Pam Spaulding's Blog, page 14
July 10, 2011
Pam's Gadget Geek Corner: the Chromebook
It's been quite a birthday weekend, as I received one of the best birthday presents a gadget geek girl like myself could hope for - a Chromebook. What is that, you ask? Well I had been considering a tablet - like an iPad (or an Android-based one), but as a blogger, I wanted to be practical, not trendy. I just couldn't fathom composing posts on an iPad (never mind it lacks Flash), and the other tablets had the same problem - no physical keyboard.
I knew that Google was going to release a hybrid of a laptop and tablet - a device that runs on its Chrome operating system, with no hard drive - all storage was in the cloud (online), and had a form-factor like a laptop. Well Kate, Tim, Miranda, and Mr. C. and Mr. E. sent me a Samsung Chromebook Series 5 Arctic White 3G Model.
Nothing but the Web
Chromebooks are built and optimized for the web, where you already spend most of your computing time. So you get a faster, simpler and more secure experience without all the headaches of ordinary computers.
Thin & Light design - just 3.3 lbs.
Weighing in at 3.3 lbs and just .8 inches thick, the ultra compact design provides maximum portability without compromising on functionality and optimal performance.
Instant Web
Chromebooks boot in less than 10 seconds and resume instantly. Your favorite websites load quickly and run smoothly, with full support for the latest web standards and Adobe Flash®. In fact, Chromebooks are designed to get faster over time as updates are released.
A good tech review with complete specs is here. I've been using the Chrome browser and Google Apps for years (over IR or Firefox), so getting used to the interface was a breeze. And as you'll read in that review - you can surf on this baby for 8 hours on a charge. I'm sure playing vids will drain it faster, but for the work I do, going almost a full day without having to juice up is amazing.
The whole concept of working without a physical hard drive for your primary storage and using no traditional installed applications is new to many, but I've been doing all I can in my day job to have my department do almost everything on a server or in the cloud, not resident on their hard drives.
Most people have Gmail accounts, so you sign into the Chromebook with your account and you're in - all of your bookmarks, installed Chrome apps and extensions, even your custom settings are automatically updated and part of the OS. All of your contacts are synced up, and you can bounce between multiple email accounts with ease.
It detects available wireless networks around, so you sign in and you're online and computing in no time. Mine has the 3G Verizon service built in (2 years free, with 100MB/transfer mo.), though in its wisdom, Samsung supplies a SIM card slot so you can put your broadband card SIM into it if you like (and already have paid service).
It has a 12.1 inch screen, so it's bigger than a netbook, smaller than most laptops, but the screen is more than adequate for work on the road. There are 2 USB ports (I use one for my wireless mouse), a multicard reader (SD, etc.), and, thank goodness, a port with adapter for VGA, so you can connect a monitor or projector to it. The trackpad, for those who like them is HUGE, the largest I've seen on any laptop, so that's a nice feature. The keyboard is chicklet style, really quiet and full-sized.
Is it as fast as a laptop? Actually, yes, for most things, since you don't have the overhead bloat of a traditional OS or apps. If it had to perform under the weight of "real" apps and an OS it would be pokey as most netbooks currently are.
What is the downside? None if you don't need to run proprietary client software that most road warrior business class folks would need, but if you need email, social networking, photo and video, and Office-like apps, you're good to go. Anything accessible by a traditional web browser works fine.
Stability? Man, I've been working this thing on all sorts of web sites and the OS has not hosed. Now the browser itself has encountered pages or elements that cause the window to crash, but most Chrome users already know that you can keep on surfing because one tab crashing doesn't KO the rest of your open tabs. It's the same on the Chrome OS. YouTube vids play well, loading of large photos is fine. (Note, if you need a photo editor, Picnik is available, and there are tons on things on Android Market/Chrome Store) that will work on this device.
So far there's only one obvious downside - if you have no Internet connection on the wifi-only Chromebook and there is no 3G service, you can't connect to the Internet, and therefore, you're pretty much SOL using anything of consequence on the Chromebook. Now, that's usually a rarity in most places, but say if you're on an airplane and it doesn't offer wireless service, you might as well just close the Chromebook and get some shut eye on your flight.
