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The Orthodox Faith-Worship-The Church Year – Elevation of the Cross

sowingseedsoforthodoxy — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:29:40 +0000

This will be a long series, but I trust it will be profitable to you in learning about the Orthodox faith. From time to time, I will also provide addition blogs of interest. - Herman Art]

Elevation of theCross

The Elevation of the Cross, celebrated on the fourteenth of September, commemorates the finding of Christ’s Cross by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine in the fourth century; and, after it was taken by the Persians, of its recovery by the Emperor Heraclius in the seventh century at which time it was “elevated” in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. From this latter event the “universal elevation” of the Cross was celebrated annually in all of the churches of the Christian Empire.

The day of the Elevation of the Cross became, as it were, the national holiday of the Eastern Christian Empire similar to the Fourth of July in the United States. The Cross, the official emblem of the Empire which was placed on all public buildings and uniforms, was officially elevated on this day by the bishops and priests. They blessed the four directions of the universe with the Cross, while the faithful repeated the chanting of “Lord have mercy.” This ritual is still done in the churches today after the solemn presentation and elevation of the Cross at the end of the Vigil service of the holy day following the Great Doxology of Matins.

The troparion of the feast which was, one might say, the “national anthem” sung on all public occasions in the Christian Empires of Byzantium and Russia, originally petitioned God to save the people, to grant victory in war and to preserve the empire “by the virtue of the Cross.” Today the troparion, and all the hymns of the day, are “spiritualized” as the “adversaries” become the spiritually wicked and sinful including the devil and his armies, and “Orthodox Christians” replace the names of ruling officials of the Empire.

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by the virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation (Troparion).

As Thou was mercifully crucified for our sake, grant mercy to those who are called by Thy name; make all Orthodox Christians glad by Thy power, granting them victories over their adversaries, by bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace (Kontakion).

The holy day of the Elevation of the Cross, although it has an obviously “political” origin, has a place of great significance in the Church today. It remains with us as a day of fasting and prayer, a day when we recall that the Cross is the only sign worthy of our total allegiance, and that our salvation comes not by “victories” of any earthly sort but by the only true and lasting victory of the crucifixion of Christ and our coÄcrucifixion with him.

When we elevate the Cross and bow down before it in veneration and worship to God, we proclaim that we belong to the Kingdom “not of this world,” and that our only true and enduring citizenship is with the saints in the “city of God” (Eph 2:19; Heb 11:10; Rev 21-22).

The first Old Testamental reading of the Vespers of the day tells of the “tree” which changes the bitter waters into sweetness — the symbol of the Tree of the Cross (Ex 15:22-16:1). The second reading reminds us that the Lord chastens and corrects those whom he loves and that Divine Wisdom is “a Tree of life to those who lay hold upon her and trust in her, as in the Lord” (Prov 3:11-18). Again the reference is to the Cross which is, as the epistle reading of the day proclaims, “to those who are called … the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:18-25).

The third Old Testament reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah which tells of the “city of the Lord” where both Jews and Gentiles will live together and “shall bow themselves down” at the place of God’s feet and “shall know that I the Lord am Thy Saviour and Thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:11-16). Here we have the direct reference to God’s city where men shall worship at his feet; and together with the psalm line repeated constantly during the services which calls us to “bow before his footstool,” we have once again the reference to the Holy Cross (Ps 99:5, 110:1, et al.).

Before the Cross, we bow down in worship, 0 Master, and Thy holy resurrection, we glorify (Hymn of Veneration before the Cross).

This central hymn of the Elevation of the Cross which lasts for eight days in the Church is sung many times. It replaces the Thrice-Holy of the Divine Liturgy. The normal antiphons are also replaced by special verses from the psalms which have direct reference to Christ’s crucifixion on the Cross (Ps 22, 74, 99). At the Matins, in the gospel reading from St John, Christ says that when he is elevated on the Cross he will draw all men to himself (Jn 12:28-36). The long gospel reading at the Divine Liturgy is the passion account from this same gospel.

