Washington [New York Times]

WASHINGTON — It was cold and drizzling outside the City Courthouse just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday, but no one seemed to mind among the same-sex couples waiting for the chance to apply for a marriage license.
“This is a dream come true,” said Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, as she smiled ear to ear and held up her ticket indicating she was first in line with her partner of 12 years, Angelisa Young, 47. “We wanted it so bad.”
Gay rights advocates hailed the day as a milestone for equal rights and a symbolic victory as same-sex marriage became legal in the nation’s capital.

Washington is now the sixth place in the nation where same-sex marriages can take place. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Despite failing in court, opponents of the law vowed to fight another day.
The law survived Congressional attempts to block it, and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. on Tuesday rejected a request from opponents of same-sex marriage to have the United States Supreme Court delay it.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the measure into law in December, but because the District of Columbia is not a state, the law had to undergo Congressional review, which ended Tuesday.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington on Tuesday limited employee health care benefits to avoid coverage of same-sex couples. It was the second time Catholic Charities changed its rules to protest same-sex marriage, having earlier ended its foster care program.

The new law was already having regional implications.
Maryland’s attorney general, Douglas F. Gansler, issued a legal opinion last week concluding that Maryland should immediately recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
Mr. Gansler’s move is expected to draw legal and legislative challenges, but for Terrance Heath of Montgomery County, Md., it was the turning point that persuaded him to get married.
“We realized that we can finally get many of the benefits and protections that other couples take for granted,” said Mr. Heath, 41, a blogger who lives with his partner, Rick Imirowicz, 43, and their two adopted sons.
“Before that attorney general decision we could have the legal documents, like wills and medical power of attorney,” Mr. Heath said. “But there was no guarantee that those documents would be recognized.”

He said that he and Mr. Imirowicz had worried about what might happen to any inheritance meant for their sons, Parker, 7, and Dylan, 2. “Marriage gives us peace of mind,” Mr. Heath said. “It gives my family security that we deserve.”
At the city’s Marriage Bureau inside the Moultrie Courthouse, just blocks from the Capitol, the mood was giddy as couples hugged and talked about a day they never thought would arrive.
“I became a naturalized U.S. citizen in the mid-’90s,” said Cuc Vu, a native of Vietnam who was third in line with her partner of 20 years, Gwen Migita. “But this is really the first time that I feel like I have the full rights and benefits of citizenship.”

Court officials explained that the Marriage Bureau had changed its license applications: They ask for the name of each spouse rather than the bride and groom. Officials who perform the weddings read, “I now pronounce you legally married.”
On a typical day the office processes 10 licenses, court officials said. By late Wednesday afternoon, more than 140 couples had filed to be married, the mayor’s office said.

Because of a mandatory waiting period, couples will not be able to marry in the city until Tuesday.
City officials say the measure will also provide a financial boost to the local economy. A study by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, predicted that more than 14,000 same-sex marriages would occur in the city over the next three years, which would bring in $5 million in new tax revenue and create 700 jobs.


By IAN URBINA
Published: March 3, 2010

This is The Blast [CNN report]

Washington (CNN) -- The District of Columbia's same-sex marriage law will go into effect as scheduled this week, after the Supreme Court refused to stop its enforcement.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a three-page order Tuesday, a day before the law becomes official. He concluded the high court should defer to local matters in the federal district of Washington. And he said a separate ballot initiative to overturn the law would give voters a chance to weigh in on the question.

A group of Washington residents had objected to the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act, which expands the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

Those opponents had argued city residents should have been given a chance to vote on the high-profile issue before the city council passed the measure. They still seek to force a ballot initiative after the law takes effect. Local courts had turned down various lawsuits to block it.

The district's marriage bureau says same-sex couples can begin applying for marriage licenses Wednesday. However, by law, "three full days must pass between the day of application to the day that the license can be issued," the bureau, part of the district's superior court system, says on its Web site, so no marriages would be held this week.

A $35 application fee is waived for couples who are registered domestic partners, although a $10 fee for the license is not, the bureau said.

District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a measure recognizing same-sex marriages as legal in December, after the city council overwhelming passed it. It then had to go through a review period during which Congress had an opportunity to intervene.

The district joins Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Iowa in allowing same-sex couples to marry.

By Bill Mears, CNN Supreme Court Producer
March 2, 2010 -- Updated 2246 GMT (0646 HKT)

The Beginning of the Debate

Gay Americans have been calling for the right to marry, or at least to create more formalized relationships, since the 1960s, but same-sex marriage has only emerged as a national issue within the last 20 years. The spark that started the debate occurred in Hawaii in 1993, when the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that an existing law banning same-sex marriage would be unconstitutional unless the state government could show that it had a compelling reason for discriminating against gay and lesbian couples.

Even though this decision did not immediately lead to the legalization of gay marriage in that state (the case was sent back to a lower court for further consideration), it did spark a nationwide backlash. Over the next decade, legislatures in more than 40 states passed what are generally known as Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMAs), which define marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman. While a few of these laws have been struck down, 36 states still have DOMAs on the books. In addition, in 1996 the U.S. Congress passed, and President Bill Clinton signed, a federal DOMA statute that, for purposes of federal law, defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The statute also asserts that no state can be forced to legally recognize a same-sex marriage performed in another state. The enactment of a federal DOMA is significant since the federal protections and benefits conferred by marriage are stipulated in over 1,000 laws and policies, including Social Security, family medical leave and federal taxation and immigration policies.

In the late 1990s, Alaska, Nebraska and Nevada amended their state constitutions to prohibit same-sex marriage. These constitutional changes were aimed at taking the issue out of the hands of judges. Conservatives, in particular, feared that without constitutional language specifically defining marriage, many judges would take it upon themselves to interpret other constitutional provisions broadly so as to allow a right to same-sex marriage.

