Here is, quite possibly, the ultimate lesson of life

Here is, quite possibly, the ultimate lesson of life... brought to you in a simple conversation. I wonder how many people might recognize/remember the speech. This is the transcript.

2 people, R and T are talking:


R: Don't take it personally, its just his opinion. I've learned this long ago: what other people think of me is none of my business. But I want to say you're beautiful. That's the reason you're here. Can I hug you right now? You're here because you're so fabulous, please don't forget that. It's about creative people, who are saying “I'm gonna do my own thing.' and inspire other people to do that, and I think you're doing that. Its not easy, its not easy. It's almost an act of treason in a male dominated society. So we're gonna be up against a lot of criticism.

T: So why feed into that negativity, though?

R: Its there. It's just part of the experience.

T: Why do we have to be the negative asshole? Why can't we be the Pollyannas?

R: This is a competition, there are polar opposites. If we all just said you're fabulous, you're fabulous, you're amazing, you're amazing... there's nothing to it.

T: Because I am amazing!

R: You are!

T: But why are you giving me so much negativity?

R: Because you forgot it, you forgot you are amazing. If you take on someone else's negativity, its because, goddamnit, you forgot it! Its not my responsibility to make you feel good all the time. You're not a loser, that's why you're here today! You forgot who you were... we didn't forget, you forgot! You forgot, Tammy, you forgot that you're fabulous. Don't blame me for that! That's your fucking responsibility. And that's the same for all of you, the reason you're here is because you're all goddamn stars! How many times do we have to put that in your head? You're a fucking star! Don't let anybody tell you that you're not! If I had a nickel for every time somebody said to me 'you can't become a star' I'd have a million billion dollars! I know what I am, I don't forget who I am, and that's true for all of you. Never forget! Everyone's gonna tell you “no, you can't do it, you can't do it, you can't do it” but that's because they're projecting their negativity onto you! Now, we can't tell you that, because you won't believe it. You have to earn it. You have to own it yourself. I'm telling you now so we can end this conversation. You have to own it yourself, Dorothy. “Why did you tell me all we had to do was click our heels three times?” Because goddamnit, you wouldn't believe me! And that's why you're here. You're in this competition so that you own it, you own it. So that you process it, you process it. “Oh, they're saying bad things about me.” Own it, own it, and then you get to the understanding that “Oh, that wasn't me, that was their shit. That had nothing to do with me. That was them!” And then you own it. You know what... every time that happens to you in life, the time it takes for you to catch yourself gets shorter and shorter. Does that negativity ever go away, that self-doubt, does it go away? No, it doesn't go away. We can't tell you this, you have to walk through the fire. You walk through the fire, then you own it, and you can go” “Come for me, bitches! Come for me. You can say whatever you want, because you know why? I'm motherfucking fierce!”.

A new LGBT study at UD

We want to talk to to LGTBQ young adults about the importance of social support in the lives of sexual minory adolescents.


* What was it like to grow up gay/lesbian?

* What were your relationships with your parents, peers and teachers like?

* As a teen, did you ever experience general peer victimization and/or victimization related to anti-gay harassment?

* Did your parents, peers, and/or teachers respond to your experiences of victimization and anti-gay harassment?

* Was there anything your parents, peers and/or teachers could have done or done in a different way that was supportive?

We want to hear about your experiences!!!


Please consider participating in this research project. We would like to interview young adults 18-24 who currently self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning to further understand the experiences of sexual minority youth.

Your story and experiences are very valuable! Your insights can help us understand the needs and concerns of sexual minority adolescents, and your experiences can help affect policies to better serve teens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or uncertain of their sexual identity.

Please contact Deeanna M. Button, M.A.
University of Delaware
dmbutton@gmail.com
(302-276-0890)

"The Delaware GLU"

Like I said before, the speech was coming. Well, here it is.
Again, Ignite Wilmington is a conference set up showcase the forward thinkers of the city.
After watching this video, please subscribe to "IgniteWilmo" on YouTube to see the rest of the videos from that night.
If ever you have questions, comments, concerns or events to be announced, email me at delawareglu.gmail.com
Thanks so much for your support this far,
Joe.

School Must Pay Constance $81K

The Advocate Magazine

The Advocate Magazine reports:
The Mississippi school district that canceled a high school prom because a lesbian student wanted to bring her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo was ordered to pay $81,000 in legal fees to the student, Constance McMillen.

Here's a really fascinating article

Psychology Today Magazine

See no Race, See no Gay: What Proponents of a Gay-Blind Approach to Bullying in the Schools can Learn from Race Relations....
Why the gay-blind approach to bullying won't work.

