Rendezvous is almost here!

Next week we kick off Wyoming's pride event, Rendezvous!

This is a wonderful opportunity for the LGTB community and our allies to spend a few days together camping, laughing and sharing good food and drink.

If you can't come to the entire event (Aug 3-7th) at least consider coming for the weekend or at the very least try and come up for a night show.  We have so much to celebrate this year. Here in Wyoming SJ5 and HB74 died, DADT was repealed, and marriage equality arrived in New York.  We are up about 30% as far as registrations go compared to this point last year.

Check out our website at www.wyomingequality.org for all the fine print, registration forms, and contact info.  I hope to see you all next week!

Jeran

Deficit Time Bomb

I've had it with the deficit talks. We are in the 11th hour and still playing partisan politics! I have clients calling me going into panic mode about what to do with their life savings. Old people, young people, working people, are all being asked to make big sacrifices. Multi-millionaires and billionaires are not???? Why???


Warren Buffet said, “there is plenty of room on the revenue side with wealthy people like me. We've never had it so good. I mean our tax rates have never been lower than this and we've had it for 10 years and it's shown in the great disparity of wealth that's occurred in the last decade or so.”

Washington Post/ABC News Poll: Americans support a "mixed" approach to reducing the deficit. What's interesting is the Post/ABC News poll shows a Republican Partly clearly divided on that question. Overall, more than six in 10 Americans say a plan to reduce the deficit should include a combination of spending cuts and new taxes, rather than exclusively one or the other. (Washington Post, 7/19/11)

I'm fed up with the crap! It's time for everyone, no matter where you live, to call and email your Representatives and Senators. You can find out how to contact you Representative(s) here. And contact your two Senators here.

Folks I know this isn't fun reading but it really is going to affect each and everyone of us. Most people I know have just now gotten back to their pre-recession levels as far as their investments go. If you just retired, or are already retired, can you afford another crash and wait 5-10 years for your investments to recover? How would higher interest rates on mortgages, vehicles, and credit cards affect your bottom line? What do you think the global economy would do if the U.S. economy went in the tank?

I hate talking doomsday and I hope a compromise is reached.  But it's really time we look at who we have elected and put in Washington D.C. These folks are playing dangerous games that will ultimately hurt small people, working class people, and fair and decent citizens like you and me!

Jeran

To my friend Lori

One of my favorite things to do every night is to go through my Facebook homepage and read all the exciting things that are going on with my friends. A couple of nights ago as I scrolled down I read something on a friends page and immediately started to feel a lump in throat swell. "Please let this be a mistake!" was the only thing I could get through my head....

I want to tell you about my friend Lori Carmin Constantinides. She was one of my dear friends while growing up in Wheatland. Even though Lori was a couple of years younger than me, (my brothers age) we found ourselves running in the same circles.

We really grew close in high school. I remember partnering with Lori for the category of  "humorous duet interpretation" on the speech team. We had a hard time getting through our bit because we were usually laughing to hard to make it all the way through to the end. We would sit on the bus while traveling to these speech meets and solve all of the worlds problems. Well at least the problems going on at Wheatland High School!

The speech team was my place to vent. I always felt comfortable talking to my friends on the long bus rides to and from speech meets. Lori would sit for hours and listen to my friend Shawn and I imitate our teachers and talk about kids that we found interesting.  She would always laugh and encourage us! I remember that laugh and smile just like I was sitting on that bus with her yesterday. She always had the most beautiful smile and a huge laugh (usually a big belly laugh) that would make every one else on the bus want to sit  and congregate in our little corner.

Lori and I tried to date each other a couple of different times. That didn't work out for obvious reasons.. haha!! But it's funny.... If I could go back  now and sit down with anyone and explain what was going on in my heart of hearts; there is no one one that would have understood me better than Lori would have. I can picture her grasping my hand and saying, "It's ok Jeran!" That's just the kind of person she was!

I look at her family pictures now, on the internet, and I smile and cry thinking about how beautiful her family and life had become! We should all be so lucky!

I had a chance to go to that class reunion this last weekend. I was invited by many friends on multiple occasions, but I had other plans. Obviously if I would have known that was going to be my very last chance to see an old friend... we all know how that story plays out.

So.... here goes... Lori, I can honestly say you made my life better by being a part of it! I will think back on all the times we spent together with so much laughter and joy! I'm sorry we lost touch after high school, but like so many of our friends, I was thrilled to find out you were thriving in Colorado Springs. My heart breaks for the sadness that surrounds your death. I hope I can meet your husband Alex, and find the appropriate and comforting words that allow him a moment of  peace. (I will  continue to pray for that every night and hope I can find the strength to stop weeping!)

