I am in San Francisco right now, participating in the Pride activities and about to meet some people too. As this is my first-ever big city Pride event, I am going to really savor the experience.
Lots of weird things around the Civic Center Plaza today - though the juicy stuff, including a show by BoA of South Korea, won't happen until tomorrow. I also expect to have some time with a number of activists in the trans and lesbian communities - including Calpernia Addams, the lovely redheaded transwoman actress.
For now, I expect to get together with local trans activists to spend the evening and see how things turn out. I hope to leave some words of wisdom (whatever shallow wisdom I can dig up anyway, primarily from being able to watch the Prop 8 fight last year from a foreign vantage point) with the trans activists, as well as some of the Equality California (the No on 8 group) staffers.
Due to a nasty foot blister, and due to my disagreements with some of the political agenda, I decided not to be part of the Dyke March, about to happen in 45 minutes in Dolores Park. But I hope to enjoy everything else to the fullest. Even if it comes down to having to endure some really ugly-looking penises of a few exhibitionists at Civic Center! (Seriously, this hardcore lesbian would rather look at a clit and some expanses of carpet.)
27 June 2009
25 June 2009
Michael Jackson dead
Word has just trickled in that Michael Jackson was found unconscious at his Bel Air mansion shortly after noon today, and that he was pronounced dead about 20 minutes ago.
Earlier today, fashion icon Farrah Fawcett passed away - and now Jacko, one of the greatest names in pop music, has died at only 50.
I don't even know what to say - I never was much of a Jacko fan but certainly listened to him more than I cared for in the 1980s and into the 1990s. His music is part of many people's memories from the era, and he will certainly be missed.
Earlier today, fashion icon Farrah Fawcett passed away - and now Jacko, one of the greatest names in pop music, has died at only 50.
I don't even know what to say - I never was much of a Jacko fan but certainly listened to him more than I cared for in the 1980s and into the 1990s. His music is part of many people's memories from the era, and he will certainly be missed.
14 June 2009
Automotive Statements
Some automotive statements seen today at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, one of two large-scale Unitarian congregations in Pasadena (Throop is the other), my home church, and a rare island of sanity in the Southern California theocracy.
My car on the left, complete with vanity plate and Korean domestic market style re-badging. I never thought I'd go all the way with the re-badging, but after doing the wheel caps, I had to also add the front emblem, and before long, re-doing the rear became a requirement.
To the right is a Toyota RAV4 belonging to a church member. It's got lots of pro-Obama bumper stickers, and the owner proudly proclaims his/her membership in the Religious Left. In a region where the Religious Right owns the political discourse, a sight like this is always a gem to behold.
This hardcore lesbian loves this vanity plate, seen at the church as well on a Chrysler minivan. It also happens to be the pricier Yosemite vanity plate that funds various conservation projects at Yosemite National Park. By contrast, my plain vanity plate is designated as an "environmental" plate, and California DMV funds various environmental programs of its choosing using the vanity plate surcharge.
Neighborhood Church was a major force in leading to California's gay marriage legalization on May 15, 2008, and one of the major mobilizers against Proposition 8, which overturned the legalization when passed by the voters on November 4, 2008. The church's straight members are even more committed to gay marriage rights than most gays themselves, and this commitment to social justice is truly inspiring.
Today's church service was done in the form of a review of the past fiscal year, and after the service, the members held an election to decide on the church policy for the following fiscal year. There was major emphasis on the fate of California's gay marriage, both in its legalization and in its re-ban, as the church had been so involved.
It's nice to be back in touch with friendlier people again. Hoping to carry this good spirit forward!
My car on the left, complete with vanity plate and Korean domestic market style re-badging. I never thought I'd go all the way with the re-badging, but after doing the wheel caps, I had to also add the front emblem, and before long, re-doing the rear became a requirement.To the right is a Toyota RAV4 belonging to a church member. It's got lots of pro-Obama bumper stickers, and the owner proudly proclaims his/her membership in the Religious Left. In a region where the Religious Right owns the political discourse, a sight like this is always a gem to behold.
