Geek Appeal?

So...

I'd really like to have my very own domain. I even have a name for it, not yet registered though.

Thing is, I don't have the skills or knowledge to do the hosting type things. I'd really want to be able to handle mail, IRC and possibly a web page if I ever get unlazy enough to write one...

So...how would I go about finding this...or, is there anyone who has the resources to do it for me?

Disappointment

As you may or may not know....I've been anxiously promoting the vote that was supposed to take place by the Fairfax County school board, who were suposed to decide on whether or not to add sexual orientation to their non-discrimination policy. It's important to me, not just as a queer person, but as a person in the world...and so I've been posting about it to various local mailing lists etc.


(I realize some of you may be confused by the use of gender neutral pronouns...sie would be the neutral equivalent of he or she, hir or zir is possessive-the equivalent of his or hers)
Here's the latest news...followed by some other notes and impressions of mine. I've also included a few notes about what each of the speakers said. Nothing is verbatim, everything is summarized...I can only write so fast and I don't own a laptop. Skip to the end if you want only my thoughts on the meeting.

First of all...the only group with a large presence outside the building were some anti-inclusion people. I'm not sure what grop they were actually affiliated with, but I believe it might be CWA. (Concerned Women For America)

The news:

The Chairman spoke, and anounced that there would be no vote tonight on the policy. The board consulted with legal council and decided that it would be prudent to seek the advice of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth, which must be done by a Delegate or by the County Attorney. The Fairfax School Board isn't sure that they have the authority to adopt this policy change and the board must further consider their options.

Mr. Frye (who spoke most vocally, and who I believe sponsored the proposed change) spoke. He made the point that the decision to postpone the vote was not made by the board but was made by the chairman. Mr. Frye mentioned that he recieved more than 500 e-mails from the public regarding this matter. The point was also made, that adding sexual orientation
would not change curriculum or instruction, nor change the interaction between faculty and students. He discussed Thomas Jefferson, and "All men are created equal"

A second board member spoke, and apologized for not being able to adress the issue, and that it will be addressed when they hear back from the A.G.

A third board member spoke, and talked about how all must embrace the idea of "created equal" but also mentioned that based on information the board had collected, only one staff person has ever filed a complaint relating to sexual orientation. Accordingly, this means the current policy is
being used ineffectively and rather than adding words, and the goal should be to enforce the current policy.

A fourth board member spoke, and explained what is being sent to the A.G., which is the current policy, including additions and strikeouts. Sie expressed concern about what was removed. Sie also said that the curriculum should foster the goals of respect for all. In service education for staff, and curriciual should also not promote homosexuality.

The chair then spoke again, and talked about teaching children compassion for the rights of others, and the futility of passing a policy that may not stand up to a court challenge.

The Pledge of Allegance was said at this meeting. It's worth noting that one group spoke up very loudly at the phrase "under god" and another group spoke up equally loudly at the phrase "And justice for all."

Some of the signs provided by the anti-inclusionists:

"Protect Childre without promoting homosexuality"

"Fairfax libraries have a 'pro-homosexual' agenda"

"We'll remember next November"

( The long description of the community speakers )

Now for my impression:

There seemed to be about an equal number of for and against voices present, based on the signs held up.

I think it's still important to remind the board that this is an important issue for Fairfax county, even while they wait on a response from Richmond. From what I saw tonight, there is some uncertainty about whether among board members as to whether or not this is a good policy to pass, even if Richmond grants its approval.

I had a chance to speak to WTOP radio...I told them that I was there because:

Without protections in writing, there is no ground to stand on,

without training for staff and other professionals there is often a lack of awareness, of repercussions and of the impact homophobia can have on people

whether a student is gay or percived to be gay, the impact of name calling and actions from other members of the student community, combined with a demonstrated inaction by teachers can have a startling and long term effect on the development and self-esteem of a young person.
_______________________________________________________________

So I'm disappointed, but there's so much more work to do. I'm not done...

One last amusing thought before bed

Following the school board meeting tonight, a very very very large group of us traipsed over to Sweetwater for food. We ended up stretched along one wall in several booths, and I ended up sitting next to the director of my department at work.

We ended up talking about the the temperature of my office, which has recently gone from "Fucking sauna" to "Fucking igloo."

Snarky boss man looks at me and says, "Well you can't have it both ways."

I look at him, put down my fork, cover my mouth with my napkin and start laughing, which went on for several minutes.

He began to laugh to and said, "You know...you are just the wrong person to say that to."

What's a girl to do...

when she's finished catching up on all of Boy Meets Boy?

Why take the Bisexual Quiz of course.