Miscellaneous: May 2006 Archives

Having a church music director who also led a gay men’s chorus did not sit well with some parishioners at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roeland Park. So they asked the pastor to remove Joe Nadeau from his church post. [...] He says he was asked to leave because he denied the pastor’s request to stop leading the Heartland Men’s Chorus, to say he would be celibate, and state that he agreed with church teaching that homosexuality is a disorder. [...]

“I’ve done nothing illegal, nothing immoral,” said Nadeau, who takes the national stage soon as musical director for the closing ceremonies in July of the Gay Games in Chicago. “I’ve kept my private life separate from my work at the church.” [...]

Nadeau, 36, came to Kansas City eight years ago to lead the Heartland Men’s Chorus. [...] He said he told the pastor, the Rev. Donald Cullen, that he led the Heartland Men’s Chorus, saying he shouldn’t be hired if that posed a problem. He was hired. (source)

It’s too bad that he can’t sue. He has no protections in Kansas, and religious organizations have long been protected from laws prohibiting discrimination. It’s too bad though. This man kept the fact that he was also director of a gay men’s choir completely separate from being music director at a Catholic Church. And, he even told them prior to his employment that he was directing the gay men’s choir, and they hired him anyway.

I could understand it if he was open about it and they didn’t know he was gay to begin with.

Here’s a bit more on it from another source.

In January, the St. Agnes Catholic Church hierarchy summoned Nadeau into a closed-door meeting, he said. Monsignor Gary Applegate told Nadeau that to continue as music director, he needed to resign from Kansas City’s Heartland Men’s Chorus, take a vow of celibacy and acknowledge that homosexuality was a disorder, Nadeau said.

“Science and psychology have taught us that homosexuality isn’t a disorder,” said Nadeau. “If I had agreed to that, I would have felt like I was being very dishonest with myself. And I think there are a lot of parishioners who feel the same way.”

Officials with St. Agnes refused interview requests, and the Archdiocese of Kansas City said it would not discuss personnel issues. (source)

Anyway you slice this, it’s messed up.

As the nation observes the sacrifices of those in the military this Memorial Day, hundreds of gay and lesbian veterans are remembering LGBT fallen comrades.

It is impossible to make even a guess at the number of gays who have served their country in uniform since the American Revolution, but what is known is that openly gay officers have routinely been drummed out of the service. Even “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” the legislation signed by President Clinton that was to removed the military’s right to capriciously investigate the private lives of those in the military is a failure. (source)

I don’t want to make a political statement about Memorial Day. Everyone knows how I feel about gay military members who are forced to conceal their sexual orientation or face discharge. In the end, on the battle field, none of that matters, and to a dead soldier, alive or dead, it doesn’t matter.

I look forward to the day that news articles such as this one will not be published because that will mean that the military has learned that it really doesn’t matter the preferences of a person in this area. That has nothing to do with how they do their job. I think it’s sad that, as the military is ready and willing to discharge these soldiers, it is also ready to forget that when these soldiers signed up, they also signed up for all the dangers involved in military service. And that’s a tragedy. And, that is why I’m making this post. It is largely forgotten that they served and were discharged, or that they were killed on the battlefield.

I honor them. I honor their courage - extreme courage to serve; they have two enemies - one they may encounter on the battlefield, and the U.S. Military. The enemy on the battlefield who would like to kill them, or the U.S. Military who will either send them off to war knowing full well that they are gay, only later to kick them out when they are no longer needed - or just kick them out and be done with it if they weren’t able to lie well enough. This is what they face, and I honestly don’t know why they do it, other than the love they have for their country.

I hope that everyone has a safe Memorial Day. And remember, it’s not just another holiday that we don’t have to work. I think it is very sad that, dare I say most Americans look at this holiday in that light. They never stop to think of those who have given their lives so that they have the luxury of thinking of this day as just a day off.

It takes a real man to confess Jesus as Lord and savior. I’m not talking about no faggot or no sissy. Wait a minute! Let the real men come on down here and take a bow … all the real men. I’m talking about the straight men. - Bishop Alfred A. Owens Jr., pastor of Greater Mount Calvary Church in Northeast D.C. (source)

But don’t take my word for it. Listen to the audio sermon for yourself.

NAMPA (AP) -- After twice being rejected by the Nampa Public Library Board, a Nampa man has asked the Nampa City Council to remove “The Joy of Sex” and “The Joy of Gay Sex” from library shelves.

The council on Monday took no action, but told Randy Jackson and about 15 of his supporters that the Library Board will reconsider.

“We have a lot of kids in there,” said Nampa Mayor Tom Dale. “We need to have a safe place for them.” (source)

As if a library book would attack the kids...

I looked at the Joy of Gay Sex once and thought it was redundant. It failed to stimulate me mentally so other forms of stimulation just didn’t seem worth the trouble. Maybe I’m over analyzing it.

As for the library, it was probably in the “reference” section and would be invaluable for those in society who need a good “getting started” guide. Isn’t that what libraries are for, the sharing and distribution of information... in all its forms?

I received this in my email today... (NOTICE!! Do NOT read if you are easily offended!!). This is the kind of stuff I get all the time.

You will have to click below to expand the email. But I'm left wondering, why on earth would they be sending this to me, when all I really want right now in life is to enjoy espresso, and watch my fuchsias bloom?

And no... my latest addiction is NOT Vicodin! Yes, I had fun Friday with my little flirtatious fling with Vicodin, but the honeymoon is over I’m afraid. I’m feeling pretty much pain free from the oral surgery, so the Vicodin has been placed in the back of my medicine cabinet to be used for another life emergency that may happen another day. Moving on...

Espresso anyone? It seems that my tastes are changing as I get older. Is that normal? On the other hand, what is normal anymore?

I blame France for this! When I was there, it became a tradition to have espresso in the mornings. Actually, any time was good! So I got into the habit of having espresso. Of course, I was running around the city a lot, so it took a lot of energy to do that. When I would start running out of energy, I would keep my eye out for an espresso bar. There was never one too far away. The French also enjoy a nice cigar with their espresso. And sometimes, will even follow their espresso with Champagne.

This actually happened to me when I went to the Rodin Museum. Just down the street was a small pub. It also had tables outside, which was very typical for most of the restaurants in Paris. I went in to get an espresso. While I was there, some friend came in who apparently knew the owner. Suddenly, it was another round of espresso’s for everyone, including me!

After the espresso was served, they brought out Champagne with very large flutes. They poured a round for everyone, including me. We all toasted and while I took a sip of mine (it was 10 in the morning after all), they all downed theirs. Then, they collectively looked at me in an inquisitive and slightly disapproving way like only the French can do, as though I thought there was something wrong with my Champagne because I didn’t chug it down. So, I did. They applauded and filled the flutes up again! We did it again... And then a third time!

I then realized that I had to make a choice. I could either stay and get royally toasted on Champagne with these Frenchmen, or I could leave and stay on schedule. I excused myself, left the restaurant, and when I stepped outside on the curb, the effect of all that Champagne hit me. My first thought, “Where the hell am I?!??”, followed by, “Bill, get a grip!”. I got my bearings, and went to the Rodin Museum. I suppose, being the emotional sap that I am, the images had a more profound effect on me, with the help of the Champagne I’m sure.

After the museum, I went back to the same restaurant for another espresso, but alas, the party was over. I got another espresso, but the jovial mood of the place and moved somewhere else. Such is life in Paris.

Fast forward... after I got home to Connecticut, I kept wanting my espresso. Somehow, even though we have good coffee, something was just missing. So last weekend, we went to Williams-Sonoma to pick up an espresso machine.

I’m in heaven!!!