Spread the love, and let these great NO on prop 8 videos go viral across the net! Remember these videos are a great parody, but proposition 8 in California is no joke and seeks to eliminate the right of marriage for same-sex couples. Do your part and help fight prop H8!
NO VS. YES:
CONSTITUTION:
FAMILY - MOLLY RINGWALD:
NEIGHBOR - MARGARET CHO:
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Funny & Effective No On Prop 8 Videos!
Free Posters & Materials for No On Prop 8 Campaign!
Print out a FREE No On 8 Poster to place anywhere!
Purchase some No On 8 paraphernalia
You can also help out by donating to the No On Prop 8 campaign.
Web Spotlight: Iranian Queer Railroad
"The Iranian Queer Railroad is a new organization working to create a simple structure and focus upon supporting Iranian queers to be safe on their journey and to arrive in a new country to live and be free.
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th century Black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and mainly to Canada with the aid of abolitionists who were sympathetic to their cause. In Canada they had their freedom. In the past few years one of our major activities was about asylum seekers who must escape Iran due to their sexual orientation and we will continue this work under IRQR. Iranian queer refugees are resettling in Canada, and also in United States and in parts of Europe."
No On 8 Rally Today at Old Town Salinas
What: Silent Witness - No on 8 Visibility Event
When: 1:15 pm, Sunday, October 19th
Where: Cherry Bean, 332 Main Street, in Old Town Salinas
Why: We are gathering during the Traditional Family Values Parade to raise awareness about the importance of voting no on Proposition 8.
If approved, Prop 8 will eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples.
It is wrong to single out any group of people and strip away basic rights. We must protect families by ensuring equality for all.
We support family values and respect for all. For these reasons, we are calling on the Salinas Valley to Vote No on Prop 8.
Instructions: Please arrive at the Cherry Bean at 1:15 pm.
Organizers will provide participants with plenty of No on 8 gear - signs, stickers, etc.
You will also be given important training to prepare for the rally.
It is recommended that you dress in your Sunday best (there will be TV cameras).
Please bring your friends and family.
Crossposted Via Pam's Houseblend.
Word of the Gay: "Gender Blind"
"Gender Blind" is a term used to indicate that an accommodation or activity is open to all genders. Traditionally the term used was unisex, however linguistically the term means one gender. There is an ever increasing number of "gender blind" bathrooms, college dormitories, and other facilities and services.
In some scenarios people use the expression "gender blind" to indicate that they are open to a romantic and/or sexual relationship irregardless of gender.
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.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Open Forum: LGBT Youth & Seniors - Parallel Struggle?
There seem to be quite a number of parallels faced by LGBT youth and seniors. It's interesting to note that while one group is just starting out in life and the other is close to retiring they face similar issues and struggles with regards to their respective identities. I'd like to examine a few of the issues I see as parallels and would also welcome anyone elses thoughts and/or additions.
Being Alone:
Many LGBT youth are not out of the closet and live in a world of fear and sadness, unable to express their true identity. They long for a girlfriend or boyfriend for whom they can love. Similarly many LGBT elders are also alone, either having lived an entire life in the closet or being left widowed and without a partner or a support system.
Coming Out:
Every LGBT youth faces the struggle of coming out of the closet. They are faced with questions of their own sexuality and gender identity and also have to question whether their friends and family will be supportive. In our heterosexist society, it is assumed that you are heterosexual unless you say otherwise. The same goes for LGBT elders, it doesn't cross peoples minds that the individual may have been a lifelong gay activist or have a partner, the youth and the LGBT elder both have to engage in the coming out process within their respective environments.
Lack of Independence:
Many if not most LGBT youth and elders lack true independence because they rely on the care of others. LGBT youth are under the care of their parents, or in a foster home and thus are subject to a set of rules and standards by which they are to live by. LGBT elders often face a similar situation either with a nurse aid, or in a nursing home or hospice. Being under the care of others and not having true independence makes living out your identity or coming to terms with it more of a struggle.
Living in a Non-Accepting Environment:
Another parallel between youth and seniors is the fact that in many cases both live out their daily lives in a tough and non-accepting environment. Everyone knows from their own childhood that kids can be brutal, there is a lot of bullying and teasing that goes on. While of course LGBT seniors are not going to be subject to schoolyard taunts many are placed in an environment with fellow seniors who have been part of the society that has ridiculed them and sought to pathologize their lives. Can you imagine what it must be like to be an out and proud member of the community who suddenly gets thrust back into an environment with those who do not understand, are not accepting, or worse are disgusted and morally opposed by your "lifestyle".
Being Transgender.
It goes without saying that being transgender or gender variant is a struggle at any given point in life. I think it probably is the hardest on the trans youth and elders. The transgender youth faces the struggle of coming to terms with their gender identity and then coming out to others and seeking assistance to live their lives in conjunction with their true identity. The LGBT seniors who have already transitioned into their appropriate gender face the difficulty not only of acceptance from a generation that does not understand gender issues, but also the financial cost of keeping up with hormones and some medical routines that some trans people choose to undergo. The senior who is just coming to terms with being transgender having never even known of the concept faces the hard task of self acceptance, societal acceptance, and the lack of information out there for LGBT elders.
