A column written in The Hutchinson News by Dan Demming last week about the proposed protections for gay persons made excellent sense. His column was about MODERATION and COMPROMISE, something every elected official in this country needs a lesson in. The column was written about the upcoming City Council meeting on May 15th where the Human Relations Commission will make a recommendation to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes to the city's non-discrimination ordinances.
The Kansas Equality Coalition made the request to the City Council on November 1st, 2011 and was eventually referred to the Hutchinson Human Relations Commission for study.
The uproar from the radical right started immediately after the request was made but was inflamed when the City came out with a "Frequently asked Questions" memo prior to the Public Forums the HRC was planning. This 3 or 4 page memo was based on what is in the current State Statues and Municipal Ordinances that are already protective of minorities groups.
In my opinion this FAQ document was what ignited the massive uproar and outpouring of misinformation by those against the proposed protections. They were fearful, they werent being given any answers, they could only comment at the forums. It was then that the opponents mobilized just like they have done in every other city across Kansas where these protections have been proposed. Like a well oiled machine, they started cranking out misinformation as fast as it could be manufactured. FOX news even picked up on the proposed ordinance saying that if it passes Churches will be required to perform gay weddings, NOTHING could be further from the truth because Kansas banned gay marriage in a 2005 referendum, a law that was written by Hutchinson Representative Jan Pauls. This proves people will go to any length to SCARE people to try and get their points made- gay people are bad and they are pedophiles BUT I still love you..I got so tired of hearing that... I hope Hutchonians are smart enough to see through the ridiculous of both the FAQ handout as well as the mis-information about forcing churches to perform same sex weddings.
BY ADDING SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY, ALL THAT DOES, IS ALLOW A PERSON WHO FEELS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST THE ABILITY TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION....Keep in mind the person filing the complaint has the responsibility to prove that the discrimination occurred, it's the same for all other protected classes.
The protections we are talking about include being discriminated from being hired or fired from employment, renting or leasing a living space as well as being discriminated in a public place. The radical religious groups think they should not have to follow these protections because being gay is something that is against their religion- isn't eating shellfish an abomination as well?? - that's a different blog...How or why does my being gay effect how I do my job or live in my home? Lastly, gay dollars spend just as easy as straight dollars- something I am sure most businesses dont care about.
So back to what I am writing about... Moderation and Compromise... I totally believe there is room for Moderation and Compromise with this ordinance. The crazy thing is, the ordinance has not even been written and the radical religious groups are obviously not interested in any MODERATION, they are calling this a WIN-WIN situation. If the City Council passes an ordinance- they will just get a petition and vote it down in a referendum. It is their way or no way. That sure is a WONDERFUL CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE now isnt it...
After talking to Dan and others in the community, I am not the Militant Homosexual I have been portrayed to be by certain persons, I am not a pedophile am I am not inflexible as many think.
I am just a 46 year old resident of a wonderful community that I care about, one I have served for many years as a Paramedic and Law Enforcement officer. A community that has a sizable GLBT community, a community with kids and adults who struggle with their identities and a community who I believe doesn't want their friends, family members and co-workers to be discriminated against simply because of who they are and who they love.
My hopes are that the City Council will accept the recommendation of the HRC and then we can sit down and COMPROMISE on an ordinance that works for everyone. This isnt about shoving something down anyones throat, it never has been, its about Equality.
Lastly, I only know of two "Transgender" persons who live in Hutchinson. These two person have not even started to transition, and most likely will not live here in Hutchinson when and if they decide to. After all the rhetoric over locker rooms and public restrooms, this issue is just like the FOX News coverage-- entirely overblown to scare the hell out of Hutchinson residents. So to my friends on the right.. lets be real and lets be honest. this is truly a NON ISSUE and you know it.. NO other city in the US has ever reported a violent act perpatrated on a child or adult by a transgender person in a public restroom.. so please STOP this ridiculous rhetoric, 2 persons out of 40,000-- thats a real threat isn't it??
Im ready to work together for a better and Equal Hutchinson, are you?
Monday, May 7, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Lets Spring into Equality
Good day everyone, it has been a month since we last chatted, so I figured today would be a great day to update you on some Equality issues here in the State of Kansas and my hometown of Hutchinson Kansas.
I want to thank everyone who has been reading my blog. I am shocked that so many people from all over the world are interested in what I have to say, that is incredibly humbling.
Today is a beautiful day, Spring has really sprung here in central Kansas. The trees have all leafed out and the birds are practicing their songs like an orchestra preparing for a performance, it is wonderful!
On the LGBT Equality front there are many things happening. Locally we have GREAT news! The Hutchinson Human Relations Commission, in a 9-0 vote, will be submitting a recommendation to the Hutchinson City Council to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" be added as protected classes.
This recommendation didn't come easy.
The opponents are still using the tired scare tactics that women and children will be brutalized in restrooms and that businesses will be sued if they dont have special locker rooms for transgender persons. Anyone who follows this movement knows that this how the opponents stir people up- and the crazy thing is they ask for MONEY while doing it-do you think those contributions are going to the poor and homeless or to soup kitchens? No it is going to promote hate and bigotry.
These innocent sounding groups like the Family Policy Research Council and the American Family Association go the the local churches and the anti gay political parties i.e. the Tea Party, who are already against LGBT Equality. These group tell the churches and politcal groups that the Gays are coming, the Gays are coming...and they want "special rights"or what they call "special rights" and bingo, you have immediate controversy within some of the so called Christian community and far right radical Republicans, who call themselves "Patriots".
After the opponents lost their arguement they immediately began trying to intimidate the City Council by presenting them with close to 600 signature of people who were against adding these protections. The fact is in Hutchinson only 357 signatures are needed to have a special election of the people- so the opponents are sending a message to the City that if they pass the proposed ordinace, they will be petitioning for a special election, so the public can vote on these proposed civil rights.... As one of the Human Relations Commissioners said, if we would have voted on the Civil Rights act of 1964, we would still have slaves.. which is terribly sad, but most likely true.
What people are arguing over for the most part is Transgender persons. Kansas Equality Coalition, the group I am involved with locally only has one person who identifies as transgender. This member hasnt even started his transition yet.. Our opponents are making lots of noise and trying to scare the heck out of a community. I only know of two maybe three persons who identify as transgender living in Hutchinson and NOT ONE has even started transitioning. Our opponents make it sound like there are hundreds in Hutchinson wating to start using restroom and locker rooms all over the city and will be filing complaints and lawsuits on a daily basis if they are not allowed to go in to the restroom or locker room of their choice- which couldnt be further from the truth. I will keep you posted on where this ends up.
At the State level, our insanely conservative Kansas House of Representative passed the Bill that will allow Fred Phelps or those like him to sue City's, local school disctricts and universities if the polices they have in place now or any policies or ordinaces they look at enacting in the future would pose a burden or potential burden to their religious beliefs. The exception to this law is that any exisiting protected class (recognized by the State) cannot be considered to be a burden, only those groups who are not protected can be sued. Guess which groups they are talking about without even talking about it...YES... you got it.. Those damn LGBT taxpayers and voters...
This law, sadly, is just one vote away from being passed here in Kansas, with the Governor promising to sign it. Our only hope is that smarter and less bigoted heads will prevail in the moderate Kansas Senate. If this law is passed the Radical Religious groups will have pierced that vail that seperates church from State, which is why I dont think it would pass a Constitutional test, but that will take years to get through the courts, with LGBT Equality being set back 50 years.
Religious groups are already a protected class in EVERY State of this country. They are free to discriminate against anyone and everyone they chose to, that is how current laws are written. Why do they need these additonal protections, oh thats right, they claim they are under attack from groups who are ruining marriage and brainwashing their children into becoming Gay..
I have three questions to ask,
When is the last time LGBT persons came to your door wanting to share their lives with you and invite you to a LGBT meeting?
Since Religious groups are under such vigorous attacks, why havent we seen ANY claims filed with local, state and federal Human Relations Commissions or EEOC groups?
So who needs protections?
I want to thank everyone who has been reading my blog. I am shocked that so many people from all over the world are interested in what I have to say, that is incredibly humbling.
Today is a beautiful day, Spring has really sprung here in central Kansas. The trees have all leafed out and the birds are practicing their songs like an orchestra preparing for a performance, it is wonderful!
On the LGBT Equality front there are many things happening. Locally we have GREAT news! The Hutchinson Human Relations Commission, in a 9-0 vote, will be submitting a recommendation to the Hutchinson City Council to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" be added as protected classes.
This recommendation didn't come easy.
The opponents are still using the tired scare tactics that women and children will be brutalized in restrooms and that businesses will be sued if they dont have special locker rooms for transgender persons. Anyone who follows this movement knows that this how the opponents stir people up- and the crazy thing is they ask for MONEY while doing it-do you think those contributions are going to the poor and homeless or to soup kitchens? No it is going to promote hate and bigotry.
These innocent sounding groups like the Family Policy Research Council and the American Family Association go the the local churches and the anti gay political parties i.e. the Tea Party, who are already against LGBT Equality. These group tell the churches and politcal groups that the Gays are coming, the Gays are coming...and they want "special rights"or what they call "special rights" and bingo, you have immediate controversy within some of the so called Christian community and far right radical Republicans, who call themselves "Patriots".
After the opponents lost their arguement they immediately began trying to intimidate the City Council by presenting them with close to 600 signature of people who were against adding these protections. The fact is in Hutchinson only 357 signatures are needed to have a special election of the people- so the opponents are sending a message to the City that if they pass the proposed ordinace, they will be petitioning for a special election, so the public can vote on these proposed civil rights.... As one of the Human Relations Commissioners said, if we would have voted on the Civil Rights act of 1964, we would still have slaves.. which is terribly sad, but most likely true.
What people are arguing over for the most part is Transgender persons. Kansas Equality Coalition, the group I am involved with locally only has one person who identifies as transgender. This member hasnt even started his transition yet.. Our opponents are making lots of noise and trying to scare the heck out of a community. I only know of two maybe three persons who identify as transgender living in Hutchinson and NOT ONE has even started transitioning. Our opponents make it sound like there are hundreds in Hutchinson wating to start using restroom and locker rooms all over the city and will be filing complaints and lawsuits on a daily basis if they are not allowed to go in to the restroom or locker room of their choice- which couldnt be further from the truth. I will keep you posted on where this ends up.
At the State level, our insanely conservative Kansas House of Representative passed the Bill that will allow Fred Phelps or those like him to sue City's, local school disctricts and universities if the polices they have in place now or any policies or ordinaces they look at enacting in the future would pose a burden or potential burden to their religious beliefs. The exception to this law is that any exisiting protected class (recognized by the State) cannot be considered to be a burden, only those groups who are not protected can be sued. Guess which groups they are talking about without even talking about it...YES... you got it.. Those damn LGBT taxpayers and voters...
This law, sadly, is just one vote away from being passed here in Kansas, with the Governor promising to sign it. Our only hope is that smarter and less bigoted heads will prevail in the moderate Kansas Senate. If this law is passed the Radical Religious groups will have pierced that vail that seperates church from State, which is why I dont think it would pass a Constitutional test, but that will take years to get through the courts, with LGBT Equality being set back 50 years.
Religious groups are already a protected class in EVERY State of this country. They are free to discriminate against anyone and everyone they chose to, that is how current laws are written. Why do they need these additonal protections, oh thats right, they claim they are under attack from groups who are ruining marriage and brainwashing their children into becoming Gay..
I have three questions to ask,
When is the last time LGBT persons came to your door wanting to share their lives with you and invite you to a LGBT meeting?
Since Religious groups are under such vigorous attacks, why havent we seen ANY claims filed with local, state and federal Human Relations Commissions or EEOC groups?
So who needs protections?
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Kansas Legislature launches attack on Gay Kansans
It is with great sadness and frustration that I must write another blog that speaks to yet another attack on gay Kansans by the Kansas Legislature. What are Kansas Gays and Lesbians doing to deserve this?
Last year about this time, I wrote about a proposed law that was in the Kansas Legislatures, specifically the House Judiciary Committee:
http://blog462.blogspot.com/2011/02/kansas-preservation-of-religious.html?showComment=1298212771693#c4964292147089069708
Thankfully last years Bill was stopped do to significant public outrage, it never got a vote in committee. Fast forward 1 year to Feb 2012 and the same Bill as last year was proposed in the House Judiciary committee again.
The Bill, HB2260 PASSED out of the committee and will now be voted on by the full House on or about March 13th.
This Bill will allow the infamous anti gay Fred Phelps of Topeka and other anti-gay representatives from the Kansas Family Policy Council, which is part of the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family, to "sue" Gay Kansans, cities, schools and universities if they become a "burden" to their religion-which we already know we are.
