What we accomplished on Saturday was the first step of one amazing journey. Many people have asked me why Proposition 8 has caused such an uproar in our community. Honestly, this movement has been forging for many years, but Proposition 8 was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Many have called this Stonewall 2.0, and I won’t disagree. Stonewall awoke a wildfire in the gay rights movement and Saturday’s world-wide protests showed this work just how strong a wildfire can be!
As everyone knows, Saturday’s protests didn’t solve the problem overnight, but what they did was raise awareness across this world about the problem. Thanks to all of you, this conversation is no longer between “us and them.” This conversation is occuring all over the world in living rooms, coffee shops, airplanes, offices, college campuses, and even retirement communities. The worst thing we could do right now is let this conversation fizzel out! Help us keep this conversation going. Share your stories, your videos, and photos with us. Help us record Saturday’s history making initiative, help us spread the word, and work with us for full equality! We can never let people forget about what Proposition 8 did to 18,000 marriages. The word DOMA needs to be in everyone’s vocabulary. In a world where so many children need homes, people must know how a vote in Arkansas took the right of adoption away from unmarried and gay couples.
Saturday’s protests helped us put a positive face on our amazing community! We will work with other major organizations to get these positive images out there and keep this conversation at the forefront of people’s minds. JoinTheImpact is a venue for change. We have many eyes on this site and many people who have been stuck in the middle of this conversation are starting to join us in discussion. YOU ARE THE CHANGE THIS WORLD NEEDS! We have a ton to do before the Day Without a Gay on December 10th. People are beginning to see our struggle, so let’s help them move from seeing, to understanding, to acceptance!
85 Responses
A group of 500 people gathered at Colton Hall in Monterey. This is where California’s constitution was adopted in 1849. After listening to some incredible speeches, the group marched to window’s on the bay and back again. All the signs were great and the event was peaceful. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
For any of my stories, I also have my coming out story on my blog. http://www.eurostile.blogspot.com .. hopefully that’s the right website lol. It’s an amazing feeling to be apart of a history making movement! Equality for all!!!!
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I thouoght the Rally In Los ANgeles was a let down. we where marched down empty streets to a field, I felt like I was preaching to the choire. To much organization = dead boring. the one on Saturday was much better. We need less compliance and more civil disobedeance
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
i think your experience fighting for same sex marriage could be useful for all countries in the world . You should organize a world mouvement for same sex marriage and make a big union of all gays in the world . Countries like Spain , Belgium , Nederlands , Canada , Norway , South Africa could hep others countries ( USA , France , Germany …..) to have it .
In France , there is a big website fighting for same sex marriage :
http://www.gayclic.com
, they oraganize a movement for same sex marriage .
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Just for your info. I have not been so vilified in my life. I can not support your cause any longer because of the way your protesters have shown hate for others including my friends who did not support your cause and my self for having them as freinds and standing up for them. I felt like they were being attacked by terrorists in the way they were and are continuing to be treated. I can not and will not support a cause that torrerizes others to promote their cause!
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Answer to craig , i felt that the bigot lobby hate 8 are like talibans in AFGHANISTAN , they want to impose archaic laws to everybody . They would like to impose theocracy in the USA . Be careful of them , don’t accept their chains . They aren’t our master and we are not their slave .
If your friends are against marriage between a black and a white , you could say they are RACISTS . if they refuse same sex marriage , they are HOMOPHOBICS and they consider you as a second class citizen . If you accept that , it’s your problem but for me they couldn’t be my FRIENDS !
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I participated in San Diego’s protest, 20 -25K was the official head count!! More than twice the number from the previous week! We had a great visible route goind straight down the middle of downtown and along the very touristed waterfront.
Cheers to you for starting this amazing project!! I love the future ideas.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
@ Craig - there are two things wrong logically with your comment…but first — no one should treat anyone with disrespect and unfortunately where passion and emotion come into play, that is oftern forgotten regardless of your positon on a topic. As to your comment, if you are hurt by the actions of a few that is fine and you need to sort that out but to say “your friends were disrespectful of me and my friends and I no longer support what you are fighting for” is more than a stretch and second, if you are so against “terrorizing” how are you friends with people who have a different opinion from yours on this topic - the actions of those against gay marriage are wihtout doubt “terrorizing” in their actions. I’m sorry people were disprespetfuyl of you and your friends, but I think you need a time out.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I don’t know where to go with this feeling or this idea, so I will put it out for responses. I am a straight woman, married for 28 years. I woke up last Wed. morning and told my husband that I wanted a divorce…not from him but from marriage. If I belonged to a club that proclaimed that it was descriminating against any minority group, I would resign from that club in a heartbeat. So why would I want to belong to the Marriage club? I ran the idea of organizing a mass divorce and then application for a civil union as another protest tool, to my straight friends who were also disgusted by Prop 8, but was surprised that there was not more enthusiasm. I feel that the institution of marriage has been hi-jacked by the religious right…would like to get responses to this idea.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
What about a petition for same sex marriage send to Obama ?
What about a bus of segregation marriage ? On some places : gays with no marriage allowed , on the other part of the bus : straight with the right to marriage . People could remember of ROSA PARK .
The bus could cross all the country for same sex marriage in every state in USA . People could think about this disrimination towards gay people .
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Craig:
Terrorism is not the aim of our outrage. We are truly angry at those whom cannot see their own bigotry and intolerance. Perhaps anger isn’t the right way to go about changing the world, but the actions of these people have inflamed a deep wound just as it was beginning to heal. They have awakened a sleeping giant, and its wrath has only begun.
I won’t fault you for denouncing the protests, but I would hope that at least you would continue to stand on the side of equality for everyone, despite gender, race, age, or sexual orientation, and not adopt the bigotry of your friends.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I’m very sorry you and your friends have felt attacked, Craig. The gay community has been attacked, oppressed, vilified, and terrorized throughout history, and some protesters have been overcome with justifiable anger. The purpose of Join the Impact, however, is to ban together powerfully but peacefully, and encourage compassionate outreach. We cannot control the behavior of all activists. We can only encourage our community to join us in civilized protest. Please do not judge all of us by the extreme behavior of the few.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Important News!!!
The state of California officially asked the California Supreme Court on Monday to review the constitutionality of Proposition 8, passed by voted earlier this month.
“The profound importance of the issues raised by Proposition 8 warrants that this matter be reviewed and promptly resolved by the California Supreme Court,” says California Attorney General Edmund Brown Jr.
In a set of briefs filed with the court today, Mr. Brown wrote that: “review by this Court is necessary to ensure uniformity of decision, finality and certainty for the citizens of California. The constitutionality of the change created by Proposition 8 impacts whether same-sex marriages may issue in California and whether same-sex marriages from other states will be recognized here. There is significant public interest in prompt resolution of the legality of Proposition 8. The Court can provide certainty and finality in this matter.”
