GAY, SPORTS, MITCHAM AND NBC

The answer to the question about why the Australian gold metal winner was not a "story" on NBC's and other newspaper coverage of the platform diving event is because sports in general is very homophobic as are the directors, writers, producers, cameramen and commentators.

If a news agency does not cover gay stories with the same integrity as they do “straight” ones or they cover one without the other, than something else is at point then just “not being able to cover every story,” as the NBC spokesperson has said.

News services around the world knew that gold medalist Mathew Mitcham was gay; he has been on the front page of every gay publication worldwide; and it is reported that Mr. Mitcham would tell "anyone that would listen" in Beijing that he is gay. Now he is the first openly gay man to win such a prize.

That leaves NBC's reason for not covering his heartfelt story to either sloppy journalism or homophobia. The 20 year old Mitcham’s victories in life and in sport are in every way news of the first degree -- the best kind. So I defer to homophobia being the reason and suggest that a general boycott of NBC by its gay friendly sponsors should be the response.

If you are interested in telling NBC your thoughts email them at nbcsports@nbcuni.com .

REALLY SWEET ...

I have a friend who is always talking about not having an "affinity group". Ever one has one but white guys here ... in the US of A, especially when your family has lived here for hundreds of years, there isn't much you can tie your traditions down to. In fact even saying, "I'm a white guy." can get you into trouble.

Lately there has been a resurgence in Celtic things - prayers, dancing, music ... in those moments - the saying of words, the beat of the music, I have begun to feel as if those sound and movements speak to my soul on a deeply personal level ... one that some how speaks to my genes.

There is something very sweet about this song, its words and meaning, and the folks that sing them. Hear the words, understand the concept of Caledonia and then remember how nice it is for this one "white guy" to have discovered bit of his home.


There is another song by a member of the group called "Come by the Hills" ... it is so sweet, too ... check out DanceTM's page ... music speaks to each of us in so many different ways.



"Oh, but let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
And now I'm going home
If I should become a stranger
You know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything
I've ever had."

WELL SERVED BY ...

I suppose many "practicing Christians" might be put off by Profession Christine Hayes who is the Robert F. and Patricia Ross Weis Professor of Religious Studies in Classical Judaica at Yale.

A wonderful series of Yale on-line lectures including
a 24 part class by Ms. Hayes who I find is an incredible "light" to my Christian faith may be found here

Follow that link for other Yale Online Classes.

MAYBE NOT SO WELL ...

Read along with Bishop in his blog at: Canterbury Tales from the Fringe Sunday seemed like a sad day ...

GENE ROBINSON ... ALIVE AND WELL ...

This is a really good thing; listen to Bishop Gene Robinson ... Someone who has known him for a long time says that he has never changed, that he has always preached the same clear message ... I met him once here and he preached the same thing then, too. This particular sermon was interrupted by a heckler ... This is the work of God in our time.