Oregon civil rights under fire!

You would think the ass-clown wingnuts would have something better to do in Oregon oh... say, fight homelessness or poverty, Oh I know, maybe make sure all of the kids in OR have health insurance. Not so much. They are more interested in attacking gays and lesbians...

Coalition forms to stop gay-rights laws

A coalition of social conservative and church groups are ready to launch a campaign to ask Oregon voters to overturn two gay rights measures recently enacted by the Legislature.

"It's going to be a lot of citizens who are highly motivated to make this happen," said former state Sen. Marylin Shannon, a Republican from Brooks who's been involved in forming the coalition that will spearhead the effort.

They are aiming to block implementation of two bills that were signed into law last week by Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski, forcing them instead to the statewide ballot in November 2008.

One is a domestic partnership law that will enable same-sex pairs to enter contractual relationships that carry many of the benefits of married couples under state law. The other law will ban discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people in employment, housing and access to public accommodations.

Shannon said she and other social conservatives believe the measures, especially the domestic partnerships bill, go against the wishes of Oregon voters who approved a constitutional ban on gay marriage in 2004.

"We are offended that the Legislature voted to overturn the will of the people," Shannon said.

assholes

CALL TO ACTION!!!! Hate crimes bill on the line!

Contact your legislator today!

Have you done anything yet this week to support the cause?

Just one thing - call or write your legislator - one voice, your voice is needed.

Gay marriage on the line in MA

That's right folks, when we achieve a small step, whether it is a small domestic partnership registry or full marriage equality, the other side is prepared to go to the mat to force their bigotry on everyone. Marriage in Massachusetts is on the line with a referendum to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Rights groups battle question on gay nuptials

Gay and lesbian advocates are hoping that a video and house parties will boost their campaign to block a referendum that would outlaw gay marriage in Massachusetts.

An 11-minute video arguing for the preservation of gay marriage is scheduled to be unveiled today and tomorrow at house parties across the state, said Marc Solomon , campaign director for Mass Equality, a gay rights advocacy group.

"Advocates for gay rights are getting their family and friends together to watch the video and go out and support us," Solomon said.

The target of the campaign: the state's 200 legislators, and in particular, the 63 legislators who in January voted to put gay marriage on a statewide ballot in November 2008.

So you think we are all set here in WA with our minuscule step towards equality? Do you think the fight is over and we are just one legislative session away from full marriage? Think again! The DP registry will be the catalyst to rally the Washington Wingnuts to attempt a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage altogether. All they need are a few more social conservatives in office and we can kiss all of the great work goodbye right along with recognition of our relationships.

I would wager that none of you readers out there even know that a marriage amendment was introduced this year? Resolution SJR 8219 "Defining marriage as between a male and a female" introduced by Senators Swecker, Hargrove, Benton, Sheldon, Holmquist, Carrell, Roach, Zarelli, Clements, Delvin, Rasmussen.

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:

THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of the state of Washington by adding a new section to read as follows:

Article I, section Marriage in Washington state shall consist solely of two persons, a male and a female. The uniting of two persons other than a male and a female in any marital relationship is not valid in this state, and, although valid in another jurisdiction, is not recognized as valid in this state. The legislature may provide for such restrictions or sanctions on marriage related to age or degree of kinship as it deems necessary.

So it is all ready to go. All they need is enough politicians in office to get it out of committee. Can we sit back on our collective gay asses now? As a community we tend to relax and become apathetic to what is really going on after a small victory, that would be wrong! We now have to work harder than ever in Washington to ensure our fair minded elected officials stay in office.

What will you do this week to support the cause?

JJ has entered the building!

My my my, gone for a week and so much has happened I am overwhelmed with things post and comment on!

Our esteemed legislature was very busy last week!

First, the Domestic Partnership bill passed:

Washington Legislature passes domestic partner bill

The bill passed easily on a 63-35 House vote despite condemnations from conservatives who said the bill was an affront to community values and religious freedom.

Then the Healthy Youth Act was passed:
Healthy Youth Act Approved

After four hours of debate, the Washington House of Representatives voted 63-34 Wednesday to require sexual education in public schools to be medically accurate. The vote sends the bill to Gov. Christine Gregoire for her signature.

Both of these items initiated a violent response from Joe Fuiten, self proclaimed leader of all Washington wingnuts. He is calling all Christians to pray for plague, famine, earthquakes etc. etc. to be called down upon Washington to demonstrate Gods displeasure with the passage of these two bills.

So far no earthquakes or famine have happened, I guess that means that God supports this legislation.

Hoooray!

Patrick orders 26 gay marriages recorded

Gov. Deval Patrick has ordered officials to record the marriages of 26 out-of-state gay couples whose unions were blocked by his Republican predecessor from being registered in the state's vital records.

Hooray!

Bill Would Include Gays Under Hate Crimes Law

Of course the wingnuts are all over this with their collectively wadded panties.

Support the cause!

Sign the HRC Petition.

Must see website

This is a great website highlighting 10 same sex couples and their struggles. I think we can all relate to these couples. This is a great project! Take a gander after the link!

10 Couples

The retirement of the gay ghetto

In an article on 365Gay.com called Gay Villages Disappearing gays in San Francisco are lamenting that the Castro district is turning into a straight enclave. With an influx of young hipsters who enjoy the diversity of the neighborhood. This is driving prices up and the gays out!

For more than 30 years, most big cities have had a district either explicitly or implicitly understood to be the place to go if you were gay _ the West Village and Chelsea in New York City, Washington's Dupont Circle, Boston's South End.

But as gays and lesbians win legal rights and greater social acceptance, community activists worry these so-called "gayborhoods" are losing their relevance. Like the bedsheet-sized rainbow flag rippling majestically at the intersection marking the entrance to the Castro, they are at a historical crossroads.

"What I've heard from some people is, 'We don't need the Castro anymore because essentially San Francisco is our Castro,'" said Don Romesburg, who co-chairs the GLBT Historical Society.

I have to ask, is this not for the best? Regardless of the historical struggles to create the Castro, these will live on in our history just like the civil war, did we not achieve the ultimate goal in San Francisco? To live openly as a sexual minority anywhere in the city without fear of persecution, injury or oppression?

I think the integration of gays into all aspects of society is the ideal. Why force segregation on ourselves if we don't have to? This is a distinct turning point in the evolution of gay rights. When we used to shout "we're here - we're queer - get used to it!" I don't think anyone had in mind what our society would look like when society as a whole actually did "get used to it".

Granted, many areas of society in this nation are still way behind in acceptance of gays and lesbians. Nonetheless it is a good sign of things to come when the gay ghettos can start retiring.

The authentic life - choose wisely

The Spokane gay community has been giving the CPR (caring, preventing, restoring homosexuality) a lot of press and rightly so. There was much debate in the community, once the document was circulated, whether to give it some air time and expose the “ex-gay” ministry for the myth that it is or just let it go. I have to admit I was originally on the “just let it go” side and hope it fades into the ancient past like the rest of the fundamentalist-anti-gay-social-conservative ideals and be done with it.

Then I read the heart wrenching stories of Anderson, Mahieu and ‘Lisa’ in the Stonewall. The damage inflicted on these individuals as a result of their attempt to repress that portion of their lives into submission is intolerable. Why should we “just let it go” when the ‘ex-gay” movement causes so much pain, anguish and self hatred in direct contradiction of modern psychological precedents?

So, publish it wide and expose it for the myth that it is and the harm that it causes. The minds behind the madness of this outrage are preying on the most vulnerable in our community and at what price?

The primary premise behind the CPR document is that homosexuality is a choice. On this point I completely agree. Being gay or being straight is a choice. But not the choice you might think. The choice is not to be gay or be straight, the choice is to live life or live a lie.

It is time to reframe the debate over choice.

