http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/community/members_rss The following posts were created from our member blogs. This blog is a conduit and tool to put ideas into action. Direct action that puts we working folks in the hunt to take over our places we work. Thus fulfilling our mandate for a society and world we the public run in our own interests; not for the private sector or their political and bureaucratic government. More simply, democracy now! http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/charleyknox/C2tk http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/charleyknox/C2tk/commentary#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:29:05 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/charleyknox/C2tk tripwiredoc tripwiredoc 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tk/ How are you? Happy 4th of July! My name is Alex Laygo. I am an independent associate for Pre-Paid Legal Services. We are attorney fees what health insurance is to doctor and hospital bills. I’d like to share with you the benefits of having a Pre-Paid Legal Membership. --Will Preparation – For You And Your Spouse --UNLIMITED Phone Consultations In Any Subject Matter --Letters Written or Phone Calls Made On Your Behalf --UNLIMITED Contract and Document Reviews --Get help with traffic tickets and IRS Audits --75 Hours of Attorney Time Per Year On Trial Defense --24/7 After Hours Legal Shield Protection --Identity Theft Restoration --Daily Fraud Alert and Monitoring --Protection from the Five Major Identity Theft --Pre-existing conditions are covered and many more. We give members access to professional legal counsel not only for traditional legal problems, but for everyday events. No matter what kind of legal situation you face you can depend on your Pre-Paid Legal membership. No other legal service plan available today is more comprehensive than a Pre-Paid Legal membership. For only 5 cents per hour, you can protect yourself and your family. For more information, visit my website: www.prepaidlegal.com/info/alexlaygo. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at your convenience. Sincerely, Alex M Laygo Independent Associate Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. 323.383.6000 alexlaygo@prepaidlegal.com www.AlexLaygo.com http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/alexlaygo/C2tz http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/alexlaygo/C2tz/commentary#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:02:43 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/alexlaygo/C2tz User from Los Angeles, CA User from Los Angeles, CA 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tz/ Oh glorious banana-peanut butter-chocolate-soy milk shake; don't judge my love for you. http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/dasenergi/C2t8 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/dasenergi/C2t8/commentary#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:30:23 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/dasenergi/C2t8 DasEnergi http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/b04ee6f5673c264b51_gt9a9mii9.gif DasEnergi 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2t8/   While discussing the lawsuit challenging Proposition 8 in federal court, Brian Raum, an attorney representing the defense, said that Prop 8 does not discriminate because it allows gay people to marry as long as they wed someone of the opposite sex.    Classic.     Well, the real right represented by the right to marriage is the opportunity to create a healthy family, of two or more, out of a strong relationship. That isn't possible for a homosexual person in a heterosexual relationship to do. I mean, can you imagine if lesbians and gay guys were marrying each other? I don't think anyone wants to see the end of that BBC documentary.    http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/tittertime/C2td http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/tittertime/C2td/commentary#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:01:40 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/tittertime/C2td Tyler Tyler 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2td/ There's a great diary up on the rec list at Daily Kos about the devastating impact of the Illinois budget crisis . Here in California, where we seem to have invented the budget crisis, we're facing a similar catastrophe. Because Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Republican cronies blocked a solution to the state's looming cash crisis late last night, California is going to lose $7 to $8 billion in savings. And as a result of that, California's government is going to have to pay IOUs to those it owes for the first time in 17 years. http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/roberticruickshank/C2tf http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/roberticruickshank/C2tf/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:55:43 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/roberticruickshank/C2tf Robert Cruickshank, Courage Campaign http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/8e501f6005c216fc9b_j8m6b99j3.jpg Robert Cruickshank, Courage Campaign 1 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tf/ July 2nd could mark the beginning of the end to Prop 8, the controversial initiative that stripped California's LGBT population of the right to marry. Why? Because on July 2nd, the first hearing of the federal case brought against Prop 8 by power team Ted Olson and David Boies will be heard in the North California U.S. District Court with the case assigned to Judge Vaughn Walker . Even more dramatically, Olson and Boies, who have an amazing track record of winning cases, had requested a preliminary injunction against the initiative while the courts heard the merits of their case. In other words, this would have put the enforcement of Prop 8 in the Golden State on hold during the trial, consequently allowing same-sex marriages to occur again. The hearing on July 2nd would've centered around the merits of the injunction, but Judge Walker had other thoughts in mind, calling recently for a move to “proceed expeditiously to trial." “Given that serious questions are raised in these proceedings ... the court is inclined to proceed directly and expeditiously to the merits of plaintiffs' claims," the judge declared. “The just, speedy and inexpensive determination of these issues would appear to call for proceeding promptly to trial." (See Case Document and Motion for Preliminary Injunction , Judge Walker's Order for Trial ) http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/unitethefight/C2tl http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/unitethefight/C2tl/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:15:07 