P8TT New Year’s thread
December 31, 2010
By Adam Bink
My holiday season has been quiet, then busy, then quiet. Which is exactly how it should be. I’m currently finishing the World’s Most Perfect Or Pretty Darn Close Noodle Kugel, which can be found at 2nd Avenue Deli in NYC, on 33rd between Lexington and 3rd. It’s sweet but not too sweet. It holds together perfectly. It’s browned and crispy just right. I couldn’t think of a better New Year’s Eve dinner centerpiece. Later I’ll be joining some friends and a whole lotta champagne to ring in 2011.
I’m not going to do a long 2010 reflection piece right now, but I think it would suffice to say three of the best highlights were the Prop 8 ruling, the NOM tours, and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. It is wonderful when work comes to fruition for all of us.
How was your holiday season, what are your favorite moments of 2010, and how are you spending New Year’s?
A very happy, healthy, and Courageous New Year’s to you all. See you on the flip side.
32 Comments
1.
Rhie | December 31, 2010 at 10:12 am
I'm once again sick at New Year's so I am just hanging out at home.
2.
fiona64 | January 3, 2011 at 3:30 am
I did exactly the same thing. I seem to spend more New Year's weekends (and my birthday, which is 1/2) in pajamas and blankets than the law should allow. I'm back in the office today, but I'm *dragging.*
Love,
Fiona
3.
Kathleen | December 31, 2010 at 10:16 am
Sorry to hear you're sick, Rhie.
For me, the highlight had to be participating in the creation of this wonderful community at P8TT. And then, Walker's decision, witnessing oral arguments in SF, meeting some of the P8TTers in person…. oh, there are just too many highlights to mention.
Happy New Year's to all my friends here, with hopes for a year full of Equality and Justice, Health and Love for all.
4.
Rhie | December 31, 2010 at 10:48 am
Agreed! Finding this community and meeting all kinds of wonderful people here and learning so much has been a huge blessing for me this past year!
Thank you for posting all of the legal docs so we can follow along the Prop 8 case and others.
5.
Ann S. | December 31, 2010 at 11:29 am
Ditto! I've made so many friends here and learned so much. Happy New Year, everybody!
6.
Ed Cortes | December 31, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Best wished to all of my P8TT friends for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! The best single event was Judge Walker's ruling. That is followed by the success of the DOMA challenges and the DADT repeal. The low point has been the total absence of any advocacy from the white house!
7.
Michelle Evans | December 31, 2010 at 10:19 am
Cherie and I are hoping that our marriage will be restored in 2011. We had such great victories in 2010, but nothing is final with the elimination of Prop 8 or DOMA. It was certainly a low point of the year to be told by the state we're no longer considered married. But we are married, and at this point the state can shove it! By this time next year, hopefully Prop 8 and DOMA will be bad memories long gong.
Tonight we are going out for wonderful dinner, and on New Years Day we have a whole bunch of friends coming by for a pot luck and movies. Wish some of our friends here at the P8TT could join us.
Happy 2011–Equality for All! in the coming year!!!!!
8.
Michelle Evans | December 31, 2010 at 10:20 am
Oops, hopefully my last typo of 2010–long gone, not long gong. :-)))
9.
Sagesse | December 31, 2010 at 10:20 am
Looking forward to 2011 :).
10.
MJFargo | December 31, 2010 at 11:00 am
Well, adding to the obvious (the fantastic ruling by Judge Walker, the challenges to DOMA and DADT), I'm also grateful for this site…and all the good people who participate. Happy New Year! I think next year will be even better.
11.
gregory in salt lake | December 31, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Happy new year from Las Vegas!
12.
Franck | December 31, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Hehe, besides the obvious and all, I'm glad I found so many people I could talk to and relate to.
I spent the new year chatting my man while babysitting my 12-year-old cousin. I could have done without the babysitting part, but well… At least I didn't have to deal (much) with drunk members of the family.
– Franck P. Rabeson
Days spent apart from my fiancé because of DOMA: 1289 days, as of today.
13.
