GayFriendlyBiz

What is a Healthy Body Image?

2010-03-07T16:28:00.000-08:00

By Ondina Nandine Hatvany, MFT,

First of all what is body image? Body image is how I look- right? No! Body image is a mental idea about your physical body and how you look. Body image is something that constantly changes as it is based more on feeling than fact. This also makes it very vulnerable to distortion.

Let me illustrate just how vulnerable your body image can be with the following story…

I had a client Marge, who was working hard on improving her body image. She was taking better care of herself. She was eating healthier foods. She was also creating other sources of nurturing for herself by fostering a more caring, supportive friendship circle. She had found an exercise she enjoyed and was doing that regularly. She was really starting to feel better about herself; her self esteem and body image were improving daily and it showed. She had a bounce in her step and an excitement about her that was contagious. She started to get more attention One day she announced to me that she had been asked on a date! She was very excited.

The following week she wasn’t doing so well. I asked her what had happened? She told me that the date didn’t go as she had hoped. Marge had what I refer to as, “A Fat Attack” She felt rejected and blamed her body. “I suddenly felt so fat and ugly!” she told me. “It was the way he looked at me, I knew I’d never see him again.” Marge went into the date and left it with the same body but somewhere in there she felt like she had put on 20 pounds.

How the Media Cashes in on Our Vulnerability:

The media really knows how to cash in on this vulnerability. We are constantly being bombarded with images that tell us that if we look a certain way we too can enjoy success, love, happiness etc. The problem with this excessive focus on externals or how we look is that it takes us away from our internal felt sense of what has true value and meaning for us. When people move away from their truth they become disempowered. It is also really disempowering to be in a constant battle with your own body. Your body then becomes your battleground or ‘shame container’ instead of home for your psyche and spirit. It is a modern tragedy.

Narrow versus Wide Base for Self Esteem:

What exactly do I mean by ‘a narrow basis for self esteem’? It is when your self esteem is based solely on one thing, such as how you look or how much you weigh. With such a narrow base, your self esteem is much more vulnerable to collapse.

What does ‘a wide basis for self esteem’ mean? It is when there are other qualities that form a foundation for your self esteem. These qualities might include your fabulous personality, your talents and gifts, your smile, your contribution to your community, your culture etc. When you have a number of different things that you value about yourself your view of yourself will also be more stable, steady and solid.

Healthy body image means that you are comfortable with the body that you have. It does not mean that you think your body is perfect, rather that you accept and commit to loving and caring for it. Healthy body image means having a relationship with your body that is based on more than what you weigh. It is built on a wide basis for your self esteem. The irony is that when we feel better about ourselves research shows we also take better care of ourselves, this means we are more inclined to feed and exercise our bodies too. Our bodies can be like kids; they respond better to positive reinforcement rather than constant criticism, nagging etc. Try focusing on talking nicely to and about your body for a day and see if you don’t notice a difference.

©Copyright 2010 by Ondina Nandine Hatvany, MFT. All Rights Reserved.

Adopt A Special Kid: Intro Workshop Dates for Prospective Parents!

2010-03-01T06:47:00.000-08:00

There are nearly 80,000 foster children in California, many of whom are available and needing permanent homes. Adopt A Special Kid (AASK), is the oldest agency in California working to help children in foster care get adopted into permanent, loving homes. AASK is located in Oakland, and serves over 21 counties throughout California. All families are welcome, including, LGBT parents, single and partnered parents, homeowners and renters, older parents, parents of all ethnic backgrounds, and people living with disabilities.

AASK provides all social work services necessary to adopt a child from foster care at NO COST to our families. Additionally, families who adopt children from the foster care system, receive a monthly stipend until their children reach age eighteen.

Please join us for a free informational workshop about the possibilities of providing a permanent home to a child. Workshops are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00pm in our Oakland office at 8201 Edgewater Drive Suite #103 Oakland, CA 94621.

Upcoming Informational Workshops:
March 9th
April 13th
May 11th
June 8th

E-mail info@aask.org or call (510) 553-1748 ext.12 to sign up for the next date! Or look for us on our website, www.aask.org.

The Girlfriend's Guide to Understanding Men

2010-02-27T18:20:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE OR ON BOOK COVER TO ORDER NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

WRITTEN BY A GAY FRIEND

Available Now Worldwide !