Billy Elliot- Expressing Yourself

This is amazing.

Eartha Kitt- "Burned as a Witch"

Happy (early) Halloween!!!
This is a surprisingly cute video.
I appreciate the time it took just editing it together... Enjoy!

Upcoming this Weekend

Upcoming this Weekend:

1. Poker Night (Delaware Pride)
2. Haven's "Big O" Bingo
3. Ladies of the 80's "Halloween Spooktacular"
4. Bingo a Go-Go
5. Hayride with Haven
...................................................


1. Poker Night (Delaware Pride)

Its Po-po-po-po Poker Night!!!

Friday, October 22 from 7-9:00 pm

Come out and Play Texas Hold'em Poker. The proceeds go to benefit Delaware Pride. There is a Bounty Tournament starting at 7PM, Buy in is $35, $5 is the Bounty, $10 to the Prize Pool and $10 goes to Delaware Pride. There are also cash games. It's just like playing at the casino but in a friendly environment. Instead of the rake of the pot going to the casino it goes to the charity. For more info the Lounge number is 302-521-3849.

Middletown Sports Lounge
366 East Main St
Middletown, DE

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2. Haven's "Big O" Bingo

Friday, Oct. 22 7:00pm

Trabant Multi-purpose Room
Newark, DE

Dear University of Delaware, I'm fairly certain that you love at least one of the following:

1. Helping victims of domestic violence
2. Playing Bingo
3. Winning sex toys
4. Faking Orgasms.... in public!


Lucky for you, V-Day is providing you with an opportunity to do ALL FOUR OF THESE THINGS.

That's right! Big O Bingo is BACK! So come out and join us for a night of fun and sexy ACTIVISM!!

Proceeds will go towards Abriendo Puertas - a shelter for immigrant women that provides temporary housing for victims of violence AND runs a 24-hour bi-lingual Domestic Violence Hotline.

Suggested Donations:
$2 for 1 card
$5 for 3 cards

AND - get excited - the cards can be used AGAIN AND AGAIN. Just like the vibrators you could win! And hopefully like the types of orgasms you experience.


**NEW ANNOUNCEMENT**

Haven will be raffling off a BRAND SPANKING NEW IPOD!! I've seen it folks, ant it's REAL hot. BE THERE.

........................................................

3. Ladies of the 80's "Halloween Spooktacular"

Saturday Oct 23
9:30 pm

Cube Restaurant & Bar
16 Marrows Road
Newark, DE

We'll be doing 80s and non-80s songs, lots of fun songs for Halloween! Featuring Anita Mann, Karyn Thomas, Lady Lords. MUCH more than a drag show! Halloween goodie bags to the first 80 people, three $75 costume prizes, 13 great gift bags to lucky winners, and a 50/50! $5 cover at the door, or buy tickets in advance: www.cuberestaurant.com. Why not come in early for a great dinner?!?

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4. BINGO A GO-GO

Sunday Oct 24
6:00pm

Cranston Heights Fire Co
3306 Kirkwood Hwy
Wilmington, DE

Bingo-A-Go-Go is a joint fundraiser of AIDS Delaware, Delaware Pride, and the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.

Bingo is held in Rehoboth at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and in Wilmington at Cranston Heights Firehall. See the location based upon the event date. Doors open at 6:00 PM with the first game called at 7:00 PM. You must be at least 14 to enter and 18 to play. Alcohol is not permitted at Bingo-A-Go-Go.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door (10 Games). Food and Beverages are available during the games. For more information call (302) 652-6776 and ask for John Klein, or email him at jklein@aidsdelaware.org.

...........................................................

5. Hayride with Haven

Sunday Oct 24
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

This Sunday, instead of our regularly scheduled meeting, Haven is getting in the fall spirit and car-pooling to go to the hayride in Elkton, Maryland, which is only about 15 minutes from campus. Everyone should meet at Trabant Circle at 3:00 pm, although drivers (who have/need to fill out drivers forms) should be there at 2:40 pm. The hayride and bonfire is scheduled from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, so we will return shortly after that. But also, it's FREE! PLEASE drop by the Haven office to sign up if you want to come.

So come hang out with amazing people, make some awesome memories, and, well, that's really all life's all about. ;)

(oct 22) Poker Night for Pride

Its Po-po-po-po Poker Night!!!