But that's really not a day-to-day issue. I really can't say enough about the Chromebook. Is it an iPad killer? No; they are simply different devices for different tasks. However, if you write frequently on the road and at conferences, the Chromebook really blows tablets out of the water. I think a lot of early-adopters of the iPad for travel/reporting will be moving over to this more functional, practical (and less expensive!) device down the road.
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Google+
So this is Google's new social network and it's a lot like Facebook, with some improvements. Instead of friend groupings, there are Circles you affiliate them with. So far it's invitation-only, but there are a lot of people on as of this weekend...
My page is here, and you can see what my profile page looks like below. Since I'm maxed out on Facebook friends (I do have a fan page people can "Like")
I don't see this is a Facebook killer; it's just another social network to plug into.
Celebrating the opening of the Presbyterian ordination process to openly LGBT people
This atheist is celebrating today with her Presbyterian family and friends! I want equality everywhere, even places I wouldn't go like the military and church. LGBT-positive changes that religious people bring about in their institutions result in members of that institution re-thinking how they treat lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere, not just in church. There is a positive ripple effect that benefits us all, whether in their personal interactions with us or how they vote.A warm congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make this positive change happen. Today is a day for all of us to celebrate.
On Sunday, July 10, changes to the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s constitution go into effect, allowing the ordination of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ministers, elders and deacons. Ratification of these constitutional changes was assured in May of 2011, when a majority of the 173 presbyteries voted to change the policy through a nationwide ratification process. Voting on the amendment continued through July. Ninety-seven presbyteries approved the amendment which will become official policy for the entire denomination on Sunday, July 10. More Light Presbyterian congregations across the country marked the moment with prayer and rejoicing in their worship services. (List: http://www.mlp.org/index.php?topic=churches)."This historic moment reminds me of when Presbyterians affirmed women as ordained leaders in the church a generation ago," said Michael Adee, executive director of More Light Presbyterians. "Across this country members of welcoming and affirming congregations and ministries are telling the stories of faithful candidates who can now be considered for ordination. Years of sharing our lives, Bible study and prayer helped Presbyterians from all walks of life to affirm ordination based on gifts and graces for ministry and God's love for all people."
Related:
* Guest Post by Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards: What Today's Vote Means for the Church
* Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) lifts ban on noncelibate gay clergy but dodges the marriage question
* Conversation with a straight Presbyterian ally
July 9, 2011
Weekend This & That: Open Thread
So, this is what my cartoon sockpuppet Bookworm Bob have been looking at since our last This & That post -- which was quite a long while ago! 
Navy Times' House Votes To Stop Same-Sex Marriages On Base:
WASHINGTON - Intent on delaying the new policy allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces, the House voted on Friday to prohibit military chaplains from performing same-sex marriages on the nation's bases regardless of state law.On a 236-184 vote, the House attached the amendment to the defense spending bill, one of several steps the Republican-controlled chamber has taken this year to delay President Obama's new policy. Pentagon leaders have said they see no roadblocks to ending the 17-year ban, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is likely to certify the change for mid-summer after months of training for the services.
Still, opposition remains strong in the House...
With regards to putting barriers in the way of implementation of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT), it's a move that's obviously one of playing to the social conservative base of the Republican party instead of the roughly ¾ of adult Americans who have favored the repeal of DADT.
As for barring same-sex unions on military bases, it's again an attempt to codify federal discrimination -- and again, it's a move that's obviously playing to the social conservative base of the Republican party.
The Republicans in the House appear to be, as a group, choosing to be on the wrong side of history.
For those who don't know, the Larry King hate crime murder trial has been taking place in Oxnard, California this month. From the Los Angeles Times' Teacher describes teen's changing gender identity before slaying; Junior high teacher testifies that she had supported Larry King's transformation, offered makeup tips and counseled him to respect other students' views - just half an hour before a classmate killed him:
E.O. Green Junior High teacher Dawn Boldrin on Friday recounted how she let her student Larry King know that she supported him as he began asserting a more feminine identity at their Oxnard school.She bought him nail polish and offered him makeup tips when he showed up in class with a little too much eye shadow, Boldrin told a Chatsworth courtroom. Another day she handed him a shimmering green formal dress tucked into a leopard-print gift bag.
