Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa & A Happy New year!!
Monday, October 03, 2011
Please consider supporting Entry Denied - a documentary about same-sex binational couples!
Dear Family, Friends and Allies,
Entry Denied is a documentary currently in post production about 3 same-sex binational couples as they navigate the discriminatory immigration laws in the United States to try to stay together. Currently, because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the US federal government does not recognize the relationship of same-sex couples and therefore cannot confer any rights of a married couples to them. This means that a LGBT American is unable to sponsor their partner/spouse for a green card just like their heterosexual brothers and sisters, even if they are legally married in the 6 states & 1 district in this country.
Machu Latorre, the director of the documentary has been working on this project for the past 10 years. She has followed 3 couples through the ups and downs as they navigate the discriminatory immigration policies that will not recognize their relationship. As the years go by, their stories unfold to the point that today, one couple is currently living in exile in Vancouver, one couple maintains a long distance relationship and one couple has been able to stay in the US.
Machu has been mostly self-financing this project for the past 10 years with some assistance from fundraisers and small grants. She has started a kickstarter campaign to raise $15,000 for post production costs last month. If you are unfamiliar with what a kickstarter campaign is, they are basically a crowdsourcing site where the filmmaker set a target amount that they needed to raise and they have 30 days to raise that money.
Entry Denied as a project WILL ONLY BE FUNDED IF AT LEAST $15,000 IS PLEDGED BY SATURDAY OCT 8, 1:02PM PDT.
In the last 25 days, the project has raised about $12,800 and is just $2,200 shy of the goal of $15,000. The project now has 5 MORE DAYS to reach the goal or it will not be funded.
I am writing to you personally to ask that you consider donating at least $10 towards the project. Most of you are familiar with the immigration struggles that Mickey and I have to go through. I am one of the lucky few that actually got my green card through the good will of my employers but the struggles and the fight is not over yet for my same-sex binational brothers and sisters!
For far too long, we have always complained that our issues are always ignored or often not talked about in the media or in the public. However, with the recent changes made by the Dept of Homeland Security to start using "prosecutorial decisions" in deciding whether or not to pursue the deportations of undocumented immigrants on a case-by-case basis as well as the fact that the Obama Administration has determined that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)is unconstitutional and that they will not defend it in court, I feel that it is an important time for the documentary to be released to shed more light on this issue.
Coupled with the book, Torn Apart, by Ms Judy Rickard (if you have not read it, you need to buy a copy and read it! Our story is in there!) - I feel that both projects will be a good education tool for us to outreach to the public and our legislators about the need to change the laws, whether it is to pass the Uniting American Families Act, repeal DOMA or pass an inclusive Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill that includes LGBT Families. It is past time for congress to address this issue because each day that they fail to address this issue, another family is being torn apart by being forced to choose between love or country!
This project also has the support of Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, serving as Executive Producers. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman have been making films together since 1987, starting with Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature (1989). This was Rob’s second Oscar, having previously won for The Times of Harvey Milk (1984). Their other collaborations include The Celluloid Closet (directing Emmy, 1996) and Paragraph 175 (Sundance directing award, 2000). HOWL, their first scripted narrative feature (starring James Franco), premiered at Sundance and Berlin and is the recipient of the 2010 National Board of Review’s Freedom of Expression Award.
Please seriously consider donating to support the documentary and have us bring this very important documentary to the world! And if you have already donated, a BIG Heartfelt thank you from the Lim Family!
Thank you!