Thus, at the Elevation of the Cross the Christians make their official rededication to the crucified Lord and pledge their undivided allegiance to him by the adoration of his holy feet nailed to the lifeÄcreating Cross. This is the meaning of this holy day of fasting and repentance in the Church today.

http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=88

Events: Candlelight Vigil in Male'

thimaaveshi — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:22:26 +0000

Blue Peace Maldives, a local NGO, is organising a candlelight vigil to send a clear message to the world leaders that the fate of planet Earth’s future is in their hands as they negotiate at COP15 this month. The vigil is part of 350.org’s Vigil for Survival events being held on 11-12 December to show solidarity with citizens of the world, whose survival is threatened by the climate crisis.

The vigil will be held at the small sandy square in front of the Adu Park, at Raalhugandu, Lonuziyaaraiykolhu, Male’, Maldives.

The future of the planet is at stake. The humanity will face rising seas, temperatures too warm for growing food, drought and desertification. Make your voice heard. It is a vigil for survival. The survival of humanity and the earth.

Date: 11 December 2009
Time: 6 pm – 11 pm
What to bring: candles, lanterns, pictures of a 350 action, t-shirts, banners

For more information, please click here.

Vigil held for damaged Muslim graves

Manchester Mouth — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:26:30 +0000

ANGRY Mancunians took part in a vigil at Southern Cemetery on Sunday 29 November 2009 after Muslim g

Lesbians and Gays to Protest Vallejo's Homophobic Mayor Osby Davis

nealbinnyc — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:28:53 +0000

from: http://www.shewired.com/Article.cfm?ID=24007

Gay rights activists are planning a protest against Vallejo, California mayor Osby Davis after he called gays “sinful” in a interview with the New York Times.

Mayor Osby Davis told the New York Times gays are “committing sin and that sin will keep them out of heaven. But you don’t hate the person. You hate the sin that they commit.” The New York Times quoted Davis as part of an article titled “Faith and Tolerance Collide in Vallejo,” which explores rising tensions in the city between recent gay and lesbian transplants and evangelical Christians.

Davis defeated openly gay candidate Gary Cloutier by just two votes to take the post of mayor in Vallejo in 2007. Cloutier said the Vallejo city council is rife with anti-gay sentiment and he has repeatedly been introduced as “a gay” in council meetings.

Davis later apologized for the comments in a press statement, saying his words were taken out of context. “I have worked hard to unite Vallejo and I will continue to do so. To those I have offended by my comments, I apologize… I care for the entire community and my desire is to build consensus on our diversity. Let me be clear, I have and will stand against hatred, discrimination and divisiveness wherever they exist.”

Bay activist and former planning commissioner Charles Legalos is pushing for the mayor’s censure over his statement to the New York Times. “His comments were completely out of line,” Legalos told the Oakland Tribune. “They have no place coming from a city official.”

Openly gay Catholic priest Lou Bordisso, a former school board candidate, is planning a protest on Dec. 1 against Davis in front of City Hall. Bordisso told the New York Times he believes local evangelical Christians “have a hidden agenda to impose their particular version of Christianity on the citizens of Vallejo.”

“The mayor’s comments were of a theological nature and he was acting in his capacity as mayor and that’s completely unacceptable,” Bordisso said, according to Fox40.com. “There needs to be a separation of church and state.”

The Orthodox Faith-Worship-The Church Year – Epiphany

sowingseedsoforthodoxy — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:26:18 +0000

[As stated in my About, I want to tell the world about the Orthodox faith. Up to this point, my blogs have somewhat unorganized to do that. Now God has given me a more coorinated way to do that. I will be sharing articles from the Orthodox Faith. This will be a long series, but I trust it will be profitable to you in learning about the Orthodox faith. From time to time, I will also provide addition blogs of interest. - Herman Art]

Epiphany

The sixth of January is the feast of the Epiphany. Originally it was the one Christian feast of the “shining forth” of God to the world in the human form of Jesus of Nazareth. It included the celebration of Christ’s birth, the adoration of the Wisemen, and all of the childhood events of Christ such as his circumcision and presentation to the temple as well as his baptism by John in the Jordan. There seems to be little doubt that this feast, like Easter and Pentecost, was understood as the fulfillment of a previous Jewish festival, in this case the Feast of Lights.

