Beyond the Wedding Ring: LGBT Activism Today
Please join us February 16, 2010 at 4 p.m. for the OnGoing LGBT Conference: LGBT & Leadership:
"Beyond the Wedding Ring:
LGBT Activism Today"
Presented by Urvashi Vaid
Ms. Vaid is author of the book, Virtual Equality: The Mainstreaming of Gay and Lesbian Liberation and was named one of Out Magazine's "50 Most Influential Leaders" in April 2009 and one of the "Top Ten Most Influential Asian Woman in America" by Ms. Magazine.
This event will take place in the Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale, MI. For more information please visit our
website. For directions, click
here. This event is free and open to the public.
Labels: gay marriage, LGBT Leadership, marriage equality, OnGoing LGBT Conference, Urvashi Vaid
What a beautiful gift Charlie gave this community!
His response to his daughter is a magnificent example of how, even though life takes us down roads we might never imagine, unexpected turns can profoundly deepen our love for one another. Kudos to Charlie for his bravery in sharing the following story:
My favorite picture of my daughter, Emily, features her in full Beverly Sills mode.
She is standing by her Fisher-Price record player and happily singing along to a song from Walt Disney's "Cinderella," the book she holds in her hands like a Verdi score. Her head is held high, her chin tilted theatrically upward. She looks like she is singing an aria to thousands at Carnegie Hall, not in our living room singing to me.
That was Emily for you. Ask her to sing a song and she gladly complied, transporting herself to the stage in the process. While other girls her age were rocking to Madonna, Emily dreamed of being Shirley Jones.
Whether watching "Rainbow Brite" on TV, bouncing on the couch to the tune of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" or immersing herself in a Berenstain Bears book, Emily sang and danced and read with a joy that seemed to come from someplace bright and beautiful.
My mom always said Emily dropped from heaven. Emily's mother, Wendy, and I felt she had wisdom beyond her years, as if she came into the world already knowing things.
But what Emily did not have, despite dear friends, was one particular friend, one person who cared more about her than about anyone else in the world. That was a person I very much wanted her to meet, because I did not want Emily to go through this hard world alone.
Finding that special one
Finally, she met that person. Her name is Nicole.
Labels: California Marriage Decision, Charles Honey, marriage equality
Marriage Equality is Golden
Today at 5:01 p.m. PST, my beloved California will begin allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry and so another Gold Rush begins. Loving, committed couples will begin flocking to The Golden State bringing their rings of gold as well as the gold of an economic boost for the state hosting the weddings.
Meet my friends Bill Voetberg (left) and Tim Straayer (right). They will be celebrating their love and commitment to each other by marrying in California later this summer.
Bill, retired from AT&T, serves the City of Grand Rapids on the Community Relations Commission. Tim is a book editor. Both Tim and Bill are very active in the Grand Rapids Front Runners & Walkers. Additionally, Bill volunteers for Triangle Foundation.
I first met Bill about a year and half ago when he wrote a brilliant article for the Network News on current legislation impacting the LGBT community. After I read the article, I thought, "I have got to meet this guy!" We had lunch and have been friends since. Tim and Bill are downright good people -- smart, compassionate, insightful and a lot of fun. I'm so grateful to know them!
Bill was in a relationship with his partner Harold for over 31 years and cared for Harold until his death six years ago. Harold's family expressed their gratitude to Bill for this care taking and recognized that, without Bill, Harold would have had to have gone into a facility of some kind during his final days. Bill took responsibility for Harold's care because they were a loving, committed couple. After Harold's passing, Bill was unsure he would ever find love again. Enter Tim.
Tim came out later in life and soon thereafter met Bill. The rest is history. Bill and Tim have now been together for three years.
The first time I met Tim, I told him that I thought Bill was amazing -- "I'm kinda crushin' on Bill actually," I said. Tim replied, "Me too!" with a smile that lit up the room! I love these guys and I am so happy that they can express the love they feel and the responsibility they want to take for each other by making a commitment in marriage. (Did I mention this is taking place in CALIFORNIA!?)
So CONGRATULATIONS to two wonderful men! Stay tuned to my blog as I follow Bill and Tim's journey down the aisle.Labels: California Marriage Decision, marriage equality, Michigan couples marrying in California
VICTORY!
Today the California Supreme Court has struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.
In 2000, California passed the discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act.” The court ruled that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the “fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship.” The Justices ruled that the state’s “one man/one woman” marriage laws violate the civil rights of same-sex couples. (Twenty-seven states have passed discriminatory marriage amendments.)
The California marriage decision will affect over 36 million people – well over 10% of the nation’s total population – including more than 100,000 same-sex couples in California – one quarter of whom have children (according to the US Census).
In a 4-3 decision, drafted by Chief Justice Ronald George, the court stated: “In light of the fundamental nature of the substantive rights embodied in the right to marry — and their central importance to an individual’s opportunity to live a happy, meaningful, and satisfying life as a full member of society — the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all individuals and couples, without regard to their sexual orientation.”
The California Supreme Court ruled that domestic partnerships are not a substitute for marriage and that same sex couples should be permitted to marry. The court also noted: “Furthermore, in contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual’s capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual’s sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual’s sexual orientation — like a person’s race or gender — does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights. We therefore conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples.” The court’s decision takes effect in 30 days.
California has a rich history of establishing fairness for all. In 1948, the California Supreme Court was the first court in the nation to overturn a state ban on interracial marriage. The California legislature has twice passed bills to allow marriage equality. Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed both. Today the California Supreme Court Justices did their job to ensure all citizens equal treatment under the law.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who argued the case for San Francisco, stated “Today the California Supreme Court took a giant leap to ensure that everybody – not just the state of California, but throughout the country – will have equal treatment under the law.” Most Americans believe marriage equality will be a reality in their lifetimes. Two people in a committed, trusting and loving relationship deserve the dignity and support that come with marriage.
Sadly, here in Michigan, our Supreme Court took a different turn when faced with the opportunity to respect families. Just last week, the Michigan Supreme Court came to a decision that jeopardizes the health care of families in committed relationships. We look forward to the day when committed couples in Michigan have the same chance to legalize their relationships. Triangle Foundation will continue to work for fairness for all families in our state. We are inspired by California and look forward to the day when ALL citizens of Michigan will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by marrying the person they love.
Labels: California Marriage Ruling, discriminatory marriage ban, marriage equality
