Existential Punk

White Knot For Marriage Equality

Join The Impact writes about 'Visibility in the Face of Rick Warren' where they are emphasizing a peaceful way of being in solidarity for the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President of the United States of America on January 20, 2009.

"Many have come to us with ideas on what to do for inauguration day in response to Rick Warren. Many want to turn their backs, boo when he speaks, or have a large march. In my opinion, though these are ideas that I would get behind in other situations, I do not think that this is the best way to respond at such an historical inauguration. If we as a community take attention away from such a historical event in a negative way, we risk alienating a great deal of those in the middle of this struggle who are just starting to understand what we are fighting for and why we deserve these rights. We DO need to stand up for our community in the face of Rick Warren, but I believe that there is a very positive way that we can do this that will send a message, spark the conversation of equality, and show Obama just how many people support our rights and DO NOT support this horrible choice. So on January 20th, we encourage all attending the inauguration, all going to inauguration viewing parties, and all who plan on watching in the privacy of their own home, to wear the White Knot for Marriage Equality. We hope to have 35% of the crowd at the inauguration sporting the White Knot OR a rainbow armband/rainbow flag, etc. Show your solidarity and visibility while allowing everyone the chance to take in this amazing event and begin to embrace change. It is this historical event, that we as a nation can share together… a common ground that everyone can find regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or class."

So, let's join in SOLIDARITY!

"FindingThe Silver Lining In Defeat"

The Advocate has a great article by HRC President, Joe Solmonese, on the post-election news on the marriage equality fight. It is an op-ed about moving beyond Prop 8 and looking ahead to the new presidential administration and Congress

What follows is an excerpt and the entire article can be read here.

"Three weeks ago, like many LGBT Americans, I woke up with, to say the least, mixed feelings. The euphoria of Barack Obama’s election and the expansion of the pro-LGBT majority in Congress was tempered by sadness and anger at our devastating losses in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, and, of course, California. The silver lining of these defeats has been a renewed focus nationwide on the issue of marriage equality. . ."

California has made progress. In 2000 the anti-gay ballot initiative passed by 21 points. 8 years later, Prop 8 ONLY passed by LESS THAN 5 points. So, in a short time, we HAVE made progress. This past Tuesday night Newt Gingrich's sister, Candace Gingrich, HRC Youth and Campus Outreach Program director, was on MSNBC's Countdown With Keith Olbermann to discuss Prop 8 and the fight for marriage equality. The clip is below:

Miami Judge Rules Against State's Gay Adoption Ban

EQUALITY FOR ALL IS COMING, AMERICA! i just received twitter update from Join The Impact on this breaking news:

"MIAMI - A judge ruled today that a strict Florida law that blocks gay people from adopting children is unconstitutional, declaring there was no legal or scientific reason for sexual orientation alone to prohibit anyone from adopting.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman said the 31-year-old law violates equal protection rights for the children and their prospective gay parents, rejecting the state's arguments that there is "a supposed dark cloud hovering over homes of homosexuals and their children."

She noted that gay people are allowed to be foster parents in Florida. "There is no rational basis to prohibit gay parents from adopting," she wrote in a 53-page ruling.

Florida is the only state with an outright ban on gay adoption. Arkansas voters last month approved a measure similar to a law in Utah that bans any unmarried straight or gay couples from adopting or fostering children. Mississippi bans gay couples, but not single gays, from adopting.

The ruling means that Martin Gill, 47, and his male partner can adopt two brothers, ages 4 and 8, whom he has cared for as foster children since December 2004..."

 

JOIN THE IMPACT RICHMOND

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! CALLING ALL QUEERS AND QUEER ALLIES! i just received this email from JOIN THE IMPACT RICHMOND news from Brandon advocating more ways to keep the momentum going:

Hey gang,

Just wanted to remind/notify you all about upcoming activism opportunities, as posted to Join the Impact >> The Next 3 Months

Project Postcard .  Keep sending out your postcards!  This is now more important than ever as Barack Obama's people just announced that he plans on delaying the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Let's remind President Elect Barack Obama of the promises that he made to our community and remind him that we are citizens of the United States of America too!

Nov. 28th - Dec. 20th: The National LGBTQ Food Drive  - Through this event, we will work to reach out not only to those who have worked alongside us, but to organizations and individuals that fear us and oppose our cause.  Our efforts to alleviate the hunger America is facing in this difficult time will be indiscriminate with regards to creed or political philosophy.  These are gaps we can and must bridge if we are going to achieve equality in this country. Read more . . .

