Taking some time off.

I received some bad news healthwise, and been overloaded with papers so I will be taking the rest of this week off. Sorry everyone, but if anyone is willing to step up for me and perhaps sub for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Voices Do Not Fall On Deaf Ears

So a while back I signed a petition regarding that comprehensive immigration reform should include a measure to allow Americans to sponsor same-sex partners for immigration purposes. If you have been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that my partner is from Sweden, so this issue really strikes home for me. When I signed the petition, I, like many others do, simply felt I was a name among many that would get lost among the lists. I was quite shocked to receive an email from Senator Dianne Feinstein! Now I know it is simply a form letter, but none the less, I appreciate the effort that I received any kind of response at all. Unfortunately, The news was not great and the letter explained how the same sex sponsorship was shot down by the republicans threats of not passing the reform bill if it was included, but I am happy that it is an issue that is being taken seriously by my Senator. So when you see the requests to sign a petition an you think, "what will my say really do", unless you use your voice, of course, no one can hear. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Congrats To Robbie Rogers

Okay, I know I am a little late in sending my congratulations to Robbie Rogers, but, to be fair, I have been a bit overwhelmed. My problems aside, however, I commend Robbie on his courage to become one of a very few professional athletes to publicly come out. Not only do you set the example for athletes who may be in the closet, but you set an example to anyone who is afraid to be them self for fear of ridicule and outcry.It is not easy being a first for anything, let alone, something that is all too often one of the last forms of acceptable bigotry and hate. Robbie, you have my support as well as my utmost respect. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Googling "Gayest"

Apparently the gay world was up in arms over Google tying the word "gayest" to "worst" in its searches. All I can say is, pick your battles folks. Words come and go in our vocabulary like the tides, in and out. And as I have said many posts ago, words only have the power that you give them. The harder you fight over a word, the more attention and thus more use it gets. Google has long been a supporter of diversity and equality. There was no hidden agenda on their part to wrong the LGBT community. As part of their duty as a search engine is to keep up with trends. And it is not like a human does this. A computer program picks up on key words and associates them with similar vernacular. And I myself did the search and found worse things then "gayest" being tied to "worst". How about the stereotyping of gay people? How about the "gayest" being the most feminine? So instead of blaming a company that has been nothing but good to us, why don't we, as a community, stop and think about the image we portray and set better examples. Just a thought and I am sure it is not a popular one. Feel free to leave messages below. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

A Step In The Right Direction For Scouting

So this week, the Boy Scouts of America took a step in the right direction by finally allowing openly gay boys in the Boy Scouts organization. Of course, this was not without outcries of anger...on both sides. It goes without saying that any step in the direction of diversity will upset the ignorant homophobes out there. But what surprised me were the gay activists who were upset that this was not enough and that gay adults should be allowed to be scout leaders. To my fellow gay activists out there I say this: Celebrate all victories, little or small! Society as well all know too well will not change all at once. Do not piss on the parade of the young men who will now be allowed to continue their pursuit of that Eagle Scout Badge just because the victory was not big enough. Baby steps. As long as they point in the right direction, even baby steps will get us to where we want to go. So in that spirit I say Congrats! to the Boy Scouts for there efforts towards diversity! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

So Much Going On!

So much to mention yet so much homework too. Ahhhhh. I have not forgotten about you all, and I am so sorry for falling behind. Just a few things I will catch up on this weekend. Nevada, Boy Scouts, Robbie Rogers, and Googling "gayest". I promise I will get into each of these topics over the holiday weekend and once again, I am sorry for the delay. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

All In The Name Of Religion??

I was just reading in the news about the attack on a British soldier by two claiming they had done this in the name of Allah. It is important to remember that these extremists are as much a representation of Islam as the Westboro Baptist Church are true representations of Christianity. Unfortunately, the more extreme one is in anything, the more attention it gets so it is often used as an example, but extreme is not norm, please remember this. Although I am not Muslim, I do know and am friends with several and they are just as outraged by these kinds of behaviors as we are. In fact, they are often even more outraged as they are not only disgusted, but now have to deal with those that take situations like these out on them. Every group has those who take things too far and give a bad name to the other members. Like mentioned before, not all Christians stand with the Westboro Church. Not all Whites are members of the KKK. Remember, just as you don't want the actions of others to used against you, so you should not judge others for something they do not participate in. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Gay Marriage International: Britain, The World's Eyes Are On You!

