fab3rd's Open Salon Blog

Do you know Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island)?

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 16:12:00 -0500

After posting some lighter fair, I happy to share my next diary entry. This isn't so much about the failure of the gay marriage bill in the New York Senate, although like you, I am of course disappointed, and hopeful the bill will get another chance.

Instead, this diary is about surprise. It is about a new friend, hero and true American. Her name is Sen Diane Savino. And now, whenever I am nauseated by the conservative mad-lib boilerplate speeches and verbal salad of wing-nut women like Palin, Bachman or Coulter, I will only need to look at this clip to remind myself that all is not lost.

Watch as I did, in the following clip, as Sen. Diane Savino rips the whole right-wing anti-gay marriage agenda apart, point by point. That she does this will such passion, such conviction, such intelligence, not to mention a great New York sense of humor, makes it all the more amazing. I hope you'll agree.

I'm still digesting the failure of the gay marriage bill in the New York Senate. Shock and anger mingle with resignation. I mean, I know it's going to happen some day. But, on balance, I'm more angry than I am resigned. And even though, obviously, this is not an issue that has a personal effect on me, there are a million reasons to feel irate about it. I'm not going to list them here, because this speech by Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) is an amazing summary of almost every reason why this bill should have passed.

I'd never heard of Sen. Savino before today either, but I'm also moved and extremely impressed. Here's some good information from her website.

In 2004, she was elected to represent the 23rd Senatorial District, encompassing the North Shore of Staten Island and portions of Brooklyn, including Borough Park, Coney Island, Bensonhurst, and Sunset Park.

In their endorsement of the Senator Savino, the New York Times described her as “scrappy and effective”. Her dedication to her constituents, earned her the Staten Island Advance’s “strongest endorsement for a third term”, saying “no lawmaker works harder and no lawmaker commits herself to the fight for her constituents more than Ms. Savino".

Senator Savino has passed important legislation, including a law that ended the 5-year statute of limitation on sexual assualt, a bill establishing a task force for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, the Olive Oil Labeling Bill, which prohibits additives in virgin olive oil, the Prompt Pay Bill, which ensures prompt payment to construction contractors and their employees, a cost-of-living increase in the death benefit for widows and widowers of police officers and fire fighters killed in the line of duty.

And while we are on the subject of gay marriage, I thought this would be the perfect place to share this clip of Portia de Rossi. The last time de Rossi was on The View, a fire alarm saved the actress from having to talk about her personal life. You know, with the ladies. That was important, because she was still in the closet. This time around, she's an out actress — who still has tons of appeal among the straight male set. For obvious reasons. But because she's a gay actress, and a married one at that, she's a natural spokeswoman for civil rights. And she's a natural spokeswoman for the Elisabeth Hasselbeck Tries Making Points From a Place of Ignorance cause.

" Who inspired you this week?"

Please comment & rate it, even if you hate it!

World AIDS Day 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:11:08 -0500

As someone who is living with HIV and has lost at least five friends to AIDS, I'd like remind open salon that today is World AIDS Day. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic. Please help me share this important message: "To find an HIV test site, text your ZIP to “KNOWIT” (566948), or visit www.HIVtest.org."

What does it mean that so many in our cities, states, countries and continents still lack access to healthcare and testing for HIV? Why are so many young people under the false impression that HIV & AIDS is no longer a theat? Or that it can't happen to "me?" I issue this diary call to action and ask you to share your stories. Please continue to spread the word by posting comments or new diaries about HIV and AIDS throughout the year.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. Over one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS today. Worldwide, the figure is over 33 million. Effective HIV care—including antiretroviral drug therapies and regular access to primary health care—can help people manage their HIV disease and live longer.

HIV can only be transmitted through certain body fluids. Specific behaviors may place you at higher risk for coming in contact with HIV. You may be at increased risk for HIV infection if you have: 1.Injected drugs or steroids, during which needles or equipment were shared with others 2.Had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners 3. Exchanged sex for drugs or money 4. Been given a diagnosis or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD) 5. Received a blood transfusion during 1978-1985 6.Had unprotected sex with anyone who has any of the risk factors listed above. For more information visit HIV and AIDS: Are You at Risk? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

How is HIV transmitted? The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another are: By having sex with an HIV-infected person By sharing needles or injection equipment with a person who is infected with HIV From HIV-infected women to their babies before or during birth, or through breast feeding For more information visit

How is HIV passed from one person to another? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Which body fluids transmit HIV? The following body fluids have been shown to contain high concentrations of HIV: Blood Semen Vaginal fluid Breast milk Other body fluids containing blood Other body fluids may contain small amounts of HIV, but small amounts of HIV does not necessarily mean that HIV can be transmitted by that body fluid. For more information visit Which body fluids transmit HIV? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