Epiphany means shining forth or manifestation. The feast is often called, as it is in the Orthodox service books, Theophany, which means the shining forth and manifestation of God. The emphasis in the present day celebration is on the appearance of Jesus as the human Messiah of Israel and the divine Son of God, One of the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Thus, in the baptism by John in the Jordan, Jesus identifies himself with sinners as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29), the “Beloved” of the Father whose messianic task it is to redeem men from their sins (Lk 3:21, Mk 1:35). And he is revealed as well as One of the Divine Trinity, testified to by the voice of the Father, and by the Spirit in the form of a dove. This is the central epiphany glorified in the main hymns of the feast:

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan the worship of the Trinity was made manifest! For the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee his Beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of his Word. O Christ our God, who hast revealed Thyself and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee (Troparion).

Today Thou hast appeared to the universe, end Thy Light, O Lord, has shone on us, who with understanding praise Thee: Thou hast come and revealed Thyself, O Light Unapproachable! (Kontakion).

The services of Epiphany are set up exactly as those of Christmas, although historically it was most certainly Christmas which was made to imitate Epiphany since it was established later. Once again the Royal Hours and the Liturgy of Saint Basil are celebrated together with Vespers on the eve of the feast; and the Vigil is made up of Great Compline and Matins. The prophecies of Epiphany repeat the God is with Us from Isaiah and stress the foretelling of the Messiah as well as the coming of his forerunner, John the Baptist:

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Is 40:3-5; Lk 3:4-6).

Once more special psalms are sung to begin the Divine Liturgy of the feast, and the baptismal line of Galatians 3:27 replaces the song of the Thrice-Holy. The gospel readings of all the Epiphany services tell of the Lord’s baptism by John in the Jordan River. The epistle reading of the Divine Liturgy tells of the consequences of the Lord’s appearing which is the divine epiphany.

For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:11-14).

The main feature of the feast of the Epiphany is the Great Blessing of Water. It is prescribed to follow both the Divine Liturgy of the eve of the feast and the Divine Liturgy of the day itself. Usually it is done just once in parish churches at the time when most people can be present. It begins with the singing of special hymns and the censing of the water which has been placed in the center of the church building. Surrounded by candles and flowers, this water stands for the beautiful world of God’s original creation and ultimate glorification by Christ in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes this service of blessing is done out of doors at a place where the water is flowing naturally.

The voice of the Lord cries over the waters, saying: Come all ye, receive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, even Christ who is made manifest.

Today the nature of water is sanctified. Jordan is divided in two, and turns back the stream of its waters, beholding the Master being baptized.

As a man Thou didst come to that river, 0 Christ our King, and dost hasten O Good One, to receive the baptism of a servant at the hands of the Forerunner (John), because of our sins, 0 Lover of Man (Hymns of the Great Blessing of Waters).

Following are three readings from the Prophecy of Isaiah concerning the messianic age:

Let the thirsty wilderness be glad, let the desert rejoice, let it blossom as a rose, let it blossom abundantly, let everything rejoice … (Is 35: 1-10)

Go to that water, 0 you who thirst, and as many as have no money, let them eat and drink without price, both wine and fat … (Is 55:1-13)

With joy draw the water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall you say: Confess ye unto the Lord and call upon his Name; declare his glorious deeds… his Name is exalted … Hymn the Name of the Lord … Rejoice and exult … (Is 12:3.6).

After the epistle (1 Cor 1:10-14) and the gospel reading (Mk 1:9-11) the special great litany is chanted invoking the grace of the Holy Spirit upon the water and upon those who will partake of it. It ends with the great prayer of the cosmic glorification of God in which Christ is called upon to sanctify the water, and all men and all creation, by the manifestation of his saving and sanctifying divine presence by the indwelling of the Holy and Good and Life-creating Spirit.

As the troparion of the feast is sung, the celebrant immerses the Cross into the water three times and then proceeds to sprinkle the water in the four directions of the world. He then blesses the people and their homes with the sanctified water which stands for the salvation of all men and all creation which Christ has effected by his “epiphany” in the flesh for the life of the world.

