skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I have been away from my journal for a while, owing to our storm and power failure, a nagging cold, and a mild writer's block which was more exhaustion than lack of material....
The momentum returns....
Yes, the word Midnight in the title of this post is a foreshadowing of my next review, "Midnight in Paris", which is long overdue. The experience has mellowed, and I have grown fond of the movie and cannot wait to share my views and re-view.
My mother is home now, a relief, but a whole new set of challenges, and acceptance of her inability to remember things. Thanks to those who have given me much encouragement. I think we're on a good path again....
It was an emotional week for gays in this country, and especially in Chicago. After the Windy City Performing Arts Pride Concert (See review in the post below), and on the heels of Illinois recognizing Civil Unions for gay couples, New York passed a gay-marriage law.
What an exciting and symbolic image, to see celebrations outside of the Stonewall Inn, where gay men in 1969 stood up to mistreatment and oppression and encouraged gays to stand with them. Thus the GAY Pride movement was born.
But then, just before yesterday's Chicago Pride Parade, dozens of tires were slashed on floats stored in a South-Side warehouse. I salute the resourcefulness of the organizers and their mechanics who purchased new tires all over town, replaced them, and got the parade underway.
We missed the parade due to other obligations yesterday. It was bittersweet. Now that we feel more connected to Chicago's gay community than ever, we felt isolated in our own activities. On the other hand, we were glad to be away from the huge pressing crowds. Until we have a chance to be in the parade itself, as we were five years ago, it might be best to enjoy the highlights shot by our fine Chicago news cameras.
Please enjoy the review below of the June 16 Windy City Performing Arts Pride Concert.
A ruling is expected soon in the appeal of Judge Vaughn's finding that Proposition 8 (a law banning same-sex marriage) is unconstitutional. The hearing began on December 6 before a three-member panel from the Ninth District Court of Appeals.
On that date, a group of interfaith leaders from Catholic, evangelical, Orthodox Jewish, Mormon, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal and Sikh communities, as well as new conservative Lutheran and Anglican denominations, signed "The Protection of Marriage: A Shared Commitment."
'Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, the new president of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference, said the "broad consensus reflected in this letter -- across religious divides -- is clear: The law of marriage is not about imposing the religion of anyone, but about protecting the common good of everyone." '
(BeliefNet, December 6)
I've struggled to understand the argument that same-sex marriage will destroy the institution of marriage. An opinion often cited is that only male-female marriage will ensure the survival of civilization, and that children are better off in a home with a male father and female mother.
And yet, from my limited and non-married perspective, marriage (and procreation) survived decades of divorce, spousal abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, out-of-wedlock births, single parenting, unwed couples living together (and raising children), child abuse by heterosexual parents, and child abuse from members of the clergy who perform marriage ceremonies....
I would lend more credence to leaders, religious or political, who collectively produce a letter condemning some of the more heinous threats to marriage, like abuse, or neglect of any kind. Conferring marriage rights to loving, responsible couples who happen to be of the same gender rather affirms the institution, and elevates instead of destroys society.
~
~
Tomorrow, I will resume my exploration of King George, and Colin Firth. For tonight, a few unrelated short takes: everything from a nice shelter adoption, to a birthday commemoration, to the passage of a law, to this year's film awards calendar.
~ ~ ~ ~
Lulu Found a Home!
One of my favorite new arrivals at the Buddy Foundation has found a home. This adoption was meant to be. The five-month old beagle was chosen by an older, widowed gentleman. The man is retired and will be able to spend lots of time with Lulu. He's had beagles his whole life. When it came time to pay for the adoption, he took out his credit card....and on it was a picture of a beagle!
~ ~ ~ ~
A Special Birthday Commemoration
Sam, my maternal grandfather, would have celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday, November 29. (My grandmother Lucy commemorated her 100th on May 6th this year.) Faithful visitors here recall that their centennial was my inspiration to study Italian. Seems like they are still with us, in some way. I can still hear their laughter, and good-natured teasing and banter. I can still taste the pizza, and the sauce. This is their wedding picture, taken in August of 1928.
~ ~ ~ ~
Illinois House Passes Civil Unions Bill, Senate Expected to Pass, Quinn To Sign
Illinois took a step in a "good" direction today by passing a same-sex civil unions bill in the House. The bill goes to the Senate and on to the governor for signature, if all goes as expected. Chicago Mayoral Candidate Gery Chico organized supporters to urge their representatives in the Illinois congress to pass the bill. I admire Mr. Chico for his support of equal rights for all citizens. And yet, I bristle when I am told that "we must not let perfect be the enemy of good". Good thing the architects of this bill are not designing our buildings and bridges. Because what I hear is "good enough", and a silent order to take what we're given and stay in our place.
To be sure, civil unions will provide some rights to same-sex couples that now are only available through costly estate planning. But they do not provide all of the rights of marriage. Separate but equal? Not even equal. Go to the back of the bus and enjoy the ride. Throw a few rights to the gays and they will calm down..they may not even continue to fight for actual marriage.
~ ~ ~ ~
"All they do is give out awards!" (Woody Allen, "Annie Hall", 1977)
Movie fans still take great interest in the outcome of the Academy Awards, which will be handed out on February 27, about three months from now. In the meantime, a different industry or critic's group will be announcing their award nominees or winners evey few days for three months. Take a look at the following list and you will understand why, by the time the Big Night arrives, I'm practically wrung out by predictions. It's anticlimactic, and I feel sort of numb by Oscar night, as though I have consumed too much junk food for weeks.
And we miss the forest for the trees; we look at all the new films in terms of how they will be positioned for awards, rather than for the pure artistry or entertainment each work provides.
I wonder how possible it would be to avoid the outcomes of the interminable list of minor awards, and bring back the suspense and fun of the Academy Awards?
Well, anyway, here's the Awards calendar for those who follow all of it, on our way to spending Oscar Night with our talented and charismatic hosts, Anne Hathaway and James Franco:
November
Nov. 30 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations announced
December
Dec. 2 National Board of Review announces winners
Dec. 3 British Independent Film Awards
Dec. 3 International Documentary Association Awards
Dec. 11 Boston Film Critics announces winners
Dec. 12 AFI honorees announced
Dec. 12 Los Angeles Film Critics Association announces winners
Dec. 13 New York Film Critics Circle announces winners
Dec. 13 Broadcast Film Critics Association nominations announced
Dec. 14 Golden Globe nominations announced
Dec. 14 San Diego Critics Association announces winners
Dec. 15 Toronto Critics Association announces winners
Dec. 16 Screen Actors Guild Award nominations announced
Dec. 18 Houston Critics Association winners announced
Dec. 19 Satellite Awards
Dec. 20 Chicago Critics Association winners announced
January
Jan. 3 Online Film Critics Society winners announced
Jan. 4 Producers Guild of America nominations
Jan. 4 Writers Guild of America nominations
Jan. 8 Palm Springs International Film Festival
Jan. 10 Directors Guild of America nominations announced
Jan. 11 National Board of Review ceremony
Jan. 14 BFCA Critics’ Choice Awards winners announced
Jan. 14 AFI Awards
Jan. 15 L.A. Film Critics Association Awards ceremony
Jan. 16 Golden Globe Awards
Jan. 18 BAFTA nominations announced
Jan. 22 Producers Guild Awards
Jan. 25 Oscar nominations announced
Jan. 27 Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Jan. 28 Visual Effects Society Awards
Jan. 29 Directors Guild of America Awards
Jan. 30 Screen Actors Guild Awards
February
Feb. 2 Costume Designers Guild Awards
Feb. 5 Writers Guild Awards
Feb. 5 Art Directors Guild Awards
Feb. 5 Annie Awards
Feb. 12 Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation
Feb. 13 BAFTAs
Feb. 26 Independent Spirit Awards
Feb. 26 NAACP Image Awards
Feb. 27 Academy Awards
This week, the gay advocacy group Lambda Legal sent me a message, asking me to support Illinois' Civil Unions ballot measure. At first, it appeared like a victory for committed gay couples seeking legal recognition and protection in Illinois.
But then I became impatient. Once again I had to ask: Why throw so much energy into what amounts to a consolation prize when there is momentum for the real thing? Why not fight for the institution of marriage itself?
Why is it that gay people still have to compromise their most fundamental rights as human beings? And how can America claim to be the world's moral watchdog on gay rights when we cannot reach a reasonable national consensus about our own gay citizens, one devoid of fear and misinformation?
Yes, civil unions allow for some of the same legal protections as marriage. (The bill even allows for civil unions for heterosexual couples...Really? That would be like choosing to sleep on the cold ground when a warm bed is available).
But Civil Unions do not provide all of the rights that are entitled to married couples. Click here for a good summary of the differences between civil unions vs. marriage, including:
•Marriage: Over 1,049 federal and state level benefits (see list)
•Civil Unions: Over 300 state level benefits. *No federal protection (see benefit example)
•Marriage: Couples can file both federal and state tax returns jointly.
•Civil Unions: Couples can only file jointly in the state of civil registration.
•Marriage: Partners can make emergency medical decisions.
•Civil Unions: Partners can only make medical decisions in the registered state. Partners may not be able to make decisions out of state.
Rosa Parks, in 1955, refused to give up her seat to a white passenger and move to the back of the bus. Had Civil Union proponents been around then, would they have told her, "Go to the back Rosa.. you are still on the bus, and you will still get the benefit of the ride." --?
In Uganda, it is likely that the "kill the gays bill" will be voted into law. Once it becomes law, it will provide for life imprisonment or execution, simply for being a homosexual. Click here for a recent article about the origins of the bill and its current status. It was after March 2009 workshop organized by three American Evangelical Christians that the "kill the gays" movement began.
In the un-civil political climate we are in, it is not out of the question for a bill to be introduced here some day..... Will we fight then?
Unless we wake up and do the reasonable and moral thing, and allow gays in America their basic rights to marry their partners (or to openly serve their country), we would seem to have no footing in our stance against oppression elsewhere.
So I reluctantly withhold my support of the Illinois Civil Unions Bill. I can't compromise my very being any more. We can do better.
