Begin rant.
In the Kentucky senate, a committee voted 8-0 to ban any extension of benefits to same-sex partners for state employees. (Read more here.) While I think it's discriminatory and wrong, I can at least understand the logic of states who have decided to prohibit gay marriage or civil unions. I can at least understand the (erroneous) assumptions and (irrational) fear hyper-conservatives are using in these cases. But this move in Kentucky is the latest in a new and baffling step in the lunacy of our nation's increasing gay panic.
This law would mean that universities, such as the University of Louisville, would not be ALLOWED to extend health insurance and other partner benefits to same-sex partners. The University of Kentucky plans to extend such benefits in the Spring too. The same thing happened in Michigan, where the issue is now on its way to the state supreme court. I just don't understand how a few more people having health insurance is bad for a state. Or how it hurts "traditional" marriage. Or how a state can justify preventing people for paying to get insurance. Isn't having a larger pool of members good for an insurance group? Isn't access to health care supposed to be a pretty damned good idea no matter who you are? And for the record, only 8 people signed up when the University of Louisville offered the benefit. It's not going to break the bank, folks.
Would such legislation even be considered if sexual orientation weren't the issue? What if we tried to say state employees, including university and school district employees, couldn't put their partner on their insurance if they were Asian? Or Methodist? If you can afford health insurance, you should be allowed access to it. Of course, I'm also just crazy enough to think that EVERYONE should have access to health care and/or insurance, not just those who can currently afford it.
I just don't understand why health insurance, a library card, access to the gym, or reduced tuition rates are such a scary thing to uber-conservatives. "My god...if they get Blue Cross/Blue Shield, what's next?" "Homos with prescription co-pays will destroy the moral fabric of America!" "We must protect the institution of deductibles from these deviants!"
End rant.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Love makes a family, part 4
Yes, it's been 3 weeks since I posted. I've been sick, delivered flowers, and been running amok. (Amok, amok, amok...) But I'm back now. :) Happy Mardis Gras...make sure you drink excessively in honor of my drag persona!
Tessa - I'm her gay boyfriend, and she's my "straight" girlfriend. A whiz in the kitchen, her dinner parties and culinary treats are near legendary. We love to go dancing together, watch sappy movies, and definitely boy watch! She guards her hubby Mark jealously, as well she should. She's a fabulous enabler, and helps me objectify her brother-in-law every chance she gets. I miss her, as she now lives far too near the land of Mor-mon.
Greg - My faboo clone in Chicago! We met when he was here in Laramie speaking on GLBT issues. He started as a university employee who became the de facto queer expert on campus, and then turned it into a career speaking. Sound familiar? We're collaborating on a book project we hope to do with the Matthew Shepard Foundation. We can't wait until we can be together for another Broadway sing-along, either in Denver or Chicago! Sidetracks was such a hoot, and so is Greg!
Brendon - I figured I better put him in this batch of folks or he'll kick my ass. ;) G-Log is one of my favorite straight boys. He's more than willing to take the good-natured sexual harassment I can dish out on occasion, and is also willing to flirt right back! He's a lot of fun on the handball court, and there's the added bonus of seeing him in his workout clothes. ;) And as my friend Jess would say, "He's got good politics." Not mention a slamming hot girlfriend, who's also a faboo person.
Abra - Better known as Nerdygirl, I think she might still be in recovery from her time as my house girl. Whether randomly making pancakes (or seeking them out in Seattle), drinking beer on my roof, or rescuing "the boys," Nerdy was a true friend indeed. She's one of the many folks who have crashed at Jim's Halfway House for Frazzled Freaks, and is one of the select who are as at home in my place as they are in their own. She helped whip the RRC into shape on campus, toiled tirelessly for the queer community, and roped (heh) most of us into the Blog-o-sphere. She's now a sultry seller of rockin' ropes in Seattle. Today's alliteration was brought to you in Honor of Her Nerdiness, and was sponsored by the number "Pancakes" and the letter "Hornsby's."
Kristen - My favorite "Cocktail Fairy." She's more than just my office aide. She helped get us the hookup and scored the Cowboy Bar for our very first drag show. She keeps my entertained in the office with tales of her boy trouble, her drunken (non)debauchery with The Younger Brothers, and the "Man of the Month" desktop wallpaper. She keeps my drink full when I'm at the Co-boy, and has been known to share a martini or 4 with me at Tommy's. (We're going today, as a matter of fact.) This blonde bombshell turns the head of all the straight boys, and helps spot the hotties for the homos too. You couldn't ask for a better fruit fly, and anyone more fun with whom to share an office.