Sometimes people think that the blessing of water and the practice of drinking it and sprinkling it over everyone and everything is a “paganism” which has falsely entered the Christian Church. We know, however, that this ritual was practiced by the People of God in the Old Testament, and that in the Christian Church it has a very special and important significance.

It is the faith of Christians that since the Son of God has taken human flesh and has been immersed in the streams of the Jordan, all matter is sanctified and made pure in him, purged of its death-dealing qualities inherited from the devil and the wickedness of men. In the Lord’s epiphany all creation becomes good again, indeed “very good,” the way that God himself made it and proclaimed it to be in the beginning when “the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters” (Gen 1:2) and when the “Breath of Life” was breathing in man and in everything that God made (Gen 1:30; 2:7).

The world and everything in it is indeed “very good” (Gen 1:31) and when it becomes polluted, corrupted and dead, God saves it once more by effecting the “new creation” in Christ, his divine Son and our Lord by the grace of the Holy Spirit (Gal 6:15). This is what is celebrated on Epiphany, particularly in the Great Blessing of Water. The consecration of the waters on this feast places the entire world — through its “prime element” of watering the perspective of the cosmic creation, sanctification, and glorification of the Kingdom of God in Christ arid the Spirit. It tells us that man and the world were indeed created and saved in order to be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19), the “fullness of him who fills all in all” (Eph 1:22). It tells us that Christ, in who in “the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily,” is and shall be truly “all, and in all” (Col 2:9, 3:11). It tells us as well that the “new heavens and the new earth” which God has promised through his prophets and apostles (Is 66:2; 2 Peter 3:13, Rev 21:1) are truly “with us” already now in the, mystery of Christ and his Church.

Thus, the sanctification and sprinkling of the Epiphany water is no pagan ritual. It is the expression of the most central fact of the Christian vision of man, his life and his world. It is the liturgical testimony that the vocation and destiny of creation is to be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19).

http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=81

Puerto Rico: 'Thousands in San Juan Hold Vigil for Murdered Gay Teen'

LSLounge — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:53:59 +0000

By: David McFadden/Associated Press

The crowd, many of them carrying candles as a breezy dusk settled over San Juan, were also demanding that authorities invoke a law for the first time covering crimes based on sexual orientation in the U.S. territory. See http://www.LesbianSugarLounge.com for complete story.

Healing Ceremony, Sunday November 29th from 3:30 to 4:00PM

paula — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:31:17 +0000

Healing Ceremony

When: Sunday November 29th from 3:30 to 4:00 pm
Where: Prospect Point in Stanley Park

Anyone is welcome to join us in this prayer-vigil. We are asking that love ones come together to share their special pure intention to love, care, and show compassion for Pierre and all his friends and family. All you really need to bring is a pure motivation of cherishing others. Our hope is that by opening our hearts during the ceremony, we will generate, amplify, transform and dedicate these positive feelings and experiences to Pierre and all those he has lovingly touched.

If you would like to attend but are not able to, please set your watches or timers to 3:30 pm and take a quiet moment in your thoughts and hearts to join us and Pierre from wherever you may be.

Love Paula

Late Night Circumspection

erisian — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:00:08 +0000

Slumber-bereft eyes, sandpapered and pricked by nocturnal vigil; the chambers of the mind become labyrinthine with cerebral dislocation; I am half-waked, not asleep, only partly here.

Sluggish and slow I perambulate through the familiar corridors of thoughts and home, performing each habitual function adequately, automatically; not well, not badly.

Sleep is of vital importance.

You had best not forget that.

leztalknyc — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:39:37 +0000

NYers Mourn For
Annual Trans Day of Remembrance

Throngs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans New Yorkers turned out to recognize the many events that were taken place last Friday to commemorate the 11th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The day recognizes those that fell victim to hate crimes, much of which can not live to tell their stories today.

Last Friday’s day of remembrance came no sooner as people across the nation were mourning the losses of two gay youth who were murdered in most recent weeks, both alleged hate crimes.

The day came just after Puerto-Rican Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, 19, was decapitated and left for dead alongside a road in Cayey, Puerto Rico last week.

