hillary clinton on gay rights

There are probably some people who read my blog who will probably tune out as soon as they see the name Hillary Clinton.  Come back!!  Also, there might be some who when they see the words "gay rights", will automatically assume this is about gay marriage and tune out because they are tired of that whole debate.  Come back!!  Hillary gave a speech on gay rights in Geneva to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and she said a lot of really great things.  You can watch her speech below or read the transcript here.



Here's an excerpt:

Of course, it bears noting that rarely are cultural and religious traditions and teachings actually in conflict with the protection of human rights. Indeed, our religion and our culture are sources of compassion and inspiration toward our fellow human beings. It was not only those who’ve justified slavery who leaned on religion, it was also those who sought to abolish it. And let us keep in mind that our commitments to protect the freedom of religion and to defend the dignity of LGBT people emanate from a common source. For many of us, religious belief and practice is a vital source of meaning and identity, and fundamental to who we are as people. And likewise, for most of us, the bonds of love and family that we forge are also vital sources of meaning and identity. And caring for others is an expression of what it means to be fully human. It is because the human experience is universal that human rights are universal and cut across all religions and cultures.


The fourth issue is what history teaches us about how we make progress towards rights for all. Progress starts with honest discussion. Now, there are some who say and believe that all gay people are pedophiles, that homosexuality is a disease that can be caught or cured, or that gays recruit others to become gay. Well, these notions are simply not true. They are also unlikely to disappear if those who promote or accept them are dismissed out of hand rather than invited to share their fears and concerns. No one has ever abandoned a belief because he was forced to do so.

Universal human rights include freedom of expression and freedom of belief, even if our words or beliefs denigrate the humanity of others. Yet, while we are each free to believe whatever we choose, we cannot do whatever we choose, not in a world where we protect the human rights of all.

Reaching understanding of these issues takes more than speech. It does take a conversation. In fact, it takes a constellation of conversations in places big and small. And it takes a willingness to see stark differences in belief as a reason to begin the conversation, not to avoid it.

google reader sadness

For about as long as I've had my blog, I've had my "shared items" box in the sidebar.  The box was populated by stuff I would read in Google Reader and then share.  Google updated Reader a few weeks ago and it appears as though it lost that functionality.  Boo.  Well, you guys, I still have things to share.  If anyone knows of a similar and simple way to share stuffs I find on the interwebs, feel free to clue me in.  In the mean time, I will share some stuff below that I think you should check out. 

First of all, Joanna Brooks deserves a paragraph all to herself.  If you haven't heard of Joanna, I feel really bad for you.  It's not too late to change that though.  She has an advice column called Ask Mormon Girl where she tackles intriguing questions like "Is my Mormon hipster style wrecking my marriage chances?" or "My daughter is bringing her girlfriend home.  What's a Mormon mom to do?" or "I'm at a tricky spot in my religious life, and I've let my temple recommend expire.  Now, my best friend is getting married in the temple. Help?" or "I'm a 16 year old Latina Mormon, and I'm fed up with my ward's lame Young Women's Program.  Help!" or "I'm sexually attracted to my fiance!  Should I fee guilty?"

(OK, Joanna get's two paragraphs) Also, if you haven't already, you should listen to Krista Tippett's interview with Joanna about Mormonism for Krista's public radio show OnBeing as well as Joanna's appearance on NPR's Talk of the Nation.  Kendall interviewed both Joanna and Krista (separately) for Far Between, so you'll be able to see both of them in that next year.  If it seems like I have a crush on Joanna, it's because I do.  I dare you to try and not have a crush on her.

Other interesting items to check out:

Are Mormons Any Weirder Than The Rest of Us? from the Huffington Post

My Gay Husband from the New York Times

The forbidden labels of discipleship from my friend Adam's blog.  He posts a conversation he had on Facebook with someone about homosexuality.  I think he does a great job of addressing some common misunderstandings without it coming to blows. :)

And then there's this from Tom & Lorenzo.  Because it's so. damn. funny.

I'm sure there are plenty of other things that I have read and loved and since forgotten.  Blame Google.