Post from Julia Rosen's Blog:
Fidelity: This video will break your heart
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Today we are proud to debut "Fidelity", to put a face on the 18,000 couples facing potential forcible divorce. On December 19, 2008, Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and seeking to nullify the 18,000 same-sex marriages conducted between May and November of 2008.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, 2009, with a decision expected within the next 90 days.

Watch the video and then go sign the letter to the State Supreme Court, telling them to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund's case, and let loving committed couples marry.

A special thanks to Regina Spektor for giving us permission to use her song "Fidelity".

Flip it to see the email we sent out to Courage Campaign members earlier today.

Dear Member,

This video will break your heart.

And Ken Starr is to blame.

Yes, THAT Ken Starr. The prosecutor who led the campaign to impeach President Bill Clinton has filed a legal brief -- on behalf of the "Yes on 8" campaign -- that would forcibly divorce the 18,000 same-sex couples married in California last year before the passage of Prop 8.

News broke Tuesday that the state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on March 5, and will then make a decision within 90 days on the validity of Prop 8 and these 18,000 marriages.

When Starr's legal brief went public in December, the Courage Campaign immediately launched the "Don't Divorce..." campaign, asking our members to send us pictures with a simple message for Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund.

Those pictures, and the heartfelt messages on them, inspired blogger Paul Delehanty (also known as "kid oakland") to send us a suggestion: Would Regina Spektor allow us to put your pictures to the words and music of her hit song "Fidelity"? So, we asked her and she said yes, very enthusiastically.

Regina Spektor's song, in concert with your pictures, shines a beautiful light on the 18,000 couples that Ken Starr wants to forcibly divorce.

Click here to watch "Fidelity," the heartbreaking music video inspired by your pictures and words, and then tell the Supreme Court not to divorce 18,000 California couples. Tell the Court to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr's case, and let loving, committed couples marry. DEADLINE: Valentine's Day:

Everyone who cares about marriage equality needs to spread the word that this isn't just a court case.

The lives of your spouses, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers and your family members hang in the balance.

Please watch this video and then, if you feel as we do, please share it with your friends. The more people that see this video, the more people will understand the pain caused by Prop 8 and Ken Starr's shameful legal proceeding:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Divorce

Thank you to the amazing people who sent us these wonderful pictures. Thank you to Paul for his inspired idea and Regina for her beautiful song. And thank you for taking action to support the love of 18,000 couples across California.

Rick Jacobs
Chair

Reader Comments

Comments are closed for this post.

  
Use video for education
By User from Cupertino, CA Feb 5th 2009 at 9:48 pm PST (Updated Feb 5th 2009 at 9:48 pm PST)
Is there a way to download this video or get copy for a church class/discussion?
Re: Use video for education
By Julia Rosen, Online Political Director Feb 6th 2009 at 10:38 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 10:38 am PST)
Unfortunately, no, but you could always hook a laptop to a projector and show it that way.
Re: Use video for education
By User from Knoxville, TN Feb 24th 2009 at 6:54 am PST (Updated Feb 24th 2009 at 6:54 am PST)
many classrooms do not have internet connection. for instance tomorrow, i could show the video to 30 people but no internet.... can yuo make it downloadable?
  
As One of the 18,000 that found happiness
By User from Harpers Ferry, WV Feb 6th 2009 at 7:32 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 7:32 am PST)
Thank you...

I came to your great state on Oct 16 to web my beloved of 14 years... I can not think of a day that was so wonderful. Thank you for your hard work in allowing many others to feel the joy we felt, and to protect what we have
  
Facebook
By User from Columbia, MD Feb 6th 2009 at 9:05 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 9:05 am PST)
I would love to post this onto my facebook page to help spread the word. Are there instructions somewhere I could follow? Thanks.
Re: Facebook
By Julia Rosen, Online Political Director Feb 6th 2009 at 10:36 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 10:36 am PST)
If you post this link: Link on your profile, it will let people view it.

You could just post the link to the video as well: Link
  
Question about the letter to the Supreme Court
By Nicole Feb 6th 2009 at 9:28 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 9:28 am PST)
I have a question that might sound silly; I would like the sign the letter to nullify Prop 8, but I am currently living in Massachusetts. Will my signature still make a difference if I enter my MA zip code? Should I use my old CA zip cope instead? Is that illegal?

Thanks for any insight anyone might have. I'm new to this and not sure how everything works yet.
Re: Question about the letter to the Supreme Court
By Julia Rosen, Online Political Director Feb 6th 2009 at 10:36 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 10:37 am PST)
Sign away. We are happy to have any and all sign the letter to the Supreme Court.
  