October 22 from 7-9:00 pm

Come out and Play Texas Hold'em Poker. The proceeds go to benefit Delaware Pride. There is a Bounty Tournament starting at 7PM, Buy in is $35, $5 is the Bounty, $10 to the Prize Pool and $10 goes to Delaware Pride. There are also cash games. It's just like playing at the casino but in a friendly environment. Instead of the rake of the pot going to the casino it goes to the charity. For more info the Lounge number is 302-521-3849.

Middletown Sports Lounge
366 East Main St
Middletown, DE

Why Delaware GLU exists...

On October 7, Delaware GLU was presented to an audience of about 150 people at the Ignite Wilmington conference.
"Ignite Wilmington is an information exchange for fostering and inspiring Wilmington’s creative community. In one evening, you’ll hear passionate speakers from our creative and technical communities talking about interesting current projects or favorite ideas for just five minutes. Presentations will educate and inspire you, and maybe even make you laugh in the process."
-- from their website: www.ignitewilmington.com


The Speech:
DelawareGLU is Delaware's first Gay/Lesbian news blog. It's a blog I've started in an attempt to bring order to the gay community of DE. Online, you can find it at: delawareglu.blogspot.com... the G.L.U. stands for Gays and Lesbians United ... because we've got to stick together!

This was a concept I was thinking of doing for a while.
I had known about a website in Philadelphia that listed upcoming events and miscellaneous information in regard to the gay population. This was my primary inspiration.

After thinking about it, I came to realize that Wilmington could pull this off, but there's more to Wilm's population that simply those in Wilmington: there's Hockessin, Newark, there's even Middletown. All of whom live close enough that they are willing to drive here and be patrons of the city. This is paralleled in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisex, transgender) community. So I couldn't ignore events at UD, Dover, or Rehoboth, which is a nationally renowned gay destination.

Consequentially, for this to be successful, I had to make this calendar be all-encompassing to the state of DE. This is possible because Delaware is a small state. There are about 7 or 8 primary LGBT organizations and each of these organizations have their own separate mission statement. I would notice on Facebook, Facebook being a common ground to make your announcements, these groups would post their events. It saddened me that some of these events would go unnoticed because many people don't even know these groups exist (COLAGE or PFLAG). There were so many amazing things happening independently from one another with little to no support from other groups, and they all just needed some form of ...glue!

So I decided to start a blog. My theory was: If nobody else will, then I guess I have to! I decided to take the initiative and make it my responsibility. After talking to Michelle K Fitzgerald, primary blogger for DE Arts, she requested to meet up and helped me set it up.

It's still a very grassroots concept, it's no giant organization, but I think it can be a platform for greater things. When you visit, you'll see I post up events from the local organizations, anything regarding LGBT news, or any random fun stuff (videos, music etc). Now that it exists, Delawareans have a place they can go to stay informed!

After a few months passed, I decided to take advantage of FB to create a page for DEGLU because that's pretty much where the public goes. We just reached 200 fans; I can see us having more, but it might take time.

This is ultimately a way to use technology such as the internet at its best to connect the gay community. Compared to the LGBT community 10 to 15 years ago, Wilmington's current LGBT community is broken. I hear from older residents they had 3 gay bars in the downtown area and the Pride festival was held in Rodney Square! The thought of that almost seems like a joke, we have one gay bar and its hard to create community when it seems people don't want to be around each other.

In January, I sent a questionnaire to 300 people, both friends and strangers, asking for their opinion of how to generate community spirit. A large majority of the responses were wishes that we could have just one building or one cafe to call our own. Since then, I've been toying with the idea of starting an LGBT community center right here in Wilmington. There's one in Rehoboth, but that's in Rehoboth.


A community is a group of people who live in the vicinity of the area. It's a group of people who have some connection, some sense of family, but many of these people are strangers to one another its sad when Wilmington has a good amount of great people.

Before I finish, I simply would like to take a moment to inject that I'm 25 years old. Although I may be young, I hope my age is perceived as an advantage. I'm essentially the future of this city. So by being involved now, I have the potential to develop this city into what I see it looking like and that's half the reason I got involved.

This is exactly the reason Ignite exists. It's all about motivated people, motivating people

Finally I'd like to say Thanks to the people at Ignite for inviting me.
Have a good night.

Dan Choi Reenlists in the Army

Lt. Dan Choi, who was honorably discharged by the U.S. Army in July under "don't ask, don't tell," is in New York seeking to apply for entry into the U.S. Marine Corps — the same day a Pentagon spokeswoman said that military recruiters have been informed they must accept gay applicants.

