Showing posts with label Proposition 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proposition 8. Show all posts

Thursday, March 05, 2009

California's Eve Of Justice

Last night, candlelight vigils were held across California on the eve of today's arguments in front of the CA Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8.

More than 400 members of the gay community and supporters gathered for a candlelight vigil here on the eve of a California Supreme Court hearing on three lawsuits seeking to overturn Proposition 8, the ballot measure to alter the state constitution to reinstate the ban on same-sex marriage that the court threw out last year.

In a standing-room-only Fairview Community Church this evening, same-sex marriage advocates gathered in what organizers dubbed an "Eve of Justice" event in Orange County and across the state, saying they were recommitting themselves to marriage equality and looking to the state's high court to restore gay unions.
Read Vik Jolly complete article at The Orange County Register
(Photo Credit: Kevin Sullivan/The Orange County Register)

Additional coverage:
The Desert Sun
The Los Angeles Times
The Sacramento Bee
San Diego Union-Tribune
San Francisco Chronicle

Monday, December 08, 2008

Timeline Of LDS Pro-Prop 8 Efforts

At the risk of stirring up additional trouble...

Diarist Chino Blanco, in a post titled Why I'm (still) mad at the Mormon church: a timeline over on Pam's House Blend, presents a detailed timeline of Mormon participation in the pro-Prop 8 campaign.

This is a good link for those saying that the Church of Latter-day Saints didn't have much involvement.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

A Biblical Perspective In Favor Of Marriage Equality

In the December 15, 2008 issues of NEWSWEEK, there is an article titled Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy, in which author Lisa Miller makes a Biblical case in favor of marriage equality.

Proposition 8 — The Musical

Saturday, December 06, 2008

New NEWSWEEK Poll Shows GLBT Rights Trending Higher

In the comments of my anti-Mormon screed post, one of the commenters asserted that Prop 8 was not going to be a PR disaster for the LDS church, rather that there was going to be a backlash against the GLBT community. According to the results of a new NEWSWEEK Poll, it seems the GLBT community has seen an uptick in the court of public opinion.

When voters in California, Florida and Arizona approved measures banning same-sex marriage last month, opponents lamented that the country appeared to be turning increasingly intolerant toward gay and lesbian rights. But the latest NEWSWEEK Poll finds growing public support for gay marriage and civil unions—and strong backing for the granting of certain rights associated with marriage, to same-sex couples.

Americans continue to find civil unions for gays and lesbians more palatable than full-fledged marriage. 55% of respondents favored legally sanctioned unions or partnerships, while only 39% supported marriage rights. Both figures are notably higher than in 2004, when 40% backed the former and 33% approved of the latter.

When it comes to according legal rights in specific areas to gays, the public is even more supportive. 74% back inheritance rights for gay domestic partners (compared to 60% in 2004), 73% approve of extending health insurance and other employee benefits to them (compared to 60% in 2004), 67% favor granting them Social Security benefits (compared to 55% in 2004) and 86% support hospital visitation rights (a question that wasn't asked four years ago). In other areas, too, respondents appeared increasingly tolerant. 53% favor gay adoption rights (8% more than in 2004), and 66% believe gays should be able to serve openly in the military (6% more than in 2004).

Despite the recently approved state measures, public opinion nationally has shifted against a federal ban on same-sex marriage. In 2004, people were evenly divided on the question, with 47% favoring a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage and 45% opposing one. In the latest poll, however, 52% oppose a ban and only 43% favor one. When respondents were asked about state measures, the numbers were closer: 45% said they'd vote in favor of an amendment outlawing gay marriage in their states, while 49% said they'd oppose such a measure.

A number of factors seem to play a role in swaying people one way or the other. For instance, 62% of Americans say religious beliefs play an important role in shaping their views on gay marriage. According to the survey, two-thirds of those who see marriage as primarily a legal matter support gay marriage. On the other hand, two-thirds of those who see it as mostly a religious matter (or equal parts religious and legal) oppose gay marriage. Moreover, the poll found significant differences across generational lines. About 50% of those aged 18 to 34 back marriage rights, compared to roughly 40% among those aged 35 to 64 and only about 20% among those 65 and older. The survey also detected a gender gap, with women more likely to support gay marriage than men, 44% to 34%. Differences by race appear less noteworthy: 40% of whites approve of gay marriage, compared to 37% of non-whites.