The "key" to this proposed law is that they can only sue people or groups who "are not" from a protected class. Kansas currently protects persons based on Religion, Gender, Origin, Race, Familial Status and Disability....So guess who the Kansas Legislature is targeting? They are singling out and targeting Gay and Lesbian Kansans, as they are not a protected class.
To answer the question why is the Kansas Legislature targeting Gay persons- here is the answer- The Kansas Equality Coalition, a true grass roots GLBT Equality group, has been working with the Kansas Legislature for close to 6 years to try and pass Employment and Housing non-discrimination laws that would protect GLBT Kansans from discrimination as of today Employers and Landlords can fire or evict gay persons for NO reason and it is legal. Our proposed laws would struggle to even get hearings in committees and in most years the proposed law never made it out of the committees. Kansas Equality Coalition decided to take their fight for EQUALITY to a local level. In 2012 they have made 4 requests to local cities to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the cities list of protected classes- something that has hit a nerve with the "religious fringe" who obviously has the ear of the Kansas Legislature this year.
Additionally, as currently written, HB2260 would WIPE OUT any local ordinances - TAKE AWAY any existing protections gay persons have anywhere in Kansas, including schools and universities, setting back Equality in Kansas at least 50 years.
If this law passes, which it is looking more and more likely, PROTECTIONS for Gay and Lesbian Kansans will be non-existent and would not be allowed to be worked on locally, without the threat of cities and Equality groups being sued by religious groups who are against Equality. This would allow for the continued discrimination of Gay and Lesbian Kansans which currently exists and is obviously being condoned by the State.
The mere existence of this law should be enough proof for anyone that discrimination is occurring in Kansas, as the law itself is discriminatory and only affect the GLBT communities of Kansas.
Every legislator who VOTES FOR this Bill in the Kansas House, when it comes up next week, should be targeted and ousted for promoting discrimination. This is 2012 not 1960.
If you want to follow this Bill click on the legislative link below as it is always updated: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/measures/hb2260/
For my fiscal conservative friends, this proposed law has what they call a fiscal note attached to it, the fiscal note estimated the cost to the taxpayers at $100,000 plus per year - depending how many cases are filed..lets be real - do you think the anti-gay religious crowd wont use this law if passed..each case at $100,000 per year.. As an example KEC is working with 5 cities trying to work on non-discrimination ordinances that $500,000 the right there not including all the GLBT non-discrimination policies from school districts and universities we could be well into the Millions...
Does Kansas need this DISCRIMINATORY LAW aimed at taking away rights from Gay and Lesbian Kansans and costing the state Millions of dollars?....Who do you know that would be affected by this ridiculous law?
If religious groups need to villainies people, why not find another group, why have they settled on Gay persons? Contrary to what these so called preachers preach on Sundays, gay persons don't choose their sexual orientation. Just like the preachers didn't choose to be heterosexual, I didn't choose to be gay...If these religious groups need to go after someone to justify their existence why not go after those who "choose" to eat shell fish and touch the skin of a pig when playing football, as those to are both abominations according to the Bible. You know why they wont do that???? Because Red Lobster, Joes Crab Shack and the NFL have money and tons of attorneys to defend ridiculous claims... Kansas Gays dont- they are typically poor or apolitical...the intelligent ones have already fled the persecution...
As a friend of mine said last year, Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still Bigotry...how true...
If you want to help support the Kansas Equality Coalition and their fight against the Kansas Legislature, you can donate or join by clicking the link below. All monies help pay for our State Lobbyist and help local chapters to fight for GLBT Equality.
www.kansasequalitycoalition.org/join
Thank for listening....
I welcome your comments...
Last year about this time, I wrote about a proposed law that was in the Kansas Legislatures, specifically the House Judiciary Committee:
http://blog462.blogspot.com/2011/02/kansas-preservation-of-religious.html?showComment=1298212771693#c4964292147089069708
Thankfully last years Bill was stopped do to significant public outrage, it never got a vote in committee. Fast forward 1 year to Feb 2012 and the same Bill as last year was proposed in the House Judiciary committee again.
The Bill, HB2260 PASSED out of the committee and will now be voted on by the full House on or about March 13th.
This Bill will allow the infamous anti gay Fred Phelps of Topeka and other anti-gay representatives from the Kansas Family Policy Council, which is part of the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family, to "sue" Gay Kansans, cities, schools and universities if they become a "burden" to their religion-which we already know we are.
The "key" to this proposed law is that they can only sue people or groups who "are not" from a protected class. Kansas currently protects persons based on Religion, Gender, Origin, Race, Familial Status and Disability....So guess who the Kansas Legislature is targeting? They are singling out and targeting Gay and Lesbian Kansans, as they are not a protected class.
To answer the question why is the Kansas Legislature targeting Gay persons- here is the answer- The Kansas Equality Coalition, a true grass roots GLBT Equality group, has been working with the Kansas Legislature for close to 6 years to try and pass Employment and Housing non-discrimination laws that would protect GLBT Kansans from discrimination as of today Employers and Landlords can fire or evict gay persons for NO reason and it is legal. Our proposed laws would struggle to even get hearings in committees and in most years the proposed law never made it out of the committees. Kansas Equality Coalition decided to take their fight for EQUALITY to a local level. In 2012 they have made 4 requests to local cities to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the cities list of protected classes- something that has hit a nerve with the "religious fringe" who obviously has the ear of the Kansas Legislature this year.
Additionally, as currently written, HB2260 would WIPE OUT any local ordinances - TAKE AWAY any existing protections gay persons have anywhere in Kansas, including schools and universities, setting back Equality in Kansas at least 50 years.
If this law passes, which it is looking more and more likely, PROTECTIONS for Gay and Lesbian Kansans will be non-existent and would not be allowed to be worked on locally, without the threat of cities and Equality groups being sued by religious groups who are against Equality. This would allow for the continued discrimination of Gay and Lesbian Kansans which currently exists and is obviously being condoned by the State.
The mere existence of this law should be enough proof for anyone that discrimination is occurring in Kansas, as the law itself is discriminatory and only affect the GLBT communities of Kansas.
Every legislator who VOTES FOR this Bill in the Kansas House, when it comes up next week, should be targeted and ousted for promoting discrimination. This is 2012 not 1960.
If you want to follow this Bill click on the legislative link below as it is always updated: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/measures/hb2260/
For my fiscal conservative friends, this proposed law has what they call a fiscal note attached to it, the fiscal note estimated the cost to the taxpayers at $100,000 plus per year - depending how many cases are filed..lets be real - do you think the anti-gay religious crowd wont use this law if passed..each case at $100,000 per year.. As an example KEC is working with 5 cities trying to work on non-discrimination ordinances that $500,000 the right there not including all the GLBT non-discrimination policies from school districts and universities we could be well into the Millions...
Does Kansas need this DISCRIMINATORY LAW aimed at taking away rights from Gay and Lesbian Kansans and costing the state Millions of dollars?....Who do you know that would be affected by this ridiculous law?
If religious groups need to villainies people, why not find another group, why have they settled on Gay persons? Contrary to what these so called preachers preach on Sundays, gay persons don't choose their sexual orientation. Just like the preachers didn't choose to be heterosexual, I didn't choose to be gay...If these religious groups need to go after someone to justify their existence why not go after those who "choose" to eat shell fish and touch the skin of a pig when playing football, as those to are both abominations according to the Bible. You know why they wont do that???? Because Red Lobster, Joes Crab Shack and the NFL have money and tons of attorneys to defend ridiculous claims... Kansas Gays dont- they are typically poor or apolitical...the intelligent ones have already fled the persecution...
As a friend of mine said last year, Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still Bigotry...how true...
If you want to help support the Kansas Equality Coalition and their fight against the Kansas Legislature, you can donate or join by clicking the link below. All monies help pay for our State Lobbyist and help local chapters to fight for GLBT Equality.
www.kansasequalitycoalition.org/join
Thank for listening....
I welcome your comments...
Sunday, October 30, 2011
WILL YOU SUPPORT ME ON TUESDAY NOV 1st
Most everyone that follows my blog knows that I am very outspoken when it comes to Equality for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered persons.. I am a member of the Kansas Equality Coalition which has a mission statement of Ending Discrimination based upon Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
As a gay man who was embarrassed and guilty of who I was for many many years (just like many of my friends were and yes, still are) I have finally realized after 40 some years of my life that it is OK to be who I am....except for one problem, where I live, I do not have protections from discrimination.
I live in Hutchinson Kansas. Hutchinson currently has protections in place, for it citizens based upon color, race, religion, the disabled, national origin and gender. Like most other cities in Kansas, Hutchinson doesn't have protections for those of us who have struggled with being who we are most of our life.
What does this mean to you, you ask, and why is it important? It means that an employer can decide not to hire you simply based on your actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. That means if the business you are applying to work for is uneducated or misinformed about sexual orientation or gender identity they can refuse to hire you...and its LEGAL... It also means that if an employer hires you and finds out that you are GBLT they can fire you just for that reason. Additionally without protections, GLBT persons can be denied housing by landlords.
You are probably thinking like some of my own family members who say no way- this doesnt happen in this day an age.....Let me tell you, IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES PER MONTH, IN HUCHINSON KS.
What is so unfortunate is that so many think GLBT persons are already protected and once they find out they are not they cannot believe it, they are shocked
I had a back and forth conversation with a Hutchinson landlord on social media who told me I was MISINFORMED when I posted that a friend of mine was kicked out of his apartment because he was attracting "negative" attention at the complex..(his car was being vandalized with spray paint in the complex parking lot) FAG and QUEER were painted on it not once, but twice- so he was evicted. I had another friend who was evicted from her place because she was letting her girlfriend stay over on the weekends and the landlord of her property didn't approve of it.
Don't get me wrong... we have many GREAT people here in Hutchinson...but it is time to hold those who dont believe in Equality and Diversity accountable. EVERYONE deserves the same opportunities in their pursuit of liberty- not just heterosexuals.
I am asking ALL of my family, friends, KEC members and allies to attend the Hutchinson City Council meeting on Tuesday November 1st , when I will be asking them to consider adding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as protected classes..
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to have as many people present as possible when I make this request.. Number one, I really want and need your support, secondly, it will send a message to the City Council members that we have many people who care and support this issue.
If you would like to know what this will do and how it would affect the community .. please read my previous blog...You will find out not much will change..it just gves GLBT persons the ability to file a complaint if they feel they have been discriminated against..That is something they cant do now.. the Citys Human Relations Commission cannot hear any cases from a GLBT person because we are not a protected class.. so there is NO WAY or NO ONE to report cases of discrimination to, thats what we want to change....
http://blog462.blogspot.com/2011/09/understanding-sexual-orientation-as.html
WILL YOU JOIN ME AT THIS HISTORIC MEETING??
I hope to see you on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1st at 845am at the Hutchinsons, City Hall council chambers-- Ave B and Walnut..
Lets have a standing room only crowd...it should be over by 930am
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE
As a gay man who was embarrassed and guilty of who I was for many many years (just like many of my friends were and yes, still are) I have finally realized after 40 some years of my life that it is OK to be who I am....except for one problem, where I live, I do not have protections from discrimination.
I live in Hutchinson Kansas. Hutchinson currently has protections in place, for it citizens based upon color, race, religion, the disabled, national origin and gender. Like most other cities in Kansas, Hutchinson doesn't have protections for those of us who have struggled with being who we are most of our life.
What does this mean to you, you ask, and why is it important? It means that an employer can decide not to hire you simply based on your actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. That means if the business you are applying to work for is uneducated or misinformed about sexual orientation or gender identity they can refuse to hire you...and its LEGAL... It also means that if an employer hires you and finds out that you are GBLT they can fire you just for that reason. Additionally without protections, GLBT persons can be denied housing by landlords.
You are probably thinking like some of my own family members who say no way- this doesnt happen in this day an age.....Let me tell you, IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES PER MONTH, IN HUCHINSON KS.
What is so unfortunate is that so many think GLBT persons are already protected and once they find out they are not they cannot believe it, they are shocked
I had a back and forth conversation with a Hutchinson landlord on social media who told me I was MISINFORMED when I posted that a friend of mine was kicked out of his apartment because he was attracting "negative" attention at the complex..(his car was being vandalized with spray paint in the complex parking lot) FAG and QUEER were painted on it not once, but twice- so he was evicted. I had another friend who was evicted from her place because she was letting her girlfriend stay over on the weekends and the landlord of her property didn't approve of it.
Don't get me wrong... we have many GREAT people here in Hutchinson...but it is time to hold those who dont believe in Equality and Diversity accountable. EVERYONE deserves the same opportunities in their pursuit of liberty- not just heterosexuals.
I am asking ALL of my family, friends, KEC members and allies to attend the Hutchinson City Council meeting on Tuesday November 1st , when I will be asking them to consider adding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as protected classes..