Britain's House of Commons voted today to approve a bill that would allow same sex marriages by a vote of 366 to 161! But the fight for equality is now headed to the House of Lords were the bill is expected to fight very tough opposition. Despite Prime Minister David Cameron's hopes for approval of the bill, only 45% favor the bill while 48% have said they will deny it. That leaves only 7% who have yet to make up their minds. I only hope that the House of Lords realizes that not only is Britain's gay community watching, but so is the rest of the world. Will they show the world that Britain is set to evolve with the rest of the world, or are they steadfast in the past and willing to let their fears and rigidity keep them from becoming a key player as a world's example of leadership in humanitarian rights. We are watching Britain. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Only 4 Weeks To Go!

The countdown to my sweetheart's arrival continues to tick away! Only for weeks from the time I am writing this, he will be boarding on his flight to arrive here nearly 17 hours later! Now if that isn't love, than what is? I can't wait! For those that have been following know that this has been a long road to get to where we are, but it is a road that I am so very glad for taking. Love you honey bunny! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Pride Season Is Here

As the weather warms and the days get longer, the rainbows begin to appear across the country. It is officially Gay Pride season. Long Beach, Ca kicked of this season with their pride celebration this weekend. "Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration has become one of the premiere Pride events nationwide now attracting over 80,000 participants over two days" (visitlongbeach.com). This marks Long Beach's 30th annual pride celebrations! It is fantastic they have been doing it this long, while at the same time, more and more communities are having their first pride celebrations! Countries such as Moldova and Ukraine are gearing up for their first, while Georgia had their's thwarted by violence from oppressing religious leaders. While Pride celebrations are a wonderful way to show support and solidarity in the fight for equality, it is important to remember, the world is watching. Our community has made great strides over the last few months and the last thing we need is the equality movement to be derailed by the absurd actions of few people pushing too far and shaming the rest of us. So go out there, show your pride, but be classy and respectful! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Eurovision 2013 Winner!

**Spoiler Alert**
Congratulations to this years Eurovision Song Contest----Denmark! The contest will not have far to go next year!. I have to be honest, when I first heard Denmark's song, I was not immediately drawn to it, but it was one of those songs that creep into your head and gets stuck there. The biggest surprise for me, however, was not that Denmark won, but by how many points Romania received! Oh My God! What is wrong with Europe's ears? Anyway, here is a link to this years winning song:

Once again, Congrats to Denmark and look forward to a great show next year! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Vive la France et gay paris!

The Associated Press reported today the following:

France's constitutional council has rejected a challenge by conservative lawmakers to the country's new gay marriage law, saying the law was constitutional.

That means France could see its first gay marriages by the end of May.

France's parliament passed the law legalizing gay marriage last month after a wrenching national debate. Opponents led by the conservative UMP party immediately challenged the law in France's Constitutional Council, which rejected their motion Friday.

The gay marriage law must now be published in the official journal. President Francois Hollande, who made legalizing gay marriage one of his campaign pledges last year, has promised to see the law published as soon as possible.

Congratulations to France and their movement to a better tomorrow through equality!Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Beware Of Scare Tactics

With the technology of today, everyone has a voice that can reach millions more than they used too. It is great that we have that opportunity, but it is what you make of that opportunity that matters. Unfortunately, many have taken it upon themselves to create, manipulate and fabricate absolute scare tactics in order to frighten people with falsehoods to hide the truth. These unscrupulous people can make the most bizarre stories look real and official. So how are we supposed to know what is true and what is not? Glad you asked. The first thing to look for is sources. An honest and upfront article will have a link directly to the source they are talking about. If you are reading something that has no link or link to another opinion site, chances are, it's all crap. Second, look for the author and look up said author. If you cannot find anything, chances are it is hogwash. Lastly, stick to unbiased news sources. These will give news stories from all perspectives and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. And if you are still having problems deciding if something is true or not, just ask me! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Marriage Equality Internationally: Way To Go Brazil!

The Associated Press is now reporting the following:

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Brazilian notary publics must register same-sex civil unions as marriages if the couple requests it, the country's National Council of Justice said Tuesday.

The council that oversees the country's judiciary said in a statement that notary publics cannot refuse to marry gay couples or convert a same-sex civil union into a marriage if that's what the pair wants.

The council based its decision on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling that recognized same-sex civil unions. The court said at the time that gay couples are entitled to same legal rights as heterosexual pairs when it comes to alimony, retirement benefits of a partner who dies and inheritances, among other issues.

Those opposed to the council's ruling can file an appeal with the Supreme Court.

Fourteen of Brazil's 27 states so far have legalized same-same marriages.

Efforts in Congress to approve a bill legalizing gay marriage across the nation have been thwarted by conservative evangelical legislators.

Gay rights movements cheered the council's decision.

"It is a major step that will ensure equality among heterosexual and homosexual couples," Carlos Magno Fonseca, president of the Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association told reporters.

Last year, 1,277 same sex couples registered such civil unions with notary publics.

