Monday, June 27, 2011

Long-term Minnesota gay couple explains family and love



One thing that always infuriates me in the argument about marriage equality is how the opposition is always trying to frame the issue while doing all they can to keep us from getting a word in edgewise.

It's not an inadvertent tactic. As long as folks like Maggie Gallagher, Brian Brown and the National Organization for Marriage can bogart the conversation, the more difficult it is for us to tell our stories.

That's why the above video is so important. Minnesota couple David and Mark talks what family means to them as well as their 28 year relationships.

And their words are reality rather than the stupid hypotheticals the opposition tries to shove down our throats.


Bookmark and Share

Minnesotans hit the ground running against hateful amendment and other Monday midday news briefs



 From my online buddy Mat Algren:

Philip and Randi Reitan have joined their activist son  Jacob in a video for the  Minnesotans United For All Families media campaign against the state’s proposed anti-gay constitutional amendment.

I like this! What happened in New York is awesome but the fight for equality continues, particularly in Minnesota. All of us should show our families and tell our stories!

In other news:

TNR asks "What will it take for America to accept transgender people for who they really are?" - A very compelling article.

'Kill All Gays' Graffiti in Lancaster, CA Thought to Be Reaction to NY Marriage Equality Vote - Of course there will be a backlash. But let's not stop moving forward!

Governor Andrew Cuomo, Activists React to Marriage Equality in Albany - According to this article, National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown wept in sadness when the bill passed. What the heck was he sad about? No one was making judgments about HIS family?

Trans woman wants drag acts banned from Pride festival - A controversial desire which I do not support. I will go into detail about it at a later time.

And now time for a little fiber for your diet:

Harvey Warns That The "Perpetual Pansexual Pagan Party" Is About To Get Crazier

Robertson: God Will Destroy America For Marriage Equality



Bookmark and Share

It Gets Better - a video in which I was proud to participate

Okay, I've bombarded you all last week with NOM activities and such but I do put happy positive stuff on my blog from time to time.

And this morning is one video of which I am very proud of. A huge group of bloggers, writers, organizers, and activists participated in a "It Gets Better" video at Netroots Nation, myself included (I'm at 13:35 and I am a mess), two weeks ago to encourage our lgbtq children not to despair or give up because some members of society are hateful.

Enjoy:



Participating in this video:

Names and Twitter accounts, in order of appearance.

Markos Moulitsas @markos -- straight ally
Pam Spaulding @pam_spaulding
Scott Wooledge @Clarknt67
Tom Torres @_floatingworld
Evan Haliburton @evanhaliburton
Viktor Kerney @wondermann5
Mark Snyder @ColageNational
Jason Haas @jasonlhaas
Zack Ford @zackford
Andy Szekeres @AndySzekeres
Cynthia Wright @cynisright
Noah Baron @noahbbaron
Joe Sudbay @JoeSudbay
Phil Reese @ReallyPhilReese
Christopher Edwards @xtopher1974
Daniel Villarreal @hispanicpanic79
Alvin McEwen @holybullies
Carlos A. Quiroz @CarlosQC
Jake Weinraub @jakeweinraub
Mel England @melengland
Scottie Thomaston @indiemcemopants
John Aravosis @aravosis
Michael Rogers @MichaelRogersDC
Ian Finkenbinder @OneAngryQueer

If you have any questions about this campaign, please check out the It Gets Better Project website:


http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

If you feel alone, you need help or you are considering suicide, please call 24-hour confidential:

1-866-488-7386
1-866-4-U-TREVOR

TheTrevorProject.org




Bookmark and Share