It's time to announce the beginning of a new age in relationships: The Girlfriend's Guide to Understanding Men, written by a gay friend is available online and in bookstores near you. The Guide will share with you ideas to recreate your relationships with men into something healthy and lasting.

Why this Gay Man? Well, I'm your best friend, your confidant, or your designer. I'm your model man. And this man is also a clinical hypnotherapist, a yoga teacher, and a spiritual man who has the experience to help you on many levels, redirect your energy, and shift your focus to get the relationship you deserve!

ENDORSEMENTS

"A woman can never have a better friend than a gay man. He'll tell her what she needs to hear, not what she wants to hear."

Susan Sinclair, Ph. D.

“Great relationship and clinical advice for the heart and mind.”

Dr. Evelyn Frye, Psychologist

“All relationship advice is not created equal. The Girlfriend’s Guide works because it gets to the fierce point of men’s actions. Bo makes understanding men a lot easier than it seems. He is yet another gay best friend I can turn to for answers!”

Mindy McCready, Award winning Country Singer/Songwriter & Actress

“There are many pearls of wisdom in this book. Bold men might glean as much wisdom from this book as a woman.”

Keith Allen, MMFT (Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy)

“The perfect book of profound insights, helpful hints and wise words of wisdom for letting go of losers and finding the love of your life!”

Reverend Donna Michael

Forgiveness coach, speaker, singer/songwriter

“I wish I had read this book before now. It is a comprehensive, cliff notes-type edition to understanding men! What a great, resourceful book.”

LuLu Roman, Hee Haw Star and Grammy nominated singer

“I read this book with an open mind to learn more about men, and finished with an even bigger bonus: LEARNING ABOUT MYSELF. The Key to a healthy relationship—finally!”

Connie “Tootsie Rose” Prince, Happily Married after a Lifetime of Searching

++++++++++

This book was birthed after many conversations with women and men in counseling and in friendship. I found myself giving advice to women, after which they would say, "I can't believe no one has ever said that to me before." After about the hundredth time, I decided to write down my ideas.

After my thoughts congealed and the ideas about relationship were on my computer, I began to realize that almost everyone I knew could benefit from this book, even men—even me!

Everyday is a chance to undo the past and begin to look at today in a new and wonderful way. The past is a heavy burden in most people's lives. At the very least you are carrying the fears of your entire life with you as you try to embark upon a new day. At the worst, each of those fears is beckoning you to follow old instincts and forget about hope entirely.

When you look at thoughts as "things" instead of being a part of you, you can begin to undo what has been created by them. I call this the omniscient brain or the watcher side of the brain. As you begin to watch your old behavior or old thoughts, you can "unhook" from them, if you have the necessary understanding and a new direction in which to take yourself.

My hope with this book is to give you some new ideas to focus on, to help you disconnect from the old ideas, and reconnect you to something that will help you move past your fears and enter into a new day, a new moment that will be unparalleled to the past.

That is a high hope, I know. But I can only tell you that my life has changed that drastically since I have adopted this way of looking at life.

I hope you can pick up a copy of The Girlfriend's Guide to Understanding Men and let me know how you feel after you've read it.

Be well.
Bo

See the Book Trailer Video on YouTube--Click Here

WinterGreen Vacations - Your winter vacation can help protect America's spectacular wilderness areas.

2010-02-07T14:14:00.000-08:00

From the Sierras to the Smokies, from "sea to shining sea" and all the wild places in between, America’s wilderness is an indelible part of our national heritage and an important legacy to pass on to our children.

Pristine, undeveloped wilderness is important – not only in its own right, but for the clean air and water, recreation, and wildlife habitat it provides all of us.

But these wild places are constantly under pressure and need protection in order to thrive.

And now there is a new program that makes it easy for winter travelers to support those remaining wilderness areas - WinterGreen Vacations.

The idea is simple. Stay at a participating inn or bed and breakfast from January through March, 2010, and they will donate 2% of your lodging of two-day stays or longer to The Wilderness Society.

The beta-test of the program is starting with a select group of 18 small, eco-friendly and independently owned inns and B&Bs in 12 states across the country. The goal is go national in 2011, with hopefully several thousand such eco-sensitive lodging facilities participating.

"There is a natural affinity between small, unique lodging places like us and our beautiful American spaces," said Michelle Duarte, owner of WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, Oregon, who developed this program. "We tend to be located in vacation destination spots, often near incredible areas of wilderness and spectacular natural beauty."