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Don’t forget how the bigot lobby fight against abortion ….they KILL abortion doctors and now they want to speek of tolerance !! HYPOCRITS !
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Just wanted to say I love the layout. Simple, yet beautiful.
Saturday was an amazing day. Being out there felt great.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I think continuing to stress the basic social justice issue is the main thing. There were many laws on the books that encoded racism - I’m sure many were voted in ( or would have been given the chance) That doesn’t make it right. I’m straight, I’m married, I’m Christian — that doesn’t mean that I have the right to tell people who they can or can not marry.
My husband and I are looking for a church to join- and the biggest factor, for me, is the church stance on marriage. I like tradition and ritual, there are things that appeal to me about the Catholic church, or Mormons, or Baptists - — but I’m not going to support a church that teaches injustice. So we are going to go to the Episcopal church. Sadly, there is a ‘break away’ episcopal church right down the street — but I won’t go there because they broke away over the church’s stance on homosexuality. I’ll drive across town instead so we can worship the way , I believe, God wants us to — with loving everyone the same and giving them the same rights and responsiblities — . I think it is important to get religious straight people involved in this social justice issue.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Craig, I’m sorry that you and your friends have felt terrorized. There will always be individuals who act stupidly, but event organizers have specifically asked people to ask civilly. No group fighting for equal rights supports hateful behavior. Please don’t judge all of us by the behavior of a few.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
To graig are you going to fight against STRAIGHT MARRIAGE because of the bigot lobby like this one ? : http://www.godhatesfags.com/
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Does anybody know where I can see an ariel photo of the protest in San Diego? I was very proud to be a part of the march on Saturday and was disappointed that there was no vantage point to really get a feel for the size of the crowd. Also, does anyone know if there is a movement beginning to withhold our taxes until the end of each year? Thank you JoinTheImpact for organizing these events and promoting a positive attitude!
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I want to say I was very proud to be a citizen of San Antonio today. The San Antonio site for the protest only began late Wednesday evening and by Saturday morning around 350 people attended. I know that is small by standards of San Francisco, NYC, etc.. but for us it was a HUGE turn out and success. We had amazing speakers from several walks of faith, Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva of HRC also spoke. But the most amazing part of it were the people off the streets who felt compelled to speak. A woman came up and sang the Star Spangled Banner and did a phenomenal job, a man spoke from off the streets who felt moved to say that even though he was straight, he felt anyone who would deny someone the right to come together and give their love to a child was seriously wrong. For a city that has grown too comfortable being in the closet, alot of people came out into the streets and demonstrated that we will be silent no more. I’ll be posting the pictures of the signs I was able to capture during the protest on my myspace page. Thank you everyone for giving me this opportunity!
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
The Marriage Equality rallies have been very peaceful and unifying. I am so happy that across the nation we stood together for our belief in love, and the love of our families. We in the LGBT Community deserve no fewer rights applied to our intimate family relationships. We should not be subjected to economic sanctions such as being denied tax and other financial benefits given to households headed by heterosexual couples. Our children deserve better and so do we. When my fundamental rights were taken away by a thin majority of intolerant individuals, I too felt “terrorized”. I worried about the emotional damage being done to the families impacted by proposition 8. The suicide rate among LGBT adolescents is very high. Growing up being told that you are less worthy of all the hopes and dreams that heterosexuals take for granted is devastating. We in the LGBT Community have traditionally supported the rights of other disenfranchised groups. Now we must take care of our own and fight for our rights. We will do this peacefully and we will prevail. This IS Stonewall 2.0. The internet has given us a vehicle to facilitate change without violence.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Erica, I’m with you.
Of course, this issue did end my marriage (for real), but you’re the type of woman we need more of in America.
http://www.prop8talk.com
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
i don’t have an aerial photo of SD, but here’s a video i took and posted on YouTube that you might find useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Ifu9uxlsA
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Thanks for all your work. I have a gallery of photographs from Eugene, Oregon under a CC for folks to use: http://www.gretchendrewphotography.com/jointheimpact.html
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Erica. Thank you for bringing in your perspective – for it lends a hand to my own – in which you probably won’t agree…
If not already out there, I personally wish a movement could begin towards eliminating the privileges that the state bestowed on to marriages. I believe marriage - deemed a religious institution should be separated from any state benefit. While it’s obvious to me that these benefits have been taken for granted, perhaps there is a need for them to be fully realized by starting a discussion towards eliminating them.
Perhaps I need a better grasp of the historical context of marriage and how church and state became connected in the first place, but to this day - I continue to be surprised as to why we’re not having such discussions?
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Struggle on! for equal rights! Straight from belgium…
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Prop 8 protest in Cincinnati
“We need not think alike to love alike.”
Francis David
As a volunteer for then Senator Obama’s campaign the past few months, I was lucky enough to be involved with a grass roots effort in Cincinnati that had taken on a life and spirit of its own. And so it was, At 7:20pm on election night, flashlight in hand, I knocked on my last door and called for a pickup. We were released soon afterward for the evening, and sped off to meet up with others at the “Cadillac Ranch” downtown to watch the polls roll in. That evening I couldn’t help but watch the reactions of my African American friends who were with me, first as they announced Ohio, then again as CNN called the election. About the time (then) Senator Obama gave his speech, as I was teetering on a chair cheering, I noticed a older African American Woman sobbing quietly to herself. I climbed down and put my arms around her and she said to me ” We did it, I only wish my parents were alive to see this.”
I felt then that I would probably never be able to understand how she felt.
I may have been wrong.
Many lifetimes seemed to have passed since I was a child growing up in Southern
California in the 70’s. Ex wives, Children, Politics, Houses… a couple of wars and half a lifetime spent in the military.
On November 15Th standing in the rain outside City Hall, all of this fell away as I listened to Karen Aronoff and others speak on Gay Marriage. As I stood in the middle of this beautiful crowd, I began to cry to myself. You see, I was a troubled child growing up, and when no one else would deal with me back then, A loving supportive Gay couple took me in. When I struggled with school and homework, 28 years before Barack Obama said it, it was them who said to me, “Yes you can”.
When I struggled with the issues troubled teens go through, it wasn’t the church or counselors who listened to me or helped me, It was their friends, family and community who told me,
“yes you can”.
Every step of the way, when I felt like I couldnt go on, they were there saying ” Yes you can”
Coming from a broken family they taught me what unconditional love was, and although they never had the opportunity to marry, even then, I knew they truly loved each other, and we were the closest thing to a family I had ever known. Whatever good qualities I possess as an adult, is a direct result of their influence on me as a child.
Time passed, I grew up, and like many others during that time period, They both fell victim to the initial AIDs epidemic.
November 15Th was a monumental success in my opinion for several reasons. The momentum is there and not only does the L.G.B.T.Q. community feels the time is now for change, The community as a whole feels this way, and I feel are ready to support the L.G.B.T.Q. community however they can. I feel the time is now. Something has changed in all of us, and needs to continue to change. We have miles and miles to go before we sleep, and the struggle continues, but witnessing the level of organization, the crowd of supporters, and the passions invoked by these few college students on such short notice, I know we are well on our way.
And to those who feel the struggle is too long, the goal is too far, those who feel they cannot make it…
Yes you can.
I only wish my parents were alive to see this.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I have gone to several of the protests here in Southern Ca and have found that there are some people that attend these protests that end up making the gay community look bad. From what I have seen the police have done nothing but work with us. They block the streets and look out for our safety. Both times I was at Los Angeles protests there are a select few, not all, but a select few that deliberately disobey the cops and of course this is what gets put on the news. I am frustrated with this why cant people just listen and do what they are asked so that the news doesnt have any negative to show. Thats just my opinion the other protests that I have gone to in Long Beach, San Diego, and Redlans, just to name a few..have been very nice and not to many problems. I thank the cops for being there and working with us.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I was at the LB rally on the 7th, the Silverlake Rally and the Impact Rally in LA. I have never seen more patriotism by any group of people ever. At the silverlake rally, 15000 protesters sang the national anthem. At the Impact Rally, every shut up for a moment of silence in respect. But DURING that moment of silence, some Yes on 8 folk had the NERVE to start shouting in the middle of our respectful moment that “JESUS HATES FAGS, GAY SEX IS A SIN, JESUS IS ASHAMED OF YOU!” Then someone finally got angry and shouted from our group “JESUS THINKS YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE!” and shut them up! Thanks to whoever that was. The only argument that naysayers can come up with against Prop 8 is that “God says so.” Well firstly, no he didn’t say so, Leviticus said so (and no one cares about him anyway), and secondly California is NOT run on the bible, or the Torah, or whatever text the Evangelicals and Mormons use. It’s run by the Constitution and the Constitution says Equal Rights for EVERYONE. Churches are claiming freedom of speech and freedom of religion, Hate speech is not protected by the Constitution and religion is not allowed in government. Yes folk are confusing a moral issue with a legal issue and they will lose. This will all go away, I promise.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
California Attorney General, Jerry Brown, is recommending the CA Supreme Court hear the 4 cases so far challenging the validity of Prop. 8. That’s 1 victory in our corner and a step toward the direction we should be moving.
I believe that if it wasn’t for the thousands of people protesting in the hundreds of cities across our country, this would not be the case today. Our voices are being heard so please keep the up momentum, don’t be silent and thank you “Join The Impact” and our brother and sisters across the country on behalf of Californians.
MUCH LOVE and the greatest respect,
S.F., CA resident
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
There are official websites dedicated to LGBT and straight allies, please check them out:
Obama Pride:
- http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome
(including a simple layout of Obama’s vs. McCain’s stance on LGBT issues:
http://obama.3cdn.net/9bbadf2e4222f1de03_5humvyu4s.pdf )
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network:
- http://www.glsen.org/
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation:
- http://www.glaad.org/
(including GLAAD’s “Talking about Series” to help start conversations about major LGBT issues:
http://www.glaad.org/talkingaboutseries/ )
Human Rights Campaign:
- http://www.hrc.org/
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays:
- http://www.pflag.org/
Please visit those official links, I assure many of you they will help you along the way. I believe that will help start conversations and help people start acting.
Thank you so much!
Regards,
Ivy.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Religions are hypocrits , they allways speak of “LOVE” but they creat HATE and discrimination .
In California christians talibans vote an homophobic law prop8 , in India Hindous kill christians , an islamic prayer said they have to kill michey mouse because mouses are satanics . How stupid is religion .Open yours eyes !
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
J.C.-
Very beautiful words–perfect for the events of the last few weeks. God bless you. Yes, we will!
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Here is my report from Atlanta: http://sinnerviewer.blogspot.com/2008/11/prop-8-protest-atlanta.html
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Here’s a photo account of the Albany NY protest.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/albany_tim/sets/72157609319745601/
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I and three friends attended the march in Escondido, CA on Saturday as ’straight allies’. We had about 400 people turn out, which was pretty good considering most people in the county probably went down to San Diego.
We had one old man on a bench start yelling at us “Give me sex! Give me sex!” Not sure what his point was, I guess something about gay folk being obsessed with sex or whatever. So I walked up to him and said “Sorry, I’m straight.” It seemed to really confuse him that it wasn’t just gay people marching for gay rights.
I just wish we had brought drums and whistles or music or something, it got kind of drearily quiet at times on the walk and seemed to dispirit people a bit.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
My beloved wife and I went to the Pasadena rally, instead of the Los Angeles rally to support those in our town. The organizer was so amazed that there was a church that was against Prop. 8, which is All Saint’s Episcopal. I just want to clarify, as a religious liberal and seminarian who is going into the ministry very much because the religious right has hijacked the conversation, that there are several churches in the city that opposed Prop. 8 and are very much supportive of the glbt community. The Unitarian-Universalists have been marrying gay couples since the early 1970’s and the entire denomination has issued statements of conscience supporting gay rights since the 1970’s. The UU’s as a denomination took a stand to support legalizing gay marriage in 1996. Hanna Petrie from Neighborhood UU Church spoke. The congregation of Throop UU Church constituted a grand portion of our guests when we married at the church on June 21st. They were already invited but stepped in as our family when the majority of our fiological family did not attend. This group has been loving and supportive and volunteered during the campaign.
There are other churches that are supportive, I heard people from a Unity Church, a United Church of Christ and other churches that spoke when All Saint’s was touted as what sounded like the only gay friendly church in Pasadena. It is truly a fabulous place, but take heart. There are other religious liberals that worked hard against 8 and very much support the GLBT community as we move forward.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I attended the Protest in Richmond, VA. As most of you are aware, Virginia is a very conservative state…don’t let the fact that our electoral votes are going to Obama fool you - it’s the 1st time it’s happened since 1964. We did not have any negative responses…outloud anyway. People would drive by City Hall - where we were standing on the sidewalk and steps all the while respectfully leaving a path down the sidewalk - and honk, give us thumbs up, wave, etc. Those who didn’t honk or wave also did not say anything horrible - to us - or give any inappropriate gestures. The protest was very well organized and we were instructed on what to do if confronted by someone who disagreed with our position. No one was arrested, hurt, talked down to or even confronted. It was my first protest of any kind and that encouraged me, although I know not all protests across the country were this peaceful. I am starting my own research into what the Bible truly says about homosexuality, to confirm the information I have from Dr. Mel White. From what I know - and this usually kills any and every argument - the term homosexuality is nowhere in the ancient texts nor did ancient Hebrew, Aramiac or Greek have a word for it. Leviticus (is not a person by the way) is what is known as Old Law or Old Covenant…if we did everything Leviticus warns against most of us would have to be taken outside the city limits and stoned; things such as seeing family members naked (there goes changing diapers of younger siblings) and touching a dead pigskin (football!). My point with the new Testament is that there are several things lost in translation from the Greek (and Hebrew) to English. King James ran up against it and he put things in the Bible that he thought the apostles were saying. Look up Dr Mel White’s What the Bible Does and Does Not Say About Homosexuality for the details. My point is, the more we educate ourselves about that the Bible truly says about homosexuality (and bisexuality since it’s under that umbrella) the better equipped we can be. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Dont’ react out of anger…soft answer turns away rath.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
see video of the protest march through San Francisco’s union square, chinatown, north beach, embarcadero
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-149453#
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
J.C. -
WOW. That’s what it is all about. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for supporting us.
