Diana’s Little Corner in the Nutmeg State

A Man Stabbed A Man 61 Times And Found Not Guilty Of Murder

2009-07-13T12:18:00.002-05:00

Do you believe this! It sounds like something out of the fifties, not 2009, how could a jury buy the “Gay Panic” defense. Do you think if a man was murdered by a woman because he made unwanted sexual advances the woman would have been found not guilty? Then why is it OK to murder a gay man if he makes a pass at another man?

He stabbed man 61 times, but acquitted of murder

July 12, 2009

BY KARA SPAK Staff Reporter/kspak@suntimes.com

Joseph Biedermann fatally stabbed his Hoffman Estates neighbor 61 times last year.

On Friday, a Cook County jury acquitted him of first-degree murder, buying his claim that he was defending himself against an unwanted sexual advance, his mother confirmed Saturday.

Still Computer Problems

2009-07-13T08:46:00.003-05:00

I am still having computer problems. I uninstalled Firefox and then reinstalled it and I also went back June 30 in the system restore. I think the problem has something to do with Norton.

I have been using my desktop on the second floor, but it is hot up there and it is not as flexible as a laptop.

So keep your fingers crossed.

Computer Problems

2009-07-11T07:38:00.001-05:00

I am having computer problems.

My computer locks up after a few minutes on the internet, so

Friday Fill-ins #132

2009-07-09T21:33:00.002-05:00

Janet’s Friday Fill-ins #132

1. The last thing I ate was _Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich_ and _a glass of ice tea_.

2. _A book from Amazon.com_ is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it _never ends_

4. _A friend_ was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are _great_.

6. _An extra blanket on this cool summer night will bring_ extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _going to the same ‘ol coffeeshop_, tomorrow my plans include _going to a campout in Jacksonville, VT_ and Sunday, I want to _come home_!

Indonesia’s Five Genders

2009-07-09T09:19:00.002-05:00

I found this on Helen Boyd's blog, en|Gender...

I sometimes wonder if our western culture is really that much more advanced than the eastern cultures.

Hop River State Park - Rails To Trails

2009-07-07T06:54:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I went walking with a couple of friends on the Bolton Notch section of the rails to trails. This was the first time that I walked since I went to New York City for the Pride parade, there I walked about 10 miles over 5 hours, but yesterday we walked 4.2 mils in about an hour and fifteen minutes. It was a lot faster pace and I felt it this morning, I was stiff getting out of bed. We walked from the parking lot just off of I-384 to Steeles Crossing and the trail goes under I-384 and trough several rock cuts as it winds it’s way to Steeles Crossing.

It is a multiuse trail system that uses old railroad right-of-ways and it is a fantastic use of the right-of-way. I love walking on them because it is level, no hills to climb and no valleys to descend, just flat and smooth. My only comment is that I wish the horse riders would pick up the little deposits that their horses leave behind.

Manic Monday #175

2009-07-06T13:36:00.001-05:00

Lisa’s Manic Monday #175

Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at:
Backgammon and a sense of direction.

Name two things you consider yourself to be bad at:
Spelling and grammar

Name one thing not many people know about you:
I broke my right wrist when I was only a couple of months old. I rolled off of my grandmother's bed.

West Side Story Updated

2009-07-05T12:29:00.004-05:00

I found this over on Bilerico, it is a video made by CollegeHumor and it is very expertly made. It is an update of West Side Story called Web Site Story...

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Saturday Six - Episode 273

2009-07-05T11:21:00.001-05:00

Patrick’s Place Saturday Six - Episode 273

1. What was the very first pet you ever had? How close were you to that pet?
A parakeet, unfortunately I killed it… accidentally. I closed the hall door behind me and I heard a thud and when I opened the door there was Petie lying on the floor. Do you know how traumatic that was for a six year old?