December 5th: MILK Movement: Let's honor the memory of Harvey Milk and get everyone out to the theater for the national release of the national release of this film by Gus Van Sant.  Gaining equality requires visibility.  This world needs to know that we exist and that our numbers are huge.  So many people don't understand just how many US Citizens are denied equal rights.  Let's make MILK one of the top 3 grossing movies for the weekend of December 5th.  And let's do it by going to the theaters that support our community.  Please keep checking back for a list of pro-LGBTQ theaters to support the weekend of December 5th.  This movie is something that will help keep this important conversation going so let's fill those seats! (More info to come soon).

December 10th: Day Without a Gay - Day Without a Gay is about an economic boycott.  Our community contributes $700 billion a year to this economy (the same amount as the bailout), yet we are not given equal protections under the law that every citizen deserves.  As such, it is time we make a stand.  During the largest shopping season of the year, we ask that you do one very important thing: Don't Buy Anything!  What would happen to this world if the LGBTQ community didn't exist?  Why is it that we continue to contribute to an economy and government that does not contribute to us?  Let's answer these questions on December 10th.   Read More...


December 20th: Light up the Night for Equal Rights - On November 15th, we took to the streets and shouted for our rights and against the acts revoking rights on November 4th.  We mobilized in ways this country has never seen and did so on the steps of City Halls and US Embassies throughout the world!  On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector.  Thanks to the great suggestion of one of our readers mixed with the brilliant ideas of the Civil Rights Front, we ask that you join us to Light Up the Night for Equal Rights.  Read More…

January 10th: National Protest Against DOMA - Please join us to make history AGAIN.  Let's march on our state capitols and remind President Elect Barack Obama that he promised to Repeal DOMA!
February 12th: Freedom to Marry Day Sit In - February 12 is Freedom to Marry Day and we are teaming up with MarriageEquality.org to bring visibility of immense proportions to this issue.  Let's exercise our freedom as citizens of this country!  We ask that you join us at the steps of your City Hall and ask for a marriage license.  If you are denied a license, don't leave.  Sit with your community, your allies, and friends.  Let's show this country just how many US Citizens are DENIED EQUAL PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW.

Thanks!
-Brandon

Project Postcard

TAKE ACTION, GET INVOLVED and WRITE PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA! From Join The Impact:

Our friends at LGBTQ Civil Rights Front have come up with a brilliant way for us to ensure that LGBTQ issues aren't forgotten as President-elect Obama makes his transition into the White House.

Their idea: buy a postcard from your home town, include a handwritten message, and mail it to Obama's Presidential Transition Office.

HOW IT WORKS

1. BUY A POSTCARD	It would be great if it had the name of your city or state on it, but feel free to get creative.
2. WRITE THIS MESSAGE:	Dear President-elect Obama, Please ask Congress to repeal DOMA! All Americans should have the right to marry. Thank you in advance for advocating for the civil rights of your LGBT citizens. Sincerely, <Your Name> <Your City and State>
3. POST A PIC OF YOURSELF	Take a photo of yourself with your postcard and add it to This Album!
4. MAIL IT TO OBAMA:	President-elect Barack Obama Presidential Transition Office Kluczynski Federal Building 230 S. Dearborn St., 38th Floor Chicago, IL 60604
5. TELL YOUR FRIENDS	Email this URL to your friends! http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Project+Postcard

RVA AND JOIN THE IMPACT RALLY

Yesterday, the 50 state rally to protest the passage California's Prop 8, organized at a grassroots level by Join The Impact, was a great success. Peaceful protests were held across the nation, including here in Richmond, VA at the steps of City Hall! Katryna and I were interviewed by Chelsea Washington from WRIC Channel 8 News and ended up in the lead story in last night's 11.30 p.m. broadcast! Even the police i spoke with said they were impressed with how cooperative and peacefully we protested. One even told me he was forfull  marriage equality! There are two more events in the coming months sponsored by Join The Impact: On December 10, 2008 A Day Without A Gay and in January another protest rally will be held. Check their website for updates. LET"S KEEP THIS MOMENTUM GOING!!!!

Here are some photos i took from yesterday's rally: