protection from discrimination.

The owners of the Chymorvah private hotel in Cornwall, Peter and Hazel Bull, do not allow couples who are not married to share double rooms because they do not believe in sex before marriage.

Read the rest over here.

If you are at work or in an internet café or the like I will warn ya that this blog tends to be NSFW...but read this article...

Patheesh — that’s the new word that I’ve coined all by myself for shit that goes so far beyond forehead slapping, facepalmingly pathetic that you don’t even know how to respond to it when you hear about it.

Here are just a few things that I feel have crossed into the realm of Patheesh:

Banning Four Loko in New York because it contains caffeine AND alcohol because that combo might kill people.  Howzabout we ban french fries and hamburgers?  Because you know. . . carbs and all that meat is really bad for you.  Or maybe we make it illegal to sell matches and spray cans of Lysol in the same store because if you put the two of them together you can make a flame thrower.  Or howabout. . . .

Conservative bloggers urging their readers to establish spoof email addresses so they can flood the show DWTS with votes for Bristol Palin.  SERIOUSLY?!?!  This is what you people think is important?

Read more here...

One discussion that I do not feel has been discussed enough on this issue or at least has not fallen on my ears is what is going to be done to STOP the bullying and the harassment.

This behaviour can NO LONGER be tolerated.

We do not console the murdered, we punish the murderer.

The time is now because wake up people we are already too late...

I will add my voice and say to those struggling and fighting, feeling miserable, IT DOES GET BETTER!

It will be tough but sticking around to see those changes, to feel that embrace from your lover, to feel that love we all need and so rightfully deserve - is worth every bit of the struggle.

Take some time to watch this, think about what you can do...

It Gets Better - YouTube

The Trevor Project - 866 - 4 - U - TREVOR  // 866 - 488 - 7386

]]> http://www.turnipstyle.com/itgetsbetter/feed/ 1 http://www.turnipstyle.com/jockey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jockey http://www.turnipstyle.com/jockey/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:44:18 +0000 turnipHed http://www.turnipstyle.com/?p=8831 I set today aside to get caught up on "stuff & things," you know the "this and that" which tends to pile up on you; everything from laundry, cleaning to catching up on my blogroll.  All was going pretty smoothly up until about an hour ago when I came across an article over at Towleroad.com.

The article I am referring to, states that Jockey Underwear ^» 01 has signed on Tim Tebow, with a multi-year contract, as their spokesperson.

Tim Tebow participated in a "highly-publicized anti-choice, [and] anti-abortion ads for an anti-gay, evangelical group [associated with] Focus on the Family" and Jockey sees a partnership in Tebow's values.

Now hang in with me for a second here I have a few things to say about this, I am going to throw this out there and then touch on each of them...so hang on people here we go.

1. What does underwear have to do with choice or abortion?
2. What does underwear have to do with your sexuality?  Being sexy, supported, dry, comfortable and offering you value - oh sure that works for me.  Big time.

This entire situation is not unlike what is currently occurring with Target and Best Buy for their recent donations to groups that they thought or perhaps it appeared would assist themselves.  In the aftermath it appears that they may have not taken adequate investigative measures and are now facing a deluge of controversy.

That behaviour in my eyes is inexcusable. If you do not investigate where you are going to spend your money and then it turns foul, you reap those rewards.

This is NOT unlike making an uninformed purchase decision whether it be a purchase for a fan for the living room or a car.  Do your research.  Just seems to make sense to me.

So let us look at this, and hopefully I challenge you to think. "What does underwear have to do with freedom of choice and abortion?"

I can not see any direct coorelation whatsoever, other than perhaps if people didn't look so sexy in their underwear it might not lead to anything else.

Oh but wait, isn't that is what; being a responsible person, condoms, saying "no" and just not being in front of a person of the opposite sex in your "sexy" underwear is all about? ^» 02

Call me crazy ^» 03 but I thought underwear was about taking care of your; bumps, humps and groves?

The next challenge that I have, brings me to this point, no matter how you identify yourself with regards to your sexuality, personality or really let us just say this, what you just simply are...let's just encompass that broad spectrum, do you not just want to wear an undergarment; bra, panty, brief, thong, gstring, boxer brief - need I really go on, that you do not have to think about?

Let me be so bold as to say, basically we want an undergarment that you do not have to constantly readjust --- let us just call that the "umbrella statement here".

So here is a bit of a challenge to Jockey.  Why don't you spend you money where your "fabric" is.

Why don't you focus on Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Testicular Cancer and do I need to go on?

Why don't you find a spokesperson that can represent that of which you are supposed to be taking care of and literally supporting?

Let us go way out on a limb here, but really in my eyes, what Jockey just did would be like the Dairy Farmers of America, supporting the Beef Farmers vs. Oprah Winfrey.

POINTLESS!

One thing I want to touch on for sure is the photo that I have included which refers to Isaiah 40:31; "but those who hope in the LORD  will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Find that strength within yourself...you know you can do it!

So at the end of it all...if you want to still wear Jockey underwear because it is the ONLY thing that works for you and you have tried others, then go ahead, wear them, just have the balls or boobs to stand up, or should I say out, for it.

