200 Countries * 200 Years * 4 Minutes

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Who knew statistics could be so interesting?

200 Countries * 200 Years * 4 Minutes

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Emma’s Revolution, Tulsa, OK, Feb 5, 2011- Benefit Concert + Non-Violent Advocacy Discussion

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Emma’s Revolution + Discussion – Feb 5, 2011

 

 

 

Award-winning, Activist Songwriters
Tulsa, February 2011

L-R: Sandy O & Pat Humphries. Photo: Tom Wolff

emma’s revolution

Saturday, February 5th
Fellowship Congregational Church
2900 S. Harvard Ave.

7pm: Benefit Concert for Open Table UCC in Owasso
$18 in advance/$20 at the door

2pm: Non-Violent Advocacy Discusssion
Free and open to the public

Advance concert tickets at
emmasrevolution.com
opentableucc.com

Info:
Rev. Melinda Foster at
918-609-6292
918-693-0458   

 

“Following the wave of suicides of young people who have been bullied and the links between hate speech and the tragic Jan. 8 shooting in Tucson, an Owasso church dedicated to social justice and peace is teaming with an internationally-known folk music group to work on solutions.

Emma’s Revolution members Pat Humphries and Sandy O bring a sense of humor and hope to their music. They are inspired by Pete Seeger and others as they continue the legacy of music for social change. The award-winning folksingers from the Washington, DC area have toured internationally. The concert is a benefit for Open Table UCC in Owasso, a new open and affirming community of faith.

Pat Humphries and Sandy O use the power of music to promote peace and justice, the environment, human rights, and women’s and LGBTQ issues. They will lead a discussion and workshop on how to advocate for change without resorting to violence. Tulsa area experts from the following organizations will join them to describe their efforts to work for change in such areas as bullying prevention, local food insecurity and community development in North Tulsa:

A Third Place Community Foundation
Children’s Consortium of Tulsa
Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
Community of Hope United Church of Christ
Fellowship Congregational Church
Oklahomans for Equality
Open Table United Church of Christ
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays-Tulsa
United Campus Ministries at the University of Tulsa.”

about emma’s revolution

Smart, funny and informative. Like Rachel Maddow and Jon Stewart with guitars.

With hauntingly beautiful harmonies and powerful acoustic instrumentals that deliver the energy and strength of their convictions, emma’s revolution creates new standards in the art of social justice. Their songs have been sung for the Dalai Lama, praised by Pete Seeger and recorded by Holly Near.

emma’s revolution is the duo of activist musicians, Pat Humphries & Sandy O. Based in the Washington DC area, the duo won Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for
“If I Give Your Name”, “Peace, Salaam, Shalom” is sung around the world and has been called the “anthem of the anti-war movement.” emma’s revolution’s music has been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and Pacifica’s “Democracy Now!”

In the spirit of Emma Goldman’s famous attribution, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution,” emma’s revolution brings their uprising of truth, hope and a dash of healthy irreverence to concerts and peace & justice, labor, human rights, environmental, LGBT and women’s rights events around the world. Touring over 200 days a year, emma’s revolution has performed at hundreds of events from Canada, Chile, Korea, Scotland, England, Israel/Palestine, Nicaragua, Cuba and throughout the US spreading their message of peace and justice. emma’s revolution consistently delivers performances that are an uprising of hope and harmony so powerful audiences leap to their feet.

 

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Lt. Dan Choi

Deb’s House Concerts

Lt. Dan Choi, Openly Gay And Excited To Rejoin Military In Face Of Possible DADT Repeal (VIDEO)

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Wearing Purple for Spirit Day

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Spirit Day

It’s the end of the day, and I just learned about wearing purple for Spirit Day.  My life is so busy these days I’m out of touch with most things, but this is worth mentioning (in case someone else has not heard of it). 

What Is Spirit Day?

‘Spirit Day’: Americans Don Purple To Raise Awareness About Anti-Gay Bullying

Today is Spirit Day, the day that the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is asking people to “Go Purple” to call attention to the deaths of six teenagers who committed suicide after reportedly being taunted because they were gay.

Read the whole story: CBS News 

People are wearing purple today for Spirit Day, the grassroots event to honor LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) youth and show them that life is worth living even in the face of bullying.

The movement began with high schooler Brittany McMillan in the wake of multiple teen suicides and gained support from GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and Facebook, which also launched an anti-bullying campaign.

