Author: Randy Slovacek

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Today is the National Day of Silence


MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts on the Day of Silence

Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2008, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.

The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.

To help further conversation on the Day of Silence, students carry cards with them that read: “Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence (DOS), a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT bullying, name-calling and harassment. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today.”

Find out more at GLSEN.org

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George Zimmerman bail set at $150K plus monitoring device, curfew

Trayvon Martin, left – George Zimmerman, right

Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester says Zimmerman cannot have any firearms, drink alcohol or use drugs and must observe a curfew. Zimmerman will also have to wear an electronic monitoring device. The judge says Zimmerman will not be released Friday.

The judge says there is a possibility Zimmerman will be allowed to go out of state because of worries about his safety, but details need to be worked out among the attorneys and law enforcement.

Zimmerman apologized to Martin’s parents during the hearing, saying he didn’t know the 17-year-old Martin was unarmed.

I find it interesting that he specifically makes the remark that he didn’t know Trayvon was unarmed.  As if everyone in the world carries a gun?  Just comes across strange to me.

A new photo has been made public that apparently shows the back of Zimmerman’s head just moments after the shooting. Zimmerman’s head appears bloody and two cuts can be seen.

Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder. He claims self-defense.
(source)

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Mitt Romney blames factory closed during Bush years on President Obama

Visiting a closed Ohio drywall factory Thursday, Mitt Romney seized on the plant’s years-long shuttering to hammer home the point spelled out on a banner hanging over his head: “Obama Isn’t Working.”

“Had the president’s economic plans worked – President Obama’s plans worked – it would be open by now. But it’s still empty,” Romney told a crowd of supporters gathered inside the National Gypsum Company plant in Lorain, Ohio.

“And it underscores the failure of this president’s policies with regards for getting the economy going again,” Romney added.

The factory closed in 2008, when George W. Bush was president.  It was President Obama’s predecessor whose policies led to the factory closing.

“What are they going blame him for next?” Lorain City Council President Joel Arredondo told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “The Titanic?”
(source)

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Jonathan Frid, of Dark Shadows fame, passes away at 87

From MSNBC: Actor Jonathan Frid, who played imposing and elegant vampire Barnabas Collins on the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows,” has died at 87. Frid passed away on April 14 from natural causes in his native Ontario.

“Dark Shadows” ran from 1966 to 1971, drawing 20 million viewers at its peak. Frid joined the show in 1967 and his character, an elegant vampire recently freed from his chained coffin and returning to his family’s estate, Collinwood, quickly became the unquestioned star.

Frid makes a cameo in the big-screen comedy based loosely on the series. That film, which stars Johnny Depp as Barnabas, will be released May 11.

Other famous alumni of the show include Donna McKechnie, Kate Jackson, Abe Vigoda, David Selby and Conrad Bain.

I watched the show as a child and always thought the opening theme music by Robert Corbert was very cool.

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Las Vegas: Animal Foundation’s “Best In Show” fundraiser

Calling all dog lovers! The Animal Foundation’s Best in Show is back! The premier fundraiser event returns on April 22, 2012.

The American Kennel Club-style dog show will feature over 50 contestants from The Animal Foundation’s shelter and is hosted by a celebrity emcee, Flamingo Headliner Nathan Burton. Competition is held in several categories and the victor is crowned through audience participation – cheer hard for your favorite pooch in this family-friendly event.

All dogs are available for adoption immediately following the show!

Date: April 22, 2012 – 1:00pm
Location: Orleans Arena
Cost: This event is general admission.
Adults: $12
Seniors (65+): $5
Children (2-10): $5

Purchase tickets in advance by clicking here.

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Las Vegas: Annual LGBTQ Prom at The Center on May 12

Click pic to enlarge

It’s Prom Season! Remember when you were in high school and had to face your school’s Prom? Were you able to invite the person you really wanted to? Were you able to wear the prom attire that made you feel most comfortable?

LGBTQ youth are still facing bullying, discrimination and ridicule for bringing a same-sex date and for wearing prom attire that corresponds with their gender identity. That is why The Center has provided a safe environment for over a decade for our youth to have the “prom experience” so many of us have been denied.

Our 12th Annual LGBTQ Prom, the only prom for and by LGBTQ youth in Southern Nevada, will be held on May 12. Last year had the highest attendance to date—201 area youth attended, and more are expected to join in for this year’s Once Upon a Time LGBTQ Youth Prom. The Center really needs some help to cover the expense of this affirming and important event for our youth.

This year, even though some items have been donated,  your financial support could still help. Give someone the chance maybe you never had. Make sure LGBTQ youth get a chance to go to prom—the kind of prom where all young people feel welcome.

Based on previous LGBTQ Proms, The Center’s estimates the expense is $50 a person / $100 a couple. Any size donation will make an impact here for Las Vegas’ youth.

To make a donation to the Once Upon a Time LGBTQ Youth Prom, contact Mel Goodwin at mel@thecenterlv.com or click here to make a donation through PayPal.

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John Boehner says “ample laws” exist – no need for Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Although the Obama administration insists it will work with Congress to pass legislation in lieu of an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers, House Speaker John Boehner seemed unaware of ENDA (Employment Non-discrimination Act) in response to a question from the Washington Blade, saying, “I haven’t seen the bill. I haven’t thought much about it.”

“No one should face discrimination in the workforce,” Boehner said. “There are ample laws already in place to deal with this. Having been the chairman of the Education & Workforce Committee, I’m quite familiar with employment law. But if there are further changes that are necessary, I’m sure the committee will look at it.”

No federal law or federal regulation bars employers from firing LGBT workers based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Firing or discriminating against someone because they’re gay is legal in 29 states; firing or discriminating against someone because they’re transgender is legal in 34 states.

ENDA is important. Just the mention of, say, going to the movies with your same-sex partner – the way heterosexual employees might do on a Monday morning at work – could get you fired.

The dark states in the map below are where you can be fired just for being gay or lesbian.

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President Obama sits on the Rosa Parks bus

Click to enlarge pic – Photo by Pete Souza

During his trip to Detroit, yesterday, President Obama visited the Henry Ford Museum and had the opportunity to sit in the bus where in 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to make way for a white customer. That moment sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and fueled the civil rights movement that made it possible for Barack Obama to become president.

Talk about a glimpse into the time and space continuum: from where it all began, to what “could be.”

The picture speaks for itself, but here’s what the President had to say about his visit:

“I just sat in there for a moment and pondered the courage and tenacity that is part of our very recent history, but is also part of that long line of folks who sometimes are nameless, oftentimes didn’t make the history books, but who constantly insisted on their dignity, their share of the American dream.”
(source)