Front-Porch Friendly

I was reading blogs today, as I do when I need a break from all the chaos at the office. Today is DEFINATELY a Monday! As I was browsing through, I found this post about a town called Fairport and the mission of their Village Partnership to keep the town "front-porch friendly".

I just love that that phrase and the picture that pops into my head of people sitting out on their front porches or stoops and waving to the kids who are playing in yards or walking down sidewalks. *sigh* Beautiful.

I so want to live in a community that bills itself as "front-porch friendly". I think everyone deserves that kind of neighborhood to grow up in and raise families in.

The Neighborhood Pub

This is my daily online hangout. It is one of the most amazing groups of women that I have ever 'hung out' with. We have a blast. The Neighborhood Pub is an online message board. You can chat about whatever on the Patio and there are also many different forums for whatever it is you are into. Raisin' Our Halfpints to talk about your kids, Beauty on Tap for the latest in fashion and make up, the Tip Jar where you can get and give your 2 cents!

Their blog says: It has been said that the pub is the heart of a community. Well, the purpose of The Neighborhood Pub is the same that any neighborhood pub has been doing for generations - creating a community. It is a place to go and let off some steam, to laugh with friends, to play a game or argue politics. It is a place to drown your sorrows, share lifes joys, or just gossip with the girls.

Belly up to the bar, girls! It's a cool place to hang!

Rep. Sally Kern....

The more I think about this, the more I don't know the way to respond to her. And finding out that the House is going to do nothing to censure her or anything, just infuriates me even more.She can say that she wasn't targeting "individuals" but some magical group of gay "agenda" havers... but it is a cop out and a lie.

Of course she can get away with this if she isn't targeting individuals. It is just nameless, faceless gay activists with an evil agenda that she hates. That's okay, right?

WRONG!

I just heard that News 9 is going to give her even more of a platform, because she is going to be interviewed by them for tonight's news! Ugh. I hope that it is balanced and countered with an interview with Cimarron Alliance Foundation or something.

The protester in me wants to get my signs and picket. But the more I think about it, the less I feel this will have any type of positive effect. People will just roll their eyes about it. Even though picketing Olivet Baptist Church (where her husband is minister) might be interesting.

What I REALLY think we can do is get INVOLVED. Get involved in local congressional races. Especially in Oklahoma City District 84! She isn't term limited until 2016, but she has to run every 2 years. We need to find out who she is running against and help with that campaign.

Get involved in Stonewall Democrats or Cimarron Alliance Foundation. Sign up to go to their Leadership Summit. I am thinking that I am going to do so. It is May 10, from 9am to 5pm and here are the topics:

Leadership Development Organization Development – non-profits, fundraising, etc. Government – politics and the legislative process
Personal Development – spirituality, equality, etc.
Anti-violence – anti-bullying, hate crimes, etc.

There will also be two community forums: (1) discussing the possible creation of an LGBT community center in Oklahoma City and (2) a meeting of the Stop Hate Coalition, an anti-violence group founded as a result of the recent brutal murder of a gay Oklahoman.I think that this is SO necissary for people to attend. THIS is a way to get involved. There are other organizations, like PRIDE and DBA Metro. They need active members and it is a way to network and strengthen our community!

Come on! Let's get involved!