Just minutes after the California Supreme Court handed down its ruling on gay marriage this morning, the internet was ablaze with Prop 8 outrage and disappointment over the loss of an equality that could've been. While gay rights protesters in San Francisco locked arms to stop traffic outside the Supreme Court building, Tweeters took to the net to organize tweet-ups and vigils nationwide this evening. So far, impromptu mobilizations have been planned in San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles. More
Despite political controversies and his conservative nature, I still love John Wayne. He gave so much to cinema it's hard not to.
Actually born under the name Marion Robert Morrison, Wayne was given the name we all know when he got his first starring role in Raoul Walsh's The Big Trail. From here Wayne would become known for his height, voice and masculinity. He more or less defined the Western genre and is most likely who most people think of when they think of a cowboy.
This weekend gay rights supporters in Los Angeles organized the first "marriage equality training camp", to prepare activists for the battles ahead to re-establish equal rights for same-sex couples in California. Those rights, lost when Proposition 8 passed, should be restored and hopefully with better planning and increased support they will be when same-sex marriage is put to the ballot again. According to the LA Times:
The Camp Courage training, inspired by 'Camp Obama,' is based on grassroots organizing models that have developed leaders and nurtured progressive social movements for many years, including the fundamentals of community organizing; volunteer recruitment and management; voter persuasion and more.
As unfortunate as the passing of Prop 8 was, I believe that in time, Californians and the rest of the country will understand this as the civil rights issue that it is, and support equal rights under the Constitution for all.takepart with the Human Rights Campaign to support same-sex marriage and once again enjoy Prop 8: The Musical after the jump: More
I like Jon Stewart and believe it or not I also like Mike Huckabee (although I don't agree with him on most things).
I also like this discussion between Mike Huckabee and Jon Stewart. It is actually one of the more informed and honest discussions I have heard in the media about gay marriage:
The two men couldn't disagree more but they both calmly talk about their beliefs and engage in meaningful debate - although I have to admit that I think Jon really won the debate. When Stewart makes the claim that religion is a choice and homosexuality is not, he makes a great point that I think deserves more attention.
takepart with the Human Right's Campaign to work towards equal rights for gays and lesbians.
Using religion as an argument against homosexuality is nothing new, however the use of religious chatter has increase greatly during this whole gay marriage ban issue we are currently facing. Mostly it's gay-marriage opponents who use Scripture to prove their point, however a recent article in Newsweek shows how the Bible's message of love does not denounce same-sex unions but rather it celebrates and encourages loving unions (no matter what the gender of those involved). More
December 10, 2008 is "Day Without A Gay" a nationwide strike and economic boycott by all Gays, Lesbians and their allies (whether straight, bisexual or transgendered). Giulia wrote about A Day Without A Gay a few weeks ago but I just wanted to post a little reminder because it is tomorrow.
So what should you do (or not do) to takepart and join the "Day Without A Gay" movement? Call in gay, take the day off and spend the day volunteering to support gay rights, visit http://daywithoutagay.org/
And because it is SO FUNNY, here is once again Prop 8: The Musical
Perhaps a hilarious song and dance number will encourage those who supported Califonia's Propsition 8 to rethink their position on banning gay marriage. Ask yourself: WWJBD? (What Would Jack Black Do?) The answer is Prop 8: The Musical!
Brilliant.
takepart and Join The Impact by demanding equal rights for all people.
On November 5, a majority of Californians who went to the polls voted to pass the controversial Proposition 8 and deny homosexuals the right to marry. Prop 8 seeks to add language to the California constitution to make clear only marriages between a man and a woman would be recognized as legal. Prop 8 was a response to a decision by the Supreme Court of California earlier this year ruling unconstitutional a family law provision that contained identical language to Prop 8. Thus, Prop 8 supporters sought to go over the heads of the Justices and take it to the people to change the California Constitution.
Prop 8 has commanded a great deal of attention since Election Day mainly because of the public outcry that followed its passage, as evidenced by very vocal (and sometimes violent) protests in California. The reaction to the reaction has been very polarizing and perhaps counter-productive to opponents of Prop 8 seeking broad public support for their cause. Many Californians were outraged by the protests because it extended their commutes, while others were forced to question their stereotypes of gays as passive and weak (obviously not watchers of the L Word). It also has had the unfortunate result of feeding the lunatic fringe of social conservatives who were all too happy to refocus their anger on homosexuals as the greatest threat to our Country, a label they had unsuccessfully tried to stick to President-elect Obama. I actually heard a discussion on conservative talk radio to the effect that the gays would not stop with being able to marry one another, but actually wanted the ability to marry animals. Oh that's right, I remember hearing about that…something about animal husbandry. Maybe its time to apply an IQ test to voters, just to make sure they have one. But I digress. More
The 'don't ask, don't tell" policy was instituted in 1993, stopping the military from asking potential members if they are gay. However the policy requires openly gay service members to be discharged from service. Now, according to the lead sponsor of a bill that would repeal the law, the "don't ask-don't tell" policy could be overturned when Barack Obama's administration takes over the White House.
Obama told Philadelphia Gay News "Although I have consistently said I would repeal 'don't ask-don't tell,' I believe that the way to do it is to make sure that we are working through processes, getting the Joint Chiefs of Staff clear in terms of what our priorities are going to be."-CNN.com
A Washington Post/ABC News poll this summer found 75 percent of Americans support allowing gays to serve openly, compared to only 45 percent in 1993.So basically what we're saying is-it's cool for gays to fight and possibly die for America's freedom BUT it's not cool for gays in America to have the freedom to marry. Oh okay. gothca.takepart and visit the Human Rights Campaign at http://www.hrc.org/ to join the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.
December 10, 2008 is "Day Without A Gay" a nationwide strike and economic boycott by all Gays, Lesbians and their allies (whether straight, bisexual or transgendered). LGBT workers, business owners, consumers and taxpayers contribute over $700 billion to the U.S. economy each year, so a nation-wide boycott will send a peaceful and affective message about the need for equality. December 10th was chosen as the date for this national action because it is also International Human Rights Day.
The name "Day Without A Gay" was inspired by the film "A Day Without A Mexican" (I just checked out the trailer, it looks awesome) and the 2006 national strike called "A Day Without Immigrants", in which people fought for immigrant rights.
So what should you do (or not do) to takepart and join the "Day Without A Gay" movement? Supporters are encouraged not to call in sick to work, but rather are encouraged to call in "gay"--and donate your time to service. For more information and more ways to fight for gay rights, visit http://daywithoutagay.org/
Just minutes after the 
Despite political controversies and his conservative nature, I still love John Wayne. He gave so much to cinema it's hard not to.
Using religion as an argument against homosexuality is nothing new, however the use of religious chatter has increase greatly during this whole gay marriage ban issue we are currently facing. Mostly it's gay-marriage opponents who use Scripture to prove their point, however a 
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The 'don't ask, don't tell" policy was instituted in 1993, stopping the military from asking potential members if they are gay. However the policy requires openly gay service members to be discharged from service. Now, according to the lead sponsor of a bill that would repeal the law, the "don't ask-don't tell" policy could be overturned when Barack Obama's administration takes over the White House.