The so called ex-gays never “cure” themselves they choose to suppress the core of their being and go through life as half of a person, a divided psyche. To live with a divided psyche is harmful at best, causes suicidal tendencies at worst. Anyone who suffers this divided life has made a choice. The choice was not to suddenly be straight, for this is impossible; the choice is to beat that aspect of the self into suppression. In doing so the psychological damage can be severe, all reputable psychologists agree on this point as the APA maintains.

At some point in our lives, either gay or straight, all of us have faced with a duality of self. We put on the false self to meet new people, our defenses go up in strange environments, we act completely differently when alone than in public. The harm comes when a core aspect of our personhood is brutally suppressed out of shame, fear, bigotry or hatred. The only place where these traits of shame, fear, bigotry and hatred exist is in society as a whole, perpetuated by the eternal diatribe of religious fanatics.

Many of us know from personal experience how it feels to live a divided life. Inwardly, we experience one imperative of our lives, but outwardly we respond to quite another. This is the human condition, of course – our inner and outer worlds are never in perfect harmony. But there are extremes of dividedness that become intolerable, when one can no longer live without bringing one’s actions into harmony with one’s inner life. When that happens inside of one person, then another, and another, and another, in relation to a significant social issue, a movement may be conceived. -Dr. Parker J. Palmer from The Courage to Teach.

The ex-gay movement establishes an “intolerable dividedness” that requires action. Only by being true to themselves can gays and lesbians live an authentic life. Being an authentic individual merely means being a person who is honest and has an awareness of self that supersedes the false exterior. To force a person into a mold of humanity that is not their own or of their making, under the threat of eternal damnation, is abuse in its most intimate form.

No, the community should not remain silent about the “ex-gay” ministry; in fact the gay community should rise up and denounce it!

Being out is living life as we are predisposed to live it. Being out is loving ourselves unconditionally as we are. Being out is the only way to live without fear, without self loathing, without internalized homophobia. Being out is being authentic.

It is time to reframe the debate over choice.

It is true that being gay is a choice. The choice is to live the life authentic or live the life of lies.

Domestic partnership bill passes Senate

HOOORAY!

Wash. Senate Passes Domestic Partnership Measure

The measure passed on a 28-19 vote, with two lawmakers excused. It now heads to the House. Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the measure if it gets to her desk.

The bill would create a domestic partnership registry with the state, and would provide enhanced rights for same-sex couples, including hospital visitation, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will.

To be registered, couples would have to share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else, and be at least 18.

Goin to the chapel and we're gonna git domestic partnered... Well we are getting closer!

Once the bill is signed by the Governor I will post instructions on how to get registered for benefits. Its a far cry from full marriage but we are well on our way. This bill will make such a huge difference in our ability to care for our loved ones.

Great article!

Another great one from As Good As You!

Gays are part of life -- just DEAL!

We have been around since man existed. Being gay is here to stay. Its time for everyone to just get over it!

Hooray!

Gay couples get licenses in New Jersey

Hooray!

Gay Couples Nationwide Demonstrate For Marriage Rights

Its because we plan for our families

Adoption Survey Gives Gay Parents High Grades

(New York City) Adoptive parents invest more time and financial resources in their children than biological parents, according to a new national study challenging arguments that have been used to oppose same-sex marriage and gay adoption.

Because we plan for our families as opposed to just popping out babies on accident it makes for healthier home environments for our kids!

The researchers said 161 families in the survey were headed by two adoptive parents, and they rated better overall than families with biological parents on an array of criteria - including helping with homework, parental involvement in school, exposure to cultural activities and family attendance at religious services. The only category in which adoptive parents fared worse was the frequency of talking with parents of other children.

So, when it comes to gay adoptive parents we rank better than biological parents in all regards except for the frequency in talking to parents of other children! This is probably because we are spending more time with our own kids!

The researchers said their findings call into question the long-standing argument that children are best off with their biological parents. Such arguments were included in state Supreme Court rulings last year in New York and Washington that upheld laws against same-sex marriage.

At some point in the near future the ridiculous supreme court ruling is going to be trumped by good old peer reviewed scientific facts.

DADT

The Pentagon is getting REALLY tired of losing qualified, courageous people because of the "Don't ask don't tell" policy.

