Reasonably Logical

We’re coming up on the holiday (and for me, birthday) season once again. To anticipate some questions, I’m throwing up my wish list here. Unlike last year, there are some physical things for myself on here. Having said that, a gift in the form of a charitable donation will always be appreciated.

First, I’m looking to get a small electronic picture frame. Something that I can use to display my pictures of family and friends on my desk at home.

Second, I’ve got a list of programming books I’m slowly making my way through.

Finally, I’m trying to rebuild my collection of backpacking equipment. (Next up: A new stove, and a small pack) A gift card to REI Inc or Outdoor Sports Center would be greatly appreciated. Given how picky I am when it comes to gear, please do not try to buy me anything directly.

I was on the phone this morning with MorningStar and got a very pleasant surprise. Before ending the call, the representative I spoke with - Carrie - took a moment to give me her direct dial extension. I had not asked for it, nor would have given the simple issue I called with, but it was a very nice touch none the less. Its nice to see that some companies are still making a concerted effort to be customer friendly.

I seem to be witting a lot of these posts in the last couple of weeks.

Maine has just passed a same sex marriage bill today. Like Vermont, it passed through the legislative process. It was signed by the governor this morning. So now we have 5 states with same sex marriage. (Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine)

Washington DC recently passed a bill that would require the district to recognize same sex marriages performed in other states. Not quite as good as doing it at home, but given the unique legal position DC holds - Congress has veto rights on all of its laws - its still a major event.

If you’ve read the news today - particularly the gay news - you may have discovered that Amazon has “chosen” to remove all gay & lesbian items from their best seller lists. Now, usually I’d be the first to complain about something like this, but I’m also a programmer. As such, the possibility that it might actually be a bug as Amazon claims isn’t that hard to believe. Writing a new algorithm - which they’ve clearly done - always brings with it the risk of mistakes and bugs. I’m not saying that that is what has happened, but you know? I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt for now.

Now, if they haven’t fixed the issue in a week or two, that’s when I’m going to get upset.

Dear Friends:

As the movement to protect New York City’s LGBTQI homeless youth continues to gain momentum, there are three more ways you can help protect the futures of thousands of LGBTQI homeless youth:

- Sign the international petition to Save New York City LGBTQI Youth Shelters! The petition has gained support from allies from 26 countries and 27 states who have called on DYCD to reverse its inhumane decision to cut funding for LGBTQI youth shelters. Invite friends, family, and co-workers to sign with you in order to tell legislators that LGBTQI youth are worth our best efforts, both locally and globally.

-Join our Facebook Cause Page. Creating and sustaining community is central to sending the unified message that the futures of homeless LGBTQI youth matter. By joining the Cause, we can tell friends and policymakers that an attack on LGBTQI youth is a threat to us all.

-Make a donation to help sustain youth services at Sylvia’s Place. Amid funding deliberations, we continue to serve over 60 youth a day, 365 days a year. Help us ensure that our youth are receiving the medical care, food, shelter and assistance that they need to help move them towards self-sufficiency, and away from jail or worse. Despite the threats from DYCD, we will continue to remain a haven and a source of stability for the youth we serve.

As always, your support is integral to ensuring that New York City does not cut costs at the expense of vulnerable youth. Please take a moment to tell legislators across the City and around the world that homeless LGBTQI youth deserve our best efforts.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Senior Pastor
MCCNY

William Moran-Berberena, Executive Director
MCCNY Charities

Lucky Michaels, Director
MCCNY Homeless Youth Services

Frances Wood, Administrator
MCCNY Charities

Join Our Mailing List

According to the Associated Press, Vermont became the first state to legislatively enact same-sex marriage today. Impressively, the state legislature overrode a veto by the governor. Now that is what I call a solid base of support.

Vermont is the fourth state with same-sex marriage. (Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa are the other three.) From the look of it, the District of Columbia might be next. The DC Council today passed a bill which would recognize same sex marriages performed in other states. However, because of DC’s unique legal position, Congress could still scuttle this. Other states in the running include New York, New Jersey, & Hawaii.

On a related note, it looks like the Iowa Supreme Court case legalizing same-sex marriage from last week is safe from legislative challenge.

Just read my email and discovered that the Iowa Supreme court has upheld a lower court ruling which legalizes same-sex marriage. Even better, the decision has wording which is about as good as could be expected. Honestly, I’m a tad disappointed that Illinois wasn’t first*, but I’m still going to celebrate tonight!