How can I protect myself from HIV transmission? The most effective to protect yourself from HIV transmission are to remember the ABCs: Abstain from sex Be faithful to you partner if you are having sex Condoms – use condoms if you are having sex

Other ways to protect yourself is to: Know the HIV-status of your partner Do not inject illicit drugs If you do inject drugs, never share needles or other equipment and use only clean needles and equipment

On October 30th President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. It represents the ongoing commitment to ensuring access to needed HIV/AIDS care and treatment. The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worked very closely with Congress on this bipartisan legislation, and the consensus document developed by the HIV/AIDS advocacy community was an important part of the process.

The Ryan White Program is the largest federal program specifically dedicated to providing HIV care and treatment. It funds heavily impacted metropolitan areas, states, and local community-based organizations to provide life-saving medical care, medications, and support services to more than half a million people each year: the uninsured and underinsured, racial and ethnic minorities, people of all ages. The President also announced the elimination of the HIV entry ban. Since 1987, HIV-positive travelers and immigrants have been banned from entering or traveling through the United States without a special waiver. In July 2008, Congress removed all legislative barriers to repealing the ban and paved the way for HHS to repeal the ban. A final rule will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, November 2nd and will take effect in early January 2010. That means that people who have HIV and are not U.S. citizens will be able to enter the U.S. starting in January next year. This is a major step in ending the stigma associated with HIV.

If you are in Houston, please join me for a Citywide Candlelight Vigil -5:30 to 7:00pm at Tranquility Park, Downtown Houston.

Women's Issues with Prejean & Palin (videos & book reviews)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:11:58 -0500

First, read a personal letter from Carrie Prejean and take a look at an exclusive Prejean interview on Michael Buckley's show discussing Sexxx Tapes for Jesus. I also include reviews of Prejean's & Sarah Palin's books. At the end, I ask you to help me respond to a troubling & perplexing Sarah Palin question.

Everyone's favorite neo-pagan tantric buddhist taoist rosicrucian orgasmican alchemist mystic shares an open letter from Carrie Prejean in which she shares advice for other sextape aspiring Christians:

Days after Carrie Prejean admitted that she participated in a sex tape and called it "the biggest mistake of my life," seven additional such videos -- all "solo performances" have surfaced starring the de-crowned beauty queen, Radar reports. -- Us Magazine I'm just gonna say it outright, OK you guys? You ready? Here it is ... People always ask me, Carrie, when you make a sex tape, does it help to actually be a Christian? I mean, like, not a very good one, more like a pseudo-moralistic, fundamentalist homophobe ex-beauty queen with as many brain cells as you have limbs? Someone who wouldn't understand true Christianity if Jesus himself came down and tickled your feet and called you Lilith? But to answer the other question: heck yes, it helps! I find that mock Christianity only cranks up the irony factor, the sexy hypocrisy of what you're doing -- and massive moralistic hypocrisy is a total turn on! Just ask all those Catholic priests! And Republican senators! And televangelists! And gay televangelists who have sex with Republican senator priests! Here's a very simple formula I learned back when I was knee-high to a tequila shooter: The more you profess your hollow, virginal Christian righteousness, the greater the melodrama and drooling media attention when your lame, cheeseball sex tape -- or meth fetish, or gay lover -- comes to light, and the more money you get for your book deal and/or reality show. It's like magic, or something! OMG you guys, capitalism is so awesome!

Check out this exclusive interview Carrie Prejean gave to hard hitting news journalist and veteran vlogger Michael Buckley:

From Gen. JC Christian, patriot (Tremonton, UT United States)comes this Amazon Review: Still Standing by Carrie Prejean. You can find it in full here. If you like it, please cast a vote recommending it, so it becomes the "top favorable review."

As a paean to love segregation, "Still Standing" serves its purpose. Readers will come away understanding why it is so important to deny basic human rights to their fellow Americans. But it could have been so much more than that. Take a look at the chapter on pornography. Think about how much better it would have been if Miss Prejean had discussed her own video, the one in which she pleasures herself in front of a camera. It would have offered her an opportunity to discuss the Book of Leviticus and God's commandment to use kosher hot dogs. Christian study groups would be scrambling to buy it. Although the writing in Miss Prejean's book caused me to throw up a little in my mouth, the spirit moves me to give it five stars. I know some might find that a little strange, but a book is more than simply words, sentences, and chapters; it's also cover art, spine glue, and the little blurbs the publisher commands its other authors to write. In sum, all these pieces must come together to make a book. If I love the smell of the book's spine glue, shouldn't I be allowed to reward the publisher with a few extra stars? I certainly think so.