MUCH LOVE,
D. in CA
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
To Craig Linden; On behalf of the hundredes of thousands of peaceful but angry people that are fighting for civil rights I apologize that you and your friends are being subjected to what gay people face everyday. I ask that the next time you hear about a child walking up to another in a classroom, putting a gun to his head, pulling the trigger and blowing his brains out because he was gay remember that is the message of terrorsim we face. Remember when a man is beaten to death at a picnic because he “looked gay” or chained to the back of a truck and dragged to his death that this is the message gay & lesbian people hear over and over. Remember when you hear that a young person felt so unloved and so confused and saw no hope that they took their promising beautiful life that on November 4th the people of this state agreed with these messages of hate. And we’re not going to let it stand.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Recent News
People from all over the state will gather peacefully on the State Capitol steps in Sacramento, CA., Saturday, November 22, 2008 beginning at 2:00pm pst. Please arrive early and bring their own food and water. Please no alcohol. This is a peaceful event. Our voices will be heard by the sheer power in our numbers. We will show our LOVE for this country by exercising our Constitutional Right to Peacefully Protest the injustice that swept this state and others in this election. Are you ready to make History? YES WE CAN… WHAT DO YOU WANT, AND WHEN DO YOU WANT IT?
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Saturday, as I looked out at the 1400 people gathered on the steps of the Old Court House in St. Louis, I gave myself fully to the anger I had been feeling since the election. As I spoke and the crowd joined me in my outrage, I felt other emotions begin to arise. I felt joy, and I felt fear. I felt joy that this might be the moment. This might really be the turning-point; LGBT folks might really take their power back. The sleeping tiger might have awoken. But, I also felt fear – fear that this opportunity would be lost. The LGBT Movement has been close to critical mass before. The 1969 Stonewall Riot, the 1978 vigil after the assassination of Harvey Milk, 1987 Supreme Court action, the 25th Anniversary Gay Pride celebrations in 1994. But, each time we got close to a real revolution in our thinking about LGBT rights, we pulled back and accepted defeat. We must not let that happen now.
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008 is the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Harvey Milk. It is also Thanksgiving. We must take LGBT rights home. All LGBT folks and all of our allies must make a commitment to bringing the discussion of LGBT rights to the Thanksgiving table. This may not be easy or comfortable, but it is the best way to demonstrate that we are everywhere. LGBT folks are the children of every religion, every race, every class, every ethnicity, and every political persuasion. We must go back to our families and take the message of LGBT freedom with us.
Then, we must join with Cleve Jones and other long-time LGBT activists to demand that LGBT rights be a core element of “the change we need.” LGBT folks and our allies overwhelmingly supported Barak Obama because he promised to finally provide “liberty and justice for all.” We must hold him and the Democrats in Congress accountable for that promise. Cleve Jones as issued a call for 7 weeks of LGBT activism beginning Nov. 30 non-stop until the inauguration. Join that call. Visit http://sevenweekstoequality.com/ .
Finally, each of us must find ways to fulfill this commitment in our own communities: 1) Coming Out to everyone, everywhere; 2) Getting involved with the planning and/or attending local events; 3) Begin the discussions for non-discrimination policies and domestic partnership benefits in your workplace; 4) Call in “gay” on Dec. 10 - http://daywithoutagay.org/ ; 5) Create an LGBT rights event that works for you, and all of the rest of us will come and support it.
Whatever we do, we must take action now. We are at a turning-point for the LGBT Movement. We must each do what we can, where we can.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Yes We WILL!!!! Yes We WILL!!!! Yes We WILL!!!!! Yes We WILL!!!!!
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I can’t wait for A Day Without Gays. Whatever makes a person feel better about themselves, is fine by me.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 12:10 am
I do not think we should only have Day Without a Gay in December. People are READY to march. My family and friends want to get out and show how they feel NOW. We do not need to wait more than a month to get out again. Can we do both??????? I am also worried that a Day without a Gay will not be effective. May people cannot miss work and I’m sure every straight guy in America will make sure they go to work that day so no one “thinks I’m Gay”. That may ofset those of us that stay home. We need activities that can include our straight allies not separate ourselves from them.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 12:32 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnAcGnfoar8
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I produced a video for my podcast from the protest in DC at http://timcorrimal.com and also posted it to YouTube and in 2 days it’s gotten over 2100 views. My partner of 12 years and I discussed getting married when we were in California in August, but we decided to wait until how the election came out as we both felt that maybe this wasn’t the right time and since we live in DC where it wouldn’t have mattered in our jurisdiction anyway. We were wrong. We should have done it. And we will do it because our rights are just as important as anyone else. And we will win the right to marry Nation-wide if we keep up this fight. We can not sit on our asses and let these propositions go forward. No on H8. How can I Volunteer?
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Yes, if you e-mail Tony Zaragoza took a picture from the top of the Marriott at the corner of 6th and Broadway in downtown San Diego. He is planning to post many of the pictures from the San diego event on http://www.bluetonephotography.com. He is also planning on putting them on this site as well.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 1:02 am
I think it is necessary to see what is happening here. I see the news media is blaming the black population of California for prop 8 passing. First, there are other minority groups that are larger than the black population. But, I think since blacks are always blamed for something, I guess this is another to take the light off of the real culprits. Next, when you look at the black population, remember, most are in prison, or are convicted felons which takes away their right to vote. Yes, you had a bigger turn out of blacks for this election. But, as a black woman, I feel it’s time to stop pointing fingers at blacks all the time. Just like some of the posters said in the above posts, they are tired of being the nice guy. Blacks have always taken the brunt of everything. We have no power, we have no money, we have no jobs. I am not writing this out of anger, but come on, we have a history of being blamed for things, such as crimes…
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 1:19 am
I have given this a considerable amount of thought and decided what to do just a bit ago.
While reading local news over the past few days Mormon kids in my area attacked and beaten because of their religion, this really saddened my heart its not supposed to be like this, yes I’m damn mad everyone’s mad right now but we cannot do to others the things that have been done to us in the past simply because we are angry its wrong.
I went to the demonstration we had in Phoenix Saturday to protest prop102 the equivalent of prop8 in cali. The group organizers quickly rushed me up to the front of the line after the speeches,for the walk to the capital and placed me there with the 3ftx5ft pride flag I brought with me {purchased it for the event its only use} so rather than sit it out in the hot sun in front of my house to rot I would like to place it up for sale on Ebay and donate all the proceeds {less shipping} to JoinTheImpact to help in this battle for equality.
