Once again, boy bands bring me joy whent the real world makes me weep.
Lance Bass admits he's Gay
Washington Courts Uphold Gay Marriage Ban

Actually, the headline made me weep, the article made me nauseous. "...limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples furthers the State’s legitimate interests in procreation..." and "in this case the State has established that DOMA was enacted to codify the common law, to promote procreation, and to encourage stable families."
FUCK PROCREATION! Seriously, raise kids if you want them, but the state's interest in procreation is just a fucking front for nepotism, racism, sexism, homophobia and the whole lot of real social ills. Ideally I want the government out of marriage altogether, no fucking benefits for anyone because they're a couple. Make it really easy for individuals to make designations and benefits to whoever they want, but stop tying it up in the whole barfy coupledom.

I'd considered marriage once. I was overwhelmed with the penalties and benefits turning a relationship into a contract would incur. I could easily procrastinate the issue as long as heterosexism in marriage prevailed. Now I see that whole time in my life as one where I was trying to fit into a space that just wasn't my size. I'm gonna go listen to the Decline and Fall of Heavenly again...

All Ages Music Forum
Originally uploaded by Courtoly.

This is my attempt to move these conversations out of the bar and internet and into a place where everyone is welcome. It is a shared teaching/learning experience and if you have ideas/comments/questions/concerns and aren't coming to the meeting, I would be happy to take them via e-mail or phone and ask for you. My biggest inspiration here is the awesome class Barbara Zelano of the Midnight Sun used to teach at Evergreen called "Marketing the Arts" and the practical knowledge I got from her.

Flyer here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/courtoly/194888329/

I want to say this is a one off event and I'm not trying to start any kind of organization. I'm getting copies of the contracts from local venues and updated Olympia Music Directories. People can bring food to share.

All Ages Music Forum
Wednesday July 26th
6:30 PM
in the Olympia Library Meeting Room
313 8th Ave SE Olympia

Come talk about how to organize an all ages show, why these shows are important, and what local resources there are to help you.

never die never die never die

I don't care how small you are. I don't care how much time passes between your projects. You are genius and I love you and I can't live without you and I would rather die that to hear you are gone.

I will do whatever I can to keep your name on the lips of ladies and men. I was going to name names, but sometimes projects do fade...it's just, it is injust, you are so bright and beautiful.

I think about our detective agency and that queerpunk festival and how the people grew up grew on without the agency or the corps to keep them connected. I know things change, I don't beat the dead horse so much as mush the apples to applesauce so she can still eat the sweetness from my hand.

I love you til your dying day.
Don't ever go away.

Nostalgia is killing me.

EMERGENCY RALLY to Stop US Support of Violence in Lebanon, Palestine and Israel

Percival Landing
Wednesday, July 19th
5pm
(From the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace

Stop the killing of civilians in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon.
Call on the US Government to support the international intervention
and negotiations to end the intensifying war in the Middle East.
End US support of Israel's disproportionate response of attacking
civilians and infrastructure in Palestine and Lebanon.

The current situation

In Lebanon...
Over 150 Lebanese were killed by Israeli air strikes. Israel
continues to bomb civilian infrastructure including factories, power
plants, grain silos, and the only international airport. There is a
sea blockade and Israel is targeting roads and border areas used by
refugees and internationals attempting to leave Lebanon. This is the
worst bombing in 24 years in Lebanon

In Israel...
25 Israelis have been killed, including 13 civilians. Numerous
Israelis have been injured. Towns in northern Israel have suffered
rocket attacks from Hezbollah. One soldier was captured by Hamas near
Gaza and another two captured by Hezbollah near the Lebanon/Israel
border.


In Gaza, Palestine ...
89 Palestinians have been killed in Operation Summer Rain since June
25. Of these, 44 are civilians, including 19 children. Nearly 300
Palestinians have been injured. The foreign ministry office, the main
power plant, a university, roads and bridges and homes were bombed.
Rafah crossing has been closed - resulting in at least 6 death and
600 illnesses. Elected officials are being help without charges by
the Israeli military. While international attention is focused on
Lebanon and Israel, the siege on Gaza continues Ministry offices.

In the US....
The US vetoed the UN Security Council Resolution to end the siege in
Gaza. At the G8 summit, the United States severely limited the scope
of participant's ability to act on behalf of all civilian casualties
in Palestine and Lebanon. The US has failed to call for an end to
violence from all sides and has yet to voice support for multilateral
negotiations. The US continues to supply weapons to the Israeli
military in violation of the terms of the US Arms Export Control Act
and Foreign Assistance Act., while suspending humanitarian aid to the
Palestinians because of the results of a democratic election.


Please join us this Wednesday to stop the spread of violence
throughout the region and call on the US to support international
intervention and negotiations.
*****************************************************************
On Wednesday, July 19th the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace
(OMJP) will be hosting a forum entitled The US Crisis with Iran. The
event, which is open and free to the public, will be held at First
Christian Church at 7th and Franklin in Downtown Olympia, beginning
at 7 p.m. and lasting until about 9 p.m.

The panel will include a presentation by Professor Mark Jensen from
Pacific Lutheran University of a historical survey of Iran, with
particular emphasis on relations with the United States. Professor
Char Simons of The Evergreen State College, who has recently visited
Iran as a member of a delegation traveling with local peace and
justice group the Fellowship of Reconciliation, will provide a
testimonial of her experience along with photos from the delegation.

This will be followed by a an open discussion, facilitated by
Professor Larry Mosqueda of The Evergreen State College, where the
panelists will field questions and comments as well as having an open
discussion among the attendees.

Iran has been identified by President Bush as a member of the "axis
of evil" and as a critical battlefield in the global "war on terror."
It has long been a focal point of U.S. geostrategic policy, being
located in a region of vital significance to US 'interests' and
because of vast oil reserves. Currently Iran has been receiving
increased attention within policy circles, presumably due to their
attempt at developing a domestic nuclear enrichment program.

As a result, OMJP feels it is crucial to engage the community about
the possibility of future military assaults taken by the United
States. We seek to find peaceful solutions to international affairs.

We are anticipating a productive evening of historical and political
exploration, hoping to increase community awareness and knowledge
about the Middle East, specifically Iran. This event is designed
with the intent of providing attendees with the tools to participate
in sustaining a vibrant peace movement that clearly conveys that
foreign matters must be resolved peacefully and diplomatically, with
attention to securing economic, social, and racial justice.

I don't even know what to say about this. Play name that indiepopstr with your friends.