Spirit Day

Today is the culmination of Ally Week as we celebrate the Third Annual Observance of Spirit Day.  "In early October 2010, Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan promulgated the observance of a new commemoration called Spirit Day, the first observance of which took place on October 20, 2010, in which people wear the color purple to show support for LGBT young people who are victims of bullying.  The observance was inaugurated in response to a rash of widely-publicized bullying-related suicides of gay school students in 2010, including that of Tyler Clementi.  Over 1.6 million Facebook users signed up for the event globally."  This year Spirit Day will be bigger than ever as thousands of schools, celebrities, organizations and communities of faith along with millions of individuals join in the observance.  In a statement "Showing support for your friends, family and teachers can make all the difference in the world to young LGBT people, whether they are going through a tough time or not,” said 17-year-old McMillan. “This year, Spirit Day is going to be bigger and better than ever, and I’m so thrilled to be going purple alongside some of my favorite celebrities, as well as millions of others in a united stand against bullying.”  Brittany tells why she started the observance in the "What Spirit Day Can Do About Suicide" Op Ed article in the Advocate.  The Huffington Post also has an excellent article on how to "Be an Ally to Help Youth in Crises" by The Trevor Project's Executive Director and CEO, Abbe Land.  One of the best pieces of news on this year's observance is that all the major sports leagues in America are on board and supporting LGBT youth.

Now we mustn't forget to highlight our favorite Ally of the day, every one's favorite sorcerer, Harry Potter, played by British Actor Daniel Radcliffe:

Another of my favorite Allies, Minnesota Vikings Punter Chris Kluwe will debate an empty chair on the merits of the Minnesota ballot amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in the state constitution. Since opponents of gay marriage have zero arguments in their favor, the chair is an appropriate stand-in.  Which is a perfect segue into the news that once again Section Three of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has been declared unconstitutional by a Federal appellate court, this time by a Republican appointed judge in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  An excellent analysis of the decision by Towleroad's legal correspondant, Ari Ezra Waldman, can be found here.  While we are on the subject of Marriage Equality and DOMA, there is a film that has been making the film festival circuit about love, family, a green card marriage and the negative effects of DOMA by film maker David W. Ross.  The award winning "I Do" the movie stars Jamie-Lynn Sigler,  Alicia Witt, Maurice Compte and David W. Ross.  More information and screenings in your area can be found at the "I Do" the movie website.  Here's the trailer for the film:

 

A final note on Marriage Equality is the article on Salon by Anglican Bishop Gene Robinson, "Jesus would back Gay marriage",  which is an excerpt from Bishop Robinson's book, "God Believes In Love", available at most major book stores. 

That brings us to the music and the men for today, without which no post here at Nichevo would be complete.  Today's selection is the 1880 Cello Sonata by Italian Composer/Conductor/Pianist, Giuseppe Martucci, with a marvelous performance by brothers Francis (Cello) and Angelo (Piano) of Duo Pepicelli:

Then because it is Friday (oh TGIF!), it is time once again for lithesome lads and hunky hotties in the altogether with this week's edition of Naked or Nearly So to feed your prurient interests and inflame your desires!  That should do it for today, be sure to check back in tomorrow for this week's photographic review of the Best of the Web This Week.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!