It seems that whether we are just beginning our life journey or are close to our retiring ages that LGBT youth and elders face a lot of similar struggles. It seems like a really unfair system that is changing slowly over time. I think this goes to show that we must be engaged in activism towards all ages in the lifespan, because whether young, middle-aged, or old, we face some of the same struggles in a unique fashion.
Word of the Gay: "Chapstick Lesbian"
A "chapstick lesbian" is a woman who exhibits some masculine traits but does not fully fit the role of a butch woman. Some expressions of a "chapstick lesbian" may include but are not limited to short hair, male clothes, and a masculine attitude.
Activist Tip: Tell Your Friends/Acquaintances to Vote NO!
Okay this will take a few minutes of your time and can make all the difference! Open your address book, your facebook, myspace, or any social networking website you have. Do a regional search and find those in states with anti-gay referendums and tell them from your heart why they should vote against those ballots. Studies show someone who knows someone LGBT or an ally is much more likely to side with equality.
So tell your friends in California to vote NO on proposition 8 which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry.
Tell your friends in Arizona to vote NO on proposition 102 which bans same-sex marriage, it already is illegal in Arizona!
Tell Floridians to vote NO on proposition 2 which eliminates same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships (even for heterosexual couples).
Tell those in Connecticut to vote NO on initiative 1 which brings into session a constitutional convention.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Ten Ways to Respond to Anti-Gay Remarks
Ten Ways to Respond
to Anti-Gay Remarks
#1
Remark:
The Bible says being gay is a sin.
Response:
The Bible says a lot of things.
#2
Remark:
Being gay is not natural. It goes against the design for humanity.
Response:
It may not be natural for YOU. Were you there when humanity was designed?
#3
Remark:
Gay people are sexual deviants, sex is for pro-creation.
Response:
Following this line of thinking would mean that married straight couples who can't or don't want to have children are sexual deviants also, and should have their marriage rights taken away too.
#4
Remark:
Marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman.
Response:
It is between a man and a woman right now, but same sex couples are human beings too. If these couples are willing to take on the same responsibilities of marriage as a straight couple, they should have equal rights and protection under the law.
#5
Remark:
Being gay is a choice and you shouldn't choose to be gay.
Response:
Does it make sense that I would choose to live as a second class citizen, with no rights, begging for my dignity? I am who I am. Asking a gay person to choose to be straight is like asking a Zebra to lose it's stripes and be a Pony.
#6
Remark:
Being gay is unacceptable behavior, you should have more chastity.
Response:
You don't own me. I don't tell you how to live your life, and I don't think it would be fair to stomp on your rights just because I don't agree with how you live.
#7
Remark:
If gay marriage is legal people will want to marry their pets, and schools will teach children that gay marriage is OK.
Response:
Straight people have been getting married (and divorced!) for thousands of years, yet still they aren't marrying their pets. Plus, teachers are already teaching children of gay parents that straight marriage is OK.
#8
Remark:
Marriage has always been between a man and woman. We shouldn't change that just because a small group of people complain.
Response:
Society has evolved to include all groups, no matter how under-represented they might be. It wasn't that long ago when blacks couldn't marry whites, and we couldn't marry out of our own class. Times have changed and so should the marriage laws.
#9
Remark:
Supporting gay marriage will cause more people to be gay.
Response:
Gay marriage will allow more people to be who they are without the fear of being persecuted.
#10
Remark:
God hates gays.
Response:
God made me, YOU hate gays. That's your hang up.
Crossposted via our friends over at Lez Get Real.
Obama Makes a Host of Jokes Including One On Cross-Dressing Rudy Guiliani
I'd watch the whole thing it is hillarious, the cross dressing joke comes in at 6:52 min in.
Why We Say No On Amendment 2
Help fight amendment 2 in Florida which would eliminate same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships (even for straight couples).
Thank You California Teachers Association!
"California's largest teacher's union has given another $1 million to defeat a Nov. 4 ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in the state. The contribution recorded Tuesday makes the California Teachers Association the largest institutional donor to the No on 8 campaign. CTA also gave $250,000 in August to Equality for All, a coalition of gay advocacy and civil rights groups opposing Proposition 8.
Union spokeswoman Sandra Jackson says CTA's 800-member policy body voted overwhelmingly to oppose the gay marriage ban. Jackson says the issue concerns educators because "teachers teach the importance of equal rights for all." She says CTA leaders made the second contribution this week because the No campaign seems to be struggling" (Mercury News).
Please take the time to call, mail, or e-mail them a thank you letter for ardently supporting the fight against proposition 8.
CTA State Headquarters
P.O. Box 921, Burlingame, CA 94011-0921
1705 Murchison Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: 650/697-1400 Fax: 650/552-5002
e-mail: webmaster@cta.org
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Word of the Gay: "Mixed Orientation Relationship"
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