Mike Nova: Pope Benedict XVI: There have been times when 'it ...: Pope Benedict XVI: There have been times when 'it seemed like the Lord was sleeping' during my papacy : In his outgoing address in...
Mike Nova comments:
He was not "sleeping", he was simply ignoring you, because both you and your Church became absolutely irrelevant to Him and to the people: His gift of spirituality was lost in your message behind empty, meaningless and deadening rituals and traditions. Apparently, God was also angry at your attitude toward gay people, because He loves them, just like He loves everybody.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
PUERTO RICO NEWS: 2.27.13: Russian cultural center opens in Puerto R...
PUERTO RICO NEWS: 2.27.13: Russian cultural center opens in Puerto R...: Russian cultural center opens in Puerto Rico Tags: Society , News , World , Puerto Rico Feb 26, 2013 11:01 Moscow Time © P...
2.27.13: Russian cultural center opens in Puerto Rico | Russian cultural centers - spying centers - GS
2.27.13: Russian cultural center opens in Puerto Rico | Russian cultural centers - spying centers - GS
2.27.13: Russian cultural center opens in Puerto Rico | Russian cultural centers - spying centers - GS
Russian cultural center opens in Puerto Rico
Feb 26, 2013 11:01 Moscow Time
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© Photo: SXC.hu
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A ceremony in honor of the opening of a Russian cultural center in Puerto Rico took place in San Juan on Tuesday.
The gem of the newly opened center is its rich library which has thousands of books, including textbooks, reference books and works by Russian literary classics.
The center’s cinema house offers a wide collection of films about Russia while its computer rooms provide visitors with comprehensive information about the Russian history and culture and the country’s political and social life.
Speakers at the opening ceremony said that the center should provide Russian children adopted by Puerto Ricans with an opportunity to learn more about Russia and maintain connection with their homeland.
Voice of Russai, RIA
RUSSIA and THE WEST - РОССИЯ и ЗАПАД
News and Opinions - Новости и Мнения: A blog about Russia and her relations with The West
2.21.13: Swaying the Opinions of the Russian Diaspora - Heritage.org | Арсенал средств традиционный — перекупить алчных, запугать боязливых, изолировать упрямых." - Подрабинек Александр | В России каждый год умирает до 300 усыновленных детей, однако к ответственности в связи с их гибелью практически никто не привлекается - Grani.Ru | Павел Астахов поменял показания // В Техасе не спешат делать выводы о причинах смерти Максима Кузьмина | U.S. Policy on Russia for Obama’s Second Term - By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. | Russia Goes Back To The Future - Strategy Page - Mike Nova's starred items
Swaying the Opinions of the Russian Diaspora - Heritage.org
June 21, 2012
For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian diaspora is no longer viewed as necessarily anti-Communist or hostile to the Kremlin. Moscow now actively seeks to curry favor with its emigrants and make them its emissaries. Using its embassies, government websites, and a network of establishments that promote Russian language and culture, its efforts to use public diplomacy to bring the Russian diaspora back into the Russian world are growing. Intelligence experts indicate, however, that since the days of the USSR, such efforts have been closely linked to Russia’s intelligence activities, including talent-spotting, recruitment, and operations of human intelligence (HUMINT) assets.
Russia is also monitoring and manipulating its domestic social media. The government leadership understands that social networking is one of the freest modes of exchange between Russians and the outside world, and it does not want to lose control of the message that Russia is a great power.
Organizations that track global Internet freedom have documented growing intimidation from Moscow of those who are critical of the Kremlin online.[51]
Without a strategy to counteract this increasingly aggressive campaign to win hearts and minds, the United States will continue to find its own messages poorly received by Russians and its interests undermined.
via Алексon 2/13/13
"...В России еще не было ни одного уголовного дела, в котором был признан факт совершения преступления в отношении ЛГБТ по мотиву ненависти. Уголовные дела... прекращаются, а потерпевшему дается разъяснение, что... необходимо обратиться в мировой суд", из доклада Ассоциации "Агора". 58 случаев насилия в отношении...
Mike Nova: This is one of the best documentaries on the subject of Stalin and Stalinism.
Stalin el Imperio del Mal (1-2) - Stalin, el Tirano Rojo (La noche tematica) HQ
Stalin el Imperio del Mal (1-2) - Stalin, el Tirano Rojo (La noche tematica) HQ
Mike Nova's starred items
Mike Nova's starred items
via puerto rico news - Google Blog Search by unknown on 2/25/13
A ceremony in honor of the opening of a Russian cultural center in Puerto Rico took place in San Juan on Tuesday. ... Society, News, World, Puerto Rico · World service · USA Live · Frequencies · Schedule · US Edition website ...
via puerto rico news - Google Blog Search by Ana Rodriguez on 2/26/13
Puerto Ricans in Orlando are upset over the ban to deny gays to adopt children. The decision to deny gays the right to adopt is upsetting Puerto Ricans in the Central Florida community. UCF student and Puerto Rican native ...
via puerto rico - Google News on 2/26/13
 7Online WSVN-TV |
Puerto Rico Airport to Go Private
Wall Street Journal U.S. regulators said Tuesday they had approved a plan for investors to operate Puerto Rico's main airport for profit, boosting a long-standing federal effort to test the private-sector's appetite for infrastructure development. The proposed $2.6 ... Puerto Rico Airport Privatization Deal...ABC News US regulators clear way for Puerto Rico airport privatizationReuters FAA approves controversial airport deal in Puerto RicoGlobalPost N.C. State University Technician Online -Edmonton Journal -The Leading Aviation Industry Resource for News, Equipment and all 17 news articles » |
via puerto rican community in usa - Google News on 2/26/13
Justice Sonia Sotomayor Explains Class in the US Better Than Anyone
Huffington Post Just as Sonia Sotomayor saw the world of education, wealth, and privilege as an utterly foreign realm, so too does the white southern male view the Puerto Rican justice as an aberration. Same with the African-American president. Their world is turned ... and more » |
via puerto rico politics - Google News on 2/26/13
 Fort Worth Star Telegram |
Republicans must embrace immigration reform
Fort Worth Star Telegram And they haven't endured the same discrimination as "Hispanic" American citizens from Puerto Rico. The major difference in an administration plan and one supported by Republicans is the "path to citizenship." Republicans are ready to talk about guest ... and more » |
via puerto rico politics - Google News on 2/26/13
Violence Against Women Act: House Republican Leaders Clear Path For ...
Huffington Post "I applaud those moderate Republicans in the House who are ready to put politics aside and help us get this over the finish line. I know that the broad coalition of women and advocates who I've worked with over the course of this long effort have ... and more » |
via puerto rico politics - Google News on 2/26/13
 Newsday |
Adolfo Carrion Launches Mayoral Campaign in the Bronx
WNYC "Together with New Yorkers of all political stripes at my side, and with New Yorkers of all faiths and all backgrounds at my side, we will lay out a vision for the New York we all need, the New York we all want, and the New York we all deserve," he ... Adolfo Carrion Jr. officially launches NYC mayoral bidNew York Post all 9 news articles » |
Mike Nova's starred items
via puerto rican community in new york - Google News on 2/26/13
 New York Times |
Carrión, Sole Latino Candidate, Announces Third-Party Bid for Mayor
New York Times He was introduced by his father, a pastor, and his daughter Raquel, a recent college graduate, and talked about his family's migration to New York City from Puerto Rico in the 1950s. On occasion, Mr. Carrión's voice had the cadence of the preacher he ... Campaigns Woo LatinosWall Street Journal all 2 news articles » |
via Videos matching: puerto rico by sweetsandbeyond on 11/28/12
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Hi my name is Ida and welcome to my channel of Sweets and Beyond. This is the first of many videos to come of a series of Puerto Rican cooking. This is the beyond part of Sweets and Beyond. I am also starting up a cupcake business which is the Sweet part of Sweets and Beyond. I have seen many Youtube videos that show how to make '' Puerto Rican style dishes''. I would like to bring to you in my videos my knowledge of true authentic style Puerto Rican dishes, from a born and raised Ponceña. Feel free to like, comment and share your knowledge and recipes below, and don't forget to follow me on facebook @ Sweetsandbeyond. Thank you for watching and enjoy! The ingredients that I used today are: 3 bunches of cilantro 3 bunches of culantro (spiny cilantro or recao) 2 cups of garlic cloves 15-20 aji dulce or sweet pepper 3-4 large onions 4-5 Cubanelle peppers (or bell pepper)
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From:sweetsandbeyond
Views:307
16ratings
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| Time:10:20 | More inPeople & Blogs |
via Videos matching: puerto rico by sweetsandbeyond on 1/8/13
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Welcome back to my channel! This is my second video in a series of authentic Puerto Rican dishes that I will be posting. In this video we make Carne Frita with Arroz con Habichuelas ( fried pork chunks with Rice and beans) . Rice and beans is a staple in our cooking. This is an easy week night meal that anyone can make. Please leave your comments and questions below, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. Please leave any suggestions of what you would like to be prepared for future videos. Thanks for watching & BUEN PROVECHO! The ingredients for the rice and beans: 2 cups long grain rice Salt to taste 2 tablespoons or 2 cubes of sofrito Cumin Oregano 1 can (16 oz) small red beans Canola oil 1 package Sazon Knorr Water For the fried pork chunks: 2 lbs pork, cubed (I used cubed pork for stew) Adobo Goya Meat tenderizer without seasoning Canola oil
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From:sweetsandbeyond
Views:473
23ratings
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| Time:13:36 | More inPeople & Blogs |
via puerto rico news - Google News on 2/26/13
7Online WSVN-TV |
Puerto Rico Airport to Go Private
Wall Street Journal U.S. regulators said Tuesday they had approved a plan for investors to operate Puerto Rico's main airport for profit, boosting a long-standing federal effort to test the private-sector's appetite for infrastructure development. The proposed $2.6 ... Puerto Rico Airport Privatization Deal...ABC News US regulators clear way for Puerto Rico airport privatizationReuters FAA approves controversial airport deal in Puerto RicoGlobalPost N.C. State University Technician Online -The Leading Aviation Industry Resource for News, Equipment and -Caribbean Journal all 17 news articles » |
via Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News - Archive Links on 2/26/13
Bhatia: "Hoy no es un buen día para el gobierno de Puerto Rico"
Bhatia: "Hoy no es un buen día para el gobierno de Puerto Rico"
26 de febrero de 2013 10:58 p.m.
Por ELNUEVODIA.com
El presidente del Senado, Eduardo Bhatia, no simpatizó con la …
Bhatia: "Hoy no es un buen día para el gobierno de Puerto Rico"
Bhatia: "Hoy no es un buen día para el gobierno de Puerto Rico"
26 de febrero de 2013 10:58 p.m.
Por ELNUEVODIA.com
El presidente del Senado, Eduardo Bhatia, no simpatizó con la …
Bhatia: "Hoy no es un buen día para el gobierno de Puerto Rico"
via puerto rican community in usa - Google News on 2/26/13
US Military Deaths In Afghanistan At 2047: AP
Huffington Post FILE - In this July 14, 1965, file photo, U.S. Army nurses Capt. Gladys E. Sepulveda, left, of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and 2nd Lt. Lois Ferrari, of Pittsburgh, Pa., rest on sandbags at Cam Ranh Bay in South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. They two were ... |
via Latin American Herald Tribune on 2/27/13
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel as the country’s new defense secretary.
via puerto rico - Google News on 2/26/13
Puerto Rico airport privatization deal lifts off
The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor on Tuesday approved turning over the operations of Puerto Rico's largest airport to a private company as part of an estimated $2.6 billion deal that began under his predecessor and has been fiercely ... |
via Caribbean Business on 2/26/13
Governor: Airport P3 is a done dealGov. Alejandro García Padilla said Tuesday he will sign off on the privatization ...  Mexico reverses foreign investment flowsMEXICO CITY — After decades of depending on inflows of foreign capital to develo ...  |
This post has been generated by Page2RSS
Mike Nova's starred items
via puerto rico news - Google News on 2/26/13
Puerto Rico airport privatization deal lifts off
The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor on Tuesday approved turning over the operations of Puerto Rico's largest airport to a private company as part of an estimated $2.6 billion deal that began under his predecessor and has been fiercely ... |
via puerto rico - Google Blog Search by webmaster@thenewamerican.com (Dave Bohon) on 2/22/13
Puerto Rico's supreme court has upheld a ban on adoptions by same-sex couples, as the majority of the island's residents are showing their opposition to same-sex marriage. by Dave Bohon.
via puerto rico - Google News on 2/26/13
Puerto Rico airport privatization deal lifts off
The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor on Tuesday approved turning over the operations of Puerto Rico's largest airport to a private company as part of an estimated $2.6 billion deal that began under his predecessor and has been fiercely ... |
via puerto rico - Google News on 2/26/13
Puerto Rico: major march in defense of marriage; high court nixes gay adoptions
Catholic Culture Referring to a woman who wished to adopt the child of her lesbian partner, the court ruled that Puerto Rico “has not criminalized their sentimental relationship, but it does not have a constitutional obligation to award this relationship the same ... and more » |
via The Guardian's Facebook Wall by The Guardian on 2/27/13
Guardian front page, Wednesday 27 February 2013: EU in turmoil as Italy halts austerity plan
http://gu.com/p/3e4b2?CMP=SOCNETTXT6966
Guardian front pages
http://gu.com/p/3e4b2?CMP=SOCNETTXT6966
Guardian front pages
via puerto rican community in new york - Google Blog Search by lisaparavisini on 2/24/13
Estimates showed that a higher number of Puerto Ricans (4,466,054) at the same time had 1,142,216 people living under the poverty line in the country. States like Florida, New York, California and Texas where a wide group ...
via puerto rico - Google News on 2/26/13
Privatization of Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marìn Airport Moves Forward
Caribbean Journal A plan to privatize Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marìn International Airport is moving forward, following approval by federal regulators. United States Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood approved the plan, which will allow the Puerto Rico ... |
via Videos matching: puerto rico news by Superhood357 on 10/1/12
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PHILADELPHIA - A police officer in Philadelphia was caught on video hitting a woman in the face at the city's 50th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday. The video shows an officer in a white shirt hitting the woman. The blow knocks her to the ground and the officer then handcuffs her. As the woman is led away by two other officers, the video captured her bloody face. It is unclear what the woman did to provoke the officer depicts a person near the woman discharging silly string, and other parade-goers seem to be spraying water in the direction of the officers. Before she is hit, the woman appears to be holding a water bottle. Twerkcity.blogspot.com According to the Philadelphia Police Department the woman, who has not yet been identified, was arrested for disorderly conduct. Officer Tanya Little of the Philadelphia Police Department told Crimesider that the video was brought to the department's attention Monday morning and there is currently an "open and active" internal affairs investigation into the matter. Officer Little said the officer depicted hitting the woman has been identified but the department is not yet releasing his name or duty status.
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From:Superhood357
Views:200649
 
356ratings
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| Time:00:36 | More inNews & Politics |
Mike Nova's starred items
via Videos matching: puerto rico by MultitalentNES on 2/9/13
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From:MultitalentNES
Views:94
4ratings
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| Time:04:07 | More inMusic |
via Puerto Rico Newswire on 2/26/13
Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has approved a plan that would allow the Puerto Rico Port Authority and its selected operator to move forward with their privatization of Luis Muoz Marn International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
via puerto rican community in usa - Google News on 2/27/13
CNN Washington AM Note
CNN (blog) WSJ: Puerto Rico Airport to Go Private. U.S. regulators said Tuesday they had approved a plan for investors to operate Puerto Rico's main airport for profit, boosting a long-standing federal effort to test the private-sector's appetite for ... |
via puerto rico - Google News on 2/27/13
7Online WSVN-TV |
Puerto Rico Airport Privatization Deal Lifts Off
ABC News Puerto Rico's governor on Tuesday approved turning over the operations of Puerto Rico's largest airport to a private company as part of an estimated $2.6 billion deal that began under his predecessor and has been fiercely protested. Gov. Alejandro ... Puerto Rico Airport to Go PrivateWall Street Journal US regulators clear way for Puerto Rico airport privatizationReuters FAA approves controversial airport deal in Puerto RicoGlobalPost Edmonton Journal -The Leading Aviation Industry Resource for News, Equipment and -Caribbean Journal all 16 news articles » |
via Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News - Archive Links on 2/27/13
Tirotean a agente federal en el expreso cerca de Plaza Río Hondo
Tirotean a agente federal en el expreso cerca de Plaza Río Hondo
Balacera se inició desde la salida de la cárcel federal hasta cerca del centro comercial
Testigo de la masacre de La …
Tirotean a agente federal en el expreso cerca de Plaza Río Hondo
Tirotean a agente federal en el expreso cerca de Plaza Río Hondo
Balacera se inició desde la salida de la cárcel federal hasta cerca del centro comercial
Testigo de la masacre de La …
Tirotean a agente federal en el expreso cerca de Plaza Río Hondo
via Puerto Rico Videos & Songs's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico Videos & Songs on 2/27/13
Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario Remix)
Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario Remix)
Download link: justdohits.com Check out the official music video for Mas: youtu.be Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario Remix) Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario …
Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario Remix)
Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario Remix)
Download link: justdohits.com Check out the official music video for Mas: youtu.be Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario Remix) Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario …
Ricky Martin - Mas (Ralphi Rosario Remix)
Mike Nova's starred items
via puerto rico politics - Google News on 2/27/13
 The Arts Desk |
Broken City
The Arts Desk Hardest done by is Natalie Martinez as Wahlberg's Puerto Rican actress girlfriend, also called Natalie (like they couldn't be bothered to think of another name). Taggart ... has a moment or two as Crowe's essentially decent billionaire political ... and more » |
via The New York Times's Facebook Wall by The New York Times on 2/27/13
Pope Benedict XVI held his final general audience in St. Peter’s Square, telling tens of thousands of believers in an unusually personal public farewell that his nearly eight years in office had known “moments of joy and light but also moments that were not easy” when it seemed “the Lord was sleeping.”
Pope Benedict Evokes Difficult Moments in Final General Audience
www.nytimes.com
Tens of thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI a day before his resignation takes formal effect.
Pope Benedict Evokes Difficult Moments in Final General Audience
www.nytimes.com
Tens of thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI a day before his resignation takes formal effect.
via Puerto Rico News - Archive Links's Facebook Wall by Puerto Rico News - Archive Links on 2/27/13
Exclusive Interview with Gloria Laino
Accomplished screenwriter, actress, and mother, Gloria Laino is a true Renaissance woman. Born in the beach town of Guanica, Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, Laino spent her early adult years in Jordan …
Exclusive Interview with Gloria Laino
Accomplished screenwriter, actress, and mother, Gloria Laino is a true Renaissance woman. Born in the beach town of Guanica, Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, Laino spent her early adult years in Jordan …
Exclusive Interview with Gloria Laino
via NBC Latino by Wilson Cruz, actor and National Spokesperson and Strategic Giving Officer at GLAAD on 2/27/13
Just last week, Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court upheld a law that prohibits joint adoption by gay couples.
In a 5-4 decision, the court said a woman could not adopt a 12-year-old girl whom her longtime partner conceived through in vitro fertilization. In the majority opinion the court stated a family composed of a mother and father is best for a child’s “dignity, stability and well-being.”
A few days later state senator Víctor Vassallo Anadón compared homosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia, wondering why homosexuality was not outlawed. He has since apologized but his words show a great deal of prejudice and ignorance.
As a Puerto Rican man it hurts even more—it’s personal!
Many of us who are Boricua and LGBT enjoy family support—more and more of us every day, actually. The embrace we experience from our mothers, fathers, siblings, and abuelas is won through sometimes difficult, but always profoundly moving, acts of courage. We stand before our loved ones and tell our truths and we are free to let the people we love most in the world see us as we actually are. And in knowing us, wholly and completely, we form familial bonds that are stronger and more loving because of it.
In many ways, family is THE source of our strength. I find strength in the memory of my abuela, who modeled for me how transformational truth and love can be. Growing up, I never would’ve imagined that she could have embraced me as fully as she did after I disclosed to her my sexual orientation. I know she didn’t understand it right away but she grew in her understanding and showed me as only grandmothers can, in big ways and small. She told me in the way she ran to me whenever I walked in her door, in the way she bestowed her blessing on me at the end of every phone call, “Que dios te bendiga…” “May God bless you.” In the end, it didn’t matter to my grandmother WHO I loved, it mattered THAT I loved. All she saw was the love between us. I miss her and I’m so proud of her for that.
I like to think that, someday, I could be a father and that my husband and I could share with the kids we adopt together the story about my abuela, Carmen, and her capacity to grow in love her entire life. That’s my dream. I’d love to take them for a walk on the beach in Luqillo or a hike in El Yunque and know that the beautiful island from which I can track my family’s history for generations acknowledged and respected my family – ALL OF IT! If my abuela could do it, I know that the government of Puerto Rico can do it, too.
The fact is, Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court sent a cruel message to gay people: that we’re less of value than anyone else, that our parenting skills are secondary to opposite sex couples. I’m sure their decision was based on ignorance about same-sex parents.
If Puerto Rico is truly going to have an island-wide conversation about the rights of families and pass judgment on what constitutes a family let me first suggest that those in positions of power base those judgments on facts and not myths, on love and not fear.
A large body of research consistently concludes that being raised by gay or lesbian parents has no adverse effects on children. Kids of gay parents are just as healthy and well-adjusted as other children.
It’s now up to the government of Puerto Rico to teach what the Courts obviously don’t know—that in the end, it’s only the love that counts. Let the people of Puerto Rico witness for themselves the love modeled to them by LGBT families and they’ll know the truth and be transformed by what my abuela taught me: LOVE makes a family.
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Wilson Cruz is an openly gay actor and National Spokesperson and Strategic Giving Officer at GLAAD. Tweet him at @wcruz73 and @glaad.
Tagged: abuelita, ban adoptions, boricua, children, come out, family, father, gay adoptions, hetereosexual, homosexual, lgbt, mother, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Supreme Court, same sex marriage, Wilson Cruz
In a 5-4 decision, the court said a woman could not adopt a 12-year-old girl whom her longtime partner conceived through in vitro fertilization. In the majority opinion the court stated a family composed of a mother and father is best for a child’s “dignity, stability and well-being.”
A few days later state senator Víctor Vassallo Anadón compared homosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia, wondering why homosexuality was not outlawed. He has since apologized but his words show a great deal of prejudice and ignorance.
As a Puerto Rican man it hurts even more—it’s personal!
Many of us who are Boricua and LGBT enjoy family support—more and more of us every day, actually. The embrace we experience from our mothers, fathers, siblings, and abuelas is won through sometimes difficult, but always profoundly moving, acts of courage. We stand before our loved ones and tell our truths and we are free to let the people we love most in the world see us as we actually are. And in knowing us, wholly and completely, we form familial bonds that are stronger and more loving because of it.
In many ways, family is THE source of our strength. I find strength in the memory of my abuela, who modeled for me how transformational truth and love can be. Growing up, I never would’ve imagined that she could have embraced me as fully as she did after I disclosed to her my sexual orientation. I know she didn’t understand it right away but she grew in her understanding and showed me as only grandmothers can, in big ways and small. She told me in the way she ran to me whenever I walked in her door, in the way she bestowed her blessing on me at the end of every phone call, “Que dios te bendiga…” “May God bless you.” In the end, it didn’t matter to my grandmother WHO I loved, it mattered THAT I loved. All she saw was the love between us. I miss her and I’m so proud of her for that.
I like to think that, someday, I could be a father and that my husband and I could share with the kids we adopt together the story about my abuela, Carmen, and her capacity to grow in love her entire life. That’s my dream. I’d love to take them for a walk on the beach in Luqillo or a hike in El Yunque and know that the beautiful island from which I can track my family’s history for generations acknowledged and respected my family – ALL OF IT! If my abuela could do it, I know that the government of Puerto Rico can do it, too.
The fact is, Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court sent a cruel message to gay people: that we’re less of value than anyone else, that our parenting skills are secondary to opposite sex couples. I’m sure their decision was based on ignorance about same-sex parents.
If Puerto Rico is truly going to have an island-wide conversation about the rights of families and pass judgment on what constitutes a family let me first suggest that those in positions of power base those judgments on facts and not myths, on love and not fear.
A large body of research consistently concludes that being raised by gay or lesbian parents has no adverse effects on children. Kids of gay parents are just as healthy and well-adjusted as other children.
It’s now up to the government of Puerto Rico to teach what the Courts obviously don’t know—that in the end, it’s only the love that counts. Let the people of Puerto Rico witness for themselves the love modeled to them by LGBT families and they’ll know the truth and be transformed by what my abuela taught me: LOVE makes a family.
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Wilson Cruz is an openly gay actor and National Spokesperson and Strategic Giving Officer at GLAAD. Tweet him at @wcruz73 and @glaad.
Tagged: abuelita, ban adoptions, boricua, children, come out, family, father, gay adoptions, hetereosexual, homosexual, lgbt, mother, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Supreme Court, same sex marriage, Wilson Cruz
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