Choi tweeted on Tuesday that he is "Headed to Times Square Recruiting Station" and told The Advocate he expects to meet gay rights advocate David Mixner at the recruiting office as well as Justin Elzie, who was honorably discharged under DADT in 1997.
Read the article here:
The Advocate

A Discussion of LGBT Youth Needs

In response to the recent string of suicides by sexual minority teens, and noting an apparent lack of services for this population, AIDS Delaware is hosting a forum to discuss the needs of young LGBT people and available services (and gaps in service) in Delaware. Please join us!

WHAT: A discussion of LGBT Youth needs, services available, and gaps in service

WHEN: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, from 10am to 12pm

WHERE: Community Service Building, 100 West 10th Street, Room 6, Wilmington, DE 19801

We recognize that young LGBT people live across the state, and that many service providers from Kent and Sussex Counties may be unable to attend this meeting. If you are a service provider from one of our southern counties and you would like to tell us about a need that you see or a service you provide, please send that information to me and I will be happy to share it. Once we see how this discussion goes, we may host additional sessions in a more centralized location.

PLEASE RSVP to me (email preferred – jklein@aidsdelaware.org) by Monday, October 18th if you plan to attend. Also, please feel free to share this notice with others who may be interested.

Thank you,
John

--
John Klein
Executive Director
AIDS Delaware
100 West 10th Street
Suite 315
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone - (302)652-6776 x206
Fax - (302)652-5150
jklein@aidsdelaware.org

“We are all HIV+” ~Diamanda Galas

Josh Groban - You Are Loved

The lyrics of this song speak to so many people from so many facets of the world.

"Everybody wants to be understood, well I can hear you.
Everybody wants to be loved. Don't give up, because you are loved."

"You are loved.
Don't give up.
It's just the weight of the world.
Don't give up.
Every one needs to be heard.
You are loved"


No matter what you're feeling, look around, there's a world of people you might not know who would be willing to support you. Simply put, it gets better. You are loved.

FCKH8.com Straight Talk About Gay Marriage

Children swearing is always fun.

This Sunday: COLAGE's Meet and Greet

Sunday, October 17 · 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location First & Central Presbyterian Church
1101 Market Street, Rodney Square
South Wilmington, DE

More Info **NEW**

We are expanding to a teen group - so come on out and meet others with families just like yours!!

**NEW**

COLAGE is the only national youth-driven network that connects people with an LGBTQ parent to a community of peers. Living in a world that treats our family differently can be isolating or challenging.

By connecting with others who share our experience, COLAGE helps us ...appreciate that our difference is our strength. With the realization, we become leaders and advocates who make change that happens.

PFLAG Meeting Tonight (oct 14)

October 14
7:00 pm

Westminster Presbyterian Church
(corners of 13th and Rodney sts)

Monthly PFLAG Meeting
(Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

Here's there link:
PFLAG Delaware

News Journal covers the Candlelit Vigil

Thanks again to those who organized it, those who spoke, and those who came. Your love was palpable. Keep those candles burning in your hearts.


News Journal covers the Candlelit Vigil



Homophobic harassment and bullying have been linked to the suicides nationwide in the past six weeks of 11 male students who were gay or presumed to be gay by classmates.

The vigil coincided with the 12-year anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard. Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming, was tied to a fence in a remote area of Laramie, beaten and left for dead. Dan Cole, president of Haven, an LGBT advocacy group at the University of Delaware, lit a candle for Shepard and 11 more for the teens who committed suicide in recent weeks.

Speakers shared their stories of being ridiculed because of their sexual orientation, and many came forward to tell how close they came to committing suicide because they felt hated and alone.

Musings of a Torn Girl

Musings of a Torn Girl

Today, I am torn. For the past few days, I’ve watched my friend’s status update on facebook counting down to National Coming Out Day: “I’m coming out for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.” It’s stance to fight inequality and harassment, and promote self and community acceptance. It’s a sentiment I want to get behind. What am I supposed to do today? Am I supposed to speak up? I have a husband. I have a child. I am an active member of my religious community. However, I am also bisexual. This isn’t an idea I’ve just come to or a passing fancy. It is part of who I am. I am not confused or searching. I am thirty and I’ve known my whole life. My husband knows, my good friends know, and I’m sure if you told my acquaintances they wouldn’t be surprised. Yet, I’m not prepared to post it on a status update or sign my name to this post. Why?
Being bisexual simply isn’t acceptable to either side. Gays and lesbians assume I’m hiding behind a straight life and heterosexuals think I’m simply sex-crazed or trying to fulfill the fantasy of some heterosexual male. I am neither. I didn’t choose my sexuality. I didn’t choose who I love. I fell in love with a man and I married him. I could have easily fallen for a woman. Still, the thought of posting—I am bisexual-- makes me uncomfortable. When we fight for gay rights, we are fighting for equality and acceptance. We fight for people’s right to love and create and create a life with another human being. I already have that life. I already love someone. Furthermore, if I come out as bisexual, what I’m really revealing is my sexual desires. I don’t think the world needs to know my sexual desires.
Thus, I remain torn.

