Faces InEquality

Story Time2012 Presidential Candidates - Where Do They Stand?We were contacted by the fine folks at Marriage Equality USA to share a wonderful resource they've developed - a side-by-side comparison showing what all 13 presidential candidates plan for America's 31 million LGBTQ citizens. DADT Repeal - Are the Dominos Starting to Fall?In the history of equal rights, there are milestones in the path that mark significant progress and portend accelerated advancement. Today's repeal of the US military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy is one such milestone.Minnesota Catholic Anti-Marriage Equality DVD Causes Controversy - to Become Art The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has waded into political waters by mailing DVDs to all its members seeking a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. As word of this DVD's release spread, various counter groups have sprung up including ReturnTheDVD.org and Lucinda Naylor's Facebook page: DVD to ART.What's Going On In Minnesota?Minnesota has been seen as a fairly progressive place for the LGBTQ community. Considering it's one of the first states to add ENDA protections (in 1993), it seems a pretty fair-minded place. Lately, however, several seemingly anti-LGBTQ stories have hit the news:Some Women Presents Some MenLook at this list of women, and try to imagine what they have in common: Bonnie Bruckheimer, Edie Falco, Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Cedering Fox, Daveen Fox, Allison Janney, Cherry Jones, Rashida Jones, Lisa Kudrow, Angela Lansbury, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jane Lynch, Mary McCormack, Marianna Palka, Rosie Perez, Christina Ricci, Doris Roberts, Kyra Sedgwick, Alicia Silverstone, Corky Hale Stoller, Marisa Tomei, Linda Wallem, Vanessa Williams and Jamie Wolf. They are all dedicated to marriage equality and make up the list of some women who will host a reading of my play "Some Men" for one night only -- Monday, October 4 -- at the historic Saban Theatre (the former Fox Wilshire) in Beverly Hills. Prop 8 DecisionSo much has already been said about this decision I've decided to end the word volley and let it speak for itself.Glee Kurt's Dad Says It AllWhile Glee is just a TV show - and pretty cotton-candy. soap-opera at that - it provided this gay man the opportunity to witness something I always hoped I would hear from my own father: the willingness to protect his son from society's cruelty.8 Reasons Getting Older Without Marriage Equality SucksGetting old is tough enough without having to be concerned how not being able to get married makes it that much tougher. I demand my rightsI demand my rights under the Constitution of the United States. I am not a second-class citizen.Clinton Changes MindOf course we always want more, don't we. While support from a former president is wonderful - particularly a former president who admits changing his mind and then uses his own soapbox to proclaim it. What we really need is a sitting president to take up the mantle for equality and push it through. We can't wait for a repeat performance from Obama when he is out of office.Maine - the forgotten battleWith Election Day (November 3, 2009) just weeks away, it is vital that our focus remain on efforts to defeat marriage equality. Just this past May, Maine legislatively ended discrimination against same sex couples by legalizing marriage equality. The radical right has targeted Maine with a ballot initiative designed to strip the very right that was granted just months ago.Much Ado About SomethingSome people in the blogsphere are complaining that this scrutiny is much ado about nothing. I couldn't disagree more. We must continue to speak out to further enlighten all educators and the general public that teaching hate is never acceptable - especially in the classroom. No student should have to endure the harassment Alex Merritt was given. Even though they were not the target, his fellow classmates should never have witnessed teachers harassing a student for perceived sexual orientation. We must remain vigilant and pour light upon the darkness of hate - wherever it is and in whatever form it takes. That us why this is much ado about something.Fall Out Continues For Gay Slur Harassing TeachersDiane Cleveland, Walter Filson and the Anoka-Hennepin School District continue to receive scrutiny for their handling of a student harassment case. If you recall, Alex Merritt was subjected to taunts and harassment at the hands of teachers Cleveland and Filson because they believed Merritt was gay. Obviously, the spotlight on this case is increasing the discomfort level in Anoka. The Anoka-Hennepin School Board issued a letter to the community regarding the case basically saying they have done aGay Slur Harassing Teachers Should Be Kicked OutIn a follow-up to my last post (Teaching Hate: Shaming Doesn't Work), the target of 2 Minnesota teachers' gay slur harassment has been identified as Alex Merritt, 18. As Mr. Merritt explains, the nightmare Diane Cleveland and Walter Filson put him through makes the settlement his family received a drop in the bucket for the pain and suffering he experienced. As quoted in a StarTribune.com article: "Sorry doesn't cut it," Merritt said. "The teachers should be kicked out."Teaching Hate - Shaming Does Not WorkA high school junior was subjected to gay slurs from his teachers resulting in the boy changing schools and his family getting cash settlement from the school district. My immediate reaction was to contact these two teachers (Diane Cleveland and Walter Filson) or their employer (Anoka-Hennepin School District) to express my outrage. After fuming about it I realized there is a better way to address this; a path Ms Cleveland and Mr. Filson should have taken before addressing this boy as alleged. Use the opportunity as a good old teachable moment.Go Mass Marriage Equality and States RightsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts has sued the federal government over DOMA - the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996. While this suit follows 2 others coming from Massachusetts, it provides a unique - and previously unused - argument: State's RightsIronic Commentary - Lets end disposable marriageMarriage equality supporters are not looking to do anything but strengthen the institution of marriage by increasing the number of people eligible to participate in this basic American right. Love is love, kids.Why can’t you be happy with domestic partner benefits?One of the biggest misconceptions regarding marriage equality is that domestic partner benefits provide equal treatment. This is just plan false.Dear Minnesota QueersThis satirical letter sums up the dismay the GLBT community is feeling over Minnesota's Legislator's failure to address Marriage Equality this legislative session.Be Visible Get SupportRecent Poll Shows Increased Visibility Affects Marriage Equality Support. 