Inspiration From Ireland and England

It was an Irish singer named Bob Geldof who first got an idea for musicians to help the famine in Africa in 1984.  He co-wrote a song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and it was recorded very successfully by Irish and British singers.  Then, an American singer and actor named Harry Belafonte, who was also a strong social activist, got an idea to do the same in the USA.  Some musicians were contacted and there was enthusiastic support....  For more information, people can read the blog entries below.

Fundraising and Awareness Projects

The "We Are The World" song was sung by a group of musicians who formed an organization called United Support of Artists/USA in 1985.  By their performance and some merchandise, they raised over $60 million for Africa.  And the following year, the same group organized a project called Hands Across America, which raised $34 million for hunger and homelessness in the United States.  It must've been very interesting!  People formed a human chain by holding hands all across the USA, from New York to California.  [There were necessarily some gaps but in other spots the lines were 5-10 people deep.]  I think these events were both phenomenal!  The musicians were generous and they inspired the public to get involved and to be generous also.  *** Of course, there was the "We Are The World 25" project [25th-anniversary in 2010] for the benefit of the Haiti earthquake but it was a spin-off of the original project.  It didn't seem to be quite as successful financially, to my knowledge, but it was nice they tried. 

Progress to Report

Have written under the Sexual Harassment and the Queen Lady labels that a group of police were believing me that the gay stories were false.  This was a little over a year ago.  And I wanted to say we've been working on issues behind the scenes ever since then....  Am not at liberty to tell what was being discussed, for more than one reason.  Also, sometimes it's like two steps forward and one step backward....  But we've made a lot of progress!  Really, I should feel encouraged, myself, and I'd like to encourage others also.  The above police group had first felt embarrassed when they realized the truth but they got over it.--They knew I'd forgive them because I respected them otherwise....  [It seemed to help that I offered to contribute 50% of my pay to a charitable cause of their choice.  But with our current tax rules in Canada, a large portion of the income can be donated to charity as it is.  I don't know....  We haven't followed through with anything regarding my pay yet.  But the police seemed to feel better and that was the main thing.]  

NOTE, added in March 2023:  Under the Queen Lady Label, readers can go to the March 1, 2010 post--"The Queen Lady--2010" if they want to understand the Queen Lady stories better....  The story is about a lady who started telling a false story that I was gay, when she barely knew me and had recently come into contact with my family and church friends....  She was talking to police in the special police project, without the knowledge of myself and her other acquaintances.  I've since said that I thought we made progress in getting past the story...but I've learned someone else was promoting the false story, and they had been promoting the Queen Lady....  As I said above, I'm not at liberty to discuss this matter in public, at this time.  There seem to be a number of reasons why people wanted to promote a gay story about me, including that if I've been willing to help with gay issues they were hoping I was gay; and that they'd been misled themselves by gay or bi-sexual police earlier....  It has also perhaps been a cover for the real work which was going on in promoting gay rights in North America, and throughout the world as far as possible...?  Sometimes people wonder if our work should be done soon, and I think so, but there are sometimes challenging situations for gays which other people don't know about....  It's complicated, I guess!?  And I feel I have to stick with these people until I get my pay--if I want to get paid [I've been working for a long time]....  When we resolve something, I'll get paid along with many other people who have been expecting pay....  SECOND NOTE:  In Hollywood, some of the stories about the "princess who became the queen" have had to do with the special police project.

My Pamphlet

There hasn't been much reaction from my church about the revised pamphlet I wrote.--Maybe we more or less covered the issues the first time!?  And that's fine.  I've taken a step of writing to one of our church magazines to see if they'd like me to write an article or not--even if they'd give me a small space in the news section for church members and churches?  It's up to them and I'll accept whatever they decide....  Otherwise, I'm still working with my other contacts and I expect something will be done as a group, which will be publicized at some point. 

My Church--continued

Have written about my church in January of this year.  Our new pastor has been supportive of me and we're in the process of discussing the issues.  We're thinking I could re-write the pamphlet I wrote for the church but I'm considering waiting until something gets settled with the police--if it's going to be settled in the near future?  [We'll see how things go with them....]

Gone From View?

On March 6, 2013, I last wrote about "Doc Hollywood" which is listed in my Labels in the sidebar.  I was wondering when his issues would be settled, although the main real-life person had already retired from his work at the hospital?  And I'm not sure what's going on, if anything--he has certainly been in the background if he's in the picture at all any more?  So, this subject doesn't seem to be a major concern any longer...? 