"It seemed only...well...natural," Duarte adds with a smile, "that we find a way to work together to protect these wild, beautiful areas of our country. That's why we partnered with The Wilderness Society in what we hope will become a major annual program generating strong financial support for their outstanding work. It's a great honor to work with them. They've already made quite a difference in our country. We are all committed to helping them do even more."

Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society’s mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. From writing and passing the landmark Wilderness Act to winning lasting protection for more than 109 million acres of permanent wilderness across the country to date, The Wilderness Society is America’s premier public lands conservation organization. TWS and its 500,000 members and supporters are dedicated to protecting America’s wilderness and to developing a nationwide network of these iconic wild lands through public education, scientific analysis and advocacy.

"The Wilderness Society is always looking for innovative opportunities to increase public awareness and generate support for America’s wild places," said Sally Adams, Vice-President of Communications and Marketing, The Wilderness Society.

As it celebrates its 75th anniversary, The Wilderness Society has played a key role in passing pivotal legislation and reversing environmentally detrimental policies. Conservation accomplishments over the past year include:

· The permanent protection of 2.1 million acres of new Wilderness in California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

· The formal establishment of the 26-million acre National Landscape Conservation System, the first new system of conservation lands in more than half a century.

· The designation of the 1.2-million acre Wyoming Range withdrawal area, which protects this scenic landscape from future oil and gas development.

· The suspension of a controversial attempt to allow oil and gas leasing in 77 areas in Utah’s Canyon Country, alongside two national parks and other special wildlands.

· The withdrawal of a Bush administration plan to triple logging on public lands in Oregon.

· The reinstatement of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

· The House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act – a landmark energy and climate package that provided the impetus for the Senate’s introduction of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.

· A nearly 17% increase in funding for 2010 Interior and Forest Service programs over last year’s budget; this increase will support an array of programs that address wildlife, wildfire suppression, climate change research, and land acquisition.

"We’re very excited about working with WinterGreen Vacations," added Adams, "and hope to pilot what could become an important recurring program to help people not only enjoy this country's beautiful wilderness areas, but to support them in a direct way.”

For more information about WinterGreen or The Wilderness Society, please contact:

Michelle Duarte, WildSpring Guest Habitat/Creator of the WinterGreen Program, www.wildspring.com, 541.332.0977 or michelle@wildspring.com

WildSpring Guest Habitat is a small, eco-friendly resort, offering luxurious accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment. Eco-conscious since their initial planning stages, they are as proud of the fact they have a zero carbon footprint through operations and offsets, as they are of the fact they've been recommended twice in the New York Times this past year. They are also a Select Registry Inn, which represents only 400 quality assured, inspected inns and B&Bs in North America.

Sally Adams, Vice-President, Communications and Marketing/The Wilderness Society, www.wilderness.org, 202.429-2616 or sally_adams@tws.org

List of all participating inns:

Arkansas

Arsenic and Old Lace B&B

Eureka Springs' Premier B&B experience.

Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Contact: Doug Breitling

800.243.5223

http://www.eurekaspringsromancebb.com/

arsenicoldlacebb@gmail.com

California

McCaffrey House Bed and Breakfast Inn

Pure elegance in a wilderness setting.

Twain Harte, CA 95383

Stephanie McCaffrey

209.586.0757

http://www.mccaffreyhouse.com/

innkeeper@mccaffreyhouse.com

Georgia

Beechwood Inn

Georgia's premier wine country inn

Clayton, GA 30525

David Darugh

706.782.5485

http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/

ddarugh@windstream.net

Illinois

Harvey House Bed and Breakfast

Where luxury meets location

Oak Park, IL 60302

Beth Harvey

708.848.6810

http://www.harveyhousebb.com

harveyhousebb@gmail.com

Massachusets

Old Harbor Inn

Every day you get our best.

Chatham, MA 02633

Ray Braz

800.942.4434

http://www.chathamoldharborinn.com/

info@chathamoldharborinn.com

New York

Asa Ransom House

http://www.asaransom.com/

An intimate village inn.

Clarence, NY 14031

Bob Lenz

716.759.2315

RWLenz@aol.com

Genesee Country Inn Bed and Breakfast

http://www.geneseecountryinn.com/

A Short Drive...A World Away!

