AmeriNZ 109 – Marriage Equality

Today is all about marriage equality. I start out sharing my thoughts on the topic of marriage equality, then I move on to take on a religious wingnut and his loopy arguments. You may find something useful in all this to combat the bigots you encounter. But I do get a bit stroppy in my rhetoric, so be warned. A comment on another topic lets me tell you something about a tech development in New Zealand.

If you have a strong stomach and want to see the relevant link, see the comments to episode 106.

Please leave a comment, ring my US Listener Line on 206-339-8413, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 102 – Becoming Kiwi

I begin today by telling you about a couple items in the news, first, those missing Indians, then the NZ Census wants to identify the sexual orientation of New Zealanders.

The main topic today is about becoming Kiwi, essentially, being assimilated. I talk about my experience and my attitudes about it. I think that it helped me in unexpected ways.

Comments, a phone message and emails are next, which lets me talk a little more about the state of gay rights in New Zealand. Then I tell you about the schedule for Friday.

Please leave a comment or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com. You can also ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.


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AmeriNZ 68 – John Ong is everywhere

Episode 68 is now available, and it’s free no matter where you get it from. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

New Zealand’s clean and green is a bit faded. A NZ website has a bout of homophobia, while an American comedian will go pink for New Zealand. If you’re happy and you know it, you’re probably not 44. I give you a chance to make fun of me. And, John Ong is everywhere.

The NZ government’s newest report on the environment, Environment New Zealand 2007, has found that things aren’t all that great with NZ’s environment (read the NZ Herald story or the Stuff story).

In NZ we have a press agency called the NZPA for news-sharing among New Zealand media, and sometimes overseas. The main news websites carry the reports—sometimes exactly the same.

There was an NZPA report that a man was sexually attacked at a public toilet in Christchurch. The NZ Herald website correctly headlined their story, “Man sexually attacked and robbed in toilet block”. But rival stuff.co.nz headlined their version, “Manhunt for toilet block gay sex attacker”.

I fired off a complaint to Stuff, pointing out that there’s no such thing as a “gay sex attack” (or even a “homosexual sex attack”); sex attacks are the actions of violent, depraved individuals who may or may not be heterosexual or homosexual. Sex attacks are crimes of violence, not sex. I said that by using the word “gay” they reinforced negative stereotypes of gay men generally, including the myth that they prey on “innocent victims”.

On the brighter side, an American comedian will be turning pink for New Zealand.

Speaking of happiness, did you know there’s a sort of universal path of happiness over a lifetime? Does it relate to my life?

Two new podcasts are starting up.

I’m going to put a link to my Frappr map, but take away the map widget because my blog is taking too long to load, so I’ll be removing most of them. So, leave a pin while it’s still easy to do! To round-out the tech talk, I give an iTunes update plus give two new email addresses you can use.

I’m recording a new political discussion via Skype on Thurday, February 7, at 7:30pm EST (US) time. You’re welcome to join us.

Please leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Links for this episode

We’re Mean Because You’re Stupid

There Are Some Who Call Me Tim episode on Big Fatty’s new podcast

Big Fatty Online

John Ong’s Ongline Podcast

Blue Savannah by Erasure iTunes USA Store or iTunes NZ Store. You can also buy Blue Savannah through Amazon.com.


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AmeriNZ 57 – Aussies and expats too

Episode 57 is now available. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

The Australian election was held this past Saturday, and the changes were huge. But for GLBT people, the changes may not be so big. I also tell you a few more things about being an expat. Then, it’s on to comments, including an audio comment from Nik-in-Paris, then the results of the latest poll on my blog. Finally, a listener tells me about a new sweepstakes where US listeners can enter to win a trip to New Zealand.

The results from my latest blog poll are in, answering the question: Regardless of what you actually have, do you think Christmas is better in hot weather or cold? Among 22 responses, 2 people or 9% favoured Hot weather, Cold weather was chosen by 15 (68%), I don’t care by 3 (13%) and “What’s this, a trick question promoting New Zealand summer?” by 2 (9%).

Take part in the new poll question about NZ alcoholic beverages.

Also mentioned in this episode:
My blog post Election lessons UPDATED
My blog post Howard’s End
Nik-in-Paris Podcast #64.

Leave a comment or send an email to me at amerinz{at)yahoo.com. You can also ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.


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AmeriNZ 51 – Mark from Slap

Episode 51 is now available. You can listen to it or download it through the player at the bottom of this post, or subscribe for free through iTunes here (you must have the free iTunes player installed). You can also listen to it for free through the player on my MySpace page.

Oh! Canada! It’s an extra long episode today, as I talk with Mark from one of my favourite sites, Slap Upside the Head. Mark is Canadian, currently living in Montreal. We talk about all sorts of things, like his growing up in Canada, and something of what the country is like. Are gay rights really better in Canada? What can the Canadian experience teach American activists? We fit in some talk about terrorism, the influence of right wing religionists, and even sports! Canada, the US and New Zealand all get some compare and contrast action.

Leave a comment or call my US listener line on 206-339-8413. And, you can always send an email to me at amerinz(at]yahoo.com. Join my e-mailing list to find out about new episodes as they’re released.

A couple Slaps we talked about:

Peace Activist Ejected By Church

Point/CounterPoint: The Dumbledore Controversy

My “Guest Slap” on Mark’s site called It’s All About Maps


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AmeriNZ 10 – Civil Unions and Stuff

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgEpisode 10 is now available—it’s just me this time. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

New Zealand civil unions are marriages in all but name. All marriages and civil unions are basically property contracts. But the protections are important. Married/civil unioned couples in New Zealand don’t file joint tax returns. Wage and salary earners don’t need to file tax returns. Taxes pay for nearly everything—including health. Property taxes, called rates, pay mostly for local amenities and infrastructure maintenance. Comments are commented on, and a short review of my weekend. Please leave a comment, or send an email to amerinz[at]yahoo.com.


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AmeriNZ 3 – Gay in New Zealand

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgWhat’s it like being gay in New Zealand? How do New Zealanders treat gay people? This episode I talk about both. Please leave a comment—anonymous comments are fine, if you want.

This episode, like last week, was a bit rushed (relatives were about to arrive). Sometimes, life happens. Apologies, too, for getting the show notes up so late; Blogger was down (again) when I was ready to post.

Music: Love Who You Are (Radio Edit) HERO (c) 2000 Universal Music NZ Ltd.

Some relevant links from this episode:

HERO

Rainbow Labour (GLBT caucus of Labour Party MPs)

ArcherRadio. I was on the group show again this week. Just between us, I love taking part in the group shows. Listen to Archerr’s show, then please leave a comment on Archerr’s site.


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