Straight Woman Offers Right to Marry on Ebay

In a clever bit of activism a straight unmarried woman named Jamie Frevele from New York is reacting to the NY Senate voting down marriage equality by offering her right to marry to the highest bidder. Proceeds will go to the Point Foundation which provides financial support, mentoring, leadership training and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

A snippet of her ebay auction listing:

"I'm an unmarried heterosexual woman, and since I probably won't be using my right to get married, I would like to give it away. I would like to sell it to the highest bidder and donate the proceeds to an organization that supports LGBT rights since the government designed to protect all of us is picking and choosing based on what they think is icky, weird, or unkown to them.

Bid now, and you can have my super wonderful privilege and legal ability to get married as many times as you want in a classy place like the one pictured. You don't have to know the person, you don't have to like them, you don't have to think through your decision to get married or anything - you can just do it! Because you can! Come on, it's cool to get married, and think of the pictures you'll have to show people of this person that they will definitely think is so wrong for you and probably is! But heavens to BETSY, do NOT marry someone of the same gender because that would be a mockery of the institution of marriage"

Check out her entire piece and possibly even join the bidders, oh and shipping is included!

The Affirmation Declaration

The Affirmation Declaration is a statement that expresses the convictions of Christians all over the world. It was written in response to the now famous Manhattan Declaration, to correct egregious errors contained in the document, errors that have been preached in the pulpits of many local churches for far too long.

With the growing notoriety and support for the Manhattan Declaration, our Affirmation Declaration reflects an urgent need to respond to the portion of the Manhattan Declaration dealing with issues related to sexual orientation—specifically, homosexuality and same-sex marriage. We strongly disagree with the contention that same-sex attractions and the oft-resulting romantic activities are immoral.

http://www.affirmationdeclaration.org/

Word of the Gay: "Pink Tea"

"Pink tea" is a homosexual who comes out of the closet.

Urge NJ Senate Judiciary Committee to Approve Marriage

The 13 member New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee is voting today on whether to let the same-sex marriage bill go to a vote before the entire senate this Thursday.

Please contact the members of the committee below and urge them to vote in favor of marriage equality!

Sen. Paul Sarlo (Chair): (201) 804-8118
Sen. John Girgenti (Vice-Chair): (973) 427-1229
Sen. Bill Baroni: (609) 631-9988
Sen. Christopher Bateman: (908) 526-3600
Sen. Jennifer Beck: (732) 933-1591
Sen. Gerard Cardinale: (201) 567-2324
Sen. Nia Gill: (973) 509-0388
Sen. Joseph Kyrillos: (732) 671-3206
Sen. Raymond Lesnick: (908) 624-0880
Sen. Nicholas Scutari: (908) 587-0404
Sen. Bob Smith: (732) 752-0770
Sen. Brian Stack: (201) 861-5091
Sen. Loretta Weinberg: (201) 928-0100

H/T to Good as You for the senate contact numbers.

Web Spotlight: BiFest UK

BiFest is a one-day event celebrating bisexuality, for bisexuals and bi-friendly people. Originating in London, it has now spread to several other United Kingdom locations and seeks to expand further.

Shameless Self Promotion Sunday

Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.

Sign the New Jersey Marriage Equality Open Letter!

The open letter in support of marriage equality has made big news across New Jersey state, prompting the legislature to promise to take up the issue this week. Over 200 influential democrats and ordinary citizens have signed the petition demanding marriage equality.

Please join with Mayor Cory Booker, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee to sign this petition to push lawmakers to vote on and approve marriage equality in NJ.

Washington D.C. Marriage Rally Dec 14th

The Campaign for All DC Families and DC Clergy United will co-host a rally in support of marriage equality in Washington D.C. to advocate for the final passage of the marriage bill. The bill is scheduled to be voted on in mid December and is expected to pass by a wide margin.

Monday, December 14
7:00 pm
Kennedy Recreation Center
1401 7th Street N.W.

Open Forum: Sexualism Versus Homophobia

In recent years there has been a linguistic movement by some academics against using the term homophobia and replacing it with terms like sexualism or sexual prejudice which are considered broader and more appropriate with the growing list of sexual and gender self identifications.

For one the definition of homophobia is a fear of homosexuals or homosexual orientation, which is not true of all anti-gay people. The common line from so called "homophobes" is that "they have no issue with homosexuals, and even have homosexual friends" when defending their dislike or opposition to queer rights. The other dilemma is that many people associate homophobia as being exclusive to the discussion of gay and lesbian orientation, while leaving out bisexuals and transgender minorities.

Sexualism or sexual prejudice is the predisposition to thinking heterosexuality is the only norm, it is the concept of consciously embracing heteronormativity although is not synonymous with the term.

What do you make of the whole idea of bedding the term homophobia for something more inclusive such as sexualism or sexual prejudice? Does this term unfairly exclude transgender people whose discrimination against them is on the basis of gender or should gender issues have a separate word like transphobia or transsexual prejudice?

