Share Your New Year's Intentions with Boulder Pride

As we kick off a new year and decade, many of us will make New Year's Resolutions. In my house, we call them 'Intentions' instead. Intentions lend themselves to being more affirmative and fluid; 'resolution' can sound punitive and rigid...like something is wrong that needs to be fixed.

Regardless of what you call them, research has shown that when we share our New Year's Resolutions/Intentions with others, we are more likely to attain them. Some of the most popular resolutions include (and not in any particular order):

1. Eat better/exercise more
2. Spend more time with friends and family
3. Quit smoking
4. Get out of debt / save money
5. Learn a new skill
6. Help others
7. Get organized
8. Become more involved in community
9. Reduce stress and more.
   

A few of my 2009 intentions that I realized include making homemade beer, eating 80% of my meals at home, engaging in a creative activity (writing, photography, baking, etc) at least once a week, riding the bus and walking/riding my bike to work at least 3 times a week and teaching as adjunct faculty at the University of Denver. Of of my intentions I did not achieve for 2009 is hiking a fourteener - this goal moves to the top of my 2010 list. For 2010, I also plan to have a few chickens and maybe a goat, buy 80% of my stuff at thrift stores and _____ (I'm still working on my list :) ).

How about you? What do you plan to do in 2010?

Please send your New Year's Resolution/Intention to cathy. The more specific your intention, the better.

In January, we will compile the list of our community's New Year's Resolutions/Intentions and include them in our e-lert, as way to inspire ourselves and each other to achieve our individual goals and build a strong LGBTQ and Allied Community in Boulder County.

In your email to cathy, please let me know if it is ok to publish your first name along with your Intention/Resolution.

Here's to a 2010 full of peace, joy and abundance!

Happy Holidays!

Sometimes the holidays feel like a tidal wave or a fire. Hope you are finding peace and connection in the midst of the rush.

"We have nothing to fear from love and commitment."

Marriage is on the brain and in the news, again, with the New York state senate voting against marriage equality yesterday. Since New York is a state where referendum would not be able to overturn the vote, it is a bit of a blow. However, in the grander scheme of inspiration and hope, New York Senator Diane Savino, made remarks that were beyond moving.

"We in government don't determine the quality or the validity of people's relationships. If we did, we would not issue three-quarters of the marriage licenses that we do. If there's any threat to the sanctity of marriage in America, it comes from those of us who have the privilege and the right -- and we have abused it for decades."

Protect Marriage.

A Day of Remembrance.

George Irving Spencer Parker. GI to his friends and military buddies. Veteran. Brilliant Engineer. Father to 4 children. Loving husband for 50 years. Artist and amazing cook. Gardner. Cancer casualty. Pipe smoker. Alcoholic. Bully. Bigot and Racist. My grandfather.

The different faces of my grandfather can be difficult to integrate. My mom remembers him as the man who ingrained prejudice and fear in her. I remember him as the man who made me feel safe and loved and special. For years I secretly hoped my partner would take up pipe smoke so I could close my eyes and remember the days I sat with my Grandpa and knew, without a doubt, that all was well with the world. I don't think he would approve of my life (or my life's work) if he were alive today. And yet I also know that some of the strength and commitment I have to do this work is rooted in the love he gave me.

We struggle as a community to find common ground, within our diversity of identities, and with the broader "mainstream" culture. And I think, in many ways, it also about accepting what's good, where we can. I loved my grandfather and I honor his memory as precious and dear to me. Even if I know that we would be on opposite sides in much of what we believe. Somehow we need to find that trick in a broader sense -- how to embrace the complete experience of ourselves as queer, as well as many other identities, and recognize that since no one piece of who we are defines us, the same can be true of our straight, christian, republican neighbors who can often seem against us.

My grandfather fought for my right to be free to be someone he would most likely disown. And I am grateful to him and love him for that. And I wish he were here today to fight with me about it, because I miss him.

Happy Veteran's Day.

Abstinence, Shmabstinence.

So, the votes are in. You will be surprised (and shocked) to learn that comprehensive sexual education in schools reduces the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) in youth. According to a Washington Post article published last week, abstinence only advocates are unhappy that their programming could not be conclusively shown to have a positive effect.

Trespassing in Salt Lake City.

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