From the Advocate:

The Pentagon sings a different tune

Recent statements by retired general John Shalikashvili are a sure sign that attitudes inside the Pentagon are changing and that the military’s exclusion of out lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans will soon end.

Finally - A little mainstream attention

Gay Rights Activists Introduce Initiative that Would Require Children in Marriages

KENNEWICK, Wash.- A new initiative is turning heads around the state as the gay-marriage debate heats up again.

Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed has accepted Iinitiative 957, a response by gay rights activists to a State Supreme Court ruling last summer.

The Washington Supreme Court ruled that the state could prevent gay and lesbian couples from marrying because the state has a legitimate interest in preserving marriage for procreation.

In response, the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance filed the Initiative.

I-957 has five clauses that would have to be met for a legal marriage.

It would allow only couples capable of having kids to marry, and that they file "proof of procreation" within three years of the marriage. If not, the marriage would be annulled.

Why we fight

From Blog Active:

Why we fight

here here!

Hooray!

Lesbians Register Mexico's 1st Gay Union

A new citizens initiative - Ban marriages that don't create children!

This is not a joke! This citizens initiative was filed with the WA Secretary of Sate.

Initiative 957

If passed by Washington voters, the Defense of Marriage Initiative would:

• add the phrase, “who are capable of having children with one another” to the legal definition of marriage;
• require that couples married in Washington file proof of procreation within three years of the date of marriage or have their marriage automatically annulled;
• require that couples married out of state file proof of procreation within three years of the date of marriage or have their marriage classed as “unrecognized;”
• establish a process for filing proof of procreation; and
• make it a criminal act for people in an unrecognized marriage to receive marriage benefits.
  

The initiative was submitted by Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance and is aligned with the judges own arguments in the Andersen v. King ruling. How funny it is to see their arguments in support of the WA Defense of Marriage Act spelled out as a potential law! It certainly points out the ridiculousness of their ruling, nonetheless, the ruling was a huge set back to civil rights in Washington State.

From the WA-DOMA website:

What we are about

The Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance seeks to defend equal marriage in this state by challenging the Washington Supreme Court’s ruling on Andersen v. King County. This decision, given in July 2006, declared that a “legitimate state interest” allows the Legislature to limit marriage to those couples able to have and raise children together. Because of this “legitimate state interest,” it is permissible to bar same-sex couples from legal marriage.

The way we are challenging Andersen is unusual: using the initiative, we are working to put the Court’s ruling into law. We will do this through three initiatives. The first would make procreation a requirement for legal marriage. The second would prohibit divorce or legal separation when there are children. The third would make the act of having a child together the legal equivalent of a marriage ceremony.

Absurd? Very. But there is a rational basis for this absurdity. By floating the initiatives, we hope to prompt discussion about the many misguided assumptions which make up the Andersen ruling. By getting the initiatives passed, we hope the Supreme Court will strike them down as unconstitional and thus weaken Andersen itself. And at the very least, it should be good fun to see the social conservatives who have long screamed that marriage exists for the sole purpose of procreation be forced to choke on their own rhetoric.

Tee hee! Where do I sign?

How much does bigotry cost?

Apparently $410,000 in Massachusetts. That is what it cost the MA wingnuts to get a anti-marriage amendment on the legislative agenda. The anti-gay amendment has to pass one more round of votes in the legislature in order to be put to voters who will, by their vote, determine the civil rights of tens of thousand American citizens.

From 7 News Boston:

A campaign finance report filed last week with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance shows VoteOnMarriage.org spent more than $389,000 last year, including money raised the previous year.

It also used in-kind donations worth more than $60,700 in legal fees and staff time from the Massachusetts Family Institute, which helped form VoteOnMarriage.org to raise money for the ballot question.

Now what does it cost to fight the bigots?

MassEquality.org’s campaign director, Marc Solomon, said the group formed to fight the ballot question spent $1 million lobbying against the amendment last year.

And apparently that is not enough to retain an Americans' civil rights when pitted against the passion of religious fundamentalism, hatred and bigotry.