On Feb. 12, 2008, at the start of the school day, she cautioned him to respect other students in the same way that he wanted them to respect him for being gay and dressing like a girl.
"I said, 'I think it's great. I support you. But you can't make everyone believe what you believe and it's not your right to make them try,' " Boldrin recounted of the few moments they spoke as they walked to a computer lab...
More of the article at the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times coverage of the trial to date is here (articles not in date order).
Think Progress's Saving Medicaid: Why The LGBT Community Should Care:
In the banquet of spending cuts laid out as part of the debt negotiations, everyone seems to want a piece of Medicaid. Congress and the Administration are hungry for $4 trillion in savings, and while a powerful voting bloc of seniors helps protect Medicare, Medicaid serves people whose voices at the ballot box aren't typically feared by those in Washington: the majority of Medicaid beneficiaries are women, children, and people with disabilities, many of them people of color, and all of them familiar with how poverty can cut off access to lifesaving medical care.Medicaid works
Medicaid provides coverage for more than 50 million Americans. In a recent poll, more than 50 percent of respondents shared that they have a personal connection to Medicaid, either because they themselves have received assistance from the program at some point in their lives or because a friend or family member had. Other recent research demonstrates that Medicaid makes a huge difference in people's lives. Compared to people without insurance, Medicaid beneficiaries are happier, healthier, and have more access to the routine health care that prevents public health tragedies like high infant mortality, soaring costs for uncompensated emergency room visits, and unnecessary deaths from controllable conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
The Affordable Care Act recognizes Medicaid's importance as a central part of the safety net and slates the program for a big expansion. The health reform law includes a requirement that states maintain current eligibility levels for their Medicaid programs, and beginning in 2014, an estimated 16 million currently uninsured people will receive coverage under Medicaid...
Trans people especially should care. According to NCTE's/The Task Force's study Injustice At Every Turn, 30% of trans people are disabled:
Thirty percent (30%) of respondents reported having a physical disability or mental health condition that substantially affects a major life activity. By contrast, the overall U.S. population reports a disability at a rate of 20%.10 However, the way we asked the question about disability may differ from the definition used by the Centers for Disease Control.
And household income for trans people is below that of the general population:
Our respondents reported much lower household incomes than the population as a whole, with many living in dire poverty. Fifteen percent (15%) of our respondents reported making under $10,000/year, nearly four times the rate of this household income category for the general population. Twelve percent (12%) said they made between $10,000 and $20,000/year. Fourteen percent (14%) said they made $100,000/year or more, compared to 25% making 100,000/year or more for the general population.
Due to the poverty and disability found in trans community, Medicaid cuts will no doubt significantly impact many of its community members.
The News's Homosexuality permitted in 113 countries, illegal in 76:
LAHORE: Fully recognised as a reality by 113 countries of the world that have legalised and decriminalised homosexuality over the years, the concept of same-sex union is still illegal in 76 nations and punishable by death in five countries - Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Yemen and Sudan.The Muslim countries where homosexuality is legal include Mali, Jordan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Azerbaijan etc.
As a large number of Pakistanis, including the religious clerics and parliamentarians, are infuriated over the June 26, 2011 gay, lesbians and transgender pride celebration ceremony that was hosted by the US Embassy in Islamabad, less than a month after President Obama had proclaimed equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity in his May 31, 2011 speech, chances are bright that criticism against America may gain momentum in coming days provided the Pakistani media highlights the issue.
A curious peek into the concept of homosexuality and facts consequently collected from numerous United Nations documents and the most recent survey report of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Inter-sex Association (ILGA) reveal that people are also put to death for their sexual orientation in Southern Somalia and about 12 Nigerian states. It formerly carried the death penalty in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule and in Iraq under a 2001 decree by Saddam Hussein...
More of the article at The News.
