The Grove Celebrates Marriage Equality Being Legal in New York State.

The grove is alive with jubilation with the news that New York state has legalized marriage equality. This won't just benefit New York citizens; as New York will marry those from out of state. In addition, the example of New York will have strong influence on other states due to its size and political influence. My Neo-Pagan beliefs allow and call for acceptance of all sexual preferences. I like the Pagan influence of seeing sexuality, in general, as a gift of this life to be shared and lauded in all it's forms (except, obviously, things like pedophilia).America has for too long been a "sex negative" culture. In that, a lot of Americans see the celebration of sexuality as immoral. I couldn't disagree more; sexuality is at the core of humanity, which is the "sex positive" view. It feels wonderful for a reason!! It's time that Americans wake up to the gift of sexual pleasure; rather than seeing it as a "sin" to be avoided except for pro-creation purposes. Of course, marriage equality isn't just about sexual pleasure, however, here in the secret grove, that's often how we celebrate!!

The nymphs and fairies (of all sexual preferences) giggle with glee and erotically frolic with the half-naked satyrs throughout the woods. The grove isn't a place for prudish beliefs about nudity. I almost always wear next to nothing in the grove; often, just my mask and crown of leaves, a gentle smile and a proud erection.

I'm not ashamed of it--why should I be? Having a healthy erection is a very natural celebration of life!! A strong erection is as apart of being a man as growing a beard--I welcome them and honor every one as a gift from Mother Nature and the Horned God, Cernunnos (pictured, right).

I know some might not like how I'm including sex in a discussion about marriage equality, but marriage and sex go hand in hand!! America is about freedom; and not being able to love freely or have sex freely with consenting adults of the same-sex isn't in keeping with that tradition. I'm glad our society is broadening it's view of marriage and sexuality.

I feel, we need a sex liberation movement as much as a gay marriage movement. We got the ball rolling in the 1960s and then the trend of "traditional values" took over; despite the reality that there is no such thing as "traditional values" or "traditional marriage." Ancient Greeks were very accepting of homosexuality and sexual freedom. In the Bible, having multiple wives was considered, "traditional!!"

So, Sitting upon my throne of supple, green, saplings, I savor the moment and take pride in my bisexuality. The grove will always be a sanctuary for those with different sexual identities, gender identities and sexual preferences. We are a jovial and accepting clan who focus on unconditional love; over who you love or how you love. We are so proud and happy for our friends in New York.

In the meantime, the grove will continue to welcome refugees with open arms from the sexual orientation wars; provided you aren't uncomfortable with seeing the natural, naked, human form from time to time. If you accept those conditions, come on in, grab some wine and celebrate with us by watching the artful, natural beauty and talent of honorary grove member, Steve Retchless!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Utah Attorney General Shurtleff Approves of Medical Marijuana.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he would support the legalization of medical marijuana after experiencing months of intensive cancer treatment. "Until you've experienced chemo, you can't describe exactly how it feels," he said Thursday on KSL Newsradio's Doug Wright Show. "It's kind of like having the flu because you ache all over. But it's worse than that... Everything feels awful." "They give you pills to help you with the nausea, but if you can't keep those down, then what do you do?" he said. "You just suffer. That's one of the reasons I understand why people who are going through chemo are prescribed medicinal marijuana in states where it is legal."

Green Man: Wow, if Utah's attorney general backs medical marijuana then the marijuana debate is truly making progress. Utah is one of the most conservative states, which is also home to one of the most conservative religions--Mormonism. And, Shurtleff isn't someone to ignore that easily, considering he's the top law enforcement official in the state of Utah. I must say though, as a proud Coloradan, he needs to back-off criticizing Colorado for their very progressive medical marijuana industry. He's supposed to represent the state of Utah--let Colorado decide it's own way of doing things. I doubt he'd appreciate our attorney general telling him how to run his state.

Speaking of Colorado, we will have a proposal on the ballot next year on whether to legalize marijuana in the state. I think it has a real chance of succeeding, so if you want to see marijuana legalized and believe in the personal freedom to use it then please consider donating 5, 10, 20 dollars to the campaign. SAFER is a well known, established and respected cannabis organization here in Colorado; they successfully got small amounts of marijuana legalized in Denver city limits.

You might say, "Well, why should I help Colorado legalize it when I don't live there?" Understandable question. But, consider this--if Colorado legalizes it then it will create an example and momentum for others states to follow suit. Especially, if California also legalizes next year; as they have a ballot measure that will be on the '12 ballot, as well. Marijuana was given to us by Mother Earth and has medicinal and spiritual properties for a reason--it's meant to be used. Mother Nature has given us everything we need in nature.

It's amazing to me that we're fine with prescribing highly-addictive opium based pills for people for everything from a back ache to blue balls but marijuana is more dangerous? Despite it's known benefits and lack of side effects??? Bullshit. It's less addictive than alcohol, and yet, people see it as worse than the opium based pills they hand out like candy!! True story. I was raised in a very naive, conservative, Mormon household and wasn't allowed to sexually explore myself (or anyone else for that matter). So, I would get blue balls, but I didn't know what they were, so suspecting a serious problem "down there" I went to the emergency room!! Yep, and the doctor just told me about blue balls and gave me VICODIN!!!

Good god!! Handing out Vicodin to a 20 year old kid??? Why don't you just give me a heroin needle and a gun!! "Here kid, get hooked on a heroin derivative, but stay away from that natural herb over there, it's the "devil's weed!!" No one dies from marijuana use, whereas car crashes, hepatitis, firearms, Tylenol (acetaminophen) over-dose, alcohol over-dose and homocide deaths are numerous!! Those are based on 2007 numbers. Unlike most drugs, if you ingest a high amount of marijuana, you just get tired and sleep, but no over-dose. It's virtually impossible to over-dose. You'd have to eat a couple hay-bails worth of the stuff to get anywhere close to dying--and who the hell is going to do that?!! You'd vomit well before finishing all that weed. Suicide killed 34,598 people in 2007--marijuana? Zero!! The hysteria and lack of education on the true nature of marijuana is astounding--even still. We have to keep pushing for our freedom to use this substance responsibly, and educate the masses.

~The Green Man has Spoken~