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Posts Tagged ‘glbt’
Awesome new video by Courage Campaign
Monday, February 9th, 2009Awesomeness…one of the original
Friday, January 9th, 2009Surprise Blog! Milk!
Friday, December 12th, 2008I hate that I have to feel this way, but i feel sad for those who never feel this convicted towards anything…
I saw Milk tonight and to be honest, it moved me the way that reading my first book about Stonewall affected me. It’s this feeling of even though we’ve come so far, we have so much further to go.
Not even against just the religious people, but the apathetic among us, who feel as though we have enough and just want to sit back and coast for a bit. All the while the religious zealots, and those they can rally behind them, are ready to pounce on the slightest show of weakness.
And then there are the hardcore folks, the ones who seriously attack us on the basis that we shouldn’t even exist. That argue genetics, but who never finished high school. That can claim this is a choice, but have never met a single gay person. That repeat rhetoric that’s been passed down to them through parents, pastors, friends…it’s sad really.
The arguments have all been shut down, yet they continue to spout them, even though the proof shows otherwise. Procreation, “traditional” familial unit, slippery slope, choice, “special” privileges, they’ve become so standard that I know them by rote.
My boyfriend pointed out something that truly made me sad when I thought about it. Proposition 6 was the measure that had just been defeated before Milk was assassinated. It was to fire gay teachers and the supporters of gay teachers. The reason, because they were trying to influence children to become gay, to “recruit” new members. The sad part…I’m nearly 100% sure that in 1978, when I was 3 years old, that my parents voted for it. I know they voted for Prop 8. It hurts that they can look at me and tell me that I should be treated differently. That I should be convicted by their religious convictions…even if I don’t share them.
I’ve had arguments with people, and even when I refute all of their claims, it always comes back to “special rights” for a class of people that shouldn’t even be considered a class. Who choose to be what they are. I never had an argument until recently. It was pointed out to me and pointed out by many including Jon Stewart, from The Daily Show, that we confer special rights on religions. We give them tax free status, we give them leeway in some situations because they have religious ceremonies which some may find objectionable. Religion is for all intents and purposes, a choice. Yet, those same people who choose to be Christian, Mormon or whatever, turn around and deny us our rights, because of our so-called “choice”. It’s not, but even if it was, shouldn’t our choice be respected as much as theirs?
I could refute all the other claims, with the myriad of arguments that have gone before. But I’ll just leave it with this, since I’ve done it and don’t feel like rehashing. We deserve to be treated the same as any other citizen of this country. If a man wants to marry a woman, he should have the same right to marry a man. Flip that, reverse it, for women. No goats, no molestation, no spreading of our “choice” to anyone who doesn’t feel that way naturally. No talk or treatment of us as anything less than an equal human, or you’re just as bad the KKK, as the misogynists, as Hitler, all of which seek or s…crap, is the past tense of seek, suck? Anyway, all of which strove to drive down a set of people, remove their rights, and treat them as less than equal because of a misguided belief.
Be human, treat others like you want to be treated. It may be “jesusy”, but it’s a truth nonetheless.
More for your consideration
Thursday, November 13th, 2008http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/1392905.html
http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/1392908.html
Organizations and individuals against and for Proposition 8. Check it out and act accordingly, whether it be boycott, or whatever.
Boycott Leatherby’s Family Creamery
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008Dave Leatherby, owner, of Leatherby’s Family Creamery just recently stated that he’d donated $20,000 to the “Yes on 8” campaign because of his religious beliefs.
While I respect religious beliefs, trying to legislate based on them is wrong. It’s tantamount to approving of the government in Iran, a theocracy. Especially since religious folks in America are trying to legislate their morality and their laws and apply them to the whole of America.
Because of that, I will no longer be patronizing Leatherby’s. I was also offended at his statement that “… he is particularly confused because his business has participated in the annual gay pride Rainbow Festival.”
It’s this whole argument of “I think gay people are cool”, “I have gay friends”, and then “but I don’t agree that they should have the same rights as me.” It’s disingenuous to think that a person can be friendly to their gay friends and coworkers and then turn around and be fine with stripping them of their rights.
More Video, Sacramento Rally at the Capital on Sunday, 11-09-08
Monday, November 10th, 2008Prop 8 Video 11-06-08
Friday, November 7th, 2008Why Proposition 8 will fail
Thursday, November 6th, 2008Let me start off by saying that I respect the democratic process. I also respect the system of checks and balances we have in this country, which keeps the will of the majority from imposing itself on those in the minority.
I also don’t feel that religious views should be legislated. This is a country where freedom of religion reigns supreme, and why should all be required to follow laws that are specific to a few religions. You don’t respect our country, if you don’t respect the fact that different religious views are allowed.
Want to argue tradition and you’re in bed with racists and people against women’s rights.
Lastly, even if none of this makes your mind start to wonder. The California Constitution states [Art 1.S7.(b)] - A citizen or class of citizens may not be granted privileges or immunities not granted on the same terms to all citizens.
