Passover and Activism

Passover is a day where we celebrate freedom and commemorate the Jews "coming out" of Egypt. I think that Passover is the Jewish holiday that has the strongest connection to activism that I know of. Freedom is something that we in the LGBT community do not have yet. We cannot come out openly into our metaphorical Egypt and we have no guiding force like Moshe to lead us out. Which is why even the people in the back can do their part to help start the journey. Even in the passover story every action has a reaction. Moshe's mom did not want to let her baby die and put herself in danger to protect him, it was a small action that produced a huge reaction. Just remember all of the things you can do, no matter how small they seem to make a difference. You can organize Day of Silence at your school which could lead to huge numbers of people joining your GSA and then you guys organizing a rally, and so on. Its like that Disney song. The "Friends for Change" http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/friendsforchange/ program is focused on the environment and helping kids to do their part in helping to save the planet. Their main message is that kids can do something to change the world even if it is that one little thing. The Jewish people all worked together to get out of Egypt and do something great. The Friends for Change program seeks to work with kids, just as Moshe worked with the Jewish people. This lesson about passover something that I think should be shared at every Seder and included in every Hagaddah because it is something that everyone needs to know.

"With one little action the chain reaction
We'll help it start
Make it strong
Shine a light and send it on" - Disney's Friends for Change, Send it On

Thank you and have a Happy Passover

Constant Dilligance

If you want to do something you have to be constant and diligent about it. I really want this blog and my website to take off so I put alot of work into it. I take time away from things that other kids my age do so that I can be the real activist I want to be. I love what I am doing and I would never want to do anything else. This is my passion, I am diligent, professional, loving and very persistent in what I do. My activism spans across all the areas of my life, from hanging out with my friends, to school project and it is my weekends, it even is in my religion. I work with an organization called keshet which connects Judaism with LGBT activism. I have such a love for the youth that I work with and that I am. I know that one day my work will impact many many kids out there. I know that even if it just impacts one, I can feel good about what I'm doing. Before the internet kids didnt have a place to go when no one else was there and they were feeling alone about their sexuality. Now, there are many places like that, but I want to create a place where kids can help other kids help themselves. I would really appreciate your help to do that because I know that by working together we can make the LGBT world a better place. 

Sacrifice

If you really want something you have to be willing to sacrifice for it. I want so badly to be in, run and organize in my GSA but I cannot do that right now due to parental restrictions ( and let me make this absolutely clear it has nothing to do with me being gay) but I am willing to sacrifice that right now so that I can do it next year. I can still go to my group but I wanted to be active in the school and I still do. But there are things you have to be willing to put on hold to do what is right. I will probably have to wait until break to volunteer for the organization medwiser but I know that once I do I will have a great feeling that will make it worth the wait. I know that everyone needs to make priorites and that its important to do what you love, but there is a right time for everything and maybe now just isnt the right time.

"I want some happily ever after to happen to me"- Happily Ever After, Once Upon a Mattress

P.S Please 1. Nominate me for student advocate of the year on GLSEN
2. sponsor me for the NYC AIDS walk

Stress

Stress is something that happens to everyone, wether you happen to be an LGBT activist who on top of her "job" also has school work and a dramatic production, or a regular hardworking guy who has to provide for his family everyday stress will eat you alive if you dont deal with it right. I know that with Day of Silence coming up we all feel the stress to put on our best for what most likely is the biggest LGBT student activist day of the year. We are all putting our heads together trying to figure out why and how we can make 2010 the best DOS ever and how our school can grow and show solidarity.  The truth is you just have to really believe in what your doing, be intrested and be pumped. Make priorities, lists whatever it takes to get the job done right. Remember that balance is important and that you cant let your schoolwork take a back seat to your extracurriculars (trust me it happens). Remember that there are people there to help you no matter what, so don't be afraid to step back for a little bit and let others take the wheel. Its the ability to step back that makes you a real leader. Try your hardest and that will be the best you can do, dont worry too much but have fun!

"Were like 3 different people with only 1 (heart) the king and the minstrel and I" The King and The minstrel and I, Once Upon a Mattress

P. S on a personal note , it would be really awesome if you guys voted for me for student advocate of the year for GLSEN, email me or comment for more info.

Gov 2.0, Technology and LGBT Activisim

Gov 2.0 is all about the transparency of our government right? It's the ability to be able to show the people exactly what the government and what it's officials are doing. Technology is the only answer because its environmentally friendly, can be accessed almost anywhere and is available to a wide variety of people. Technology and Government sound like they should go hand and hand right? But some people in government don't want transparency and technology because they don't want to be held accountable for their actions. If people could see all the wrong doings in government, employees might become more efficient. Corruption might decrease. What a shame that would be for people who mess around in government.  People might recognize that the government is denying people what they need because of corrupt politicians who only want what's best for them and don't have the peoples best interests at heart. What does this have to do with LGBT Activism? There are 2 bills in the house right now called the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non Discrimination Act. The politicians who vote no on this are the same ones who who don't want this transparency. This is on both sides of the isle. It needs to stop. Gov 2.0 needs to happen and stay in place because people need to know the truth about their government and their interests in politics.

Thanks to Adriel Hampton (@adrielhampton on twitter) for getting me interested in Gov 2.0 and The Engadget team for helping me connect LGBT Activism and Technology!

crazy studying is crazy studying which leaves me no time for anything! ahhhhh omg! english and ssx3 + chem = study face of steele! so now what??? Day of silence thats what! dayofsilence.org is amazing, the people there are amazing and I feel amazing (apart from more than legit failing my math test! go day of silence now!!!!!!

Today is one of my BFF's birthdays! He is like the coolest kid ever. I love brithdays, not just for me but for everybody. It makes you feel good about yourself, either because you love that person so much or because you are that person that everyone loves. I love my life right now. This morning, I completley forgot everything (including some important stuff), but it felt so good. Living in the moment is amazing because you dont really have anything to worry about. I love everyone from my play too, their all so nice and amazing. They know exactly how I'm like and they accept me, jusr like my friends do. You need to pave the way for yourself before you pave it for others. That is what i am trying to do right now.  I want to pave that road and I will. I love.....

"shy im incredibly shy cant you see that this confident air is a mask that I wear cuz im shy, and you may be sure, way down deep I'm demure, and though some might deny it at bottom I'm quiet and pure. I know its wrong to be meek as I am my chances may pass me by, I pretend to be strong but as weak as I am all I can do is try" - Shy, Once Upon a Mattress