If any of you is good with Ebay sales and can write me up an ebay auction that is really great I would appreciate some help from an experienced ebayer. I’m not good with Ebay while I have an acct with them I’ve never auctioned anything that sold as my skills with ebay frankly stink!
I think since this Flag has great history behind it someone would surely like to have it for the keepsake value.
You can reach me at adelafuente {@} cox.net
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Annjel,
I do not blame anyone but myslef for Prop 8 passing. I could have done more, I should have done more. I gave money and thought that was enough, I read all of the headlines that said we were behind and gave more money. I thought that was enough. It wasn’t. I forgot that I needed to get off my *ss and do something. At every single event that protests this disgraceful act I have seen people of every color, age, religion and sexual orientation. We can’t let the same hateful people that voted yes on 8 now divide and conquer us with even more hate. We cannot let them win again.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 1:44 am
You’re right, Annjell, we’re all in this together. And speaking of black women, have you all seen this video of Wanda Sykes, coming out publicly at a rally? She gives a great speech. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRyVH-1zadg
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 1:47 am
JC: your story is wonderful. I have tears in my eyes. Written with emotion and conviction. Perhaps if Prop 8 stays and we have to come up with another Prop to undo it, you should be in one of commercials. Your life story with two gay parents is perfect!
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 2:43 am
to the straight woman who is encouraging those heterosexuals to get divorced in solidarity - awesome for you! I love how you think! To those who remind us to stop blaming the black community and make sure we’re not letting racism into our message - awesome for you! I love how you think! I myself told a close friend who just invited me to her wedding that I shall not attend, as I am protesting all weddings until this matter is resolved! I encourage others to do the same! To the one who is angry that the protesters mistreated his/her friends - what about how your friends mistreated the protesters by voting them into second class citizenship? Many people are passionate about this issue. Remember, the people that support the issue are not the issue itself. One should be against prop 8 because prop 8 is wrong - not because they agree or disagree w/ the tactics of those involved. Your opinion on how we legislate with respect to minority groups should stand independent of what people did at the ralley. Besides, I’m not fooled - you’re bluffing or you never believed in the cause in the first place. Unless you’re really that fickle. And who brings their friends who voted Yes on 8 to a No on 8 ralley (figuratively or literally)! Geeze! I say this goes beyond Marriage. It’s not even about Marriage - it’s about Queer people being sick and tired of being forgotten, over looked, minimalized etc. It’s no longer OKAY to mess with the gays! That Morman Church may have out did us when it came to organizing people to vote yes on 8. But now that we’ve been slapped on the face by a group as ghastly as the Morman Church, watch out honey! We’re never going to let that happen again! This is only the beginning. Like Wanda Sykes said - I’m not going to stop till gays can marry in every state in this country!
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 3:21 am
I am a gay man from the Philippines, and I would like to share the sentiments of us here (and possibly from those outside of the United States). A victory by the gay community in the United States is a victory for us all gays around the world. The United States represents a land where ideals are strongly upheld, and the United States continues to show the oppressed the Minorities around the world that they have hope, against discrimination and persecution. In the passage of Proposition 8, that dimmed our hopes here. We came to think that we are destined to be discrminated all our lives, that our children and our children’s children, if they happened to be gay would die not being able to share their hearts with their true love. Should I conclude that as a gay man I shall be helplessly living my life on my own?
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Collect signatures for Proposition 8A: Ban Divorce, Protect Marriage. Ban divorce between a man and a woman. Let’s utilize this momentum to get our own initiatives on state ballots.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 9:44 am
FYI Everyone….there are many countries that already have same sex “marriages” some of them include Countries like Spain , Belgium , Nederlands , Canada , Norway , South Africa… I think, it is very important to NOT let the “think in their United States ‘box’ ” is wrong….in fact, Spain is 80% Catholic and they have no problem with marriage between same sex couples….come on…. Morman Church…u don’t RUN….the World, the US, or the minds of educated people….So, please, please tell everyone you know….this is nothing “new” in the world!!
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I live in Oakland and I attended the protest rally & march in San Francisco on Nov. 15th. Wow, what a great day that was.
I’ve been really depressed and angry since the election and I had already participated in some Prop 8 protests before Saturday and they didn’t make me feel any different, so I wasn’t expecting the events on Saturday to have much of an effect on me. But they did. I’m still mad as hell but I’ve turned a corner and I can feel how my anger is now being focused in a more positive direction. Instead of wearing me down, it is now energizing me. I’m ready for the next step in this process.
And this next step has already started. This morning I had a spontaneous conversation with my boss at work about the past two weeks. I explained that I had been feeling terrible lately and that I realized that it was pretty obvious that my work had been suffering, but that I was doing better now and was committed to getting back on track.
And I told him what was going on. I told him - in very clear detail - about how I had done a lot of work to defeat Prop 8 and how I had been devastated on Nov. 4th to learn that so many people, including some that I thought I knew and trusted, had decided to take away my equal rights and turn me into a second class citizen.
And he really listened and understood. Although he was mostly on ‘our side’ to begin with, I could see that talking with him helped him understand just how important this was, and how terrible it must feel to suddenly lose your equal rights. It put a face on the politics.
So that’s what I’m committed to doing now. Talking to the people who can be reasoned with, and who can be enlightened about who we really are and what this is really all about. I’m not concerned about the genuine bigots; they cannot be swayed so we’ll just have to let them die off. But there are a lot of other people who just need to hear the truth from us in a one-on-one conversation. So now we keep working and our progress continues…..
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
The majority of the posts have been about the protests over the last couple of weeks but I thought that people should be sharing stories about how their lives have been affected by this issue, by not having the same rights and protections that heterosexual people take for granted.
In January of 2005 my life partner of six and a half years informed me that his company was opening an office in Bristol, UK and that he wanted to apply for a position there. At the time he was not sure whether his company would make arrangements for both of us to relocate to the UK. This was because his company did not (and still does not) have a diversity and inclusion policy even though the company had (has) many out gay and lesbian employees and my partner’s managers knew he was gay, knew he was in a long-term relationship, knew me; in fact I had been to many company functions with him over the years.
I was pretty sure that his company would not make any arrangements for me because from a financial standpoint this would double their expense; they would have to sponsor me for a Visa, and try to locate employment for me. Of course, they were going to have to do this for their employees who were /legally/ married but in my and my partner’s case our relationship had no legal standing so his company had no legal obligation to do anything for me. Still, I was not concerned because I was certain that my partner was not so shallow, so selfish and perverse, so heartless and cold that he would leave me behind if his company would not make arrangement for me to relocate as well. I was so wrong.
The next month (February) while we were at a restaurant having dinner celebrating my birthday he told me he had been given and accepted a position, his company would not make arrangements for me to relocate, and that he was going anyway.
