Offensive or Tongue-in-Cheek?

The July 21 cover of the New Yorker magazine is causing quite a stir!!  Both the Obama and the McCain campaign agree that the picture is offensive!!  The New Yorker magazine defends its decision and says the illustration is satire.

Obama is wearing a tunic and a turban.  Michelle is wearing army clothes, has an AK-47 and an afro, and the American flag is burning in their fire place.  I think that's a picture of Osama bin Laden also above the mantle and ofcourse they're doing their famous "bump."

Offensive or just tongue-in-cheek?  What do you think?

The Moment Gonna Make You Sweat | Madonna at the Roseland Ballroom « - T Magazine - New York Times Blog

She is SOOO HOT - and she's approaching 50!! Unbelievable!!

From the NY Times - May 1, 2008

Full article here.

Tired and Sad

Feeling really tired this week.  LONG flights to and from Portland, but a really cool trip.  More on that later.

In the mean time, I'm missing John-Paul.  We'll be literally criss-crossing each other for the next couple of weeks - with my speaking engagements and his work travel.  UGH!

Hopefully we'll get to spend some QT time in May / June.

Off to bed...

Video: Obama and Bush: Distant Cousins?

All I can say is OH MY GOD!

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4526451&affil=wsb

In Case You're Wondering About the Damage in Atlanta

Atlanta tornado scored direct hit on at least one bedside drawer

March 20th, 2008 

And if you didn't pick it up already, note the dildo on the bottom center. ;-)  YIKES!

A Message to Ms. Kern

Hi folks,

I sent this to Ms. Kern's office today. :-)

Please feel free to forward on to others.

Ms. Kern's legislative office's website is located here.
The YouTube clip of her wonderful comments can be found here.
YouTube clip of Ellen calling Rep. Sally Kern is here.

Enjoy!

-Faisal

March 17, 2008

Dear Rep. Kern,

My name is Faisal Alam and I am perhaps your worst nightmare; I am a faithful Muslim and a practicing homosexual.  EEKS!  That's right Ms. Kern, I am not only THE biggest threat to our nation (as a homosexual), but I am also a follower of Islam (which you also believe to be a big threat).

I'm sorry to disappoint you however - I don't have any ambition to join my local city council and (so far), I don't have any plans of denouncing my sexuality or becoming an apostate by leaving Islam.

I've lived in the United States for more than 20 years, and as far as I know, I haven't spread my sexuality to any one unbeknownst to me.  I'm afraid I did come here legally, and my hard-earned income HAS been contributed to many, many homosexual organizations.  Fortunately, this money has not been spent on any illegal or terrorist activities.

By the way, I am really hoping that you will publicize the society that has totally embraced homosexuality - because I'm really dieing to visit.  Oh, did I mention that I've been to Oklahoma several times in my life; in fact two of my closest friends live in Oklahoma.  You may even know them... but shhhh.... don't tell any one.... because they are homosexual!

Ms. Kern - do you think that *I* am part of the homosexual agenda?? Because all my life I have only strived to achieve one thing - to be recognized and honored for all my homosexual activism.  You see, the homosexual agenda is written every year in a big office in Washington DC.  No one really knows where it is, but they say that once you've practiced homosexuality for a long time, you will soon be listed on the homosexual agenda and be recognized for your outstanding work.  If you happen to know any one who is a member of this secret society please do let me know.

I also wanted to say that I'm really sorry your email has been jammed; and maybe you should get your phone number unlisted, so you don't get hate-mongering queers calling you at all hours of the night.  Trust me, I know how rude and belligerent they can be.

The next time I'm in Oklahoma, I'll definitely have to drop by and introduce myself.  I wanted you to see for yourself how two of the biggest threats to our nation look like - all wrapped up in one person. *smile*.  I promise that I won't blow up or any thing... and I'll be sure to leave my homosexual propaganda at home. 

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Faisal Alam
not only a homosexual, but a follower of Islam as well.