Papa Foma | December 31, 2010 at 9:02 pm
You don't have to guess that my best moment was seeing Felyx and Kevyn together after having been introduced to one another on P8TT. They got a head start on New Years celebration, as Russia's time clock is ahead of ours! —
Papa Foma (Thom)
14.
Lesbians Love Boies | January 1, 2011 at 12:40 am
^ Everything said above ^
It is unusually cold right now – so I have been staying warm at home.
Happy New Year to all. Not sure this year will top last year – so so much happened – but my hopes are high.
15.
Lar/Freddy | January 1, 2011 at 1:16 am
I agree, it's too damn cold right now, we were in Bisbee for the evening and woke up this morning it was 23 degrees. Good thing we replaced the windows last week just in time for the cold front to move in.
I guess for me, it would first be the reapeal of DADT, then everything else that was accomplished this year but a big part was discovering P8TT and all the wonderful people on this site. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone, may 2011 be as fruitful for us as last year.
16.
Bob | January 1, 2011 at 3:05 am
Happy New Year, everyone, ditto to all above sentiments, especially the community here
LarFreddy, got me feeling chatty, cause I have two friends from here at home in Canada who are travelling down south, they are in Bisbee, on their road trip, and so I looked it up on google, and have to say what a charming little town it is, I love the little old houses and the quaint village centre…..
Just finished my christmas read, "the book of negroes" which I found on a friends discard pille, one that'sbeen on my list for a while, enjoyed it a lot, and thought of how long people have been working at freedom and equality, and all the struggles that have gone on for generations before us…
Our local village paper had a nice article thanking the LGBT community for their efforts in a project, they gathered all the books they have about our issues to donate to the local library, quite a collection so far, and quite a service to the community, expanding that section of reading it's sort of a reversal on ban the books, , pretty accomplised for a small community to welcome them…..
Thanks to p8tt, for providing me the opportunity to engage in activism from home, that few weeks of calling senators and engaging politicians, revived my enthusiasm and energy for activism,,,, and so I look forward to any ways (however minimal) I could add my voice to the ongoing advancement of human rights for all.. all the best to evryone in 2011
17.
Chris in Lathrop | January 1, 2011 at 1:16 am
May all our wishes for 2011 come true; may Franck's separation from his love finally end; may Michelle's marriage be completely restored; and may 2010's advances in equality be just the beginning!
Thank you to everyone here for all the knowledge I've gained, all the victories we've celebrated together, and especially the camaraderie. I admire each and everyone here! Happy 2011! 🙂
18.
Richard A. Jernigan | January 1, 2011 at 3:03 am
First off, you made me hungry mentioning noodle kugel. Next, I have spent lat night and today in Statesboro, GA, with my husband, as he is conducting our granddaughter's chasunah this evening, and I will be handcamming it. I made fresh challahs for this, and in addition to what normally goes into a Yom Tov challah, I added apples. So we had one yesterday at the rehearsal dinner, and we will have the other one this evening at the reception. Two challahs each of which used the full amount of the recipe, with raisins and apples inside, cinnamon sugar blend on top, and coiled like a turban. The sweets in the challah are representative of the life we hope our granddaughter and grandson have together, and the coil is to represent that we hope they have a long and joyful life together. So, yes, even though it is a busy two days, this is a happy way for us to begin 2011!
19.
Sheryl, Mormon Mothe | January 1, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Your description of the challahs made me hungry, Richard, and I just finished eating.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend New Year's Eve.
Sheryl, Mormon Mother
20.
Richard A. Jernigan | January 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm
It really was. The only downside is that at 3AM EST, the groom has to be on a plane back to California to get back to his school. Such is life when you have a member of the family in the Army.
21.
Ronnie | January 1, 2011 at 3:58 am
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!…. wowowowowowowoooowowowow…WOOT WOOT!!!!
I spent last night at the bar my cousin works at…good food…strong drinks…music…family…fun people…It's New Year's…..& now for a musical interlude……<3…Ronnie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk_R5awPMuM
22.
Ozymandias71 | January 1, 2011 at 6:51 am
Greetings to the P8TT community!
Today Josh and I are resting and watching Babylon 5's 3rd season. 🙂
There have been so many laughs and tears, personal testimonies, triumphs, losses and remembrances shared here – and THAT is the most profound and amazing thing about this online sanctuary.
Sure the Prop 8 trial was amazing, and the DADT repeal saga was better than anything on television, there was also all the animus, hostility and religious bigotry that has come out into the open, broadcast for all to see, including us and our allies. Statements that would bring universal condemnation if directed at any other group are condoned and used as rationale for governmental policy!
Yet in the midst of all this, the community here has provided tremendous support, encouragement and love for anyone who felt beaten down, isolated and outcasts. When people like Maggie or Brian spout their bigotry the P8TT community joins ranks to denounce such hatred, and provide a counter-balance that you won't find in many other places.
2011 will provide additional opportunities, challenges, victories and losses. It does me a world of good knowing the P8TT community will continue to stand together and support each other, while fighting the good fight for full equality!
Love to all,
Ozy
23.
Mandi | January 1, 2011 at 9:07 am
I'm thankful that one of my friends exposed me to the p8tt community almost a year ago. I'm thankful that we had such wonderful strides towards equality in 2010 and my biggest wish for 2011 is that my friend (the same one the introduced me to this site) will be able to visit her wife (they've been together at least 10years)in the hospital without lying and saying that they're sisters. May 2011 bring equal treatment under the law to every citizen in our country (including those citizens who wish to sponsor their beloved for citizenship). Blessed be )0(
24.
Bob | January 1, 2011 at 9:57 am
together we can make that happen Mandi, it's worth striving for,,,,
and for all of us who are happy to have found this community, and deep enduring well of information, resources , links, and friendship, sharing our common stories,,, don't forget to pay the piper…feed the messenger,,, help keep this space alive,,,,,
for those of us who can, donations are important,,,,, that's the other thing I liked about Adam Bink,,,, he's a guy that is so straight forward about the money thing,,,, and I like that,,, as much as I hate the money thing period, everyone asking for it…
it does take some cash that's the form of energy the internet uses to link people from everywhere together for a single purpose,,,,
one of the important lessons for me in 2010 was about money, and how some of us who are able can donate, to keep this site alive, so that others who aren't as able, can do their part and tell their stories and share links, and keep us coming back for more….
I'm so glad Rick came forward to admit he takes no salary, this truly feels like OUR community, let's value that, even moreso throughout 2011, woot woot to Courage Campaign,
25.
Richard A. Jernigan | January 1, 2011 at 10:08 am
Yes, and that is the biggest difference between the P8TT community and NOM. Our community is transparent about where the money comes from and where it goes.
26.
DaveP | January 1, 2011 at 12:35 pm
A few of the highlights for me…
1.After hearing that the trial would not be broadcast, searching the internet and stumbling upon this site just as the trial started. Reading the first of the live trial blogging and thinking ' is this for real?? are these folks really in the court house, writing this as the trial is happening?? Yes!! Awesome!!'
2. The flood of information and knowledge from Kathleen and others as things got under way. I remember thinking wow, this may be the only place where people are getting this kind of accurate, in-depth info about the trial and the legal process. It was pretty itimidating at first just trying to keep up, but it was very exciting to be learnign so much so fast about something so important.
3. The anti-Phelps rally at Hillsdale High School when the school Drama department performed The Laramie Project. I heard about it here at P8TT and decided to go and participate in the rally. When I got there I saw hundreds of high school students, almost all straight, standing up for equality and making it clear that bigotry was not welcome in their community. They showed me a glimpse of a very hopeful future.
4. Of course, the moment Walker's ruling was annonced here at P8TT. The internet lived up to it's promise that day.
5. The celebration in San Francisco that afternoon. I will never forget marching… no… DANCING from the giant pride flag at Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro all the way down Market street to City Hall. And all of the onlookers and drivers in the passing cars waving and cheering when they realized what was happening. And that was the first time I got to meet other P8TTers in person.
6. Hearing David Boise speak at the Commonwealth Club a few days after the ruling. Even though he's rather soft spoken, his passion for justice is inspirational. A very moving experience.
7. Seeing the videos here at P8TT from the wonderful celebration in Buenos Aires the night they achieved marriage equality. And then, a few months later, marching in the Buenos Aires LGBT Pride parade and watching those same videos again at the end of the parade, on giant projection screens in front of the Congress building at the exact same spot of the original celebration and being able to experience it with the entire crowd.
8. The first NOM tour. I was so proud of all the groups and individuals thousands of miles away from me who stood up to NOM, each in their own way. (Especially Madison Wisconson. Woo hoo!)
9. The second NOM tour. NOM's incredible #FAIL made it even more fun than the first tour. And I got to meet Sheryl (hi Sheryl!) and other P8TTers. And my 80 year old mom in conservative Orange County California drove out in the rain and tracked them down and confronted NOM at one of the tour stops. I love you, Mom!
10. The appeal hearing at the the beginning of December. There were a few surreal moments that morning when I almost couldn't believe that I was really there, at the Federal Building, meeting more P8TTers at the rally outside and then going inside and watching it all happen. It was a front row seat to history in the making.
And my life this past year would not have included any of these things if it had not been for this site. Thank you for an amazing year, P8TT.
27.
Richard A. Jernigan | January 1, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Let's see. A few of the highlights for me, all of which came about because of this wonderful family here at P8TT:
1) Reading the live blogging
2) Learning enough to probably challenge the NC Bar Examination thanks to Kathleen, Ann S. Trish, Carpool Cookie, and all of our other legal eagles here
3) Beginning my own blog
4) The reawakening of the activist inside me
5) Feed Equality
6) Marrying BZ in Connecticut on his birthday, with a member of the P8TT family there!
7) Standing up to NOM in Raleigh, NC
8) Going to the Equality NC Lobbying day in May
9) Listening to the live streaming of the Appeals hearing
10) Listening to the livestreaming of the DADT repeal vote
11) Calling, emailing and signing petitions to help end DADT
12) Learning even more than I already knew WRT to the issues our Trans brothers and sisters face
13) Seeing the love between Felyx and Kirille blossom and grow
14) Meeting so many of my P8TT family face to face.
And last but certainly not least, because this is the one that truly made all the others possible
FINDING THIS WONDERFUL FAMILY HERE AT THE PROP 8 TRIAL TRACKER! You folks have really made the past year wonderful for me, and I am looking forward to seeing what we as a community can accomplish in 2011!
28.
Sheryl, Mormon Mothe | January 1, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Know I'm coming to this late as it is almost day 2 of the New Year for me (and is Jan. 2, 2011 for some of you).
Finding this site on Day 2 of the trial has been so rewarding to me. I have learned so much about our legal system (thank you Kathleen, Ann, and all of the others), I love the way this site has become a community and any topic is acceptable. I love the way the people here handle trolls, respectfull even when I'm sure that is not the first reaction to those posts. Getting to meet some of you at the that most interesting Nom tour stop (NOT) in Concord and Alameda (hi DaveP and Ed Cortes, Arisha, and Phyllis); and let me not forget Julie and that great lunch we had when she was visiting her son. And a big thank you to all who were able to help me celebrate my birthday. Certainly a birthday to remember. And, important to me but I'm sure some of you will shake your heads at, is a strengthening of my testimony of my religion, yeah, weird I know but you have all done that.
Thank you all for a wonderful year. Haven't been on much due to the temp job and the Big Lots Job but think about you everyday.
Sheryl, Mormon Mother
29.
Kathleen | January 3, 2011 at 4:03 am
Gov elect Jerry Brown due to be sworn in any minute. Supposed to be able to see it live here: https://www.calchannel.com/channel/live/1
30.
SuzzyJakins | February 13, 2011 at 11:19 pm
What do you think about this thing called Valentines Day ? This is just another ocasion to go crazy and buy things and spend money on girls or just an ocassion to prove our love to our half? I really don`t know what to think any more ..
31.
Richard A. Jernigan | February 13, 2011 at 11:26 pm
In my house, Valentine's Day is every day. I have a husband who treats me like solid gold, and we never need an excuse to show our love for each other. Valentine's Day is just one of those days when the whole world gets into the act of showing their love to others. And as Dionne Warwick sang, "What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love."
32. car repair insurance&hellip | May 11, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Tires Rack…
[…]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[…]…