Now, if our relationship had legal standing here and in the UK (the UK had not yet granted civil partnerships to gays and lesbians — that would not come until July 31, 2006) this would not have been an issue. His company would have been just as obligated to make provisions for both of us to relocate as it was to the heterosexual couples who were relocating. At the very least, even if he did not want me to go with him, he would not have been able to walk away quite as easily as he did.
What really astounded me was that our friends — even our gay friends in long-term relationships — saw nothing wrong with this behavior on his part. I was treated as if I was losing nothing more important than a roommate. I suppose that their reasoning was that since we had no legal standing, no legal obligations to each other, we in fact had been nothing more than roommates for the last 6 and a half years. He was celebrated off like some conquering hero and I was completely ignored.
This is the issue. Families can be — and are — ripped apart because we cannot enter into a legal, contractual agreement with our life partners. Lesbian and gay couples seek the right to marry because their relationships, even under domestic partnership laws, are not given the same recognition or benefits as heterosexual married couples, despite their responsibilities and commitment. In fact, lesbian and gay couples often face intense discrimination in such areas as “family” health coverage, child custody, insurance and inheritance benefits, taxation, and community property rights. A lesbian or gay man may be turned away at the hospital if her or his partner becomes seriously ill, because they are neither married nor blood relatives.
In regards to inheritance . . . I had a dear friend in Pensacola, Florida who came out to his family at the age of fifteen and his family turned him out into the street. In spite of the difficulty of doing so, he finished high school, went to a culinary school, met a man he built a life with, and together they built a successful business. After fifteen or so years together, Franklin contracted a terminal illness and to make sure his partner was taken care of they sought legal advice, drew up wills, and placed all of their property in both of their names, etc. After Franklin died, his family who had thrown him out of their home and their lives when he was fifteen, who had not seen or spoken to him for more than twenty years contested his will and a conservative judge granted them half of all his property. They made Franklin’s surviving partners life a living hell and forced him to sell his half of their holdings — for a paltry sum — and the guy struggled for years to get back on his feet. Do not think for one minute that this same situation cannot, and is not, being repeated all across this country today.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I was at the protest in Phoenix Arizona. Before I tell you what I saw and what I felt, I want to state that I have no stake in overturning any of these propositions. None of my inner circle of friends or family is gay. But I’m also not writing this to ease my conscious or to feel better about myself. I am writing this because I felt it on Saturday. I felt that anger, heartbreak, hope, and well guilt. I hope this resonates with someone.
I initially went for the rational part of my body. I knew what happened with these propositions was wrong, unconstitutional, and plain ridiculous that people put aside bigotry on an presidential election that would directly impact them, but not on propositions that had absolutely no effect on their lives. I went because I was tired of hearing “The people voted, that’s how democracy works.” Because NO that is not how OUR government works. It’s why very compassionate, progressive lawmakers passed the Equal Protection Clause, so that no MAJORITY has the RIGHT to take away civil liberties from a minority.
But the legal verbage in my head leading me to help out, was nothing compared to experiencing the protest. There was a lesbian couple standing right in front of my fiance, Andy and I at the protest who had a picture of their wedding on their sign and it read “My Marriage Matters.” And not for dramatic effect, but my heart broke. As they walked with their sign, holding hands, as Andy and I were behind them, I looked down at my engagement ring and cannot explain the pangs of guilt I had. Because I knew what they felt. I know what it feels like to find that person after feeling like you’ve been lost your whole life, and all of sudden the chaos of the world is calm when you are with them. But unlike them, I will walk down the aisle in four months, and the only one who can stop it is us. No church, no government agency, no citizen. No one got to vote on us getting married, and no one should get to vote on theirs.
And while the legality of homosexual marriage is very much a fight,
YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO LEGISLATE THEIR LOVE AWAY.
And in a world, with Physical abuse, child abuse, wars, slavery, and genocides, why would you want to?
I guess why I wrote this, is until Saturday, I took for granted what Andy and I had. I never will again, and will continue to help out whenever possible.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
For the past week and a half I have spent a lot of my free time (and some that I should have been using for other things) responding to people on message boards at the news sites and talking to people who voted in favor of Prop 8. What is very clear to me is that there are large numbers of people who fit into two categories (online and in the neighborhoods) that I think are important:
1). Those who do not understand the issue with the word marriage and why same-sex couples do not focus on civil unions et al instead;
2). Those who regardless of what is fact, are against same-sex couples being allowed to marry.
Briefly, those in group 2. These are the people who WILL make the issue of gay rights as polarized as the issue of women’s right to choose, but only if we let them. They generally rant on religious grounds and should simply be ignored. I think engaging them in any manner will simply feed their egos, for they somehow feel that they MUST change others, but they themselves are closed to change. Please don’t waste any energy on them or fuel their rants with a reply.
As for the people in group 1, they should be our main focus and should be treated with respect. They simply have a disagreement, and in many cases they just don’t understand what “all the fuss is about”. These are the people who WILL eventually come to understand that marriage, as defined by law, is not a religious function. Explain that marriage is not in the same category as baptism, communion or any one of many religious rituals - marriage is codified into numerous laws so therefore MUST be applied equally. Explain that religious organizations do not issue marriage licenses, states do; nor is any religious entity necessary for a couple to get married. Cover the fact that the CaSC considered whether a new “process”, not called marriage, should be adopted by the state and applied equally to everyone, and that the Court determined that clearly the people did not want that.
From what I’ve seen, I think people would be wise to quit using the term “gay marriage” in these discussions. There is no such thing as gay marriage, same-sex marriage, or straight marriage - there is only marriage. The courts are not “creating” a new category of marriage, they are simply ruling that marriage is a fundamental right that can no longer be denied to same-sex couples. To elaborate on this, I think of it that same-sex couples have ALWAYS had the right to marriage, but we’ve just been denied it until now; we are all entitled to equality under the law, it just sometimes takes a fight to be allowed that equality.
