I’m married to a proud Italian-American and I’m always going to be a proud New Yorker no matter where I go, so this hits home. According to the recent Census, only 5% of residents in Little Italy are of Italian descent, and there are NO residents originally born in Italy. From the New York Times: “In 1950, nearly half of the more than 10,000 New Yorkers living in the heart of Little Italy identified as Italian-American. The narrow streets teemed with children and resonated with melodic exchanges in Italian among the one in five residents born in Italy and their second- and third-generation neighbors.” “The number of residents of Italian descent in the neighborhood has been declining since the 1960s, as immigration from Italy ebbed and Italian-Americans prospered and moved to other parts of the city and to the suburbs.” “When the Italians made money they moved to Queens and New Jersey, they sold to the Chinese, who are now selling to the Vietnamese and Malaysians,” said Ernest Lepore, 46, who, with his brother and mother, owns Ferrara, an espresso and pastry shop his family opened 119 years ago.” Apparently, as Chinatown moved north and SoHo moved east, the neighborhood has slowly been absorbed by the surrounding areas. You haven’t lived until you’ve attended the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy. So NYC. (tip from Joe.My.God)
It’s Toto Tuesday! – “Africa” by Toto
I can listen to this song over and over and over. It completely takes me back to my days in college, sitting watching MTV in my fraternity house – Sigma Chi don’t you know – when MTV was still new and we all would just hang watching videos. (Ok, so there was probably some beer drinking involved too).
Good times. Good times.
Maryland Marriage Equality Bill hits the state Senate
The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, SB 116, which passed out of committee on a vote of 7-4 was introduced to the full state Senate this morning. This bill would legalize marriage equality in the state of Maryland.
State Senator Robert Garagiola introduced the measure and in doing so emphasized that religious institutions would not be required to recognize these relationships:
“Under the terms of the Act, an official of a religious institution or body who is authorized to solemnize marriages, may not be required to solemnize any marriage in violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution, or Article 36 of our Constitution. As amended, the bill also provides that a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit operated by one, may not be required to provide services accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges to an individual if the request is related to the solemnization of a marriage or celebration of marriage that is in violation of the entity’s religious beliefs.”
Debate is scheduled to occur Wednesday. Reports are that there are 24 votes, the necessary number, to pass the bill. From there the bill heads to the house of delegates where it’s expected to pass.
Governor Martin O’Malley has indicated he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
Sarah Palin & Lou Sarah: a tale of two Sarahs
There’s news floating around today that Sarah Palin allegedly has a second, “secret” Facebook account so that she can praise and “like” her own posts. Under the name “Lou Sarah” – Louise is apparently Sarah Palin’s middle name – Palin has been “liking” and praising not only her own posts but her daughter’s performances on “Dancing With The Stars.” From Wonkette:”We searched for this address on Facebook, the way millions of people search for people on Facebook every day, and it appears that Palin keeps a second Facebook account. Besides staying in touch with Sarah Palin’s father Chuck Heath, what does “Lou Sarah” use Facebook for? Saying “amen” to her own Facebook fan page missives, in the guise of a completely different person. “Lou Sarah” also really “LIkes” Bristol Palin’s Dancing With the Stars photos.” Apparently, along the way “Lou Sarah” cheered Bristol Palin on, said “amen” to Sarah Palin’s own posts, divulged secret information that Wasilla’s Edge Fitness was going to be featured on “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” (how “Lou Sarah” knew that we’ll never know!) and criticized health care reform. Personally I’m shocked to find out there’s a fitness club in Wasilla.
Inspiration 101 – what can happen when given a chance…
I love this story so much.
Last year my brother, after almost 50 years, was finally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. No one ever cheered him on, no one ever offered to really help him. But he tries everyday. And he never gets off the phone without telling me he loves me.
Watching this just sends me over the edge. Talk about Inspiration 101.
Why Sarah Palin quit being governor…
A former top aide to former half-term Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, Frank Bailey, has revealed emails from Palin to him saying “I hate this damn job.”
I’m guessing she likes making lots of money and not being responsible to any constituents now.
ABC’s “What Would You Do?” addresses HIV/AIDS
Normally on this show, it seems most people who observe negative behavior don’t get involved.
Watch this time. This will give you hope for the kindness of people.
Montana State committee approves anti-LGBT bill
HB 516 was passed out of committee by a vote of 13-7. This bill, now on it’s way to the state House legislature, will remove all local ordinances passed by cities and towns in Montana that would protect LGBT citizens. The city of Missoula had passed protections for LGBT community members and this seemed to rile the conservative members of state legislature. The Montana Human Rights Act does not cover LGBT citizens. That is exactly why the City of Missoula passed its Anti-Discrimination Ordinance in April of 2010. Missoula is the home of the University of Montana. The panel also voted to table HB 514, a bill that would have expanded the Montana Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression and sexual orientation.
From the Montana Human Rights Network: This will repeal not only the Missoula ordinance – but existing policies and resolutions that other cities have passed to protect their residents. People from across the state came to speak out in opposition (Helena, Cardwell, Butte, Billings, Great Falls, Bozeman, Missoula, Sidney and Opportunity, MT all came to the Capitol on Friday to stand in opposition to HB 516) – and their testimony was not only limited to ten minutes total, but cut off.
Sad day for equal rights in Montana.
Lady Gaga credits discussions/conditions with Target for LGBT policy changes
According to reports Lady Gaga recently agreed to release a special exclusive edition of her upcoming “Born This Way” CD but only on the condition that Target address recent allegations of anti-gay policies and political donations.
“That discussion was one of the most intense conversations I’ve ever had in a business meeting,” Gaga told Billboard. “Part of my deal with Target is that they have to start affiliating themselves with LGBT charity groups and begin to reform and make amends for the mistakes they’ve made in the past … our relationship is hinged upon their reform in the company to support the gay community and to redeem the mistakes they’ve made supporting those [antigay] groups.”
Go Gaga!
Kathy Griffin set to play a “Palin-type” on GLEE
Kathy Griffin, in a bit of fun casting, is set to guest-star on the hit TV show GLEE. The role is being described as a “recent Tea Party candidate and home schooler — a Sarah Palin type.” In well-publicized appearances, Kathy Griffin has appeared on red carpets on the arm of Levi Johnston, the ex-fiance and father to Bristol Palin’s child. The comedy superstar has continued to use the Palin family for fodder in her stand up act. “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy hinted that perhaps his show was ready to be nicer to the Tea Party. “We’ve taken a couple jabs at the right wing this year,” he said to TV Guide. “So what I want to do with this character is have someone who Christian kids and parents can recognize and say, ‘Oh, look — I’m represented there, too!’ If we’re trying to form a world of inclusiveness, we’ve got to include that point of view as well.”