Everything is Everything and Me...

9 days until Christmas 2007 and the count down to the beginning of New Year, 2008. Boy, where has the time gone? Well, it's been a whirlwind year of breaking news, fluid content, cutting edge graphics, savvy new links, updates galore and you my dear readers who've encouraged me to continue this effort as a public service to outreach to the GLBTQ community and beyond. I believe that 2007 has been a break through year for our forum as I've covered a host of local color, organizations, issues and world stage events that have reverberated back to our door steps. It's been a wonderful ride thus far and I look forward to taking CorneliusONpoint to the next level. Stay tuned, you ain't seen nothing yet!.....



Politically Speaking: In a previous post I mentioned my letter writing to our Capitol Hill represenatives about the controversial ENDA measure and was seeking others who expressed there sentiments to the body politic. One intrepid reader informed me that he had received a response via a letter on the matter from Rep. Vic Snyder.(D) I appreciated knowing that I wasn't alone and hopefully there were many of you who notified your Rep with your viewpoint not only about this measure but, all legislation that affects us all. I actually had a chance to personally meet with Rep Snyder(pictured) while being escorted by DC Activist Mike on a Capitol Hill Rally concerning AIDS Funding. Mr. Snyder has a notable voting record in legislation related to GLBTQ issues. This letter is unedited except for personal information. Thanks R.R. for keeping it real and of course, Onpoint!





December 13, 2007






Dear Mr. Ramsey:







Thank you for contacting me regarding the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007.Representative Barney Frank introduced H.R.2015 on April 24, 2007. If passed, this legislation would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Concerns over specific language in this bill prompted Representative Frank to introduce two new bills on September 27, 2007. H.R.3685 prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, while H.R.3686 prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Furthermore, H.R.3685 and H.R.3686 have broader religious exemptions than H.R.2015, making this legislation inapplicable to all religious organizations.On November 7, 2007, the House passed H.R.3685 passed the House by a vote of 235 to 184. H.R.3686 is currently in the House Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee. It is still unclear if this bill will come before the House during the 110th Congress. Thank you again for contacting me. Your views have been helpful.






Sincerely,





Vic Snyder

Member of Congress








Stonewall Recounts 07: Closing out 2007, the Stonewall Democrats have announced that the group will not meet during December,but will return in January 17 at 6 p.m. with a membership drive and electing new officers. According to a news release the caucus group listed it's accomplishments and goals for 2007. They are as follows:

STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Was recognized as a Caucus of the Arkansas Democratic Party
Joined and participated in the grassroots political organization Citizen's First Congress
Hosted an Arkansas Legislative Luncheon, attended by over 30 legislators to meet SDC members
Helped defeat AR SB959 (to ban gay foster parents) by educating legislative and state leaders
helped with voter registration – get out the vote events
held successful fun events:
Annual Yard Sale
Wine Tasting
Night at Weekend Theater
Presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Aimee Berry for her work to defeat SB959
co-sponsored Capital City PRIDE
Presented a 'Friend of the Community' award to Senator Jim Argue for his work to defeat SB959
Sponsored a full table at the Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
co-sponsored the JCCA CommUNITY Walk
Presented a Holiday donation to the 'Feed the Hungry' in Little Rock
Joined with other organizations to create a coalition to oppose the proposed 2008 ballot initiative to ban 'unmarried cohabitating' foster or adoptive parents in Arkansas

Dont' forget that 2008 will be an important election cycle and everyone will be needed to get out the vote. If you are interested in becoming a member go to there website for more info: http://www.stonewallarkansas.com/

Helping Mickey: The friend of Mickey & Colton Osborne demonstrated that compassion is a defining part of the GLBTQ community mix. Last Friday night, the mixer held at Sidetracks netted a reported $700.00 in cash and gifts for his relief/direct assistance fund. The outpouring of concern was admirable during this holiday season. His represenatives told me that they were amazed at the response as well as overwhelmed with the well wishes for his speedy recovery. The buffet, conversation and the "over the top" service from John helped make the evening a gratifying success. Kudos for coming together to helping one of our own. Let's keep the blessings flowing with more random acts of kindness.

KUAR Programming note: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow program will feature a segment on Kwanzza next Tudesday. The show will explore it's origins and the events that will be held in the greater LIttle Rock area. To give you a brief overview of the principles, I've listed them below. If you get a chance check out the show on KUAR 98.5

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES : Umoja (Unity)To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose)To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity)To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith)To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
FOUNDER'S 2007 MESSAGE"Kwanzaa and the Seven Principles : Creating a Shared Good in the World"by Kwanzaa founder Dr. Maulana Karenga The Founder's Welcome
As an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. Given the profound significance Kwanzaa has for African Americans and indeed, the world African community, it is imperative that an authoritative source and site be made available to give an accurate and expansive account of its origins, concepts, values, symbols and practice.
Moreover, given the continued rapid growth of Kwanzaa and the parallel expanded discussion of it and related issues, an authoritative source which aids in both framing and informing the discussion is likewise of the greatest importance. Therefore, the central interest of this website is to provide information which reveals and reaffirms the integrity, beauty and expansive meaning of the holiday and thus aids in our approaching it with the depth of thought, dignity, and sense of specialness it deserves.
The holiday, then will of necessity, be engaged as an ancient and living cultural tradition which reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person in community and culture, the well-being of family and community, the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it, and the rich resource and meaning of a people's culture. It is within this understanding, then, that the Organization Us, the founding organization of Kwanzaa and the authoritative keeper of the tradition, has established and maintains this website.

Dr. Maulana KarengaCreator of KwanzaaChair, The Organization UsChair, The National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO)

HAVE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE YET?? IF NOT, WHY NOT...DO IT TODAY! GO TO VOTEPULASKI.NET FOR MORE INFORMATION