Just days later, Jason Mattison Jr., 15 of Baltimore, who was openly gay to his family and friends was found dead in a relative’s closet.

The New York City Anti-Violence Project along with the Gender Identity Project held a vigil with special guests last Friday, November 20 at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center in Manhattan.

Following that, on Sunday, the AVP held a vigil for Mercado at Pier 45 at Christopher Street.

Check out the News section to catch a video of the vigil by Blake Hayes

Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado Vigil - Video NoteBook

supersykes — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:53:00 +0000

This is a video at my experience at New York Jorge Mercado Vigil

LCOA denounces the horrific murder of gay and trans Puerto Rican teenager, Jorge Steven López Mercado.

Mexicanos Unidos — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:36:03 +0000

November 19, 2009 – New York City, NY – The Latino Commission on AIDS, a leader on HIV/AIDS and health related issues across the United States and its territories denounces the horrific murder of gay and trans Puerto Rican teenager, Jorge Steven López Mercado.

“We strongly condemn this brutal crime and urge the federal government to provide Puerto Rican authorities with assistance in this investigation. We cannot stand by and allow any more violence that targets any individual because of their race, ethnicity or sexual orientation or gender identity. The individuals responsible for killing Jorge must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of our new federal hate crimes laws,” stated Guillermo Chacon, President, Latino Commission on AIDS. “We call on the Governor of Puerto Rico, Honorable Luis Fortuño to make a public statement condemning this horrible crime”

“Homophobia and transphobia increases the isolation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and represents a real threat to public heath. Homophobia and transphobia should never be tolerated and the Latino Commission on AIDS condemns any and all violence against any sexual minority group,” stated Oscar Lopez, Director of Health Policy at the Latino Commission on AIDS. “This hatred and fear based on sexual orientation does not just affect the mental and physical health of the LGBT community, but also affect the health and well being of all Americans and it needs to be stopped.”

Your help is urgently needed to stem the wave of domestic and international violence against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people.

By taking just one or two of the actions listed below, you can take a stand for justice and help to protect the safety and lives of LGBT people.

Action #1
Join the Latino Commission on AIDS and its partners in supporting the Vigil, Memorial Service & Community Mobilization in memory of Jorge Steven López Mercado on Sunday, November 22nd at 5:00 pm at Pier 45 (corner of Christopher St. & West Side Highway) followed by a memorial service at the Church of Saint Luke in the Fields (487 Hudson St., By Christopher St). For more information contact: (212) 675-3288

Action #2
Write or call the Governor of Puerto Rico, Honorable Luis G. Fortuño and encourage him to make a public statement condemning this violence and ensure that local law enforcement fully investigate the possibility that the individual(s) responsible for this crime be charged with committing a hate-crime.
E-Mail: ecruz@fortaleza.gobierno.pr – Phone: (787)721-7000

Action #3
Join our faith based communities and make a commitment to pray for members of the LGBT community around the world who continue to face ongoing threats to their freedom, safety, health and well-being for no other reason than their real or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Pray for blessing and protection upon their lives, that they may find strength and hope in the midst of adversity, and that governments everywhere will treat their citizens with fairness, justice and compassion.

Action #4
If you are responsible for raising or mentoring children, be sure to lead by example. Telling is good, but showing is better. In order for your child to be comfortable around members of the LGBT community, you have to be comfortable around them as well. It is important that we to accept one another.

Action #5
The sexual and gender identity of Jorge and many LGBTQ teens is complex and should be celebrated and supported. Jorge needed, and other teens in Puerto Rico still need, support and guidance as they grow to adulthood. Please support the healthy development of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people.

Action#6
If you are Latino, please be aware that many members of our community struggle with homophobia along with machismo and sexism. We must stop homophobic, transphobic and sexist comments, jokes and behaviors at all times. A joke may seem harmless but it may impact a person’s self esteem and create a community of intolerance, which may lead to violence.