One reason that tolerance for gay marriage and civil unions may be on the rise is that a growing number of Americans say they know someone who's gay. While in 1994, a NEWSWEEK Poll found that only 53% of those questioned knew a gay or lesbian person, that figure today is 78%. Drilling down a bit more, 38% of adults work with someone gay, 33% have a gay family member and 66% have a gay friend or acquaintance. [Emphasis mine.]
While various polls will show various results based on various methodology, the important thing here is noting the positive trend within the same poll.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

White Knot Ribbon For Marriage Equality


The White Knot is the symbol for marriage equality. It takes two traditional symbols of marriage — white and tying the knot — and combines them in a simple way to show support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry. All loving couples deserve the same legal rights, benefits, and respect that civil marriage bestows.

Visibility is the goal. Whether you are gay or straight, please show your support by wearing the knot and telling people why you are wearing it. It may seem like a small thing, but imagine the white knot gaining the pervasiveness and instant recognition of the AIDS Ribbon.


Laws Regarding Same-Sex Partnerships in the United States
Purple: Same-sex marriages
Green: Unions granting rights similar to marriage
Violet: Unions granting limited/enumerated rights
Cyan: Foreign same-sex marriages recognized
Yellow: Statute bans same-sex marriage
Orange: Constitution bans same-sex marriage
Red: Constitution bans same-sex marriage and other kinds of same-sex unions

Map via White Knot from Lokal_Profil.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Prop 8 Protest Hits Mormon Temple In Newport Beach

About 250 people gathered to protest passage of Proposition 8 at the mormon temple in Orange County.

Photo from the Orange County Register.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Wanda Sykes Comes Out For Marriage Equality

Comedian and actress Wanda Sykes officially came out this weekend, announcing to the estimated crowd of 1,000 gathered in Las Vegas at one of the many rallies for gay rights taking place around the country on Saturday that she's gay, and that she legally married her wife in California on Oct. 25.

Sykes (who divorced her husband of seven years in 1998), has spoken out about gay rights issues many times in the past, recently participated in a campaign to fight anti-gay slurs, and has openly referred to her wife in some of her stand-up routines.

But the passage of Proposition 8, she told them, spurred her decision to officially come out. “ We took a huge leap forward and then got dragged 12 feet back. I felt like I was being attacked, personally attacked — our community was attacked."

Read the full story on After Ellen.

Snagglepuss Comes Out For Marriage Equality

Saturday, November 15, 2008

My Friends Are At It Again!

Yesterday, the mormons scheduled a quick press conference in Santa Ana regarding local Prop 8 protests. Tomorrow's protest will be at their temple in Newport Beach. When the GLBT community caught wind of the press conference, a quick counter demonstration was organized.

I've mentioned my buddy Jeff has been getting lots of press lately on this issue. He didn't score a quote, but did manage a pic in the online story at the Orange County Register.

In an interesting twist, another friend of mine got the quote in the article:

"Just because it was on the ballot doesn't mean it was constitutional," said Irvine's Mitch Goldstone, a gay man who married his longtime partner in June.
I've know Mitch and his partner Carl for ages. In fact, I sat next to Jeff at Mitch and Carl's religious wedding (officiated by a Rabbi and attended by about 100 well wishers) about 15 years ago.

I miss seeing all my friends and being more in the mix!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Newport Beach Mormon Temple This Sunday's Rally Site

Update to all the mormon trolls that have been leaving nasty comments. My initial post was tame but I'm tired of being attacked by people who hide behind 'anonymous'. I'm tired of your abuse. NO MORE MR. NICE GAY!

• A common comment is that "gays are sore losers" and that the 'Yes On 8' crowd would have accepted the will of the people and moved on. Except, the facts show you didn't. We do not live in a democracy, rather a Republic (...and to the Republic, for which it stands...) with representative government. The California Assembly and Senate both approved marriage equality. It was a Republican Governor (who supports marriage equality) that vetoed the bill and sent it to the California Supreme Court that was stacked with Republican-appointed judges. The CA Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality. You keep getting defeated yet you don't accept the will of the people-elected government.

• "We don't hate gays." Well, I don't hate mormons, I just despise their fucked up cult that claims to be Christian but isn't. The next time you come to my door spewing your hate, I won't politely tell you I'm not interested. Expect me to heap on some abuse as you have done to me in our Constitutions.

• "I'm practicing my first amendment rights." Good for you. And my first amendment rights allow me to call you out as the religious bigot that you are, even if you can't see it yourself.

