Adam Sunny Flanders

Saw this video today and I wanted to post it. It’s “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” by Rise Against, from their album, Endgame. It addresses the recent bullying against GLBT youth and resulting suicides, made in cooperation with the It Gets Better Project. It reminded me of my time at Belfast Area High School, where I was harassed every day by students and teachers and the vice principal, Bruce Mailloux. The regular threats caused me to carry a knife in my backpack and in my locker. The music video reminded me of how I used to stand on the edge of the Belfast bridge and think about jumping, and how I tried to later kill myself with an overdose. The video ultimately presents a message of hope – that if you keep going and believe in yourself, believe it does get better, you can do incredible things. I’m glad to be alive today. I’ll have my Bachelor of Biology degree soon and things continue to look better every day, especially with court matters and civil rights. Never give up!

I know how bad it can get and the importance of recent efforts to end discrimination and homophobia in our country. We have the media on our side and even the US Senate recently created its own “It Gets Better” video. We continue to move closer to full equality. Just yesterday, the “Department of Justice filed a brief in federal court employee Karen Golinski’s federal court challenge, supporting her lawsuit seeking access to equal health benefits for her wife and arguing strongly that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional in terms unparalleled in previous administration statements.” (From Metro Weekly).

Despite all these changes, winning marriage equality in NY, having the media on our side and vocal supporters in positions of power, like Lady Gaga and President Obama, we still face many challenges and have a long way to go. Leading GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann’s husband recently stated that gays are barbarians and need to be disciplined. Equality Maine just announced that it will be once again seek to place marriage equality on the ballot, this time in November 2012. Minnesota is poised to become the next state to take up the issue, even though an anti-gay organization is working to pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Despite live feeds of Casey Anthony’s trial currently airing on every news station, the Prop.8 trial, which easily affects millions more Americans than Casey Anthony, is still being concealed from the public and remains confidential.

We must ensure that individuals like Bachmann are silenced and never get into a position of power. A major aspect of the “It Gets Better” concept is that we must continually work to ensure it gets better for all of us and those to come. We must stand up and continue to fight for what is right, and never, ever give up.

Congratulations New York for doing what California and Maine couldn’t! Respect and equality for all New York families. This will surely set things in motion and lay the stage for more equality until we have Federal recognition! If marriage equality can make it in the Big Apple, it can make it anywhere!

I went to Portland Pride yesterday with my boyfriend Dean, and it was clear that times are changing fast. The events felt more natural – it was no big deal. There were no counter protestors, no Christian Civic League members harassing us. The Press Herald reported on the record numbers of people in attendance, yet there was not the slightest mention of strife or concern. It was as if we had assimilated into Maine’s culture.

6 years ago, when I spoke before the Judiciary in favor of the anti-discrimination bill, things were a lot different. Today we live in a safer and more accepting society for GLBT individuals. Recently, a Florida high school elected a transgender student as their prom queen and a gay student as king. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed. We have the most GLBT-supportive president in history, and he proclaimed June National LGBT Pride Month. Just yesterday the United Nations passed a resolution to address international violations against GLBT people the world over.

We are so close to nationwide marriage equality. Another Federal judge has upheld Judge Walker’s ruling and set precedent by showing that Judge Walker’s sexual orientation does not create any bias for his decision in favor of same-sex marriage. Meanwhile DOMA continues to be ruled unconstitutional and remains virtually unsupported in the Legislature. Polls show a majority of Americans favor same-sex marriage.

It’s partly because I’m living in Portland, but when I walk down the streets with Dean, nobody yells out “faggots!” or even takes a second look. Nobody cares. It’s as if we’ve already won. I know we still have a way to go, but I can’t help feeling that we’re nearly there. All I want is to just live my life.

BTW, Happy Father’s Day everyone! 😉

Wow, the last few days have been tech overload for me. During the Apple Developer’s Conference, they announced iCloud, iOS 5, and OS X Lion. Then E3 began yesterday and Nintendo (the only videogame company I really care about) showed some of its up and coming games and the new Wii U console to be released next year.