ABOUT THE LATINO COMMISSION ON AIDS
The Latino Commission on AIDS (LCOA) is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1990 dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino/Hispanic communities. The Commission is the leading national Latino AIDS organization coordinating National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and other prevention and advocacy programs in more than 40 States and Puerto Rico. The Commission raises funds through its Cielo Latino annual fundraiser. For more information visit: www.latinoaids.org or www.nlaad.org.
UNIDOS PODEMOS / UNITED WE CAN

Puerto Rico: Hate Crime Against Gay Teenager Causes Outrage

nealbinnyc — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:25:44 +0000

Nineteen year-old Jorge Steven Mercado dreamed about working in the fashion industry. He was also a volunteer in organizations advocating for HIV prevention and gay rights. But, last week his body was found dismembered, decapitated, and partially burned, in a rural area in Guavate, Cayey, Puerto Rico. Activists from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Puerto Rico immediately described this brutal slaying as a hate crime. Not a single crime has been processed under the Puerto Rican Hate Crime Law since it was approved in 2002. Penalties are higher if the Hate Crime Law is applied.

Days after the murder, 26 year-old Juan Martínez Matos confessed. According to local news reports, Martínez Matos said he went looking for a prostitute in the streets of Caguas, Puerto Rico, when Steven approached him. Martínez Matos said he “didn’t know” Steven Mercado was a man until they arrived at his apartment in an another town (the victim was allegedly dressed as a woman). Gay activists Ada Conde and Pedro Julio Serrano have publicly stated that the sector where Steven Mercado was picked up is mostly frequented by transsexual and transvestite men. Martínez Matos said he killed Steven in “self defense” after they got into a fight. He then mutilated his body, and left it in a desolated area miles away from his house. Martínez Matos also stated he hated homosexuals because he had been raped when he was in jail for committing domestic violence.

Gay activists were outraged when the police officer in charge of the investigation said: “Someone like that, who does those kind of things, and goes out in public, knows full well that this might happen to him.” They have demanded the officer’s immediate removal from the case. Martínez Matos has been charged with murder and bail was set at $4 million USD.

Since Puerto Rico is a United States territory, federal laws apply. Two Puerto Rican United States Congress Members from New York have asked for this crime to be prosecuted under new federal hate crimes laws. The Federal Investigations Bureau (FBI) is monitoring the investigation. In the 1980s the serial murderer Ángel Colón Maldonado, known as the “Angel of the Bachelors”, killed 27 homosexuals in the Island. Recently, gay actvists have also warned about another murder against a gay man in San Juan, the country’s capital.

Bloggers have reacted to this terrible crime. The human rights actvists and spokesperson of the LGBT organization Puerto Rico para Tod@s (Puerto Rico for Everyone), Pedro Julio Serrano [ES], condemned the religious leaders’ and the politicians’ silence:

We are before one of the most horrendous murders committed in the history of this country, therefore the silence of political and religious leaders is even more shameful. They should feel embarrassed for not expressing their solidarity with Jorge Steven’s family and friends. They should feel embarrassed for not expressing solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community for the hatred that this crime has produced. They should feel embarrassed for not condemning the police officer in charge of the investigation. They should feel embarrassed for having forgotten their constitutional duty of defending equality for every human being.

This Sunday there will be a vigil in New York City in remembrance of Jorge Steven Mercado.

Remembering Our Folks

hollabackdc — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:15:44 +0000

This week was Transgender Awareness Week and today is the 11th Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor all of those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hate. One thing we’ve learned from talking to the transgender community is that gender-based public sexual harassment is a major problem in the DC metro that receives little attention and can lead to very violent and serious crimes.

In honor of this week and today, we want to shine a light on the gender-based sexual harassment that our fellow transgender folks are experiencing on a daily basis in our community.

One of our first stories was about a trans man who was harassed because of his apparent lack of gender identity and conformity and brutally attacked outside of a club by two lesbian women.

Here is another story we received about a trans woman who was harassed on the bus by male and female teens while the bus driver ignored it.

Over the summer two trans women where brutally and one fatally attacked in board daylight in NW DC.

In 2009, 12 transgender individuals were murdered in DC.

According to this report:

The latest, and most reliable, statistics on anti-LGBT violence reveal that it is still a major factor facing the transgender community.

