How too cool is this! In today's Erie Times News, a few of my friends are featured. My friend Eric wrote a very nice letter to the editor in favor of the Matthew Shepherd Act that is now at the US Senate.
Reader backs legislation on hate crimes
One in six hate crimes in America is motivated by the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. Pending federal legislation on hate crimes is not special treatment.
It would make sure Americans, whether black or white, Christian or Muslim, gay or straight, male or female, are protected. It comes down to ensuring that no American may be targeted for violence because of who he or she is.
I really would like to know that I can leave the house and not be hurt because of a hate crime. I don't expect every American to like my sexual orientation, race or gender identity, etc. I know that people have to evolve more. I cannot help but wonder -- how many more people need to die before something is done?
Please support the Matthew Shepard Act.
Eric Hetz
Fairview
Also, the religion section had a very nice article about Midsummer, and the Covenant of Brighid's Haven. The photo included my friend, TJ, with his 2 kids, as well as my friend Jeremy. (Jeremy's 30th birthday party was one of the events I ended up missing last week when I was on the geek jag.)
Jeremy also took a photo of me (this is years ago), holding TJ's son, Random, at a Brighid's Haven event. I was wearing a black robe and horns, so I pretty much imagined Pat Robertson frothing at the mouth and screaming, "See! I told you those witches and fags were after our kids!!!!"
Wiccans to mark solstice with symbols of hope, gratitude
BY DANA MASSING
dana.massing@timesnews.com [more details]
Published: June 16. 2007 6:00AM
Jeremy Snyder is looking for a token, something that represents the people in his life, to tie onto the solar wheel.
Last Litha, he hung a coin to signify the difficult financial times he'd come through.
Whatever he adds this year, it will join the ribbons and rings, feathers, blue dolphin, black bat, plastic cat and dozens of other symbols of the hopes, dreams and thanks of the members of the Covenant of Brighid's Haven.
The Erie-based eclectic Wiccan coven (pronounced breed's haven) is dedicated to hosting pagan events that are open to the public and help build the pagan community.
"We consider ourselves pagan outreach," member T.J. Laffan said.
They'll celebrate Litha, known to some as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, on June 23 with a ritual that includes the adding of objects to the solar wheel.
"It's one of the joyful festivals," Laffan, 42, said.
The local pagans observe eight major holidays, Snyder, 30, said.
The others are Samhain/Halloween, celebrating the harvest of meat and honoring the dead; Yule/Midwinter/Winter Solstice, observing the longest night of the year; Imbolc, a February fertility festival, indicating the coming of spring; Oastara/Spring Equinox, another fertility rite; Beltane, a fertility rite celebrated with a maypole; Lammas/Lughnasadh, a harvest festival, for grains; and Mabon/Fall Equinox, celebrating the harvesting of fruits and vegetables.
Snyder said not all pagans have the same beliefs and celebrations or even names for them.
He described "pagan" as "very much an umbrella term."
In general, a pagan is a person who doesn't acknowledge the God of Judaism, Christianity or Islam. Pagans include Wiccans, Druids and members of numerous other religions.
Many are earth- or nature-based and involve belief in both gods and goddesses.
The "four quarters" -- sometimes symbolizing earth, air, fire and water or sometimes spring, summer, fall and winter -- are often part of pagan rituals.
When the Covenant of Brighid's Haven gathers for Litha at Presque Isle State Park, all four elements will be represented by ritual leaders.
Participants will form a circle.
"We establish that circle as a sacred space," Snyder said, comparing it to the building of a church.
The ritual will include singing, chanting, drumming and messages about the contributions of individuals to the greater whole, he said.
The Covenant of Brighid's Haven has been holding such events for more than a decade.
The group formed in September 1991 and is family friendly, often scheduling rituals on weekends rather than actual holidays so that more people can attend.
Laffan estimated there are close to 1,000 pagans in the Erie area.
Snyder said the haven holds eight to 12 public events a year and the average attendance is 60. The local 2006 Pagan Pride Day drew 250 people, he said.
Snyder and Laffan said pagans are people of faith who live throughout the community, although many don't broadcast it because of misconceptions.
"People tend to be very secretive about it," Laffan said. "The term is 'in the broom closet.'"
He added, "It's just like being any other religion. We shop. We worry about our kids. We do our laundry."
The men said that like people of other religious backgrounds, pagans practice their faiths in their everyday lives.
For Laffan, it might mean standing in a store checkout line debating in his head when the cashier asks if he wants paper bags, which require the cutting down of trees, or plastic bags, which are recyclable.
He said pagans consider the effect of their choices and actions and try to "harm none."
Paganism is about embracing joy and finding happiness in community and each other, Laffan said.
"If you're not getting joy out of your religion, what are you getting from it?" he asked.
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