Amid widespread efforts in many states to prevent same-sex marriage, there was at least one notable victory for gay-rights advocates during this period. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that gay and lesbian couples were entitled to all the rights and protections associated with marriage. However, the court left it up to the Vermont Legislature to determine how to grant these rights to same-sex couples. The following year, the legislature approved a bill granting gay and lesbian couples the right to form civil unions, which grant most of the legal rights of marriage but not the title.

Pope Benedict XVI’s apology for child abuse

Pope Benedict XVI’s apology for chronic child abuse
within the Catholic Church fails
to calm the anger of victims



DUBLIN — Pope Benedict XVI’s unprecedented letter to Ireland apologizing for chronic child abuse within the Catholic Church failed Saturday to calm the anger of many victims, who accused the Vatican of ducking its own responsibility in promoting a worldwide culture of cover-up.

Benedict’s message — the product of weeks of consultation with Irish bishops, who read it aloud at Masses across this predominantly Catholic nation — rebuked Ireland’s church leaders for “grave errors of judgment” in failing to observe the church’s secretive canon laws.

The pope, who himself stands accused of approving the transfer of an accused priest for treatment rather than informing German police during his 1977-82 term as Munich archbishop, suggested that child-abusing priests could have been expelled quickly had Irish bishops applied the church’s own laws correctly. He pledged a church inspection of unspecified dioceses and orders in Ireland to ensure their child-protection policies were effective.

He also appealed to priests still harboring sins of child molestation to confess.
“Openly acknowledge your guilt, submit yourselves to the demands of justice, but do not despair of God’s mercy,” he wrote.

But Benedict offered no endorsement of three official Irish investigations that found the church leadership to blame for the scale and longevity of abuse heaped on Irish children throughout the 20th century.

The Vatican refused to cooperate with those 2001-09 probes into the Dublin Archdiocese, the rural Ferns diocese and Ireland’s defunct network of workhouse-style dormitory schools for the Irish poor.

The investigations, directed by senior Irish judges and lawyers, ruled that Catholic leaders protected the church’s reputation from scandal at the expense of children — and began passing their first abuse reports to police in 1996 only after victims began to sue the church.

Nor did Benedict’s letter mention recent revelations of abuse cover-ups in a growing list of European nations, particularly his German homeland, where more than 300 claimants this year have alleged abuse in Catholic schools and a choir long run by the pope’s brother.

In the latest development, the leader of the German Bishops Conference apologized Saturday for failing to protect children adequately from a pedophile priest in the early 1990s in his diocese of Freiburg. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, who was in charge of human resources and staffing at the time, said he should have done more to investigate the priest, who was forced into retirement in 1991 and committed suicide four years later when fresh complaints arose.

Rights campaigners in Ireland and abroad forecast that more victims in more nations will keep coming forward and opening new fronts of criticism, because the pope’s promotion of secretive canon laws remains at the heart of an unsolved problem.

We know this policy of secrecy was worldwide. The more that victims speak out, the more the scandals will spread,” said Marie Collins, who was repeatedly raped by a Dublin priest while aged 13 and hospitalized in 1960. Her attacker wasn’t removed from the priesthood and imprisoned until 1997.

While a cardinal at the Vatican, Joseph Ratzinger, now the pope, wrote a 2001 letter instructing bishops worldwide to report all cases of abuse to his office and keep church investigations secret under threat of excommunication.

The Vatican insists the secrecy rules serve only to protect the integrity of the church’s investigations, and should not be taken to mean the church should not tell police of their members’ crimes.
But victims’ advocates in Ireland and the United States said the pope again failed to make it clear whether the church considers the secular law a higher priority than canon law when seeking to stop a pedophile priest.
“The letter’s underlying goal seems to have been to appease the outrage while keeping the church in control of its incriminating information,” said Terry McKiernan, president of a Web-based pressure group, BishopAccountability.org, that chronicles Catholic abuse scandals worldwide.

“He should have demanded that the bishops release all pertinent files and other information about all credibly accused priests. He should have demanded that every complicit official be named publicly and forced to resign,” McKiernan said.

Irish victims’ leaders are seeking the resignations of any bishops who transferred pedophile priests to new parishes rather than report them to police — a demand that, if applied, would likely claim the majority of Ireland’s 27 bishops, given their failure to tell police of any crimes until 1996. But the pope has yet to accept even the three-month-old resignations offered by three Irish bishops linked to Dublin Archdiocese cover-ups.

The Vatican’s chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the pope’s letter contained no punitive provisions because it was pastoral, not administrative or disciplinary in nature. He said any decisions concerning resignations would be taken by the competent Vatican offices.

Benedict faulted the Irish bishops for failing “sometimes grievously” to apply the church’s own laws requiring child-abusing priests to be removed from the priesthood.

But he didn’t rebuke them for failing to report abuse to police, saying instead they must prevent future abuse and “continue to cooperate with civil authorities.”

He also repeated an excuse for the bishops’ inaction that has been rejected by the Irish investigations — that they didn’t understand the scale or criminality of child abuse until recent years.

“I recognize how difficult it was to grasp the extent and complexity of the problem, to obtain reliable information and to make the right decisions in the light of conflicting expert advice,” Benedict wrote in remarks addressed to the Irish bishops.

However, the Irish investigators forced the church to hand over its copious files on abuse cases dating back to the 1950s. They unearthed a paper trail confirming the Irish bishops’ successful acquisition of group liability insurance in the 1980s, a decade before the deluge of lawsuits. And they found cases where Catholic officials in the 1960s reported school employees to police for abusing children, showing they understood even then it was a crime.

Andrew Madden, a former Dublin altar boy who in 1995 became Ireland’s first pedophile-priest victim to go public with a lawsuit against the church, said the pope had missed the whole point of a meaningful apology.

“I don’t need the pope to apologize for the child abusers. I, and untold thousands of victims like me, needed the pope to apologize for the church hierarchy’s role in choosing to protect the abusers at the expense of children. That’s the real scandal, and the pope has been involved in that. He’s not an innocent bystander,” Madden said.
Massgoers arriving Saturday at central Dublin churches and in Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, were greeted with piles of the pope’s letter. Some lauded its readability and frank tone.