And honestly, in some weird way, this actually makes my faith grow stronger. I can't help but think God needed you and those beautiful children for something much bigger than what we could possibly understand here on earth; and that is why he had take you from us on such short notice.

Go now my friend, with your beautiful babies, and rest in eternal comfort.

With all my love, thoughts and prayers,

Jeran

The Times They Are a-Changin

I have read this story about 17 times! Every time I read it I find myself smiling uncontrollably and giggling out loud!

I don't think anyone can deny that momentum is swinging towards marriage equality after New York said yes! Can you imagine this headline 10 years ago? Can you someday picture a similar story running in Wyoming newspapers? Judges signing up to work on Sunday? Unprecedented and hopefully a sign of what's to come in other states shortly!

 A few months back a Gallup  poll showed that a majority of Americans were now in support of marriage equality. I would like to see the same results taken now, especially after New York State received all of this wonderful publicity. Do you think we would see an even greater uptick in what most Americans think about making marriage non-discriminatory?

Please weigh in and share your thoughts. I'm pumped!!

Jeran

I need help understanding this!

Can some of my Tea Party friends please explain to me why taxing the wealthiest Americans at higher rates doesn't make sense, and is completely off limits in the budget negotiations; but cutting programs like Medicare and Social Security that affect nearly every single one of us does?? Because I can't wrap my little brain around it!

I hope everyone was able to see Obama's press conference in which he stated if these negotiations fail, seniors may not get their Social Security checks in August (that's about two weeks away.) Along with the stock market crashing, our military and government employees not getting paid, the U.S. credit rating goes into the toilet, and a few other pleasantries to boot. This is serious business and is actually starting to spook me a little bit!

Why are we letting these morons in Washington negotiate with the idea of taking money away from my Grandma and Grandpa, these are hard working decent Americans who have contributed a great deal into making this country what it is! My Grandpa is Korean war hero. They don't live extravagant lifestyles, in fact they live very modestly and if you cut out part of their Social Security it will hurt them financially. They're not in the best of health either, so if you want to cut Medicare that is also going to hurt them financially.  Why do you want to do this to them??? All the while keeping my good buddy Cynthia Lummis, along with other  multimillionaire legislators, in one of the lowest tax brackets of all time!  Am I the only one that can't get past the hypocrisy?

Oh and one more little snit, If I hear one more person refer to Social Security as an entitlement program I will probably throw up. Unless you mean, I've put money into it for years and years and I'm entitled to get it back! Then I'm cool with you..

Jeran

WyWatch attacks Frontier Days and Susan G Komen Foundation.

Here is an email and attachments sent out by WyWatch. I am outraged and I hope you are too! This is very lengthy but worth a read. I really want to thank my friends, that are in the loop, and were able to secure this for me!

Dear WyWatch Family and Friends,

We are forwarding along some important information that we feel our members should be aware of.  The WyWatch Board of Directors would like to take the opportunity to encourage each of you to take the time to read the attachments and to take action.

The WyWatch leadership understands full well the desire for Christians to want to support organizations that are researching a disease that kills thousands of loved ones and is very personal for many….even on our board of directors.

But in the name of LIFE we ask that you carefully examine the attached documents and ask the organizations who research these studies to also stand for protecting our precious unborn.

We thank Margaret and Richard Wall for their hard work on this issue and their well written explanation of the facts.  We felt no need to alter what they provided us to pass on to the pro-life community.

We hope you will take the time to read the attachments and to take action.

WyWatch takes the following position on the life issue and hope you will share these principles with your family and friends and then pass on this e-mail to those you know are like-minded.
 

LIFE

 Principle #1 of the Judeo-Christian Ethic
—The Dignity of Human Life
 

 “The Scriptures emphatically teach the great importance of the respect and preservation of human life.  In the Declaration of Independence our nation’s Founding Fathers wrote that everyone has ‘unalienable rights,’ and that among these rights are ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’  We Americans not only believe this for our land, but also we send our brave military men and women around the world to defend the rights of those who are threatened.

If people and nations do not grant ultimate respect and protection to both the born and the unborn, all other professed morals and values are meaningless.  The dignity of human life is not just a principle of the Bible—it is the first principle of any civilizedsociety.”---The American Patriot’s Bible
 

• No one should be able to decide that an innocent life is worthless.
   
•   Taking one human life because you think it might improve another human life is never justified.
   
•   Women need to know all the facts about abortion, but the abortion industry has been actively covering up the truth about abortion for decades.
   
•   In death-penalty cases, “reasonable doubt” goes to the accused because we must not risk an innocent’s life if there is uncertainty. This logic goes out the window when it comes to abortion.
   
•  According to the Declaration of Independence, a Creator made human life. Such life, being made with design or purpose, was therefore distinct from and more important than other forms of life.
   
