Many A Reason To Celebrate!

July 4, 2013 marks the 187th anniversary of the day in 1776 when members of the Continental Congress in defiance of King George III and the British Empire, in a colonial era act of political activism, declared our independence with the signing of the document known as the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.  The next most important document in the founding of our country, in the Preamble to the Constitution, our founding fathers stated the purpose for which they strived: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."  To this day, we are still striving for that "more perfect union" and in recent times, the LGBT community as a whole has made tremendous strides towards being full fledged, equal members of that union.  Although there has been a recent horrific rash of anti-Gay violence in New York, possibly the most Gay friendly city in the nation outside of San Francisco and more recently in Washington, DC, we still have many reasons to celebrate our country's founding and the freedoms for which we have fought so long and hard.  LGBT patriots can now serve openly in our armed forces without fear of recrimination or consequence.  We now have, with the inclusion of California just last week thanks to the Supreme Court, 13 state plus the District of Columbia that allow full Marriage Equality.  In addition, again thanks to the Supreme Court, every legally married same sex couple is recognized as equal to opposite sex couples and eligible for all the Federal Benefits accorded to all other legally married couples by the Federal Government in this country.  In a historic first, Minnesota beat back the forces of discrimination by voting down an amendment to ban Marriage Equality in their state constitution and are now considering adopting a measure allowing Marriage Equality.  We have several state that permit Civil Unions, which based on the recent Supreme Court Decisions could be transmuted into marriage with the full benefits due them at both the state and federal levels.  

I personally have achieved my own independence from my ex employer after many years of verbal abuse, denigration, discrimination and sexual harassment by gaining my current position.  This was caused in part by the challenge put forth to me by my ex boss when he told me to find another job, but that I could not because I was too old and no one would hire me.  Another direct factor in the gaining of my new position was the personal recommendation by Captain Rodricks of the FWPD to my current franchisees.  In addition, starting next month, I am eligible for and will receive the Social Security Retirement Benefits for which I have paid throughout my working life.  This will be a tremendous boost to my financial independence and a general reduction in my stress level over all things monetary.  So, yes, both we as a community and me personally, have many reasons to celebrate all that is America today.  We have not met the goal as yet, however we are closer than we have ever been to gaining full equality and inclusion in that "more perfect union".  Take a moment today between the beer and the barbecue to reflect on just how lucky we all are to live in this country, perhaps the greatest country in the world.  

To help us all celebrate, for your Independence Day Musical Moment, I have put together some of my favorite Patriotic Melodies beginning with America the Beautiful performed by the Great Choirs of America featuring Larry Brubaker on trumpet, Andy Edwards as vocal soloist and the Prestonwood Baptist Church Choir. America the Beautiful is followed by The BYU Men's Chorus with their rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Although Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture celebrates the Russian victory over the French Forces of Napoleon Bonaparte, it is a perennial favorite at 4th of July celebrations nationwide. This is the Telarc recording featuring Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra with digitally recorded Civil War era cannons and church bells from across America. No 4th of July celebration would be complete without John Philip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever performed today by The President's Own United States Marine Band. In conclusion, what could be more appropriate for this year's celebration, in light of all the gains we as the LGBT community have achieved, than the remarks and the spectacular A Capella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Lady Gaga at the NYC Pride celebration. Happy Birthday America!!

Finally, for your visual examination and appreciation, what could be more All American than marvelously muscular Men In Jeans interspersed with sultry, sexy studs adorned with the Stars and Stripes as their only accessory.  Thanks for spending part of your holiday here at Nichevo, please come back often and bring your friends!  Until next time as always, Enjoy!