Information and Links:
Entry Denied - a Documentary by Machu Latorre:
Kickstarter Campaign: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1389513043/entry-denied-a-documentary-film-by-machu-latorre
Website: http://www.entrydeniedmovie.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#%21/Entry_Denied
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Entry-Denied-film-by-Machu-Latorre/227900400554704
A NEW FILM, "ENTRY DENIED," EXPOSES INEQUALITY FACED BY BINATIONAL LESBIAN AND GAY COUPLES, GLAAD - http://www.glaad.org/blog/new-film-entry-denied-exposes-inequality-faced-binational-lesbian-and-gay-couples
Entry Denied - A Documentary about Us, Out4Immigration - http://out4immigration.blogspot.com/2011/09/entry-denied-documentary-about-us.html
Same Sex Binational couples struggles for equality in new documentary, Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/glbtq-issues-in-national/same-sex-binational-couples-struggles-for-equality-new-documentary
Marriage Equality USA - http://www.marriageequality.org/films
The Immigration Closet, Gender Across Borders - http://www.genderacrossborders.com/2011/09/19/the-immigration-closet/
Donations sought for film on same-sex binational couples, Bay Area Reporter - http://ebar.com/blogs/?p=2956
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Gay Soldier's Parents Fight Minnesota's Marriage Ban
Minnesota is facing a ballot initiative this Nov to ban marriage equality in its constitution - here's Andrew Wilfahrt's parents speaking out for marriage equality on behalf of their son who unfortunately died in combat.
A very touching video - and as his dad says, "Love is Love... and their (the lgbt community's) citizenship is every bit as valuable as yours or mine."
update: Just found another video of Andrew's parents that has been posted on courage campaign...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Rise Against - Make It Stop
"Make It Stop (September's Children)"
Woah, woah.
Bang bang go the coffin nails, like a breath exhaled,
Been gone forever.
It seems just like yesterday, how did I miss the red flags raised?
Think back to the days we laughed.
We braved these bitter storms together.
Brought to his knees he cried,
But on his feet he died.
What God would damn a heart?
And what God drove us apart?
What God could make it stop?
Let this end.
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Woah, woah.
Bang bang from the closet walls,
The schoolhouse halls,
The shotgun's loaded.
Push me and I'll push back.
I'm done asking, I demand.
From a nation under God,
I feel it's love like a cattle prod.
Born free, but still they hate.
Born me, no I can't change.
It's always darkest just before the dawn.
So stay awake with me, let's prove them wrong.
Make it stop.
Let this end,
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Woah, woah.
The cold river washed him away,
But how could we forget.
Gathering the candles, but not their tongues.
And too much blood has flown from the wrists,
Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss.
Who will rise to stop the blood?
We're calling for,
Insisting on, a different beat, yeah.
A brand new song.
Whoa, whoa [x3]
(Tyler Clementi, age 18.
Billy Lucas, age 15.
Harrison Chase Brown, age 15
Cody J. Barker, age 17
Seth Walsh, age 13.)
Make it stop,
Let this end.
This life chose me, I'm not lost in sin.
But proud I stand of who I am,
I plan to go on living.
Make it stop,
let this end,
all these years pushed to the ledge,
but proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living
Woah, woah.
Bang bang go the coffin nails, like a breath exhaled,
Been gone forever.
It seems just like yesterday, how did I miss the red flags raised?
Think back to the days we laughed.
We braved these bitter storms together.
Brought to his knees he cried,
But on his feet he died.
What God would damn a heart?
And what God drove us apart?
What God could make it stop?
Let this end.
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Woah, woah.
Bang bang from the closet walls,
The schoolhouse halls,
The shotgun's loaded.
Push me and I'll push back.
I'm done asking, I demand.
From a nation under God,
I feel it's love like a cattle prod.
Born free, but still they hate.
Born me, no I can't change.
It's always darkest just before the dawn.
So stay awake with me, let's prove them wrong.
Make it stop.
Let this end,
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Woah, woah.
The cold river washed him away,
But how could we forget.
Gathering the candles, but not their tongues.
And too much blood has flown from the wrists,
Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss.
Who will rise to stop the blood?
We're calling for,
Insisting on, a different beat, yeah.
A brand new song.
Whoa, whoa [x3]
(Tyler Clementi, age 18.
Billy Lucas, age 15.
Harrison Chase Brown, age 15
Cody J. Barker, age 17
Seth Walsh, age 13.)
Make it stop,
Let this end.
This life chose me, I'm not lost in sin.
But proud I stand of who I am,
I plan to go on living.