P.S. Did the 2nd graders receive the books (about two daddies) I sent a while back?  Do let me know!
P.S.S. Did you get Ellen's message?  She tried calling you a few times. 
P.S.S.S. Remind me to tell you about how I got into a public government school system.

Rep. Sally Kern's Comments on Homosexuality, Islam and Terrorism

Ellen Calls Sally Kern

Gotta love Ellen!

Wanda Sykes on Ellen

A Jihad for Love Premiers in Germany

Sandi DuBowski & Parvez Sharma after the screening of A Jihad for Love in Berlin - February 2008

Our Global World

I continue to be fascinated by our "global village."  A Jihad for Love, the first-ever full-feature documentary about LGBT Muslims had its Australian debut in Sydney.  Parvez Sharma and Sandi Dubowski were both there, but guess who else showed up?  My friend Asif from Toronto and Ubaid from London.  I just saw pictures on Asif's facebook page.  I was like WHAT?? What in the world are the two of you doing there?? And why in the world am *I* not there... hehe...

So I'm totally jealous.  Not only where they both there, but they got to hang out with another friend from London - Azeem - who now lives in Sydney.  Crazy world we live in no??  Its sooo cool that these folks all met through the queer Muslim network / grapevine... we've been able to create so many new friendships... I feel lucky and grateful knowing so many wonderful people in different parts of the world.

As internet access and technology grow, so does the ability of more and more queer Muslims and other marginalized communities - to speak out - reach out - and spread the truth about their lives...

Our Global World... Amazing!!

Bush Swings His Hips to Rare Acclaim in Africa

OMG – He TOTALLY looks like he’s two-stepping!!  To all villages in Texas – do a head count, cause an idiot is on the loose!

Video: Bush swings his hips to rare acclaim in Africa

Christian Fundamentalists Anyone?

It astonishes me that people continue to call Muslims “extremists” and “fundamentalists” when it is CLEAR that extreme ideologies do NOT only exist in Islam.

Introducing – the Westboro Church!

From the Associated Press - February 26, 2008

Westboro Church Pickets Funeral of Slain College Student

More than 3,000 mourners gathered Saturday night to remember a 19-year-old college student believed killed by a serial rapist as a loving, caring woman with many friends and a winning personality.

Brianna Denison's body was found in a Reno field on February 15. Police said she was abducted January 20 and strangled by a man linked to two earlier attacks on the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Her cousin, Spencer Terry, said Denison's spirit would continue to live in the hearts of friends and family.

''Could anybody have asked for a prettier face and a more beautiful soul? I don't think so,'' Terry said.

Friend Danielle DeTomaso said Denison embraced all kinds of people.

''She knew people from all walks of life,'' DeTomaso said. ''She was the glue that held all of us together.''

Denison's aunt, Lauren Denison, reminded the crowd at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center that ''we still have a job to do: bring Brianna's killer to justice.''

The sophomore at Santa Barbara City College in California was visiting her hometown over winter break when she was abducted while she slept on a couch in a friend's home just off the Reno campus.

Outside the memorial service several members of a fundamentalist Kansas church faced off against more than 150 counterdemonstrators.

The standoff, which occurred during a fierce snowstorm, ended peacefully when police escorted the three protesters associated with the Westboro Baptist Church away from the convention center, Sgt. Chris Lange said.

''There were a couple of eggs thrown at them and that's about it,'' Lange said.

Members of the Topeka, Kan., church also picket military funerals out of a belief that the Iraq war is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. Last month the church announced it would protest the service for Denison because it believes God hates Reno.

Church officials said they targeted the city because local law enforcement officers failed to protect church members who picketed a January 26 memorial service there for a soldier who was killed in Iraq.

On Saturday the three protesters waved placards reading ''Pray for More Dead Kids,'' ''Don't Worship the Dead,'' and ''God Sent the Killer.''