Our Wiener Story Of The Day: Nashville Business Journal's Court sides with Dillard's employee fired for stealing hot dogs:
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursdaythat a Dillard's department store was not justified in firing an employee accused of stealing two hot dogs after a company picnic in July 2010.
According to this news story at TheIndyChannel.com, the store manager ordered that the left over burgers and hotdogs from the picnic be put in a freezer to be used for Labor Day.
The employee, however, said he never heard that directive, and removed two hot dogs from the freezer the next day to eat...
As always, "The weenie tempts you!"
So anywho...It's an open thread! What are you thinking about today, or what books or articles have you been reading the past few days? Wanna share?
And again, please feel free to chat, blogwhore, and link-share in the comment thread because...it's an open thread! Woo-hoo! 
Goodbye to Betty Ford - where did the Republican women like her go?
Former First Lady Betty Ford was remembered for being unafraid to speak out about social issues, at a time when politicians' spouses were usually seen but not heard.The statement from the White House:Ford, who died Friday at age 93, was not intimidated by the public spotlight, and used her position to passionately promote causes important to her. In the process she helped remove the stigma of speaking out publicly about sensitive issues like alcoholism, addiction and breast cancer.
"When she became First Lady, our country was talking about the burning of bras and equal rights amendments and the need for sexual liberation, and here was a Republican First Lady who seemed quite fine with a lot of that feminist energy of being ginned up largely from the Democratic left," Brinkley said on "The Early Show on Saturday Morning."
The White HouseHow did the GOP go from Betty Ford to Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin?
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2011
Statement from President Obama on the Passing of Elizabeth Anne Ford
Throughout her long and active life, Elizabeth Anne Ford distinguished herself through her courage and compassion. As our nation's First Lady, she was a powerful advocate for women's health and women's rights. After leaving the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment. While her death is a cause for sadness, we know that organizations such as the Betty Ford Center will honor her legacy by giving countless Americans a new lease on life.
Today, we take comfort in the knowledge that Betty and her husband, former President Gerald Ford, are together once more. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to their children, Michael, John, Steven, and Susan.
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Truth Wins Out Infilterates And Exposes Marcus Bachmann's Ex-Gay Practice
Be sure to check out what Wayne Besen and our friends at Truth Wins Out are up to. They have released a report of an undercover investigation they conducted just weeks ago, beginning June 23 of Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann's husband's Christian counseling practice. Truth Wins Out's Communications and Development Director John Becker posed as a troubled homosexual seeking counseling. His experience with Bachmann & Associates counselor Timothy?Wiertzema?led him to conclude:?
Based on my experiences at Bachmann & Associates, there can no longer be any doubt that Marcus Bachmann's state- and federally-funded clinic endorses and practices reparative therapy aimed at changing a gay person's sexual orientation, despite the fact that such "therapy" is widely discredited by the scientific and medical communities.
And no, relative to the question asked earlier, Becker was never presented an informed consent form to participate. Nor was he in any way briefed that the "therapy" route he was embarking upon was discredited, useless and potentially dangerous.
As observed, "Dr." Bachmann's practice fails to meet even the ethical standards set by the American Association of Christian Counselors, let alone the much higher bar of more stringent professional organizations like American Psychological Association. Much more after the fold.?
And yes, there were hidden cameras involved.?
This is an exhaustive and very damning report meticulously documented in multiple postings. Truth Wins Out's summary is here.?
Becker (left) shares his first person account here. It is an enjoyable if chilling read. Becker shares the logistical and pragmatic challenges of endeavoring on the assignment, as well as his thoughts and feelings along the way. A choice excerpt from his summary:
I was never told that every professional medical and mental health association rejects "ex-gay" therapy including the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the American Counseling Association, or that the treatment I was seeking was totally unsupported by research. I was never informed about possible alternative treatment options such as gay-affirmative therapy. Nobody ever told me about the potential for harmful side effects like depression and suicidal thoughts. And although I was asked to sign a treatment plan outlining my problem, desired outcome, and treatment strategy, I was never given nor asked to sign any kind of informed consent document that disclosed the above information about "ex-gay" therapy. As such, I believe Bachmann & Associates to be practicing unethically, even by the standards of the American Association of Christian Counselors. This is particularly disconcerting given the fact that Marcus Bachmann's clinic has received significant funding from the State of Minnesota and the federal government.
