It's Over!

Yes, We Did.

World AIDS Day 2007

Voices

Every once in a while you run across a bit of news that makes you stop and smile... not that this world isn't as mixed up as ever, but for a moment you can feel like everything is moving in the right direction. Students at Wilton High School in Wilton, CT had written a play, entitled Voices in Conflict, about the Iraq war featuring first-person accounts of soldiers serving there. Predictably, the play had upset some members of the community and school officials banned them from performing it, despite the students' attempts to revise the script to address the presented concerns. Nonetheless, the students were able to perform at an off-Broadway theatre in New York City, before a standing room only audience.

My point isn't to rant about the war -- regardless of my personal views, I understand that reasonable people can come to a variety of conclusions on the subject. I can also understand why families with brothers, sisters, sons and daughters serving in Iraq would have a tough time swallowing this. At the same time, I'm encouraged that a group of young people who were trying to give a voice to those they felt weren't being heard were able to find a voice of their own... despite the attempts to squelch them. Instead of merely accepting what other people told them to think about a controversial subject -- whether those voices were in support or against, they went out, explored the issue and formed their own opinions... and that is a very encouraging thing.

Soulforce Visits Notre Dame

The recent incarnation of the Soulforce Equality Ride made its first stop at my alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. As the video explains, several of the riders were issued citations by ND Security/Police and one current ND student who was walking with the riders was issued a disciplinary notice. While I find it disappointing that the current administration displayed such a hostile reaction and still refuses to recognize the students' Gay & Lesbian student group, AllianceND, from what I've heard, the University has made some progress in becoming a more accepting place for gay and lesbian students. Even if we haven't accomplished our goals, its important to recognize the progress we have made. Here's the Observer's writeup of Soulforce's visit.

Sometimes people need a hug...

World AIDS Day

HIV and AIDS affect us all. Over 40 million people are living with HIV right now, from all countries, from all walks of life. World AIDS Day is a time to stand up and support those who have been impacted, remember those we've lost and take action to show our leaders that it is time to stop the spread of AIDS and work even harder to find a cure. Stand up, speak out, make a difference.

Orgasm for Peace!

I know many voters in the US were upset with the occupation of Iraq, resulting in the Democrats' sweeping victory in the Congressional election. I'd like to think that this election will have some sort of effect on things, but for those of you who are wondering how you can do even more to bring about change, just what can you do? Donna Sheehan and Paul Reffell have an idea -- The Global Orgasm for Peace.

Reffell explained the idea behind the worldwide O: "The orgasm gives out an incredible feeling of peace during it and after it. Your mind is like a blank. It's like a meditative state. And mass meditations have been shown to make a change." Their goal is to have everyone in the world to have an orgasm on December 22 while focusing on World Peace. I think that's some social activism that I can definitely enthusiastically support.