Counterdemonstrators said they strongly disapprove of the church's message and tactic of picketing outside memorial services.

''For them to come out and target tragedies like this, I don't think it's right,'' Greg Bailor Jr. said. ''There's enough emotions as it is.'' (AP)

Remembering Larry King

The killing of a 15 year old Larry King has shocked the LGBT community. The story of his death is incredibly sad and only further illustrates the need for education and dialogue on issues of sexuality and gender identity within our school system and within our society as a whole.

A website created by Larry’s family has a forum in which hundreds of people from around the world have written messages of support, sadness and shock.

This poem, written by a student at Larry’s school brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to share it with folks.

Maybe within my our lifetime we can see a future where every child is welcomed and accepted for who they are!

Remember Larry

The seed

God grew a garden and planted a seed
And ever so often had to pull out a weed
He cared for that seed oh so much
He knew every hair on its head and such
For this seed was a child who would love and laugh
But the love of a family he’d get only half
He would be a great child but adopted while young
Growing up with maybe your daughter or son
He’d care for the animals, birds, and bugs
If anyone was sad he’d give them hugs
He’d only use the kindest and softest tone
But god knew a secret that to us was unknown
This seeds life was short and would die when still young
But while still alive this seed would have fun
This seeds name was Larry and he was my good friend
And he stayed like that, all the way till the end
Seven pink petals has grown from this seed
It gave seven organs seven people would need
This horrible thing that gave us all strife
Has given seven people the means for there life

Blogs and more blogs...

wow - sept. 2005 since my last post... i've been trying to figure out what sort of blog i want to create.... part of me wants to start a political blog where i talk about stuff, my analysis, etc... the other part wants it to be more fun and humorous... i did start my queerific world - but when i post something serious on there, it seems out of my place - so i think i'm going to do a combo... my queerific world - queer muslim proud - ... hmm... but what should i call it? all these questions... hmmm.. maybe i should do my homework instead! procrastination... gotta love it!

Life...

Soooo... I don't know where to begin with this blog... seems like there is so much I want to say, but not so much I want to share with the world.... some secrets are meant to keep hidden I suppose... but maybe not being fully honest with one's life is what leads to so much internal pain...

Meanwhile, back on planet earth - my new (or rather not-so-new) car is a disaster. After buying it at an auction (big mistake), the engine wouldn't start for 3 days. Even with a new battery, it seems to not wanna start. Is there anything else that could go wrong in my life?? Seriously! Sooo... taking it to the dealership tomorrow and seeing what happens from there... ugh!

Had a very interesting conversation with one of the coordinators of an LGBT center at a school that I'm going to be speaking at soon... Looks like the MSA there wants to have a "meeting" with me. You know what that means right? "Brother, you know that you are promoting something that will lead your followers to the hellfire and to the wrath of Allah." I think I've heard all the lines by now...

But we keep on going on.... We're letting them set up a table outside the building where I'm speaking ofcourse and they'll even be wearing T-shirts that talk about how they dont' "accept" that being queer and being Muslim is "allowed" in Islam, but also how they don't promote hatred and intolerance. So wait, let me get this straight... you want to question my very existence as a person - being queer and Muslim - and question that Allah even made me this way?? And you're not being intolerant?? right...

Well - as the "tolerant" queers that we are - they will be allowed to come... I'm even meeting with them the day before so they can address their concerns with me. I guess at the end of the day this is a good thing, given that universities and colleges where I'm invited to speak are one of the only places where a dialogue can really happen - without ofcourse the two parties attacking each other. :-)

Amazing and ironic at the same time, isn't it? The very people that are being oppressed (queers) allowing the oppressors (mainstream Muslims for the most part) to air their thoughts... but then again this is the miracle of queerness and being the "other" in this world... As MLK said, we are all created equal - at least in the eyes of God. So how can one people, one community think that they are better or more equal than the other...

Well its that time again - time to sign off... More on this and other stuff soon...