Congrats to Brazil, way to light the way! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Congratulations To Minnesota!

Minnesota has become the 12th state to recognize marriage equality! Minnesota is known for its relatively mixed social and political orientations, and has a high rate of civic participation and voter turnout. Minnesota ranks among the healthiest states, and has a highly literate population. The large majority of residents are of Scandinavian and German descent. The state is known as a center of Scandinavian American culture. Ethnic diversity has increased in recent decades. Substantial influxes of Asian, African, and Latin American immigrants have joined the descendants of European settlers and the original Native American inhabitants. Minnesota is a prime example of the people of the United States, and if they, with all their diverse peoples, can legalize marriage equality, then there is no reason why the rest of the nation cannot do the same.Way to set the example Minnesota! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Know What you Are Celebrating: Mother's Day

The traditional practice of honoring of Motherhood is rooted in antiquity. Ancient rites had strong symbolic and spiritual overtones, as societies tended to celebrate Goddesses and symbols of motherhood, rather than actual Mothers. Objects of adoration ranged from mythological female deities, to the Christian Church.

The personal, family orientation of Mothers Day is a relatively new phenomenon. Only in the past few centuries did celebrations of Motherhood develop a decidedly human focus, and only in last century did Mothers Day take on commercial overtones.

The earliest history of Mothers Day dates back to the ancient annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to maternal goddesses. The Greeks used the occasion to honor Rhea, wife of Cronus and the mother of many deities of Greek mythology.

Ancient Romans, too, celebrated a spring festival, called Hilaria dedicated to Cybele, a mother goddess. It may be noted that ceremonies in honour of Cybele began some 250 years before Christ was born. The celebration made on the Ides of March by making offerings in the temple of Cybele lasted for three days and included parades, games and masquerades. The celebrations were notorious enough that followers of Cybele were banished from Rome.

Early Christians celebrated a Mother's Day of sorts during the festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. In England the holiday was expanded to include all mothers. It was then called Mothering Sunday. Love to all, especially mom today.

Burly Bear Chris

My Poor Keyboard

With all the writing assignments I had this week, my poor keyboard needs a rest. I have worn out the letters on several of the keys this week. I had 7 papers due plus discussion replies all week. let me tell you, I am so happy they are done...for now. This was just the first week back, I and not looking forward to midterms and finals. Wish me luck! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

I'm Sorry!

I am so sorry to all of you and to myself. I missed posting yesterday and will miss another few days this week. I have a lot going on this week and I won't be able to post as much, but I promise when this week is over, I will be back with more thought provoking posts. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

P.S. If anyone would like to help out and write an article as a guest blogger, feel free to get in touch!

Less Than 6 Weeks To Go!

Yesterday marked the 6 weeks to go mark for my Honey's visit! I am so excited! Plans are starting to come together for some fun while he is here and some surprises too. I cannot wait! My emotions keep swaying from immense excitement to worry and back to excitement again. I worry that he won't have fun or will get bored, but at the same time I know that the three weeks he is here will whiz by so fast! I hope that we can arrange a meet up so that he can meet most of my dearest friends while he is here. Love to all,

Burly Bear Chris

Congrats Delaware!

Congrats to Delaware who today became the 11th state to legalize marriage equality for all. There is still a long road to national equality, but for Delaware ad the ten states before, they are setting a fine example for the rest of the nation to follow. These are exciting and historic time we are living in and I couldn't be more excited for the positive direction many states are heading in. I only wish California could have been one of them. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Looking Up To Liars

I never understood the way society looks up to and worships celebrities and actors. These are people who get paid to be who they really are not. They are liars, fakes and frauds. Yet society has this insane need to worship, follow and idolize them. The only thing that sets these people apart from everyday run of the mill people is their ability to fantasize and make believe. So why are we making them our role models? You have to think that society's sense of priorities are completely out of whack the people who truly deserve such praise and admiration go completely unnoticed and taken for granted. People like our own parents, our teachers, our first responders. I, for one, am tired of hearing about celebrities and their exploits and then hearing the outcry from the people about ho they should act better because they are a role model. First of all, they are actors for a reason. They have a need for attention. Secondly, their is no morals or ethics class needed to pass in order to be an actor, so why would they feel it is their responsibility to do what is right? If you want future generations to know a sense of decency and respect, show it to them yourself, don't expect it to be taught by, as Shakespeare would say, "A poor player who struts and frets their hour upon the stage and is heard no more.....an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Know What You Are Celebrating: Cinco de Mayo

