After a 35-year ministry to gays and lesbians across the country, Presbyterian minister, and 68-year-0ld lesbian , Rev. Jane Adams Spahr was found guilty of violating the Presbyterian constitution and her ordination vows for performing same-sex unions during the time marriage equality was legal in California.
Spahr vowed to appeal the ruling, marching out of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Napa, hand in hand with the couples who testified in her favor.
The six-person panel agreed that Spahr's actions did not disrupt the "peace unity and purity of the church" and gave her accolades for her 35-year ministry to the gay community.
What hypocrisy! It's nauseating.
"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority."--Ralph W. Sockman
The minority is courageous and deserves the simple honor and acceptance of tolerance from the majority. Stop your whining and deal with it!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Marriage equality should be just a normal part of American life
Elizabeth Hasselbeck, the ultra-conservative co-host of "The View," said recently, "I actually support gay marriage."
Her viewpoint was refreshing as she offered sincere support for same-sex unions.
To me, it feels like the hard edges of immovable opinion against marriage equality may be softening and moving toward acceptance. I certainly hope so.
This has been a long and tiresome battle for the gay community. Equality shouldn't be such a brutal fight in America.
Now, it's all about patience and persistence to make marriage equality a reality and just a normal part of American life.
Her viewpoint was refreshing as she offered sincere support for same-sex unions.
To me, it feels like the hard edges of immovable opinion against marriage equality may be softening and moving toward acceptance. I certainly hope so.
This has been a long and tiresome battle for the gay community. Equality shouldn't be such a brutal fight in America.
Now, it's all about patience and persistence to make marriage equality a reality and just a normal part of American life.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
In the meantime
After all the excitement over marriage equality becoming a reality in August, it's a bit discouraging to wait until December 6, 2010, when the Court of Appeals will once again address Proposition 8.
Many have said it's worth the wait and that the strength of the decision will soon make marriage equality a national right.
I hope so.
In the meantime, we have to keep positive arguments in favor of marriage equality in the public eye.
Many have said it's worth the wait and that the strength of the decision will soon make marriage equality a national right.
I hope so.
In the meantime, we have to keep positive arguments in favor of marriage equality in the public eye.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Marriage equality may resume in California as soon as August 18
According to the American Foundation for Equal Rights, “The Court’s decision recognizes that there is no reason to delay allowing gay men and lesbians to enjoy the same rights that virtually all other citizens already enjoy.”
Unless anything changes, marriage equality in California can resume as early as August 18th.
This is wonderful news and a fine example to the nation.
It's hard for me to accept that nearly half of America is still against same-sex marriage. What close-mindedness shuts down peoples' thinking?
I read that the American Bar Association in a meeting in San Francisco showed approval for marriage equality. This is a huge step. If lawyers are in favor, that really helps take the negative force out of the fight. They know the constitution and have to support the rights of all citizens.
Unless anything changes, marriage equality in California can resume as early as August 18th.
This is wonderful news and a fine example to the nation.
It's hard for me to accept that nearly half of America is still against same-sex marriage. What close-mindedness shuts down peoples' thinking?
I read that the American Bar Association in a meeting in San Francisco showed approval for marriage equality. This is a huge step. If lawyers are in favor, that really helps take the negative force out of the fight. They know the constitution and have to support the rights of all citizens.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
"the fight of our lives"
On Friday, California Gov. Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown filed legal motions that would allow same-sex marriage to resume immediately. They said it's the right thing to do.
Behind the scenes, the National Organization for Marriage is out to ruin everything. They managed to mess up the proposals for marriage equality in Maine, New York and New Jersey this year, and they just won't stop. Oh, and they have the money to do it.
Fighting against them is Freedom to Marry. But, like all efforts, they need money, too. It feels like we've made huge progress on a national level to fight federal marriage discrimination, and we have to keep marching forward to that goal.
The attached link explains Freedom to Marry's efforts and their need for donations of as little as $10. I'm in! They call it "The fight of our lives," -- and we can't let the bigots and their money overtake us.
http://freedomtomarry.org/page/m/4d89387d/27176e98/4f8233c3/2e14d22e/2411989396/VEsH/
Behind the scenes, the National Organization for Marriage is out to ruin everything. They managed to mess up the proposals for marriage equality in Maine, New York and New Jersey this year, and they just won't stop. Oh, and they have the money to do it.
Fighting against them is Freedom to Marry. But, like all efforts, they need money, too. It feels like we've made huge progress on a national level to fight federal marriage discrimination, and we have to keep marching forward to that goal.
The attached link explains Freedom to Marry's efforts and their need for donations of as little as $10. I'm in! They call it "The fight of our lives," -- and we can't let the bigots and their money overtake us.
http://freedomtomarry.org/page/m/4d89387d/27176e98/4f8233c3/2e14d22e/2411989396/VEsH/
Thursday, August 5, 2010
What if ????
So what if marriage equality becomes a national reality?
Will I get to have a "real son-in-law"--my son's partner?
And will I have a "real daughter-in-law" my daughter's partner? I can only hope so.
What JOY that would be!
You see, I'm just like other moms who want my children to have the happiness they deserve--plain and simple, marriage equality.
When Proposition 8 was overturned yesterday, one of the judge's rulings said "that it did nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples." You can't do that in America. Some people keep forgetting that.
I interpret those ideologies as discrimination based in ignorance. Maybe some people just hide within their conservative Christianity, so the discrimination is done for them in doctrines and beliefs, and they don't have to discern "what is inherently right" for themselves. Do you think that's an accepted hiding place?
How are the lessons learned? How does change and acceptance evolve?
Maybe the universe sends some of the answers when a homophobe is blessed with a gay or lesbian child, grandchild, niece or nephew. (My poster boy for that would be Dick Cheney).
Is that where the lessons are learned? Those brilliant, talented gay and lesbian children are sent here to teach us. I am just an ordinary mom who has been enriched and enlightened by my children, their partners and their friends.
Now I wait for marriage equality to become a reality.
So like the Beatles sang:
"Let it be, Let it be.
There will be an answer.
Let it be."
What if ?? Let's keep working toward marriage equality.
Will I get to have a "real son-in-law"--my son's partner?
And will I have a "real daughter-in-law" my daughter's partner? I can only hope so.
What JOY that would be!
You see, I'm just like other moms who want my children to have the happiness they deserve--plain and simple, marriage equality.
When Proposition 8 was overturned yesterday, one of the judge's rulings said "that it did nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples." You can't do that in America. Some people keep forgetting that.
I interpret those ideologies as discrimination based in ignorance. Maybe some people just hide within their conservative Christianity, so the discrimination is done for them in doctrines and beliefs, and they don't have to discern "what is inherently right" for themselves. Do you think that's an accepted hiding place?
How are the lessons learned? How does change and acceptance evolve?
Maybe the universe sends some of the answers when a homophobe is blessed with a gay or lesbian child, grandchild, niece or nephew. (My poster boy for that would be Dick Cheney).
Is that where the lessons are learned? Those brilliant, talented gay and lesbian children are sent here to teach us. I am just an ordinary mom who has been enriched and enlightened by my children, their partners and their friends.
Now I wait for marriage equality to become a reality.
So like the Beatles sang:
"Let it be, Let it be.
There will be an answer.
Let it be."
What if ?? Let's keep working toward marriage equality.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Judge Walker overturns Proposition 8 in California
Hurray!
Though Proposition 8 has been overturned today, same-sex marriage will not be allowed to resume in California until legal wrangling of appeals and other written arguments are heard.
According to Judge Vaugh Walker, "Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples."
He goes on to state in his ruling, "Because Proposition 8 disadvantages gay and lesbians without any rational justification, Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth amendment."
I commend The American Foundation for Equal Rights for their efforts and information that kept supporters of marriage equality in the know during this landmark case. Like many others, I got a text from them minutes after the ruling, and it made my day!!!
Though Proposition 8 has been overturned today, same-sex marriage will not be allowed to resume in California until legal wrangling of appeals and other written arguments are heard.
According to Judge Vaugh Walker, "Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples."
He goes on to state in his ruling, "Because Proposition 8 disadvantages gay and lesbians without any rational justification, Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth amendment."
I commend The American Foundation for Equal Rights for their efforts and information that kept supporters of marriage equality in the know during this landmark case. Like many others, I got a text from them minutes after the ruling, and it made my day!!!
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