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/unitethefight/C2tl Phillip Minton http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/0dd4f024486fc945d2_7918mvztq.jpg Phillip Minton 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tl/ this wednesday porterville is having it's 1st town hall meeting and you can bet the yes on 8 people will be out there and ready to keep thanking the city for passing there resolution last sept! the city of porterville was the only city to sgin a marriage proclamtion to tell the city and the rest of tulare co to vote yes on prop 8 and they did this with out any say from the whole! community! now the gay community and the people that are for civil rights for all go to every meeting that the city has! so they know! we are here and we will not put up with what they did! so far we had one yes on 8 guy show up to a meeting and it wasn't even a regular city meeting it was one for a mosquito abatement last tuesday , he got up came to the table and set down a big o'l bible on the table and said that we need to listen to gods words and to follow gods ways and if we can't do that then we need to change the city motto from "in god we trust" to something else! and before he left he said his buddy dennis townsend send him down there cuz he heard what was going on down here at these meetings! so i get up and i say i'm a lesbian, i believe in god, and if anyone would like to talk after the meeting about prop 8 or what this guy was saying i'll be glad to talk with anyone or get my e-mail out to anyone that would like to have this talk so afther the meeting! no one came up too me! we have a lot of education to do in porterville and tulare co! in porterville out of the 51,468 people only 11,104 people voted! in the nov vote! we have started phone banking, but we need a biger GOTV movement! and we need to hold are only town hall meeting on marriage equality these are all things we are working on here in tualre co and in porterville! thats why we need you! to come out for civil rights and show this community that equality is for all! don't let one city and the churches here be the only voice heard here! come and help us! strength in numbers! jessica, tulare co equality team,team coordinator porterville ca *don't care about the tile i care about working for equality* The Porterville City Council is scheduling four community or town hall meetings to provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions or express concerns to the City Council and staff. Four meetings are proposed: Sector 1: 7 p.m. July 27 at Sequoia Middle School.(make up dated one) *Sector 2: 7 p.m. July 1 at Los Robles Elementary School, Sector 3: 7 p.m. Monday June 29 at Santa Fe Elementary School (Spanish-language program). Sector 4: 7 p.m. July 14 at Bartlett Middle School. As vice-mayor, I encourage everyone in Porterville to take advantage of this opportunity to attend any or all of the meetings and let the council and staff know what your concerns are and what changes you would like to see. City Council members represent the community and we need to hear what you want and need. Pete V. McCracken Member of the City Council City of Porterville, Calif. PeteMcCracken@PortervilleCA.gov The Resolution The council resolution reads: WHEREAS, in 2000 over 61 percent of Californians voted in favor of Proposition 22 to reaffirm that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California; and WHEREAS, because Proposition 22 language was not placed into the state Constitution when it was approved, four activist judges from San Francisco wrongly overturned the people’s vote; and WHEREAS, in November 2008, Proposition 8 will provide California voters the opportunity to reverse the court’s decision and restore the will of the people by defining marriage as between a man and a woman in the state Constitution; and WHEREAS, in health education classes, state law requires teachers to instruct children as young as kindergartens about marriage, and Proposition 8 protects our children from being taught in public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage; and WHEREAS, Proposition 8 protects marriage as an essential institution of society and safeguards the important role of a traditional family. While death, divorce and other circumstances may prevent the ideal, the best situation for a child is to be raised by a married mother and father; and WHEREAS, Proposition 8 contains the same 14 words that were previously approved by the voters of California: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California,” and by placing these words into the state Constitution, activist judges cannot strike them down as unconstitutional. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Porterville hereby pledges support for Proposition 8 and urges Porterville voters to protect the sanctity of traditional marriage by voting yes on Proposition 8. Disposition: Staff direction given. 17. REQUEST BY COUNCIL MEMBER – CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 8 Recommendation: That the Council provide direction to staff. Deputy City Manager Lollis introduced the item. Council Member Ward indicated that he had requested the item, and spoke in support of Proposition 8. Mayor Hamilton indicated that he supported the resolution and would like the Council to challenge the County government and incorporated cities to support Proposition 8 by resolution. Council Member Felipe Martinez spoke spoke Page 9 of 11 in favor of the resolution. Vice-Mayor McCracken expressed his concern with passing a resolution in support, and indicated that he would be more comfortable with a proclamation or letter of support. Council Member Martinez spoke in support of Proposition 8. COUNCIL ACTION: MOVED by Council Member Pedro Martinez, SECONDED by Council Resolution 83-2008 Member Ward that the City Council approve the draft Resolution 83-2008 resolution in support of Proposition 8. The motion carried unanimously. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS • Dennis Townsend, 633 N. Westwood, spoke in favor of Council’s action on Item No. 17.