“I thought it was lovely. I thought it was very moving, and I hope it brings some help to all the victims,” said one Armagh worshipper, Annette O’Hara. “They’re the ones we should be praying for.”

But outside a Dublin church, truck driver Tomas O’Reilly said he doubted the pope’s sincerity and was unhappy with putting money in the collection plate. “I don’t want to be paying the church’s legal bills. They’ve only themselves to blame,” he said.
At the Vatican, Lombardi was peppered with questions about why Benedict didn’t directly address the German scandal or take the opportunity in the letter to make a more sweeping commentary on the global dimensions of the scandal.

Lombardi said the Irish scandal was unique in its scope, but said the pope’s letter could be read to apply to other countries and cases.
“You can’t talk about the entire world every time,” he said. “It risks becoming banal.”



Created: 3/20/2010 Updated: 3/20/2010
By SHAWN POGATCHNIK
Associated Press Writer

Still Gay Marriage

In recent years, the debate over same-sex marriage has grown from an issue that occasionally arose in a few states to a nationwide controversy. Indeed, in the last five years, the debate over gay marriage has been heard in the halls of the U.S. Congress, at the White House, in dozens of state legislatures and courtrooms, and in the rhetoric of election campaigns at both the national and state levels. Moreover, the battle over whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to wed shows no signs of abating. In the last year alone, three states have banned same-sex marriage and four states have legalized the practice.

Recently, both sides in the debate have scored important victories. In April 2009, for example, Iowa's Supreme Court ruled that the state's constitution guarantees gays and lesbians the right to wed; the high court in Connecticut had issued a similar ruling in May 2008. Meanwhile, gay marriage advocates also won important legislative victories in a number of states, beginning in April 2009 when the Vermont Legislature legalized same-sex marriage.

The Vermont law marked the first time gay marriage was legalized as the result of a statute rather than a court ruling. By the end of May 2009, two other state legislatures, those in Maine and New Hampshire, followed suit, bringing the total number of states that allow same-sex marriage to six. Finally, in June 2009, President Barack Obama granted family medical leave and certain other benefits to the same-sex partners of federal workers. (The presidential memorandum did not include health insurance coverage, which would require congressional approval.)

Opponents of gay marriage also have had some success in recent years. In November 2008, for instance, voters in California, Florida and Arizona approved ballot initiatives amending their state constitutions to prohibit same-sex marriage, raising the total number of states that have passed such constitutional amendments to 29. (Arizona voters had previously rejected a constitutional ban in November 2006.) The vote in California, on a ballot measure known as Proposition 8, was particularly notable since it overturned a May 2008 California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in that state.

Passage of Proposition 8 also prompted an entirely new court battle over whether the just-approved ballot initiative itself was constitutional. That battle ended in May 2009, when the California Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Proposition 8.

He said he wants to be a straight!!!

someone said that yes i'm a gay, and i want to be a straight in the future.
yes you can make a determination about this, but i never imagine or never heard about
a gay switch himself to be totally straight! Fat Chance! coz i feel this gay thing is not sickness/illness you can cured it and then disapeared from your memory. Many people believe, in religionally, that about being gay is becoz God cursed you.
this is the way over my head, i dont get it why in this era, people still believe in such a superstitious.



society, culture and all environment aspects emphasized you to be a straight, but...!!! if you can not control yourself from the people, dont judge yourself to be another person. coz it's just bilking yourself. it's deceitful. dont be so cruel to yourself. no matter what you do or wish to be, go to the seminar, psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy or any other places, it's just a lost cause. believe me!

keep your chin up! being gay is not a mistake!
we are also human. human also has a right to be happy. no matter what your gender is.

AND IF YOU CARE ABOUT THIS YOU CAN VISIT THE TYRASHOW
TO PARTICIPATE ON THIS GAY CASE.
you can fill what's been crossed your mind about gay in that website polling.

Tattoo, The Art Of Body

In the 1970s, artists trained in traditional fine art disciplines began to embrace tattooing and entirely new sorts of sophisticated imagery and technique. The cultural status of tattooing has steadily evolved from that of an anti-social activity in the 1960s to that of a trendy fashion statement in the 1990s.

First adopted and flaunted by influential rock stars like the Rolling Stones in the early 1970s, tattooing had, by the late 1980s, become accepted by ever broader segments of mainstream society.

Today, tattoos are routinely seen on rock stars, professional sports figures, ice skating champions, fashion models, movie stars and other public figures included porn star who play a significant role in setting the culture's contemporary mores and behavior patterns. During the last fifteen years, two distinct classes of tattoo business have emerged. The first is the "tattoo parlor" that glories in a sense of urban outlaw culture; advertises itself with garish exterior signage; offers "pictures-off-the-wall" assembly-line service; and often operates with less than optimum sanitary procedures.

The second is the "tattoo art studio" that most frequently features custom, fine art design; the ambiance of an upscale beauty salon; marketing campaigns aimed at middle- and upper middle-class professionals; and "by-appointment" services only. Today's fine art tattoo studio draws the same kind of clientele as a custom jewelry store, fashion boutique, or high-end antique shop.

The market demographics for tattoo services are now skewed heavily toward mainstream customers. Tattooing today is the sixth-fastest-growing retail business in the United States. The single fastest growing demographic group seeking tattoo services is, to the surprise of many, middle-class suburban women.

