Law of Numbers: 2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

Chapter 29

Matthew Shepard Foundation
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in 1998. The Foundation focuses on three primary areas: erasing hate in our society, helping youth organizations establish environments where young people can feel safe and be themselves and fighting for equality for all LGBT Americans. Keep abreast of the latest news from the Foundation, including the progress of the Matthew Shepard Act in Congress, on the organization's website. You can also share your story, donate and support the work of the organization.

At the conclusion of one of his killer's trials on November 4, 1999, Matthew's father, Dennis, delivered a moving speech in open court. It is one of those speeches that leave you breathless with despair as his words pierce your heart. Take the few minutes to listen to his wise and caring words about his son.

LGBT resources

(source: http://www.pbs.org/pov/beyondhatred/take_action.php)

American Civil Liberties Union: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project
The ACLU's LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education across five issue areas: relationships, schools & youth, parenting, transgender and discrimination. Site visitors can get more involved through the "Get Busy. Get Equal" initiative, which provides tools on how to achieve LGBT equality.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
This organization is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. GLAAD's website has a Calls to Action page that encourages people to get involved with media campaigns and report media defamation.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
This gay rights advocacy organization tracks hate crime statistics and has compiled state-by-state status reports on anti-hate crimes legislation. Learn about specific issues and actions in your state.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has grassroots chapters around the United States that provide support and services to LGBT people and their families.

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
The Southern Poverty Law Center fights discrimination and works on tolerance education programs. The group's website provides information on hate crimes, including documentation of hate incidents, and a hate groups map. You can add yourself to SPLC's Stand Strong Against Hate map to indicate your opposition to racism in your community. You can also find out about more ways to take action, and you can subscribe to email news updates and donate to the cause.

Anti-Violence Project
This organization, based in New York City, provides counseling, advocacy, a bilingual hotline for victims of violence and more. It is dedicated to eliminating hate violence and sexual assault, specifically toward the LGBT and HIV-affected communities. You can take action by donating to or volunteering for the Anti-Violence Project.

Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Lambda Legal's "Take Action" page offers ways for people to get involved and informed by signing up for updates and volunteering legal services, if applicable.

International Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)
This network of national and local groups works to campaign for LGBT rights around the world. Website visitors can find out about policies and actions in different regions, read articles about issues and join the organization.

Note from author: These are only a few resources that I have found helpful. I urge you though to look up local resources for your area and if none, take a chance, fight so that no one else has to be hurt by hate. Law of Numbers is fictional, but the the things they experienced are very real and maybe just maybe we as a society can come together and prevent what happened to my couple from happening to anyone else.

I want to thank all of you for your kind reviews and support of this story and the beautiful Whitlock family. It has been one hell of a journey :-)

Friday, April 26, 2013

Chapter 26

Blackhole Sun

Soundgarden

1994

Remember His Name

Documentary on James Byrd Jr.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Chapter 24

Here are some pictures I found online that were the inspiration for this chapter. I can so picture Liam, El and little Jasper in these. Can't you???

Granted, Liam's presentation was kicked up a notch but these still look yummy!

Ingredients:

French Toast:
1 tsp (5 mL) butter
4 slices bread
1/2 cup (125 mL) Egg Creations™ Cinnamon French Toast Blend
Fruit of your choice
4 skewers
Dip:
1/4 cup (50 mL) Plain Greek Style Yogurt
1 tbsp (15 mL) Smucker’s® Simple Blends® Summer Fruit Fruit Spread

Directions:

French Toast:
1. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Dip both sides of bread in Egg Creations and fry on both sides until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Carefully cut into strips and thread strips on skewers alternating with fruit.
Dip:
2. Combine all ingredients and serve.

source: http://www.smuckers.ca/recipes/French-Toast-Fruit-Kabobs-with-dip

Monday, April 22, 2013

Chapter 22

Another fantastic manip of the AWESOME Whitlock family by amandac3. My GOD! I truly love them so much

Some beautiful pictures I found online that just make me feel so AWWWWW

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Chapter 20

A fantastic manip of my man Liam by my girl amandac3 and all I can say is YOWZA!!!!!!!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Chapter 19

Some news videos of Rock Hudson

This is an NBC report of Rock Hudson's illness. This takes place in July 1985. This is the report I have Liam & El watching.

This is an NBC report of Rock Hudson's death.

Oct 2, 1985:

Hollywood icon Rock Hudson dies of AIDS

On this day in 1985, actor Rock Hudson, 59, becomes the first major U.S. celebrity to die of complications from AIDS. Hudson's death raised public awareness of the epidemic, which until that time had been ignored by many in the mainstream as a "gay plague."

Hudson, born Leroy Harold Scherer Jr., on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, was a Hollywood heartthrob whose career in movies and TV spanned nearly three decades. With leading-man good looks, Hudson starred in numerous dramas and romantic comedies in the 1950s and 60s, including Magnificent Obsession, Giant andPillow Talk. In the 1970s, he found success on the small screen with such series asMcMillan and Wife. To protect his macho image, Hudson's off-screen life as a gay man was kept secret from the public.

In 1984, while working on the TV show Dynasty, Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS. On July 25, 1985, he publicly acknowledged he had the disease at a hospital in Paris, where he had gone to seek treatment. The news that Hudson, an international icon, had AIDS focused worldwide attention on the disease and helped change public perceptions of it.

The first cases of AIDS were reported in 1981 and the earliest victims were gay men who often faced public hostility and discrimination. As scientists and health care officials called for funding to combat the disease, they were largely ignored by President Ronald Reagan and his administration. Rock Hudson was a friend of Reagan's and his death was said to have changed the president's view of the disease. However, Reagan was criticized for not addressing the issue of AIDS in a major public speech until 1987; by that time, more than 20,000 Americans had already died of the disease and it had spread to over 100 countries. By 2006, the AIDS virus had killed 25 million people worldwide and infected 40 million others.

source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hollywood-icon-rock-hudson-dies-of-aids

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Chapter 18

Sedona Arizona

The Enchantment Resort

The sites that El and Liam visited

Kachina's are small wooden dolls that represent various things in the real world. They are seen in a lot of the Southwestern tribes. I own several myself but I will list just one, those who know me will know why :-)

This is Tawa or sun kachina and it is said to represent life, growth, strength of spirit, and abundance.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Chapter 17

San Francisco

Yes, this was on an episode of Terra Nova and was the inspiration for the, ummm, scene in this chapter

The Warwick Regis Hotel

Some of the sites they visited including the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park (which houses many beautiful museums and walkways), Fisherman's Wharf and a ride on a Cable Car.