• Because those favoring abortion have downplayed this uniqueness of human life since the 1930’s, some in our society have come to accept the lie that killing an unborn child is no different than killing any other animal.

WyWatch Family Action
P.O. Box 20515
Cheyenne, WY 82003
http://www.wywatch.org
contact@wywatch.org
307.316.0212

Here is the First Attachment;

Dear Friends of Life,
Sadly, it has come to our attention that Cheyenne Frontier Days has once again decided to
associate itself with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As you may know already, Komen publicly
endorses embryonic stem cell research, denies prematurely any link between abortion and breast
cancer (despite credible scientific evidence to the contrary), and will not stop its affiliates from
donating funds to Planned Parenthood (America’s largest abortion and chemical contraceptive
provider).


For these reasons, the Archdiocese of St. Louis released a statement concerning Komen,
exhorting all Catholics to avoid any association with it lest they become the cause of scandal for the
Church and the world around them. Indeed, this statement can be extended to the entire pro-life and
Christian community. You will find the statement in the email attachment. We hope you will read and
discuss it among your families and friends.


While the local Susan G. Komen of Wyoming affiliate reportedly does not partner with Planned
Parenthood, 25% of the funds raised by Komen’s Wyoming affiliate at CFD are sent to the national
organization. And the national organization has allowed Komen affiliates in other states to give
money to Planned Parenthood, ostensibly for purposes related to breast cancer. If a Komen affiliate
donates to Planned Parenthood for breast health programs, however, this frees up Planned
Parenthood’s unrestricted funds so that they can pay for abortion-related services. So, while a
person’s money may not directly pay for abortions here in Wyoming, there is still scandal involved
because he or she is at some level enabling abortion elsewhere.


After bringing the facts concerning Komen to CFD General Chairman Rod Hottle and CEO Dan
Cheney’s attention in early June, we were told that CFD had no plans to support Komen this year as
they have in years past. Yet, a few days ago, we heard from reliable sources that CFD has changed
course and is going to donate to Komen’s local affiliate as well as reference Komen in CFD literature.
Mr. Hottle and Mr. Cheney have not returned our calls and emails for clarification about CFD’s
change in direction.


As fellow Catholics and members of the pro-life Christian community at large, we seek your support
at this critical juncture in an effort to stop the loss of innocent human life due to the relationship
between Komen and Planned Parenthood. Please contact CFD General Chairman Rod Hottle and
CFD CEO Dan Cheney ASAP and ask them not to give financial support and publicity to Susan G.
Komen at the 2011 CFD because of Susan G. Komen’s relationship with Planned Parenthood.
Encourage them instead to redirect CFD funds raised for breast cancer research to research
organizations that do not endorse embryonic stem cell research and that have no ties to Planned
Parenthood. You can sign or adapt the model letter that we have attached to this email for your
convenience and either mail or email it to them at CFD Headquarters. Then, please let us know that
you have taken action by emailing or calling us (634-9771), so that we can keep track of the number
of letters CFD is receiving.


Your action today can make a difference for the unborn! Just a few hundred letters will send
the message that there are people who care and who are aware of CFD’s association with Komen,
thereby turning the tide away from abortion funding and toward authentic breast cancer research.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent matter! God bless you for your
commitment to the defenseless unborn whose voice you represent.


Margaret and Richard Wall
CFD Mailing Information
Send your letter by email to: CFD General Chairman Rod Hottle: general.chairman@cfdrodeo.com
CFD Chief Executive Officer Dan Cheney: dan@cfdrodeo.com
Or send letters by regular mail to:
Mr. Rod Hottle, General Chairman
Mr. Dan Cheney, CEO
c/o Cheyenne Frontier Days
P.O. Box 2477
Cheyenne, WY 82003


And here is a copy of what they are asking all their "friends" to send out;

July 2011

Mr. Rod Hottle                                               Mr. Dan Cheney

General Chairman                                           Chief Executive Officer

Cheyenne Frontier Days                                 Cheyenne Frontier Days

P.O. Box 2477                                                            P.O. Box 2477

Cheyenne, WY  82003                                   Cheyenne, WY  82003

Dear Mr. Hottle and Mr. Cheney:                                                                                         

            I have heard that Cheyenne Frontier Days has decided to support Susan G. Komen of Wyoming through monetary contributions and by referencing Komen in 2011 CFD literature.  I respectfully request that Cheyenne Frontier Days change its decision and redirect any funds raised this year by CFD for breast cancer research from Susan G. Komen of Wyoming to other worthier breast cancer research organizations and refrain from mentioning Susan G. Komen of Wyoming either in CFD literature or commentary during the 2011 rodeo because of the latter’s affiliation with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, its national parent organization.  The relationship between Komen of Wyoming and national Komen is problematic for the following reasons:

1.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure (which receives 25% of the money raised by Komen’s Wyoming affiliate) allows its affiliates nationwide to partner with Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider, in supplying breast health services.  Such cooperation on the part of Susan G. Komen’s affiliates with Planned Parenthood frees up Planned Parenthood’s unrestricted money for abortion-related services.  Although the local affiliate has reportedly not donated to Planned Parenthood, nevertheless by virtue of its association with the national organization, Susan G. Komen of Wyoming (and, therefore, any organizations and individuals who donate to it) is complicit in the abortions resulting from such funding by other Komen affiliates with the blessing of the national Komen.

2.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure has endorsed embryonic stem cell research, which always results in the destruction of human life at an early stage.

3.  Rather than support further research on the issue, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has prematurely dismissed the link between abortion and breast cancer, despite the fact that credible studies have demonstrated such a link.

By associating itself with Susan G. Komen locally, CFD is thereby associating itself with Susan G. Komen nationally and all that Komen represents, does, and allows its affiliates to do.  Such an association contradicts the “family” and “child” friendly purposes of CFD and threatens to taint this year’s wonderful rodeo which you and so many Cheyenne residents have worked hard to bring to fruition.

Thank you in advance for discontinuing CFD funding and public recognition of Susan G. Komen of Wyoming until the issues raised above have been resolved.

Sincerely,

________________________________________________________________________________

Signature/ Printed Name        

Address/City/State/Zip

I hope this is enough for some of our more moderate political friends to distance themselves from this hate group.  Once again they skew and manipulate the facts to fit into their campaign of hate and discrimination. It's time we all stand up to them and tell them this is not acceptable. I will be making a gift to the Susan G Komen Foundation today!!

Jeran

Save the date! Sept 15th 2011

I'm very excited to announce that Wyoming Equality has partnered with the Wyoming ACLU to bring Wyoming a screening of  the documentary "Out in the Silence."

This is a movie about growing up gay in a small town. I've watched it and I cried four times. This film brings wonderful insight to what many of us have felt growing up in rural Wyoming.

See the poster below for all the details.

Wy Out in Silence Poster
I'm very very excited about this!

Jeran

Camp it up in Wyoming!

Wanted to share an article I wrote for our newsletter. If anyone likes camping consider coming to Rendezvous! This glorious event takes place August 3-7th in the Medicine Bow National Forest.

Rendezvous; A Newcomer’s Perspective.

Last year I was a “Rendezvous Virgin,” I was both nervous and excited. Being a Wyoming native I couldn’t wait to finally spend some time around people that I could relate to; and when it was all said and done I vowed that I would never miss another Rendezvous, as it was truly a life changing experience.

A couple weeks ago I was at pride in Denver and passed out Rendezvous flyers in the parade and also spent some time manning our booth in the park. The most common question I got was; “what kind of a camping trip is it?”  My response, “like anything in life, it is what you make of it.”  If you’re looking for a nice quiet and relaxing camping trip you can find it here. If you’re looking for a great party you can also find it here; and anything in between. We have old campers, young campers, men, women, families, and a nice mix of the LGTB community along with a handful of our straight allies.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I’m not much of a camper so I wondered if I would even fit in. Right away I had trouble setting up my tent. I was thinking to myself “if I can’t get this put together shortly I’m just going to throw it back in my car and go home.”  Luckily I had help almost immediately! A passerby saw that I was struggling and came to my rescue. He was happy to help and I ended up spending many wonderful hours with him and his friends laughing, telling stories, and sharing good food and drink.

Speaking of food, I brought some of my own, but decided to mostly eat the meals that could be purchased at the main campsite. I thought they were very good! All the ingredients were fresh and a nice variety of cuisine was offered.  I met some campers that had brought all of their own food and were kind enough to invite me to one of their “dinner parties.”  Keep in mind this is gay camping, so they weren’t grilling burgers and brats, it was more like bacon wrapped shrimp on rosemary skewers. Anyway, I had wonderful food the entire time I was up there.

(needless to say I didn't win the hula hooping contest!)

The entertainment was great last year and should be equally impressive this year. Nuclea Waste will be back with her hilarious drag show. Nancy Norton will be headlining one night with a comedy show.  We also have hiking, workshops, volleyball, drag queen bingo, a film festival, country dancing, and so much more. 

For me the best part was making so many new friends.  Some I’ve stayed in touch with over the last year and we’ve actually become very close, and some I’m excited to reconnect with. 

So if you’re on the fence about attending or not attending, give it a shot, it might just change your life!

Jeran Artery

Wyoming Equality