I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I felt the same way back in 2006 when Nintendo introduced the Wii and its odd motion controls. The idea of having a tablet-like touch screen as the controller, albeit not to be used as a portable system, adds a lot of depth for hardcore gamers. The Wii got Nintendo stuck in a sort of “everybody can play” mode that left behind the hardcore croud, so this will likely be a welcome addition that will nonetheless maintain the console’s openness to beginners and family players. Nintendo offered a huge (and much anticipated) update for the 3DS as well, so that’s been cool – the ability to download and play original Gameboy games like Super Mario Land is pretty awesome.

I noticed I haven’t blogged in a month. I’ve been pretty busy, having gotten an apartment in Portland and figuring out what I want to do for graduate school and when. Portland is nice with its gay bars, shopping selections, and parks, though I still feel a bit confined by the city. I’m definitely not a city boy, but it’s fun for now. My apartment is within walking distance of the major parks, so I won’t have to drive to Pride this year, lol.

Speaking of Pride, Maine’s House just shot down the so-called “Bathroom Bill” (LD 1046) that would have reversed parts of the Maine Human Rights Act and enabled schools and businesses to discriminate based on perceived gender identity. It is a victory for the GLBT community: House won’t block transgender suits against schools, businesses.

On Saturday I graduated from UMaine! I’ll have my Bachelor of Biology degree by the end of the Summer. I’m relocating to Portland this weekend to take a class at USM and maybe start on my Master’s. I have no idea what I’m doing after this Summer, but my original plan was to move to Florida in the Fall, though I have family who want me to move to California instead. I want to get started on grad school soon.

Last week we also had the Lavender Graduation – a special dinner event to recognize graduating GLBT students. We got rainbow tassels for graduation on Saturday. I’m going to miss all my friends at UMaine, the Rainbow Resource Center, and Wilde Stein. It all came together to make my years at UMaine awesome!

I was happy to see I ended the semester with all A’s and B’s – Organic Chemistry, Plant Biology (w/lab), Developmental Biology (w/lab), and my Senior Research Paper based on the past 2 years of scientific research I’ve been doing in plant genetic engineering. Who knows what’s in my future? In any case, I’m ready for the next step!

I want to thank my parents Vicki and Ed, and my uncle Ray, for all their help in getting me through my undergraduate degree. This is the best gift you could have given me! Thank-you!

Graduating!

My name in lights at UMaine ^-^

Ashley and I

As you can see, I was quite excited, LOL 🙂

Grammy Flanders got to attend, too

My dad changed our gym sign to congratulate me. Thanks, Dad!

The University also recognized me for my services to the GLBT community on campus

This year’s was the best Pride Week we’ve had in years. All the events were really fun, especially Julie Goldman and the then the drag show Saturday night, which concluded Pride Week. My parents and little sister Ashley came to the show, too. Ash photographed the show while I filmed it. Below is the drag show in its entirety:

Unfortunately, early on in Pride Week some UMaine students decided to vandalize the Pride Flag pole and steal the pride flag. As a result, we held a pride flag raising “part II” on Wednesday, with a turnout of over 200 people! It was a great way for our community to come together and reaffirm our respect. Nonetheless, another attempt was made to steal the flag the next night. However, just yesterday I learned that the people responsible have been caught, and they may be charged with hate crimes. I’m sure more will be published once police release their names and more information. Below are two stories recently reported concerning the theft of the pride flag:

Today is Earth Day, and per tradition, a group of UMaine students always gets naked, paints themselves in green paint, and rides around campus on bicycles. Some pics for your enjoyment 🙂

I just finished the poster for UMaine Pride Week 2011. This is our busiest Pride Week since I started here at UMaine! Everyone is welcome, including members of the general public.

I waited in line at the mall yesterday at 8:30am to get my Nintendo 3DS and let me just say it was well worth the wait, the cost, and the months of having it on reserve! It’s awesome!

I was immediately impressed with the 3D effect, which is, of course what makes this device so revolutionary. I predict the 3DS is the start of a coming stream of consumer-level, glasses-free 3D technology. I can just imagine how this technology will be applied to computers, mobile phones, iPods, and beyond. The 3DS offers a volume control-like slider that allows you to adjust the strength of the 3D effect. I would say that at the maximum level, objects appear to dip into the screen (as if you’re looking through the 3DS) about one inch, and pop out of the screen at a couple centimeters, close to an inch. But don’t underestimate it – it’s really amazing!

