Proud of Google and its founder

I've been active with the Gayglers shortly after joining Google. With an overwhelming company support I took the initiative and started our local Gayglers group which later on became very visible in Dublin Pride events. Many people were surprised for the support we received. For me it looked natural.

Today I found myself shocked with pride for Google's stand on Proposition 8 that was introduced to eliminate rights of same-sex couples to Marry.

Although this one deals with Californian legislation only it is just incredible the company's support for Human Rights and above all for Equality.

"It is the chilling and discriminatory effect of the proposition on many of our employees that brings Google to publicly oppose Amendment 8. While we respect the strongly-held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument, we see this fundamentally as an issue of equality...
we should not eliminate anyone's fundamental rights, whatever their sexuality, to marry the person they love." by Sergey Brin on Google's official blog

From Dublin Parade 2008

Good-bye Iris

Saying good-bye is part of our life. When I was young saying good-bye used to be really difficult but growing older makes you strong and immune. With the globe shrinking and traveling is so much easier (let aside my carbon foot-print) meeting your friends is many times just few clicks away.

Last weekend my ex-flatmate and good friend Iris had her party - actually her very last party on the island. Few weeks back she has quit her job and already planned her next stop to another exotic part of the world - China. Spending many evenings with Iris was pleasant and I will miss it bunch.

From ByeBye Iris a...

The very same weekend I packed my luggage and actually most of my belongings to start my own mini-adventure in Tel-Aviv (for 3 months). Although visiting home for so many times since I moved on October 2006, this time it felt a lot different.

The day before I left, I had to say Shalom to many of my friends which is literally my Family. It was not so sad but defo emotional. Missing them was part of it, but realizing how many people I really love, care of and beloved by was overwhelming.

So I'm now on a work assignment back to my home-country which I miss so much. It's been MAD and SUPER busy around here. I hope I will slow down the pace and get into summery relaxish mood. I doubt it will happen anytime soon - but let me stay optimistic.

Iris - all the best dear. I've never seen anyone as happy as yourself and I hope your constantly cheerful being will surround your new friends.

From ByeBye Iris a...

Gayglers and Dublin Pride

Although it has been a while since Pride was in town, only now I could find some time to sit down and reflect. The bottom line is that we (Gayglers/Googlers) won the Community Award for 2008 and that all the hard work was really worth-while. Not just because of the award, but also for all the positive feedbacks and the impact we had on the festivities and in the long term - Dublin LGBTQ community.

So what did we do??
Dublin online gay map - www.google.ie/gaydublin
Dublin Pride YouTube Channel
YouTube Pod
Gold Sponsorship
And probably had the nicest float at the Parade with a fab DJ

From Dublin Parade...

So all in all it was a great experience, good fun but also lots of hard work.
Next year?! I might just do again but it in a different city...

Thanks for Jason, Annamarie and many others that helped.
xx

p.s. - if you missed us and want to get our snappy wristband - drop me a line :)

Tel-Aviv Pride 2008

As I mentioned earlier this month, this year the Gayglers are taking part in many Pride events around the Globe. (full list at the photo below)

From TLV-Pride08

I happened to be in Israel for Tel-Aviv Pride. It was by far the best Pride the city have known. It started with a cool happening in Gan Meir where the amazing LGBT center is located. Many organizations and groups had small booths with their work / recruit volunteers etc. The LGBT center was open for the public and presented an art exhibition.



The Googlers gave-away Gayglers themed caps and Google stickers. Later on we joined the march with our banner and colorful balloons.



The Parade ended up with a great beach party with concerts by the best Israeli singers (Ivry Lider, Maya Buskila, Henry&Nikka...)

From TLV-Pride08

some facts about the history, Israel and discrimination

This post is a bit "heavier" than the usual suspects such as BBQ or a trip report I was busy with recently . So watch out and only keep on reading if you’re interested in knowing something about Israel.

I’m on my way from Dublin to Tel-Aviv and browsing the Haaretz special edition section called “Photo’s from our private Albums” that Milli gave me the same morning. I have tears in my eyes.

Going through the papers reminds me how grateful I should be for everything I have in life. Every bit of myself is shaped from every bit of my being an Israeli Jewish Gay person.

I put no dates on most of the stories as I feel these are all relevant to the present and the future of many human-beings in many places.

Although there are many things I would really want to change in our history and in present times I admire the people of Israel for constantly criticizing, self-criticizing, objecting, speaking up and are part of the history. Their inputs shed light on the reality and shape people's minds. I wish I can be as brave...

Past – Holocaust :: “Without a word”
Hannah Senesh’s family looking at her burial that was brought from Budapest to Israel. Hannah is a great example for the bravery during world war 2. She wrote a private diary while hiding in an attic which entrance was concealed by book-case in Amsterdam.

Israel – early days
One of the leaders that shaped Israel’s future -- David Ben-Gurion. I guess I need to say no more. People were afraid of him but respected him at the same time.

Israel - depression :: “And then they all left”
A story by an Arab who lived in what is now one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Tel-Aviv. Tells the story of a wealthy family and their run-away from the village they lived in.

Israel - discrimination :: “The black panthers”
Pretty much the first demonstration by Sefaradim against the discriminatory government which was ruled by Ashkenazim. Black (Schwartze in Yidish) - for their darker skin. Sefaradim are the Jews from Africa, Asia and the Arab world while Ashkenazim are Jews origin from America and greater-Europe.

Israel - homophobia :: “The Israeli mini-Stonewall -- Wigstock”
Not long after Dana International won the Eurovision song contest an organized gay gathering in the independence garden in Tel-Aviv was suddenly stopped by the police and banned for no good reason. It got only a bit physical but nonetheless shocking.

Israel – its fallen sons and daughters
"20 years old Benny Avraham with his sisters one to each of his sides."
Benny was one of the 3 Israeli soldiers murdered and kidnapped by Hezbollah to Lebanon and more than 3 years later was brought for burial in Israel. Unfortunately like him there are many more.

Anya Kazkatchov was 16 when murdered in a Tel-Avivian night club by a suicide bomber. 21 teenagers (mostly Russian newcomers) were murdered that night when a suicide bomber exploded in the queue-in; when crowded to help the survivors another suicide bomber got closer to them to double the effect. Bloody night...

real photos to come up later.