Tattooing is recognized by government agencies as both an art form and a profession and tattoo-related art work is the subject of museum, gallery and educational institution art shows across the United States.

let's check out these pictures:















and in United States of America, California, the Tatto contest is managed by Mega Productions "BODY ART EXPO" at: 3129 S. HACIENDA BLVD., #322 HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA. 91745 TEL: 626-961-6522 FAX: 626-961-0933 Email: megaproductions@verizon.net Web: BodyArtExpo.com if you feel like to join this tattoo contest visit the website to read the rules and the Schedule you can also see the other tatto contest by www.tattooshow.com click here and here

piercing

Info about Penis Piercing.
dont forget to
click for the complete posting


Depending on the anatomy of the individual, there are many different options available in male genital piercing. Some genital piercings are mainly for decorative purposes, while others can enhance the sexual pleasure of the wearer and/or his partner. Your piercer can help you determine which piercings are anatomically possible for your body. Due to the sensitivity, number of veins, and amount of blood flow to the area, it is essential that you only receive genital piercings from a licensed professional body piercer.



When you are healing a genital piercing, it is extremely important to use a condom during sex, including oral sex, to minimize the risk of infection. Here you will find brief descriptions of the most common male genital piercings. The minimum safe size for all of the following piercings is 12 gauge, regardless of the type of jewelry (such as a barbell or a captive bead ring), or the length, that is appropriate for the individual piercing. For most of these piercings, the wearer can choose a thicker gauge of jewelry if he wishes.

One of the most popular genital piercings is the frenum piercing; a barbell inserted horizontally through the loose skin on the underside of the penis shaft. Many men wear more than one frenum piercing, and the combination of two or more is often called a frenum ladder. The piercing can be located anywhere along the shaft, and in many cases it increases the sexual partner’s pleasure. Frenum piercings can also be done near the base of the shaft, and this piercing is sometimes called a lower frenum or lorum. After the piercing is healed (typically in 2 to 3 months), a captive bead ring can be worn instead of a barbell. Return to your piercer if you would like to wear a ring; s/he can determine the appropriate diameter.

The best-known male genital piercing is the Prince Albert or PA piercing, which is a ring or bent barbell that enters the penis through the urethra and exits at the base of the glans. It is normal for this piercing to bleed intermittently for one to three days after it is performed. Many men find that it is difficult to control the direction of their urine while the piercing is healing, so some prefer to sit down to urinate for the first few weeks. Since an individual’s urine is sterile to his or her own body, the risk of infection with a PA piercing is low, and the healing time is usually only 4 to 6 weeks.

An apadravya piercing is a barbell inserted through the head of the penis from top to bottom; wearing large balls on the barbell (5mm or larger) can increase the sexual pleasure of the wearer’s partner. The horizontal equivalent of the apadravya is the ampallang, a barbell inserted horizontally through the head of the penis. Usually the ampallang piercing is placed above the urethra, whereas the apadravya usually intersects with the urethra. Each of these piercings usually takes 4 to 6 months to heal.

Dydoe piercings are short barbells worn vertically through the edges of the glans of a circumcised penis, usually in a pair with one piercing on each side. This piercing is only appropriate for men with a well-developed glans; dydoe piercings performed through a flat glans or on an uncircumcised man could easily migrate or reject. Foreskin piercings are the equivalent of dydoes for uncircumcised men; they are also usually worn in pairs, though a captive bead ring is a more common and comfortable choice than a barbell for a foreskin piercing. Dydoe piercings tend to take 2 to 3 months to heal. Foreskin piercings may take longer to heal and have a high rate of migration or rejection. Dydoe and foreskin piercings are largely decorative but may be sexually pleasurable for the wearer.

There are several options in male genital piercing that do not involve the penis. The hafada piercing is a ring worn through the edge of the scrotum, near the base of the penis; these are also usually worn in pairs, one on each side. It is important that any scrotum piercing be superficial, penetrating only the skin of the scrotum, because a deep scrotum piercing would be dangerous and would not heal correctly. A hafada or scrotum piercing generally heals in 2 to 3 months; however, these piercings also have a high rate of migration or rejection from the body.

A guiche piercing is a ring worn through the perineum (the ridge of skin between the scrotum and anus). Because wearing pants or underwear can irritate the piercing, a guiche piercing can take up to 6 months to heal. It is very important to clean this piercing exactly as instructed by your piercer; due to the piercing’s location, it is easy to contract an infection through improper hygiene.

Pictures of male genital piercing:

Prince Albert (PA) & Reverse PA:


Frenums:



Ampallangs:



Guiche:



Hafada:



here you can see this guy's penis is pierced:

Happy New Year

"Happy New Year Everyone! hope it is a good year to begin a new days. May all of the joy and healthy be yours."

i'm homed this morning. and i feel good, did the new year eve in Singapore.
i and my bf stayed in Atrium Singapore Hotel at outram street. it was so beautiful scene from our room. and as i know, in the capital of Indonesia:
Jakarta City has also a big and beautiful hotel "Sahid Jaya Hotel"
right in the middle of city,
also Menara Peninsula Hotel (Peninsula Tower Hotel)
This hotel has great staff, very friendly and eager to help,
also located near to the airport, about 30 minutes taxi ride
(subject to traffic condition), also to the largest upscale shopping mall and
condominium complex in Southeast Asia:

"Taman Anggrek Mall"
(Orchid Garden Mall)



The shopping mall's Southeast Asia's largest shopping mall when opened in 1996.
The mall is nestled within eight residential towers and houses more than 500
specialized stores, spread within six floors covering a retail space of 360,000 square meters.

so if u visit jakarta city, dont forget to stay in these hotels
also to visit the Taman Anggrek Mall (Orchid Garden Mall)
Orchid = Anggrek
Garden/Park = Taman

ok, back to Singapore,
this country is a true melting pot, home to people of Chinese,
Malay and Indian descent, with a significant population of
non-citizen residents (temporary workers and ex-pats)
from countries as diverse as Korea, Japan, the UK, the US, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

There's a vibrant conglomeration of cultures here, with colorful ethnic pockets (remnants of Raffles' segregated urban plan) such as Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. Singaporeans enjoy a high standard of living, with a plethora of cultural and social advantages.

This country is known for the quality, diversity and abundance of its dining options.­ indeed, Singaporeans embrace the offerings of street vendors' traditional Asian fare as well as upscale restaurants serving refined European cuisine.