Unanimous ruling: Iowa marriage no longer limited to one man, one woman
Des Moines Register, April 3, 2009
A very fairly balanced article on the decision and reactions from either side.

Lambda Legal’s Response

NGLTF’s Response

* What can I say, I’m still an Illinoisan at heart. Four years there corrupted me.

Today, Love Makes a Family - the organization that has been instrumental in obtaining same-sex marriage in Connecticut - announced that it would be closing its doors. Their letter to members stated that the organization will be closing its doors on December 31, 2009.

Having accomplished our core mission, Love Makes a Family has begun preparations to cease operations on December 31, 2009, allowing our staff, board and community of supporters to focus their energies on the myriad of community issues still facing our state and country.

We are absolutely confident that marriage equality is here to stay in Connecticut. We would never close our doors if we felt otherwise.

I have to say that I will be sorry to see the organization close. I had hoped that they would transition into a broader LGBT family organization and work on behalf of LGBT families in our state. I do however respect their reasons for discontinuing the organization. Anne, Matt, Ganon and everyone else, thank you for your years of effort. Your efforts have been much appreciated. I look forward to working with you all in future endeavors.

Homeless Youth
Rally at City Hall to Tell NYC that Homeless Youth Matter!

City Hall Park
Tuesday, March 31st
3:45 PM - 5:30 PM

We’ll meet at the north side of City Hall Park at 3:45 PM.
Make noise!
Bring signs!
Tell the City that the futures of homeless youth matter!

FIND OUT MORE

Visit our Facebook Event Page

Last week, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development slashed funding for homeless youth shelters, in a wave of funding cuts that promise to cripple youth shelters across the city in the coming year.

Thousands of youth will be forced to return to living on the street if we don’t ACT NOW.

Join us in the fight to save the futures of the city’s homeless youth!

Thank you for your support as we fight for the future and dignity of this community.

The following is an action alert that I received from Sylvia’s Place homeless shelter at which I volunteer. Essentially, they just lost *ALL* of their operating funding for next year. So did most of the other LGBT specific programs in NYC. Please take a moment, read the below, and call one of the city council members mentioned at the bottom.

URGENT:
LGBTQ Youth Shelters Face Threat of Closure Following DYCD Funding Refusal

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has slashed funding for LGBTQ runaway and homeless youth programs, in a wave of funding cuts that promise to cripple LGBTQ homeless youth services across the city in the coming year. By refusing funding requests for LGBTQ youth programs at MCCNY Homeless Youth Services: Sylvia’s Place, Bronx Community Pride and cutting funds by 2/3 for Green Chimneys’ LGBTQ program, DYCD has jeopardized the futures of thousands of homeless LGBTQ youth who will be forced to live on the streets for months while waiting for beds at mainstream shelters, where they face harassment and violence due to their sexual orientation. DYCD has further threatened the wellbeing of LGBTQ clients who depend upon LGBTQ homeless youth organizations for food, clothing, medical care and case management services.

There are currently only 75 beds citywide for LGBTQ homeless youth, though over 35% of the city’s homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. The Metropolitan Community Church of New York operates Sylvia’s Place, which houses 26 LGBTQ youth beds and serves over 1000 youth every year. The city’s unwillingness to acknowledge the critical work of Sylvia’s Place and other LGBTQ -specific youth shelters will lead to a collapse in the shelter system citywide, making it impossible for homeless youth of all orientations to secure the housing and services they need.

If DYCD gets away with this, then the 75 beds that New York City currently has for LGBTQ youth could be cut to less than 49 BEDS for LGBTQ youth in a city where, according to a New York City Council-funded survey, over1000 LGBTQ youth are homeless every night.

Tell DYCD and your legislators that the futures of homeless LGBTQ youth matter!

MCCNY Homeless Youth Services, Green Chimneys, Bronx Community Pride and many more depended on these funds and will be losing ground if DYCD does not consider their proposals now!

Please direct your comments to:

Council Member Lewis A. Fidler
718-241-9330
LFidler@council.nyc.gov

Council Member Alan J. Gerson
212-788-7722

Council Member Gale Brewer
212-873-0282*

Updates:
* The correct person to speak with is Shula Warren. Her direct phone is 212-788-6975. Her email is shula(dot)warren(at)council (dot) nyc (dot) gov.