Gay Teen Suicides

It seems every other day my google feed has another story of gay teen who has taken their life, predominantly over bullying from peers. See here: "National LGBT community reeling from 4th teen suicide in a month".  I don't believe this is anything new, but I'm grateful that this issue is getting the coverage it needs.

It's so sad.  I don't know what else to say really.

Watch Ellen Calls for End to Bullying, Suicide.  I cried.

Here's a copy embedded from Youtube:

Str8 playin

I found this story... I can't help but laugh but poor guy.

It's worth the read, essentially he came out even though he's straight... read it in his words.

Str8 playin'

Same-sex Australian marriages even blocked overseas!?

So, one of the blogs I follow is called The Gay Marriage Blog.  They posted an article today entitled "MARRIAGES ABROAD THWARTED"

It brought to my attention an issue I was completely unaware of.  I always thought that while my country didn't support same-sex marriage, or recognise those performed overseas, that I always had the option of marrying overseas in a more progressive country...  it seems I was wrong.

It was a while ago that I wrote my letter to the government in support of the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 (supporting the marriage definition changing to include same-sex couples) but it seems that while over 11,000 submissions supported the bill, it was rejected:

"While the committee agrees that the current definition of 'marriage' ... is appropriate, other types of relationships play an important part in Australian society and deserve recognition.  For this reason, the committee’s recommendation not to alter the definition of marriage should not be taken as a lack of support for same-sex couples. However, the committee considers that the current definition is a clear and well-recognised legal term which should be preserved. The committee recommends that the Bill not be passed."

I guess no surprises there but when you read "Marriage Equality Report" in full, you find that the reasons were primarily religious-based.  On the bright side, one of the recommendations out of this report was that Certificates of Non-Impediment be granted to same-sex couples as with opposite sex couples.  It turns out a Certificate of Non-Impediment needs to be granted by your home country to allow a marriage to occur overseas and since around 2005, the government has refused to supply the certificates on the basis that same-sex marriage is not legal in Australia!  The report recommends this practice be stopped.

On a side note, you can see a story back in January 2006 where such a couple was impacted here --> "Gays hit in overseas nuptial bid" where the couple were informed that "Following the advice of the Australian Attorney-General's Department we herewith certify that Australian law does not allow the issue of a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage to persons wishing to enter into a same-sex marriage."

So, in a story posted three days ago entitled "Overseas gay weddings will remain blocked to Australians", rather than support this recommendation, the Labor "Government informed marriage equality advocates that it has decided not to remove the ban ... on issuing Australians in same-sex relationships with the documents they need to marry overseas, called Certificates of Non-Impediment to Marriage or CNIs."

Will we ever see the day where we'll be able to legitimately marry?  :(

Prop 8 Unconstitutional

Judge Walker: Prop 8 Unconstitutional

Same story on Pink News...

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more...

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... from Jack Black

"Kevin Alejandro Played Gay So Many Times, We Had no Choice but to Interview Him"

Kevin Alejandro AfterElton Interview
http://www.afterelton.com/people/2010/06/kevin-alejandro

Lafayette's love interest in True Blood season 3.

Poem: "Focus Must Change"

I'm not one to open up too much to others. I'll be honest though, I've not had the best of times of late. I don't mean to sound all "woe is me" or anything but I've been pretty depressed... I hadn't really noticed how depressed I've been. I'd been trying to keep myself busy so that I didn't realise it. I've been keeping busy with TV shows and with my new wii and singstar on the ps2. I'd also been keeping busy with my art... which I'm thankful to Ash for the shared enthusiasm. But still... I remain lost... missing something. I've lost my appetite for work, let alone my appetite for food too. I've been sick of late but wonder how much of that is stress-related. I had to express myself somewhere and where better than my blog... I'm not sure what else to say but I am reminded of a poem I wrote a while ago which I'll share below. When I wrote it, I tried to keep the words positive in nature, trying to convince myself of an end to such feelings. How odd that years down the track, I feel the same.

"Focus Must Change" by Isreal Mathew

Have you ever had a secret
You knew you couldn't tell
That you felt was really hard to bare
But you couldn't help but dwell

I've had such issues in my life
And still do to this day
It's hard to keep it to myself
I want to scream out loud today

Why don't I tell I hear you ask
How terrible is your trial?
The world has seen many freaks
What makes you think you're vial?

I think of the rejection
I'd see within your eyes
If you beheld my skeletons
That wound would me, deep inside

I look at other people
And wish I too were normal
But I can't escape my weakness
I can't escape the turmoil

It hunts me when I think
It kills me from inside
Life just turns to crap
And I think I want to die

I'm not afraid of death you see
I know I'd go nowhere
What's so bad with that I think,
Considering how much I bare?

When times get rough, as they do
And I can't see a clear way out
I think I might just end my life
I'd then be free from bout

I've never attempted to follow through
And am sure I never will
Cos I have friends that care for me
Who think I'm worthy still

Likely now, you think I'm troubled
And yes, you may be right
But really, what can I say?
It's a serious mental fight

So, though I have a secret
And it's difficult right now
I'll keep in mind my closest friends
These thoughts will help me out

I'll change and focus on positive things
And be a friend that cares
Be sure to find more joy in life
And be someone who shares

I may need to endure a little bit more
But with God I'm sure I'll say
I will be better tomorrow
Until then, I'll live today