• "I'm practicing my first amendment rights." That's fine, as long as your church doesn't. Therein lies the rub. You can't receive tax exempt status while muddling in government affairs. The Brits have already stripped you of your tax exempt status and it won't be long before it happens here, too. The sooner the better.

• "Mormons are just practicing their religion." Everyone's entitled to practice their religion, up until the point where they strip away my equality under the law.

• "Gays already have equal rights." Have you no grasp of history? When African Americans had to drink from separate water fountains, the majority whites couldn't understand why the blacks complained. After all, the water was the same. Even if Domestic Partnerships were the same as Marriage, which they aren't, it would still be separate but equal. That is not acceptable.

• Mormons say that "gays are intolerant" while asking for tolerance. Yet, do you say the same thing to African Americans who ask for tolerance yet don't afford it to the KKK? Or, should Jews have tolerated Nazis? The fact here is that you just don't want to view yourselves in the way we see you...as oppressive devils in the same vein as the KKK and Nazis. The folks in the KKK and Nazis thought they were right and that god was on their side, too. Next time you look in the mirror, think about all the people who think there isn't any difference between you and a Klansman.

• "It's about protecting the word 'marriage' and how my church defines it." Not too long ago, your church also said that polygamy was part of the definition of marriage. I agree that, while some mormon sects (FLDS) still practice it, it has been renounced by the majority. (Except how do you explain being sealed to multiple people in heaven...oh, that is another debate entirely!) The point is that the church of latter-day saints can, and will when it's in its self interest (like Utah statehood), change the definition of marriage. The fact that gay people are excluded shows a willful choice to exclude some members of society. In short, you redefined marriage before, why not now?

• "It's just about the word 'marriage'." Tell that to the people, and unadopted children, in Arkansas where adoption is now for married couples only. Can't get married, can't have a family. So it is about more than the word, it's also about children, adoption, and families.

• "Civil Unions are fine with Elton John." I'll let you in on a little secret. Many, if not most, gay people (myself included) don't even want to get married. It's about being denied the equal right that's the issue.

• "Civil Unions are fine with Elton John." Since when did he ever speak for anyone else.

• "Civil Unions are fine with Elton John." That's his choice. He's also rich enough to hire a gaggle of lawyers to square things away.

• "Civil Unions are fine with Elton John." He also said that America is a racist nation because they voted a black singer off of American Idol. Do you agree with everything he says, or just some things?

• "I have gay friends." No, you don't. You may have gay acquaintances but they aren't friends. If you'll listen to a stranger that preaches to you once a week from the front of a church rather than your friends, you have a funny definition of friend. And while I'm thinking of it, stop redefining the word "friend" to mean someone you can stab in the back the first time they are out of sight.

• "Mormons are being treated like the Jews in Nazi Germany." Sorry, it was gays that were sent to the gas chambers en masse. You don't get to appropriate that.

• "Why are the Mormons being singled out?" First, didn't you see that there was a protest at Saddleback Church last week. That's an evangelical Christian congregation. You know, real Christians. And this Saturday's nationwide protests will be at City Halls. Are you uninformed? Is it just more convenient to leave those facts out? Did the mormon church elders leave that out of the email you received?

• "Why don't gays protest black churches?" In the end, they didn't really matter. Yes, they voted in large percentages in favor of Prop 8 but their voting numbers weren't large enough to change the outcome. If all African American votes were taken out of the election, Prop 8 would have still passed. Latinos didn't make a large enough impact, either. Mormons, too, for that matter. The church of latter-day saints is getting a disproportionate amount of attention because they are imposing Utah views on California with all of their money. It's about the money, people. Get it?

• "You're afraid to protest black churches?" First, stop watching that douchebag Bill O'Reilly. Ummm, could you be any more racist? What, the scary black people that attend black churches are violent and will come out and attack us? Check your racial baggage, please. I know that you don't see many people of color up in Utah or in your temples, but we're quite comfortable with African Americans, thank you very much.

• "Get over it. Majority rules." That sure does feel good when you're in the majority. The fact is that a large majority of people believe that mormons are a crazy, perverse cult that has somehow convinced a whole swath of people to give them 10% of their gross income. Well, we have already started a grass roots campaign to place a Constitutional Amendment on the 2010 California ballot to outlaw mormonism. Tens of thousands have already signed the petitions. That will be a real wake up call for you. How many billions of dollars will the Utah church spend in California to defeat it? Will you be so happy with majority rule then? Will you give up the fight for your rights if the people vote and pass it, or will you seek relief from the Supreme Court to overturn majority rule? You need to think about that.

• We're also considering a proposition to outlaw mormon magic underpants. They are perverse.

Now, because I'm tired of all you mormon trolls, comments have been turned off. This is a personal blog and I really don't give a shit what you think. My readers and I don't have to listened to your fucked up preaching and shaming. Now move along. Don't you have some dead Jews to baptize?


Nationwide protests against the passage of California Proposition 8 are being grass-roots organized for this weekend. Go to Join The Impact for the location nearest you.

There is going to be a huge rally in NYC outside the Mormon Temple on the UWS this Wednesday so watch the news.

In Orange County, the Mormon Temple in Newport Beach will be the site of a rally on Sunday.


We must expose those whose agenda is to limit the fundamental right of same-sex couples to marry by incorporating their religious beliefs into the California Constitution. The Mormon Church led the support of Proposition 8. This demonstration will show its members:

• We intend to continue this fight for equality until it is won
• Discrimination is harmful to our society in any form
• Our Constitution provides equal protection of fundamental rights to all Californians

WHEN
Sunday, November 16 — 10 a.m.

LOCATION
The Mormon Temple and Chapel, 2300 Bonita Canyon Dr., at the corner of Bonita Canyon and Prairie Rd., in Newport Beach. Located just West of the 73 toll road; exit Bonita Canyon Dr.; or turn East onto Bonita Canyon Dr. from MacArthur Blvd.

PARKING
We urge everyone to arrive early and park in the Bonita Canyon Sports Park, which is off Prairie Rd., just opposite St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and across the street from the Mormon Temple. Drive past the ball park to the parking lot on the right. There's also limited street parking.

DO NOT to park at the shopping center at San Miguel and Ford.

BRING
Signs & banners expressing your support for Marriage Equality and Civil Rights, and your outrage at the Yes on 8 Campaign tactics supported by the Mormon Church. American, rainbow and California flags, water, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat. Dress for a hot, sunny day.

EVENT ORGANIZERS
Audrey Prosser
Jeff LeTourneau, ECCO Political Director
Harvey H. Liss, ECCO Vice-Chair
Karen Ellis
Sandra Hartness, Director, HRC
Barbara McMurray
Ed Todeschini, HRC OC Federal Club Co-Chair
Gary Lefevre
Jorge Rodriguez, M.D, President, Board of Directors, AIDS Services Foundation

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Prop 8 Protest Hits LDS Temple In NYC

Carrying signs reading "Love not H8" and "Did you cast a ballot or a stone?", a large crowd of gay-marriage supporters gathered outside the Mormon temple in New York City to protest the church's endorsement of a same-sex marriage ban in California.

The rally Wednesday night outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple came hours after gay couples exchanged vows for the first time in Connecticut amid cheers and tears of joy. Read the full AP story here.



Additional Street Reports
Joe.My.God.
Father Tony
Gay City News
Queerty
The New York Times

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Albany, NY Rally Scheduled For Saturday Afternoon

This weekend, grass roots group Join The Impact is organizing gatherings across the country to protest the passage of anti-GLBT laws last week.

In less than 4 days, 14K+ people have signed up on Facebook to join the rallies, with more joining each day. This doesn't include those not on Facebook!

WHEN
Saturday, November 15 — 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Rain, snow, or shine!

LOCATION
Albany City Hall (subject to change — verify here)
24 Eagle Street, Albany, NY
BRING
Signs & banners expressing your support for Marriage Equality and Civil Rights; American and rainbow flags. Dress appropriately for the weather!

Keith Olberman: The Best. Person. In The Wooorrrlllddd!

Just from a pure numbers standpoint, we'll need straight allies to get ahead. From Keith Olberman's show last night:


Sure, the staging is a bit contrived. But that's Keith. I'm most encourage by his message.

I Stand Semi-Corrected

The incident that yesterday's troll was referring to occurred at a No on 8 demonstration in Palm Springs. It did NOT happen at the rally in Orange County in front of Saddleback Church.

In the interest of fairness and integrity, here's the Palm Springs video from KPSP-TV — warning, it's not one of our finest moments.



I have mixed feelings about this:

• I understand the anger of the gay protesters
• I understand the feeling that we've been nice and silent for too long
• I don't understand why a little old lady goes to counter protest, regardless of her right to do so
• I don't understand why folks, no matter how angry, would treat this woman in such a way...stand in front of the camera, chant behind her, yes...scream in her face, deface her property, physically intimidate her, no

I have a feeling this is only going to get uglier.