49% of those questioned say they have a family member or close friend who is gay. That's up 8 points from 1998 and 17 points from 1992. 58% of those aged 18 to 34 say they have a family member or close friend who's gay. Maine Legalizes Marriage EqualityMaine joined the ranks of fair-mindedness by legislatively approving marriage equality. This is a great day in America!Fear-spinning NOM Exposed Fear-Spinning at its Finest MSNBC's David Shuster's interview of NOM's Brian Brown. What can I say? It makes the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) look deceptive and manipulative. If it looks like a duck....Seeking CA Married CouplesHow to get married in IowaBeginning April 27, 2009 you can get married to your same-sex partner in Iowa. Here's how it works.Boy Hangs Self Following Gay TauntsMy heart goes out to Jaheem's parents and family. They have lost the promise of a first born child and the promise that in America equality reigns in the land - cause frankly, folks, as long as intolerance is taught and practiced, there ain't no equality.Miss California and Marriage EqualityMiss California, Carrie Prejean gave a stunningly incoherent response to Perez Hilton's question: Should more states legalize same-sex marriage? Sadly, she's since made it clear she's against it. A Conservative Argument for Marriage EqualitySteve Schmidt, one of John McCain’s presidential campaign advisors, has compiled his argument supporting marriage equality using conservative values for a speech scheduled to be given to the Log Cabin Republicans.Minnesota Marriage and Family Protection ActDoug Benson sent out a statement from the Senate author of the legislation (Minnesota Marriage and Family Protection Act). Doug actually wrote the guts of the legislation and has spent time at the capitol during every legislative session to lobby for support of marriage equality. Statement by Senator John Marty on impact of Iowa and Vermont for Minnesota marriage equality.5 Reasons to Fight for Marriage EqualityNeed some pro-marriage equality arguments for that next battle of wits? Here's some ammo.Utah State Senator Chris ButtarsIn yet another outrageous example of cold intolerance from the "the Greatest Snow on Earth" state - Utah - State Senator Chris Buttars verbalized his amazing views of the GLBTQ community, during an interview for a yet-to-be-released documentary by filmmaker Reed Cowen.Judge Judy Prop 8 ViewsIn a recent Larry King Live interview, Judge Judy Sheindlin provided her insight to the marriage equality/Prop 8 debate.Dan White HeroEquality California recently sent out an email including a "kick-in-the-gut" poster held at a rally outside the California Supreme Court March 5, 2009 with the message "Dan White: Hero, Killing a Queer"Whats At StakeThis video was created by activists at the Sacramento Lobby Day and Rally. Capture the spirit of the LGBT Movement and learn how all our rights are under attack.Ignorance Alive and WellA friend of mine received a message from someone providing proof that ignorance is alive and well despite many years of research and education. Her response is a profound message of support and love from our straight allied community. It is well worth the read.Sean PennPenn's Oscar acceptance speech was an amazing piece of support for marriage equality.Equality at the OscarsDustin Lance Black's acceptance speech brought several people to tears with its emotional reminder of Harvey Milk's legacy. See the video here.Protect Marriage MessageI recently came across a blog about protecting marriage (as in keeping it's definition as between a man and a woman) and, could only post a comment if I am for the passing of Prop 8, ...so I wanted to make an argument that aims to expose how completely asinine their argument is.The Price of Inequality--Nine Thousand DollarsMy name is Shannon Drury, President of the Minnesota chapter of the National Organization for Women (www.mnnow.org). Support for GLBT civil rights is one of our core values, and has been since our inception forty years ago. What follows below is the text of a action alert on this subject that was sent to our members, and that I read aloud at the Marriage Equality Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol on February 12, 2009.Fidelity - The VideoJust got this fantastic email from Courage California and wanted to share it with everyone. Here's the video referenced in the email: Fidelity - click to view it.Freedom to Marry RallyToday was the Minnesota Freedom to Marry Day Rally held at the Minnesota Sate Capital Rotunda. It was a great venue for a lively crowd with 3 levels of participants. Despite some dissidents (more on that later) it was truly a rallying cry to get involved and get marriage equality in front of the state's legislators.Jose and Ed WeddingOverjoyed with our decision! We wanted to share our wedding photo album.Letter to FriendsI was inspired to send the following message to my family and friends. I was really surprised by the response - overwhelmingly supportive. Feel free to use any or all of this letter to help champion the cause for marriage equality.Get To Know Us FirstThis website is full of affirming images of real couples fighting for marriage equality by appearing in public service announcement commercials.Contractual RightWhat happens when a union contract points out unequal treatment of spousal rights? Not much when Domestic Partnerships are treated as unequal to marriage.Separation in Sacramentomy story has a unique 'twist' on the differences between Domestic Partnership and Marriage divorces.