Building Vicory on Victory

As we as a nation prepare to celebrate our Independence on Friday, our Freedoms that are commensurate with that Independence were enhanced this week by more court victories.  With the exception of the Hobby Lobby BS, all the news from the courts swung in our favor.  California's ban on reparative therapy for minors was upheld on Monday by SCOTUS.  Then just yesterday U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled in favor of the freedom to marry, striking down a constitutional amendment in the state of Kentucky that restricts marriage to different-sex couples. The ruling is stayed pending further action from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.  Also yesterday six same-sex couples from across Colorado filed a federal lawsuit challenging Colorado’s ban on the freedom to marry. The plaintiffs, represented by a Denver lawfirm of Killmer, Lane and Newman, name Attorney General Suthers, Governor Hickenlooper and two county clerks as defendants in the lawsuit.  The case quotes last week's decision in favor of marriage from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit:

[T]he Fourteenth Amendment protects the fundamental right to marry, establish a family, raise children, and enjoy the full protection of a state’s marital laws. A state may not deny the issuance of a marriage license to two persons, or refuse to recognize their marriage, based solely upon the sex of the persons in the marriage union.

This case joins another case heard on June 12th seeking the Freedom to Marry in Colorado where a judge is expected to announce a decision soon.  With the Kentucky decision in our favor, Marriage Equality has left the field victorious 23 times since the SCOTUS ruling in the Windsor case.  This is what is called building Victory on Victory.  I expect the dominoes to continue to fall until SCOTUS inevitably rules in favor of the rights LGBT people to Marriage Equality nationwide.  Let's Hope it is Sooner rather than Later and work to make it so.

Your Midweek Musical Moment features a sublime rendition of Beethoven's Concerto in D Major, Op. 61, for Violin and Orchestra, recorded in 1936 by The London Philharmonic Orchestra. Sir John Barbirolli conducted and the great Fritz Kreisler was the featured Violinist. A faithful yet passionate interpretation of one of Beethoven's most evocative violin works.  You may also hear Beethoven's Piano Concerto Number 5 in E Flat Major "Emperor" by this same orchestra this time under the baton of George Szell over on my tumblr. 

Then the midweek hump brings with it Splash Day and a collection of lively lads frolicking about the pools, beaches and baths of the world in this week's edition of Wet Wednesday.  If you need even more beachin' portraiture, check out the Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for stopping in to say "Hey", see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Basketball Strikes Anoither First

Earlier this year, Jason Collins became the first active player in one of the big four professional sports leagues to come out as Gay.  Collins play basketball for the Brooklyn Nets.  In yet another first for the sport of Basketball, University of Massachusetts Basketball player Derrick Gordon came out as Gay to his coaches and team mates last week.  Today he told his story to the world on OutSports.  There is also a companion story on ESPN on Gordon who has become the first NCAA Division 1 student athlete in a major sport to come out.  He was aided in his coming out process by You Can Play's executive director Wade Davis and out Basketball Coach Anthony Nicodemo.  

Gordon's story is compelling, growing up in a self described 'bad neighborhood', his basketball skills provided him an opportunity most young men in communities like his rarely get except for sports.  He has made the most of his opportunity.  Gordon has aspirations for success at the college level and later to take his talents to the NBA.  He couldn't, however, achieve his goals while he was living a lie.  In fact, trying to hide from himself almost drove him from the sport he loves.  With the assistance of Davis and Nicodemo, Gordon was able to conquer his demons and find his freedom to face not just his coaches and team mates, but himself.  Head on over to Outsports to read his story for yourselves and watch his video interview with Cyd Ziegler.

While I was casting about for today's contents, I was in a Cello mood so your Musical Moment for today features 6 Sonatas for Cello by Benedetto Marcello as performed by Claudio Cassedei.  Included in the play lists are Sonatas # 1 Sonata in F Major; # 2 Sonata in E minor; # 3 Sonata in A Minor; # 4 Sonata in G Minor; # 5 in C Major and # 6 in G Major.  I also liked a piece I heard on Venice Classic Radio after I got home from work last night so I went looking for it on You Tube.  I found  a video of Franz Schubert's Gran Duo for Violin and Piano in A Major made from a rare vinyl recording by Fritz Kriesler on Violin and Serge Rachmaninoff at the Piano which you may hear over on my tumblr.

Then we return to the wet and the wild for your man art of the day with a collection of hunks and hotties as they splash about pools,beaches and baths in this week's edition of Wet Wednesday along with your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for stopping in, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!