This hardcore lesbian loves this vanity plate, seen at the church as well on a Chrysler minivan. It also happens to be the pricier Yosemite vanity plate that funds various conservation projects at Yosemite National Park. By contrast, my plain vanity plate is designated as an "environmental" plate, and California DMV funds various environmental programs of its choosing using the vanity plate surcharge.Neighborhood Church was a major force in leading to California's gay marriage legalization on May 15, 2008, and one of the major mobilizers against Proposition 8, which overturned the legalization when passed by the voters on November 4, 2008. The church's straight members are even more committed to gay marriage rights than most gays themselves, and this commitment to social justice is truly inspiring.
Today's church service was done in the form of a review of the past fiscal year, and after the service, the members held an election to decide on the church policy for the following fiscal year. There was major emphasis on the fate of California's gay marriage, both in its legalization and in its re-ban, as the church had been so involved.
It's nice to be back in touch with friendlier people again. Hoping to carry this good spirit forward!
09 June 2009
Update on Vital Records
I discussed South Korean vital records - especially as I was obtaining them myself six months ago.
I'm pleased to say that I have taken the next step with those vital records. Proper paperwork has now been filed with the South Korean consulate in Los Angeles, to inform them of my US citizenship, and therefore deactivate my records. A certified copy of the deactivated records will be mailed to me from the consulate, once the records are processed and deactivated in South Korea.
This is a step that I've looked forward to for a long time, but couldn't quite carry out due to my lack of understanding of South Korean laws. But I'm glad that I've gone through it. For now, it makes clear that I am no longer the subject of the treasonous 2MB government in Seoul.
And after a saner government takes power in Seoul, I will continue to benefit. My status is now clear - an foreigner with former South Korean nationality - and that status makes me eligible for a wide range of rights in South Korea, should I decide that I need them. For starters, I am eligible for a two-year residency visa that can be renewed indefinitely, and that visa also allows economic activities and all other rights of a South Korean, except military service and voting. Even South Korean nationality, with full rights, is possible - though it'd be treated as a "restoration" rather than a "naturalization." (I'd be expected to renounce my US citizenship within six months, if I take this route.)
A more likely scenario, however, would be for me to use the South Korean papers in my possible future application for Canadian residency. The Canadians would certainly want to see my current papers for US citizenship, but would also want to see official documentation of my birthplace information. My identity change and other relevant information can easily be supplied from the US court records.
In any case, this step is a win-win for me - and I am glad that I can move on with my life.
I'm pleased to say that I have taken the next step with those vital records. Proper paperwork has now been filed with the South Korean consulate in Los Angeles, to inform them of my US citizenship, and therefore deactivate my records. A certified copy of the deactivated records will be mailed to me from the consulate, once the records are processed and deactivated in South Korea.
This is a step that I've looked forward to for a long time, but couldn't quite carry out due to my lack of understanding of South Korean laws. But I'm glad that I've gone through it. For now, it makes clear that I am no longer the subject of the treasonous 2MB government in Seoul.
And after a saner government takes power in Seoul, I will continue to benefit. My status is now clear - an foreigner with former South Korean nationality - and that status makes me eligible for a wide range of rights in South Korea, should I decide that I need them. For starters, I am eligible for a two-year residency visa that can be renewed indefinitely, and that visa also allows economic activities and all other rights of a South Korean, except military service and voting. Even South Korean nationality, with full rights, is possible - though it'd be treated as a "restoration" rather than a "naturalization." (I'd be expected to renounce my US citizenship within six months, if I take this route.)
A more likely scenario, however, would be for me to use the South Korean papers in my possible future application for Canadian residency. The Canadians would certainly want to see my current papers for US citizenship, but would also want to see official documentation of my birthplace information. My identity change and other relevant information can easily be supplied from the US court records.
In any case, this step is a win-win for me - and I am glad that I can move on with my life.
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