Jace - My sexy flyboy! Jace used to work for me as a lab assistant. I lusted after him even then. Then we made him a tech, and then got him a full-time job as a user consultant. He's a certified pilot and flight instructor with more ratings and flight hours than I can keep track of. He makes the most amazing cocktails (and this is coming from ME) and is a SHAMELESS tease. He's a hunting buddy, volleyball rock star, and is training for a modified triathlon. In other words, he's hot with three CAPITAL T's! And his wonderful wife Leena gave me permission to seduce him...if only he weren't so darned straight! ;) He's been trying to get back into the military to fly now that the definition of asthma is different. Though I'd hate to see him leave Laramie, I'd love to see him in uniform.
In the next (and possibly final) installment, the Friends from SIGUCCS!
Tessa - I'm her gay boyfriend, and she's my "straight" girlfriend. A whiz in the kitchen, her dinner parties and culinary treats are near legendary. We love to go dancing together, watch sappy movies, and definitely boy watch! She guards her hubby Mark jealously, as well she should. She's a fabulous enabler, and helps me objectify her brother-in-law every chance she gets. I miss her, as she now lives far too near the land of Mor-mon.
Greg - My faboo clone in Chicago! We met when he was here in Laramie speaking on GLBT issues. He started as a university employee who became the de facto queer expert on campus, and then turned it into a career speaking. Sound familiar? We're collaborating on a book project we hope to do with the Matthew Shepard Foundation. We can't wait until we can be together for another Broadway sing-along, either in Denver or Chicago! Sidetracks was such a hoot, and so is Greg!
Brendon - I figured I better put him in this batch of folks or he'll kick my ass. ;) G-Log is one of my favorite straight boys. He's more than willing to take the good-natured sexual harassment I can dish out on occasion, and is also willing to flirt right back! He's a lot of fun on the handball court, and there's the added bonus of seeing him in his workout clothes. ;) And as my friend Jess would say, "He's got good politics." Not mention a slamming hot girlfriend, who's also a faboo person.
Abra - Better known as Nerdygirl, I think she might still be in recovery from her time as my house girl. Whether randomly making pancakes (or seeking them out in Seattle), drinking beer on my roof, or rescuing "the boys," Nerdy was a true friend indeed. She's one of the many folks who have crashed at Jim's Halfway House for Frazzled Freaks, and is one of the select who are as at home in my place as they are in their own. She helped whip the RRC into shape on campus, toiled tirelessly for the queer community, and roped (heh) most of us into the Blog-o-sphere. She's now a sultry seller of rockin' ropes in Seattle. Today's alliteration was brought to you in Honor of Her Nerdiness, and was sponsored by the number "Pancakes" and the letter "Hornsby's."
Kristen - My favorite "Cocktail Fairy." She's more than just my office aide. She helped get us the hookup and scored the Cowboy Bar for our very first drag show. She keeps my entertained in the office with tales of her boy trouble, her drunken (non)debauchery with The Younger Brothers, and the "Man of the Month" desktop wallpaper. She keeps my drink full when I'm at the Co-boy, and has been known to share a martini or 4 with me at Tommy's. (We're going today, as a matter of fact.) This blonde bombshell turns the head of all the straight boys, and helps spot the hotties for the homos too. You couldn't ask for a better fruit fly, and anyone more fun with whom to share an office.
Jace - My sexy flyboy! Jace used to work for me as a lab assistant. I lusted after him even then. Then we made him a tech, and then got him a full-time job as a user consultant. He's a certified pilot and flight instructor with more ratings and flight hours than I can keep track of. He makes the most amazing cocktails (and this is coming from ME) and is a SHAMELESS tease. He's a hunting buddy, volleyball rock star, and is training for a modified triathlon. In other words, he's hot with three CAPITAL T's! And his wonderful wife Leena gave me permission to seduce him...if only he weren't so darned straight! ;) He's been trying to get back into the military to fly now that the definition of asthma is different. Though I'd hate to see him leave Laramie, I'd love to see him in uniform.
In the next (and possibly final) installment, the Friends from SIGUCCS!
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