(hey i thought he lived in springville ca) #39 8th-September-2008 Ohso Established Member Rep Power: 6574 Re: Radical Homosex Attack on Marriage permalink -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CCF's Marriage Proclamation passes in Porterville (Campaign for Children & Families - Weimar Kalifornia) Taking the lead for marriage in the Central Valley is the little city of Porterville, in Tulare County, California. On Sept. 2, the Porterville City Council unanimously passed CCF's Marriage Proclamation endorsing Proposition 8, the California Marriage Amendment. And in their excitement over fighting against the California Supreme Court's homosexual "marriage" ruling, the council sent out news releases challenging other Central Valley city and county governments to also pass the Marriage Proclamation to restore marriage licenses to a man and a woman, a bride and a groom. Put your community on the map for marriage. Download the Marriage Proclamation today PDF. Identify pro-family city councilmembers or county supervisors in your area. Then ask them to introduce and pass the Marriage Proclamation to take a public stand for marriage between a man and a woman and for Proposition 8. Alert: Download and use the Marriage Proclamation PDF http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tQ http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tQ/commentary#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:02:49 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tQ jessica http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/1122e44209835af725_dxw2mvfg9.jpg jessica 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tQ/ For those who think we in the LGBTQ community should call our marriages something else remember it is an issue of "KINSHIP". There are only 3 legal ways to establish Kinship: by Marriage, Blood (birth) or adoption. Until the legal definition of Kinship is changed the only way to acquire the rights and responsibilities for same=sex couples is through Marriage. http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/brockneeley/C2tK http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/brockneeley/C2tK/commentary#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:02:55 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/brockneeley/C2tK Brock http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/3c392b1fc274e44ccf_kjcrmveco.jpg Brock 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tK/ Lt. Dan Choi, from Orange County, California, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an Iraq War veteran. On Tuesday, he will face a panel of colonels who will decide whether or not to fire him -- to discharge him from the military for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. An amazing 140,000 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to President Obama a few weeks ago. Now he needs your help again. Please join over 44,003 people and sign the letter of support and add your own (optional) personal message. When we told Dan earlier today about the amazing response he got choked up. It's important that Dan walks into the courtroom holding as many signatures of support as possible for his fight to continue serving his country, no matter who he loves. Will you add your name? Flip it for the email Dan sent to Courage members earlier today. http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/juliarosen/C2tb http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/juliarosen/C2tb/commentary#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:54:25 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/juliarosen/C2tb Julia Rosen, Online Political Director http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/0ca8c47d776c223f85_zb4mv24s8.jpg Julia Rosen, Online Political Director 2 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tb/ 6/26/2009 1:25 PM I sat in the den dying, By Val Littlewolf Heike Blood draining from my heart racing through my open vein, All these years I protected her, She didn’t care or see the pain her husband caused me, She cared only for her first daughter and nothing I ever tried mattered, Whatever her bossy daughter wanted was all that mattered, I had given up much to care for her, They talked and laughed as I died, All that mattered was Diana, She was all; no one else counted in her heart, As my last breathe came in gasp my gifts were set on the curb, Texas, Diana and her boyfriend matter more than me, All those times when I cared for her she wished me dead, So I go now for what awaits, No tears will fall from her; contend within Diana’s view…. I Die! The Sock written before I came out The Sock Written November 1998 Upon the Car rests, one shoe, Standing upon the hill memories flood past my minds eye, I remember the sound of metal, Memories of that tragic night, With tears in my eyes, Hurt of his UN -wiliness to accept, unable to understand, Memories of his words, Echoing in my ears, The cold look in his empty eyes, Unable to accept our love, She was my heart, my PASSION, Searched long for finely we found hope, Then like HELL breaking loose, Peace was gone, Trying to fight for her, Thorough his anger he pulled the revolver he carried, Funny you don’t hear the gun, It seems to be bigger then the moon, Blocks out all else in your vision, When it rips its way home, its more shock then pain, I heard her scream! When I came to, they were GONE. GONE, GONE! Holding my side, tears in my eyes, Blood seeping from me, my life slipping from me, Nothing matters anymore, Alone again, So Alone, Then I know not how I stood upon that hill, Bending down I picked up a sock, Standing up, I felt her hand in mine, Tears burst forth; it was like coming home, Both dead, peaces forever, No one could object, or hurt us again, No longer alone, Val Littlewolf Copyright ©2004 Val Littlewolf http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/valheike/C2tH http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/valheike/C2tH/commentary#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:34:38 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/valheike/C2tH User from Waukon, IA User from Waukon, IA 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tH/ Hey everyone! Well we are up and running full speed ahead! Our first event had a great turn out. We signed up quite a few volunteers and enjoyed each others company. Now we are on to the next phase....Phone Banking. Yes now it is time to put our dedication and determination to work. Check out the events so that you can sign up to come out next Thursday. We will be having a hot dog social after we finish calling so that we can contiue to strengthen our bond and stay connected together as a team. Also, we will be attending the Visalia Courage Crusaders on Wednesday, June 24th for their phone bank. If anyone is interested contact us so that we can either give you directions or arrange for a ride. It is important not only to work in our County, but join with the other Equality Teams to better the whole Central California. The more voices, the more impact! So check out their posting under events and RSVP! Remember to make a difference you must be the difference! Together we can make a change! http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/melissafreitas/C2tr http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/melissafreitas/C2tr/commentary#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:49:05 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/melissafreitas/C2tr Melissa http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/2b1ecfd062ba83d1ab_4f88mv3kh.jpg Melissa 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tr/ “TRADITIONAL” MARRIAGE Next, it’s important to discuss what this issue is supposed to be about: marriage. Anti-gay advocates love to use the word “tradition” because it is emotionally prejudicial as it plays into people’s inherent fear of change. However. this is not a legal argument nor is it a valid argument for denying rights to a group of individuals. Neither is it a tenable argument. for it relies on the faulty premise that history has provided us with a consistency in the foundation of marriage. Marriage as is commonly known today is actually a relatively novel concept in the history of mankind. Depending upon the culture, religion, politics, and period of history, one may find a myriad of formations. Even among Christian people. marriage has undergone a metamorphosis contingent upon the needs of the people. When anti-gay advocates use the term “traditional’. 1 always wonder what tradition and what time. Do we support early 19th century traditional marriages when married women had no legal standing, could not own property, sign contracts, or legally control any earned wages? When the minimum age of consent for sexual intercourse in most states was 10 years old and in Delaware seven? When some states allowed boys as young as 14 and girls as young as 12 to marry with parental consent? Or do we support mid-1900 traditional marriages when in 12 states a woman could still not make legal contracts? When it was illegal to sell contraceptives? When in 13 states interracial marriage was forbidden and punishable by prison? Or do we support 1977 marriages when no states outlawed rape in marriage? Or in 1990. when only 10 states outlawed rape in marriages? I also find it somewhat hypocritical for the Church to appeal to people’s emotions and use the “tradition” argument when it was on the receiving end of such abuse during its polygamy era. The Church more than anyone in this country should know how persecution feels. There are actually two kinds of marriages that people in America maintain: a legal marriage and a ceremonial marriage. Legal marriage is a relationship between three parties — the two individuals plus the state. (Ceremonial marriage, often called a “wedding,” is quite distinct from legal marriage and is a relationship, not with the state. but between the couple. their religion and usually their familial and social circle. While many opposite-sex couples engage in both legal and ceremonial marriage, these two forms of marriage are entirely distinct legally and functionally — under the United States’ Constitutional separation of church and state. The word “marriage” is so emotionally charged that people fail to recognize the difference between legal and ceremonial marriage. To them it’s one and the same. The Knight Initiative, however, actually only precludes same- sex legal marriages not ceremonial marriages. Currently. many same-sex couples receive ceremonial marriages (weddings) each year by gay-friendly churches. If Knight passes, gay couples will continue to manifest their love in front of their friends and family by getting married in these churches. However, their marriage will not be legally recognized by the state of California (incidentally, they are already not recognized in California or in any state — the Knight Initiative merely codifies into law the status quo). They will be denied legal protection and benefits that are accrued to all opposite-sex marriages. In sum, they will be treated as unequal members of our society. On the other hand, if same-sex marriages were legally recognized. the state could never three any church or institution to offer same-sex ceremonial marriages. The separation of church and state completely allows this. Mormons. Catholics and Southern Baptists could continue to deny ceremonial marriages to same-sex couples. The state-enforced prohibition on same-sex marriages is nothing but the result of mob rule. There is no valid moral argument to deny equal rights to people simply because you dislike or fear them. As Oscar Wilde wrote, “Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people whom we personally dislike.” The same can be said of the Knight Initiative. Many claim that the state should forbid same-sex marriages on moral principles (read: Biblically interpreted laws). These arguments are worn and tired. Biblical laws were used to validate slave ownership in America. They were used to deny women’s rights. They were used to forbid interracial marriages. The arguments are always the same: it’s the persecuted group that changes. Hate, fear and prejudice have always been traditional human values but why should be uphold them? It’s time we change this tradition! http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/brockneeley/C2tc http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/brockneeley/C2tc/commentary#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:40:57 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/brockneeley/C2tc Brock http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/3c392b1fc274e44ccf_kjcrmveco.jpg Brock 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tc/ getting hit hard agian by hate! ok it's time agian to fight even harder now in the local porterville paper everytime someone writes a letter to the editor about no on prop 8 we get slam with yes! on 8 letters! and they never have a even amount 1st is a link to a good letter the only one so far then they slam us! with two! http://www.recorderonline.com/articles/mental-41887-orientation-medical.html http://www.recorderonline.com/articles/support-41903-kathryn-calling.html http://www.recorderonline.com/opinion/voices-41902-common-friend.html so plz comment on this write in! to the paper! slam! them back and let the city know and the paper that we will know longer put up with this!! thanks jessica tulare co equality team! http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tW http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tW/commentary#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:03:21 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tW jessica http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/1122e44209835af725_dxw2mvfg9.jpg jessica 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tW/ The gracious and disarmingly honest mentor to aspiring fashion designers on the hit TV show "Project Runway, Tim Gunn was kind enough to record this special message for Courage Campaign members. As Tim likes to say to his designers, it's time to "Make it Work!" If you're ready to get to work and have some fun, watch this video and then RSVP for a special "Make it Work!" Equality Team event near you. More than 20 “Make it Work!” events are scheduled between June 18-28. Find one near you and join the fun. Flip it for the full message from the fabulous Tim Gunn and Make it Work! http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/juliarosen/C2tZ http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/juliarosen/C2tZ/commentary#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:30:26 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/juliarosen/C2tZ Julia Rosen, Online Political Director http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/0ca8c47d776c223f85_zb4mv24s8.jpg Julia Rosen, Online Political Director 1 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tZ/ Gay.com Gay.com – Thu Jun 11, 3:46 pm ET Throughout history, injustice has often been met with protest, taking on many different forms such as marches, rallies, boycotts, riots, hunger strikes, lawsuits, and civil disobedience. Consider the case of Dr. Martin Luther, a German theologian and Augustinian monk. On October 31st, in the year 1517, Luther, who was then a professor of Theology at the University of Wittenberg in Germany, nailed a document on the door of the “Schlosskirche” (Castle Church) located in Wittenberg. This document now known as the “95 Thesis” was a response in protest to the selling of indulgences by the Catholic Church. This act of protest brought about the beginning of significant change within the Church as a whole and inspired the Protestant Reformation. Today, we are engaged in a struggle for change yet again, as the State tries to define the meaning of the word marriage and who among us has the rights to the benefits of such an alliance. Before we can decide the question of who has the rights to marry, we must ask the question “Who has the right to decide what the definition of marriage is?†fulfill their inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have standing for our argument in the Nations’ founding documents. Further standing for the argument against Proposition 8 can be made on the grounds that marriage is a civil matter, with licenses being issued by the State and not the Church. Support for our position can also be found in the Bible, when you consider that the concept of marriage is about loving another person. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians writes: “Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but delights in truth. Love always protects, love always trusts. Love always hopes, love always perseveres, and love never ends. Three gifts have been given to us—they are faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love. Therefore, make love your aim.” 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13 And so, we, the Gay and Lesbian citizens of the State of California, seeking only to love one another and live self-determined lives, enumerate the following truths as we define our rights and defend our argument against Proposition 8: 1. We, the Gay and Lesbian citizens of the State of California, a State of the United States of America, being subject to the laws and regulations of both State and Union, are bound together with our brother and sister citizens in the words of our Founding Fathers, that all men are created Equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as granted by the Declaration of Independence, which was signed by the U.S. Congress on July 4th, 1776. 2. We are entitled to live in peace along with our brothers and sisters, free from the confines of religious persecution, and are also entitled to enjoy the separation of Church and State, as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, ratified on December 15, 1791. 3. We are entitled to worship God as we see fit, or not, and to seek out our own truth, without the interference from peripheral or literal interpretations of the Bible. 4. We, being citizens of both State and Union, are bound by the rule of the laws of this State and Union, and therefore are entitled to the same rights and privileges as our brothers and sisters who are granted such rights by those laws. We do not seek special rights, only equal rights justly applied. 5. We are required to pay taxes to both the State and Union, and therefore should be equally accorded all the rights of certain privileges and tax benefits given to our brother and sister citizens, whether through business or personal associations. 6. We are entitled to the right of self-determination, and as such are entitled to decide how best to fulfill our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, so long as we abide by the laws of the State and Union, contribute to the general welfare, and do not engage in the harming of other persons. 7. We are entitled to live out the truth of our lives openly, honestly, and with respect and dignity, so that we may achieve our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness without the interference of governments, churches, associations, or individuals who seek to dehumanize and demonize us. 8. We are entitled to equal protection under the law, when it comes to employment, housing, education, and other such necessary social services and activities that relate to our contribution to the general welfare of both the State and Union. 9. We are entitled to protection under the law, when our security and general welfare are being threatened with physical and mental violence, including such protections which would be classified under hate-crime laws. 10. We have the right to seek protection as a minority class and to seek the protections granted to other minority groups through the laws of the State and the Union, which include, but are not limited to, such legislation as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. 11. We are entitled to choose our partners or spouses, free from the interference of governments, churches, associations, and individuals who might consider such relationships harmful or detrimental to the general welfare. Our right to self-determination supersedes the right of such entities to decide how we are to live our lives, who we choose to live with, and how we contribute to our own well being. 12. We are entitled to due process when it comes to the implementation of rights which are granted or denied by initiative or electoral processes, as guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. 13. We are entitled to a review of due process when governments, churches, associations, and individuals impose certain limitations and regulations upon the citizens of our community through initiative, electoral, or judicial processes. 14. We, being full-fledged citizens of the State and Union, and having the right to self-determination, are entitled to enjoy the separation of Church and State, and as such, are not bound by any religious definition of marriage, and as such are entitled to enjoy the benefits of partnerships which are granted to our brothers and sisters through the act of civil marriage. 15. We are not bound by a spiritual requirement to enjoy the benefits of civil partnership or marriage. Neither are our brothers and sisters. Churches may impose a spiritual requirement on the sacrament of marriage, but are limited from imposing their will upon civil ceremonies as granted by the separation of Church and State. Therefore, the Church’s authority over marriage is not valid. 16. We are entitled to the same reproductive rights as our brothers and sisters, and as such, so long as we abide by the laws of the State and Union, and contribute to the general welfare through the payment of taxes, have the right to raise our children without the interference of governments, churches, associations, and individuals who may consider such family relationships harmful or detrimental. Each family, so long as all are citizens of the State and Union, contributes to the general welfare, and does not engage in the harming of other persons, has that right to self-determination. 17. We are entitled to the same right of privacy granted to our brothers and sisters, and as such, have the right to determine the course of our relationships without the interference of governments, churches, associations, and individuals who may consider such relationships harmful or detrimental, so long as such privacy does not endanger or harm other persons, nor violate the laws of the State or Union. 18. We are entitled to the enjoyment of economic prosperity through the efforts of our labors, and through the efforts of our own self-determination. 19. We have the right to seek, through all civil and political spheres, changes which we deem necessary in order to gain new rights, benefits, and protections from harm, in order to secure our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as well as our right to self-determination. 20. We have the right to contribute to the general welfare of our State and Union, and as such, should be accorded the right to serve in the armed forces of the United States of America openly, in a dignified and respectable manner. It is the self-determined right of every person to defend their Nation. 21. We, being entitled to equal treatment under the law, are also entitled to equal treatment as our brothers and sisters in the arenas of medical care and decisions, insurance coverage, adoption, workers compensation, victim’s rights, lawsuits, property, probate, inheritance, and other such rights granted to married heterosexual partners. 22. We have the right to redress unnecessary and illegal persecution and discrimination from the citizens of the State, and have the right to address our grievances in Courts of Law, the State Assembly, the United States Congress, the electoral process, and if necessary through civil disobedience. 23. We have the right to seek corrections in laws which contain persecution and discriminatory language which are achieved through the abuse of judicial and electoral processes that were meant to protect the rights of the citizens of the State and Union, and as such have the right to seek out the changes necessary to ensure our right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and self-determination. 24. We have the right to correct the injustice brought upon us through the course of Proposition 8, and the California Supreme Court decision of May 26, 2009, and as such will seek to address our concerns through the electoral and legal processes with the help of our sympathetic brothers and sisters who agree with our cause. 25. We, the Gay and Lesbian citizens of the State of California, have the right to ensure that any attempt to deny us basic civil liberties in the future will be met with our fullest efforts, through the Courts of Law, to secure that which we deem is necessary to fulfill our right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and self-determination. The inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the entitlement to enjoy them were granted to all citizens of the Nation, not just a select class. These are the basic tenants of freedom and are irrevocable. It is unconstitutional to take away a persons right to self-determination, and yet today, the Gay and Lesbian citizens of California are being forced to surrender their self-determination to the whim of the voters while Proposition 8 remains in effect. Perhaps it is time to visit the door of your local church once again. Ken Potter is a freelance musician, singer, and composer living in the Los Angeles area. He is an accomplished keyboard player and arranges for vocal groups all across the country. Aside from that, he lives a quiet life. He is hoping this article reaches the ears of the religious community all over the state. This article is his first venture into the political arena. http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tX http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tX/commentary#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:15:04 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tX jessica http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/1122e44209835af725_dxw2mvfg9.jpg jessica 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tX/ so i read this blog and it made me mad! the leaders are US everyone that is going out! talking to people in places that was never brought up before! we have are orders we know what needs to be done! i guess this guy wasn't at meet in the middle nor the meeting that sunday!....or learn from last time what is needed this time around! come to the central valley buddy we need more help come out of your gay mecca!... http://sfappeal.com/news/2009/06/whats-bothering-michael-petrelis-now.php http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tt http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tt/commentary#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:11:50 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tt jessica http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/1122e44209835af725_dxw2mvfg9.jpg jessica 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tt/ PLEASE FORWARD BY EMAIL, FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, TEXT MESSAGE, TWITTER, HOWEVER YOU CAN!!!! It’s the best years of your life they want to steal! As most of you may know, the Porterville City Council went above and beyond its First Amendment responsibilities in using City Resources to campaign for Prop 8 last fall. Under the cover of darkness, they passed a resolution urging Portervillians to vote in favor of Prop 8. They were the only City Council in the entire State to take such a hateful position! Once the word got out, we filled the next City Council meeting with speaker after speaker during the public comment hearing to force them to listen to individual testimonies about how their hate mongering hurt real live people. The next meeting is this coming Tuesday June 16, 2009 at 7PM at City Hall on Main Street in Porterville, and you are needed to put a human face on the issue again. This is true, whether you live in Porterville or not. If you work here, if you shop here, if you went to school here, if your friend or family did any of these things, or if you think you ever might, you are affected by what has been done by the Council AND THEY NEED TO HEAR ABOUT IT. Last time, thanks to your help, gay, straight, young and old, Council heard the truth, and so did the world. 2 TV stations were present, at least one newspaper, and video for online was made too. Episode 2 is next Tuesday. YOU CAN BE SURE THE PRO-H8-ERS IN TOWN WILL BE OUT IN FORCE THANKING THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR "BRAVE AND PRINCIPLED AND CORRECT STAND". Do not let that be the majority voice the Council will hear!!!! *** Let Fury Rule the Hour Anger Can Be Power Do You Know that You Can Use It? *** Who is invited: Everyone, gay, straight, friends, family. anyone who understands the number one principle about America is that we don't take affirmed rights away from people, not at all, and especially not because of a majority vote in a single election. Age: 6-100 When: 7PM Where: Porterville City Hall, Main Street What: Speak for up to 3-5 minutes before Porterville City Council about how having your rights, or your loved one's rights, taken away, or potentially taken away, and how it hurts Porterville as a City when our Council propagates hate under the guise of official government business. You can speak for 15 seconds of until they cut you off, I don't care, but I want as many people as possible to show up and speak, I want to see at least 100 people, whether they are from PFLAG, local gay straight alliances, whoever, wherever. Vislalia, Tulare, come on over. We are making Porterville the center point for same sex marriage rights in the Valley, for all of you, and we can't do it without your support. I especially want to see high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, who were not old enough to vote last time, but will be by November 2010 or November 2012. Just be there, even if you think you won't want to speak. Council will know why you are there, even if you don't say a word. How it works: After the pledge of allegiance, the Mayor will say that there is no an open comment period if anyone has anything to explain. One by one, until there are no more, everyone can go up, state their name and hometown (some people give their street address, but I don't and it is not necessary), and then they speak from the heart. You can use notes or read what you have to say if it helps. The Council members are supposed to only listen and not make comments in return. Tell them how you feel! Do not hold back! After the comments, Council will conduct its regular meeting. There is another open comment period and everyone can speak again. In theory they can cut people off around 11 and adjourn the meeting, but I think politically that would be unwise for them to do if a lot of people are waiting to speak. I would like everyone to stay until the 2nd comment period and speak again on what occurred to you while you heard the others speak. I know it will be late, and I know you have to go to school or work in the morning. But fighting for your rights is hard work, and sometimes that means staying up late and missing a bit of sleep! You need not be out to make comments, and you will not be outing yourself by speaking. You may be nervous or scared, this is natural. No matter how shy you are, you can do it. Even if your entire speech is "I am (your name), a voting citizen of Porterville, and what you have done is wrong", that is enough! Why: Goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway. California now has 3 classes of people where there should be 1: - People who can marry their loved ones anytime - People who can never marry their loved ones on the basis of being homosexual - People who are already married, but because they are homosexual, should they become single again through either divorce or death of spouse, can never marry again In addition, we have learned, that in California, the rights of *any* minority exist only so long so dudes with a clipboard don;'t think working for minimum wage to collect signatures on a ballot measure to take them away is a good use of their time. It was a good enough use of their time last year though, and it will be again - times are tough! Value: If the news from the Supreme Court has not completely radicalized you, attending this meeting will. Democracy means face to face discussions, and this is the way to do it. Directions: 65 N or S to Henderson Avenue exit, heading EAST. About 1 mile to Main Street, turn right. About 4/4 mile on right is City Hall, just past Bank of America. Do not let this opportunity to help persuade the world what is right pass you by! *** No man born with a living soul Can be working for the clampdown The voices in your head are calling Stop wasting your time, there’s nothing coming Only a fool would think someone could save you The men at the factory are old and cunning You don’t owe nothing, so boy get runnin’ It’s the best years of your life they want to steal http://www.portervillenerd.com/ http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tR http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tR/commentary#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:41:03 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/jessicamahoney/C2tR jessica http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/1122e44209835af725_dxw2mvfg9.jpg jessica 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tR/ I have been at Wal-Mart for a year now and was promoted back in January 2009. about a month after my promotion I started being harrassed by a particular member of management just after I came out as being gay. Up until then I had a spotless record at Wal-mart and had been awarded associate of the month and rising star within the first month of employment. Now I am on the verge of being fired. I filed a complaint with corporate which was supposed to take two weeks to complete that was a month ago with no resolution as of this post. I am seeking help with fighting Wal-Mart if anyone has suggestions feel free to contact me. angelleboy@aol.com http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/marcsiino/C2th http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/marcsiino/C2th/commentary#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:43:54 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/marcsiino/C2th User from Pittsburg, CA User from Pittsburg, CA 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2th/ Rick and I are one of the 18,000 legally married same sex couples. We are outraged at the courts decision and want to channel our emotions into a positvie attraction campaign. Were not sure what that looks like but we are here. We have started talking to all of our friends and family about the Marriage Equality situation in California and have invited many of them to tell us here at the blog what how or what our marriage has affected or influenced thier lives. Please feel free to share at any time. http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/elliottrick/C2tN http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/elliottrick/C2tN/commentary#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:25:48 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/elliottrick/C2tN Rick and Elliott http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/profile_picture/9bc30f6b26940e7349_oxm6ibj64.jpg Rick and Elliott 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tN/ This is a post that is currently on my blog about my life as a mom to 2 teenagers and a toddler. It is at mothahhood.wordpress.com Dear Mr. President, While I would never presume that you will actually ever read this, I am going to write it anyway. The Supreme Court today, rejected, some yadda-yadda thing about DADT (I'm not trying to make light, I just really don't know the details and for now, am too tired to study up on it. I do, however, know the gist.). A couple of weeks ago, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, preventing gay couples from marrying in the State of California. It wasn't that long ago that the same conversation took place about people of color in the military, women in the military, interracial marriage. It seems that gay is the new black. You may wonder where a letter like this fits in a blog about being a parent. This is exactly the place it belongs. It belongs here on behalf of my children for whom I wish a world in which equal rights are a given, and on behalf of the children who have had to lose their jobs because of their sexual orientation. I write it on behalf of all children who would be safer because of having certain individuals back in the military protecting us rather than back here fighting for the very rights the rest us take for granted. When you were running for president, you stated explicitly, that while you were not personally in favor of gay marriage, you were in favor of equal rights and that you would very quickly into your presidency, overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Now, I understand that you are a very busy man, running a country that was previously run into the ground, dealing with a war started by criminals, trying to rescue a sinking economy that was set afloat and then popped by your predecessor, etc, etc. You are busy, as am I. I don't run a country, but I do run a household, and I can tell you that it is no easy task either. All in one week, washing machines break, brakes on 2 year old cars go, toilets back up, lamps short out, televisions flash their dying whatever it is they flash, children get sick, dinners need to get made, etc, etc. (BTW, I have been in chronic pain for the last 2 1/2 years as well and I am here to tell you that that in and of itself, is a bitch.) Like you, I have almost no time off, no time to myself, and people who rely on me for their every little (and big) thing. O.K., to get to the point. We all have tasks that we put off, even willing to take on harder, more grandiose tasks, to avoid doing-tasks that (and here is the important part) when all is said and done, we imagine to be much harder, much more onerous, much more difficult than they really are. In our imaginations, we make the task bigger than it is and in doing so, we give the task power over us. (For an example, see my post from last week called "A Daunting Task.") You can, with the stroke of your pen, overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell. There is a bill in the House called HR 1283, which, when it passes, will do just that. But meanwhile, you hold the power in your hand. You know the facts-since DADT became policy, 13,000 service men and women were released from their duties-men and women who actually want to be in the military, all the while extending tours of personnel who want to come home. There is no evidence that keeping gays and lesbians out of the military is of any benefit to our country and could, in fact, be a major detriment. The public, overwhelmingly (yes, church going Republicans, even), are in favor of ending DADT. It is time. It is a task, that I can only imagine, seems worse to you than it could ever actually be. Once DADT is repealed, the conversation around it will disappear, the people who support you will continue to support you, those who don't will continue to not, and those that are now sitting on the fence, those GLBT folks who supported you in a big way and are having doubts, will have faith that they will see equal rights in their own lifetimes. We will have access to thousands more troops who can live their lives openly, willing to fight for and die for our country just like any other poor soul. (I can't believe I actually just typed those words, considering what a pacifist I am.) Let those in the military closet come out. Let those that have served long past their commitments come home. Reinstate those that were discharged and give them back their dignity and honor. You are a smart man, and the writing is on the wall. DADT will end. Let it be part of your legacy to end it sooner rather than later. I assure you, once you do it, you will realize that it is not nearly as big a deal as I am imagining you are imagining it. You face big, complicated, scary issues. This one is easy. I'll make you a deal. You overturn DADT (by weeks end, let's say) and I will tackle those EOB's and medical bills in the corner of my office. What do ya say? Then I'll give you an earful on healthcare... Yes, You Can! With the utmost respect and admiration, Lesly M. nufced http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/mothahhood/C2tp http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/mothahhood/C2tp/commentary#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:32:26 PDT http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/post/mothahhood/C2tp mothahhood mothahhood 0 http://couragecampaign.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2tp/