You better have a good argument why you can support your position.  I promise you I will listen objectively.  You are always entitled to your voice.

For now, good bye Jockey...

1. which will no longer be linked to from here until they apologise and make retribution for their actions
2. I say opposite sex because I am referring to the possibility of pregnancy and what not --- that does not seem to happen with the homosexuals - go figure
3. and I know a few of you have, and that is all cool with me

Instead, the APA urged therapists to consider multiple options - that could range from celibacy to switching churches - for helping clients whose sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.

In a resolution adopted on a 125-to-4 vote by the APA's governing council, and in a comprehensive report based on two years of research, the 150,000-member association put itself firmly on record in opposition of so-called "reparative therapy" which seeks to change sexual orientation.

No solid evidence exists that such change is likely, says the report, and some research suggests that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.

The APA had criticized reparative therapy in the past, but a six-member task force added weight to this position by examining 83 studies on sexual orientation change conducted since 1960.

Its comprehensive report was endorsed by the APA's governing council in Toronto, where the association's annual meeting is being held this weekend.

The report breaks new ground in its detailed and nuanced assessment of how therapists should deal with gay clients struggling to remain loyal to a religious faith that disapproves of homosexuality.

Judith Glassgold, a Highland Park, N.J., psychologist who chaired the task force, said she hoped the document could help calm the polarized debate between religious conservatives who believe in the possibility of changing sexual orientation and the many mental health professionals who reject that option.

"Both sides have to educate themselves better," Glassgold said in an interview. "The religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive aspects of being gay or lesbian. Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will choose their faith over their sexuality."

In dealing with gay clients from conservative faiths, says the report, therapists should be "very cautious" about suggesting treatments aimed at altering their same-sex attractions.

"Practitioners can assist clients through therapies that do not attempt to change sexual orientation, but rather involve acceptance, support and identity exploration and development without imposing a specific identity outcome," the report says.

"We have to challenge people to be creative," said Glassgold.

She suggested that devout clients could focus on overarching aspects of religion such as hope and forgiveness in order to transcend negative beliefs about homosexuality, and either remain part of their original faith within its limits - for example, by embracing celibacy - or find a faith that welcomes gays.

"There's no evidence to say that change therapies work, but these vulnerable people are tempted to try them, and when they don't work, they feel doubly terrified," Glassgold said.

"You should be honest with people and say, 'This is not likely to change your sexual orientation, but we can help explore what options you have.'"

One of the largest organizations promoting the possibility of changing sexual orientation is Exodus International, a network of ministries whose core message is "Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ."

Its president, Alan Chambers, describes himself as someone who "overcame unwanted same-sex attraction." He and other evangelicals met with APA representatives after the task force formed in 2007, and he expressed satisfaction with parts of the report that emerged.

"It's a positive step - simply respecting someone's faith is a huge leap in the right direction," Chambers said. "But I'd go further. Don't deny the possibility that someone's feelings might change."

An evangelical psychologist, Mark Yarhouse of Regent University, praised the APA report for urging a creative approach to gay clients' religious beliefs but - like Chambers - disagreed with its skepticism about changing sexual orientation.

Yarhouse and a colleague, Professor Stanton Jones of Wheaton College, will be releasing findings at the APA meeting Friday from their six-year study of people who went through Exodus programs. More than half of 61 subjects either converted to heterosexuality or "disidentified" with homosexuality while embracing chastity, their study said.

To Jones and Yarhouse, their findings prove change is possible for some people, and on average the attempt to change will not be harmful.

The APA task force took as a starting point the belief that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexuality, not a disorder, and that it nonetheless remains stigmatized in ways that can have negative consequences.

The report said the subgroup of gays interested in changing their sexual orientation has evolved over the decades and now is comprised mostly of well-educated white men whose religion is an important part of their lives and who participate in conservative faiths that frown on homosexuality.

"Religious faith and psychology do not have to be seen as being opposed to each other," the report says, endorsing approaches "that integrate concepts from the psychology of religion and the modern psychology of sexual orientation."

Perry Halkitis, a New York University psychologist who chairs the APA committee dealing with gay and lesbian issues, praised the report for its balance.

"Anyone who makes decisions based on good science will be satisfied," he said. "As a clinician, you have to deal with the whole person, and for some people, faith is a very important aspect of who they are."

The report also addressed the issue of whether adolescents should be subjected to therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation. Any such approach should "maximize self-determination" and be undertaken only with the youth's consent, the report said.

Wayne Besen, a gay-rights activist who has sought to discredit the so-called "ex-gay" movement, welcomed the APA findings.

"Ex-gay therapy is a profound travesty that has led to pointless tragedies, and we are pleased that the APA has addressed this psychological scourge," Besen said.

This video wraps up my complete argument raising the question as to; why a person needs a license to operate a motor vehicle but does not require a license to procreate…

In the humble opinion of the turnipHed if that were the case, there would be 2 licenses revoked in this case…bring back the chastity belt, or like Edina Monsoon said, “let’s just tax the stupid people….”