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to have as many people present as possible when I make this request.. Number one, I really want and need your support, secondly, it will send a message to the City Council members that we have many people who care and support this issue.
If you would like to know what this will do and how it would affect the community .. please read my previous blog...You will find out not much will change..it just gves GLBT persons the ability to file a complaint if they feel they have been discriminated against..That is something they cant do now.. the Citys Human Relations Commission cannot hear any cases from a GLBT person because we are not a protected class.. so there is NO WAY or NO ONE to report cases of discrimination to, thats what we want to change....
http://blog462.blogspot.com/2011/09/understanding-sexual-orientation-as.html
WILL YOU JOIN ME AT THIS HISTORIC MEETING??
I hope to see you on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1st at 845am at the Hutchinsons, City Hall council chambers-- Ave B and Walnut..
Lets have a standing room only crowd...it should be over by 930am
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Understanding Sexual Orientation as a protected class..The facts
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group.
Currently, 425 of the Fortune 500 companies include sexual orientation in their anti-discrimination policies. If you want to know why they do this, it is not because they are being good corporate citizens, it is because they do not want to miss out on good talent in the work force. If they didn't offer protections, they could miss out on exceptional employees, both current and future potential employees- who will only work in protected environments. The NFL just last month added employment protections for their players who are/might be gay.
Since the majority of US employees work for smaller companies (60+%) and not the Fortune 500, anti-discrimination protections need to be added at local levels to protect those individuals who work for local and regional employers
Many do not understand what giving a class or group of people protections mean. It is certainly not "special rights" which many who oppose gays and lesbians protections insist. Adding sexual orientation as a protected class allows gay persons ( because they are a group or category as stated above) the right to not be discriminated against when applying for a job, being fired from a job, renting or buying a place to live and public accommodation- local places like stores or restaurants open to the public.
Adding sexual orientation as a protected class allows one thing to happen. It allows for the filing of a complaint with the local or State Human Relations Commission in cases of alleged discrimination.. That's it... PERIOD...Nothing more, nothing less.
Currently there is no one or no agency in Hutchinson that a gay person can report alleged acts of discrimination. That's why there is NO records of alleged acts of discrimination..another point opponents make- "There are no records of discrimination so why add the protections?"
After any alleged act of discrimination is reported by a member of a protected class , the Human Relations Commissions hears the complaint. If they determine discrimination exists after a thorough investigation the person discriminated against can then file suit in District Court to pursue damages.
You cannot just file a discrimination law suit anytime you want, you MUST follow the above procedures. Its the law.
Opponents try and deny protections of any protected classes by saying "Kansas is a Right to Work State".. THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. If you as a member of any protected class feel you have been discriminated against you have the right to file a complaint with the Human Relations Commission. The burden of proof is on you to convince the commission you have been discriminated against.
In the 27 states and over 2500 cities that provide protections based on sexual orientation, those jurisdictions saw no more than an increase of 6% in complaints filed after adding sexual orientation. So adding sexual orientation as a protected class will not open the flood gates of claims and law suits, another claim by opponents.
By adding protections for sexual orientation, we are protecting those who identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bi-sexual or for those who may be perceived as being gay, lesbian or bi-sexual.
Lastly, religious organizations and institutions are and have been exempt from abiding by ANY of the current protections. They are allowed to discriminate at will. However, they are protected from being discriminated against, as all religions and their institutions are protected classes.
I hope this provides you with a better understanding of what it means to add Sexual Orientation as a protected class to your cities existing non-discrimination ordinance.
Please support adding sexual orientation as a protected class in your city. Discrimination does exist.. Even if it didn't wouldn't you feel good knowing that your son, daughter, aunt, uncle, cousin, neighbor and friend have protections on the books if they were needed...
Currently, 425 of the Fortune 500 companies include sexual orientation in their anti-discrimination policies. If you want to know why they do this, it is not because they are being good corporate citizens, it is because they do not want to miss out on good talent in the work force. If they didn't offer protections, they could miss out on exceptional employees, both current and future potential employees- who will only work in protected environments. The NFL just last month added employment protections for their players who are/might be gay.
Since the majority of US employees work for smaller companies (60+%) and not the Fortune 500, anti-discrimination protections need to be added at local levels to protect those individuals who work for local and regional employers
Many do not understand what giving a class or group of people protections mean. It is certainly not "special rights" which many who oppose gays and lesbians protections insist. Adding sexual orientation as a protected class allows gay persons ( because they are a group or category as stated above) the right to not be discriminated against when applying for a job, being fired from a job, renting or buying a place to live and public accommodation- local places like stores or restaurants open to the public.
Adding sexual orientation as a protected class allows one thing to happen. It allows for the filing of a complaint with the local or State Human Relations Commission in cases of alleged discrimination.. That's it... PERIOD...Nothing more, nothing less.
Currently there is no one or no agency in Hutchinson that a gay person can report alleged acts of discrimination. That's why there is NO records of alleged acts of discrimination..another point opponents make- "There are no records of discrimination so why add the protections?"
After any alleged act of discrimination is reported by a member of a protected class , the Human Relations Commissions hears the complaint. If they determine discrimination exists after a thorough investigation the person discriminated against can then file suit in District Court to pursue damages.
You cannot just file a discrimination law suit anytime you want, you MUST follow the above procedures. Its the law.
Opponents try and deny protections of any protected classes by saying "Kansas is a Right to Work State".. THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. If you as a member of any protected class feel you have been discriminated against you have the right to file a complaint with the Human Relations Commission. The burden of proof is on you to convince the commission you have been discriminated against.
In the 27 states and over 2500 cities that provide protections based on sexual orientation, those jurisdictions saw no more than an increase of 6% in complaints filed after adding sexual orientation. So adding sexual orientation as a protected class will not open the flood gates of claims and law suits, another claim by opponents.
By adding protections for sexual orientation, we are protecting those who identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bi-sexual or for those who may be perceived as being gay, lesbian or bi-sexual.
Lastly, religious organizations and institutions are and have been exempt from abiding by ANY of the current protections. They are allowed to discriminate at will. However, they are protected from being discriminated against, as all religions and their institutions are protected classes.
I hope this provides you with a better understanding of what it means to add Sexual Orientation as a protected class to your cities existing non-discrimination ordinance.
Please support adding sexual orientation as a protected class in your city. Discrimination does exist.. Even if it didn't wouldn't you feel good knowing that your son, daughter, aunt, uncle, cousin, neighbor and friend have protections on the books if they were needed...
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Jerry Lewis and MDA....no more
This labor day weekend will definately have a different ending for many of us...Its not because of the BEAUTIFUL weather we are enjoying after a record breaking summer, it has to do with MDA and Jerry Lewis..
NO 24 hour MDA telethon?? WHAT??? This years show will only be a 6 hour mini-version that starts Sunday evening, and without Jerry Lewis...
Jerry Lewis is MDA if you ask me. When we think Labor Day, many of us think about the 24 hour MDA telethon not just about America's Labor movement (something we really should be proud of) As a kid you probably stayed up late a few times watching the telethon and all the great entertainers until you feel asleep and the minute you woke up you couldn't wait to see how much money they raised while you were sleeping.
This last minute parting of the ways by MDA and Lewis should be explained to the Millions of Americans who have been loyal viewers, donors and volunteers for years.....Its ashame that MDA and Lewis parted company on such a bad note as many TV and print outlets tell the story. I fear this could be a big of mistake for MDA. Remember when Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin parted ways, I remember is was a BIG DEAL, don't remember why... but it was definitely talked about by my parents and their friends for a few telethons after the split...
I wonder what happened to the Lewis-MDA relationship, a relationship that had been extremely lucrative for MDA fundraising. A relationship that any other charity would have given their you know what to had been in for 60 plus years..
As a worldwide charity I believe MDA needs to be honest with those people who gave their labor day weekends and countless volunteer hours for so many years to make this the most successful and longest running telethon in the history of the world.. They need to explain themselves, transparency is going to be very important....as it always is in any charity...If they don't come clean, it will lead to outrageous and ridiculous speculation that could hurt them.
If the truth be known, many people who gave their time and money to MDA, gave it not only because of all those who suffer from the dreaded condition......but because of Jerry Lewis' continual asking them for their help and the impressiveness of his real caring and passion he had for those truly suffering....
For me, Jerry Lewis was an incredible fund raiser and story teller.. I trusted him and what he said and cold tell by his action on the telethon and during the year that he really cared and gave it his all in good times and bad- when his health was not good...
He was one of the only men who could make a grown man cry...I know, I did several times prior to calling in my pledge...
HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY HOLIDAY!!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
A personal update..
I dont know all the in's and out's of the up coming healthcare bill.. I just pray that it will be better than what I and several of my friends have now. A friend with a pre-existing condition ( Breast cancer remission) pays $1200 a month for coverage with a $5000 deductible..
My companies health care provider ended my coverage and REQUIRED me to apply with Medicare after 24 months of my illness. I was shocked, they wanted to cut and run from me when I really needed them. The coverage I have now is comparable except for prescription coverage.. My prescriptions cost me over $1600 per month, or just shy of $20,000 per year, OUT OF MY POCKET....ridiculous huh? Thats not the best of it.. My doc has added a new med she wants me to try --its a newer injectable that will cost me $1400 per month...I can give it a try for a few months..that about it..( at this point I want to try anything I can)- I cant leave any stone unturned..
Speaking of ridiculous, my continued diagnosis of Inflammatory Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue is VERY FRUSTRATING.I am coming up on 4 years since this nightmare started. I take over $3000 a month in medicine, with that amount of money you would think I should be able to walk on water..or at least feel like I could...its not working out that way unfortunately..
The Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia absolutely kick my ass. I am a human barometer when it comes to the Fibromyalgia- thats one of the best descriptors I can offer.. I dont know exactly what it is, but weather changes just make me miserable.. You ask me what they are, I cant tell you everything, but I sure have somewhat of an idea..Moisture in the area, pressure changes, High or Low, Hi heat, Hi humidity and fronts of any kind- including vorts moving through at very high levels of the atmosphere.. In the Winter- cold air definately adds to my misery.
My fatigue has been like nothing I have ever experienced over the past 6-8 months..it seems to be progressing instead of getting better.I dont have energy!! I dont sleep well- I go to bed early and it depends on how I sleep that determines when I wake up.. some days it is 3AM when I wake up, some days it is 8 or 9.. The crazy part is I do not know what kind of a day I am going to have for a couple of hours after I wake up..I might have slept for 9 hours and 2 hours after getting up I might be miserably fatigued..crazy huh? Some days I might have energy until the afternoon if I am lucky, but most of the time I struggle..
Along with the incredible fatigue I find my muscles, tendons and joints sore and achy most all the time...some days worse than other.. the bad weather days add to the incredible soreness.
The flu-like feeling I have is the worst- I feel like I have the flu- I ache so bad and all I can do is stay in bed..
My Drs want me to do as much as I can.. so I try and do things around the house- or go to lunch with friends or participate in a KEC meeting or support group .. the problem with that is when I do something.. I PAY FOR IT.. I become very very sore a day or so later and it takes me a while to recover...which seems to be harder and harder.
I also experience "FLARES"-- they come on without warning and last anywhere from 2-3 days to 10-14 days, which has been the longest one I have experienced. The flares are where I feel flu-like the entire time.. I am just wiped out and it takes me at least as much time as I was down or more to recover and feel somewhat decent..another thing that DRIVES me crazy is what they call "the fog".. I seem to have that sporadically..there are days where I cannot remember things or concentrate well even when I am in mid sentence- or I forget things.. For those who know me well.. thats NOT me.. never has been.. it drives me NUTS.. so some days I feel my intelligence level is not close to what I am capable of.... also another think I deal with frequently is mood swings..just ask my family, and yes some of you, my friends.. I try but I seem to not be able to control any of these things.. so please be patient with me...I need all the friends I canget to help me through this...
Good days are so far apart these days.. I used to have them more often.. The last few months I haven't been as fortunate..
I continue to gain weight - for many reasons apparently--and no, it not because I sit and eat bon bons and watch soap operas- like some early on Drs have accused me of -lol- Weight gain is caused by several factors I have been told, including the meds I take, as well as the etiology of the Chronic fatigue syndrome from many of the articles I have been reading and what I am being told by my new experts it just happens..
I really do appreciate all of the well wishes I get from all my friends.. I am sorry if some days it might seem like I am bitchy or moody..
I have tried everything I can to make me feel better, sometimes 2-3 times, just to see if it works, or I missed something.. to this point I have had no real successes..
Thanks again for checking out my blog...its something I enjoy doing..its been a while since I did one.. just haven't felt like putting one together- after several messages lately asking how I am doing I thought I would let all my friends know..
Hope all is well in your lives...thanks again for all the positive thoughts and prayers..continue to include me!
