Category Archives: Society and cultcha

Promote equality, promote the economy

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a simple enough formula. When the courts finally declare Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage illegal, which most people think they will, it could mean a boost for the wedding and hospitality industry as 23,200 couples tie the knot, according … Continue reading →

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Texas’ first same-sex marriage

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating story. More than 40 years ago in a small chapel off the Gulf Freeway, a hulking ex-tackle from Brownsville slid a ring onto the finger of his partner, transforming the slight man wearing a blond bouffant wig standing opposite … Continue reading →

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The marriage equality economic boost

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From Equality Texas: The Williams Institute released a report today estimating that marriage for same-sex couples in Texas would add $181.6 million to the state and local economy over a three-year period. The report predicts that 23,000 Texas couples would … Continue reading →

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It really is about more than just marriage

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Jo Ann Santangelo writes for the Observer about what it means to be in a same-sex marriage that isn’t recognized as legal by the state of Texas. In 2012, my wife, Kate, and I traveled more than 3,400 miles from … Continue reading →

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Hands off a hardbody

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

This is the most interesting theater-related story involving a canceled play that I’ve ever heard about. Theatre Under The Stars and director Bruce Lumpkin kicked up a heap of dust with the company’s production of “Hands on a Hardbody,” which … Continue reading →

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Reminder: Drowning doesn’t look like drowning

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve posted this twice before, and with summertime officially upon us, it seemed like the right time to post it again. The new captain jumped from the deck, fully dressed, and sprinted through the water. A former lifeguard, he kept … Continue reading →

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Darsh Preet Singh

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Very cool. Basketball courts didn’t care that Darsh Preet Singh wore a turban. Or that he is Sikh. Hardwood is a great equalizer. The court’s 10-foot-high rim does not discriminate. If you can handle the rock, you’ve got a place. … Continue reading →

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Annise Parker’s journey

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reviews how Mayor Parker went from activist for the LGBT community to Mayor on the occasion of her wedding. The country’s first openly gay mayor became the country’s first openly gay married mayor this week. A wedding wouldn’t … Continue reading →

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It’s now officially OK to be gay in the Boy Scouts

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Progress. Slow and incremental, but progress nonetheless. The Boy Scouts of America will accept openly gay youths starting on New Year’s Day, a historic change that has prompted the BSA to ponder a host of potential complications — ranging from … Continue reading →

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Mayor Parker to get married?

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

According to CultureMap, the answer is Yes. Although Mayor Annise Parker has vowed that she and her longtime partner, Kathy Hubbard, will not wed until gay marriage is legal in Texas, in recent interviews the mayor has softened her stance. … Continue reading →

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Texas Monthly on transgender marriage in Texas

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s way more complicated than it needs to be. Here’s a stumper: Is it legal for a transgender person—say, someone whose original birth certificate says “male,” but who identifies as a woman—to get married to a man who identifies as … Continue reading →

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Bishop Gene Robinson coming to Houston

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: For Immediate Release September 20, 2013 Contact: Houston Americans United Toni Medellin 832.868.4586 FIRST OPENLY GAY EPISCOPAL BISHOP TO ADDRESS HOUSTON CHAPTER OF AMERICANS UNITED  Bishop Gene Robinson Will Weigh In On Religious Liberty, Tolerance At Meeting … Continue reading →

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Remember, drowning doesn’t look like drowning

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve posted about this before, but as summer is now upon us, it seems like a good time to go over it again. Former Coast Guard rescue swimmer Mario Vittone’s iconic article about how to recognize the signs of drowning … Continue reading →

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Suburban poverty

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Just as the Houston area has seen a population boom in recent years, so has it seen a large increase in poverty, to the point where there are more people in poverty in Houston’s suburbs than in the city. The … Continue reading →

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Boy Scouts go half gay

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

There are compromises that actually resolve disputes, and there are compromises that exacerbate them. The Boy Scouts gay compromise is an example of the latter. The Boy Scouts of America on Thursday ended its longstanding policy of forbidding openly gay … Continue reading →

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No gay Scouts for Houston

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Despite a proposed change at the national level, if you’re gay the Boy Scouts in Houston still don’t want you. On Monday, Sam Houston Area Council members said they would continue the current national policy of the Irving-based Boy Scouts … Continue reading →