I was moved to donate $25
By User from Mount Rainier, MD Feb 6th 2009 at 9:43 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 9:43 am PST)
I was moved to donate $25 to you organization after seeing this video on jon amato's crooks and liars.com website. sent a few friends the link also, great job!-kim
Re: I was moved to donate $25
By Julia Rosen, Online Political Director Feb 6th 2009 at 10:37 am PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 10:37 am PST)
Kim, thank you very much for your kind words and contribution!
  
Checks and balances
By User from Portland, OR Feb 6th 2009 at 5:24 pm PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 5:24 pm PST)
The Supreme Court isn't supposed to listen to my values, they're supposed to decide what's Constitutional. I like the idea of checks and balances so I'm uncomfortable signing this letter. I'm open to listening to arguments though.
  
Regina would know...
By User from Roslyn, NY Feb 6th 2009 at 9:05 pm PST (Updated Feb 6th 2009 at 9:05 pm PST)
She left Russia because she, as a Jew, was persecuted against based upon that one trait. She came to America (like my great grandparents did to escape persecution against jews) to find a better life for herself. This country CANNOT discriminate against people for any reason. NONE.

This is a beautiful video
  
Happiness
By User from Clarksville, TN Feb 7th 2009 at 1:28 pm PST (Updated Feb 7th 2009 at 1:28 pm PST)
I have a brother who is gay and before it was hard for me to accept gays but after seeing my brother happy finally, i've accepted homosexuality. over the years of life including seeing the sorrows at war being deployed multiple times, i've realized something i feel everyone should know. in this world it is hard enough for any of us to find happiness a lot of times ourselves that is it so hard to be happy for someone else? its taken some all they're lives to find happiness so what makes a simple right any different? who are the ones to have the right to decide what is ethical to say what makes us happy? if you say it just isn't right then thats not a good enough answer. i hope the ones against this right reads this because just like most religions teach to treat others the way you want to be treated. if it was one of you who oppose this right then ask yourself what makes you happy? and if what makes you happy, the world wants to take your happiness away. what will you say then?
  
Who's next
By BothSidesNow Feb 9th 2009 at 5:04 pm PST (Updated Feb 9th 2009 at 5:04 pm PST)
If gay marriages can be invalidated, what other marriages can be invalidated?
Missing from the issue is what actually constitutes a man, and a woman. It is NOT as simple as the masses think it is. There are 4 or 5 genetic conditions, in addition to transsexualism, that make this a very real question.

If you want to REALLY open a can of worms and try defending marriage as only between opposite-sexes, try proving sex! Is it defined by genetic, hormonal, physical, emotional, societal, or other factors? Force THAT issue and the opposite-sex thing will crumble because it cannot deal with legitimate exceptions.
  
People have spoken
By User from San Clemente, CA Feb 10th 2009 at 4:34 pm PST (Updated Feb 10th 2009 at 4:34 pm PST)
Prop 8 passed, the majority of people have spoken. If someone absolutely has to be married to their homosexual partner in order to be happy they should move to a state where that is acceptable and live there. How many times does the majority have to continue to pick a direction and the minority continue to try to switch it something else?
Re: People have spoken
By User from Albuquerque, NM Feb 12th 2009 at 3:13 pm PST (Updated Feb 12th 2009 at 3:13 pm PST)
Why is it that people seem to think that civil liberties and rights are "given" to groups of people based on a "majority" vote?!?! Civil rights come from the Constitution and courts that interpret that wonderful, ever developing document. For one group of people to decide the civil rights of another is destructive and very much UNCONSTITUTIONAL...history is repeating itself...Japanese internment camps, bi-racial marriage, African-American voting rights, women's voting rights...
We won't tell churches they have to perform weddings. All we want as Americans is the right to a civil contract...that is my civil right.
Re: People have spoken
By User from East Arlington, VT Feb 16th 2009 at 9:32 am PST (Updated Feb 16th 2009 at 9:32 am PST)
I think it's a sad thing that any person or group of people think they have the right or authority to decide what is best for EVERYONE. My sister was married to her same sex partner 15 years ago and they have two beautiful little girls and are very happy. Who thinks they havethe right to say that they do not deserve to be happy. She found in one try what it took me three marriages to do. What really gets me is the religious fanatics who preach that homosexuality is wrong, but ingore the scripture thats says "Judge not that you shall not be judged" It is not the governments or the churches place to decide what constitues holy matrimony, only GOD can do that. Until judgement day arrived I say Live and let live... and then hope that you have done committed no sins in your lifetime.
Re: People have spoken
By User from Chicago, IL Feb 17th 2009 at 4:08 pm PST (Updated Feb 17th 2009 at 4:08 pm PST)
The "majority rules" argument is simply not enough.