Tax payer dollars in the form of Medicaid should not be going to support unethical and scientifically indefensible practices.?
Truth Wins Out explains the criteria they used to conclude the therapy is discredited gay reparative therapy here.?
I have included the main bullet points and edited them down, they are more fully explained at the link. Suffice it to say there are many hallmarks of "therapeutic" techniques common to the George "Boy Renter" Rekers school of thought, pioneered at his organization, The National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).
False promise of healing: During the sessions, Wiertzema claimed that it was possible to change from gay to straight through prayer and therapy.
Homosexuality portrayed as unnatural: At no time during the therapy was homosexuality portrayed as a natural variation, it was portrayed as a treatable condition at odds with a normal and healthy sexual orientation.
The risks of reparative therapy downplayed: Becker was never told the result he was seeking was totally unsupported by research nor warned of potential for harmful side effects like depression and suicidal thoughts.Homosexuality blamed on environment: Counselor relied on the discredited idea that homosexuality could be the result of neglect, abuse, trauma or poor parenting.
Accountability Partner: During the sessions, the counselor urged Becker to find a heterosexual "accountability partner."
Focus on developing masculinity: The counselor advised Becker to "further develop your own sense of masculinity."
For the record, in 2009, the American Psychological Association considered the results of a two year study that showed no measurable evidence that sexual orientation could be changed. Because therapy was also shown to have harmful effects like depression and suicidal ideation the APA voted 125-to-4 to repudiate such practices.
The Bachmanns have tried very hard to obfuscate and downplay their involvement in the fraudulent ex-gay movement. But the evidence is mounting and media are noticing. The Nation has picked this story up, reporting on a different young man's similar experience with Bachmann's clinic in 2004.
In truth, this investigation shows Bachmann's to be very intimately tied to the practices, customs, theories and even the actual personalities who define this movement.
Says Truth Wins Out:
"The results of our investigation should end all doubt whether Marcus Bachmann's clinic endorses and practices reparative therapy aimed at changing a gay person's sexual orientation," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen (right). "The facts plainly show that Bachmann's clinic does try to cure gay people and he is being evasive when he claims otherwise.""It's time for Michele and Marcus Bachmann to stop denying, dodging, and stonewalling," added Truth Wins Out's Communications and Development Director John Becker. "They owe it to all Americans to provide a full and honest explanation for their embrace of these dangerous and fraudulent practices."
Come out of the closet with you gay-erasing self, "Dr." Bachmann. Apologize to vulnerable people you have hurt.?
And please return the tax dollars that funded your fraudulent "therapists" discredited work.?
July 8, 2011
NC: Man on trial for killing boy for gay 'behavior,' woman for leaving group marriage
A Durham man who led a religious group killed a 4-year-old boy who he feared was gay and a 28-year-old woman who couldn't have children and wanted to leave the group, prosecutors said in a court hearing Friday.
Prosecutors laid out evidence they believe justifies the death penalty against Peter Lucas Moses, 27, who faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jadon Higganbothan, 4, and Antoinetta Yvonne McKoy, 28. Defense attorneys didn't speak in his behalf at a court hearing Friday.McKoy, 28. Defense attorneys didn't speak in his behalf at a court hearing Friday.The woman, whose identity wasn't released, told police that two people had died at the house, Durham County District Attorney Tracey Cline said. Court records have revealed that Durham police had a confidential informant in the case.
The women counted themselves as Moses' "wives or common-law wives" and called him "Lord," Cline said.
"The arrangement was the women would periodically occupy the master suite with" Moses, Cline said, adding that she wouldn't go so far as to say the group was a cult.