Finally, I see posts where people call for taking extreme measures such as not paying taxes. Don’t fight the law on your own, you will likely only cause yourself legal problems and the money that you lose in those battles can be used so much more productively. Consider what it would cost you in penalties and legal expense to fight those battles, then donate that money to one of the groups that are approaching this issue methodically. Extremism is counterproductive on both sides.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I am glad that my post was accepted, and thanks to all that understood what I was trying to convey. I registered as democrat. I received lots of election mail telling me to vote no on prop 8 from the democratic party. However, this was not a big influence in my decision to vote no on prop 8, I voted no on 8 because that was the right thing to do. Again, it is wrong to give someone rights, then take them away. The past 8 years everyone has seen their rights revoked in some way. From losing their pensions, their jobs, their homes, wiretaps. But, the church has been very active, from abortion to illegal immigration. The church has too much power, for instance, when the illegal immigrant took refuge in the church to prevent deportation - If you as a citizen let someone take refuge in your home, you will go to prison for harboring, and obstruction of justice. ***Don’t get me wrong, I am not blaming the illegal immigrant. I am saying the church has too much power right now. Then to look at the Republicans, that’s their strategy, is blame everyone for everything, this is evidenced by their recent behavior. I am fighting right along with you.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I attended the St. Louis protest on Saturday. It was a very well organized, very peaceful protest. There was not one sign that targeted any other group and there was no mention of any specific institution responsible for passing Prop 8. There was also no opposition, which was nice. The police were there to keep everyone safe, not that it was needed, and many volunteers helped with traffic and people crossing the street. The speakers were motivational and well chosen and the feeling of hope was prevalant over the entire crowd. This was my first protest ever. I am a straight, married mother. The earlier suggestion of a voluntary divorce made my heart hurt. That is how much I love my marriage and how I am determined that every American will have it if they want it. I already said this on another thread so forgive the repetition. After the protest I went to the post office and mailed my letter of resignation to the LDS church, the church I grew up in and the church of my entire family. I am assuming that Craig is Mormon or knows Mormons. Craig, I understand what you are saying because sticking up for my vilified friends that have been treated so poorly is what caused me to resign my membership. Only I am talking about my gay friends. I know and love many Mormons and not all of them supported Prop 8 in word or deed. It is very regretable that the church put them in this position. Nobody should have violence, terrorism or vandalism brought against them. I hope all the people responsible for these incidents will be brought to justice. As mad as I am about the church’s involvement I am trying - I will - stop thinking about them and start thinking about what I can do to support the LBGT community instead.
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I saw Wanda Sykes. It would be nice if everyone was allowed to just be themselves. Sometimes this causes people to end up in heterosexual marriages they don’t want to be in, but were, somehow, forced into. It’s sad we live in a society where people are always judged. Like Ellen Degeneres, she was criticized for a long time, but, look at her now. She has one of the most popular shows on t.v. Wow, it was also amazing to see the rallies and marches held over the weekend, the unity and strength of the American people. I laughed so hard, because no one from the church or media expected such big turn outs. That was awesome!!!
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I finally recorded a song I wrote in college about Gay Marriage called “Again.” It’s about being gay but wanting to get married, and it talks about a revolution, where the religious right have been crossing our paths…
Even though I have a lot of work to do on the song and is no way a professional recording it is on you tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkReNmPUcOM
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Our IT Reseller firm gave money to No On Prop 8 and continue to stand up for rights of all americans. We sell Cisco, HP, IBM. Ok shameless plug but it is the truth and our webiste is at http://www.itosolutions.net. Digg it!
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
CNN - on the exchange blogs have “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” available. It says Obama will end this policy. Hooray, another victory!!!!
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Thank you so much for your support, (((Annjell))) and (((Heather))) and all of you wonderful, compassionate people who happen to be heterosexual! Your support means the world to us! We cannot do this without you!
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Let’s have a National Lobby YOUR own City Hall Day.
An additional idea going forward will be to combine the idea of protesting/marching outside City Halls with the idea of “Day Without a Gay” (where instead of going to work, we volunteer). Let’s have a National Lobby YOUR City Hall Day. JoinTheImpact could call on people to take a day off from work in order to go speak with their local politicians when they are IN their offices. Protesting at City Halls on the weekends and evenings are wonderfully symbolic, however that needs to evolve into everyone being their on lobbyist for a day.
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 5:26 am
annjell! YOU ROCK! I SEND YOU ALL MY LOVE AND POSITIVE SUPPORT! THANK YOU
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 7:08 am
All the marching, in neighborhoods which are gay-friendly, perhaps raises awareness of the character of folks who feel affected by the passage of Prop 8. It doesn’t, however, raise anything else, for anyone else. In a world that is hurting from lack of support for causes that affect *everyone,* the impact on those watching the protests would have been far more favorable had each of the marchers given just $1.00 to be collected toward stocking local food banks, donating to City of Hope’s cancer research, or books for low-income schools.
How about a easiy do-able act like having bags/boxes/barrels in which to donate a nice item of clothing for shelters, or providing household goods for seniors on fixed incomes? There is a distinct lack of awareness that the thousands insisting on personal recognition from each segment of a community, means those same thousands should be *part* of the entire community’s projects and needs.
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 11:55 am
It was a lovely day in Oakland for protests, and we saw a lot of families (both gay and straight) who were out to say that they thought Prop 8 was wrong. There was a real sense of camaraderie and determination, and I’m convinced that we will not let this momentum die.
Please help show America that all families are worthy of protection and equality. Share your traditions at http://www.mytraditionalfamily.com.
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 11:55 am
This is a response for Erica Wilson.
Erica, thank you for standing in solidarity with our cause. It is people like you who demonstrate how the gay community includes our straight allies. Your idea to have mass divorce is very creative, but contrary to this movement. Yes, we are outraged and, yes, we are protesting everything we can, but I think we forget that the core of our movement is love. We are trying to improve the state of marriage in this state/country/world where it is seriously hurting. We are not only trying to tell people that this institution is important to maintain, but we are trying to bring love back to marriage. If you were to divorce your husband, it would only serve to further tear apart this institution in which we place so much hope.
The best thing that you can do is to love your husband and work on your marriage so it stays strong. 28 years is a substantial amount of time and it lends validity to our cause when a “successful” and “normal” straight couple believes that we have the right to the same happiness as them. Continue to express your outrage verbally. Tell everyone you know what you believe in. Have gatherings where straight and gay couples are treated the same. Help us show other straight people how “normal” our relationships are. That is how you can help this movement. Thank you for being a part of it.
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I think the rallies should continue. I also think we need to make our voices heard at the voting booths. I was stunned yesterday while looking at “the issues - w/Jane Vellez” on CNN HLN. Apparently, Newt Gengricht was on Bill O’Reilly, and said, “Prop 8 protesters are Gay and Secular facists.” Apparently, Gengricht doesn’t understand the word facists. I was stunned, because, as a former white house Speaker of the House, he should know better. So, as I said, we need to send the RNC a strong message, that their Religious/Hate-Mongering doesn’t belong in politics. What happened to We the People, For the People. I will continue this fight with you until we all are guaranteed the rights we deserve.
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Santa Rosa - California we had over 2,000 people protesting - 3rd largest protest in Somona County. A friend produced this video. Did you know that God hated shrimp? It’s in the Bible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymdW5iKi84o
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
“Tyranny of the Majority: Plato on Proposition 8″
http://www.lanovaz.org/daniel/tinyurl/prop8
The artwork is mine.
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Hello all my brothers and sisters, Perez Hilton is joining in on the boycott. He says he will boycott the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. He said this on Jane Velez, CNN’s HNL show called, Issues. His website was shown on CNN as PerezHilton.com
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
A suggestion, has anyone thought of having a big event like WoodStock? I was born in the 60’s, don’t know much about it, but this would be a way to get people together in a big park, with bar-b-que, singers and bands, commedians, and speakers. I know in Europe, they have like a yearly Love Fest. Any comments on this?