Make it stop,
let this end,
all these years pushed to the ledge,
but proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Devote Campaign: Out4Immigration
We participated in this video shoot 2 weeks ago and this is the final product. Thanks to Devote Campaign for including our stories and our struggles in their campaign.
If you have not yet participated, please head on to change.org and sign all of Out4Immigration's petitions. Thank You!
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Google Chrome: It Gets Better
This ad by Google, advertising their browser, Google Chrome came up during Glee. We usually do not watch Ads or live TV because of the DVR and Alicia (she keeps us busy).... but somehow, the FF button did not work well that evening and this ad came on.
Mickey and I just stopped in our tracks and went wow... First, I thought, wow, Dan Savage must have receive funding from some quarters to advertise his project, It Gets Better... then towards the end, we both realized that this is actually Google's Advertisement not Dan's... and I had to just rewind it again to watch it another time.
The Ad was well done and just gave me goosebumps.... and all I can say is with all the stupid ads out there touting products, this one is an AWESOME ad... advertising its product, google chrome and also youtube (or using chrome to watch youtube) with a message to all the LGBT & questioning youth out there - "things will get better... just hang on! things will get better!"
Friday, April 15, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
say what? Biggert Says 'Stop Talking About Jobs'
Biggert Says 'Stop Talking About Jobs'
Here's Rep Biggert telling her democratic representative to stop talking about jobs but talk about the amendment instead... but didn't the republican promised when they were swept into power in January that it is all about Creating Jobs????
Here's Rep Biggert telling her democratic representative to stop talking about jobs but talk about the amendment instead... but didn't the republican promised when they were swept into power in January that it is all about Creating Jobs????
can you sign the petition please?
On Monday, March 28th, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that it would hold off on processing green card applications from married, same-sex couples that were being routinely denied the right to remain together. Thinking USCIS would hold these cases until the legal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was resolved, advocates for LGBT and immigrant rights celebrated a step forward for basic justice.
Sadly, the Obama administration is backtracking already. Officials are telling the media that same-sex couples could go back to being denied a life together in less than a week. Thousands of couples would again be faced with the prospect of choosing between the person they love and the country they call home.
Perhaps USCIS, DHS, and the White House need a reminder that these are real people’s lives they are toying with. Sign the petition urging USCIS to stand by its original decision to hold off on processing green card applications for loving same-sex couples, at least until DOMA can be decided.
Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »
Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »
say what, newt?
“I have two grandchildren: Maggie is 11; Robert is 9. I am convinced that if we do not decisively win the struggle over the nature of America, by the time they’re my age they will be in a secular atheist country, potentially one dominated by radical Islamists and with no understanding of what it once meant to be an American.” NEWT GINGRICH
Mickey and I heard this interview segment the other day on MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell's program and just burst out laughing... How is it possible for a country to be a secular atheist country and be dominated by radical islamists? How?
Mickey and I heard this interview segment the other day on MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell's program and just burst out laughing... How is it possible for a country to be a secular atheist country and be dominated by radical islamists? How?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Lewis Black skewers Trump...
"That's right... Donald Trump came out as a birther which is republican for "I'm running for President!""
Enough said.... (if you are reading this on facebook, you might have to click through to watch the video...)
Enough said.... (if you are reading this on facebook, you might have to click through to watch the video...)
Monday, March 21, 2011
I Do...
We met David Ross yesterday for a photoshoot for Judy Rickard's book, Torn Apart
. David was the photographer. We found out later that he was in Quincenera
, an indie movie that we adored, and before that, was also in a boy band in the UK....
Anyway, David has written the script for a movie called I Do and is now trying to raise funds to make the movie. See the short video below explaining how the movie came about and if you can, donate some money to help him make the movie.
. David was the photographer. We found out later that he was in Quincenera, an indie movie that we adored, and before that, was also in a boy band in the UK....Anyway, David has written the script for a movie called I Do and is now trying to raise funds to make the movie. See the short video below explaining how the movie came about and if you can, donate some money to help him make the movie.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Weiner Mocks GOP For Defund NPR Bill
I love this man, Anthony Weiner! His speeches in the House is always always always newsworthy to me!
thanks to Joe.My.God for posting this!