Mumford, NY 14511

Deborah and Richard Stankevich

585.538.2500

deborah@gcinn.com

Ohio

Glenlaurel

A Scottish Country Inn

Rockbridge, OH 43149-9736

Kelley Leonard

740.385.2951 x310

http://www.glenlaurel.com/

kleonard@glenlaurel.com

Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast

Upscale accommodations. Down-home hospitality.

Dellroy, OH 44620

Linda Horn

866.4LAKEVU (866.452.5388)

http://www.atwoodlake.com/

whisperingpines@atwoodlake.com

Oregon

Arch Cape Inn & Retreat

Lose yourself beside the ocean.

Cannon Beach, OR 97102

Cynthia Malkowski

800.436.2848

http://www.archcapeinn.com/

westhighlandproperties@yahoo.com

Heron Haus Bed & Breakfast

In the hills overlooking Portland.

Portland, OR 97210

Pam and Carl Walker

503.274.1846

http://www.heronhaus.com/

pam@heronhaus.com

Old Parkdale Inn Bed & Breakfast

At the foot of Mt. Hood.

Parkdale, OR 97401

Mary Pelligrini

541.352.5551

http://www.hoodriverlodging.com/info.html
parkdale@hoodriverlodging.com

Peerless Hotel & Restaurant

Ashland's Peerless Experience.

Ashland, OR 97520

Michael Biggs, Hotelkeeper

541.488.1082

http://www.peerlesshotel.com/
innkeeper@peerlesshotel.com

WildSpring Guest Habitat

For body and soul

Port Orford, OR 97465

Michelle Duarte

541.332.0977

http://www.wildspring.com/
michelle@wildspring.com

Pennsylvania

The Beechmont Inn B&B,

Where history and hospitality come together.

Hanover, PA 17331

Kathryn & Thomas White

800.553.7009

717.632.3013

http://www.thebeechmont.com/

innkeeper521@embarqmail.com

Virginia

Inn at Riverbend

Almost heaven.

Pearisburg, VA 24134

Linda Hayes

540.921.5211

http://www.innatriverbend.com/

stay@innatriverbend.com

Washington

The Shelburne Country Inn

A true American classic.
Seaview, WA 98644

David Campiche

360.642.2442

http://www.theshelburneinn.com/

campiche@centurytel.net

Wyoming

Bentwood Inn

http://www.bentwoodinn.com/

Nestled on 3 acres of Jackson Hole solitude.

PO Box 561

Jackson Hole, WY 83001

Peter and Jenny Tignor

307.739.1411

info@bentwoodinn.com

Adopt A Special Kid: Intro Workshop Dates for Prospective Parents!

2010-02-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

Prospective parents interested in foster care or adoption begin by attending a short informational workshop. An AASK social worker will present an overview of the child welfare system and the foster care and adoption processes. Parents can ask questions in a comfortable atmosphere and schedule an initial interview with a social worker.

Introductory workshops are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00 on these dates:

February 9, 2010

March 9, 2010

April 13, 2010

May 11, 2010

E-mail info@aask.org or call (510) 553-1748 ext.12 to sign up for the next date!

The workshop schedule is always available on AASK's website, www.aask.org, under "Resources > News and Events", or via this direct link: http://www.aask.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61

Hush Pride - Seattle Pre-Pride Event

2010-01-24T17:42:00.000-08:00

Hush Pride along with Seattle Pride would like to invite everyone to the Largest Pre-pride Gay and Lesbian Event of the season. Snoqualmie Casino has recognized the power of the Gay and Lesbians communities and welcomes us. We are excited to present a spectacular event in the Grand Ballroom. DJ, hot male and female go-go dancers, entertainment, Recording artist Vanessa Thompson, costume contest (the most outrageous/beautiful will win), and more. So please come and celebrate with us on May 15th 9PM.
http://www.hushpride.com

Allstar Lodging - Special Rates

2010-01-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Allstar Lodging Vacation Cabin Rentals in the Shenandoah Valley, near Luray Va., is currently offering lots of specials up to 33% off including: Buy 2 nights, get the 3rd night free and many other special offers. See this link:

http://www.allstarlodging.com/packages-specials.asp

Consequences of Dying Without Legal Documents

2010-01-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

DYING WITHOUT LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Undersigned is licensed to practice law in 3 states (Florida, Colorado, and Massachusetts).

During the past few years the following correspondence follows more and more telephone conferences after surviving partners are left out in the cold. This is especially shocking when the parents of a Deceased Partner were especially warm and loving to the surviving partner until the moment their son or daughter died and everything changed.