I only bought two games since I wasn’t crazy about the 16 launch titles. I got PilotWings Resort, a title I’ve never played before, and Super Monkey Ball 3D. I’ve played SMB on almost every gaming platform available.

Images from PilotWings Resort

The 3DS has a 3D camera, though right now the pics can only be viewed on the 3DS until more products take advantage of the file format. Nonetheless the 3D pics are pretty cool. Many of the features of the 3DS will be released in coming software updates (online downloads), such as the Virtual Console, meaning we’ll be able to play popular SNES games from the past! I have not tried all the built-in features/games yet.

Picture I took of myself using the internal (2D) camera

I created a Mii in my likeness, much the way I have already done on my Wii. I posted pics below. The augmented reality (AR) feature is especially cool, allowing you to play games that appear in the real world, and place your Mii in the real world, as if virtual characters existed on countertops and couches. My imagination is running wild with ideas about possible ways to apply this AR technology.

My Mii and various AR poses

Overall I’m really happy with the 3DS and I feel like it’s just the beginning; the upcoming software features and new game releases are very exciting. I only have two complaints: 1) The battery life is horrible, usually lasting maybe 2 hours with the 3D at maximum, and 2) Eyestrain develops relatively fast after about an hour of constant play. I initially felt a bit nauseous, but I think it’s passed. The cons are heavily outweighed by the pros, however.

More Agumented Reality

I’ve been very busy with my classes and completing my senior research paper this semester. Not sure if I’ll be marching in May or not because I need to complete a couple stray classes this Summer, but we’ll see. In any case, I’ll have my Biology degree by August.

Not a whole lot going on in the gay rights world. Maryland’s same-sex marriage bill failed to get past the legislature. The 9th Circuit refused to lift the stay on Prop8, so we’re in for a long haul in that court battle, which won’t pick back up until this Fall. On the other hand, Obama signed the United Nations Gay Rights Resolution. The focus of this resolution is on developing nations where gay people are persecuted, even jailed or murdered for being gay (though it could be argued the US still has a long way to go in distancing us from that sort of behavior).

I’ve been reading a lot. Aside from textbook reading, I just finished Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief, which was awesome. I definitely recommend it! The movie Adaptation (2002) is loosely based on the book and stars Meryl Streep and Nicolas Cage. It’s kind of bizarre and takes liberties with the Orlean’s writing, but it gives a good visual supplement to a book that is profuse with rich imagery.

I’m nearly finished with Scott Rosenberg’s Dreaming in Code and, continuing Matheson’s bibliography from What Dreams May Come, I’m about halfway through The Other Side of Death by Raymond Bayless. I have to admit the latter is kind of dry. I’m also working through Thich Nhat Hanh’s You Are Here. Hanh is one of my favorite authors, but one does not simply read through his books – it’s more of an instructional book in leading a life of mindfulness in the Buddhist tradition. I’ve read maybe ten of his books so far.

My reading’s going to have to take a back seat starting this weekend – I have a Cosmos Black Nintendo 3DS reserved at GameStop and I’m really excited for the release! It will be the first consumer glasses-free 3D technology released in the US and the reviews so far are overwhelmingly positive. I’m especially excited about the augmented reality feature and the ability to take 3D photos. I’m also glad we’ll finally have a Virtual Console for the DS so that it will be possible to download past titles like Super Mario Bros. I’m a little disappointed with the launch titles, though I have already reserved copies of Nintendogs + Cats, Super Monkey Ball, and PilotWings Resort. I’m confident that coming titles like Zelda and Kid Icarus will make it all worthwhile.

Between all of this I’m honing my C programming skills and getting comfortable with Objective-C and the iPhone SDK. I have like a hundred plants growing. My gerbils are doing well. My mom and sister decided to keep our new pomeranian puppies, bringing the total up to 6 dogs, though having a huge number of animals in general has always been common in my familiy, lol. I get to visit them when I go home. They are precious poocademons as always ^-^

I’ll post more updates as things develop. I’m sure I’ll have a lot to say about the 3DS, my research, and my upcoming paleogenetics website. Oh, and UMaine Pride Week is April 11th to the 16th.

Today Lady Gaga released her music video for Born This Way. I like how she retells the story of Creation, hehe. Enjoy 🙂