Jon
My companies health care provider ended my coverage and REQUIRED me to apply with Medicare after 24 months of my illness. I was shocked, they wanted to cut and run from me when I really needed them. The coverage I have now is comparable except for prescription coverage.. My prescriptions cost me over $1600 per month, or just shy of $20,000 per year, OUT OF MY POCKET....ridiculous huh? Thats not the best of it.. My doc has added a new med she wants me to try --its a newer injectable that will cost me $1400 per month...I can give it a try for a few months..that about it..( at this point I want to try anything I can)- I cant leave any stone unturned..
Speaking of ridiculous, my continued diagnosis of Inflammatory Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue is VERY FRUSTRATING.I am coming up on 4 years since this nightmare started. I take over $3000 a month in medicine, with that amount of money you would think I should be able to walk on water..or at least feel like I could...its not working out that way unfortunately..
The Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia absolutely kick my ass. I am a human barometer when it comes to the Fibromyalgia- thats one of the best descriptors I can offer.. I dont know exactly what it is, but weather changes just make me miserable.. You ask me what they are, I cant tell you everything, but I sure have somewhat of an idea..Moisture in the area, pressure changes, High or Low, Hi heat, Hi humidity and fronts of any kind- including vorts moving through at very high levels of the atmosphere.. In the Winter- cold air definately adds to my misery.
My fatigue has been like nothing I have ever experienced over the past 6-8 months..it seems to be progressing instead of getting better.I dont have energy!! I dont sleep well- I go to bed early and it depends on how I sleep that determines when I wake up.. some days it is 3AM when I wake up, some days it is 8 or 9.. The crazy part is I do not know what kind of a day I am going to have for a couple of hours after I wake up..I might have slept for 9 hours and 2 hours after getting up I might be miserably fatigued..crazy huh? Some days I might have energy until the afternoon if I am lucky, but most of the time I struggle..
Along with the incredible fatigue I find my muscles, tendons and joints sore and achy most all the time...some days worse than other.. the bad weather days add to the incredible soreness.
The flu-like feeling I have is the worst- I feel like I have the flu- I ache so bad and all I can do is stay in bed..
My Drs want me to do as much as I can.. so I try and do things around the house- or go to lunch with friends or participate in a KEC meeting or support group .. the problem with that is when I do something.. I PAY FOR IT.. I become very very sore a day or so later and it takes me a while to recover...which seems to be harder and harder.
I also experience "FLARES"-- they come on without warning and last anywhere from 2-3 days to 10-14 days, which has been the longest one I have experienced. The flares are where I feel flu-like the entire time.. I am just wiped out and it takes me at least as much time as I was down or more to recover and feel somewhat decent..another thing that DRIVES me crazy is what they call "the fog".. I seem to have that sporadically..there are days where I cannot remember things or concentrate well even when I am in mid sentence- or I forget things.. For those who know me well.. thats NOT me.. never has been.. it drives me NUTS.. so some days I feel my intelligence level is not close to what I am capable of.... also another think I deal with frequently is mood swings..just ask my family, and yes some of you, my friends.. I try but I seem to not be able to control any of these things.. so please be patient with me...I need all the friends I canget to help me through this...
Good days are so far apart these days.. I used to have them more often.. The last few months I haven't been as fortunate..
I continue to gain weight - for many reasons apparently--and no, it not because I sit and eat bon bons and watch soap operas- like some early on Drs have accused me of -lol- Weight gain is caused by several factors I have been told, including the meds I take, as well as the etiology of the Chronic fatigue syndrome from many of the articles I have been reading and what I am being told by my new experts it just happens..
I really do appreciate all of the well wishes I get from all my friends.. I am sorry if some days it might seem like I am bitchy or moody..
I have tried everything I can to make me feel better, sometimes 2-3 times, just to see if it works, or I missed something.. to this point I have had no real successes..
Thanks again for checking out my blog...its something I enjoy doing..its been a while since I did one.. just haven't felt like putting one together- after several messages lately asking how I am doing I thought I would let all my friends know..
Hope all is well in your lives...thanks again for all the positive thoughts and prayers..continue to include me!
Jon
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Kansas Legislature gives Supreme Court the finger.....
Governor Brownback promised during his campaign to clean up old and outdated legislation.
He actually followed through with this pledge and created the "Office of the Repealer". Groups can schedule meetings with this office to go over out dated Kansas Laws..
The Kansas Equality Coalition, an LGBT Equality group with 11 chapter statewide and a full time lobbyist saw an opportunity to get some discriminatory and UNCONSTITUTIONAL laws off the Kansas statutes.
Specifically the same sex sodomy laws, which were struck down back in 2003 by the Supreme Court of the United States in a case Lawrence v Texas.
After meeting with Gov Brownbacks office of the Repealer we knew that our request would most likely be lost or denied for some off the wall reason- you can tell the staff member taking our request was incredibly uncomfortable...
After hearing nothing the KEC decided to get a Repeal Bill started in the House and Senate..
The Bill was voted out of a Senate Committee to be heard and voted on, on the Senate floor- no Vote has taken place...
A similar House Bill was making its way through a committee this week when 2 of the committee members decided that this outdated and UNCONSTITUTIONAL law didn't need to be repealed...at least that is what their excuse it- so they amended the Bill and stripped the repeal language out...WHY is the question at hand...
Well we have a pretty good idea- they say that this UNCONSTITUTIONAL law repeal would have possibly slowed down other more pertinent legislation it was attached too... REALLY??? IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL--how in the world could it have slowed down other Bills???
Oh yes-- I know-- because it was a law that had to do with GAYS..
What a sickening excuse that was given by Jan Pauls-- DEM of Hutchinson KS--Yes-- I said DEMOCRAT. Mrs Pauls - an attorney and former Judge knows the law inside and out-- she knows this was an UNCONSTITUTIONAL Law- she didn't want to REPEAL it- she wants it left on the books..WHY YOU ASK??
Because she has a problem with LGBT persons.. anytime she can she refuses to help on LGBT issues in the name of religion.
Pauls is the ONLY legislator that goes out of her way to testify AGAINST LGBT non discrimination laws anytime they are brought up in the Kansas Legislature which has been every year in the last five years.. According to her testimony- having protections for LGBT people is not necessary--as people don't know you are GAY unless you tell someone- so the GAYS need to keep their mouths shut...She understands that African Americans and people of color need protections because they cant change the color of their skin, but the gays-- they need to keep quiet and no one will every know and then they won't discriminate....she doesn't like having business owners, landlords having to hire/rent to LGBT persons because it could infringe on their religious principals.....AMAZING HUH????
Not repealing an UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAW, one that has been deemed that way for EIGHT years is nothing more that spitting in the faces of those on the Supreme Court.
Kansans need to say we have had enough...
If they are willing to not risk a false arrest or unconstitutional prosectution due to an outdated law being on the books - that is nothing but malfeasance of office- she is NOT supporting the KANSAS and US Constitution....
The law was on its way being repealed and they took the time to STOP the process.....
Doesnt sound to me like they want the law off the books to me.....
To learn more about this and other LGBT issues please go to http://www.facebook.com.kechutch/ or http://www.kansasequalitycoalition.org/
Thanks for reading.....
He actually followed through with this pledge and created the "Office of the Repealer". Groups can schedule meetings with this office to go over out dated Kansas Laws..
The Kansas Equality Coalition, an LGBT Equality group with 11 chapter statewide and a full time lobbyist saw an opportunity to get some discriminatory and UNCONSTITUTIONAL laws off the Kansas statutes.
Specifically the same sex sodomy laws, which were struck down back in 2003 by the Supreme Court of the United States in a case Lawrence v Texas.
After meeting with Gov Brownbacks office of the Repealer we knew that our request would most likely be lost or denied for some off the wall reason- you can tell the staff member taking our request was incredibly uncomfortable...
After hearing nothing the KEC decided to get a Repeal Bill started in the House and Senate..
The Bill was voted out of a Senate Committee to be heard and voted on, on the Senate floor- no Vote has taken place...
A similar House Bill was making its way through a committee this week when 2 of the committee members decided that this outdated and UNCONSTITUTIONAL law didn't need to be repealed...at least that is what their excuse it- so they amended the Bill and stripped the repeal language out...WHY is the question at hand...
Well we have a pretty good idea- they say that this UNCONSTITUTIONAL law repeal would have possibly slowed down other more pertinent legislation it was attached too... REALLY??? IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL--how in the world could it have slowed down other Bills???
Oh yes-- I know-- because it was a law that had to do with GAYS..
What a sickening excuse that was given by Jan Pauls-- DEM of Hutchinson KS--Yes-- I said DEMOCRAT. Mrs Pauls - an attorney and former Judge knows the law inside and out-- she knows this was an UNCONSTITUTIONAL Law- she didn't want to REPEAL it- she wants it left on the books..WHY YOU ASK??
Because she has a problem with LGBT persons.. anytime she can she refuses to help on LGBT issues in the name of religion.
Pauls is the ONLY legislator that goes out of her way to testify AGAINST LGBT non discrimination laws anytime they are brought up in the Kansas Legislature which has been every year in the last five years.. According to her testimony- having protections for LGBT people is not necessary--as people don't know you are GAY unless you tell someone- so the GAYS need to keep their mouths shut...She understands that African Americans and people of color need protections because they cant change the color of their skin, but the gays-- they need to keep quiet and no one will every know and then they won't discriminate....she doesn't like having business owners, landlords having to hire/rent to LGBT persons because it could infringe on their religious principals.....AMAZING HUH????
Not repealing an UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAW, one that has been deemed that way for EIGHT years is nothing more that spitting in the faces of those on the Supreme Court.
Kansans need to say we have had enough...
If they are willing to not risk a false arrest or unconstitutional prosectution due to an outdated law being on the books - that is nothing but malfeasance of office- she is NOT supporting the KANSAS and US Constitution....
The law was on its way being repealed and they took the time to STOP the process.....
Doesnt sound to me like they want the law off the books to me.....
To learn more about this and other LGBT issues please go to http://www.facebook.com.kechutch/ or http://www.kansasequalitycoalition.org/
Thanks for reading.....
Will Kansans ever say ENOUGH is ENOUGH??
Many Kansans do not understand that it is LEGAL to DISCRIMINATE!!??!!!
Some do, and apparently want it to continue....
Kansas House member Jan Pauls, Democrat of Hutchinson, is one that obviously wants DISCRIMINATION to CONTINUE.
Paul's, an 8 term Legislator, is the ONLY Representative to CONTINUALLY-year after year- testify AGAINST any NON-DISCRIMINATION Law that is introduced in the Kansas Legislature that would make discriminating against GLBT Kansans illegal.
The gist of her testimony is that employers and landlords as well as business owners should be able to hire, rent or provide services to who they want to without repercussion. She doesn't want employers and business owners "religious beliefs" being burdened by having to hire someone GAY...That is DISCRIMINATION at its best and when it infringes on peoples rights it is time to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH Kansas- lets keep religion and politics seperate...
Discrimination is discrimination, plan and simple.. It needs to END and it needs to END NOW. If you continue to allow it- you might as well join the Phelps and help spread there vile rhetoric.
Where are all of the MODERATE/CENTRIST Kansans that say they are fiscally conservative but socially welcoming?
WE NEED YOU!
Help my friends and I end this ridiculousness...
Please consider donating your time, energy and money over the next several months so we can pass a NON- DISCRIMINATION LAW in KANSAS, or in our local cities. One way or the other we want protections--NOTHING SPECIAL as the opposition says we want-- just the Rights everyone else has.
As a GAY man, I loathe the idea that an employer has a right not to hire me or one of my intelligent friends or a landlord does not have to lease to us just because our sexual orientation...Come on Kansas...ISN'T IT WAY PAST TIME??? EQUALITY FOR ALL!!!
Close to 90% of Kansans personally know someone who is GAY or LESBIAN. They are our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, nieces, nephews, co-workers, neighbors and friends.
If you want to help, please join the Kansas Equality Coalition . We welcome EVERY law abiding, non discriminating Kansan who believes in diversity!! We appreciate your memberships and donations! Our opposition is well financed and very organized...you can help us by joining and getting involved.
Another way to HELP is to share this with everyone you know...Lets make Kansas known for EQUALITY instead of being the home to the Phelps clan...
Find our KEC Chapter on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kechutch .
Thanks for listening...
Remember......please don't be silent....
SILENCE = ACCEPTANCE
Some do, and apparently want it to continue....
Kansas House member Jan Pauls, Democrat of Hutchinson, is one that obviously wants DISCRIMINATION to CONTINUE.
Paul's, an 8 term Legislator, is the ONLY Representative to CONTINUALLY-year after year- testify AGAINST any NON-DISCRIMINATION Law that is introduced in the Kansas Legislature that would make discriminating against GLBT Kansans illegal.
The gist of her testimony is that employers and landlords as well as business owners should be able to hire, rent or provide services to who they want to without repercussion. She doesn't want employers and business owners "religious beliefs" being burdened by having to hire someone GAY...That is DISCRIMINATION at its best and when it infringes on peoples rights it is time to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH Kansas- lets keep religion and politics seperate...
Discrimination is discrimination, plan and simple.. It needs to END and it needs to END NOW. If you continue to allow it- you might as well join the Phelps and help spread there vile rhetoric.
Where are all of the MODERATE/CENTRIST Kansans that say they are fiscally conservative but socially welcoming?
WE NEED YOU!
Help my friends and I end this ridiculousness...
Please consider donating your time, energy and money over the next several months so we can pass a NON- DISCRIMINATION LAW in KANSAS, or in our local cities. One way or the other we want protections--NOTHING SPECIAL as the opposition says we want-- just the Rights everyone else has.
As a GAY man, I loathe the idea that an employer has a right not to hire me or one of my intelligent friends or a landlord does not have to lease to us just because our sexual orientation...Come on Kansas...ISN'T IT WAY PAST TIME??? EQUALITY FOR ALL!!!
Close to 90% of Kansans personally know someone who is GAY or LESBIAN. They are our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, nieces, nephews, co-workers, neighbors and friends.
If you want to help, please join the Kansas Equality Coalition . We welcome EVERY law abiding, non discriminating Kansan who believes in diversity!! We appreciate your memberships and donations! Our opposition is well financed and very organized...you can help us by joining and getting involved.
Another way to HELP is to share this with everyone you know...Lets make Kansas known for EQUALITY instead of being the home to the Phelps clan...
Find our KEC Chapter on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kechutch .
Thanks for listening...
Remember......please don't be silent....
SILENCE = ACCEPTANCE
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act aka State sponsored BIGOTRY and HATE
The Kansas State Legislature Judiciary Committee has introduced a Bill- HB2260 that is called the "Kansas Preservation of Religion Act". This Bill has been introduced by social conservatives, which seem to be most of the Kansas legislative contingent, since the slaughter in Nov 2010. Moderates on the Right were more reliable in many instances than Conservative Democrats, but they are gone, voted out, or have had to move farther Right in order to protect their office -- I bet you never thought we would use those two words together describing one person....crazy huh??
HB2260 would create the "Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act." The bill would prohibit state and local governments from substantially burdening a person’s religious exercise unless the government can prove that the burden is advancing a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive way of advancing the interest. A person who has been burdened or is substantially likely to be burdened under this Act, could file a judicial proceeding and a court could grant remedies described in the bill. The bill would apply to all government actions including but not limited to all state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies, including the implementation no matter when it was enacted or adopted.
From a GLBT perspective- if this Bill gets passed ,we are, to put it bluntly, screwed...
This law would prevent GLBT activists from working with local municipalities trying to pass non-discrimination ordinances, something that many groups around the country have started doing since State and Federal lawmakers have become so afraid of the powerful well funded, well organized, Religious Right.
The Bill also allows for "remedies" - against the group who is burdening the Religious folks. The remedies range from basic injunctive relief to significant financial awards.
Any current non discrimination ordinances on the books are in jeopardy if this passes.
If you haven't figured out the impact of this Bill yet- think about this....
This Bills intent was to STOP local LGBT ordinances where cities decide to add sexual orientation and gender identity- perceived or otherwise as a protected class- such as Race, Color, Natural Origin, Religion, Sex, Age and Disability Physical already are. None of the current protected classes place a burden on someones religion but sexual orientation does--it apparently PISSES OFF another protected class- some persons religious view..especially FRED PHELPS...
My point is this-- this proposed law STRENGTHENS the Phelps cause-- strengthens his hate--no bones about it- HE HATES.. Now, this law would allow him to SUE every city or county that would try and pass a LGBT non DISCRIMINATION ordinance because its places an "undue burden" on "his religion".
Any Religious organization who favors this-and there are MANY, are no better than the crazy man PHELPS - who PROMOTES HATE AND BIGOTRY all in the name of Religion...
The attorney for the Kansas Equality Coalition said it best last week when testifying in front of the Kansas Senate.. Bigotry wrapped in Prayer is still Bigotry...Amen Pedro...you hit the nail on the head!
If you are as offended as I am about this Bill- HB2260- please don't think there is nothing that can be done- your voice can and needs to be heard...
Please click the link below - call and email everyone of these legislators listed and tell them to VOTE AGAINST HB226O-- Religion is already a protected class- and Being GAY is STILL ILLEGAL in Kansas..IT MUST STOP!!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7832129234#!/topic.php?uid=7832129234&topic=20347
Lastly- at a Democratic function this evening in Hutchinson- I had the opportunity to visit with Jan Paul's- Democratic House member from Hutchinson. I introduced myself and asked Mrs Paul's to vote against this Bill as it want nothing but a Bill making HATE legal. She told me she hasn't studied it a lot but that she was MOST LIKELY going to vote IN FAVOR of the Bill as employers should not be required to hire someone that conflicts with the employers religious beliefs....ABSOLUTELY AMAZING...
Are we in IRAN or are we in KANSAS????????????????????????
HB2260 would create the "Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act." The bill would prohibit state and local governments from substantially burdening a person’s religious exercise unless the government can prove that the burden is advancing a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive way of advancing the interest. A person who has been burdened or is substantially likely to be burdened under this Act, could file a judicial proceeding and a court could grant remedies described in the bill. The bill would apply to all government actions including but not limited to all state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies, including the implementation no matter when it was enacted or adopted.
From a GLBT perspective- if this Bill gets passed ,we are, to put it bluntly, screwed...
This law would prevent GLBT activists from working with local municipalities trying to pass non-discrimination ordinances, something that many groups around the country have started doing since State and Federal lawmakers have become so afraid of the powerful well funded, well organized, Religious Right.
The Bill also allows for "remedies" - against the group who is burdening the Religious folks. The remedies range from basic injunctive relief to significant financial awards.
Any current non discrimination ordinances on the books are in jeopardy if this passes.
If you haven't figured out the impact of this Bill yet- think about this....
This Bills intent was to STOP local LGBT ordinances where cities decide to add sexual orientation and gender identity- perceived or otherwise as a protected class- such as Race, Color, Natural Origin, Religion, Sex, Age and Disability Physical already are. None of the current protected classes place a burden on someones religion but sexual orientation does--it apparently PISSES OFF another protected class- some persons religious view..especially FRED PHELPS...
My point is this-- this proposed law STRENGTHENS the Phelps cause-- strengthens his hate--no bones about it- HE HATES.. Now, this law would allow him to SUE every city or county that would try and pass a LGBT non DISCRIMINATION ordinance because its places an "undue burden" on "his religion".
Any Religious organization who favors this-and there are MANY, are no better than the crazy man PHELPS - who PROMOTES HATE AND BIGOTRY all in the name of Religion...
The attorney for the Kansas Equality Coalition said it best last week when testifying in front of the Kansas Senate.. Bigotry wrapped in Prayer is still Bigotry...Amen Pedro...you hit the nail on the head!
If you are as offended as I am about this Bill- HB2260- please don't think there is nothing that can be done- your voice can and needs to be heard...
Please click the link below - call and email everyone of these legislators listed and tell them to VOTE AGAINST HB226O-- Religion is already a protected class- and Being GAY is STILL ILLEGAL in Kansas..IT MUST STOP!!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7832129234#!/topic.php?uid=7832129234&topic=20347
Lastly- at a Democratic function this evening in Hutchinson- I had the opportunity to visit with Jan Paul's- Democratic House member from Hutchinson. I introduced myself and asked Mrs Paul's to vote against this Bill as it want nothing but a Bill making HATE legal. She told me she hasn't studied it a lot but that she was MOST LIKELY going to vote IN FAVOR of the Bill as employers should not be required to hire someone that conflicts with the employers religious beliefs....ABSOLUTELY AMAZING...
Are we in IRAN or are we in KANSAS????????????????????????
Friday, October 15, 2010
Will you be wearing purple?
With all the recent media attention on anti-gay bullying, I feel I must speak up to show my opposition for anti-gay bullying..
In the last 45 days 12 kids that we know about, age 12 to 21, have committed suicide because they were bullied for being gay or perceived as gay. It truly breaks my heart to hear the stories. Life must have been very horrible for them to think that killing themselves would end their pain. I cannot imagine what was going through their minds right before the pulling of the trigger, tightening the noose around the neck, jumping off a 6 story bridge to a cold fast flowing river, cramming 30 pain pills into there mouth. They all must have felt so helpless and defeated, like no one was there for them, no one at all. Alone in a world where all they heard was how bad they were, how wrong they were, how they were an abomination to God, a freak of nature, dirty, sin laiden and perverted.
I want to share with you some of the hatred and rhetoric that one of the kids, Zach Harrington, sat through just hours before he went home and hung himself. Zach, who was 19 years old, decided to attend a meeting of the Norman City Commission with some friends . The Commissioners were going to be discussing a proclamation to make October Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender history month. Zach went to the meeting to show support and participate in what was his first experience with city government. He and his friends were excited that the Norman Human Relations Commission had proposed this proclamation - a first for the city, who touts inclusion in their motto.
That excitement must have turned into fear for Zach after sitting through 3 hours of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX3ETx-fHXY&feature=player_embedded
Not all the comments during the public comment portion of the meeting were as terrible and negative as this misguided man, but the majority were and many of them were eerily similar. As it turns out, a few of the Evangelical mega churches had put out a "call to action" and packed the commission chambers with its members to voice opposition for the proclamation. Over 300 people attended the meeting with the majority being the far right evangelicals. This is really what frustrates me...Where we all of the people who believe in tolerance and equality? Why weren't they speaking up? Could Zach still be alive today if the majority of the comments were in favor of the GLBT proclamation?
This coming week, Wednesday, October 20th, is a day that we can remember all these kids who are victims. Yes, I said it, victims. Victims of intolerance and hate. Victim's of a society that traditionally hasn't stood up for them and demanded changes, including nondiscrimination and anti-bullying laws. Victims of lies and misinformation. Speaking of misinformation, the man in the video really needs to get his facts straight, no pun intended....
This is my CALL TO ACTION for you..This Wednesday, October 20th, please wear purple. By wearing purple you can show your support of G:LBT youth and opposition to anti-gay bullying. By participating, you can take a stance and send a message that says, "I oppose anti-gay bullying" and "I will NOT stand by and allow anti-gay bullying to happen in my community".
Will you stand will me? Will you wear purple??
= ity ROCKS!
**here is a link to the entire 3 hour public comment section of the Norman City Commission.
http://normanok.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=163
In the last 45 days 12 kids that we know about, age 12 to 21, have committed suicide because they were bullied for being gay or perceived as gay. It truly breaks my heart to hear the stories. Life must have been very horrible for them to think that killing themselves would end their pain. I cannot imagine what was going through their minds right before the pulling of the trigger, tightening the noose around the neck, jumping off a 6 story bridge to a cold fast flowing river, cramming 30 pain pills into there mouth. They all must have felt so helpless and defeated, like no one was there for them, no one at all. Alone in a world where all they heard was how bad they were, how wrong they were, how they were an abomination to God, a freak of nature, dirty, sin laiden and perverted.
I want to share with you some of the hatred and rhetoric that one of the kids, Zach Harrington, sat through just hours before he went home and hung himself. Zach, who was 19 years old, decided to attend a meeting of the Norman City Commission with some friends . The Commissioners were going to be discussing a proclamation to make October Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender history month. Zach went to the meeting to show support and participate in what was his first experience with city government. He and his friends were excited that the Norman Human Relations Commission had proposed this proclamation - a first for the city, who touts inclusion in their motto.
That excitement must have turned into fear for Zach after sitting through 3 hours of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX3ETx-fHXY&feature=player_embedded
Not all the comments during the public comment portion of the meeting were as terrible and negative as this misguided man, but the majority were and many of them were eerily similar. As it turns out, a few of the Evangelical mega churches had put out a "call to action" and packed the commission chambers with its members to voice opposition for the proclamation. Over 300 people attended the meeting with the majority being the far right evangelicals. This is really what frustrates me...Where we all of the people who believe in tolerance and equality? Why weren't they speaking up? Could Zach still be alive today if the majority of the comments were in favor of the GLBT proclamation?
This coming week, Wednesday, October 20th, is a day that we can remember all these kids who are victims. Yes, I said it, victims. Victims of intolerance and hate. Victim's of a society that traditionally hasn't stood up for them and demanded changes, including nondiscrimination and anti-bullying laws. Victims of lies and misinformation. Speaking of misinformation, the man in the video really needs to get his facts straight, no pun intended....