Posted on November 19th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
…The Separation of Church and State? But why? Read on…
This law was put into effect hundreds of years ago by our forefathers to keep religion and religious beliefs out of the lives of those who do not follow such practices. And for those now who think their sanctity of marriage is being violated by gay people, you are forgetting this simple law. Your marriage is not being effected at all. Period. But unfortunately, the easily swayed have been trapped into a web of lies and deception, convincing you otherwise. How easily those who want to hear such lies will believe them and act upon them. A mere psychological practice of what I like to call “bit-picking” of the bibles passages in order to justify the use of these passages in order to discriminate or harm another human being as you so see fit.
Being a born again Christian I am extremely disturbed by my fellow brethren verbally owning the term “marriage”. Or how it has become a holy and religious icon. I am sorry to say, but It is not yours to own. Do the research. See for yourselves that the language and very definitions of “marriage” were defined and acted upon differently in a wide array of cultures and countries. One man and One woman you say? Would you tell that to the numerous polygamist colonies throughout the world? So with that in mind do us religious folk have the right to impose our beliefs directly into the lives of those who do not follow (what I now tend to feel) are disjointed and unproductive Christian practices? Gays getting married? So what if they did? So what if they do? How is this going to harm me? Seriously? Do we really think that by keeping gays from getting married somehow they will be less a part of our lives? Do we really think, that by taking the right to marry away we are making the world a better place for us and our children? Do we really think at all (other than what we are fed through the mouths of those who’s sole determination is to harm another human emotionally, mentally & physically?)? You have got to be kidding me! These are Human Beings!!! Most of whom have PROVEN they can keep a solidified relationship as long if not longer than most straight people. They are our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends, coworkers, cousins, aunts and uncles…They are us!
I cannot be sympathetic towards my religious brethren who wish to judge and enforce such practices. Those who think they need to tear down someone else’s hopes, love and the desire to feel something real. I hear opponents say things like “get over it” or “you lost, so deal with it” or “you have enough rights, you don’t need anymore”. People who voted for California’s prop 8 hate gay people. Period. And God does not promote hate. Period. People who are for California’s prop 8 fear.
And this fear is what drives hate, which in turn leads to hurting and then hurt leads to suffering and I think we have ALL had enough of that crap in this world!
I beg you, do not Force someone into living OUR way against their will, they are not trying to Force us into living theirs. No matter your “personal” feelings towards gays, lesbians, bi, etc. we have no right to make them feel the way WE are making them feel.
Walk a mile in their shoes, right now. I employ you.
On November 15th at 10:50 AM in San Diego, CA I did just that. And I will never forget it. In a march of protest against proposition 8 on the streets of downtown San Diego. I had talked to people along the way and literally cried hearing their stories and seeing the anguish in their faces while they strived to keep some kind of dignity, some kind of connection to humanity. I watched in horror as people from the opposing side along the sidewalks screamed things like “F**K you”, “Go to hell”, “I’ll beat you up” and “You will never have rights F*GS”. I am a straight man who for about three hours felt what it was like to be treated that way. I cannot even begin to put into words what I felt! It was chaotic, senseless and heartbreaking. It made me feel small and inhuman. I would NEVER, EVER wish for any one to feel what I felt…what they have felt for many, many years now. And I find it hard now waking up everyday knowing that my own life is not in the kind of turmoil these people face…face every time they walk out into a society that has casted stones at them for centuries. But then turn around and have the audacity to say… “we do feel for you” or “we pity you” and “Ourselves and God really do love you”. But no, you don’t, you can’t. If you did, you would have simply left these people alone. But you can’t, and you wont, so long as fear lives in your lives and drives the machine of hatred that secretes such animosity into this world, by God, you wont. My life has truly been shaken to the core by this movement. A movement I never had any intention to be involved with. But I am, and now, I will be till the end. Till Justice prevails. Even if it takes my entire life working to do so, I am here. And I hear you. So I say this now to every Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Trans gender, You are not alone. You will walk beside me and I will show you the true love of God walks beside you. Trust me, God would not want you to feel this way. No matter what anyone else says or thinks. No one should feel like they want to die or hide in shame or walk in public feeling paranoid or awkward because they are not allowed to love freely or be themselves. If anything, I pray for those who think pain and suffering is the only thing you know how to teach. I pray for peace amongst us all. God Bless with peace and love
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 12:44 am
During the summer, upon hearing about a hate crime attack against recording artist Geo Vaughn in NYC, the president and founder of Our Youth, Rob DeAnthony, contacted a group of LGBTQ supportive artists, and signed them on to work together on recording a song about hate crimes and opposition to Proposition 8, a law which has has been passed that doesn’t allow equal rights for same sex marriage, and other serious issues that many refuse to talk about, that our youth within our community face everyday and will continue to face in the future. The goal of this song is to raise awareness on these serious issues, and have the proceeds from this record donated to anti-hate crime and LGBTQ organizations. Our Youth, a non profit organization designed to help GLBTQ youth, The Joey DiPaolo Foundation, a 501C organization designed to help young adults make the transition from childhood into adulthood while coping with the challenges and complications from HIV/AIDS, and the A.N.G.E.L. Initiative, an organization designed to help those that are suffering mental illness, especially the youth. The single, “Free To Love” was written by Lovari, a recording artist / activist who holds the record for the most consecutive Pride Performances in the Tri State area for both 2007 and 2008, as well as for his # 1 radio single “All I Want Is You”.The track also features Out Magazine recording artist Scandelle, NY Times featured artist Janifer, out and proud hip hop artist Bryn’t, legendary drag entertainer Harmonica Sunbeam, and Geo Vaughn, who was the original inspiration for this project. Produced by Chey de Los and DJ Relentless, “Free To Love” is burning up the airwaves and the club scene all while raising awareness and money for a vital cause. myspace.com/Lovari myspace.com/our_youth
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Re: Craig Lindon’s post-
Calling peaceful protests and boycotts terrorism is offensive to me not as a gay person, but as a thinking rational being. No one is being threatened with their life, as many gay people are every day. The attacks by Fundie and Mormon cults on our rights–that is terrorism.
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Since marriage is ONE man ONE woman for the sole purpose of producing children and a family.
Then every straight couple that gets married and within 2 years of marriage they don’t produce a child or adopt then their marriage is no longer valid in a court of law. You know since it’s all about “family and reproduction”
There should also be a law on marrying 2-3-4 times. Sice marriage is a “sacred” act of love.
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
When Christians came out of the closet, they were pissed off too.
We protest and boycott. Christians razed cultures, and still do.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 11:22 am
California, November 17: Comedian Wanda Sykes has never openly talked about her sexual orientation to public. Now, the funnywoman says the recent passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has prompted her to speak out
Posted on December 6th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
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