            NOTE, added in March 2023:  Have recently heard rumours that the Doc Hollywood psychiatrist HAS STILL BEEN advising for the special police project, even though he retired from his day jobs quite a while ago; and his health isn't good, but he still seems to be going!?  I wrote about this psychiatrist in a post on October 7, 2022 but wasn't able to include it in my Labels section....  

African Countries

There are some countries in the world where the practice of homosexuality is still against the law.  It was thought these laws were getting old and weren't being enforced very well but recently the government of Uganda brought in new anti-sodomy laws.  It was a little disappointing to hear about it and especially since some American Christians have allegedly been working to gain sympathy from African countries on anti-gay issues.  Uganda is facing a lot of pressure from other countries elsewhere and also from the United States government.  Have been doing research on Africa on the Internet and they have quite a different lifestyle there than we do in the western world!  Their issues are complicated....  ***  If homosexuality is no longer seen as a psychiatric illness--and it hasn't been since the 1970s sometime--I believe it's a psychological issue.--And a lot of us wouldn't want to be criminalized for psychological issues!!!  Myself, I don't believe in the practice of homosexuality but I don't want to see it being made into a crime.  In the USA, they got away from it recently and it's kind of sad to see some places going backwards.  [The country of Kenya is a neighbour of Uganda and they also seem to have active laws in place against homosexual acts.]  ***  Aren't there worse problems in the world that need time and attention??? 

Some Progress

In June 2009, in this blog, I stated that some parties were completely wanting to shut down this business.  But thankfully, since that time, some matters have been resolved and at least the same people aren't antagonistic any more!  We're still working with other parties.... 

My Church

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I recently prepared a written statement to be given out at my church on the subject of gay marriage.  My church is one of the ones which are quite conservative and which take a stand on homosexuality.  Some people who read my statement were very positive, including the pastor who was there at the time.  Both he and his wife said they learned to see the topic differently than they had before and they appreciated my effort.  A few other people were less positive but they haven't stopped being friendly to me.  In the past, my particular local church had a split because of homosexuality.  At this time, we have a new pastor and I've prepared an amendment for my statement.--Will see how it gets accepted?  But I probably won't change my own views, whether people agree with me or not.  [Am referring to the idea of supporting "gay marriage with religious exemptions," rather than supporting only "civil unions."  In my case, and as I've written in this blog, I've always supported the full equivalent-to-married legal rights, regardless of what name I was calling it.] 

Religious Exemptions, or Not???

Do religious exemptions apply to individuals who provide supplies or services for weddings?  No, the exemptions only apply to those who officiate marriages.  For example, florists, photographers, and caterers, etc. aren't allowed to refuse service based on conscience.  If these people have concerns, I'd suggest for them to support their churches and support their fellow members and guests with their issues....  [Not to say we should pressure anyone to change.--It doesn't work.]  And otherwise, I believe we should show some compassion for gay couples and not object to their efforts at making stable homes together.  *** Can conservative Christians support religious exemptions while at the same time showing support for gay marriage?  Yes, I believe it's possible....  [People can read more in my blogs if they wish to know more.]  *** If people think I'm mistaken, they're welcome to give me their feedback.  But I believe I've gone over the issues quite thoroughly. 

My Mother's Views

My mother is quite elderly and is becoming more frail but I've discussed my views on gay marriage with her.  Earlier, she helped me come up with the term "legal partnership," although it may have been used elsewhere by others?  More recently, I've prepared a written statement on gay marriage to be shared with members of our church and I wanted to know what my mom thought of it?  She read it over quickly and then said she agreed with "what the Bible says."  I asked her which part of the Bible she was referring to?--And she said, "'It is not good that man should be alone!'"  So, I thought that was a good answer!  And I guess she wanted to agree with what I'd written about gay marriage!  [She needs a slight update at this time but I don't think she'll disapprove.]  ***  Otherwise, my mom has said she's too old to deal with my legal matters any more.  She seems to say something to her friends and relatives, however, and I haven't always been sure what she was talking about?--She didn't seem to want to tell me everything!?  But at least I wanted to be clear on what she was saying about gay marriage.  Some people have also had an interest in her views, since we're both religious people and whatever.