ENTERTAINMENT - STAR TREK NEEDS A GAY CHARACTER AND HERE’S HOW TO DOIT: ONE TREKKIE’S PROPOSAL

by Dan Wohl | 12:28 pm, March 14th, 2013

I love Star Trek. I don’t think there’s any franchise more central to my geek life. There’s a lot of unreal universes out there that I enjoy learning about, but I’m sure there’s none that I would more like to actually live in than the optimistic idea of our future that is Star Trek.

The ’60s-produced original series included a woman of color bridge officer who was cited as an inspiration byMae Jemison (who became the first black woman in space) and Whoopi Goldberg (who ended up a Star Trek star herself). The more recent series’ increased speculative-science focus led Stephen Hawking, on a visit to the Next Generation set, to say “I’m working on that” when passing the warp core prop.

There’s so much to feel positive about in Star Trek, and over the decades it’s generally done a fine job of showing us how we could, and should, be. But there’s one particular area of social justice that the franchise has failed to live up to its standards on, and it remains a blight on the series in my estimation. I’m talking about the fact that there has never, despite years of promises and false starts, been an openly gay or lesbian character in the canon Star Trek universe.

But I have a proposal to change that. J.J. Abrams, if you’re listening, I think you should make Sulu gay.

http://www.themarysue.com/sulu-gay-trekkies/

SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION - WHEN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WAS A CHRISTIAN RITE

While the pairing of saints, particularly in the early Christian church, was not unusual, the association of these two men was regarded as particularly intimate. Severus, the Patriarch of Antioch (512 - 518 CE) explained that, "we should not separate in speech they [Sergius and Bacchus] who were joined in life". This is not a case of simple "adelphopoiia." In the definitive 10th century account of their lives, St. Sergius is openly celebrated as the "sweet companion and lover" of St. Bacchus. Sergius and Bacchus's close relationship has led many modern scholars to believe they were lovers. But the most compelling evidence for this view is that the oldest text of their martyrology, written in New Testament Greek describes them as "erastai,” or "lovers". In other words, they were a male homosexual couple. Their orientation and relationship was not only acknowledged, but it was fully accepted and celebrated by the early Christian church, which was far more tolerant than it is today.

Contrary to myth, Christianity's concept of marriage has not been set in stone since the days of Christ, but has constantly evolved as a concept and ritual.

http://www.christianity-revealed.com/cr/files/whensamesexmarriagewasachristianrite.html

HUMOR - Funniest Gay Marriage Signs and Memes

Clever Signs, Quotes and Cartoons Supporting Marriage Equality and Gay Rights

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bl-gay-marriage.htm

ENTERTAINMENT: Man Of Tomorrow: Superman, Orson Scott Card And Me

If Card were writing any other character — Ant-Man, Matter-Eater Lad, Batroc the Leaper — even a high profile character like Iron Man, whom he did write for a while — you wouldn't see this reaction.

Because Superman is different.

Superman is not just a superhero. He's the superhero. He created the very concept of the superhero, and everything that's touched on that concept for the past 75 years — we are talking vast swaths of popular culture — exists because of him. Regardless of how you feel about Superman and superheroes, you can't deny the cultural impact the character has made, and continues to make.

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/17/172229592/man-of-tomorrow-superman-orson-scott-card-and-me

POLITICS: Chart: Almost Every Obama Conspiracy Theory Ever

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2012/10/chart-obama-conspiracy-theories