Nightlife is rapidly becoming world-class, with numerous establishments grouped along the river at Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. And for its size, Singapore has an amazing number of attractions, including a wide variety of museums, zoos, the world's largest ferris wheel, and even an indoor ski resort, included any facilities for gays such as sauna or spa.
you could c the macho indian man, handsomes there, believe me! and also, for gambler fans, two glamorous casino resorts will be opened in 2009 there.

so you could enjoy everything there
as your money could bring you to that satisfaction!

Abbreviations

What are these "ISO" and "SWM" and "GM" and "SWCF" mean?

Not everyone uses these abbreviations, but, they are a common
shorthand for indicating marital status, race, sex, religion, and
a few other common things. The most prominently used ones include:

S = Single ; D = Divorced ; M = Married ; W = Widowed (rare)
J = Jewish ; C = Christian

W = White ; B = Black ; A = Asian ; H = Hispanic
M = Male ; F = Female

G = Gay ; Bi = Bisexual ;
Bi-Curious = Someone curious about bisexuality and thinking about giving it a try.

The positioning works as follows: First marital status, then
religion (if any given), then race, then sex. Usually what you get
is three, such as:

GWM - Gay White Male
SWF - Single White Female

An M or a W are used to indicate marital status. In this case they
are always in the first position:

MHM - Married Hispanic Male
WWF - Widowed White Female

Religious affiliation is fairly rare, but when you do see it, it
usually comes just before or after racial type, such as:

SCWF - Single Christian White Female
SWCF - Single White Christian Female

For whatever reason, Judaism and Christianity are the only
religions commonly abbreviated at this time; if you're of another
religion, I suggest not trying to abbreviate, as you'll probably
just confuse people.

Sometimes you'll just see "SF" or "SM" for Single Male or Single
Female. This means the person doesn't want to indicate race. You
may also see something like "S*F" or "S*M". This is just another
way of saying race is irrelevant to the person.

Other abbreviations you might see include:

ISO = In Search Of
FTA = Fun, Travel, and Adventure
POZ = HIV+
Soulmate = Someone I can be completely intimate with who will
be with me forever and ever, my perfect mate, my
special lover and friend for life.

So. Here's common things you'll see:

GWM ISO G*M for FTA
(Gay White Male In Search Of Fun/Travel/Adventure with Gay Male of
any race.)

Finally, all of these are often concatenated with age and/or
location. Such as:

BOSTON SWM, 42, ISO GWM, 25-40
(Single White Male, 42 years old, living in Boston and In
Search Of a Gay White Male, age 25 to 40.)

Not everyone uses these abbreviations, but a lot of people do,
because they make it easy for people to spot you and know if
you're at least in the ballpark of what they're looking for. You
may see variations on these abbreviations that you don't
recognize, but usually you can figure it out from the context once
you get the trick of it.

The Ascension Party

About The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force

Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation (The Task Force) was the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization and remains the movement’s leading voice for freedom, justice and equality.

The Task Force works to build the grassroots political strength of the LGBT community by training state and local activists and leaders, working to strengthen the infrastructure of state and local allies, and organizing broad-based campaigns to build public support for complete equality for LGBT people. The Task Force’s Policy Institute, the community’s premiere think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality.

As part of a broader social justice movement, The Task Force works to create a world that respects and makes visible the diversity of human expression and identify where all people may fully participate in society. Headquartered in Washington, DC, The Task Force also has offices in NYC, Miami, LAs, and Cambridge.

The Fund in the Sun Foundation

The Fund in the Sun Foundation was established in 2006 as a
not-for-profit public charity dedicated to
Fire Island Pines.

The foundation’s mission is to provide funding for projects and
initiatives designed to protect, enhance and maintain the environment,
cultural life, health and infrastructure of the Fire Island Pines community.


Foremost among its objectives is providing financial support for
new initiatives and continuing activities to beautify and
maintain all of the public areas of Fire Island Pines.


In order to fulfill its commitment to the community,
the foundation will from time to time make grants to
other charitable organizations whose purpose and
activities are of interest to the residents of Fire Island Pines.

============

ASCENSION 2008 EVENT SCHEDULE

VIP Launch Party
Kick off the weekend in style. Join all the who' s who of Ascension at one of the most lavish and stunning private residences in all of the Pines. Enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres and refreshing Absolut cocktails poolside. Groove to the rhythmic sensations of NYC top DJ, DJ Corey Craig.
(Friday, August 15, 7pm-9pm, 227 Bay Walk)

Rise Up Underwear Party
Join us for the hottest Frisky Friday of the season as the boys on the island strip away their clothes and their inhibitions. The legendary underwear party held at Glo Lounge gets hot-n-heavy while DJ Kevin Graves keeps everyone moving to the beat of summer. Grab a drink to cool down while you check your clothes at the bar, and leave your reservations at home. This is a night like no other on all of Fire Island!
(Friday, August 15, 12am, Glo Lounge)

Spark
DJ Manny Lehman ignites the fire for what will be 3 days of the hottest parties of summer. Don't miss the first of three nights at Pavilion during Ascension weekend. Let the fun begin!
(Friday, August 15, 12am, Pavilion)

Float Pool Party
Get ready for the wettest and wildest event of the Ascension weekend as DNA Magazine presents The Float Pool Party! Set at one of the grandest homes in the Pines, DJ Kimberly S. will make you work up a sweat with her fierce, fiery beats. Not to stress, you'll have plenty of icy drinks to cool down, served up by our gorgeous Pines boys. Leave your city clothes at home because all you will need is that sexy swim suit you have been working all winter to fit into.
(Saturday, August 16, 2pm-6pm, 135 Beach Hill Walk)

Shine
Let your spirit rise higher at Shine, our Saturday Night Celebration featuring DJ Joe Gauthreaux. Mingle and groove on The Pines' legendary Pavilion Dance Floor. Shine will prepare your body and soul for what is to come tomorrow...
(Saturday, August 16, 12am, Pavilion)

Ascension Beach Party

The main event is to be held amidst the stunning backdrop of one of the best and most beautiful beaches in the world. Dance all day on a large custom built dance floor, filled to capacity with thousands of golden tanned beach boys moving to the rhythm of the surf and song, with DJ/Producer Chris Cox manning the turntables. Rise above your worries, drama, and troubles to enjoy a care-free day in the sun with your friends and loved ones.
(Sunday, August 17, 2008, 12pm-6pm, Fire Island Pines Beach)

AfterGlow - Closing Party

Don't stop til you get enough! Come dance the night away with old friends and new at AfterGlow, the Closing Party. San Franciso's DJ Phil B will deliver the closing notes and symphonic soundtrack of this sensational weekend.
(Sunday, August 17, 2008, 12am, Pavilion)

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how to get there?

