The Ambassador

John Bolton

John Bolton is one the few people in this world who I can perhaps fully associate with. Andrew Sullivan characterizes him this way: “a libertarian type on social issues, while being a rogue unilateralist abroad.” The former ambassador understands what is at stake when we talk about middle east, Islamofascism or terrorism. Quite understandably he also supports expanded civil rights for gay people. This isn’t so surprising. The very same rationale taken to justify a more inclusive society inside the US must be applied to explain why it is important to approach the Middle Eastern dictators as the challenge of the century. This means persistence, not unilateralism.

The First Action Hero

Arnold Schwarzenegger

WOCKNER: Speaking at the Log Cabin Republicans National Convention in San Diego, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the effort by anti-gay forces to amend the California Constitution to permanently ban same-sex marriage is “a total waste of time”. Asked about constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage he replied: “first of all, I think that it would never happen in California because I think that California people are much further along with that issue. And, number two, I will always be there to fight against that, because it would never happen. I think we need a constitutional amendment so that foreign-born citizens can run for president, but not about gay marriage. That’s a total waste of time.”

Endymion

Girodet, 1791. Endymion.

In classical mythology, Endymion was a handsome, young shepherd (sometimes king) from Elis or Caria. Selene (Phoebe, Artemis, Diana), the moon goddess, fell in love with him and consequently neglected her lunar responsibilities. As a result, Zeus offered Endymion a choice, death in whatever way he preferred or eternal sleep with perpetual youth. Endymion chose the latter. He slept in a cave on Mount Latmus where Selene continued to visit him. The Greek poet, Licymnius of Chios, however, suggests that it was the god Hypnos (Sleep) who loved Endymion and lulled him to sleep with his eyes open so that the god might forever gaze into them.

“Objective Disorder”

DIGNITYUSA

Dignity USA President Marianne Duddy-Burke said she hoped the group’s presence during the pope’s appearances in Washington and New York would draw attention to efforts by gay Catholics to persuade the church hierarchy to moderate its teachings on homosexuality, which the church calls an “objective disorder” and an “intrinsic moral evil.”

Fra

Mychal F. Judge

In my own experience over the years, if I met a priest who is an exceptionally good pastor, loving and compassionate, I could be close to certain that I was dealing with a gay priest. The prime example of that was my friend, Father Mychal Judge.

“I think it was no coincidence that at the very moment Father Judge was dying while anointing a fallen fire fighter at the foot of the World Trade Towers, hierarchs were drafting the Instruction in Rome banning gays from the priesthood.”

John J. McNeill

Attitude

Richard Quest, CNN’s Anchor

I didn’t know that Richard Quest, who I have always adored, is a gay. And suddenly when I knew that, his mannerism seemed “meaningful” to me. Suddenly all of his artificiality, his flamboyance, his exaggerated style of speaking was polarized towards a certain super-signifier. Does he act gay on TV? It is not easy to say, since there are many other non-gay celebrities who do act gay (Tim Burton just jumped into my mind) and vice versa. For example I am not a big fan of Anderson Cooper, though I greatly admire him (the point is he is just not my favorite.) He has always been credited for introducing emotions to TV journalism. Has it anything to do with his possible gayness? What if just the same happen to Anderson Cooper – Quest’s colleague at CNN and one of the biggest targets of outing guerrillas. Would I look at him differently? I doubt it very much. But what is this fascination and adoration for people who are at ease with their queer orientation; people who this blog is basically about?

Whose World Is It?

George Segal, 1992. GLBT Monument. (Christopher Park, NYC)

“This sculpture by George Segal (1924–2000) honors the gay rights movement and commemorates the events at the Stonewall Inn opposite this park that gave rise to the movement. … On June 23, 1992, Mayor David N. Dinkins and Parks Commissioner Betsy Gotbaum helped unveil the monument in Christopher Park. The initial opposition and rancor which had greeted the project had subsided; the advent of AIDS, which had devastated the gay community in particular, added another poignant dimension to the monument and its mute figures’ impact. In March 2000, Stonewall Inn was designated a National Historic Landmark.”

Bow

This picture is cropped

Rembrandt von Rijn, 1642. David and Jonathan

“And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever.”

1 Samuel 41-42

Papillon

Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993)

Happy is the lover who works out naked
And then goes home to sleep all day with a beautiful boy.

Theognis of Megara (fl. 6th century BC)

Pais

Would Jesus Discriminate?

Matthew 8:5-13: “And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant [pais] lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” So What?