8/27/08 Lesbian Pioneer Del Martin has Passed

From the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today, the LGBT community lost an iconic leader and a beloved friend. Del Martin (pictured on right), 87, passed away in San Francisco. Martin was one of the nation’s first and most visible lesbian rights activists who dedicated her life to combating homophobia, sexism, violence, and racism. Martin began working as an activist after receiving her degree in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. While working on a newspaper in Seattle, Martin met her partner Phyllis Lyon and the two began working on behalf of lesbians in their community. Martin and Lyon have devoted their lives to working towards LGBT equality, healthcare access, advocacy on behalf of battered women, and issues facing elderly Americans. Their many contributions over the past five decades helped shape the modern LGBT movement. In 1955, Lyon and Martin were among the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization. In 1956, they launched “The Ladder,” the first lesbian newsletter, which became a lifeline for hundreds of women isolated and silenced by the restrictions of the era. Del Martin was the first openly lesbian woman elected to the board of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and in 1971, encouraged the board to pass a resolution stating that lesbian issues were feminist issues. In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to the White House Conference on Aging by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. In 2004, Lyon and Martin became the first same-sex couple to be married in the state of California, and subsequently became plaintiffs in the California marriage case, helping to ensure that the fundamental right to marry under the California Constitution belongs to all couples, including same-sex couples. Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together. Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del’s life and commitment and to defeat the California marriage ban through NCLR’s No On 8 PAC

Nature in California

Since photography is becoming a hobby, I intend to document some of the things that were new and different to me when I arrived in California.

Ever seen a Bird of Paradise flower? The orange ones?

Well.

They have a Giant version here... it is HUGE.

The flower pods are at least a foot long, oozing sticky nectar. And the plant is 20 feet high.

Here is the usual garden-variety version, about as big as your hand.

There are 11 planters at my office full of them.

In Texas, the only place you could get these was at a florist. And look! They are everywhere! The hummingbirds go completely NUTS - I tried to get a photo of one, but they are just too fast.

Goddess of the Week - Venus

OMG this is what just happened to me. I learned to EMBODY love. I learned to BECOME love.

I am so thankful for this timely reminder to stay on top of that and to retain this vibration.

"The Roman goddess born of heaven and sea, revered for her gifts of fertility, sensuality and above all, love.

MANTRA Self love

GEMSTONES Rose quartz, pink tourmaline, emerald (pink or green stones)

AFFIRMATIONS I am valuable

I walk in beauty

I release my habit of self-criticism

Self acceptance brings me joy

I release myself from harmful judgments

I'm the best thing that's ever happened to me

I am free to be myself, I accept myself as I am

My insecurity is replaced with shining confidencel

Her Story

This Roman goddess born of heaven and sea, was revered for her gifts of fertility and sensuality. She is the embodiment of the feminine divine, and as such is the goddess of beauty, sass, sunshine and love. Her Modern Energy Venus' erotic beauty emerged as a popular subject of Renaissance painting and sculpture. Her voluptuous, flowing curves portrayed the natural beauty inherent in the female form. Perhaps the most famous and honoured goddess of the heart, Venus rules over a person's sense of style and appreciation for acts of love, pleasure and romance. Reconnect With Your Inner Venus. Think about how you are sitting right now as you read this. Are you hunched? Are you frowning? Are you distracted? Is this the body language you want others to be exposed to? Is this the energy you want to exude? If not, allow yourself to embody Venus' vibration, be conscious of your desire to radiate magnetism, and ooze warm and feminine divinity. Honour the gifts of the senses - - play a song that makes you go weak at the knees - put a loved one's clothing to your nose and inhale their scent - flick through a photo album that brings tears of joy to your eyes - place a chocolate in your mouth and let it melt melt melt all over your tongue - massage some peppermint oil into your feet and pamper yourself with a foot (and hand) massage. This may be all the love spell you need... embody love, become love, attract love.

Love and delight Anita Revel Creatrix :: Goddess.com.au"

Howie got all James Dean on me.

Marlene made sushi for Howie's birthday.

Where I come from, that's fish bait.

And this person I knew once turned into James Dean seemingly overnight.

He's going to give me a good ride. {wink}

Happy Birthday Howie!

So I started a "shock" dose of prednisone for a week...

...for my back attack. It's totally hallucenogenic. I was up at 6:11 a.m. On Saturday. You KNOW this is some fucked up medicine if I was awake at 6:11 a.m. ANY day.

And of course, God met me at the beach again today.

I should know by now to not fear the oscillations, but this week was very rough, and was pushing the envelope just a little bit.

So, to make up for it, today this seal swims up to me and says, "May the Love of the Creator shine forth through your interactions with others, at any time that you choose the Creator's Love to express."

And just to confirm it all, the daily horoscope from Saturday:

Support and recognition are in your future; from both the public and from family and friends. You feel at home in the world and it takes care of you. You could have deep insights into your own feelings and inner, spiritual nature. You could be moody or even dreamy at this time. Your emotions and feelings could reach heights that are close to ecstatic. It is easy however, to find proper motivation to fulfill your ideals or make your dreams into reality. Your own business, a business partnership or perhaps an investment in a business are all possibilities just now. Your own growth and success may be linked to questions of security--home and family in particular. Establish a home base from which to move forward. You have the power.

LOVE TO ALL, JUDGMENT FOR NONE

dave

That's how I roll.

Oh goodie I see the back surgeon Friday.

The Valley is Deep

I see myself smiling in this photo. I look happy. It is so strange. How can that photo be the same person that lives in quiet desperation, day after day? 16,558 days to be exact. Single, for 16,558 days and counting.

I want that on my tombstone.

"Tortured by singledom for {insert number here} days."

_________________________________________

Well the epidurals were a great thing. But they don't last long. The left lower quadrant of my back and butt and left leg are so symptomatic that it is overwhelming. Is it because I had the wonderful but brief reprieve from the pain that it now seems so much worse? Is this what I am used to functioning with? Hell no wonder I feel like shit. Time to call the doc.