BY FERRY
Take the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station to Sayville. You may need to transfer trains in Jamaica Station or Babylon along the way. Ask one of the LIRR employees in Penn Station or on the train as they punch your ticket if you are unsure. They will be more than happy to guide you. Round trip ticket are about $20, depending on peak and off-peak schedules. Buy before you board the train to save money.
When you arrive in the Sayville Station, there will be taxis waiting for you which offer a quick trip to the ferry for $5. The ferry is about 5-10 minutes from the train station. Though during summer, they are waiting to pick you up, if you ever need to call a cab in Sayville, the phone number is: 631-589-3500.

Make sure you get on the ferry that says: Fire Island Pines. You can catch a ferry for $14 roundtrip. Costs vary for children and pets; commuter packages are also available. For ferry fares and information, call 631-589-0810.

Total travel time from NYC to Fire Island Pines is approximately 2 - 2.5 hours.

BY CAR
Take the Long Island Expressway east to Exit 59, Ocean Avenue-South (Oakdale). Follow Ocean Avenue over the first set of railroad tracks, bearing left at the fork onto Lakeland Avenue. Continue on Lakeland Avenue for approximately 4½ miles, over the second set of railroad tracks to Main Street in Sayville.

Make a left turn onto Main, then an immediate right at the fork onto Middle Road. At the next light, turn right onto Foster Avenue and continue seven blocks to Terry Street. Make a left onto Terry Street for one block, then a right onto River Road. Follow the signs for the Fire Island Pines Ferry.

Parking is available across from the entrance to the Ferry. Rates for Passenger Cars are $6.00 per day Monday thru Thursday and $7.00 per day Friday thru Sunday. Seasonal parking is also available. For more information call 631-589-0810.

BY BUS
Horizon Coach Islanders Club runs buses from Manhattan. Enjoy express, first class service from NYC to the Sayville Ferries and back. You may board from several locations in Manhattan including Chelsea and The West Village. Tickets cost $25 one-way. Only cash is accepted on the bus. Reservations are required. Call 212-228-7100 or 631-654-2622 for schedule and more information.

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Sponsorship Opportunities and General Inquiries

Adam D. Weaver = adam@thepinesfireisland.com
631.597.6500 x25
...and everything specific:
Volunteering at Ascension Party = volunteer@ascensionparty.com
Employment = jobs@ascensionparty.com
Entertainment = entertainment@ascensionparty.com
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The fact about Homosexuality

Pretty scientific article about gender fact. that for some reason we sometimes could think of it. but somehow, a man, who once ever like or having desire or passion to also same sex, man, would never forget about his beautiful moment with, forever. and i think there is no solution. i believe it is natural case. nature made us like this.
and our mind push up our desire to make it happen.
no one ever 100% switch themself to be a totally straight.
there is still some part of his soul exist the passion towards other man,
although they could say "ok i'm straight now"

well, just take a look at this following article.

FACT ABOUT GAYNESS

Being attracted to someone who is your same sex is talked
about frequently today. Same sex attraction refers to
sexual feelings for someone of your own sex.
It can also mean a desire to be physically and
emotionally close to others of your own sex
as much as or more so than the opposite sex.


You can feel like being physically close and
affectionate without ever doing anything sexual with a person.
These feelings do not make you gay, lesbian or bisexual,
but they may be confusing to you.
People who have same sex attraction are often referred to as homosexual.


However, having same sex attractions or engaging in same sex relations does not make you a homosexual. You probably did not decide to have same sex attractions but you can decide whether to label yourself homosexual. You may find this hard to believe but the word "homosexual" is just over 100 years old. The term was first used in 1869 by a writer in Germany who was fighting against the passage of a law that would make certain sexual acts illegal. Before the term was invented, there was no concept of a group of people known as gay or lesbian or bisexual. Same sex sexual activity has occurred throughout history but the concept of a person who was homosexual from birth did not exist until the 1860s in Europe.


If you think you are attracted to others of the same sex, you may be confused or frustrated but you are certainly not alone. Surveys over the past 50 years have shown that somewhere between 10-15% of adolescents report a same sex sexual experience. Many more possibly have attractions but never act on them. A recent study found that nearly 26% of young teens were not sure if they were gay, straight or bisexual. Most people experiencing sexual attraction to those of the same sex are confused by it.


Research shows that somewhere between 3-5% of adults think of themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. See the difference in the numbers of adolescents who have had same sex feelings and actions and the number of adults that later think of themselves as gay? While some people do feel same sex attractions and then later think of themselves as gay, a large number of young people have these feelings and later think of themselves as straight. You have the option of not considering yourself gay even though you have some attractions to the same sex. Even if these attractions seem strong now, they often change as one ages.


The following comments were made by young people directly to the author:

David, age19, said:
I think it's important to separate talk of same sexual attraction from talk of sexual behavior. I believe strongly that you can have real intimacy with people of the same sex and not sexualize it. Over the past several years, I've actually had more intimacy with men than with women, but none of it was sexual in nature.