His review of Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue" is equally enjoyable, highlights include this gem:

But the book isn't perfect. As much as I enjoyed the few short paragraphs in which Mrs Palin laid out her policy objectives, she could have condensed it all into one sentence: "I'm going to grab an Oxo Good Grips Stainless Serving Spatula and go all mavericky on your non-white, non-Christian and non-heterosexual butts."

And from kitchen tools and traditional woman's roles and the way the GOP, Palin, Prejean still view the world comes this vintage Public Service Announcement on "A Ladies Guide to Party Plannig."

Women Should Be Seen, Not Heard

The idea that women shouldn't have an equal voice in the public sphere should be treated as fringe at best, but it's moving more and more into the conservative mainstream. This may have been expressed most dramatically when conservative Republicans in Congress shouted over female Democrats who tried to use the microphone to give a brief statement. With every woman who tried to have a voice, Republicans led by Tom Price (R-GA) shouted "I object" over and over. It's not plausible that the attitude driving this behavior is not related to the statement from the National Republican Congressional Committee that Nancy Pelosi needs to be put "in her place." Apparently, leading the House of Representatives is not an appropriate place for a woman, just as the microphone before the House is also not a woman's place. Come to think of it, women are also sometimes treated as if they shouldn't be seen, either. Every so often another conservative comes out to defend the idea that perhaps women should never have been given the right to vote in the first place — a position that is every bit as "moral" and "reasonable" as suggesting that blacks shouldn't be allowed to vote or that only white men should enjoy basic civil liberties. You can't get much more fringe than this, but it's a view that's been moving into what now counts as the conservative "mainstream.

" And finally, from my own personal facebook page, I can' wait for you to help me respond to one of my conservative friends who asks, "Why are libs so afraid of Sarah Palin? And don't say you aren't, cause all I hear is how bad she is. If she was/is, then what is the worry, just ignore her." Please respond & comment!

Video Snippets - Sunday edition

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 14:11:32 -0500

A collection of some of my favorite video clips this week. Please post yours! Thanks

Health Care Reform Bill Passes House Of Representatives - 11/07/09

This evening, at 11:15 p.m., the House of Representatives voted to pass their health insurance reform bill. Despite countless attempts over nearly a century, no chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform. This is history. But you and millions of your fellow Organizing for America supporters didn't just witness history tonight -- you helped make it. Each "yes" vote was a brave stand, backed up by countless hours of knocking on doors, outreach in town halls and town squares, millions of signatures, and hundreds of thousands of calls. You stood up. You spoke up. And you were heard. So this is a night to celebrate -- but not to rest. Those who voted for reform deserve our thanks, and the next phase of this fight has already begun. The final Senate bill hasn't even been released yet, but the insurance companies are already pressing hard for a filibuster to bury it. OFA has built a massive neighborhood-by-neighborhood operation to bring people's voices to Congress, and tonight we saw the results. But the coming days will put our efforts to the ultimate test. Winning will require each of us to give everything we can, starting right now

Lewis Gordon Pugh has swum in every ocean in the world, and was the first person to swim at the North Pole, where the waters are below zero degrees centigrade (which is the freezing point for fresh water). Pugh uses his extreme swimming feats to shed light on issues of worldwide importance such as global warming. Pugh teaches us that you should strive to push yourself to your limits. Directed by Lasse Halström and based on the novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, DEAR JOHN tells the story of John Tyree (Channing Tatum), a young soldier home on leave, and Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried), the idealistic college student he falls in love with during her spring vacation.

...And wash it all down with Tiger Beer - Zip by Saatchi & Saatchi

Fear Loathing & Political Lesbians. Plus, mustaches!

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 17:11:09 -0500

When I came to Houston in the fall of 1985 to go to the University of Houston, Ronald Reagan was in the White House, and had never uttered the word AIDS. I quickly found my way to Houston's Montrose neighborhood with its cluster of gay bars, coffee shops and restaurants. Houston's first woman elected to city government, Kathy Whitmire, had been in office for three years.

As I gay man, I had many wonderful gay, straight & lesbian friends, who were very politically acitve and quickly begin to raise my social & political consciousness. They helped me understand how important/amazing/historic it was to see a woman calling the shots for them "good ole boys" down at City Hall. It was a post-Geraldine Ferraro & pre-Hillary Clinton kind of world.

Houston's 1985 mayoral election, in which Whitmire won reelection over former mayor Louie Welch and supporters of the "straight slate" ticket, attracted national attention. The Montrose area of Houston held the core of Whitmire's political support in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the 1991 Mayor of Houston election the sole area where the majority of residents voted for Whitmire was Montrose; she took 40% of the vote in Montrose precincts.