Following is a typical, unfortunate letter or e-mail which undersigned drafts more often than he should, to address the situation of a partner dying without legal documents (i.e. last will, life estate deed, etc…).

“According to the Clerk and Recorder records undersigned counsel was able to access, it appears that relatively young Deceased Partner titled the real property in which you lived with her or him for 10 or 20 years solely in their own name. I researched the records and was unable to locate a deed more recent than 1998 (attached).

If Deceased Partner never executed a last will (died without a last will aka intestate) and never executed a more recent real property deed conveying an interest in real property to you, then such property (your house) passed as follows:

1. Deceased Partner’s lawful surviving spouse - even if you had married Deceased Partner in another state, such marriage would not have been recognized in Florida and the property would not automatically pass to you unless Deceased Partner had executed a deed or last will devising the property to you (undersigned counsel drafts such documents for partners regularly); IF NONE, then to:

2. Deceased Partner’s lineal descendants - if Deceased Partner had no lawful spouse but left kids or grandkids, they automatically inherit Deceased Partner’s real property (i.e. the house you lived in with Deceased Partner for 10 or 20 years) unless Deceased Partner executed a deed or last will devising the property to you (Please note that you are no longer authorized to open any U.S. Mail delivered to your address which is intended for Deceased Partner since they apparently left you no written authorization permitting same); IF NONE, then to:

3. Deceased Partner’s parents equally or the survivor of them - if Deceased Partner had no lawful spouse and had no kids, then Deceased Partner’s parents share equally, or the survivor of them, inherits the house you have called home for 10 or 20 years, unless you are able to locate a real property deed or last will devising such property to you.

Undersigned counsel can NOT represent you without a written fee agreement signed by both of us. However, in order to assist you undersigned counsel needs you to locate either a last will or real property deed reflecting your interest in such property. Without such document(s) you might consider taking all of your personal property and moving sooner than later unless Deceased Partner’s parent(s) is/are willing to permit you to continue to live in a home which, given the information you provided, appears to now be theirs.
Those who do nothing, actually let the state decide. In this case, if the facts as stated herein are true, Deceased Partner, by doing nothing other than making a few statements to neighbors and friends that you get everything, decided to leave their property to Deceased Partner’s parents instead of to you. Deceased Partner’s statements to your neighbors and friends, without written support of properly executed legal documents, were of no legal significance. Doing nothing (not retaining legal counsel to draft a last will or property deed) results in lawful heirs inheriting property and such definition excludes partners.”

The above is tragic.

Hire an experienced lawyer to counsel, draft and oversee the execution of your legal documents today!!!

Jonas Urba, Esquire
Central Florida Law Office of Jonas Urba, P.A.
www.LGBTwills.com
(813) 390-7787

Adopt A Special Kid: Intro Workshop Dates for Prospective Parents!

2009-12-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Located in Oakland, and serving 21 counties in Northern California, Adopt A Special Kid is the oldest agency in the state working to help children in foster care get adopted into permanent, loving homes. AASK strives to make adoption accessible to a diverse range of families, including: LGBT parents, parents of all ethnic backgrounds, single and partnered parents, homeowners and renters, older parents, and people living with disabilities. AASK provides all social work services necessary to adopt a child from foster care at no cost to our families.

Prospective parents interested in foster care or adoption begin by attending a short informational workshop. An AASK social worker will present an overview of the child welfare system and the foster care and adoption processes. Parents can ask questions in a comfortable atmosphere and schedule an initial interview with a social worker.

Introductory workshops are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00 on the following dates:

January 12th
February 9th
March 9th
April 13th

E-mail info@aask.org or call (510) 553-1748 ext.12 to sign up for the next date!

The workshop schedule is always available on AASK's website, www.aask.org, under "Resources > News and Events", or via this direct link: http://www.aask.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61

3 Steps to a Balanced Life

2009-11-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

3 Steps to a Balanced Life

It has been a personal dream of mine, to create a tool to help individuals take an in-depth look at their emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. I would like to offer you the opportunity to experience my mind, body, and spirit assessment.

This assessment is a product of my professional and personal experiences as I have witnessed the struggles and transitions we all experience in our lives. When I saw how life’s difficulties can create emotional, physical, and spiritual imbalance, it compelled me to create a tool to help people become more self-aware. I intend for this assessment to bring about major lifestyle changes in order to create a healthy balance.

~Step 1~

The journey begins with this assessment. This section will provide you with a foundation upon which you can begin to learn and assess different areas of your life.

~Step 2~

The second step is to review the results of the assessment and receive an expert interpretation of your responses. This will provide you with an invaluable tool that will help balance your life.

~Step 3~

The third and final step will be to create a customized plan of action, based on the interpretation of your responses. This will provide you with solutions that will help bring balance and harmony into your life, as well as create changes that will become your new lifestyle.

Due to the uniqueness of this system, appointments are filling up very quickly. Please email us at info@HealingCrossroads.com for more information and appointment setting.

Adopt A Special Kid: Intro Workshop Dates for Prospective Parents!

2009-10-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Introductory workshops are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00 on these dates:

November 10, 2009
January 12, 2010
February 9, 2010
March 9, 2010

E-mail info@aask.org or call (510) 553-1748 ext.12 to sign up for the next date!

The workshop schedule is always available on AASK's website, www.aask.org, under "Resources > News and Events", or via this direct link: http://www.aask.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61

Saturn Cafe Receives 2009 Best of Business Award

2009-09-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

Small Business Commerce Association’s Award Honors the Achievement

Check out the listing for the Saturn Cafe on GayFriendlyBiz.com

SAN FRANSICO, August 12, 2009, Saturn Cafe has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Restaurant category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA)

The Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is pleased to announce that Saturn Cafe has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Restaurant category.

The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5% of small businesses throughout the country. Using consumer feedback, the SBCA identifies companies that we believe have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy. The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

About Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA)

Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is a San Francisco based organization. The SBCA is a private sector entity that aims to provide tactical guidance with many day to day issues that small business owners face. In addition to our main goal of providing a central repository of small business operational advice; we use consumer feedback to identify companies that exemplify what makes small business a vital part of the American economy.

SOURCE: Small Business Commerce Association

CONTACT:
Small Business Commerce Association
Email: Press@SBCAAwards.org
URL: http://www.SBCAAwards.org

Check out the listing for the Saturn Cafe on GayFriendlyBiz.com

Tips for Divorcing or Divorced Parents

2009-08-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

For many people, a divorce is a highly emotional juncture in their lives. During this time of crisis, sometimes adults forget to keep in mind the interests of their children. The children's needs and interests must be constantly considered in a divorce proceeding. Sometimes a little reminder is all it takes.

For More Info, click on the link below.

http://weinsteinlawoffice.com/In-the-Media.html

Gay Group Caribbean Cruise

2009-08-05T09:47:00.001-07:00

Come and join us as we set sail on the newest and largest ship on the seas...Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. The Oasis of the Seas sets sail for her maiden voyage in December and we will be sailing on her April 24 for a gay group cruise. The Oasis of the Seas offers 2 on board surfing locations, an AquaTheater, the Rising Tide bar, as well as numerous dining locations and tons of entertainment. Have you ever wanted to zipline? You can do it aboard the Oasis of the Seas. Did you miss Hairspray The Musical on Broadway? Now you can see it aboard the Oasis of the Seas. For the first time in history a cruise ship will be offering a Broadway musical. Why not join us? Bring your friends or meet new ones! Rates start at $1,149 per person based upon double occupancy. Want to know more? Check out this link for even more details. 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise sailing aboard Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas, 4/24/2010

Furnished office space available in professional building in Gurnee.

2009-08-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

Furnished office space available in professional building in Gurnee. Excellent location, off I-94. Accessible 24/7; rent as needed, by the hour, full or part-time. Email dana@danasteiner.com.

Twice Blessed: The Joys Not the Oys in Being Jewish and LGBT

2009-05-11T19:10:00.001-07:00

Twice Blessed: The Joys Not the Oys in Being Jewish and LGBT is presented by the Jewish Diversity Committee of Congregation Darchei Noam and Co-sponsored by Kulanu Toronto and Jewish Family and Child.
A panel of individuals--gay, lesbian, transgender, single, married, young and old, and the parent of LG kids--will share, inform, and respond to the audience.
This is for everyone who is or knows someone who is LGBT, and their families and friends. It is also for anyone who simply wants to know what it is to be Jewish and LGBT.
The evening includes a musical interlude, informal exchange in a warm inclusive environment, and refreshments.