Remember, there was a time when Americans accepted that women should not have the right to vote. There was a time when it was accepted that the enslavement of out black brothers and sisters was legally acceptable. There was a time when it was believed that the internment of Japanese-Americans, and the theft of their property, was justifiable.

This is a civil rights issue that is no less important than voting rights.

What is at stake is whether or not we, as a nation, are to live up to the heritage left to us by our forefathers:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
  
Fearful Leader
By User from New York, NY Feb 11th 2009 at 5:12 am PST (Updated Feb 11th 2009 at 5:12 am PST)
Excellent video, though I'm a bit perplexed by the opening line of the text, "We, the undersigned, share President Barack Obama's view that ..."

Isn't Obama officially against gay marriage?

Link
  
Created Equal Video-MC FLOW
By User from San Diego, CA Feb 13th 2009 at 12:04 pm PST (Updated Feb 13th 2009 at 12:04 pm PST)
Thank you so much for your time and for what you do! I would like to direct your attention to a phenominally talented and politically outspoken hiphop artist-MCFLOW, whose video "Created Equal" features the people of San Diego in solidarity against discrimination. Please take a moment to watch.

Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =CXSVddKQtKQ
  
Very Moving
By JT Feb 17th 2009 at 11:27 am PST (Updated Feb 17th 2009 at 11:27 am PST)
That just socked me right in the chest. My aunts, together 41 years, are one of the healthiest, most stable and loving couples I've ever known. My aunt-in-law helped name me when I was born and as a couple they had a hand in my upbringing. I am a straight male, but when I think of role-models for commitment and healthy relationships, I think of them.

They moved away from California many years ago, but this video reminded me of how sweet and funny and thoughtful they are together. Reminds me of the first time when I was a little kid that I realized they were lesbians,that it made them "different," and that it was cool anyway.

Who cares about gender when two human adults are involved? I just don't understand the Right's obsession with these issues and why they get any credence at all. Actively targeting the relatively small number of couples that were allowed to marry is just plain persecution... I can't see any rationalization from any point of view that doesn't end up there.

This has made me very sad and very angry. Anyone have any good tips/links to where a straight couple could get more involved helping with the anti-Prop 8 cause?

Why isn't anyone in the general media lambasting Starr for his bizarre fascination with with other people's privates?
  
Fidelity
By User from Twinsburg, OH Feb 25th 2009 at 3:59 am PST (Updated Feb 25th 2009 at 3:59 am PST)
My partner of 32 years and I were married in Palm Springs on October 30th by a United Church of Christ minister.

We live in Twinsburg Ohio and wish you the best of luck in invalidating this initiative.

As a word of encouragement, the pastors at my church (Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ)in Cleveland now refuse to sign state marriage certificates until they can sign them for everyone who can marry.

I encourage you to approach your church leaders to do the same. Perhaps then we can truly separate Church from State and allow all people to enjoy their inalienable rights.
  
from the Netherlands
By Unknown user Feb 26th 2009 at 4:03 am PST (Updated Feb 26th 2009 at 4:03 am PST)
Hi there, is there anything we can do from the Netherlands??? I would donate, but I don't have a creditcard, we have a different system here, so it's not very common to have one :(

Love the video and Regina Spektor is a great artist!
  
Freedom & Liberty for ALL
By User from Louisville, KY Mar 2nd 2009 at 8:58 am PST (Updated Mar 2nd 2009 at 8:58 am PST)
I do not have to pass a litmus test or "code of moral behavior" to be "acceptable" for being a homosexual man.
My partner does not have to pass any such test or "code of moral behavior" to be "acceptable" for being black.
Nor do we, as a couple, have to live by any one else's "code of moral behavior" to have the same legal right's as everyone else.

I DO NOT have to be "BORN" a homosexual man for it to be "acceptable" for me to be a homosexual man!

As well I do not have to define my relationship, or live by some one else's rule's and parameter's, to have the same legal right to "marry" as "...all men" do!

I am an American! I live under the Constitution of the U.S., with the Bill of Rights and, by the Rule of Law as set forth in the Constitution which was composed for "....ALL MEN..." as we now understand "all men" to be......ALL PEOPLE.

Freedom and Liberty is for every individual not a collective body.
  

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