According to a 2008 report from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), anti-transgender bias is reported crimes is holding steady, in fact, it has increased 12 percent over the previous year.

The murder rate for LGBT Americans as a whole stands at the highest it has been since 1999. There were 29 related such murders reported last year.

When asked why the rate of violence has continued to surge, Sharon Stapel, NCAVP executive director, complained, “We have set up a culture that explicitly sanctions violence against LGBT people. When we have a federal government that says it’s OK to discriminate against people because of sexual orientation or gender identity, we shouldn’t be surprised when violence occurs because there is no protection against it.”

There are vigils happening all around the world tonight. In Washington, DC, it is happening at Metropolitan Community Church, 474 Ridge Street NW, at 6:30 PM. The closest is Mt. Vernon Square/7th St Conv Ctr (Green/Yellow). Go to http://tinyurl.com/ybcvyuu for more information. If you live in NoVA, there is one happening in Fairfax at MCC of Northern Virginia, located at 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA 22030. It starts at 6:30PM. For more information, contact RevEmmaChattin@gmail.com.

Candles in the Wind

Rachel — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:28:21 +0000

Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s vigil in protest to Gov Carcieri’s vote against domestic partners’ rights to plan funerals.

Nearly 200 RI’ers lined along the walkway to the State House while a group of six carried a mock coffin to the State House lawn. While there was certainly an air of anger, the tone of the event spoke more to hope and resilience.

Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts explained to the crowd that only one member of RI legislature voted against the bill Carcieri vetoed, and that there are currently strong legislative efforts to overturn this veto when RI government reconvenes after the new year.

In keeping with the mock funeral theme, those who attended were invited to sign a “guest book” which was delivered to Carcieri this morning.

Photo cred: Kate Elliot

RIP Shaniya Davis - Get the Latest News on this Developing Story out of Fayetteville, NC

elucidmarketing — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:24:27 +0000

FULL COVERAGE OF SHANIYA DAVIS

http://bit.ly/shaniya  Share this link anytime for the facebook support and news page!

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media

http://news.mync.com/site/news/story/44766/vigil-held-for-shaniya-davis-near-her-home/

news.mync.com

Source: news.mync.com

A vigil began at 7 p.m. for 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, whose body was found this week in Lee County.The vigil was held atthe Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home Park where Davis lived. A pastor, who also lives …

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media

911 call from Shaniya Davis’s mother

Click here: http://www.wral.com/news/local/audio/6439590/

911 call in Shaniya Davis disappearance :: WRAL.com

Source: www.wral.com

Antoinette Davis calls Fayetteville police on Nov. 10, 2009, to report that her 5-year-old daughter is missing.

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FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media New charges filed on Shaniya Davis murder. McNeil charged with murder! read at http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6459635/

Fayetteville police investigate allegations Shaniya Davis was used to pay drug debt :: WRAL.com

Source: www.wral.com

Three days after finding the body of 5-year-old Shaniya Nicole Davis in rural Lee County, Fayetteville police charged a family acquaintance Thursday in her death. Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape of a child.

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media http://fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/11/18/953424

FayObserver.com – Teens accused of breaking into school property

Source: fayobserver.com

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FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media http://fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/11/18/953211

FayObserver.com – Police: Mom may have used girl to pay debt

Source: fayobserver.com

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/18/crimesider/entry5695400.shtml

Shaniya Davis’ Aunt Says Mother, Antoinette Davis, was “Neglectful” Before Child’s Murder – Crimesid

Source: www.cbsnews.com

Aunt Helped Raised 5-Year-Old Girl, Concerned About Her Moving in with Her Mother.

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media

Raw Video: Moment Searchers Found Girl’s Body

Source: www.youtube.com

On Monday, when searchers found the body of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis off a rural road, about 30 miles from her hometown in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the discovery was caught on tape. (Nov 17)

Hooosh Quick Hits!

phartman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:40:47 +0000

Thursday

smithstalker — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:54:53 +0000

(Musical) Theatre

Leading Ladies’ Pippin opens tonight. Be a Davis Ballroom at 8 pm for some crazy costumes, wild orgies, and excellent singing. Tickets are $5 for Smithies and $7 for the general public. This will be showing until Saturday, Nov. 21.