KYLIE MINOGUE TOULOUSE NU-DI-TY
Here's Kylie singing NU-DI-TY, a track from her album, X, backstage before her concert.... if you need proof that she can sing? :)
She is coming to San Francisco for a concert in May and I cannot wait!
She is coming to San Francisco for a concert in May and I cannot wait!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Michael Jackson - Hollywood Tonight
Here's Michael Jackson's video of a song, Hollywood Tonight
, from his latest posthumous album, Michael
, from his latest posthumous album, MichaelSunday, March 13, 2011
"Target, Are You Anti-Gay?" - Born This Way Parody
A good parody and a good question... TARGET.... are you anti-gay?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
True LGBT Stories - I'm From Orange, VA.
Watch this short interview from I'm From Driftwood about being gay and being christian....
Quote from the video...
Quote from the video...
"god made me as I am, and he is happy with who I am and I am a good person and I don't need to live up to other people's moral standard, whatever they are..."
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
60 MINUTES: Hard times generation: homeless kids
Mickey and I saw this segment on 60 minutes on Sunday and we were both sad and speechless - not sure what to say or what to do.
This is heartbreaking.... just heartbreaking.
This is heartbreaking.... just heartbreaking.
Monday, March 07, 2011
In honor of International Women's Day tomorrow...
007 (Daniel Craig) & Q (Judi Dench, who narrated) filmed a PSA in honor of International Women's Day which is tomorrow....
gay weddings....
Wonderful video of a wedding celebration - we had one in our backyards in 2009 with our families present and our little baby daughter started walking on her own that day.... lot of beautiful memories from that weekend, and one most especially poignant to me is that my parents got to witness me getting married to the person that I love. My dad passed a few months ago, and I missed him very much but I am very happy and glad that he got to see me get married & got to be with his granddaughter.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Friday, March 04, 2011
Defense of Marriage Act: That's Gay
"because, believe me, marriage is just going to get gayer...." This is hilarious! :)
Jon Stewart...
Another good one, Jon Stewart. Just hoping that one day, people will finally wake up and see the truth.
UPDATE:
read the article on Washington Post talking about what Jon Stewart did yesterday in the segment....
UPDATE:
read the article on Washington Post talking about what Jon Stewart did yesterday in the segment....
Derence Kernek and Ed Watson
wow - heartbreaking story.... explain to me again why we are not allowing them to marry?
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Oscar 2011 - my pick...
Here's my pick of oscar winners tonight.....
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Javier Bardem in “Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions)
Jeff Bridges in “True Grit” (Paramount)
Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Colin Firth in “The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - WILL WIN / SHOULD WIN / WON
James Franco in “127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Christian Bale in “The Fighter” (Paramount) - WILL WIN / WON
John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Jeremy Renner in “The Town” (Warner Bros.)
Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features)
Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - SHOULD WIN
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features) - SHOULD WIN
Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole” (Lionsgate)
Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Natalie Portman in “Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight) - WILL WIN / WON
Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “The Fighter” (Paramount)
Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - SHOULD WIN
Melissa Leo in “The Fighter” (Paramount) - WILL WIN / WON
Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit” (Paramount)
Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Best animated feature film of the year
“How to Train Your Dragon” (Paramount) Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
“The Illusionist” (Sony Pictures Classics) Sylvain Chomet
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney) Lee Unkrich - WILL WIN/SHOULD WIN / WON
Achievement in directing
“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight) Darren Aronofsky
“The Fighter” (Paramount) David O. Russell
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) Tom Hooper - WON
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing) David Fincher - WILL WIN / SHOULD WIN
“True Grit” (Paramount) Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Best documentary feature
“Exit through the Gift Shop”
“Gasland”
“Inside Job” - WON
“Restrepo”
“Waste Land” (Arthouse Films)
“Killing in the Name”
“Poster Girl”
“Strangers No More”
“Sun Come Up”
“The Warriors of Qiugang”
Did not have a chance to watch any documentary this year but have been looking forward to Exit through the Gift Shop which I think might win.