Breaking: Pentagon suspends DADT in wake of court ruling
The Pentagon has ordered a halt to all separations of gay troops under "don't ask, don't tell" and will begin accepting applications from prospective recruits who identify themselves as homosexuals.The moratorium issued Friday came after a ruling Wednesday by a federal appeals court in California ordering the Defense Department to immediately stop enforcing the law. The court said the law is unconstitutional because it treats gay Americans differently under the law.
Meanwhile, defense officials will continue to prepare for the law's formal repeal, which Congress approved in December. The law will be formally repealed 60 days after the defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs "certify" that it will not adversely impact military readiness.
DOD Still Enforcing DADT
Despite assurances from the Pentagon that they will comply with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals injunction against enforcing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law, a former servicemember discharged under DADT had a different experience attempting to reenlist.
Captain Jim Pietrangelo says that he tried to reenlist today and was turned away, in spite of a standing court order. He told AmericaBlog the enlistment recruiter told him:
"When it [repeal certification] becomes in effect, we can actually enlist you,” SGT Borba told me. SGT Borba later confirmed that his recruiting center “won’t be processing” Gay applicants “until the Pentagon says it’s OK to let Gay people in.”
The Sargent seems confused.
It is not the Repeal Act of 2010 that now compels the military to allow gay and lesbian citizens to serve their country. It was the United States Constitution, as affirmed by the Ninth Circuit court Federal Judge Virginia Phillips last September. The injunction against enforcing the law was affirmed recently by a panel at the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court.
In Court, The Department of Justice argued vigorously that the DADT Repeal Act of 2010 made imposing an injunction unnecessary.
The Justices of the Ninth disagreed and the Department of Justice lost that argument in Federal Appeals Court.
Seems like Sargent Borda, and likely many more in the field, still need some more clarification from the Department of Defense about their obligations to act within the rule of law.
Texas Gov. (& potential GOP Clown Car occupant) Rick Perry runs with a really batsh*t fundie crowd
Take this example of batsh*ttery (protect thy keyboards):
Rick Perry Partners With Pastor Who Thinks Oprah Is The Precursor To The AntichristReally, Rick Perry? Is this part of your road to the White House?
Right Wing Watch has documented the close ties between Gov. Rick Perry's The Response prayer rally and the International House of Prayer (IHOP), not the least of which is that IHOP's affiliated The Call rallies appear to serve as a model for The Response. Mike Bickle, the founder and executive director of IHOP -- who along with Lou Engle made IHOP a prominent force in the Religious Right - is also an official endorser of The Response. Like Engle, Bickle is a radical who pushes extraordinary End Times prophesies.
In an undated GOD TV video about the End Times, Bickle claims that Oprah Winfrey will be one of the principal "pastors" of the "Harlot Babylon," which he says is the precursor to the coming of the Antichrist.
Bickle: The Harlot Babylon is preparing the nations to receive the Antichrist. The Harlot Babylon will be a religion of affirmation, toleration, no absolutes, a counterfeit justice movement. They will feed the poor, have humanitarian projects, inspire acts of compassion for all the wrong reasons. They won't know it, beloved they will be sincere, many of them, but their sincerity will not in any way lessen the impact of their deception. The fact that they are sincere does not make their deception less damaging. I believe that one of the main pastors, as a forerunner to the Harlot movement, it's not the Harlot movement yet, is Oprah. She is winsome, she is kind, she is reasonable, she is utterly deceived, utterly deceived. A classy woman, a cool woman, a charming woman, but has a spirit of deception and she is one of the clear pastors, forerunners to the Harlot movement.
White House political shift - Brian Bond to DNC
FYI...no comment other than to ask who will be the new "gay outreach" in the WH...lolz. From The Politico:BRIAN BOND joins DNC as director of constituency outreach. He has been at White House Office of Public Engagement for past two years and has been on frontlines of key initiatives, particularly on LGBT front. Signals that DNC is focusing on base organizing going into '12. He'll partner with DNC political director, Jeffrey Lerner (also formerly of W.H.) to form outreach team. Bond will be at White House a few more weeks, and starts at DNC in August.Related:
* Blend Exclusive: LGBT Liaison & WH Deputy Director for the Office of Public Engagement Brian Bond
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