To many Americans, Cinco de Mayo is simply, much like St Patrick's Day, a day to get drunk. But there is much more to this holiday that Coronas and Tacos. Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, is a national holiday in Mexico in honor of a military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. When in 1861 Mexico declared a temporary moratorium on the repayment of foreign debts, English, Spanish, and French troops invaded the country. By April 1862 the English and Spanish had withdrawn, but the French, with the support of wealthy landowners, remained in an attempt to establish a monarchy under Maximilian of Austria and to curb U.S. power in North America. On May 5, 1862, a poorly equipped mestizo and Zapotec force under the command of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla, southeast of Mexico City; about 1,000 French troops were killed. Although the fighting continued and the French were not driven out for another five years, the victory at Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination. Now the next time you pick up your beer, drink a toast in honor of those who died in the battle. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Be True To Yourself

If there is one thing I would love for people to take away from this blog, it is to always be true to yourself. I have not only seen and heard of lives ruined and turned upside down, but have experienced first hand the trauma of finding out the person closest to me is not really who they say they are. I have heard every excuse in the world as to why someone would choose to hide who they really are, and aside from eminent harm, none are worth the lives that are effected by being dishonest. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You cannot complain that no one knows the real you when you do not put the real you out there. When you hide who you are, the relationships you build with others are all built on the facade you put before you. If others don't know the real you, are you being honest with yourself?
• Hiding who you are does not hurt only you. When, not if, others learn that you have been keeping secrets from them and living lies, you cannot expect them to embrace it with open arms. Others will get hurt.
• Keeping yourself hidden will only suppress happiness. Keeping secrets can be emotionally draining. The longer you go, the more these negative emotions take control. 

I am not saying that by simply being honest everything becomes rainbows and roses. It is hard work and difficult in the beginning. But it is no harder then keeping secrets and eventually, once the truth is out there, things do in fact get better. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Not Ready For Summer

I am so not ready for summer. This is one bear that would much rather sleep through the heat. I am not built for hot weather. I am much happier when things stay below 75F. I was born and raised in Southern California. You would think that I am used to the heat. NO! I am not! I will be counting down the days until winter again. I have a theory. In winter, you can always add more layers. In summer, you can only take off so much. So I will apologize in advance. I will be one cranky bear in the next few months. Consider yourselves warned, ha ha. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Lack Of Morals, Who Is To Blame?

Every time there is a tragedy involving youth in America, social media lights up in a blaze of posts blasting the schools. "Kids are a mess because they have removed the Pledge Of Allegiance from the classroom!", "Put God back in the schools and the kids will behave!", and so forth and so on. To set the record straight, the Pledge of Allegiance is required in 43 states. Students have the option to not say the "..under God.." but the pledge is still recited in the classroom. Secondly, in order to have a country that is fair and bipartisan, it is essential to separate church and state. Schools fall into the state category unless you attend a private tuition based school. The option is available to for your child to get an education entirely based around your religious beliefs, so use it, don't force public education to convert to one religion. and lastly, it is NOT the school that is responsible to instill morals and ethics into your child. These are taught at home. If you cannot or will not take the responsibility to do this then you have no right being a parent. Producing a child because you cannot control your urges and stop to consider the consequences does not make you a perfect parent. If you decide to raise said child, then you need to take FULL responsibility and stop thinking it is up to our over worked, under paid education staffs job. The classrooms are not nurseries. Teachers are not nannies. And if you don't know how to teach your child these things, then get the help you need at your expense, not mine. Kids running a muck and getting involved in things they shouldn't is not the schools fault. It is not because of the pledge. The answer, as well as the solution lies where it should. At home. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Its All Fun And Games

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that enjoyed playing games. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents playing cards with friends and family. My parents were not drinkers, so there was never that adult only party of neighbors trying to one up the others in conversation while the kids were locked away in the rooms. Instead, they would all play a game of cards around the dining room table while us kids would play games of our own or sit and watch them play. The only time I ever heard my grandmother swear was when she was playing cards. These games did more than just provide an evening of entertainment. They taught us social skills. They taught us how to be gracious losers and humble winners. They taught us the art of competition in a fun environment. They also meant that we were able to, as a family, be involved in each other's lives. We knew what was going on with the others. Far too many families have lost that connection. They get so involved in working and finding a way to rid stress themselves, that they forget the others in the family. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on lavish vacations that are meant to bring the family together. Simply take a stroll down the games aisle and pick up one. There are games for all age groups. And if you can't find one that the whole family likes, take turns each week playing one person's pick, then the next week another pick. Milton Bradley has given you the tools to build that bond with your family. All you have to do is use them. I hate when I hear or see families drift apart because they have simply got so caught up their individual lives. Dedicate one hour one night a week to begin with. I will bet dollars to doughnuts that within a few weeks, that hour stretches and the family looks forward to that time. So have fun. Be together, and of course, Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris.