TODAY?!

We might be getting a decision about the Gay Marriage ban in Michigan TODAY. I'm on the edge of my seat. Oakland County, where I live, is one of the counties that will IMMEDIATELY begin issuing marriage licences. YAY!

6/10 Michigan

So, "nearly six out of 10 voters" in Michigan support gay marriage.

Rhode Island joins the party!

Rhode Island is the 10th state to legalize Gay Marriage. WOOT! 1/10 of the country!


And I just made myself sad. :( Still, any good news...

The Daily Huff: School Edition

The day after the historic announcement made by the Pentagon opening the door (a crack) for same sex couples, we're right back in the soup.

Another high school Teacher(My information was incorrect. It's just a coalition of students and one teacher. The Official prom acepts GLBT couples) is fighting to keep the prom 'Traditional, aka no homos, bro.' While Indiana isn't known for being a 'liberal' state, this is just sickening.Students and A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER,  Diana Medley, are fighting for a separate prom, no gays allowed.

Says the teacher helping fight for anti-LGBT rights "No, I honestly don't [think gay people have a purpose in life]. Sorry, but I don't ... A gay person isn't going to come up and make some change unless it's to realize that it was a choice and they're choosing God." This person is a TEACHER of children with learning disabilities. Someone those LGBT students see every day. A person who LITERALLY GRADES THEM. There is no therapy for this kind of hatred. To be told by the adults in your life that you have no purpose? How can a person handle that, especially during the teen years AND when they're already special ed?

My favorite LGBT pro blogger, Dan Savage, had this to say: "The anti-gay haters at Sullivan High have a facebook page: 2013 Sullivan Traditional Prom [It has since been removed]. One of the organizers of this hate group would like us to know that "this is not a hate group." 2013 Sullivan Traditional Prom is just a group that has been organized with the sole purpose of creating an alternate prom that excludes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students and to achieve that end the group's members are calling LGBT kids "offensive," sick, and sinful. What's hateful about that? Besides, you know, everything?"

The SUPPORTIVE facebook page, Support the Sullivan High School Prom for All Students is still up and over 17k likes strong.I urge you, Like this page, spread the word.  I think Dan said it better than I ever could:

"There's no way to stop the haters at Sullivan High School from holding an independent prom for the special (bigoted) kids. But here's what we can do: we can make a noise so loud enough that all the queer kids at Sullivan High School hear it. Those kids need to know that there are people -- a lot of people -- who think this shit is wrong."

 We're out here, kids.  And we're sorry you're going through this shit.

UPDATE: I jsuet emailed Ms. Medly this message

God does not condone hate. He makes no mistakes. Gay people do not chose to be gay any more than people chose to be straight. It is genetic. God is the only one who defines our sexuality. He made us all. And to tell people that you're being a bigot on God's behalf is worse than shameful: it is a sin, just ask killing is His name is still murder.

I urge you: reach out to pro-gay Christians. Learn from them. There is a mountain of Biblical evidence supporting God's love and acceptance for all people. To believe anything else is blasphemy.

Seek love, not hate. It's what Jesus would do.

Shayna Lax

The Daily Huff: Government edition

A small town in Ohio is losing its homophobic mayor.  78 year old Mary McAngus submitted her resignation after complaints about calling Officer Kyle Calendine ‘Queer’. She also reportedly said “I don’t like a Queer working for the village [of Pomeroy].” The village Police Chief Mark Proffitt told her that such remarks could open them to a lawsuit.

I don’t know how to feel about this report. On the one hand, a discriminatory leader was removed from power. On the other hand, the removal probably had more to do with money and its potential loss rather than action on behalf of civil rights. There is no apology hinted at for  Office Calendine.   We’ll just have to hope the village he serves doesn’t turn on him for ‘losing their mayor.’

On a much happier note, another step down the long path to civil rights has been taken.  ThePentagon has announced it will extend certain rights to same-sex couples andtheir families serving in the military. According to the Huff, “. The benefits include commissary privileges, access to family support initiatives and joint duty assignments.” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is responsible for this.

God bless him.

Said Panetta “It is a matter of fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country.”

YES! YES! YES

This is not the end of the road by any means. Homosexual couples in the military still can’t get burial rights at national cemeteries, on-base housing or certain travel expenses for spouses, due to DOMA and its definition of what makes a spouse. This is part of a bigger struggle. But there’s no shame in the joy of small victories. Every step takes us a little closer to the future.

It is coming. And we will be there to see it.

Daily Show FTW

John Steward just did a big piece on the upcoming DOMA Supreme-Court hearing in March. Me, Bahamute, Grizz, and Langly got to watch as the insane arguments of the republican lawyer were expertly lambasted. Such arguments as:

"Marriage should be limited to unions of a man and a woman because they alone can "produce unplanned and unintended offspring," opponents of gay marriage have told the Supreme Court. By contrast, when same-sex couples decide to have children, "substantial advance planning is required," said Paul D. Clement, a lawyer for House Republicans.

So, if you're infertile, sorry! You're marriage isn't valid either. But if you're thirteen, stupid, sexually active, and have willing parents, congratulations! You're a husband AND a father!

It's so stupid, I want to laugh. And so many people take it seriously, I want to cry.

HOORAY!

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed into law his hard fought measure to legalize same-sex marriage at 5 p.m. in the State House.

A marriage bill came within a whisker of passage in 2011, but was shelved in the House of Delegates at the last minute when leaders determined they were a few votes shy. Securing those "few votes" this year took up much of the first 45 days of Maryland's General Assembly's legislative session.

CONGRATULATIONS MARYLAND

Delaware's new Civil-Union Law began on New Year's Day.

Yesterday in Wilmington, more than 400 people gave a loud and rousing standing ovation as they witnessed
 Delaware's first Same-Sex Civil Union. Lisa Goodman & Drewry Fennell, partners for 14 years, were joined in union by Rev. Patricia Downing, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church where the Sunday afternoon ceremony took place ... 


Congratulations to Lisa & Drewry.

International Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20th

The 13th annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance is tomorrow. It's a day to remember those who's lives were tragically cut short because of anti-transgender hatred and prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, who was murdered in November of 1998. It's observed in over 20 countries. This is a list of those killed in the past year. Please, if you're religious, take time to remember these people and their families in your prayers.

It Gets Better: Chris Armstrong Announces Scholarship for Victims of Bullying at University of Michigan

Something good happening in my state. FINALLY! This is the guy who last year was bullied by Michigan's former Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shrivell.  U of M supported him during this terrible event. Now, U of M has a scholarship in his name. Finally, action, not just words.  Go U of M!

Transgender Teen Found Burned to Death on Detroit Highway

The sixth GLBT person to be burned alive in as many weeks was found, I'm incredibly ashamed and saddened to say, in my home state, close to where I live and work.  Shelley 'Treasure' Hilliard, born Henry Hilliard jr. was found, burned and discarded on the side of a busy highway. She was only 19 years old. 

Brandon Washington and David Blair doused a sleeping gay 'Friend' with alcohol and set him on fire. Steven Iorio, the 'Friend' in question, survived, but as of now, the two have not been arrested.  They will be getting a summons in the mail, though. 

Stuart Walker, a gay man in Scotland, was burned to death and left on the side of the road. Before he was burned, he was beaten, and possibly sodomized. He was 28 years old, and a barman.  More than 1000 people came to his funeral to morn the loss.  This man was loved. Ryan Esquierdo, 18, has been charged with Stuart's murder.  

Two more men were set on fire AT A GAY BAR in England. Both men survived, but police don't think it's a hate crime. 

What the hell is happening in the world?!  I am TERRIFIED for my GLBT friends now more than ever.  We're supposed to be moving forwards. DADT is gone!  NY legalized gay marriage!  Movements are mobilizing all over the country to give GLBT citizens the rights they deserve.


I've heard it said that burning is becoming the GLBT equivalent of lynching.  I pray to God this trend stops immediately.  Please, if you know anyone who is homophobic, talk to them.  The hate needs to end.


Right now, all I want to do is go hug my future brother-in-law and his boyfriend, both of whom are close friends, and family no matter what the laws in Michigan say.




I got most of my information from http://unicornbooty.com/, by the way. Great site.

This just in: Michigan House Passes Anti-Bullying Bill In Compromise With Senate 'Matt's Safe School Law'

It's moving on to the senate.

Yes, it's been a while.

Sorry for the lack of updates. I'm in a play, and we've had rehursals almost every night. But there's been plenty of stuff going on. The licence to bully bill is making our state look like a joke.  Brett Rattner made homophobic remarks and had to step down from producing the Oscars (Eddie Murphy stepping down as host shortly after).

But good things happened too: today is the first veterans day since DADT was repealed. Massachusetts elected the nation's youngest gay mayor. And, of course, the advancing of the repeal of DOMA in the senate.

My new source for gay news (aside from my one-day brother in law, God willing): http://www.advocate.com/

President Talks Gay Rights At HRC Dinner

Read the article and watch the video

It's heartening, but there's still a long way to go. 

Celebrating the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell!

Found on the Fantastic  It's ok to be Takei  Facebook page.

Staff Sgt. Chris Cano, a Marine recruiter, arrives Tuesday at a recruiting booth at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Tulsa on the first day of the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?" With the ban gone, the Marines appear determined to prove that they will be better than the other service branches in recruiting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender service members.

Another tragic death attributed to bullying

Jamey Rodemeyer, age 14 killed himself after being bullied for being bisexual.  His 'It Gets Better' video is chilling and heart wrenching.
"It gets better. It gets better." He insists.
How many more will die before something is done?

Rest in peace, Jamie