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Lying Liars Of Yes On 8

On my earlier post regarding the protest of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, an anonymous lying blog troll left the following comment:

What does your friend who is a congregant at Saddleback think about protesters pulling a crucifix from the hands of a woman and stomping on it?
I responded:
Dear anonymous--How come this even wasn't reported in any of the media? I mean, come on, the ultra-conservative Orange County Register would have loved to report such an event.

Seems that not only does the Yes on 8 side lie in its tv ads, but on blogs it trolls as well.
And then I enabled Comment Moderation.

Here is the live on-site report from KABC-TV in Los Angeles. Looks pretty tame to me, and surely if a poor little old lady had her cross ripped from her hands and was mistreated, the media would have reported it.



The Yes On 8 people are lying liars! Or they are stupid syncophants that follow lying liars...like Limbaugh dittoheads. They couldn't win on the facts and they continue to spread inflammatory lies.

Defining Marriage

My bff was telling me about a conversation she was having with a friend of hers over coffee. The friend, who always has a boatload of problems, was explaining why she had voted in favor of California's Proposition 8:

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
Seems she wants to preserve this definition of marriage. As my bff was telling me this, my blood was moving from simmer to boil.

See, the friend's husband has had multiple affairs on her, the current ongoing one included...which she is aware of but never seems to be able to muster the courage to leave him. "Poor me," she cries.

What she doesn't get is that her "marriage" doesn't even fit her own definition since there are three people in her sordid tale...her, her husband, and mistress of the month.

Up until now, I've been sympathetic. No more Mr. Nice Gay. This asshole needs to Shut The Fuck Up. You don't care about how others feel so you need to shut your pie hole.

Karma is a bitch and it visits her every day. She's just too stupid to get it.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Prop 8 Protest Hits OC's Saddleback Megachurch


Here's a recap of the protest held at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA this morning. Read the full article at the Orange County Register:

About 300 people gathered in front of Saddleback Church protesting the recently-passed gay marriage ban this morning. Holding signs reading "Shame on Rick Warren" and "Preach Love not Discrimination," the crowd chanted "Equal rights now."

Since Prop. 8 passed last week, massive crowds have rallied against it in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In Orange County, hundreds protested without incident in Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach yesterday. Protests were planned in Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel and Rancho Santa Margarita today.

By 11 a.m. at Saddleback Church, No on Prop. 8 protesters waved as the congregation left the church's parking lot. On the other side of the road, it seemed that only two people were rallying in favor of Prop. 8.
You may know Saddleback Church, one of the nation's largest megachurches, as the location of the religious debate between Barack Obama and John McCain held earlier in the year by Pastor Rick Warren. Or, you may be familiar with Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life that has sold a gazillion copies.

My best friend, who I met in New Orleans last month, is a congregant of Saddleback. I can tell you that not all of the folks that attend the church are in favor of or voted for Proposition 8 (or McCain).

Report On Prop 8 Rally In Laguna Beach


Here's a recap of the rally in Laguna Beach, CA. Read the full article at the Orange County Register. Of course, leave it to my best bud Jeff to score a quote!:

The statewide protest against a freshly approved ban on same-sex marriage spread south on Saturday, as hundreds opposed to Proposition 8 walked streets in two coastal Orange County cities.

In Laguna Beach, more than 1,100 people met in front of City Hall and then marched to the beach, where they crowded along Coast Highway. The demonstrators waved signs and chanted slogans from the shoulder of the highway, and police briefly blocked the southbound lane closest to them.

The demonstrators in Laguna Beach were met with thumbs-up signs, cheers and honking horns. The city voted more than two to one against Proposition 8, and its mayor, Jane Egly, helped kick off Saturday's march by telling the crowd, “We must continue the long struggle.”

“We're outraged that in America you can have a majority vote away the rights of a minority,” said Jeff LeTourneau, 52, a resident of Brea and the political director for the Elections Committee of the County of Orange, a gay and lesbian organization. He helped organize the Laguna Beach demonstration.

The crowd chanted, “Gay, straight, black, white, marriage is a civil right” as it marched to the beach. Many waved “No on Prop. 8” yard signs; others held up handmade signs: “Hate is not the change we need,” or “I didn't vote on your marriage.” At one point, a car stopped next to the demonstrators and the driver pushed a trumpet out the window and played, “Charge!”
We'll see where all this goes. At least it is getting lots of coverage on television newscasts and in print so the Yes on 8 folks can see we aren't happy. We aren't happy at all.

Update: Jeff reports that attendance was more like 2,500!