I didn't spend my Fourth of July in celebration the way I usually do. I had a lot of other things going on; it was the first time in a very long time that I hadn't partaken.
Last night and this morning, I had a lot of time to reflect on what the holiday meant, and means, to me.
Juxtaposition: July 4th Deadly Duality1
A comment I happened across on Delphi Forums struck me as particularly significant. It was this:
On this date in 1826, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died within hours of each other. Today, it's Jesse Helms and Bozo the Clown. Gives you pause for reflection, yes it does...
A group that opposes same-sex marriage has called for a boycott of McDonald's, saying the fast-food giant has refused "to stay neutral in the cultural war over homosexuality."
Say what? The fast food corporation that is notorious for clearing rainforest to pasture thier cattle is coming out for gay equality? I think my head is going to explode. Wanna watch? Follow me!
Yesterday, as I reflected on the 44th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, I thought about how far we have come in the fight for equality and how much work we still have ahead of us. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of the progress we have made as a nation all around us – none more visible than the Democratic Presidential Primary race between Senators Clinton and Obama. But even as we celebrate these victories we must keep in mind those who have been left behind in the struggle for equality.
As the recent California Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage demonstrated, there are people and places in this country that are ready to correct the injustice being visited on gay Americans and support marriage equality. Many of the most ardent opponents of gay unions claim to be "defending marriage" as though allowing two people of the same gender who love each other to get married somehow weakens the institution of marriage.
Okay, so... Honoring the Kos rule that Kossacks only post one diary daily, I find myself of two minds about what to post today. Firstly, I want to report on Stevie Wonder's amazing free concert in Chicago's Grant Park last night.
Secondly, later this morning I will be going to Halsted Street to participate in Chicago's 38th annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade, which seemed like an apt time to focus some attention on International Pride and the continuing struggles of our GLBT brothers and sisters across the globe.
I'll let the comments decide which subject rules this morning.
And now, careful not to spill our fresh coffee, we are on to the jump.
As millions of GLBTs and our supporters attend Pride events acorss the country this weekend, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the origins of Gay Pride Day, the origins of the Gay Pride March, where we have come from in terms of justice and equality, and where we are going.
Many people do not know the origins of Gay Pride Day, or that it is a commemoration of the Stonewall Rebellion, which occurred in New York City on June 27, in 1969. Many people just think it is about drinking beer and gyrating on a float in a g-string. Many straights I've encountered think it's just a gay mardi gras or bacchanalia, but have no sense of our history and the significance of us gathering in public to declare who we are, and to celebrate surviving in this homophobic world.
So, I've included in this diary a video that shares first-person accounts of the first gay pride march, as well as a poem/speech I wrote a few years ago to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Stonewall. It explains a little bit about what actually happened that night.
Happy Pride Everyone! Come out, Come Out, Whoever You Are!
I don't know what I did to get on the AFA's email list, but I do love having fun with their "action alerts" when they come through, usually once every week or two.
Today's frantic email implores us all to email our United States Senators to express our support for the "Marriage Protection Amendment of 2008, which would make marriage legal only between a man and a woman."
As usual, I changed a few words in their pre-written missive to better reflect my personal views, and clicked to send.
Is helping the LGBT community important to you? Is defending my rights, your rights or the rights of friends and family something you care about? If it is, and you live in New York City, I’m sure you can find 3 or 4 hours to help fight for equality this summer! Please make some time for equality and civil rights and watch our combined efforts win this November! Read below for more info.
On May 17th, 2004 we were victorious in the marriage fight in Massachusetts. As every battle energizes the movement for marriage equality, likewise every defeat sets back our mission for equality by years, if not decades. Our thriving and passionate marriage equality movement stands to face the largest setback in the 21st century this November if California passes an amendment which would wipe out all signs of progress that we have made for equal marriage.
Elizabeth Edwards continues to smack down McCain’s plan for the "healthy and wealthy" emphasizing the fundamental flaw of the individual market, the centerpiece of McCain’s plan.
