Filed under: All you need is love
I’m not typically one for asking anyone to jump onto a cause or a fundraiser simply because I would, and I tend to avoid soliciting donations from friends or the community, especially when we’re all close to broke.
However, for those of you out there who might have a couple dollars lingering around or have a handful of change you’d like to put toward a noble cause, I’m passing along the word. And if you’re unable to donate – which is totally okay because, unfortunately, many of us are economically challenged right now – spreading this information to others would be just as helpful.
Rachel from Mom in Real Life will be participating this October in Washington D.C.’s National Equality March and she’s seeking donations toward helping as many Chicago folks attend as possible. Sure, the majority of you reading this right now are saying, “But I don’t live in Chicago, so what does this do for me?” Well, if you are an advocate for equal rights across the board – including LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) members of society – but cannot attend the event yourself, why not put a few bucks toward helping someone else join the march?
I truly believe that every body there in D.C. this fall will assist in creating a larger impact on our elected officials for making a true, real equality change in this country. Every person making his or her presence known that weekend – Oct. 10-11 – can honestly make a difference.
Here’s an emotional and genuine excerpt from Rachel’s post:
We are not marching for gay marriage, we are not marching to hate on the Bible, we are marching to get federal rights for all of America’s citizens. We are marching so that a person who fights and risks their lives for their country should be able to carry a picture of their partner in the uniform. We are marching so that when a gay man gets beaten and tied to a fence post to die it is considered a hate crime. We are marching so that a good teacher will not lose her job because she loves another woman. We are marching so that a senior citizen can honor the wishes of their partner of 50 years when they get seriously ill and be allowed to stay by their bedside to provide comfort.
And for those rights, for that kind of equality, shouldn’t we all be doing whatever we possibly can to help?
If you’re a blog regular, you know my strong advocacy for marriage equality and gay marriage rights throughout the United States. But I’m glad Rachel’s post – even if I stumbled upon it a bit late – gave me an opportunity to make it known that I believe in more than marriage rights being extended to the LGBTQ community, but every right afforded to the average straight white man in this country. If we can break down racial barriers – although that’s still a struggle for some, sadly – then why can’t we do the same for something as simple as sexual orientation?
Take a minute and check out Rachel’s post, “I just need a moment of your time,” and, if you feel compelled to do so, donate or just pass along the word.
Thanks for reading. ::Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.::
Filed under: All you need is love
It’s looking practically positive that New Hampshire will become the sixth state – behind Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and Maine – to legalize gay marriage. Yay!
Check out the full story, courtesy of the New York Times. In a nut shell, the Senate has passed the bill as well as the House. The governor simply had to read the document, to ensure that clearly said “churches and religious groups would not be forced to officiate at gay marriages or provide other services,” notes the NY Times article, before signing the new legislation, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2010.
And with that said, the lovely Haute Pocket posted some information on her blog earlier this week about CREDO Action giving away these awesome (and FREE! who doesn’t love FREE!?) stickets in support of gay marriage. So far, more than 70,000 stickers* have been dispensed throughout the country, and it’d be great to see that number continue to climb.
Keep your eyes open folks because it’s looking like N.H. will certainly pass this bill – the governor should have already dotted his i’s and crossed those t’s – and move our country closer yet to equality for all**.
* The sticker means “I love love” for those of you who might’ve been confused!
** P.S. This is my 100th post. YAY!!
Filed under: All you need is love
The state of Maine (ME for those of you completely baffled by my headline) has become the fifth in this great United States to legalize same-sex marriage.
YAY!
With so many people not reading or caring much about the news these days, sans the awesomeness of Jon Stewart, i will keep using my blog to ensure at least my readers – all 14 of you – know about these monumental changes to state laws.
Five down, 45 to go!
Filed under: All you need is love, Too liberal for the Bible belt, What were they thinking?
I know that bloggers aren’t much into clicking links, but this is one I think you might need to make an exception for… This information was brought to my attention about a week ago via a Twitter friend and as “the blogger who regularly talks about gay marriage,” I clearly needed to pass it along.
Apparently there are efforts being made by the “National Organization for Marriage” to scare folks into believing marriage should remain one man and one woman. “Based on real incidents,” a variety of actors discuss the reasons why homosexual marriages would ruin their lives in a new television advertisement, and it’s my opinion that this ad campaign is utterly ridiculous.
“There’s a storm gathering. The clouds are dark and the winds are strong. And I am afraid.” Seriously? A storm? Do you think they even realized the comparison to something natural? Bet not.
“I am a Massachusetts parent helplessly watching public schools teach my son that gay marriage is okay.” …REALLY!? Well, if you’d like your child to have an education where he or she is taught that it is “wrong,” I strongly encourage you to reconsider the public school option. Clearly a more sheltered education – such as one at a private, religious-based school - is more ideal for your family.
“The storm is coming. But we have hope! … Coming together in love to protect marriage.” WHAT!?!?!?! In love? Weren’t you also taught to “treat others as you wish to be treated”? What happened to that? Where’s the “love” in hatred and inequality? Oh, that’s right, there’s none!
The site shows that this particular advertisement comes in response to the marriage equality amendments recently made in Vermont and Iowa. This campaign clearly aims to incite fear among viewers so marriage remains out of arm’s reach for homosexuals in the United States. I, for one, hope this is one force that can be stopped, which is the goal of the linked Web site.
Now, I am in no way asking or even encouraging anyone to delve into their pockets and contribute to the fund listed on that site – just making sure everyone knows that – but it’s a video I wanted everyone to see and react to so that one day, optimistically, these scare tactics will finally cease and gay marriage will prevail.
This advertisement is deplorable, and that’s putting it nicely. From day one I have realized and understood the stance many religiously inclined people took against gay marriage rights even if I 100% disagreed with them. However, campaigns such as this one are taking personal opinions farther than necessary. It’s more than a protest against equality; it’s a position fueled by hatred that outright mocks the idea of uniformity for all who seek marriage.
Without question, this ad disgusts me to the very core, and honestly, I hope you find the same reaction as you watch it. As always, comments on this issue, whether in agreement or otherwise, are welcomed and appreciated.
Who would have thought that Iowa – a state in the heartland of America – would allow same-sex marriages before dozens and dozens of other states (and especially before California!?)? Not me, that’s for sure, but it’s clearly another huge step for gay marriage and I could not be happier about that!
Iowans…you’ve done quite well and have something to be crazy proud of today!
But a small note to Rev. Keith Ratliff, Sr. of Des Moines’ Maple Street Baptist Church: I hope you find yourself rotting in hell for your eternal life for calling homosexuality a “perversion.” Better yet, I hope you live to see the day where America as a whole not just allows, but welcomes gay marriage. It will happen. Mark my words, it will happen.