Nearly 67,000 people said they were ‘attending’ Spirit Day on the event’s official Facebook page.

Find out more about this day, how it can make a difference to millions of teenagers and which celebrities are participating.

More About Spirit Day

Top Searched Spirit Day Questions:
1. Why are people wearing purple today?
2. Who created the October 20 Spirit Day?
3. What does today’s Spirit Day support?
4. Who does Spirit Day honor?
5. What should Spirit Day show LGBT youth?
6. Who did GLAAD partner with for Spirit Day?
7. What is the idea behind today’s Spirit Day?
8. What celebrities are celebrating Spirit Day?
9. Does purple represent ‘spirit’ on the LGBT flag?
10. Why is Facebook working with a gay advocacy group?
11. How can I turn my Facebook and Twitter pictures purple for Spirit Day?

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Stop Bullying Now

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Ellen speaks about bullying.

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Condemning the Planned Quran-burning

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A Few Quotes

from Yahoo news

“We are surprised and shocked at the extreme radicalism being displayed [by Jones] right now on this issue.”  -  Stephan Baar of the Christian Community of Cologne.

 ”It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort. It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems.” – Top commander in Afghanistan Gen. David Petraeus

 ”It’s regrettable that a pastor in Gainesville, Florida, with a church of no more than 50 people can make this outrageous and distressful, disgraceful plan, and get the world’s attention.” – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

 9/11 – “cannot be counteracted by an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community.” – the Vatican

  ”idiotic and dangerous” – Attorney General Eric Holder

 ”Burning the Quran is wrong on every level. It puts troops in danger, and it violates a founding principle of our republic.” – Mitt Romney

 ”I do not think well of the idea of burning anybody’s Koran, Bible, Book of Mormon or anything else.  I don’t think there is any excuse for it. I don’t think it’s a good idea.” – Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour

 ”Any type of activity like that that puts our troops in harm’s way would be a concern.” – White House spokesman Robert Gibbs

 ”I appeal to people who are planning to burn the Quran to reconsider and drop their plans because they are inconsistent with American values and, as General Petraeus has warned, threatening to America’s military,” Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman

 ”boneheaded and wrong” but, “He has a right to do it.” – New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

  ”I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody’s religious book.” – Angelina Jolie

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“I Chose” by Ray Boltz

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I Chose

I Chose 

by Ray Boltz

I chose my house, and I chose my car. I chose the strings on this guitar, and I chose to smoke that first cigar. All of these things I chose.

I chose the hat that’s on my head, and the pillows on my bed. And, I chose to eat what I was fed, even though I wanted something else instead. I chose. I chose.

But, I didn’t choose to be born in June, a baby boy with eyes of blue. I didn’t choose the blood in my veins, my hometown, or my last name.  I didn’t choose the way I feel. I know what’s right. I know what’s real. You see, some things are a part of me, and other things I chose.

Well, I chose to kneel and I chose to pray that God would take all the pain away. And, I chose to hide all the doubt and fear. I chose the path that brought me here. I chose. I chose.

But, I didn’t choose to be born in June, a baby boy with eyes of blue. I didn’t choose the blood in my veins, my hometown, or my last name.  I didn’t choose the way I feel. I know what’s right. I know what’s real. You see, some things are a part of me, and other things I chose.

I chose.

Ray Boltz Blog

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“Who Would Jesus Love” by Ray Boltz

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“Who Would Jesus Love”

by Ray Boltz

“Who Would Jesus Love”

by Ray Boltz

 I used to wear a bracelet asking “What Would Jesus Do?”

 All my faith and my promises quickly fade from view.

I tried to do my best, but what I did was never enough.

Then, I asked the question, “Who would Jesus love?”

Would He only love the ones who look the same as me?

Would He only offer hope if He saw similarity?

Would He leave the others waiting like a stranger at the gate?

Would He discriminate?

Tell me, who would Jesus love?

Now, I  can build a bridge that can reach from me to you.

Or, I can build a wall instead if I don’t like the view.

‘Cause I make the decision on how to follow through.

I don’t need a bracelet to know what He would do.

Would He only love the ones who look the same as me?

Would He only offer hope if He saw similarity?

Would He leave the others waiting like a stranger at the gate?

Would He discriminate?

Tell me, who would Jesus love?

There is no Jew or Greek. There is no slave or free,

No male or female. He treats us equally.

Do we only love the ones who look the same as me?

Do we only offer hope if He saw similarity?

Do we leave the others waiting like a stranger at the gate?

Do we discriminate?

Tell me, who would Jesus love?

Who would Jesus love?

Ray Boltz Blog

 

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“God Knows I Tried” by Ray Boltz

 Deb’s House Concerts

God Knows I Tried

God Knows I Tried by Ray Boltz

When they said I was a sinner, I was struggling with my youth. And, with the hope that God could change me, I believed it was the truth.

I spent my whole life trying to be what they said I should. On the inside I was dying, because I never really could.

God knows I tried. God knows all the pain I kept inside. He’s seen every tear I ever cried. God knows I tried.

I was so good at pretending, just like an actor on the stage. In the end, nobody knew me, only the roles that I portrayed.

I would rather have you hate me knowing who I really am than to try and make you love me being something that I can’t.

God knows I tried. God knows all the pain I kept inside. He’s seen every tear I ever cried. God knows I tried.

And, after all these years of living, I’ve begun to understand. I can try to be like someone else, but it won’t change (no it won’t change, no it won’t change) who I am.

God knows I tried. God knows all the pain I kept inside. He’s seen every tear I ever cried. God knows I tried.

Ray Boltz Blog

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“The Swimming Hole” by 2010 Ray Boltz

Deb’s House Concerts

The Swimming Hole 

by Ray Boltz

The Swimming Hole 

by  Ray Boltz

Everybody would stare at him, but he would always be the first one in, like he didn’t know it was always cold in the swimming hole.

He’d come up, and nothing would change. He’d hear them laugh, and nothing would change. It was long ago at the swimming hole.

He was always different. That’s why he became a target for all their hatred and shame.

Then one night on my tv screen I saw his picture staring back at me. The reporter said they found him dead at the swimming hole. His body wrapped in a bloody sheet, the rope still tied to his hands and feet. Yes, he died alone at the swimming hole.

He was always different. That’s why he became a target for all their hatred and shame.

Lately I’ve had this dream at night. I see him standing in the bright sunlight, and I’m all alone at the swimming hole. He watches me taking off my clothes. He watches me as I face the cold. Yes, he’s watching me. He’s watching me. He’s watching me as I’m diving in.

Ray Boltz Blog

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Prop 8 Unconstitutional

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California Judge Rules

Follow the story on Box Turtle Bulletin.

Oklahomans For Equality

Opposition to the right to marry affects same-sex couples everywhere.  A gay-marriage ban was passed in Oklahoma in 2004. Two Oklahoma couples sued in Tulsa U.S. District Court in 2004 challenging the Oklahoma gay marriage ban and DOMA. Oklahomans For Equality are holding a Prop 8 Decision Day Rally at the Dennis R. Neil Equality Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma today.

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Uniqueness

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God has called you for who you are. He wants you as you are for your uniqueness. Do not let others change you.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu,  Sat 7th November 2009.

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Tulsa, Oklahoma passes non-discrimination policy!

Deb’s House Concerts

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/06/tulsa-oklahoma-passes-non.html

Tulsa, Oklahoma passes non-discrimination policy!

Posted by Timothy Beauchamp at 6/18/2010 08:09:00 AM

The city council of my hometown, Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed a non-discrimination policy that adds sexual orientation to the other suspect classes already included in the old policy. Yes, Tulsa, the diamond in the buckle of the nation’s bible belt has just proven our nation is ready for change. If Tulsa, Oklahoma decides sexual orientation should be included with other suspect classes, and our society has evolved to be more equal, then what is holding back the Obama Administration regarding ENDA?

TULSA, OK — Before a packed house Thursday night, The Tulsa City Council approved a new employment policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. The policy applies to city employees in every aspect of employment.

The expansion adds sexual orientation to a list of protected classes that already includes race, sex, religion, ancestry, age and disability.

Yes we can, (unless you just don’t want to…).

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Gay Rights = Human Rights

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Hillary Clinton

Human rights are gay rights, and gay rights are human rights.

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Ray Boltz: To Be True

Deb’s House Concerts

To Be True

To Be True by Ray Boltz

I have stood on stage in concert halls, looking out at faces, trying to please them all.

The longer I stood there, the more that I knew some people will love you, and some never do.

To be true is all that I want to do. To be true is all I can promise you is to be true.

No hidden agendas, no clever disguise, no fiction or fables, and no alibis.

I will open up this heart filled with passion and pain. All I ask before we start is you do the same.

To be true is all that I want to do. To be true is all I can promise you is to be true.

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