Best foreign language film of the year
“Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions) - WILL WIN
“Dogtooth” (Kino International)
“In a Better World” (Sony Pictures Classics) - WON
“Incendies” (Sony Pictures Classics)
“Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)” (Cohen Media Group)
Achievement in makeup
“Barney's Version” (Sony Pictures Classics) Adrien Morot
“The Way Back” (Newmarket Films in association with
Wrekin Hill Entertainment and Image Entertainment)
“The Wolfman” (Universal) Rick Baker and Dave Elsey - WON
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“How to Train Your Dragon” (Paramount) John Powell
“Inception” (Warner Bros.) Hans Zimmer
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) Alexandre Desplat
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight) A.R. Rahman
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - WILL WIN/SHOULD WIN / WON
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“Coming Home” from “Country Strong”
“I See the Light” from “Tangled”
“If I Rise” from “127 Hours”
“We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3” - SHOULD WIN / WON
Best motion picture of the year
“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Fighter” (Paramount)
“Inception” (Warner Bros.)
“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features)
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - WILL WIN / SHOULD WIN / WON
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney)
“True Grit” (Paramount)
“Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Best animated short film
“Day & Night” (Walt Disney) - SHOULD WIN / WILL WIN
“The Gruffalo”
“Let's Pollute”
“The Lost Thing” (Nick Batzias for Madman Entertainment) - WON
“Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey
Diary)”
Adapted screenplay
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight) Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin - WILL WIN / WON
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney) Screenplay by Michael Arndt Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton And Lee Unkrich - SHOULD WIN
“True Grit” (Paramount) Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions) Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
Original screenplay
“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics) Written by Mike Leigh
“The Fighter” (Paramount) Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric
Johnson
“Inception” (Warner Bros.) Written by Christopher Nolan
“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features) Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) Screenplay by David Seidler - WILL WIN/SHOULD WIN / WON
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Javier Bardem in “Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions)
Jeff Bridges in “True Grit” (Paramount)
Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Colin Firth in “The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - WILL WIN / SHOULD WIN / WON
James Franco in “127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Christian Bale in “The Fighter” (Paramount) - WILL WIN / WON
John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Jeremy Renner in “The Town” (Warner Bros.)
Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features)
Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - SHOULD WIN
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features) - SHOULD WIN
Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole” (Lionsgate)
Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Natalie Portman in “Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight) - WILL WIN / WON
Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine” (The Weinstein Company)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “The Fighter” (Paramount)
Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - SHOULD WIN
Melissa Leo in “The Fighter” (Paramount) - WILL WIN / WON
Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit” (Paramount)
Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Best animated feature film of the year
“How to Train Your Dragon” (Paramount) Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
“The Illusionist” (Sony Pictures Classics) Sylvain Chomet
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney) Lee Unkrich - WILL WIN/SHOULD WIN / WON
Achievement in directing
“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight) Darren Aronofsky
“The Fighter” (Paramount) David O. Russell
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) Tom Hooper - WON
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing) David Fincher - WILL WIN / SHOULD WIN
“True Grit” (Paramount) Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Best documentary feature
“Exit through the Gift Shop”
“Gasland”
“Inside Job” - WON
“Restrepo”
“Waste Land” (Arthouse Films)
“Killing in the Name”
“Poster Girl”
“Strangers No More”
“Sun Come Up”
“The Warriors of Qiugang”
Did not have a chance to watch any documentary this year but have been looking forward to Exit through the Gift Shop which I think might win.