The years passed quickly; I finally left Houston in the 1990's and spent 10 + years in California and becoming quickly more politically aware/active/engaged.

Cut to my return to Houston in time to witness the historic election of Barack Obama. Houston had changed of course, and Montrose's quaint neighborhoods and quirky night spots have been gentrified and replaced with $500,000 townhomes & lofts. But some things have got better, (hello Discovery Green!) and now we are on the verge of electing Annise Parker our city's second woman mayor, and our first nation's first lesbian mayor.

City Controller Annise Parker and former City Attorney Gene Locke, the two candidates originally predicted by many to prevail at the race's outset, face each other in a Dec. 12 runoff. The unpredictable and unorthodox race for Houston mayor narrowed on November 3rd to a choice between a veteran City Hall insider trying to become Houston's first openly gay leader and a former civil rights activist hoping to become only the second African-American to run the nation's fourth-largest city.

The mayor's race has been notable for its civility and lack of focus on Parker's lifestyle. (Annise and her life partner, Kathy Hubbard, have been together since 1990. They have two children.) However, from the early months of this year, Parker and the other candidates focused almost exclusively on issues, policy ideas and endorsements. But many of their prescriptions for fixing the city's problems with crime, transportation and economic development differed only in nuance, leaving voters with little to distinguish one from the other.

I believe Annise Parker has what it takes to lead our city through tough economic times.

A businesswoman and neighborhood leader, Annise has served the people of Houston for the last 11 years – first on the City Council, and for the last five years as City Controller. She spent 20 years in the oil and gas industry before entering public service. Annise has worked closely with Mayor Bill White and many other leaders to keep our city moving forward – with sound economic policy, not divisive politics.

I still can't help but wonder, "Is Houston really ready for an openly lesbian mayor? My favorite shamanic janitor/SF Gate Columnist reminds us

Fear and homophobia, sadness and confusion have come 'round once more, chalked up yet another little victory, this time in the twee state of Maine, where the trees are exceedingly lovely this time of year, the seafood is world-famous and the people are generally warm and nondescript, entirely devoid of major news-making ability, except when the old, scared homophobes among them step out and vote. And then it's boom, hello, world! For about a second.

In sum, Maine voted against allowing two people who love each other very dearly to get married, thus delaying what everyone acknowledges is pretty much a foregone conclusion for a few more years, or at least until most of the bewildered homophobes of the older generations die off, Generation Facebook takes over and we all look back from the globally warmed perspective of 2020 and realize, holy sweet hell, how pathetic was all that gay marriage idiocy way back when?

I realize that Maine is a direct referendum on gay citizens rights, whereas Houston's mayoral contest only has a gay subplot; but it still reminds me that we can't take anything for granted.

Maine voted down gay marriage by three little percentage points, barely a blip that won't last long. Twenty years ago, the point spread would've been far larger. In fact, legal gay marriage was so unthinkable back then that it wouldn't have made it anywhere near a public vote in the first place. So you merely glance up at Maine and its ilk with a sad sigh, safe in the knowledge that fear and homophobia are just doing their typical, reactionary thing, throwing up an angry little roadblock and trying desperately to slow the progression of the human experiment

And speaking of lesbians, one of my favorite of the lipstick variety, Sandra Bernhard, popped up on HLN's Joy Behar Show talking about Carrie Prejean's Sex Tape & Gay Rights along with fellow comediennes Fran Drescher & Aisha Tyler.

Around 4:42 on Obama & gay marriage Aisha T: "Obama is our great half-white hope. People want him to do everything and he can't. Liberals and progressives have to be patient...we have two wars and people are going nuts!" Sandra B: "Ya know what? Weve had to be patient for eight years" At 8:31 on religious hypocrisy Joy B: "Why is it the loudest religious people are always the ones breaking the rules? Like Ted Haggard, Carrie Prejean..." Sandra B: "Because they're full of shame and fear. They're fear based!"

As promised, I present an opportunity for you to help raise awareness & support for men's prostate & testicular cancer. For a complete overview of the Movember Foundation, men's health, their beneficiary partners, research and programs that Movember funds please visit the Movember Foundation Site.

Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues - specifically prostate and testicular cancer. Watch a short intro to Movember by clicking on the video image below:

If you can, please help by my MoBro by making a small donation here. Tell him Fab 3 sent you!

The Prostate Cancer Foundation has a simple and urgent goal to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer by funding promising research programs that otherwise would not be able to find funding. The Lance Armstrong Foundation unites people to fight all cancers, believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.