Every time I head out to a protest this is the song that I have playing in my head. Gay rights is probably not exactly what Mraz was thinking when he wrote the song but I can’t help but be moved by the lyrics in that context.
“No I won’t hesitate no more, no more / It can not wait / I’m sure.”
It was wonderful seeing familiar faces and new faces alike last night. The crowd was an angry group of people happy to cherish their diversity, queer or otherwise. There was one thing we all shared in common though – we were all human, and we were all equal.
It looks like Illinois may be the next state to legalize civil unions for gay (as well as straight) couples. While it isn’t full marriage rights, it is moving in the right direction. Read the full story at Joe. My. God.
The California Supreme Court will issue it’s ruling on Prop 8 on Tuesday, May 26. Keep your fingers crossed for good news, whatever you think that is. And by whatever you think that is I of course mean if you agree Prop 8 needs to be overturned. If you don’t agree with me go back to reading Ann Coulter’s blog or something.
I couldn’t find any new pics of cute couples on short notice, so here is a completely unrelated photo but fully acceptable photograph of one incredibly hot man.
The Chicago Tribune recently posted this editorial in support of civil unions in Illinois. I find myself conflicted. I’m happy that the Trib has gone on record vocally supporting some form of gay rights yet unimpressed with the language used. The argument does little to persuade and falls short of recognizing that civil unions can only be an injured step towards the real goal of full marriage rights for same sex couples.
An editorial should fervently support an argument one way or the other. I should walk away passionately in agreement or disgust. I don’t mean to sound unappreciative, I would love for the Trib to continue publishing pro-gay rights pieces, yet in a world where Iowa can unanimously approve gay marriage rights, Vermont can override a governor’s veto blocking full marriage rights, and New York’s governor can garner national press pushing a gay marriage bill this editorial does little to inspire any real movement.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Legalize civil unions at chicagotribune.com
Saturday, February 14, 2009 is a day that many couples will remember as Valentine’s Day of this year, but for a group of Chicagoans, it was Freedom to Marry Day. A group of peaceful protesters gathered outside the Cook County Building to demand their equal rights here in Chicago while a smaller group staged a sit-in inside the Cook County office of Vital Records, insisting that they would not leave until they office agreed to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples.
The seven who remained inside the office were allowed to stay past the closing time of the office but were eventually arrested for criminal trespass. Later, County Clerk David Orr’s office issued a statement saying, “Gay couples deserve to enjoy the same rights and legal protections as straight couples, whether it be getting married or making emergency health decisions, filing a joint tax return or receiving retirement benefits to which they are entitled.” (ABC7 Chicago) That view, however, has yet to be reflected in practice.
Further coverage:
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/02/hundreds-protes.html
http://www.chicagopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/6876025
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9489
http://www.examiner.com/x-443-Chicago-Gay-Examiner~y2009m2d15-7-queer-activists-arrested-at-Marriage-Bureau-sitin
http://blog.radioleft.com/blog/_archives/2009/2/15/4093964.html
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2009/02/seven-arrests-at-chicago-marriage.html
http://www.windycitizen.com/chicago/politicscity-news/2009/02/freedom-to-marry-in-chicago-hundreds-rally-seven-arrested/
In just a few short weeks on March 5, the California Supreme Court will begin to review the legality of Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that amended the California State Constitution to revoke marriage rights from gay and lesbian couples. The court then has 90 days to come to a decision. It is now SO important that people come out of the woodwork in overwhelming vocal support of gay marriage rights and denounce Proposition 8.
This week is Freedom to Marry Week and in various cities around the nation protests will be held throughout the week to support the rights of ourselves, our friends, our family, and our neighbors. On February 14 in Chicago teams will march while gay couples head to the Cook County Marriage License Bureau and demand to be married. We need as many people as we can get at these events!
Please, please, please: join the Facebook event (details below), tell your friends, blog about it, put the information out there in as many spots as you can find. This is a crucial time for an important cause!
Facebook event (for Chicago): http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123437705110
Facebook group (where I can nag my friends, please feel free to join!): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53940967030
How you can help:
- Go to one of the protests, no matter where it may be!
- Invite ALL your friends to the event for your area, and to the group!
- Put up posters and flyers: http://gayliberation.net/pdf/2009/0214free2marryday/Flyer,%20color.pdf
- Call, text, email your friends.
- Organize a party to make picket signs.
- Organize a brunch party for immediately before the protest so people can meet in one place and travel together.
- Write a blog post, tweet about it, put it on your FriendFeed, share it on your other social networks.
In what may be one of the most shocking turnarounds since I’ve lived in Illinois, the House has actually accomplished something. Okay, so that is a bit snarky of me. Earlier today, the Illinois House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach Governor Blagojevich on grounds that he abused his power as the chief executive of the State of Illinois. The Governor will hold a press conference at 2pm today. We can only hope that he will finally step down. Guilty or not, he is utterly incapable of getting anything done and if he (as he says he does) truly cares about the residents of this state, it is the right thing to do.
(Image courtesy Chicago magazine)
The speed at which news, and opinion, travels through the internet is almost as fast as the “pipes” that carry the traffic. Already comments are popping up in my various feeds about Blagojevich appointing Roland Burris to US Senate…
[12:28] Elliott Ramos: i think blago lost it
[12:28] Elliott Ramos: simply lost it
Thomas Walker Polk just watched the really crazy Blago press conference…what a circus! 2:18pm
Phil DaBeatz is visibly in pain after listening to this press conference. I never imagined I would need a translator to understand English. 2:15pm
Saintless: Blago says of Burris: “Feel free to castigate the appointer, but don’t lynch the appointor.” (Burris is black, btw)
dhsteinberg: Blago still hasn’t resigned and today named a successor to Barack’s Senate seat. http://is.gd/edzE This douchebag knows no bounds.
But by far the best one…
Rachelle Bowden best gawker comment re blago: “This guy has four balls. At least four. Maybe six. And they’re big.” 2:33pm
Really, the guy should just resign. Forget about whether he is innocent or guilty, he has lost the ability to govern. Not that he was getting much done before hand anyway, but now he is just useless. At least he won’t be remembered as the governor who screwed the CTA (but he did do that).