Sunday evening, June 7th, 2009
7:00-9:30pm
Congregation Darchei Noam
864 Sheppard Ave. Toronto

Upcoming Events at World Forestry Center

2009-05-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Click Here to view our listing on GayFriendlyBiz.com

April 25 - June 21
In Focus: National Geographic Greatest Portraits

In Focus: National Geographic Greatest Portraits is an exhibition consisting of 56 striking color and black-and-white portraits. From fascinating archival images of tribal leaders, fishermen and American workers, to riveting modern pictures of refugees, city dwellers and urban laborers, In Focus takes visitors around the globe and through the heights and depths of human emotion.

Saturday, May 9

TREE-Mendous Second Saturday
World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Join our Education Forester for talks, walks, and crafts.
Story Time 10:30 - 11:00 am
Crafts 11:00 - 11:30 am
Tree Identification 1:00 - 1:30 pm
Tree Lab 1:30 - 2:00 pm
Guided hike in Hoyt Arboretum 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Sunday, May 31
Museum Warehouse Sale

9:00 am - 3:00 pm
World Forestry Center Cheatham Hall

We're doing some housekeeping and need to clear out storage spaces. We'll have everything from pieces of old exhibits to photography by local and internationally known artists; from taxidermy animals to wood carvings; from computer parts to 8’ banquet tables; and the list goes on... Cash or credit cards will be accepted.

Click Here to view our listing on GayFriendlyBiz.com

N.H. Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill

2009-04-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

By ABBY GOODNOUGH. nytimes.com from the Web. April 29, 2009

CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Senate voted narrowly on Wednesday to legalize same-sex marriage, paving the way for the state to potentially become the fifth in the nation — and the third this month — to allow gay couples to wed.

The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 13 to 11 in favor of the bill, but only after a last-minute amendment strengthened language granting legal protections for religious groups and organizations that do not want to perform or otherwise help carry out same-sex marriages.

The House, which approved the marriage bill by a seven-vote margin last month, will now vote on the Senate’s amended version. Supporters and opponents both predicted that version would pass the House, which is more liberal and was more enthusiastic about same-sex marriage from the start. The bill probably cannot gain enough support in either house for an override, so its fate almost certainly rests with Gov. John Lynch.

It is unclear whether Gov. Lynch, a Democrat, will veto the law or whether the new language will persuade him to endorse it. Mr. Lynch has consistently opposed same-sex marroiage but has never said whether he would veto the bill or let it be enacted without his signature.

He did not reveal his intentions after the vote but reiterated his belief that the state’s two-year-old civil-union law provides sufficient rights and protections to gay couples.

“To achieve further real progress,” he said in a statement, “the federal government would need to take action to recognize New Hampshire civil unions.”

The Defense of Marriage Act, passed by Congress in 1996, prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage. It denies federal benefits, like Social Security survivors’ payments, to spouses in such marriages.

Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, which was established to fight same-sex marriage around the country, said the group would intensively lobby Mr. Lynch to veto it. "This vote is in no way representative of what folks in New Hampshire want," Mr. Brown said, adding that the Senate leadership had used "arm-twisting" to change the votes of a few crucial Democrats. "If the governor is going to stand by his words and his stated position, he will veto this bill."

To some extent, the support for same-sex marriage reflects a sea change in New Hampshire politics since 2006, when Democrats gained control of the legislature for the first time in over a century. But while staunchly conservative on fiscal matters, New Hampshire has been less so about social issues, partly because its citizens’ famous libertarian streak resists government intrusion in personal matters.

But last-minute politicking also played a role. Last week the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3 to 2 against the marriage measure, and the committee’s chairwoman, Senator Deborah Reynolds, a Democrat, said afterward that New Hampshire was simply not ready for same-sex marriage.

Ms. Reynolds, the only Democrat who opposed the bill in committee, stressed that civil unions were still new in New Hampshire and that Vermont, whose legislature approved same-sex marriage on April 7, had done so only after living with civil unions for nine years.

But on Wednesday, Ms. Reynolds, who represents a fairly conservative region, said the new language made the bill acceptable. She described it as a compromise that was “respectful to both sides of the debate and meets our shared goals of equality under the state laws for all of the people of New Hampshire.”

Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont, a Republican, vetoed that state’s same-sex marriage bill this month but the Democratic-controlled legislature overrode the veto, making Vermont the first state to adopt same-sex marriage legislatively instead of through the courts. Days earlier, the Iowa Supreme Court found a state law banning same-sex marriage to be a violation of the state Constitution.