This is my CALL TO ACTION for you..This Wednesday, October 20th, please wear purple. By wearing purple you can show your support of G:LBT youth and opposition to anti-gay bullying. By participating, you can take a stance and send a message that says, "I oppose anti-gay bullying" and "I will NOT stand by and allow anti-gay bullying to happen in my community".
Will you stand will me? Will you wear purple??
= ity ROCKS!
**here is a link to the entire 3 hour public comment section of the Norman City Commission.
http://normanok.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=163
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Is Kansas the "State of Hate"?......
I have been waiting to write this blog since I started blogging over a month ago. Living in the "State of Hate" is how my gay friends from other parts of the country describe where I live.
The reason they call Kansas the "State of Hate" is because of Fred Phelps. Everyone in the gay community, from coast to coast, knows the name Fred Phelps. Mr Phelps blames everything on America's tolerance for HOMOSEXUALS..He has blamed the Greensburg tornado, earthquakes, tsunami's and many other natural disasters on gay people. He and televangelist Pat Roberts both blamed 9-11 on gays. Phelps and his flock, which is mostly family, are most visible at the funerals of fallen military members. Anytime you see these idiots on national TV- the announcer says- "the Topeka Kansas based Westboro Baptist church protested today at.....", so everyone in country thinks that Kansas is nothing but a breeding place of biggot's and homophobes, like him and his followers.
Here is the GOOD NEWS!
Kansas is actually pretty hip! A recent survey of Kansans has reported that 79% of those surveyed think that GLBT individual's deserve the same protections afforded to every other Kansan and that sexual orientation should be a protected class just as race, religion, ethnicity and the disabled.
Even though the Kansas Legislature doesn't believe that, almost 8 out of every 10 Kansans do.
91 percent surveyed had NO idea GLBT people weren't a protected class. They did not know that their GLBT friends could be FIRED or NOT HIRED just for being gay. They did not know that landlords could deny them housing or evict them just for being GLBT.
For the last 3 years a group call the Kansas Equality Coalition has been trying to get legislation passed to have sexual orientation added to the Kansas discrimination laws. Each year the proposed bill never makes it out of committee.
In 2007, a legislator from Hutchinson, was the ONLY person to testify AGAINST the bill. She told her fellow legislators that she understood why African Americans needed protections- because they can't change the color of their skin. As for gay people- they don't have to tell anyone they are gay, so there is not a need to protect them. REALLY, no need to protect- tell that to the kids who have killed themselves this month due to anti-gay bullying- tell the 18 year veteran of a company who was fired the day after the owner asked him if he was gay...tell that to the kid who had to move from his apartment due to repeated vandalism on his vehicle- where FAG was spray painted all over it.
How many times have you ever wondered if someone is gay? If your honest with yourself, you will agree that we all talk about people, we are human, we are curious. If the employer you have been working for, for the last 10 years has never ever seen you at company functions with anyone, and your in your thirties, what do people think- especially if you are a butch woman, a feminine man.- seriously?? Keep your mouths shut, and don't tell anyone--yeah right-- that's like wearing a bill board--I'M GAY!- Its is called PERCEPTION- even if your not....It makes NO sense at all.
In subsequent years, 2008-2010, the same bill has not gotten out of committee.
People in Kansas need to stand up and say- enough is enough.. It is time to show the GLBT individuals of Kansas and the rest of the country that we are not a bunch of biggot's and homophobes, WE ARE NOT the "State of Hate" described by my out of state friend's, we don't support the Fred Phelps type of people.
One last thing about the survey. 89% surveyed said they knew someone who identified as GLBT.
That is up from 63% when the same survey was done in 1993. Looks like most of us know someone who would benefit from these protections or continue to suffer if they are not passed. Brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, teacher, student, doctor, mechanic, business owner and neighbor- we are everywhere you look- the question is, do you see us? The better question is do you want to see us?
I think you do Kansas!
Help make Kansas a better place to live for everyone!
Support Employment Non-Discrimination legislation in Kansas....
The reason they call Kansas the "State of Hate" is because of Fred Phelps. Everyone in the gay community, from coast to coast, knows the name Fred Phelps. Mr Phelps blames everything on America's tolerance for HOMOSEXUALS..He has blamed the Greensburg tornado, earthquakes, tsunami's and many other natural disasters on gay people. He and televangelist Pat Roberts both blamed 9-11 on gays. Phelps and his flock, which is mostly family, are most visible at the funerals of fallen military members. Anytime you see these idiots on national TV- the announcer says- "the Topeka Kansas based Westboro Baptist church protested today at.....", so everyone in country thinks that Kansas is nothing but a breeding place of biggot's and homophobes, like him and his followers.
Here is the GOOD NEWS!
Kansas is actually pretty hip! A recent survey of Kansans has reported that 79% of those surveyed think that GLBT individual's deserve the same protections afforded to every other Kansan and that sexual orientation should be a protected class just as race, religion, ethnicity and the disabled.
Even though the Kansas Legislature doesn't believe that, almost 8 out of every 10 Kansans do.
91 percent surveyed had NO idea GLBT people weren't a protected class. They did not know that their GLBT friends could be FIRED or NOT HIRED just for being gay. They did not know that landlords could deny them housing or evict them just for being GLBT.
For the last 3 years a group call the Kansas Equality Coalition has been trying to get legislation passed to have sexual orientation added to the Kansas discrimination laws. Each year the proposed bill never makes it out of committee.
In 2007, a legislator from Hutchinson, was the ONLY person to testify AGAINST the bill. She told her fellow legislators that she understood why African Americans needed protections- because they can't change the color of their skin. As for gay people- they don't have to tell anyone they are gay, so there is not a need to protect them. REALLY, no need to protect- tell that to the kids who have killed themselves this month due to anti-gay bullying- tell the 18 year veteran of a company who was fired the day after the owner asked him if he was gay...tell that to the kid who had to move from his apartment due to repeated vandalism on his vehicle- where FAG was spray painted all over it.
How many times have you ever wondered if someone is gay? If your honest with yourself, you will agree that we all talk about people, we are human, we are curious. If the employer you have been working for, for the last 10 years has never ever seen you at company functions with anyone, and your in your thirties, what do people think- especially if you are a butch woman, a feminine man.- seriously?? Keep your mouths shut, and don't tell anyone--yeah right-- that's like wearing a bill board--I'M GAY!- Its is called PERCEPTION- even if your not....It makes NO sense at all.
In subsequent years, 2008-2010, the same bill has not gotten out of committee.
People in Kansas need to stand up and say- enough is enough.. It is time to show the GLBT individuals of Kansas and the rest of the country that we are not a bunch of biggot's and homophobes, WE ARE NOT the "State of Hate" described by my out of state friend's, we don't support the Fred Phelps type of people.
One last thing about the survey. 89% surveyed said they knew someone who identified as GLBT.
That is up from 63% when the same survey was done in 1993. Looks like most of us know someone who would benefit from these protections or continue to suffer if they are not passed. Brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, teacher, student, doctor, mechanic, business owner and neighbor- we are everywhere you look- the question is, do you see us? The better question is do you want to see us?
I think you do Kansas!
Help make Kansas a better place to live for everyone!
Support Employment Non-Discrimination legislation in Kansas....
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Why I named my blog, Blog 462....your gonna love this!
I am sure a few of you wonder why I named my blog, Blog 462. This is one of those stories, that when you hear it, the hairs on the back of your neck might tingle.
20 years ago when I was an officer with the Reno County Sheriffs Dept, I was assigned a badge number, that number was 462. I had to use this number when communicating with the 911 dispatchers, when filing cases and writing tickets. I was only a deputy for few years before going into business. I didn't really think much of the number 462, until it started showing up in my life very frequently. The first time I remember seeing 462 after my deputy stint, was on a Memorial day, a year or so after leaving the department. I was decorating my fathers grave and noticed the cemetery had a promotion for the holiday weekend. They were offering plots, interest free, if you signed up during the long weekend. I thought to myself that I probably needed to considwer taking advantage of this deal, especially if they have a site close to my parents.They looked it up and I was able to purchase a plot right next to where my father and mother were so I decided to sign up. Once I got all the paperwork filled out they told me that I would need to make monthly payement for 4 years and handed me several pre addressed envelopes. To my surprise it was an easy address to remember- PO Box 462 Hutchinson. I told my family who was with me that address would be easy to remember as it was my badge number from the Sheriffs Dept..Little did I know that number would start apprearing to me everywhere I went.
As I tell friends about this number that seems to show up all the time. The first thing most of them say is, you better play the lottery. I "never have" and "probably won't" is what my typical reponse is. I think this number means more than that.
Most of you are probably thinking I am off my rocker, so I will share with you a couple of the wildest examples of when and where this number has shown up. This is where you might get that tingly feeling I talked about earlier.
It isn't uncommon that when I an purchasing something that my purchase rings up for $4.62 or my change from a purchase is $4.62. That happens very often and if I am with someone who knows about 462, they shake their head in amazement. Driving around- I will see tags with the numbers 462 or semi trailers that have an ID number of 462, or mile markers showing 462. Some days or weeks I see it more often than others.
One of the most prolific stories I have about the number 462 is when I was on a getaway weekend to Oklahoma City with my niece Stephanie. We were visiting some of her friends who she hadn't seen for a few years. On our arrival we met everyone in the hotel bar during happy hour. We were catching up, having a few cocktails, telling them about our drive into the city. On the way down we stopped to get gas and bought some snacks the purchase totalled $4.62. Steph told them all about my special number, how bizarre it was and how many times it happens, they all speculated on what it meant. We decided to check in so we could drop the luggage off in our room and then head out to enjoy some of OKC's nightlife. The desk clerk at the Embassy Suites handed me my key and it happened again, my number made an appearance- I got room 462!!! Steph's friends were going crazy but only after they made sure that I had not called ahead and requested the room...To this day when Steph sees her friends from OKC they always bring up 462 and want to hear more of my stories.
The most incredible story about 462 comes from San Francisco. Steph and I were traveling together again. I was getting an award for Regional Manager of the year from my company. She has never been to the California, so we turned the business trip into a min-vacation in SF. We stayed at one of the hotels on Powell Street. We checked in to the hotel on Sunday afternoon after a night of dancing and cocktails on a private charter in the bay. Our room wasn't ready when we arrived so we had to wait in the lobby for a few minutes. The hotels restaurant was not open and I was in need of a little hydration from to much celebrating the night before. I asked Steph to go next door to a little cafe I saw when the taxi dropped us off, and get us something to drink. I watched the Chiefs play on a TV in the lobby while she was gone. When she walked back in the hotel, I knew something was wrong. She had this look on her face that told me something is not right. I asked, "whats going on"? Thinking maybe she ran into problems at the cafe. She handed me the cup of Iced tea and said LOOK, LOOK at the cup! She had handed me a styrofoam cup and I could not believe what I was seeing...The cup had the name of the business CAFE 462, and thats not all, the address was in large letters were... 462 POWELL ST. We both looked at each other in total disbelief. My number and them my last name--WOW.. I know we were staying on Powell St- but come on,--CAFE 462 at 462 Powell St..We didnt say anything to each other for a few minutes...we were both just so blown away.....
I could write a book on all the times this number has appeared in my life. As I said before, who knows what it really means. Is it a pure coincidence? Does it mean anything? Some will say yes, some will say no, it's just 3 numbers.
To me though, as many times as it has shown up, I believe its a marker someone has given to me. A marker to let me know that the path I'm on is the path I'm supposed to be on.
As long as I continue to see 462, I will believe that. When I stop seeing 462, that's when I will become concerned.
A few recent instances where my number has shown up include my most recent power bill, it was $462. A couple of weeks ago I pulled up to a gas pump and the person before me got $46.20 in fuel. Just today, embarassing at it is, I got an overdraw notice from one of my bank accounts. It is the account I use for my paypal purchases. I bought something and I forgot to move some money into it from my checking.
My account was overdrawn $46.20. The paypal purchase I made that caused me to e overdrawn was an art print I was debating on buying-I didnt know if I should buy it...... looks like now, I made the right decision......
20 years ago when I was an officer with the Reno County Sheriffs Dept, I was assigned a badge number, that number was 462. I had to use this number when communicating with the 911 dispatchers, when filing cases and writing tickets. I was only a deputy for few years before going into business. I didn't really think much of the number 462, until it started showing up in my life very frequently. The first time I remember seeing 462 after my deputy stint, was on a Memorial day, a year or so after leaving the department. I was decorating my fathers grave and noticed the cemetery had a promotion for the holiday weekend. They were offering plots, interest free, if you signed up during the long weekend. I thought to myself that I probably needed to considwer taking advantage of this deal, especially if they have a site close to my parents.They looked it up and I was able to purchase a plot right next to where my father and mother were so I decided to sign up. Once I got all the paperwork filled out they told me that I would need to make monthly payement for 4 years and handed me several pre addressed envelopes. To my surprise it was an easy address to remember- PO Box 462 Hutchinson. I told my family who was with me that address would be easy to remember as it was my badge number from the Sheriffs Dept..Little did I know that number would start apprearing to me everywhere I went.
