"Caring for Our Community" Lifelong Agency Video

The folks at Lifelong AIDS Alliance, in conjunction with Seattle's own Sadis Filmworks created this compelling video telling how three lives are affected by the work of this community organization.

Consider how you can contribute.

Thank you, Lifelong.

Google Ad Spoof: Is Tiger Feeling Lucky Today?

...cue the knock-offs.

Disney D23 Expo Uncovered! Part One: Into the Archives

Ya' know when you see someone on camera and discover a whole 'nother side to them?? That just happened when I saw this promo video with my friend (and @GayDaysAnaheim colleague) Jeffrey.

Sure they probably had "produce viral video" on the marketing plan, and sure it's a shameless plug for Disney's upcoming D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center Sept. 10-13 (like what I did just there? ;-) )... but this one actually works. And it's h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s!

Especially when Jeffrey tries to talk to the camera through an exhibit case. Priceless.

Check it out and let me know what you think, ehh?

Orientation vs. Preference: Why It Matters

Often it's the subtleties in life that make all the difference. Individually, quite shruggable. Collectively, contributing to a - perhaps subconscious? - bias.

Today's example comes from a KGW.com (KGW-TV/NBC, Portland) story updating readers about the latest in the Sam Adams debacle currently distracting (consuming?) my second home.

The concern begins here (the subject: Mayor Sam Adams):

He also said that this was not an issue of sexual preference; rather, it was an issue of a public official lying, in his opinion.

"I don't think this is fundamentally an issue about sexual orientation. Other people can debate that," he said.

In introducing the quote, our writer uses the volatile (and, inaccurate) term "preference". But in the quote itself (admittedly absent the full transcript of Adams' remarks), we see the word "orientation".

For reference, from Dictionary.com:

pref⋅er⋅ence
   /ˈprɛfərəns, ˈprɛfrəns/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pref-er-uhns, pref-ruhns] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the act of preferring.
2. the state of being preferred.
3. that which is preferred; choice: His preference is vanilla, not chocolate.


The Associated Press, in its' own stylebook recommends:

Include sexual orientation only when it is pertinent to a story, and avoid references to "sexual preference" or to a gay or alternative "lifestyle.

(I'd certainly argue the story in question passes the pertinent test.)

And, finally -- in all fairness -- KGW.com is by no means the only outlet confusing the word "orientation" with the slight "preference". A quick search of Google News found other examples. (Including a BizJournals.com [as found in Google cache, the story titled: "Editorial: Adams must go" appears to now have been removed] editorial on why the Mayor should resign. While I disagree as incorrect the use of the word "preference", in an editorial setting the word choice does give evidence to your position on the matter, context to your bias, and frankly-- a clue we won't agree.)

I encourage newsrooms everywhere to visit the NLGJA.org website, review the NLGJA Stylebook Supplement and avoid future offensive and inaccurate mistakes.

UPDATE 21 JAN 2009 17:00 -- I emailed a copy of this post to KGW.com site editors who quickly wrong back with the following responses:

"Thanks for the input, Brian. I looked up correct usage in AP and you are correct." (Eric Adams, story author)

"Right you are, it might seem to some like a small distinction but we recognize its importance - it matters to be precise in every aspect of every story, and this has been fixed." (Frank Mungeam, site manager)

I'm assured this was an oversight and feel confident the author will avoid making this mistake in the future.

Vote For Me! UPDATE: I won, or... did I?!

Regular readers of this blog (big shout out to all three of you!), recall my August post where declaring my write-in campaign for the position of Democratic Precinct Committee Officer for Washington State Precinct #87-1895.

I'm please to announce that I received this letter, dated 13 October 2008, last month from the King County Elections Division. The letter reads, in part:

"At the August 19, 2008, primary and special election, you were elected as SEA 37-1895 Democratic Precinct Committee Officer. A cermonial certificate of election has been sent to the party to which you were elected."

Congratulations, right? Not so fast...

So while I'm waiting for my "ceremonial certificate" (and presumably instructions on how to fulfill my duties as official flier-boy/intern for my fellow Democratic neighbours, today I receive a second letter -- this time from Mr. Dwight Pelz (Chair WA State Democrats) himself.

"I want to thank you for offering to serve as a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO)," Chair of the Washington State Democrats writes.

He continues with a boldface slap to my pride, "However, I must inform you that you have not met the threshold for PCO as defined by our State Party."

It seems, after reading the complete letter [page 1 | page 2] a few times over (being new to this process, as I suspect many are) that there is some disagreement between what, exactly, it means to be PCO. You see, according to Pelz, Secretary of State Sam Reed waived rules requiring a PCO candidate (via. votes or write-ins) to receive 10% of that of the highest vote getter. (In all likelihood, we're talking 10% of the votes cast for Gov. Christine Gregoire [or Barack Obama?].)

