April 15 - Did you File or Protest?

After Melissa Etheridge's announcement after the passing of Prop 8, many are wondering Will Melissa Etheridge File? I haven't heard much since her announcement in November. No mention of it on her wife, Tammy Lynn's blog. Melissa Etheridge's California protest is one of many going on around the country today. Her's is in response to Prop 8, the others are anti-tax tea parties across the country. Thousands Rally With Tea Parties On Tax Day.

While I think it is admirable of Melissa Etheridge, if she indeed protests by not filing, but it is not practical for the average person to protest in that manner. If you've ever filed your taxes late, you know what I mean. The penalties are costly. A couple of years ago I filed late, without an extension. It's an expensive mistake I don't think I'll be making any time soon.

I filed mine and Anastasia's taxes last week. That's early for us. I usually have to run hers to the post office on April 15 along with my extension. Tonight I get to relax in my living room and watch my son play Destroy All Humans! on Xbox. (Wait a minute, is that a good thing?)

So, did you file or did you protest? Do you think Melissa Etheridge will file her taxes? Do you think she will file an extension and make it appear that she is protesting?

©2008-2009 Firecrotch Rocket

Colorado Governor Signs Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act

There's been a lot of headway lately in gaining some of the civil rights gays and lesbians have been excluded from. Vermont and Iowa about a week ago. According to The Advocate, on Thursday, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed Colorado House Bill 1260, the Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act, "which allows unmarried adult couples -- including same-sex partners -- some of the legal rights afforded to married couples; the legislation delivers expanded rights in areas including inheritance matters, medical decisions, and hospital visitation."

This isn't gay marriage, or civil unions, but it is a step towards equal rights. A baby step perhaps, but it is a step in the right direction

©2008-2009 Firecrotch Rocket

TGIF - VIrtual Girls Night Out

What Easter candy do you just have to have?
Reeses eggs!

Thanks for stopping by for VGNO!
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Hope you have a great Easter!

©2008-2009 Firecrotch Rocket

Matzo Man

For anyone not familiar, Passover began at sundown Wednesday, April 8th and ends Thursday, April 16th. From About.com - All About Passover:

"After 410 years of slavery in Egypt, Moses told Pharaoh that he must "Let My People Go." Each time Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites, God brought another plague upon the Egyptians. The tenth and final plague was the death of firstborn children. In executing this plague, God passed through the land of Egypt, but "passed over" Jewish homes. Thus, the holiday is called Passover. The Israelites were then released from bondage. But the Israelites only truly became free when, 50 days after the Exodus, they accepted the Torah from God at Mount Sinai. Thus, the Jewish nation was born. Every Passover, we are commanded to tell the Passover story."

During Passover, leavened food products are prohibited. That means no bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, pancakes, crackers. Matzo is eaten in place of bread and is used in many passover recipes. Eggs are used a lot in cake products. Eggs are typically separated, the whites are whipped and folded in to the other ingredients and provide a substitute for things like baking powder and baking soda which are leavening agents.

So, how do I know all this? My ex-husband was Jewish. We never kept kosher, but I did learn to cook many Jewish foods and I continue to do so because my children enjoy them.

Why am I telling you all this? I wanted an excuse to show you this Matzo Man video. Enjoy!



©2008-2009 Firecrotch Rocket

"The Farm" Bought The Farm Already?

The L Word spinoff, "The Farm" has apparently bought the farm, been snuffed, dead in the water. According to Showtime Won't Buy "The Farm", Showtime will not be continuing production of the show. Laurie Metcalfe, Famke Janssen, Melissa Leo were cast in guest roles in the pilot.

Why is Showtime ditching "The Farm"? It was supposed to be grittier than other female prison dramas (helloooo Bad Girls). We all remember those scenes with Bette and the carpenter and Helena and her cellmate and were looking forward to whatever Chaiken was going to do this the whole female prison drama concept. Come on Showtime! What gives?

I was so looking forward to seeing Laurie Metcalfe playing another kind of crazy. Maybe even a crazy lesbian? Ok, crazy straight woman is ok too. I've really enjoyed Laurie Metcalfe's past roles.

What on earth is left out there for us lesbians to watch now? Please don't let it be those horrible storylines on All My Children and Grey's Anatomy. They just don't 'represent'.

©2008-2009 Firecrotch Rocket

Same Sex Couples In Iowa Can Marry!

Awesome!

Lambda will soon make available a fact sheet with basic information about getting married in Iowa. Check Lambda's website periodically for more information.



©2008-2009 Firecrotch Rocket

Attempts At Book Banning Are Alive and Well In West Bend, WI

I’ve been following Lori Hahn’s @ A World Of Progress posts about book censorship in West Bend, WI. I encourage you to go there to see her complete post here. You can read more about it here

The woman on the book ban bandwagon is Ginny Maziarka of West Bend, WI. She "has made it her mission in life to deny other citizens access to books she considers pornographic, restrict websites, and insist on the purchase of 'balanced' materials with touting her own personal viewpoint—this apparently primarily affecting the 'Out of the Closet section of the library."

Read about the Ms. Miziarka's complaint West Bend Parents for Free Speech - The Opposition Side. Apparently Ms. Miziarka wants to go so far as to password protect the 'Out of the Closet' section on the library's website. If gay, lesbian, transgendered, bi-sexual and questioning youth cannot find out about these clearly NOT pornographic books at the public library, where are they going to go? Do we need to lose any more of our youth to suicide because they feel they are so different and so alone that they need to end their lives?

A website has been created to counter Ms. Miziarka’s efforts: West Bend Parents for Free Speech. I encourage you to visit that site and post your support of their efforts for free speech.

Ms. Miziarka filed a complaint with the library board and later withdrew it. She is now collecting signatures for a petition.

Ms. Miziarka published the home addresses of each of the library board members. I’m not going to do that here. I am however posting the library’s address so that you can direct your mail to their place of work, as is appropriate. The board members are: Ald. Nick Dobberstein; Kathryn Engelbrecht, President; Tom Fitz, Vice-President; Patti Geidel, Treasurer; Mary Reilly-Kliss; Mary Jane Burdge, School Dist. Rep.; Barbara Deters, Secretary; John R. Aynesworth; James Pouros.

West Bend Community Library
630 Poplar St
West Bend, WI 53095

I’m hoping that everyone that reads mine and Lori’s posts will spread the word, post about it on your blog to inform your readers. Take the time to voice your objection to this attack on free speech. Post on West Bend Parents for Free Speech, write the library board members and write Ms. Miziarka. Ms. Miziarka won’t publish opposing views on her blog (another form of censorship). Since Ms. Miziarka published those home addresses, Lori @ A World Of Progress felt it only appropriate to publish Ms. Maziarka’s address on her blog at the end of the post.

©2008-2009 Firecrotch Rocket