As I tell friends about this number that seems to show up all the time. The first thing most of them say is, you better play the lottery. I "never have" and "probably won't" is what my typical reponse is. I think this number means more than that.
Most of you are probably thinking I am off my rocker, so I will share with you a couple of the wildest examples of when and where this number has shown up. This is where you might get that tingly feeling I talked about earlier.
It isn't uncommon that when I an purchasing something that my purchase rings up for $4.62 or my change from a purchase is $4.62. That happens very often and if I am with someone who knows about 462, they shake their head in amazement. Driving around- I will see tags with the numbers 462 or semi trailers that have an ID number of 462, or mile markers showing 462. Some days or weeks I see it more often than others.
One of the most prolific stories I have about the number 462 is when I was on a getaway weekend to Oklahoma City with my niece Stephanie. We were visiting some of her friends who she hadn't seen for a few years. On our arrival we met everyone in the hotel bar during happy hour. We were catching up, having a few cocktails, telling them about our drive into the city. On the way down we stopped to get gas and bought some snacks the purchase totalled $4.62. Steph told them all about my special number, how bizarre it was and how many times it happens, they all speculated on what it meant. We decided to check in so we could drop the luggage off in our room and then head out to enjoy some of OKC's nightlife. The desk clerk at the Embassy Suites handed me my key and it happened again, my number made an appearance- I got room 462!!! Steph's friends were going crazy but only after they made sure that I had not called ahead and requested the room...To this day when Steph sees her friends from OKC they always bring up 462 and want to hear more of my stories.
The most incredible story about 462 comes from San Francisco. Steph and I were traveling together again. I was getting an award for Regional Manager of the year from my company. She has never been to the California, so we turned the business trip into a min-vacation in SF. We stayed at one of the hotels on Powell Street. We checked in to the hotel on Sunday afternoon after a night of dancing and cocktails on a private charter in the bay. Our room wasn't ready when we arrived so we had to wait in the lobby for a few minutes. The hotels restaurant was not open and I was in need of a little hydration from to much celebrating the night before. I asked Steph to go next door to a little cafe I saw when the taxi dropped us off, and get us something to drink. I watched the Chiefs play on a TV in the lobby while she was gone. When she walked back in the hotel, I knew something was wrong. She had this look on her face that told me something is not right. I asked, "whats going on"? Thinking maybe she ran into problems at the cafe. She handed me the cup of Iced tea and said LOOK, LOOK at the cup! She had handed me a styrofoam cup and I could not believe what I was seeing...The cup had the name of the business CAFE 462, and thats not all, the address was in large letters were... 462 POWELL ST. We both looked at each other in total disbelief. My number and them my last name--WOW.. I know we were staying on Powell St- but come on,--CAFE 462 at 462 Powell St..We didnt say anything to each other for a few minutes...we were both just so blown away.....
I could write a book on all the times this number has appeared in my life. As I said before, who knows what it really means. Is it a pure coincidence? Does it mean anything? Some will say yes, some will say no, it's just 3 numbers.
To me though, as many times as it has shown up, I believe its a marker someone has given to me. A marker to let me know that the path I'm on is the path I'm supposed to be on.
As long as I continue to see 462, I will believe that. When I stop seeing 462, that's when I will become concerned.
A few recent instances where my number has shown up include my most recent power bill, it was $462. A couple of weeks ago I pulled up to a gas pump and the person before me got $46.20 in fuel. Just today, embarassing at it is, I got an overdraw notice from one of my bank accounts. It is the account I use for my paypal purchases. I bought something and I forgot to move some money into it from my checking.
My account was overdrawn $46.20. The paypal purchase I made that caused me to e overdrawn was an art print I was debating on buying-I didnt know if I should buy it...... looks like now, I made the right decision......
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Connecting and Reconnecting...Just do it!
The other day I reconnected with a High school friend who I had not seen in close to 25 years. We went for coffee one morning and had so much to visit about that we continued our conversation over lunch. As I said we knew each other from High School, she was a senior when I was a junior. We weren't best friends, but we were friends and we had many friends in common. We worked for the same employer during our college summers, got to know each other and then lost touch, as most of us do after high school or college. The only time you would usually reconnect with HS friends is at a class reunion which I hadn't attended. I didnt want my classmates to know I was gay, thats another blog in itself...
Two or three years ago my neice Stephanie, who I raised since age 13, and is now 30, tried to convince me on a weekly basis to join this internet site called Facebook. She told me it was the "coolest thing you have ever seen".. She explained to me that you can get in touch with anybody, as long as they have a "page" on Facebook. Me being 42, and not fully understanding this Facebook thing or anything elase about social media, I declined.Who the heck do I need to get in touch with, I thought to myself . It seemed like a bunch of work. Besides, I was on my laptop for work 10 plus hours a day, 7 days a week and really didnt want to spend anymore time on it. She then told me about who she was "friends" with on this site. She started spewing these names and they were people who we both knew from our hometome, many were old friends who both of us hadn't heard from for a few years. I was kind of intrigued by this as it brought back many memories and made me wonder how they all were. A few weeks later when I was at Stephs home in Olathe, she brought her laptop over to me and showed me pictures of our friends new baby. The crazy thing was-,I had no idea that this couple was expecting. I felt ridiculously bad that I hadn't talked to these people that I used to call friends in over two years!!
She then pointed out that she had connected and reconnected with over 100 people in just a few weeks on this Facebook site. She had connected with co-workers, extended family, people who were in her wedding and several others that she had gone to High School and College with.
What kind of a friend was I, I thought to myself? These are people who I had broken bread with several times, spent many weekends going out partying with when we were younger and finally, a couple who I watched date, get engaged and then exchange wedding vows. What was I going to say when I called to congratulate them?
I finally got the courage to call. I told them how much I sucked as a friend for not staying in touch and I saw that they had a new member of their family on Stephs Facebook. They were so glad to hear from me, it was like our friendship hadn't skipped a beat, I was so relieved! We promised that we would stay in touch and not go years without talking ever again.
After that conversation I got to thinking what other friends of mine could have had kids or other major events in their lives that I had NO idea about? What was I missing out on? I called Steph and told her I wanted to do this facebook thing. I asked her if she would get me started. A week later I did it, I joined Facebook.
In the 2 years I have been on Facebook I have connected or reconnected with over 300 people. Pretty embarrassing for someone who didn't know who he wanted to connect with....
This blog ends with what I started it with,,.. My High school friend who I hadn't seen in 25 years found me on facebook. She asked to become my friend and we exchanged pleasantries, how are you doing, tell me about your family, what are you doing now? It was a great catch up session. A week or so later we chatted on the Instant Messaging. feature..to both of our surprise--WE WERE NEIGHBORS!! She lived 2 doors from me, just around the corner! I was shocked and so was she. Note to self- when new neighbors move in, go say hello!
If you have not utilized a social networking site like Facebook, you have no idea what you are missing out on!. There are many people for you to connect with and that want to cnnect with you. I dont know what I would do without it. If they took Facebook off line, I would have withdrawls! I check my account at least 4-5 times per day. I actually heard the other day that kids 14-21 check their accounts 20 times per day on average.It truly is addicting and a great way to reconnect and stay connected with everyone you want in your life.
So just "DO IT"...Join a social networking site- reconnect with friends you haven't seen or spoken with for years, whatever the reason, its never to late to reconnect! You will love it!
You never know, you just might find that a neighbor is a long lost friend!
Two or three years ago my neice Stephanie, who I raised since age 13, and is now 30, tried to convince me on a weekly basis to join this internet site called Facebook. She told me it was the "coolest thing you have ever seen".. She explained to me that you can get in touch with anybody, as long as they have a "page" on Facebook. Me being 42, and not fully understanding this Facebook thing or anything elase about social media, I declined.Who the heck do I need to get in touch with, I thought to myself . It seemed like a bunch of work. Besides, I was on my laptop for work 10 plus hours a day, 7 days a week and really didnt want to spend anymore time on it. She then told me about who she was "friends" with on this site. She started spewing these names and they were people who we both knew from our hometome, many were old friends who both of us hadn't heard from for a few years. I was kind of intrigued by this as it brought back many memories and made me wonder how they all were. A few weeks later when I was at Stephs home in Olathe, she brought her laptop over to me and showed me pictures of our friends new baby. The crazy thing was-,I had no idea that this couple was expecting. I felt ridiculously bad that I hadn't talked to these people that I used to call friends in over two years!!
She then pointed out that she had connected and reconnected with over 100 people in just a few weeks on this Facebook site. She had connected with co-workers, extended family, people who were in her wedding and several others that she had gone to High School and College with.
What kind of a friend was I, I thought to myself? These are people who I had broken bread with several times, spent many weekends going out partying with when we were younger and finally, a couple who I watched date, get engaged and then exchange wedding vows. What was I going to say when I called to congratulate them?
I finally got the courage to call. I told them how much I sucked as a friend for not staying in touch and I saw that they had a new member of their family on Stephs Facebook. They were so glad to hear from me, it was like our friendship hadn't skipped a beat, I was so relieved! We promised that we would stay in touch and not go years without talking ever again.
After that conversation I got to thinking what other friends of mine could have had kids or other major events in their lives that I had NO idea about? What was I missing out on? I called Steph and told her I wanted to do this facebook thing. I asked her if she would get me started. A week later I did it, I joined Facebook.
In the 2 years I have been on Facebook I have connected or reconnected with over 300 people. Pretty embarrassing for someone who didn't know who he wanted to connect with....
This blog ends with what I started it with,,.. My High school friend who I hadn't seen in 25 years found me on facebook. She asked to become my friend and we exchanged pleasantries, how are you doing, tell me about your family, what are you doing now? It was a great catch up session. A week or so later we chatted on the Instant Messaging. feature..to both of our surprise--WE WERE NEIGHBORS!! She lived 2 doors from me, just around the corner! I was shocked and so was she. Note to self- when new neighbors move in, go say hello!
If you have not utilized a social networking site like Facebook, you have no idea what you are missing out on!. There are many people for you to connect with and that want to cnnect with you. I dont know what I would do without it. If they took Facebook off line, I would have withdrawls! I check my account at least 4-5 times per day. I actually heard the other day that kids 14-21 check their accounts 20 times per day on average.It truly is addicting and a great way to reconnect and stay connected with everyone you want in your life.
So just "DO IT"...Join a social networking site- reconnect with friends you haven't seen or spoken with for years, whatever the reason, its never to late to reconnect! You will love it!
You never know, you just might find that a neighbor is a long lost friend!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Unofficial end of Summer.....and the Beginning of the KS State Fair
The Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. The change of seasons is one of greatest things about living in Kansas. Waiting on that first "cool" front to take the edge off of the summer heat and humidity is a great thing! Being a weather geek, I knew that last weeks cool front was the first sign that the summer heat would becoming to an end. No more two to three week stretches of 100 plus degree temperatures and high humidities. No more national debt electricity bills because the air conditioner runs twenty four seven. Relief in site for the dying lawns, which this year seemed to be extremely prevalent around my neighborhood.. Finally, no more stepping out the door and being drenched- that's one of the worst things about summer, especially this year, the humidity was like living along the Gulf coast without the coast.
Don't get me wrong, I like summer, but only for about 1 month, then I am over it. The only downside to Fall is that the Fall weather patterns can give my arthritis heck. The jetstream starts to strengthen and moves South from Canada, thats when I become the "human barometer". Pressure differences typically dont affect most people, but in the last couple of years I can tell you when a storm is within a few hundred miles.
Fall is definately coming, and that gives me many things to look forward to. Besides those refreshing cool fronts, there are many thing I look forward to.. Football is number one- High School, College and Pro. Bring on those "boys of Fall" , as a friend said recently. We have a fantastic High school program and it is always nice to take in a couple of games at our new state of the art football stadium.
Another thing I like about this time of year is the Kansas State Fair. As a kid I lived a block away on 24th Street, just East of Plum St. In the 70's the carnival would come into town by rail and tractors would bring in the rides and concessions, it was a spectacular site to sit in the church parking lot on our bikes and watch everything come together. Especially for a kid who thirsted all year long for those annual 10 days of fun. Living so close to the grounds it wouldn't be out of the question to go 5 or 6 times and a couple times we would go twice in one day. It wasnt cheap going to the fair so I launched what would be my first business. We had a undeveloped lot on the corner down the street from my house, which was a block from the entrance on 23rd St.. When I was in middle school the owner of the property gave me permission to park cars there, we could park 75-100 cars per day. Weekends were the best and busiest days for my little money making venture. I got half of the $3 or $4 per car fee we charged, I was rich!!. Me and a couple of neighborhood friends would bring our lawn chairs to the lot around 7AM every Saturday and Sunday and someone would stay until after the Night Show started which was about 7:30 if I am remembering correctly.. It was a cash cow which allowed me and my buddies to have a ton of spending money for the rides, "Fair food "(the food that you can only get for those10 days) and of course those games of chance. We would have to try and try and try to win one of those 3ft tall, brightly colored, stuffed animals that you always see people carrying around. I became the master of shooting baskets throught a small sized hoop and tossing softballs into a tilted bushel basket without them falling out . I cannot remember how much the "master" title cost me, but it wasn't cheap- I didnt care because I was a high roller!