I AM WHAT I AM - La Cage aux Folles

Happy National Coming Out Day!

Indigo Girls - Galileo

Coming to the Grand Opera House (Wilmington, DE) Oct. 20, 2010 @ 8:00
The Indigo Girls

Natalie Merchant - My Skin

Coming to the Grand Opera House in Wilmington
October 19, 2010 at 8:00

NATALIE MERCHANT!!!

CNN reports on The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project
To reach the Trevor Lifeline, call 866-4-U-TREVOR.

"Welcome to one of the two national call centers for The Trevor Lifeline, America's only 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention hot line for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youths. The lifeline is a cornerstone of The Trevor Project, a broader nonprofit dedicated to promoting acceptance of LGBTQ youths and to preventing suicides.

Between this center and another on the East Coast -- at least one is open at all times -- about 30,000 calls are fielded each year. They come from young people struggling with who they are and those who feel desperately alone. They are from kids who've been kicked out of their homes and those whose friends have rejected them. They are from students being tormented by text messages and, at times, those who are poised with a bottle of pills or a gun."

That's Gay!

If you boys didn't already know, here's a little nugget of wisdom.
(Ladies, you're exempt)
Enjoy!

Upcoming events

1. DE Pride Community Meeting
2. Drag Show at La Boom
3. DE Renaissance Meeting
4. Haven's Drag Show
5. Draggalicious
6. GLBT appreciation at Hanover Presbyterian Church
...........................................................
Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010

DE Pride Community Meeting
Held on the 1st Thursday of Every Month @ 7:00 PM
at the New Ark United Church of Christ
300 East Main St., Newark, DE

If you can't make the meeting, join us for dinner.
To find us, call 302-563-7946

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Thursday Oct 7, 2010
Drag Show at La Boom

3421 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington DE 19808
$5 before 10:30, $10 after 10:30

Featuring: Dior Douglas, Daria, Jenny Nicole and Paige Turner

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Saturday, Oct 9, 2010
Delaware Renaissance Meeting

Doors open at 8:00 pm and the meeting starts at 8:30 pm at the First Unitarian Church, 730 Halstead Road, in Talleyville.

The entrance is in the rear at the Youth Enrichment Center. Our meetings are open to all who seek education about the transgendered community, or support in a safe, secure, nonsexual environment: crossdressers, transvestites, transsexuals, transgenderists, their families and friends, and interested professionals.

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Saturday Oct 9, 2010

Haven's Drag Show
@7:00pm

Come to Haven's biggest event of the year, our annual Drag Show! Co-sponsored by SGA, RSA, SCPAB, HOLA, NEDAC, Greek Council, RSA, and Women's Studies, Haven is bringing in professional drag queens for the performance of the year, and you've never seen anything more fierce or fabulous.

This year will feature host and performer Sahara Davenport, who was a contestant on the reality competition show RuPaul's Drag Race!

Tickets will be sold at the door, $7 with a UD ID and $10 without.

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Sunday Oct 10, 2010.... 8:00pm.

Draggalicious at Theater N

The movie discussed the issues of transgenders acceptance in the society, as well as the public concerns in LGBT community.

Don't miss the World Premiere of "DRAGGILICIOUS" at Theater N in Wilmington, DE on 10/10/2010 @ 8 PM. See you there.

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Sunday Oct 10, 2010
A celebration of LGBT diversity

Hanover Presbyterian--at corners of Baynard Blvd, 18th, and Jefferson--for the 2nd year will devote 4 Sundays to celebrating GLBT Diversity beginning 19 Sept through 10 Oct. Adult Sunday School (11:40 a.m.) will have a different speaker or panel each Sunday, Worship will include music and sermon, and... the series culminates in a concert at 3 p.m., 10 Oct, with the theme "Gay-Straight Alliance" with readers and performers both gay and straight. Performers include Michael Hunter, Angie Robinson, Chris Berg, Brian Gray, myself, Rainbow Chorale, and readers from AIDS Delaware, Just For Youth, PFLAG, Hanover, Delaware Pride will read texts from the musical Get Used To It by Tom Wilson Weinberg...great poems. All are free; please join us!

An Important Message - From Ellen DeGeneres (Gay Suicide)