Dance

The Fall Faculty Dance Concert opens tonight in Theatre 14 in the Mendenhall Center for Performing Arts, also at 8pm. Choreography is by Susan Waltner, Roger Blum, and David Dorfman. For more information, click here. The dance show will be up through Saturday, Nov. 21.

Astronomy Open House

Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy with the Smith Astronomy department tonight from 8:30 to 9:30 on the roof of McConnell. See the moon, Jupiter, and some beautiful star clusters from Smith’s telescopes, but make sure to dress warmly.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transcending Gender is hosting a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of transphoic violence. It’s open to 5 College students and members of the Northampton community and coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be served afterwards in the Resource Center for Sexuality and Gender. Be at the Chapin Deck at 7.

TEXAS A&M BONFIRE SCAM!!!!

phartman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:44:14 +0000

Coming Up: Transgender Day of Remembrance

genderanarchy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:20:44 +0000

Transgender Day of Remembrance is coming up this Friday (and we’re also holding a vigil at VCU on Thursday night with Queer Action).

I keep trying to blog, but I’m having trouble finding time lately. I’ve been super busy with registering for classes next semester (not to mention trying to manage with the current ones), dealing with a flat tire, working, and preparing for VCU Drag Ball (which is this Saturday, and which I’m performing in as a Dragstreet Boi…get it), etc.

Though. I would like to share a song I heard on the way home from chemistry this morning. I believe many meanings can be found from the song, but I know I personally think that it’s very appropriate for TDoR.

At Last Night's Vigil for Shaniya Davis

blksista — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:02:21 +0000

Okay, this is a better video than the earlier one from the Associated Press that I posted. Apparently, the Associated Press took this from the local channels and chopped it up for its purposes. I know this is the biggest thing for these news outlets in a long while. This also includes footage of Shaniya’s half-sister, who was interviewed by Nancy Grace last night.

Bradley Lockhart, shown off his head and supported by friends, family, and members of his church at this vigil attended by dozens of grieving parents, grandparents, strangers and volunteers who searched for the child, apparently has been in both the black and white communities in this part of North Carolina. On Nancy Grace last night, Lockhart’s older, teen daughter looked biracial as well and her voice had the cadences of Southern black language. He’s what one might call a white brother or an honorary brother. He admires black people; he admires black women. Openly.

Being hurt to the heart by the death of his little daughter doesn’t make him a weak man. Not by halves.

Despite my misgivings: that he gave Shaniya back to her mom without checking up and finding that drug bust three months ago at the mobile home, he deserves our respect for loving and keeping his children, and in particular, his little daughter Shaniya. And our prayers for him and his family.

It doesn’t mean that he, for being white, is better than most black men. Let’s say that he was better than most men in his small part of Fayetteville, NC. And better than most white men in the country.

City vigil supports Awol soldier

tellmenews — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:56:27 +0000

An anti-war group in York stages a protest in support of a soldier facing jail for speaking out against the conflict in Afghanistan…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: bay cities. The blog is also related to: grove city.

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RIP Shaniya Davis - Get the Latest News on this Developing Story out of Fayetteville, NC

FULL COVERAGE OF SHANIYA DAVIS http://bit.ly/shaniya Share this link anytime for the facebook support and news page!

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media

http://news.mync.com/site/news/story/44766/vigil-held-for-shaniya-davis-near-her-home/

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media

911 call from Shaniya Davis’s mother

Click here: http://www.wral.com/news/local/audio/6439590/

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media New charges filed on Shaniya Davis murder. McNeil charged with murder! read at http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6459635/

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media http://fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/11/18/953424

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media http://fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/11/18/953211

FayToday.com Fayetteville News and Social Media http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/18/crimesider/entry5695400.shtml

Hooosh Quick Hits!

Thursday

TEXAS A&M BONFIRE SCAM!!!!

Coming Up: Transgender Day of Remembrance

At Last Night's Vigil for Shaniya Davis

City vigil supports Awol soldier

FULL COVERAGE OF SHANIYA DAVIS

http://bit.ly/shaniya Share this link anytime for the facebook support and news page!