Rally in Queens

Dear Jack,

Today we had a rather successful rally here in Queens. We had an estimated 2500 people at the rally. Michael and I spoke representing OUT Astoria. There were a few sound problems, but other than that I think the rally was a massive success.

I'm hopeful that we made an impact.  With so many people there, one really felt like the community was coming together.  It was empowering to say the least.  Thanks to Marriage Equality NY for helping fund the event!

Car Alarms

Dear Jack,

Please explain to me what the point of a car alarm is. It is obvious that it is not intended to protect the car. I mean, how can rattling a series of obnoxious noises at 7 am outside a residential area guarantee protection? It doesn't make me want to stop a hoodlum...in fact when I'm awakened by such an ostentatious alarm I hope someone takes a brick and bashes in the windshield.

Let me put into perspective my feelings. First of all, since 7am a car has been blaring its car alarm, unattended by the owner. The owner thought it prudent to buy the car alarm, set it on EXTRA sensitive, and then park on the corner of two busy streets. Thus as any car happens to stop at the stop light, it goes off. Do you realize how many cars drive along Steinway at 7 am???

If you're going to be so obnoxious as this person and purchase an alarm for your car that you intend to leave in the street, please park close enough that when it goes off to warn you of danger, you actually hear it and can react...or at least notice when it is going off because of traffic, and shut the darn thing off. Or do us all a favor and park somewhere on a different block where there are not people who sleep at 7 am.

About Time

Dear Jack,

Well I haven't blogged in a long time. So here I go.

I'm still a working at the church center. I still am in a wonderful relationship with Michael. I have a wonderful apartment in Astoria, and things are looking good. I am even getting out of educational debt.

I have so much to be thankful for--it's odd how that works.

Had some manipulative persons not tried to harm me by slandering my name at General, I probably would not be able to be where I am now. When it happened, I was scared, I feared the slander, and I was angry with the people responsible (and if they read this, know I know who you are). Regardless, having done nothing wrong, and having a wonderful bishop with a level head, and the grace and love of Christ, as well as the loving support of Michael, my life is better than it ever has been.

What a few may have used for evil, God has turned into my greatest blessings. I cannot say I have gotten to the point that I could confront these individuals, let alone forgive them and call them a brother or sister in Christ. That will take a lot more time and Spiritual discipline.

What I can do is look at the blessings in my life, and the grad direction in which it is headed. Indeed, God is ever present, and my joy is abounding.

This Advent season, I wait with all Christians for Christ's incarnation in the world--and as I wait I recognize how Christ is very present in my life, and how I could not succeed without his help.

Life is Good. God is Great. Being out of school is Good. Being Gay is Good. Being in a Loving Relationship is Good. Reaching a motivational resolution is priceless.