This means that you can’t do something for one set of people and not for another. If Prop 8 was added to the Constitution, the 2 parts would directly conflict with each other. Thus the reason why opponents of Prop 8 are opposing it.
Civil Unions/Domestic Partnerships are the same as Marriage….right?
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008First of all, What is Marriage? When people marry, they tend to do so for reasons of love and commitment. But marriage is also a legal status, which comes with rights and responsibilities. Marriage establishes a legal kinship between you and your spouse. It is a relationship that is recognized across cultures, countries and religions.
What is a Civil Union? Civil Unions exist in only a handful of places: Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut. California and Oregon have domestic partnership laws that offer many of the same rights as civil unions.
Vermont civil unions were created in 2000 to provide legal protections to gays and lesbians in relationships in that state because gay marriage is not an option. The protections do not extend beyond the border of Vermont and no federal protections are included with a Civil Union. Civil Unions offer some of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but only on a state level.
What about Domestic partnership? Some states and municipalities have domestic partnership registries, but no domestic partnership law is the same. Some, like the recently passed
California domestic partnership law comes with many rights and responsibilities. Others, like the one in Washington offer very few benefits to the couple.
What are some of the differences between Civil Unions and Gay Marriage?
Recognition in other states: Even though each state has its own laws around marriage, if someone is married in one state and moves to another, their marriage is legally recognized. For example, Oregon marriage law applies to people 17 and over. In Washington state, the couple must be 18 to wed. However, Washington will recognize the marriage of two 17 year olds from Oregon who move there. This is not the case with Civil Unions. If someone has a Civil Union in Vermont, that union is not recognized in any other state. As a matter of fact, two states, Connecticut and Georgia, have ruled that they do not have to recognize civil unions performed in Vermont, because their states have no such legal category. As gay marriages become legal in other states, this status may change.
Dissolving a Civil Union v. Divorce:
Vermont has no residency requirement for Civil Unions. That means two people from any other state or country can come there and have a civil union ceremony. If the couple breaks up and wishes to dissolve the union, one of them must be a resident of Vermont for one year before the Civil Union can be dissolved in family court. Married couples can divorce in any state they reside, no matter where they were married.
Immigration:
A United States citizen who is married can sponsor his or her non-American spouse for immigration into this country. Those with Civil Unions have no such privilege.
Taxes:
Civil Unions are not recognized by the federal government, so couples would not be able to file joint-tax returns or be eligible for tax breaks or protections the government affords to married couples.
Benefits:
The General Accounting Office in 1997 released a list of 1,049 benefits and protections available to heterosexual married couples. These benefits range from federal benefits, such as survivor benefits through Social Security, sick leave to care for ailing partner, tax breaks, veterans benefits and insurance breaks. They also include things like family discounts, obtaining family insurance through your employer, visiting your spouse in the hospital and making medical decisions if your partner is unable to. Civil Unions protect some of these rights, but not all of them.
But can’t a lawyer set all this up for gay and lesbian couples?
No. A lawyer can set up some things like durable power of attorney, wills and medical power of attorney. There are several problems with this, however.
1. It costs thousands of dollars in legal fees. A simple marriage license, which usually costs under $100 would cover all the same rights and benefits.
2. Any of these can be challenged in court. As a matter of fact, more wills are challenged than not. In the case of wills, legal spouses always have more legal power than any other family member.
3. Marriage laws are universal. If someone’s husband or wife is injured in an accident, all you need to do is show up and say you’re his or her spouse. You will not be questioned. If you show up at the hospital with your legal paperwork, the employees may not know what to do with you. If you simply say, “He’s my husband,” you will immediately be taken to your spouse’s side.
Defense of Marriage Law
Even with lesbian and gay marriages being performed and recognized in some states, the Federal Defense of Marriage Law prohibits the federal government from recognizing gay and lesbian relationships. This puts gay and lesbian couples who are married in a legal limbo. How do they file their tax returns? Do they have to pay the tax on their partner’s health insurance? How do they fill out legal and other forms, single or married?
Creating Civil Unions creates a separate and unequal status for some of America’s citizens. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court ruled that creating a separate class for gay and lesbian citizens is not permissible and that is why they have voted that only marriage equals marriage. The precedent was set with Brown v. The Board of Education regarding segregation in public education. Ironically, Massachusetts marriage law went into effect on the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.
The United States Constitution guarantees equality for all. As you can see, marriage and civil unions are not the same. Creating equal access to marriage is the only fair way to ensure equality for gay and straight couples alike.
Gleaned from about.com’s Kathy Belge.
Hilariously Sad
Thursday, October 30th, 2008It’s funny because it’s sad. It’s sad because the guy speaking doesn’t realize that if Hitler were alive, he’d be part of the Yes on 8 campaign. Or as some would say “Yes on H8″.
Paul Cox