The New Hampshire Legislature approved civil unions in 2007, and more than 650 have been registered in the state since they became legal in January 2008.

Same-sex marriage was among several contentious bills that the Senate took up Wednesday, all passed by the House in recent weeks. One, a measure to allow people with certain illnesses to possess marijuana for medical purposes, passed in a 14 to 10 vote. But the Senate voted unanimously against a bill that would guarantee transgender people protection from housing and employment discrimination. It also put off action on a bill to repeal the death penalty.

Democrats hold a 14 to 10 majority in the New Hampshire Senate, but it is generally more centrist and cautious than the House, where Democrats hold a 223 to 175 majority.

Opponents of same-sex marriage appeared somewhat better organized here than in Vermont, where the opposition was relatively small and fragmented. Cornerstone Research Institute waged an intense phone campaign with help from the National Organization for Marriage, but the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and other gay-rights groups also lobbied fiercely.

Mo Baxley, the coalition’s executive director, described the Senate bill as a fair compromise.

“It is in keeping with New Hampshire’s live-free-or-die tradition to stand up for individual liberties and against discrimination of any kind,” she said.

“I have to say,” Ms. Baxley added, “America is at a turning point.”

Conn. governor signs gay marriage bill

2009-04-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

AP from the Web, April 24, 2009

HARTFORD, Conn. --A decade-long battle for same-sex marriage in Connecticut has ended with the governor's signature on a bill updating the state's laws.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed the legislation Thursday, one day after the state House and Senate both approved it.

The bill removes gender references from state marriage laws. It also transforms existing same-sex civil unions into legally recognized marriages as of Oct. 1, 2010.

The law comes after last fall's state Supreme Court ruling that gay couples have the right to wed in Connecticut. Even if the bill hadn't passed, same-sex marriage would still be legal because of the ruling.

Three other states -- Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa -- also allow gay marriage.

Gregoire OKs transgender hate-crime protection

2009-04-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

; By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer

Published: 04/23/09 11:29 am | Updated: 04/23/09 11:29 am

OLYMPIA -- The same day a Colorado man became the first in the nation to be convicted of the hate-crime murder of a transgender person, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a law paving the way for similar kinds of prosecutions in Washington.

Senate Bill 5952 added "transgender" to the definition of sexual orientation in the state's hate crime law, meaning people who commit violent crimes against someone because of gender identity or expression can be charged with hate crimes and face harsher penalties.

Washington on Wednesday became the 12th state to have such a law.

"The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community gained much needed protection today," said Sen. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle, the bill's sponsor. "No crime against another person is acceptable. But our laws recognize that some crimes are particularly heinous and deserve harsher punishment."

Statistics from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs show reported acts of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people rose 24 percent in 2007 nationwide, and 16 percent of those were motivated by anti-transgender bias.

Mark Lee, executive director of Vista Youth Center in Kennewick, said the law is important because it protects people who might be more often targeted for violence.

"When I think about the youth most often harassed or abused, they almost always are people who are non-gender conforming," Lee said. "An effeminate boy is much more likely to be harassed than a straight-acting gay boy."

Josh Friedes, advocacy director for activist group Equal Rights Washington, said revising the hate crime law to include gender expression protects not only people who are transgender, but those who might be perceived to be transgender but are not.

"Very often, unfortunately, people are brutalized because they appear to be transgender," Friedes said. "This law provides the same type of protections to transgender people that most of us already enjoy because of our religion or race. It is a simple piece of legislation."

Gay Pride Weekend in New Hope, Pennsylvania is Set for May 15 - 17

2009-04-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

Gay Pride Weekend in New Hope, Pennsylvania is Set for May 15 - 17

2009-04-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

Wedding Planning Franchises Available

Visit our Website

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Terms: Cash
Ongoing Fees: $600 per month

Contact
Mark Steffan
President, Maui'd Forever Inc.
870 Malulani St.
Kihei HI 96753
808-268-8339 or 800-871-2758
Fax 808-874-9231
Email: mark@mauidforever.com
Website http://mauidforever.com/

Maui'd Forever Inc.
870 Malulani St.
Kihei HI 96753
1-800-395-7807 Bill Armstrong
1-800-871-2758 Mark Steffan
www.mauidforever.com
info@mauidforever.com
Fax 1-808-874-9231

Visit our Website