SAME SEX DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: ITS REAL!

We as a society rarely talk about the amount of domestic violence that takes place in the LGBT community. The LGBT community doesn’t even really address domestic violence. The face of domestic violence is all to often associated with a woman being terrorized by a aggressive and out of control man, but domestic violence knows no sexual orientation.

I’ve known far too many violent same sex relationships. Some of my closest friends have been the victims and aggressors of domestic violence in a same sex relationship and it is truly a troubling thing for me to think about. A recent study found that at least 1/4 LGBT relationships experiences domestic violence and that number is way too high in my opinion.

The Police Women of Memphis is a show I have been watching for a few weeks and I was surprised when one of the officers responded to a domestic violence call and the couple was same sex. This however did not change the utter violence and abuse that had taken place.

I know this couple and I think that is what I found the most haunting about this episode. In the gay community we have this notion that since its man on man or woman on woman that abuse is acceptable because any fight isn’t really domestic violence because its a level playing field, but this is simply not true. Abuse and violence whether verbal or physical is never acceptable. That goes for straight, gay, and bisexual relationships. There is nothing cool about domestic violence in your relationship and you don’t get a pass for such violence simply because you are in a gay relationship.

This abuse absolutely has to stop and we must be truthful with our friends that they need to get out of violent relationships.

Situations like this episode are far too prevalent in the gay community and it needs to end.

Violence is never cool.

JUDICIAL ACTIVISM STRIKES AGAIN!

We all know that anytime a judge dares cite the constitution to reinforce and promote equality for ALL, liberty for ALL, and justice for ALL, those on the right start yelling JUDICIAL ACTIVISM is taking place, so I can only imagine how conservatives are going to respond to US District Judge Joseph Tauro’s latest ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act.

“In a major victory for marriage equality advocates, a federal judge in Boston ruled Thursday in two separate cases that a critical portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. In one challenge brought by the state of Massachusetts, U.S. district judge Joseph Tauro ruled that Congress violated the U.S. Constitution when it passed DOMA and took from the states decisions concerning which couples can be considered married.”

Judge Tauro wrote in his 39 page opinion,

“Even if Congress believed at the time of DOMA’s passage that children had the best chance at success if raised jointly by their biological mothers and fathers, a desire to encourage heterosexual couples to procreate and rear their own children more responsibly would not provide a rational basis for denying federal recognition to same-sex marriages, such denial does nothing to promote stability in heterosexual parenting.”

I don’t know about you but I particularly enjoy Judicial Activism when that alleged judicial activism means making this country live up to the tenets of its constitution. It’s awkward that those on the right love to claim judicial activism when a decision doesn’t support their narrow view of what the constitution stands for and represents, but anytime they use the constitution to deny women sovereignty over their bodies or deny gay couples the right to legally marry it’s not judicial activism at all.

Thank you Judge Tauro for standing up for the little guy. The tyranny of the majority must always be leveled by a wise and freedom loving intermediary.

LIVING HISTORY!

Serena Williams does something to me that no other athlete has ever done and that’s make me emotionally invested in her successes and failures. When I watch Serena on court I am literally on the edge of my seat and my stomach feels like I am on a roller coaster. This is a testament to the legacy of Serena Jameka Williams. She makes me understand what it feels like when other people see Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or Muhammad Ali. Watching Serena Williams play is just an intense emotional experience.

Serena Williams is one of the greatest of all time and at this point its just a countdown to see just how GREAT. She has already surpassed Billie Jean King on the all time winner board and is quickly moving into Evert/Navratilova. The question remains though will she reach Graff level status? I definitely think its possible.

Serena Williams was dominant in her Wimbledon final today and showed that spark she had when she first began to dominant tennis. Her future is bright and her dedication and commitment are back to high levels.

It is truly a matter of time!

Congratulations Serena Williams on your 4th Wimbledon title and 13th overall!

Keep writing history!