2. What is the most unusual pet you’ve had?
I didn’t have any.

3. How many different kinds of animals have you owned and which type do you think acted the closest to you?
All I had were a parakeet and dogs. The dogs were the closest to me.

4. Take the quiz: What Pet Are You Like?

You Are Like a Dog

You are a natural best friend. You are very loyal and faithful.
In your eyes, your friends can do no wrong. You will stick with them no matter what.
You have a protective streak, and you can be downright nasty if you're being threatened.
More than anything else, you are playful and laid back. You truly live in the moment.

What Pet Are You Like?

5. Do you have any desire to have an “exotic” pet? If so, what exotic pet would you most likely choose?
I have no desire to own any exotic pets.

6. Which exotic pet would you least likely own?
A python or a boa constrictor. A kid had one in the dorm, at first he was feeding it mice but as it got bigger he was going around getting free kittens and puppies to feed it.

Tip On Leaving Comments

2009-07-05T06:28:00.004-05:00

In the last couple of days, I had a problem where I could not leave comments on blogs. They would not publish, I write the comment, enter the verification letters and click Publish" and nothing happen. What I wrote stayed in the box and wasn't posted.

The problem started when I tried to use a HTML tag for superscript for July 4^th and there was an error message saying that the tag was not allowed. From then on I could not posted any comments on any blogs (that is why I have not left comments on the blogs of people who posted on my blog).

I found how to correct the problem, you have to clear the cache but pressing "Shift" + reload page, How to Refresh your Blog Page in Browser.

Saturday 9: Yankee Doodle Dandy

2009-07-03T17:00:00.000-05:00

Crazy Sam’s Saturday 9: Yankee Doodle Dandy

1. What is your favorite 4th of July memory? (If you aren't in the U.S., then use your own national holiday.)
When I was little I use to go over to a friends house on the 3rd and sleep over so we could start shooting off fireworks the first thing in the morning.

2. Do you consider yourself patriotic?
Yes, but how do you define patriotic?

3. Do you like fireworks?
Love them.

4. What are your plans for this weekend?
I am up at the family lake cottage in New Hampshire until Saturday and driving down to New London CT for a party on the 4th to shoot off fireworks

5. Are you optimistic about the future?
Yes, we go through cycles and we are in a down cycle right now.

6. Do you think everyone should serve in the military?
Yes, I think there should be mandatory government service for both men and women. I think wee are less likely to go to war if it is your sons or daughters in the trenches.

7. Would you support a constitutional ban on flag burning?
No. I believe that it is a political statement made by idiots. Any group that burns the flag, I do not want to be associated with, but it is covered by the First Amendment.

8. What end of the political spectrum are you?
Left, no farther, no even farther left.

9. Where do you get your news?
Television, cable, newspapers, Internet newspapers and blogs.

Friday Fill-ins

2009-07-03T06:23:00.002-05:00

Janet’s Friday Fill-ins #131

1. When I heard _President Kennedy was shot, _ I _cried and cried _.

2. _TLC, Tender Loving Care is the_ best medicine.

3. It's late, but _it is worth waiting for_

4. _The chocolate ice cream gets finished first, _ always.

5. My eyes have seen _some things that will remain private _.

6. _I feel everyone should be treated equally very_ strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _being up at our cottage in New Hampshire with my brother’s family_, tomorrow my plans include _driving down to New London, CT for a party at a friend’s house_ and Sunday, I want to _walk to burn off all of the calories that I consumed over the weekend_!

Manic Monday

2009-07-01T07:50:00.001-05:00

Lisa’s Manic Monday #174

What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why?
I think all my relationships ended because the women could sense that I was holding back a part of myself. I always had my gender issues there in the background.

What is on your bedside table?
Lamp, flashlight, fingernail file, body lotion and an alarm clock.

How many pillows do you have on your bed? Do you make your bed every day?
Three pillows and I straighten out my bed each day.

Trans-woman Brutally Beaten in Queens NY

2009-06-30T14:12:00.002-05:00

This is from a Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund press release (photo and more details)...

We're sad to bring you the news of another brutal attack on a transgender woman, this one coming during the height of LGBT Pride month. On June 19, 2009, at approximately 2:30 am, Leslie Mora was walking home from a nightclub on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens when she was accosted by two men who brutally beat her with a belt. They stopped only when a passing motorist threatened to call the police.

Throughout the attack, Leslie’s assailants called her a “faggot” in Spanish. The attack left Leslie with multiple injuries, including bruises all over her body, and stitches in her scalp. Police called to the scene found Leslie nearly naked and bleeding on the sidewalk. They also recovered a belt buckle from the assailants that was covered in blood.
...
Her assailants, Trinidad Tapia, 19, and Gilberto Ortiz, 32, fled the scene but were arrested by police soon after the attack. Both were charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, a felony, and released on their own recognizance. The Queens County District Attorney has declined to investigate the attack as a hate crime.

New York City Pride Parade – To Hell and Back

2009-06-29T08:29:00.008-05:00

OK, OK, I have to admit I am not a big fan on parades, any type of parades. My father use to drag me kicking and screaming to parades. However, I did march in last year’s Trans Pride parade and it did give me a sense of empowerment. Since this year is the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, I felt that this was a momentous and that the trans-community should have a strong showing, I over came my reluctance and marched.

We all meet at the New Haven train station and piled on the 8:32AM train to Grand Central Station. There was three friends and myself who at the time did not realize that we were about to take a journey into the Twilight Zone (Cue in theme song).
The trip began innocently enough, we all met at the train station and we bumped into two groups of friends who were also going down to Pride. (Cue Rod Serling voice over). As we were pulling into the South Norwalk station, there was a bright flash from atop of our railroad car and sparks bouncing on the ground outside. The lights in the car went off and the car came to a stop. An announcement came over the intercom saying that there was a problem and they were “looking into the problem”… 2 ½ hours latter, we were on our way again in another train. We were schedule to arrive at 10:12, but it wasn’t until 1:00PM that we arrived at Grand Central station. The problem was with the pantograph that shorted out.

We had miss our 11:00AM muster with the group that we were going to march with, the “Sons and Daughters of Sylvia Rivera”, so we just joined up with the first group that passed by the corner (42nd St. and 5th Ave.) where we were standing, “The Gender Project.”The sun was out and it was hot, but not oppressively hot, every once in awhile there was a cooling breeze when we past a cross street. However, it was LOUD! People screaming, blowing whistles, and floats with music blaring. It was so loud that you had to talk into the ear of the person you were talking with. The sun became brutal as we marched, so I took out my umbrella to give me shade.

The parade went down 5th Ave and turned eventually on to Christopher Street (Stonewall Place) and went by the Stonewall Inn, where the LGBT movement began. Then parade ended. One moment you were in the parade and the next you weren’t.
We found a Bar and Grill and went in and had dinner. when we finished we looked for but none of them wanted to cross the parade route and take us up to Grand Center station. So we started walking back along the parade route, the parade was still going. When the end of the parade past by, it was 5:30 and they had about an hour to go before they got to the end of the parade route.

We then continued on walking back to Grand Central station, we walked about 10 ½ miles (12,900 steps) and we took the 6:34PM train back to New Haven (Cue the Twilight Zone theme song) which was scheduled to arrive at 8:18PM.
We had just left the Harlem 125th Street station when there were two loud bangs and railcar shook violently, knocking all the soot and debris from the overhead. We sat there while they “looked into the problem.” This time we only sat there for forty-five minutes. They moved us out of the last two railcars and disconnected them from the train. The cars that we moved to didn’t have air-conditioning and we sat there sweltering until we got to Stamford where they had another train waiting for us. The problem… the pantograph broke! We speculated that it was same railroad car that we were in, in the morning; did they fix it hap hazardously and put it back in-service? We arrived in New Haven at 9:00, 45 minutes late.

Saturday Six - Episode 272

2009-06-27T11:57:00.001-05:00

Patrick’s Place Saturday Six - Episode 272

1. If you know someone who is interested in you happens to be high maintenance, are you as likely to date them anyway?
Yes, I would, because there was something that attracted me to them in the first place

2. Do you get more frustrated by your home being in a state of disarray or your workplace being in a state of disarray?
My home, since I live alone, the only one to blame is myself.

3. You decide to go to the grocery store where you don’t expect to run into anyone you know. How dressed up are you likely to get?
Not very, jeans and a tank top just like I normal dress

4. Take the quiz: Are You High Maintenance?

You Are Low Maintenance

Compared to most people, you are incredibly easy going.
To be honest, you are truly a breath of fresh air.

You are open minded about trying new things, and you're not upset when things don't work out.
You are willing to go along to get along. And your attitude helps you truly enjoy life!

Are You High Maintenance?

5. How important is it to you that the person you would date would be roughly “in your league” lookswise?
Not important, I believe that a person’s heart more important than their looks.

6. Do you prefer spending more on a birthday gift for a close friend of having them spend more on a gift for you?
I’m not a big fan of birthday gifts, I like their company more then what they give me.

Saturday 9: I Want You Back

2009-06-26T21:58:00.002-05:00

Crazy Sam’s Saturday 9: I Want You Back

1. Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson died?
In the kitchen, making supper.

2. How do you think that he will be remembered?
Talented but strange

3. What was your favorite Jackson tune?
I never was a fan of his

4. Did you watch the original Charlie’s Angels?
Of course. I had a crush on Kate Jackson (Sabrina Duncan)

5. Did someone you know have that poster of Farrah?
Nope

6. Did you consider her battle with cancer heroic?
I think everyone who has cancer is heroic

7. Were you a fan of The Tonight Show Starring Johnnie Carson?
No, it was way past my bed time. I had to be at work at 7:00AM

8. Did you like Ed McMahon on the show?
He was OK

9. What else will you remember McMahon for?
The ads for the sweepstakes.

Friday Fill-Ins #130

2009-06-26T15:05:00.001-05:00

Janet’s Friday Fill-ins #130

1. She had a great _part in the play_.

2. _My family_ is by my side, always.

3. I know this: _the answer is 42_

4. _It is raining_ still.

5. These words apply to me: _”To thine own self be true”_.

6. _I wish_ the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _going to the coffeehouse_, tomorrow my plans include _cleaning_ and Sunday, I want to _go to New York City to march in the Pride parade_!

The Fun Of Small Town: Politics! Or The Never Ending Saga Of Garbage

2009-06-26T09:41:00.004-05:00

The tale begins last fall when the Town Council began looking into automated trash collection as away of saving the town money. After several council meetings where the public could attend, the council decided to go ahead and sign a contact. In February, they signed a contract that was to begin in July, when the old contract expired. The new automated system would be a saving to the town over the old manual system.

Fast forward to the May Town Council meeting where a group of people thought it would be an inconvenience to have to wheel down to the curb the garbage cans. They said that they were going to start a petition to stop the new automated garbage collection from going into affect.

This past Tuesday, we had the referendum, out of over 13000 voters only 3680 voted. The vote was 1,964 on favor of the old manual garbage collection system to 1,716 in favor of the new automated system.

As a result of the vote, the Town Council said at an emergency meeting last night that we should plan on taking our garbage for at least 2 weeks to the town garage. Because it will take that long for the bidding process. The town council said that so far they have not heard from any garbage companies that are interested in bidding.

The Town Council also is setting aside $1,000,000 for the lawsuit that is expected for breach of contract and the mill rate will probably go up by a half mill.

Meanwhile, I have a brand new 95 gal. garbage can sitting in my garage.

