"HUMP"day Wednesday, Gay Self-Esteem, Kevin Aviance Attackers Arraigned, Mormon Prof Out for Speaking Against FMA, Eye Candy, Post Update

Hi-de-ho Blogger friends, it's "HUMP"day Wednesday yet again. I got a lot accomplished yesterday, and I hope you had time to enjoy the videos and show some blogger love to some of my favorite blogs I read. I want to start todays post with a little talk about self-esteem. As I was reading thru my daily blogroll today, I came across a post by a blogger I have not read before. Bear in a Box, was featured today on the Best Gay Blogs website, with a poignant commentary on the weekend hate crime ambush of out singer, Kevin Aviance, (see in the news below.) Should all gay people live and dress the outrageous style of Mr. Aviance? Of course not, but he is an entertainer, his style is appropriate, if not mandatory for his chosen profession. Kevin has the self-esteem to live his life on his terms, as he see's fit for his personality. That's all anyone can hope for to attain. To be less, is robbing yourself of the chance to be who you are, whether entertainer, high school student, accountant, or wherever you find yourself in life. Be proud of who you are and what you do. If it is impossible for you to live an out and proud life in your work enviroment, celebrate your life outside of work, dont be afraid to enjoy a chance to hold someone's hand in the movies or even walking down the street. If you feel shame doing this, it will harm your own self-esteem in the long run. Are there still many people in this world that will cast judgement on you, and yes, possibly commit violence against us? Yes, but only because of fear of the unknown, and the more we make ourselves known, the more visable we become, society will start to alter their perceptions of "the norm". Do not put yourself in dangerous situations, but be aware of opportunities to be all that you are. Is being gay all about who you are? Of course not, but it is one of the major filters with which we percieve and live our lives. Take small steps validate yourself. Build your self-esteem up by taking more control of your life and not having to edit your conversations with true friends and loved ones, or hide your contempt for political and religious views that are condemning who you are as a whole person. Start small, write a letter to the political leaders of your state on your view on gay marriage or adoption. Write to the police precincts that arrest hate criminals and thank them for their work in getting one more evil bigot off the street. Write anonymous letters to everyone in your address book about a gay cause you really believe in and ask them for their support. You are exactly as you were meant to be in terms of age, height, gender, and yes, orientation. Be proud of you are, and who you want to become. You will live a happier life for it, not without difficulties, but with honor, self-respect, and self-esteem.
In the news, Two young men suspected of brutally beating gay recording artist Kevin Aviance in New York's East Village while yelling homophobic slurs at him have been arraigned on assault charges. Jarell Sears, 20, of Newark, N.J., Gerard Johnson, 16, of Manhattan, were charged in Manhattan Criminal Court late Monday with first-degree gang assault and first-degree assault as a hate crime in the attack on Aviance, 38. Neither entered a plea. Judge Melissa Jackson set $25,000 bail for each and scheduled their next court date for June 16. The suspects face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
A Brigham Young University professor who publicly spoke out against the Mormon Church's support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage has been told he will not be returning to the school this fall. Last month, in a letter read in all congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints senior officials of the denomination called on church members to lobby their senators to support the amendment. "I believe opposing gay marriage and seeking a constitutional amendment against it is immoral," he wrote in the article published June 4, before the Senate failed to pass the proposed amendment. Four days later he was told his contract would not be renewed. In a letter signed by Philosophy Department Chair Daniel Graham, "Since you have chosen to contradict and oppose the church in an area of great concern to church leaders, and to do so in a public forum, we will not rehire you after the current term is over."
I would like you all to do me a little favor if you dont mind. As you can see, I have put up some generic ads by google and adbrite until I get some advertisers attracted to the site. If you see any of them that catches your eye, please click on the button and see if they are a good offer. I dont want you to buy anything or sign up for anything you dont want, but is something appeals to you, please check it out. I am not sure if they are worth keeping on the site, and I would appreciate your feedback on the ads. Website update happens this Friday, possibly Saturday, depending on how busy my week continues. Be sure to check it out and visit the website whenever you can. And now on to everyone's favorite portion of "HUMP"day Wednesday, lets bring on the eye candy. As usual, these are pictures of guys I consider hot and sexy that I found on the net thru my travels. If you are the copyholder of any of these pictures and wish it to be removed, email me for immediate compliance.........Take Care blogger friends............GG

*****Post Update*****

Remember that acoustically perfect "inhalation room", in my gym that I thought would be perfect for podcasting? So I have finished my workout today, am sitting, relaxing, and deeply inhaling the soothing menthalyptus vapors, when all of a sudden, I get hit by irony, with the force of a ringtail towel snapping me on the butt. I was thinking about the day and the post I made earlier and the lightbulb went off. I talk about gay self-esteem, and include it on the theme day of "HUMP"day Wednesday, will all of the perfect boys and their bodies. Cute and cuddly, chubby little me, has just gone thru my new workout routine, quasi-embarrassed to be working out with all the cute and muscular gym bunnies in the room. Self-esteem begins at home baby, and I take it back if I implied just be proud to be gay around the str8's, be proud and have self-esteem around anyone, gays included. God bless the eye candy in the str8 and gay community, but you dont have to have the perfect body, the perfect clothes, the perfect family, or the perfect job to have self-esteem. It's how you react to all of that, that builds you up and makes up your character. Be proud to be a bear, be proud to be a queen, be proud to be a twink, and be proud to be a man, just be the best you can be to yourself and to others in the mold you have set for yourself. And if you dont like something about yourself, dont feel guilty about it, change it, and we should all be supportive of friends who want to change for the betterment of themselves. I got a new attitude next workout boys and girls, I am serious about self-esteem, it by itself can turn your whole life around, practice it, and enjoy it..........GG