"McCain’s never been in the individual market, he doesn’t know how difficult it is, in fact, how impossible it is, if you happen to be one of the unlucky Americans who have a pre-existing condition," Elizabeth stated on MSNBC today.
This is my first diary, so kindly accept apologies for any protocol I happen to break. This is in partial response to (obviously intelligent, well educated and well regarded) Boondad's, assertion that we need to use untapped oil resources as a source of funding to work our way out of the current mess.
I disagree, but in addition to that, this is also a standalone issue, which I thought merited it's own diary.
There is a very simple solution to the economic mess that has been inflicted on the country over the last 8 years:
If you want to get married in Kern County at a civic ceremony – Go up to the courthouse in Bakersfield and get ‘er done - today is the last day you can do it. After today Kern County will not be performing marriages of any kind. That’s because as of next week they would have to marry gay couples as well as straight ones thanks to the ruling by the California Supremes, and the person in charge of this refuses to do so. So rather than discriminate she has decided to stop the practice altogether.
A round up of stories today about opportunity in America, pulled from a variety of nonprofits, race and immigration blogs, and mainstream media outlets. Cross posted at The State of Opportunity, a blog about human rights and the American Dream.
A round up of stories today about opportunity in America, pulled from a variety of nonprofits, race and immigration blogs, and mainstream media outlets. Cross posted at The State of Opportunity, a blog about human rights and the American Dream.
I hope everyone will join me in thanking Senator Clinton for what she has contributed so far and join with me in anticipating the vital role she will continue to play in the months and years to come. We have just finished an energizing and stimulating primary season and thanks to her strength and resolve we have come through it strengthened and more prepared for the campaign ahead. In today's WaPo, Marie Wilson articulates this very well in her column: Clinton's Real Victory
"I am here because of Hillary Clinton."
Over the past few months, that phrase has been repeated to me by hundreds of women you've never met but whose names you may one day recognize. They are this country's next generation of female leaders -- women of all ages and persuasions who have been searching for the means and encouragement to step into positions of leadership in their communities; women of all political affiliations who thank Hillary Clinton for making the impossible finally appear possible.
Come with me below the fold to read more of what Marie Wilson has to say:
Well, after 8+ years together, we have finally decided to tie the knot. So now everything is a flurry of invitations (having to cut out 200+ list down to a more manageable 150), finding the perfect space, negotiating with caterers, writing our vows...
And, oh yeah, buying those tickets to Los Angeles.
Ben Smith reports on Politico today that McCain is fluffing up his feathers for a fight on gay marriage:
Looking for a fight on marriage
John McCain isn't perfect, from the conservative perspective, on same-sex marriage, opposing a constitutional amendment to ban it.
But he is well to Obama's right, and his statement today on California's marriage referendum aims to make that clear:
I welcome the news that the people of California will have the opportunity to decide on the question of the definition of marriage, rather than having that decision made by judicial fiat as the California Supreme Court asserted in their recent ruling.
The question is... Will democrats or moderate republicans fall for it?
It has been a very long primary season, but it looks like it is finally coming to an end. Obama will likely get the delegates he needs to clinch the nomination tomorrow, and if Bill Clinton's comments today are to be taken seriously Hillary will most likely drop out.
No matter who you supported in this race I hope everyone can agree on one thing, both Obama and Clinton have rightfully earned their spots in the history books and both will be inspirations for millions of people in the generations to come.
It doesn't matter what you thought of their stances on the issues, it doesn't matter what you thought of their campaign tactics, and it doesn't matter what you think of their personal character or their ability to win in November.
What matters is the fact that both candidates broke down some major barriers and helped us get one step closer to achieving equality for all.
Thank you to Gov. Paterson for his incredible decision yesterday to recognize same-sex marriages from outside of New York. If you haven't yet, please be sure to read his diary.
As most of you know, on June 17th, California is poised to become only the second state in America to practice full marriage equality. Over the past decade the public has rapidly been embracing equal rights and with this clear ruling, this is our chance to put it over the top.
Now TrueMajority.org is coming out. We support full marriage equality.
