A little better

I got a full night's rest after my tax/Bossypants near all-nighter and caught up with some more positive stories this week:

My faith in humanity was restored a bit reading how the former tour manager of NOM, Louis Marinelli, now supports marriage equality.  NOM (National Organization for Marriage) has been one of the biggest opponents of marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans. In his own words, Marinelli expresses how he "came to understand that gays and lesbians were just real people who wanted to live real lives and be treated equally as opposed to, for example, wanting to destroy American culture. No, they didn’t want to destroy American culture, they wanted to openly particulate in it."

What I really appreciate is that he allowed himself to experience, think, and change, especially for one who was leading a charge in one direction.  To take a huge step in the opposite direction took courage and heart on his part and I really respect that he made such a bold statement.  As we get older, some things get fixed like a bad habit and harder to change.  This brings me hope that we (totally including me) can allow ourselves to keep learning and growing no matter where we are in our life's journey because it appears that we're not done when we think we are.

I also welcome that his story isn't some overwrought "gays are my best friends now" piece, because it's not about that, it's about American civil rights.  In my post opposing Prop 8 in California (Prop 8 proposed defining marriage solely between a man and a woman in the state constitution--this proposition is currently in the middle of appeals), I mentioned that everyone will have personal beliefs of who is appropriate for marriage based on religion, race, and sexual orientation, but such discrimination shouldn't be legalized.  Marinelli, in his interview, stated, "I personally do not agree with homosexuality and without any shame will continue to uphold my belief that homosexuality itself presents a public health concern due to the sexual diseases that are associated with it and that spread rapidly as a result of it."  But "Having said that, the health issues facing promiscuous homosexual men is irrelevant to the issue of same-sex marriage."  Despite that some may find these personal statements carrying an anti-gay sentiment incongruous, I give him credit that he can recognize the line between his personal creed and legalizing discrimination against marriage equality. 

Because I think that somehow the message became "If you support marriage equality than you think all gays and lesbians are awesome and should enjoy watching them make out" and it's not.  Because I'll be the first to say that some gays are the most obnoxious jerks I've ever met--honestly, they're annoyingly as bad as the straight ones.  But here in the US, we don't legalize discrimination against religion or race even though we may have personal prejudices and opinions--likewise, we shouldn't be legalizing marriage discrimination against gays.

Okay I'll get off my soapbox.

And get on this smaller one:

I'm digging Lady Gaga's taking a stance against plastic surgery, which she feels "promotes insecurity". Sadly, this is a refreshing voice, given how plastic surgery is sought by younger and younger women, rearranging beautiful natural faces and bodies.  For what?  The worst part is there seems to be a homogenous look--is there only one mold that all plastic surgeons share?  That 20-something reality star who had 10 surgeries looks the same as a 40-something year old woman with the same work--now they both look like a 50-something woman who had work done.  Given that Lady Gaga is only 25, though, I guess time will tell how long she'll embrace that choice, but I'm totally rooting for her.

I'm also digging that Adele doesn't worry about her weight. She's one of the few female music artists who breaks through on talent--pretty much a rarity these days.  She says, "Even if I had a really good figure, I don't think I'd get my t!ts and a$$ out for no one...I don’t make music for eyes, I make music for ears.” Totally love that music lovers that made her album, "21", platinum agree.

I'm closing this post on another encouraging note and recommend purchasing "Songs for Japan" on Amazon or iTunes. Proceeds benefit Japan's recovery from their triumvirate of disasters--how did one news reporter describe it? Something like "the Thailand tsunami, Haiti earthquake, and Chernobyl combined". And this is one of the easiest ways to help out because you get 38 songs for $10 (or less if you get the mp3 version). It's a huge mix, something for everyone, including some remixes and live versions. Honestly, it's win-win.  Hey why do I have Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" blasting on my iPhone?  Because it's awesome. AND I did it for disaster recovery in Japan.  See?  Win-Win.

Have a super weekend everyone!