Sandra, 21, said:
I have had attraction to girls for a long time and I have gone back and forth calling myself a lesbian and then rejecting that label. I now don't think of myself as a lesbian. I have learned that there are many reasons one may feel same sex attraction and I don't believe that for me it means I am obligated to become or live as a lesbian.


Do I have to decide anything about
these same sex attractions now?

No, you do not have to decide how to label your sexuality until you are ready.
You may not know what to call your sexual feelings.
There is no need to rush into a decision about labeling yourself.
This is true all throughout your adolescent and young adult years.
Some well meaning people, teachers or counselors may have told you
that young people are "coming out" as gay or lesbian as young as 12 or 13.
While there may be some young people who feel rushed into such labeling,
it is unwise to do so. Sexual feelings develop over a long period of time.
Most teens are very aware of their bodies and sexual feelings throughout
this time of life. Your sexual hormones are active in you in ways
they have never been before and so your sexual feelings
may be quite strong but not really focused. This is normal.


Because sexual feelings are influenced so much by
hormones and experiences you have,
they are not necessarily enduring or accurate indicators of whom you love.
As you get older, you will become better able to tell the difference
between being sexually attracted to someone and
being really in love with someone.
Believe it or not, research shows that long-term sexual
and marital adjustment is best for those who wait to have sex
until they also can tell if they are in love and ready for long term commitment.


Also, because sexual feelings are changeable, they are not the best indicators of how you should organize your life. Some people suggest that you should try hanging out with others who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual, read homosexually oriented books and even try thinking of yourself as gay, lesbian or bisexual as ways to find out who you are. Some people reason that if you are comfortable with trying out being gay or lesbian, you probably are gay or lesbian. While these people may mean well, these suggestions have some problems.

The "try it out" suggestion ignores the role of social factors such as peer pressure. Being with people who have similar feelings may lead you to downplay other important factors such as your future goals, religious beliefs and personal convictions. Trying out the idea that you might be gay or lesbian can lead you to the erroneous conclusion that you must be homosexual since you have attractions to the same sex. Remember, many people have same sex attraction in adolescence and later decide they are straight.

Probably the most important reason not to "try out" being gay is to avoid temptation to engage in risky sexual behavior. I have talked to many young people who regretted getting involved in sex too soon as a way to figure out who they are. If you have strong beliefs about what is right and wrong concerning sex, it is not harmful to live according to those beliefs rather than going by your sexual feelings. The only sure way to avoid disease and heartache is to wait until you are ready to commit to your lifetime mate.

Listen to some comments from other young people:

Jason, 17, said:

I hear all the time, 'you should just be yourself. If you have homosexual attractions, then accept your gayness and get on with it.' I don't buy that as a good reason to say I'm gay. What if my feelings told me to steal from you, should I be myself with you? I don't believe that it is morally right to be gay and I also don't think everything in life should revolve around sex.

Brian, 22, said:
I think I messed myself up by having sex with a guy in high school. I thought it would help me decide what I was but I felt awful later and more confused than ever.

Carrie, 18, said:
Its really good to know that even though I haven't had much attraction to the opposite sex by now, the lack of it doesn't mean I won't feel that way sometime in the future. What I really want is to have a family and husband and I see myself in that position. I just don't feel that jazzed about guys right now. Its makes me feel better to know that I don't have to have the same boy craziness that my friends do in order to fall in love with a man. After all, all I need is one.


Why do I have these feelings?

There are many psychologists and scientists who have theories about why some people feel affection and sexual attraction for their own sex. However, many of the theories are contradictory and the truth is, it is very hard to be sure why any given person feels same sex attraction. There are several theories that you have probably heard about.

One popular theory is that people are born gay. The theory says there are genes that control the surfacing and direction of sexual feelings. People who consider themselves gay, lesbian or bisexual are being who they are and should not try to live in conflict with their sexual feelings, kind of like people who are left handed should not try to become right handed.


Second, a variation of the idea that people are born gay is that hormones control sexual attractions. Some people believe that these chemicals affect the brains of people while developing pre-birth. The effect is to make the brains of some people more likely to feel same sex attraction.

A third view is that sexual attractions are learned through many different kinds of experiences while one is growing up. Early sexual experiences, being abused physically or sexually or being exposed to same sex pornography at an early age are examples of some types of shaping experiences.

A fourth popular view is that family environment and experiences shape sexual attractions. For instance, some former gay and lesbians believe that their emotional needs for a loving and close same sex parent drove them to look for love in a sexual manner from other people of their same sex.

Last, many psychologists and scientists believe that some combination of these previous theories might be true for many people and not true for others.
Let me repeat. Science or psychology has not proven any of these theories completely true or completely false. No gay gene has been discovered nor are there certain kinds of families that are always responsible for same sex attractions. For different people with same sex attraction, there may be some truth in each of these theories. For instance, as you read the theories, did you feel any of them were closer to your experience? All we really can say now is that it appears that the influences leading to feelings of same sex attraction are different for different people.

Whatever the reasons that influence the feelings you have, you are so much more than your sexual feelings. These feelings are only a part of your life and you are free to limit them by your beliefs if that is what you choose to do.

Listen to some more comments from other young people:

Eric, 22, said
I think for me having same sex attraction is because a male family member sexually abused me from a very early age. Although that's true for me, I know friends who never had that happen and they liked guys too.

Jordan, 18, said:
I always felt different from other guys. I never could get sports and didn't really want to. I like music and dancing and indoor stuff. I asked my dad if I could take dance lessons and he said, "only queers dance." So I thought I must be queer whatever that was. I think that my dad meant well but he made me feel inferior because I didn't like guy stuff.

Brock, 17, said:
I have no idea why I find guys attractive. My dad and I love each other get along great and I think girls are pretty but I don't feel what I think sexual feelings should be when I look at them. Most of the time I find guys more interesting but I don't believe I should act on my feelings. I believe God is very clear about how sex is to be and I am willing to wait until I am attracted to the opposite sex. Maybe I will be celibate; I don't know but I am sure about what God's standards are.