# # #

This is why I am against ballot initiatives. It makes for bad government. We elect our public officials to make decisions and if we do not like what they do, we can vote them out of office.

The council spent several months researching the issue and held public meetings that practically no one attended. The opposition started a petition drive a little over a month before the contract went in to effect and were able to collect enough signatures to call for a referendum. They then mounted a slick campaign where they never mentioned the fact that there was a signed contract and we might be sued. Their estimate of the cost of the contract was questionable and they pushed the fact that you had to wheel these “big” cans down to the street. The voter succumbed to the propaganda and voted to overturn the signed contract and got us into the mess that we are now in.

Farrah Fawcett succumbs to cancer at 62

2009-06-25T12:52:00.000-05:00

Farrah Fawcett, the “Charlie’s Angels” star whose feathered blond hair and dazzling smile made her one of the biggest sex symbols of the 1970s, died Thursday after battling cancer. She was 62.

The pop icon, who in the 1980s set aside the fantasy girl image to tackle serious roles, died shortly before 9:30 a.m. in a Santa Monica hospital, spokesman Paul Bloch said.

Ryan O’Neal, the longtime companion who had reunited with Fawcett as she fought anal cancer, was at her side, along with close friend Alana Stewart, Bloch said.

“After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away,” O’Neal said. “Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30072275/ns/entertainment-celebrities/

Once Again We Are Thown Under The Bus

2009-06-25T07:26:00.002-05:00

The Delaware legislature passes and Anti-Discrimination bill that has only sexual orientation...

Long Title:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 6, 9, 18, 19, 25, AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING, HOUSING, EQUAL ACCOMMODATIONS AND THE INSURANCE BUSINESS.
Synopsis:
This Act adds the term “sexual orientation” to the already-existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination. As such, this Act would forbid discrimination against a person on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance. In addition, this Act would establish that the Superior Court, in the first instance, would hear and adjudicate alleged criminal violations under the Act of equal accommodations, fair housing and employment discrimination.

http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/LIS145.NSF/vwLegislation/B39629232C080EE3852575B50071E9C0?Opendocument

How many times have we seen this where gender identity and expression is not added to the bill and the trans-community is told, "Do not worry, we will work to pass a trans-bill." However, instead they go off and focus their attention on marriage equality. Then once they get marriage equality they fold up shop and mone on.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

2009-06-24T06:54:00.003-05:00

(Update 11:18 - The bill number is: H.R. 2981 and the language is already posted at www.thomas.gov)

From United ENDA…

ENDA is being introduced tomorrow (Wednesday June 23rd) in the House! Our next step is to call our Representatives and ask them to cosponsor of ENDA. Below is a script to use. It is essential that we flood their lines to let them know how many of their constituents support ENDA! Once you’ve called, let United ENDA know what the staffer said by emailing laura.hart@unitedenda.org. Then ask all of your friends and family to call their Representative too.

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code). Tell them:

I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I would like him/her to become a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. Can you tell me whether or not Representative _______ has cosponsored the bill?

Just go ahead & do it. Find your House Rep at www.house.gov. (On the upper left side, put in your zip.)

From NTCE…

A Message from Mara Keisling

I have no doubt we can pass a transgender-inclusive ENDA this year if we all do the work now to educate Congress and the public. In an interview last fall, Rep Barney Frank (D-MA) agreed saying:

"The more Democrats we have, and obviously, not every Democrat votes with us, the better we'll do. If we can pick up 15 Democratic seats, then I think we are in good position to pass a transgender-inclusive ENDA." (Barney Frank on 365Gay.com)

Of course he's right, not every Democrat votes with us and not every Republican votes against us. That's why the best work we can be doing now to get us in position for winning our rights in 2009 is the work of building relationships and educating all of our lawmakers - whoever they are, where ever they are.