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Techies and the city

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The reason why tech companies are eschewing suburban campuses for urban office locations. For as long as many of us can remember, high-tech industries have flourished in the suburban office parks that are so ubiquitous in Silicon Valley, North Carolina’s … Continue reading →

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NOH8 comes to Houston

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Very cool. The NOH8 “photographic silent protest” comes to town Oct. 18 at the University of Houston. The shoot is hosted by the UH Council of Ethnic Organizations, from 4-7 p.m. in the University Center. NOH8 was created by celebrity photographer … Continue reading →

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Chick-fil-A

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

So there’s been protests and counter-protests and editorials and clever menu ideas, and that’s only in the past week. I don’t think the Chick-fil-A saga is going to come to a resolution any time soon, so let’s remember what it’s … Continue reading →

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More on Latinos and marriage equality

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Twenty-one of the nation’s leading Hispanic organizations announced today their endorsement of a first-of-its kind, comprehensive public-education campaign called Familia es Familia aimed at strengthening Latino voices to build support within the Latino community for acceptance of … Continue reading →

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Rey Guerra: Latinos in Houston 2012

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The following is from a series of guest posts that I will be presenting over the next few weeks. White, Black, Asian, or other, if you live in Houston, you’ve more than likely adopted aspects of Latino culture into your … Continue reading →

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Fourth of July video break: We the People

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

You can tell how old someone is by whether or not they can recite the preamble to the Constitution without singing it. All together now! Happy Fourth, y’all. I may have another video later.

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Latinos and marriage equality

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve probably seen some coverage by now of how African American views of marriage equality have shifted in its favor in the wake of President Obama’s announcement that he now supports it. But what about Latinos and their views? The … Continue reading →

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Why gay marriage is inevitable

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Professor Stephen Klineberg – you know, the fancy movie star – looks at 30 years worth of Houston Area Survey data and sees the future. The findings from the 31st year of the Kinder Houston Area Survey (1982-2012) will be … Continue reading →

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Stimulate the economy with marriage equality

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

​If New York can do it… New York City made quite a bit of money on gay marriage — 200,000 bucks, in fact. Cash flow into the city’s marriage bureau shot up since August, when same-sex nups got enacted, according … Continue reading →

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Even the Mayor is allowed to have her own opinion

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Despite what some people might think. The pastor of one of Houston’s megachurches is asking Mayor Annise Parker to resign if she will not cease promoting the legalization of same-sex marriage. “Respectfully, if you cannot uphold the Texas constitution, then … Continue reading →

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Who uses the white pages these days?

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I’m an old fogey. I read the dead tree version of the newspaper. I’ve installed no apps on my cellphone. I drive a minivan. Yet even I couldn’t tell you the last time I used a phone book. When was … Continue reading →

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When monkeys are outlawed, only outlaws will have monkeys

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Or something like that. Even in their Texas hideout, Jim and Donita Clark are terrified that wildlife agents from their home state of Louisiana will descend on their motorhome and seize the four Capuchin monkeys they’ve reared for 10 years. … Continue reading →

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Komen outrage

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I’m speechless. In a shocking move Tuesday afternoon, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the country’s most famous breast cancer charity, pulled its grants for breast-cancer screenings from Planned Parenthood. Komen claims that their reason is that Planned Parenthood is under investigation … Continue reading →

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Happy birthday, Jacob!

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Meet the newest most popular boy’s name in Texas. For the first time in more than a decade of dueling to become the most popular baby boy name in Texas, if infant Jacobs could talk, they’d have said “No way, … Continue reading →

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Another story about plastic bags

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

No news on the bag-banning front, though officials in the D/FW area quoted in this Star-Telegram story seem open to the idea, but what interested me was the numbers mentioned: Estimates show that each person now uses about 130 plastic … Continue reading →

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Party Like A Rock Star 2011

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Looking for something to do this Saturday? Here’s an idea: I am sadly unable to make it this year, but I can attest from past experience that it’s a fine event, and this is definitely now-more-than-ever time. So click the … Continue reading →

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We’re #12!

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The twelfth most obese state in the country, that is. They say everything’s bigger in Texas — and apparently, that includes the people. Texas ranks as the 12th most obese state in the U.S., according to a new study by … Continue reading →

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More cork recycling

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m always interested in recycling stories. The [Oregon-based nonprofit Cork Forest Conservation Alliance], whose donors include vineyards, want to remind oenophiles that cork products are made from the bark of the cork tree, which regenerates and is harvested every nine … Continue reading →

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