Rapper Eminem Resorts to Anti-Gay Lyrics

Rapper Eminem cleverly avoids using the word "faggots" in his new song "Elevator" when referring to Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken, replacing it with the words "fake it's":

"Eminem Sorry Lance, Mr. Lambert and Aiken ain't gonna make it
They get so mad, when I call them both fake it's
All these f@#king voices in my head I can't take it
Someone shut that f@#king baby up, 'for I shake it
You're standing adjacent to Jason's last slut, they're facing
Together makes 'em, a f@#king bad combination
I lashed at the doctor in my last operation
Shoved the weiner snitzel up his ass, hopped away some-
body please stop the patient, get the cops to mase him"



Phonetically, it sounds just like "faggots" and considering his anti-gay troubles in the past, there is no doubt in most peoples minds what the intention was, and that's to stir publicity and pr drama at the expense of the gay community.

These lyrics peretrate hatred, fear and violence against sexual minorities and cannot be tolerated!

Eminem can be contacted via Twitter and Myspace

Crossposted via Towleroad.

New York Marriage Inequality Protest Tonight!

After marriage equality suffered a 24-38 loss in the NY state senate, advocates are now protesting the outcome and demanding full equality for all residents.

Tonight marks the second rally in response to the vote and is organized by Marriage Equality New York. NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is also expected to be among the crowd. Signs and noise-makers are highly encouraged.

Thursday, December 3, 2009
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Union Square - North End (17th Street)
17th Street & Broadway
New York, NY

Anti-Gay NOM Considered for Chase Bank Charity

Chase Bank is running a contest called 'Community Giving' for users to select charities worthy of receiving a chunk of a 5 million dollar donation by the bank. Among the non-profits listed are the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage.

NOM being on the list is a direct violation of Chase's own non-discrimination policy:

"Chase Community Giving's own "clear and simple" rules state in Section 4 that any organization that "by itself or through an affiliated entity, discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, medical condition, citizenship, ancestry or marital status is not eligible" (Queerty).

The Chase list likely came from a standard non-profits list and was not edited to take out organizations that violate the non-discrimination policy.

Please tell Chase to review and remove the National Organization for Marriage at chasecommunitygiving.inquiry@chase.com

You can head over to the Chase Community Giving page on Facebook and vote for LGBT friendly charities to receive funding.

Action Alert: Marriage Vote Scheduled for New York

The New York State Senate is scheduled to debate and vote on the issue of marriage equality today. The outcome is unpredictable at the moment, with some democrats and republicans opposed, in favor, or unsure of their vote. It is essential that you urge your senator to vote in favor of full equality for their LGBT constituents.

Below is a live feed of the NYS Senate:

The following is a list of key "swing" senators to contact courtesy of Queerty.

Undecided

John Bonacic, R-Mt. Hope
Brian Foley, D-Suffolk
Ruth Hassel-Thompson, D-Bronx/Westchester
Owen Johnson, R-Suffolk
Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island
Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga
Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens
John Sampson, D-Brooklyn
David Valesky, D-Oneida

Wouldn't Say

Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens
James Alesi, R-East Rochester
Kemp Hannon, R-Nassau
Vincent Leibell, R-Westchester
Thomas Morahan, R-Rockland

Take action by filling out this form by the New York Civil Liberties to contact your senators and senate leaders to affirm marriage fairness.

Ten Ways Homophobia & Transphobia Affect Straight People

1. Homophobia and transphobia force us to act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine" if we are a woman. This limits our individuality and self-expression.

2. Homophobia and transphobia put pressure on straight people to act aggressively and angrily towards LGBTQI people.

3. Homophobia and transphobia can make it harder to be close friends with someone of the same sex.

4. Homophobia and transphobia often strain family and community relationships.

5. Homophobia and transphobia can cause youth to become sexually active before they are ready in order to prove they are "normal." This can lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

6. Homophobia and transphobia prevent vital information on sex and sexuality to be readily available in classrooms, medical offices, and other educational venues. Without this information, LGBTQI people are putting themselves at a greater risk for HIV and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

7. Homophobia and transphobia can be used to hurt a straight person if they "appear to be gay" and/or express her/his gender outside societal expectations.

8. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard for straight people and LGBTQ people to be friends.

9. Homophobia and transphobia, along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. make it hard to put an end to AIDS.

10. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard to appreciate true diversity and the unique traits that are not “mainstream.”

Crossposted via Q Resources.

Spare 3 Minutes for Marriage Equality in New Jersey?

Garden State Equality is urging Democrats to bring the long awaited marriage equality bill to the floor for a vote. It is critical that the bill be voted on passed now while Democrat Jon Corzine who promised to sign the bill finishes out his term. The incoming republican Governor Chris Christie is vehemently opposed to marriage rights.

If you can spend weekdays calling your legislator once a day anytime, anywhere from 9-5 pm to vote on marriage equality, please fill out this form!

Contact GSE for other ways to get involved at volunteer@GardenStateEquality.org or call (973) GSE-LGBT