The best part of this letter, in my opinion, is the justification. Mr. Pelz explains that the reason for this system is: "One person could write in the name of a Republican as a joke and she would be the 'elected Democratic PCO' under these rules."

(I digress, but wouldn't it make sense to disqualify the 'bad apples' rather than discourage those, like myself, legitimately interested in the position?)

I'm informed that my name has been passed along to a County Chair for possible consideration as an 'Appointed PCO'. (Appointed PCO's, I learn, are not able to vote in Re-Organization Meetings, only those PCO's that were Elected. Discouraging.)

I'm no political expert (and if you're counting obvious statements, that's number four), but this entire circus is somewhat frustrating. Either I am the Democratic Precinct Committee Officer, or I'm not... I'm either receiving a 'Ceremonial Certificate' or I'm not... Either I'm the local volunteer representative of the Democratic party... or, well, not...

[Before you ask: Yes, I had every intention of serving as PCO and taking the position seriously. I was actually a bit excited to have "won" my write-in candidacy. Until today I was looking forward to serving in my official (pseudo-official?) capacity.]

I'll keep you posted.

For now, however, I think I'll hold off on any further write-in campaigns until I've sorted this one out. :-/

I look forward to your comments, suggestions and similar experiences.

California's Proposition 8 -- My Letter to Calif. Family

[This is a copy of the letter I sent to my California in-laws urging them to support efforts to defeat Proposition 8. Do what you can to encourage your relatives, friends, and network to squash this ridiculous attempt at discrimination... --BMW.]

Dear Family,

You know I'm not a huge fan of email pleas, political campaigning via. email (okay, with exception of my write-in campaign earlier this year which I lost on technicality), or other frivolous messages....

This is no such message.

As smart people, you've no doubt heard about the battle raging in California regarding Proposition 8 -- heading for a vote November 4th. Despite any other political views, you've no doubt decided to join those who respect the rights of others to defeat this ridiculous measure.... I mean, seriously... what are they thinking!?

What you may not know is how desperate and important the fight to defeat Proposition 8 really is. Your ballot in California will read:

Proposition 8: ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

The State of California has the unique opportunity to separate one group of Californians from another and exclude them from enjoying the same rights as other loving couples. This, as I'm sure you will agree, is simply insane.

As you know, Richard and I enjoy our time in California and enjoy visiting as often as we can (as recently as two weeks ago (photos)!). While we have no plans to relocate to the State in which we were both born, we'd love to know we would not be discriminated against should our future together bring us back. (And how depressing would it be to get together this holiday season in California knowing that we are being specifically discriminated against... in California... really?!)

The nationwide repercussions are even scarier. If the proponents of this effort are successful -- IMAGINE for a moment the momentum this will create in other states such as ours. This is truly a landmark effort that must be stopped NOW.

I appreciate we can't all open our checkbooks (trust me, I know!), and I -- for one -- am not as famous as Ellen DeGeneres (yet! ;) )... but we can still help squash this attempt at blatant discrimination. Here's how:

• Talk. Tell your friends, neighbors, and everyone you meet to VOTE. And to especially vote NO on 8. (CA voter reg. ends 10/20!)
• Contribute. Give money, volunteer your time to help educate the influential voters that may be led to support the lies.
• Educate. Yourself, others -- find out what's at stake and make an informed decision.

For more information / ideas / to donate: http://www.noonprop8.com/

If you promise to help me spread the word among California voters, I'll promise to not send another emotional plea or call to action this election year. If you do nothing else this November... VOTE NO ON 8.

Or trust me, it's gonna be a really awkward holiday dinner table! ;-)

Thanks for listening and being smart people,

--BMW.

Happy Coming Out Day!

With recent celebrities making public their homosexuality, or "coming out" as it's colloquially known -- it seems each year's "Coming Out Day" just get more relevant.

Some resources for those who may be struggling with coming to terms with their sexuality:

• The Coming Out Project, from the Human Rights Campaign helps GLBT, as well as straight-supportive people live openly and talk about their support for equality at home, at work and in their communities each and every day. The resource contains coming out guides, a list of National Coming Out Day events, and helpful information for straight supporters.
  
• The Trevor Project runs the nation's only 24/7 "crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth." The helpline can be reached at 866-4-U-TREVOR. I'm proud to donate my time and efforts each year during Gay Days Anaheim to producing the Wonderland kick-off party where all proceeds benefit this extraordinary organization. Consider making a donation in honor of those struggling for the acceptance many of us take for granted.