Ann Marie, 23, said:
Girls have always attracted me but I am not a lesbian. I say that because I believe being a lesbian is not an option for a Christian. I think that many people deal with many kinds of feelings that should not be put into action. So these feelings are unpleasant but so would the feelings of remorse if I deliberately went against what I know to be true. Being true to God is more important for me than being true to my sexual feelings.

Rachel, 20, said:
I think me having attractions towards girls is because the main kindness I have known is from women. When I was a senior in high school, an older woman from my church befriended me and I got a real crush on her. Unfortunately, she struggled with lesbianism too and she seduced me. I was very confused about this but now I see that anyone can have problems and I don't have to be what I feel. I really believe now that being attracted to women is not the best for me and I am working on establishing healthy relations with men.

Are there health risks associated with same sex attraction?

You may have heard some scary statistics about the health risks of being gay. By giving you the facts on this CD, no one is trying to scare you but rather to help you make good choices about your behavior.

The primary health risk associated with feeling attracted to the opposite sex may involve a greater risk for symptoms of depression. Studies just looking at people who have never acted on their attractions are new. We need more of these kinds of studies.

However, and this is important, the risks associated with having sex with someone of your own sex are significantly greater. In other words, if you don't act on your feelings of same sex attraction, you can avoid almost all of the health risks associated with homosexuality. This is true of any health risks associated with any kind of sexual behavior, however, the problems you avoid may be greater when considering homosexuality.

According the Journal of Public Health, the rates of HIV/AIDS among gay males has increased 14% since 1999. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and it is the virus that leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is incurable and the drugs that are on the market to relieve its symptoms have devastating side effects. The rates of syphilis and gonorrhea have also risen significantly among gay males. Most of the transmission of these diseases can be explained by unwise sexual behavior.

Some people will tell you that you can avoid AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases by using a condom. While this may be somewhat helpful, it is not as protective for certain sexual behaviors, such as anal intercourse. Frankly, the body was not made for anal intercourse and condoms can tear leaving the persons involved open to disease from HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and anal cancer. Let me repeat, condoms are not always effective. Not all men who identify as gay engage in anal intercourse, but apparently enough of them do to cause the recent sharp rise in new cases of AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhea.

At least one study found that lesbians have health risks than non-lesbian women. Higher rates of depression, suicidal thinking, drug and alcohol use and obesity have been associated with those identifying as lesbian.


Some people say that the reason gays and lesbians are subject to more depression and other mental health problems is because of the disapproval of society. While name calling and being hateful to anyone is wrong for other reasons, societal disapproval may not be the culprit for the problems homosexuals face. For instance, the rates of depression and mental health problems for homosexuals are greater than heterosexuals in the Netherlands, even though that culture is one of the most gay-friendly cultures in the world. Until we know more about the link between identifying as gay, lesbian or bisexual and mental health and health problems, it seems safe to say that there are risks associated with organizing your life and sexual behavior around same sex attractions and feelings.

What can I do now?

When reading information like this, some people are relieved and simply focus on other things besides sexual matters, waiting for later to deal with it. Others still want to be more active in confronting the issue. Whatever your reaction, here are some things you can do about same sex attraction.

Continue reading more on the subject. The information here is an introduction and is up to date but you may want to explore various points further. At the end of this article, there are some additional resources for you to examine.


Talk to someone you trust and who is reasonably unbiased and objective. Truthfully it is hard to find someone who is objective on the issue of same sex attraction and homosexuality. However, look for someone who is able to handle emotional subjects without flipping out. Ideally, you should talk to your parents but if you are afraid to do this, then consider a youth leader, a teacher, or a friend's parent. Remember there are those who will tell you that having same sex attraction automatically means you are gay, lesbian or bisexual. These are probably not objective people on this subject because they ignore the many people who have changed their sexual feelings or who prefer to live in accordance with their beliefs.

Consider attending a support group meeting. Later on the Truth Comes Out CD there are stories from people who have experienced change in their sexual feelings. Often counseling or attending a support group is a part of that change. A place on the Internet you can look for support group meeting is Exodus International.

Consider counseling to help you figure out more about yourself and your options. Some counselors will tell you that you have no alternative to consider yourself gay, lesbian or bisexual and others will tell you that you can change your attractions and/or live with your sexual feelings and still become more interested in the opposite sex. You should ask the counselor before you begin talking what his or her beliefs are so you know what you are getting into.


Develop other parts of your life. Sex is important but so are career and school, activities and hobbies. Do not get out of balance by letting concern over sexuality dominate every other aspect of your life.

Remember the distinction between being tempted to do something and doing it. If you are a religious person, you may feel guilt over feeling things you wouldn't approve of if you did them. Remember even Jesus was tempted.
Listen now to some final comments made by young people:

Jessica, 22, said:
I am really glad I could talk to you about these things. I was afraid my parents would freak if I told them. It was really helpful to be able to share my thoughts and feelings without feeling judged.

Steve, 21, said:
I never thought I would see myself as a heterosexual. I really didn't have much hope for this working out but thankfully it did. I can honestly say I am not bothered by my sexual feelings. I still sometimes think a guy is good looking or something but I don't have any desire at all to jump into bed with him.

In conclusion:

Remember this is a very personal issue. You don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to. Some well meaning people say that anyone who has same sex attraction should come out and tell people about it. This must be your decision and done when you feel it is right. You may never tell anyone but your marriage partner or your best friend. You may tell only those friends who have the same issue so you can get support. However, if you feel alone, remember you are not alone in this and there are people who understand. Some contact information for those people are given here. More resources are listed in the jacket cover of the Truth Comes Out CD and on the website http://www.truthcomesout.com and http://www.drthrockmorton.com. Please visit the website www.truthcomesout.com frequently and send us an email if you need to talk or have a question we did not answer here. If you want a copy of the Truth Comes Out CD and need more information about how to get it, contact questions@truthcomesout.com.