Best foreign language film of the year
“Biutiful” (Roadside Attractions) - WILL WIN
“Dogtooth” (Kino International)
“In a Better World” (Sony Pictures Classics) - WON
“Incendies” (Sony Pictures Classics)
“Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)” (Cohen Media Group)
Achievement in makeup
“Barney's Version” (Sony Pictures Classics) Adrien Morot
“The Way Back” (Newmarket Films in association with
Wrekin Hill Entertainment and Image Entertainment)
“The Wolfman” (Universal) Rick Baker and Dave Elsey - WON
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“How to Train Your Dragon” (Paramount) John Powell
“Inception” (Warner Bros.) Hans Zimmer
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) Alexandre Desplat
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight) A.R. Rahman
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - WILL WIN/SHOULD WIN / WON
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“Coming Home” from “Country Strong”
“I See the Light” from “Tangled”
“If I Rise” from “127 Hours”
“We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3” - SHOULD WIN / WON
Best motion picture of the year
“Black Swan” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Fighter” (Paramount)
“Inception” (Warner Bros.)
“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features)
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) - WILL WIN / SHOULD WIN / WON
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney)
“True Grit” (Paramount)
“Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions)
Best animated short film
“Day & Night” (Walt Disney) - SHOULD WIN / WILL WIN
“The Gruffalo”
“Let's Pollute”
“The Lost Thing” (Nick Batzias for Madman Entertainment) - WON
“Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey
Diary)”
Adapted screenplay
“127 Hours” (Fox Searchlight) Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
“The Social Network” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin - WILL WIN / WON
“Toy Story 3” (Walt Disney) Screenplay by Michael Arndt Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton And Lee Unkrich - SHOULD WIN
“True Grit” (Paramount) Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Winter's Bone” (Roadside Attractions) Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
Original screenplay
“Another Year” (Sony Pictures Classics) Written by Mike Leigh
“The Fighter” (Paramount) Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric
Johnson
“Inception” (Warner Bros.) Written by Christopher Nolan
“The Kids Are All Right” (Focus Features) Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
“The King's Speech” (The Weinstein Company) Screenplay by David Seidler - WILL WIN/SHOULD WIN / WON
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
BREAKING: Obama Asks Justice Department to Stop Defending DOMA in Court, Declares Section 3 'Unconstitutional' - Towleroad | #gay #news
Attorney General Eric Holder has just released a statement regarding the Justice Department's defense of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), saying that President Obama "has concluded that Section 3 of DOMA, as applied to legally married same-sex couples, fails to meet "a heightened standard of scrutiny" and is therefore "unconstitutional."
Holder continues: "Given that conclusion, the President has instructed the Department not to defend the statute in such cases. I fully concur with the President’s determination."
The memo notes that the White House is not ending enforcement of DOMA, just its defense in court. Congress must repeal the law or a court must rule in one of the pending cases for enforcement to change.
Full statement from Attorney General Eric Holder:
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/02/breaking-obama-asks-justice-department-to-stop-defending-doma-in-court.html#ixzz1Eo8quQnT
Holder continues: "Given that conclusion, the President has instructed the Department not to defend the statute in such cases. I fully concur with the President’s determination."
The memo notes that the White House is not ending enforcement of DOMA, just its defense in court. Congress must repeal the law or a court must rule in one of the pending cases for enforcement to change.
Full statement from Attorney General Eric Holder:
The Attorney General made the following statement today about the Department’s course of action in two lawsuits, Pedersen v. OPM and Windsor v. United States, challenging Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage for federal purposes as only between a man and a woman:
In the two years since this Administration took office, the Department of Justice has defended Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act on several occasions in federal court. Each of those cases evaluating Section 3 was considered in jurisdictions in which binding circuit court precedents hold that laws singling out people based on sexual orientation, as DOMA does, are constitutional if there is a rational basis for their enactment. While the President opposes DOMA and believes it should be repealed, the Department has defended it in court because we were able to advance reasonable arguments under that rational basis standard.
Section 3 of DOMA has now been challenged in the Second Circuit, however, which has no established or binding standard for how laws concerning sexual orientation should be treated. In these cases, the Administration faces for the first time the question of whether laws regarding sexual orientation are subject to the more permissive standard of review or whether a more rigorous standard, under which laws targeting minority groups with a history of discrimination are viewed with suspicion by the courts, should apply.
After careful consideration, including a review of my recommendation, the President has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny. The President has also concluded that Section 3 of DOMA, as applied to legally married same-sex couples, fails to meet that standard and is therefore unconstitutional. Given that conclusion, the President has instructed the Department not to defend the statute in such cases. I fully concur with the President’s determination.
Consequently, the Department will not defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA as applied to same-sex married couples in the two cases filed in the Second Circuit. We will, however, remain parties to the cases and continue to represent the interests of the United States throughout the litigation. I have informed Members of Congress of this decision, so Members who wish to defend the statute may pursue that option. The Department will also work closely with the courts to ensure that Congress has a full and fair opportunity to participate in pending litigation.
Furthermore, pursuant to the President’s instructions, and upon further notification to Congress, I will instruct Department attorneys to advise courts in other pending DOMA litigation of the President's and my conclusions that a heightened standard should apply, that Section 3 is unconstitutional under that standard and that the Department will cease defense of Section 3.
The Department has a longstanding practice of defending the constitutionality of duly-enacted statutes if reasonable arguments can be made in their defense. At the same time, the Department in the past has declined to defend statutes despite the availability of professionally responsible arguments, in part because – as here – the Department does not consider every such argument to be a “reasonable” one. Moreover, the Department has declined to defend a statute in cases, like this one, where the President has concluded that the statute is unconstitutional.
Much of the legal landscape has changed in the 15 years since Congress passed DOMA. The Supreme Court has ruled that laws criminalizing homosexual conduct are unconstitutional. Congress has repealed the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Several lower courts have ruled DOMA itself to be unconstitutional. Section 3 of DOMA will continue to remain in effect unless Congress repeals it or there is a final judicial finding that strikes it down, and the President has informed me that the Executive Branch will continue to enforce the law. But while both the wisdom and the legality of Section 3 of DOMA will continue to be the subject of both extensive litigation and public debate, this Administration will no longer assert its constitutionality in court.
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/02/breaking-obama-asks-justice-department-to-stop-defending-doma-in-court.html#ixzz1Eo8quQnT
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Adele Live on Letterman 2/21/11
Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican by John Gray
Just read this post on another blog and even though it is written in 2004, it rings true for me... especially in light of the union busting measures that a few Republican majority states are trying to do in their states.
Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican
By John Gray – Published by TvNewsLies.org – July, 2004
Article link: http://tvnewslies.org/html/day_in_the_life_of_joe_middle-.html
Joe gets up at 6:00am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some liberal fought to insure their safety and work as advertised.
All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employers medical plan because some liberal union workers fought the ir employers for paid medical insurance, now Joe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs this day. Joe’s bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
Joe takes his morning shower reaching for his shampoo; His bottle is properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some tree hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. He walks to the subway station for his government subsidized ride to work; it saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees. You see, some liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day; he has a good job with excellent pay, medicals benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe’s employer pays these standards because Joe’s employer doesn’t want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he’ll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some liberal didn’t think he should loose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
Its noon time, Joe needs to make a Bank Deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe’s deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joe’s money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the depression.
Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae underwritten Mortgage and his below market federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his life-time.
Joe is home from work, he plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dads; his car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn’t want to make rural loans. The house didn’t have electric until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn’t belong and demanded rural electrification. (Those rural Republican’s would still be sitting in the dark)
He is happy to see his dad who is now retired. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn’t have to. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the ride home.
He turns on a radio talk show, the host’s keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. (He doesn’t tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day) Joe agrees, “We don’t need those big government liberals ruining our lives; after all, I’m a self made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have”.
By John Gray
Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican
By John Gray – Published by TvNewsLies.org – July, 2004
Article link: http://tvnewslies.org/html/day_in_the_life_of_joe_middle-.html
Joe gets up at 6:00am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some liberal fought to insure their safety and work as advertised.
All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employers medical plan because some liberal union workers fought the ir employers for paid medical insurance, now Joe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs this day. Joe’s bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
Joe takes his morning shower reaching for his shampoo; His bottle is properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some tree hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. He walks to the subway station for his government subsidized ride to work; it saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees. You see, some liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day; he has a good job with excellent pay, medicals benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe’s employer pays these standards because Joe’s employer doesn’t want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he’ll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some liberal didn’t think he should loose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
Its noon time, Joe needs to make a Bank Deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe’s deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joe’s money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the depression.
Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae underwritten Mortgage and his below market federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his life-time.
Joe is home from work, he plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dads; his car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn’t want to make rural loans. The house didn’t have electric until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn’t belong and demanded rural electrification. (Those rural Republican’s would still be sitting in the dark)
He is happy to see his dad who is now retired. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn’t have to. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the ride home.
He turns on a radio talk show, the host’s keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. (He doesn’t tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day) Joe agrees, “We don’t need those big government liberals ruining our lives; after all, I’m a self made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have”.
By John Gray
IMMIGRATION: WE GIVE A DAMN
Thank you, Judy and Karin - and if you have not ordered it yet, Judy Rickard's book, TORN APART - United by Love and Divided by Law is now available for purchase! Use code OUT416 when you order and Out4Immigration will get a $4 donation directly.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) In Opposition to the Pence Amendment
I saw Rep Jackie Speier's speech on youtube.com and just had to type an email to her....
Dear Jackie,I personally want to thank you for your courage of coming out and speaking out about the difficult decision you had to make to end your pregnancy.This is something that we, as citizens and voters, are not privy to and really, don't need to be privy to. I am sure your husband and you have had to make that difficult decision and I know it is not a easy decision to make.....My husband and I have just adopted a beautiful 3 year old baby daughter and on behalf of her and all the woman in this country... I just want to say thank you for protecting her rights to choose. I hope everyday that woman do not have to make those decisions, but I understand that it is not an easy decision to make and we should allow the woman her right to choose what she wants to do with her body.So - I just want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for being vulnerable and thank you for standing up for a woman's right to choose.Amos
Zach Wahls Talks About His Inspiring Speech
Last month, the anti-gay Iowa house decided to put a vote to amend the constitution to ban marriage equality... something that has been legal in IOWA for some time now.
This teenager spoke out against the appeal, in the hearing about his family. This is his speech... it was well spoken, eloquent and touching - made me a bit teary eyed to hear him speak.
Apparently, his speech touches a lot of people and there has been a lot of views on this youtube video... so much so that he has appeared on Lawrence O'Donnell's show as well as Ellen's.
All I have to say to the moms who brought him up is this - congratulations! You must so proud of your son, standing up to fight for what is right! And thank you for bringing him up and bringing him into this world. I am not sure when we can experience FULL Equality, but with more young people like him growing up and speaking out, I am pretty sure, we can achieve that soon. I am hopeful.
If you have not heard his speech, well, here it is....
Here's the video of Zach on Ellen's show.
This teenager spoke out against the appeal, in the hearing about his family. This is his speech... it was well spoken, eloquent and touching - made me a bit teary eyed to hear him speak.
Apparently, his speech touches a lot of people and there has been a lot of views on this youtube video... so much so that he has appeared on Lawrence O'Donnell's show as well as Ellen's.
All I have to say to the moms who brought him up is this - congratulations! You must so proud of your son, standing up to fight for what is right! And thank you for bringing him up and bringing him into this world. I am not sure when we can experience FULL Equality, but with more young people like him growing up and speaking out, I am pretty sure, we can achieve that soon. I am hopeful.
If you have not heard his speech, well, here it is....
Here's the video of Zach on Ellen's show.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
[HD] - The BRIT Awards 2011 - Adele sings Someone Like You
I think this woman, Adele,
is amazing... her first album, 19
, won her 2 grammys and I am sure her 2nd album, 21
, will win her more accolades.....
is amazing... her first album, 19, won her 2 grammys and I am sure her 2nd album, 21, will win her more accolades.....Her voice is raw, emotional and just reminds me so much of Dusty Springfield - another UK lady singer that I am in love with.
Anyway, hear her sing her latest song, "Someone Like You" on the Brit Awards accompanied by just a piano.... awesome!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Contact Congress--Petition 1--Letter Writing Campaign
Can you spare a moment and sign this petition? THANKS!
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