We parked cars for 2 or 3 years and had a great time doing so until the lot was sold and a new house was built. To this day I think the reason I still like the Fair so much is that it was something I always looked forward to, almost as much as Christmas..It was a big part of my childhood and definately part of my neighborhood. I could go on and on with fair stories..maybe in another blog..
Enjoy the unofficial beginning of FALL and the Kansas State Fair..I hope you can create some great memories!
Don't get me wrong, I like summer, but only for about 1 month, then I am over it. The only downside to Fall is that the Fall weather patterns can give my arthritis heck. The jetstream starts to strengthen and moves South from Canada, thats when I become the "human barometer". Pressure differences typically dont affect most people, but in the last couple of years I can tell you when a storm is within a few hundred miles.
Fall is definately coming, and that gives me many things to look forward to. Besides those refreshing cool fronts, there are many thing I look forward to.. Football is number one- High School, College and Pro. Bring on those "boys of Fall" , as a friend said recently. We have a fantastic High school program and it is always nice to take in a couple of games at our new state of the art football stadium.
Another thing I like about this time of year is the Kansas State Fair. As a kid I lived a block away on 24th Street, just East of Plum St. In the 70's the carnival would come into town by rail and tractors would bring in the rides and concessions, it was a spectacular site to sit in the church parking lot on our bikes and watch everything come together. Especially for a kid who thirsted all year long for those annual 10 days of fun. Living so close to the grounds it wouldn't be out of the question to go 5 or 6 times and a couple times we would go twice in one day. It wasnt cheap going to the fair so I launched what would be my first business. We had a undeveloped lot on the corner down the street from my house, which was a block from the entrance on 23rd St.. When I was in middle school the owner of the property gave me permission to park cars there, we could park 75-100 cars per day. Weekends were the best and busiest days for my little money making venture. I got half of the $3 or $4 per car fee we charged, I was rich!!. Me and a couple of neighborhood friends would bring our lawn chairs to the lot around 7AM every Saturday and Sunday and someone would stay until after the Night Show started which was about 7:30 if I am remembering correctly.. It was a cash cow which allowed me and my buddies to have a ton of spending money for the rides, "Fair food "(the food that you can only get for those10 days) and of course those games of chance. We would have to try and try and try to win one of those 3ft tall, brightly colored, stuffed animals that you always see people carrying around. I became the master of shooting baskets throught a small sized hoop and tossing softballs into a tilted bushel basket without them falling out . I cannot remember how much the "master" title cost me, but it wasn't cheap- I didnt care because I was a high roller!
We parked cars for 2 or 3 years and had a great time doing so until the lot was sold and a new house was built. To this day I think the reason I still like the Fair so much is that it was something I always looked forward to, almost as much as Christmas..It was a big part of my childhood and definately part of my neighborhood. I could go on and on with fair stories..maybe in another blog..
Enjoy the unofficial beginning of FALL and the Kansas State Fair..I hope you can create some great memories!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Introducing my blog...... BLOG 462
Thanks for taking a few minutes to check out my blog. I have thought about starting a blog for a few months, God knows I have a lot to say about a lot of things. This first blog will let you know a little about me.
I was born in Hutchinson Kansas in 1965....do I still have your interest?
Seriously though, Hutchinson Kansas is my hometown and I am living back in what locals call the "Salt City" ( due to all the salt mines under our community--miles and miles of underground salt mines), after most recently living in Lenexa a suburb of Kansas City.
I had the best job and worked for the best company in the entire world unitl January of 2008.
When I woke up one morning late September 2007, I had the worst pain in both of my shoulders and upper arms. I could not lift the sheets off of me without incredible difficulty because of the intense pain--it was an dull achy pain that was constant and miserable and it intensified with movement or resistance.
I had been seeing a rhuematologist for arthritis in my knees so I called and was able to get an appointment that day. My doctor was on top of things, he knew immediatelt that I was hurting and was concerned that with my family's arthritis and auto immune history something serious might be going on, especially with the symptoms I was describing. He immediately ordered tons of blood work, xrays and some specialized genetic testing to see if I had a gene that could possibly allow me to get Ankylosing Spondylitis, an arthritic disease my father had.
I worked from home while wating for the results of my blood work as I couldn't travel. My job required me to travel 3-4 days a week and in no way could I schlep a computer bag that weighed 35 lbs and luggage while flying all over the Central US. It took about 10 days to get the specialized tests back. The great thing was even though I couldn't travel, as long as I had a computer and phone I could work anywhere. I just wouldnt be in front of customers for a while and my company was incredibly understanding as I was one of their topgys. I went back into the Dr's office after they call me expecting the hear the result and they had found something and I would need to do this and that and I would be fine. That day, unbeknowst to me would be the beginning of my medical mystery.
The results were negative for my fathers disorder and many other significant non-curable deadly diseases that he had tested me for. Muscular Dystrophy, Polymyositis, Lou Gehrigs disease, HIV and several others were all ruled out...THANK GOD! The arthritis indicators that were also tested showed some elevation and he thought what I was experiencing might be arthritis moving into my shoulders. He decided to treat me with non-steriodial anti-inflammatory meds, steriod injections and pain pills. He injected me in both shoulder joints on a Friday and by Monday I was a NEW person. The pain was almost nonexistent........for about 2 weeks.
The Dr continued to test my blood every month looking for changes; nothing was changing except for my pain, it was getting worse and it was actually moving on to other joints and tendons. It was always on both sides of my body not just one side, it was like it was mirroring itself. The steriods made me feel great for 2-3 weeks, he couldnt keep giving me the injections so he started me on prednisone orally. That worked well with my other meds and made me feel better but I was packing on the pounds and being very nasty to loved ones and my friends tat really cared about me. I was also seeing orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists and physical therapists to try and find out what was going on with me as I was getting frustrated and he knew it. I had 3 months of vacation I had to use while all this was going on. I was so lucky that my company worked with me while all of this was going on, anyone else in any other company would have probably been let go.
Hers is the kicker.......
It is almost 3 years since my health started giving me problems.I have been treated for Erosive Rheumatiod Arthritis, Rheumatiod Arthtitis, Fibromyalgia, Osteo-arthritis, developed sleep apnea, gained 60 lbs from the massive steroid usage, been to Mayo Clinic, 4 Rheumatologists, 2 Neurologists, 3 Orthopaedic surgeons and I still DO NOT have a diagnosis. PLUS......
The initial pain has spread from my shoulders and upper arms to my wrists, fingers, neck, hips, knees, ankles and feet....and I still do not have a DIAGNOSIS or TREATMENT PLAN to get me better so I can be a productive part of society and get back to work, back to my dream job! VERY FRUSTRATING!!
Again, thank goodness for my company, they had a disability retirement type policy that they had on all of the middle managers and executives which has saved me from financial ruin- if they hadn't cared I would be screwed...
My bloodwork has not improved, it has actually gotten worse - it still shows significant inflammation and things that are not normal. One recent item is that my Vitamin D level is 5, the normal is 80. I will be seeing an Endcrinologist at KU Med in Wichita towards the end of the month.
The reason I tell you all of this is so you can see my reason for wanting to blog. I have had 3 years of feeling like poop to think about many things from when I was a kid until now. There are lots of great stories to tell and the things that are important to me I want to share . I have developed several thoughts on several things, and NO not just politics, religion and gay rights.LIke I said, I have many thoughts and ideas I want to share so I thought to myself, what better way to share them then through a blog.
Hope you comeback and check in from time to time, this is great therapy for my mind- and you just might find my blogs to be pretty interesting......
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend- Fall is in the air here in Kansas, it will be a perfect weekend weatherwise!
JP
I was born in Hutchinson Kansas in 1965....do I still have your interest?
Seriously though, Hutchinson Kansas is my hometown and I am living back in what locals call the "Salt City" ( due to all the salt mines under our community--miles and miles of underground salt mines), after most recently living in Lenexa a suburb of Kansas City.
I had the best job and worked for the best company in the entire world unitl January of 2008.
When I woke up one morning late September 2007, I had the worst pain in both of my shoulders and upper arms. I could not lift the sheets off of me without incredible difficulty because of the intense pain--it was an dull achy pain that was constant and miserable and it intensified with movement or resistance.
I had been seeing a rhuematologist for arthritis in my knees so I called and was able to get an appointment that day. My doctor was on top of things, he knew immediatelt that I was hurting and was concerned that with my family's arthritis and auto immune history something serious might be going on, especially with the symptoms I was describing. He immediately ordered tons of blood work, xrays and some specialized genetic testing to see if I had a gene that could possibly allow me to get Ankylosing Spondylitis, an arthritic disease my father had.
I worked from home while wating for the results of my blood work as I couldn't travel. My job required me to travel 3-4 days a week and in no way could I schlep a computer bag that weighed 35 lbs and luggage while flying all over the Central US. It took about 10 days to get the specialized tests back. The great thing was even though I couldn't travel, as long as I had a computer and phone I could work anywhere. I just wouldnt be in front of customers for a while and my company was incredibly understanding as I was one of their topgys. I went back into the Dr's office after they call me expecting the hear the result and they had found something and I would need to do this and that and I would be fine. That day, unbeknowst to me would be the beginning of my medical mystery.
The results were negative for my fathers disorder and many other significant non-curable deadly diseases that he had tested me for. Muscular Dystrophy, Polymyositis, Lou Gehrigs disease, HIV and several others were all ruled out...THANK GOD! The arthritis indicators that were also tested showed some elevation and he thought what I was experiencing might be arthritis moving into my shoulders. He decided to treat me with non-steriodial anti-inflammatory meds, steriod injections and pain pills. He injected me in both shoulder joints on a Friday and by Monday I was a NEW person. The pain was almost nonexistent........for about 2 weeks.
The Dr continued to test my blood every month looking for changes; nothing was changing except for my pain, it was getting worse and it was actually moving on to other joints and tendons. It was always on both sides of my body not just one side, it was like it was mirroring itself. The steriods made me feel great for 2-3 weeks, he couldnt keep giving me the injections so he started me on prednisone orally. That worked well with my other meds and made me feel better but I was packing on the pounds and being very nasty to loved ones and my friends tat really cared about me. I was also seeing orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists and physical therapists to try and find out what was going on with me as I was getting frustrated and he knew it. I had 3 months of vacation I had to use while all this was going on. I was so lucky that my company worked with me while all of this was going on, anyone else in any other company would have probably been let go.
Hers is the kicker.......
It is almost 3 years since my health started giving me problems.I have been treated for Erosive Rheumatiod Arthritis, Rheumatiod Arthtitis, Fibromyalgia, Osteo-arthritis, developed sleep apnea, gained 60 lbs from the massive steroid usage, been to Mayo Clinic, 4 Rheumatologists, 2 Neurologists, 3 Orthopaedic surgeons and I still DO NOT have a diagnosis. PLUS......
The initial pain has spread from my shoulders and upper arms to my wrists, fingers, neck, hips, knees, ankles and feet....and I still do not have a DIAGNOSIS or TREATMENT PLAN to get me better so I can be a productive part of society and get back to work, back to my dream job! VERY FRUSTRATING!!
Again, thank goodness for my company, they had a disability retirement type policy that they had on all of the middle managers and executives which has saved me from financial ruin- if they hadn't cared I would be screwed...
My bloodwork has not improved, it has actually gotten worse - it still shows significant inflammation and things that are not normal. One recent item is that my Vitamin D level is 5, the normal is 80. I will be seeing an Endcrinologist at KU Med in Wichita towards the end of the month.
The reason I tell you all of this is so you can see my reason for wanting to blog. I have had 3 years of feeling like poop to think about many things from when I was a kid until now. There are lots of great stories to tell and the things that are important to me I want to share . I have developed several thoughts on several things, and NO not just politics, religion and gay rights.LIke I said, I have many thoughts and ideas I want to share so I thought to myself, what better way to share them then through a blog.
Hope you comeback and check in from time to time, this is great therapy for my mind- and you just might find my blogs to be pretty interesting......
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend- Fall is in the air here in Kansas, it will be a perfect weekend weatherwise!
JP
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