When I'm visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill one thing I hear far too often is that lawmakers don't think they have transgender people in their districts. You and I know that is impossible - we are every where. I can visit your representatives everyday up on the Hill, but they really need to hear from you and to meet you face to face. It does make a difference!
…
What is ENDA?

Key features of the bill include:

* This legislation would address discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote an employee simply based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. It would reinforce the principle that employment decisions should be based upon a person’s qualifications and job performance.
* ENDA closely follows the model of existing federal civil rights laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are treated in the same way as other groups protected under law – no better, no worse.

Who supports equal employment:

* Most of America’s smartest business minds understand that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity has nothing to do with their job performance. That is why 200 Fortune 500 companies include gender identity in their nondiscrimination policies.
* Federal law has also been outpaced by the actions of state and local leaders. Thirty-seven percent of the country, including thirteen states, the District of Columbia and more than 90 cities and counties, have passed protections for the transgender community.

Why ENDA Must Contain Explicit Protections for Gender Identity

* ENDA should protect the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community from unequal treatment in the workplace, especially those of us who are most vulnerable to discrimination.
* The LGBT community is one community, and we want to move forward, together, in one bill.
* Including explicit protections against discrimination based on gender identity not only helps transgender people; it also strengthens ENDA for the rest of our community by ensuring that an employer cannot fire or refuse to hire a gay employee for an “effeminate” walk or a lesbian employee for dressing “too butch.”
* Despite advances in protecting transgender people on the state and local level, as well as in the private sector, it remains perfectly legal in 37 states to fire someone solely based on his or her gender identity.
* Recent national surveys have found that 65% of people believe it should be illegal to discriminate against transgender people in employment.

Swedish parents keep 2-year-old's gender secret

2009-06-23T20:54:00.001-05:00

From the "Local News, Swedish New in English"

Meet Pop, a two-and-a-half-year-old Swedish child whose parents are refusing to say whether the apple of their eye is a boy or a girl.

Pop’s parents, both 24, made a decision when their baby was born to keep Pop’s sex a secret. Aside from a select few – those who have changed the child’s diaper – nobody knows Pop’s gender; if anyone enquires, Pop’s parents simply say they don’t disclose this information.

In an interview with newspaper Svenska Dagbladet in March, the parents were quoted saying their decision was rooted in the feminist philosophy that gender is a social construction.

“We want Pop to grow up more freely and avoid being forced into a specific gender mould from the outset,” Pop’s mother said. “It's cruel to bring a child into the world with a blue or pink stamp on their forehead.”

Footnote: Pop is not the child's real name but is the name used in Svenska Dagbladet's interview with the child's parents from March 6th.

NYC Pride March

2009-06-23T09:08:00.002-05:00

I am going down to New York City this Sunday to march in the Pride Parade. This is the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. I am going with some friends and we are taking the 8:32AM train from New Haven and arriving at Grand Central Station at 10:12. We will be marching with the "TG Fund on behalf of: Sons & Daughters of Sylvia Rivera (NTAC)" We were told to meet at E. 56th St. between 5th Ave. & Madison Ave. and we will be up near the front of the Parade in Section 1, Group 13.

This will be the first Pride parade that I have been in and I am looking forwarded to marching. It suppose to be in the upper 80's or the low 90's and humid...ugh. I hope to take plenty of photos to post next Monday. So stay tuned.

Manic Monday #173

2009-06-22T12:53:00.001-05:00

Lisa’s Manic Monday #173

Do you usually wear perfume/cologne? If so, what's your current favorite?
No, too many of my friends are allergic to perfume and besides the smell get to me after while.

What's the last book you've read that you thought was really good? If you don't have one, what looks promising on your to-be-read list?
For the last nine months I have been reading textbooks, I tried reading for pleasure and I find that I am not interested in reading right now. Maybe I have to decompress first.

Fill in the blank: I wouldn't be caught dead…
Wearing the wrong “Days of the week panties” (I must confess that I couldn’t think of anything creative, so I googled the phrase.)