Love is Love

I've seen a lot of ads for marriage equality, but for some reason this one got to me. It's from Basic Rights Oregon, our state-wide gay rights organization. They're raising money to put gay marriage up for a vote in Oregon, probably in 2012, to overturn anti-gay amendment. But first they're running campaigns like this one on cable TV stations. If all works out as we plan, Oregon could be the first state to legalize gay marriage by a popular vote.

Ten-Year Old Takes a Stand

Maybe you saw this. It aired back in November. I just learned of it because it won a GLAAD media award. This ten year old boy is so well spoken about why he won't stand to say the pledge of allegiance. And he's from Alabama. There is hope.

Same-Sex Marriage in DC

Today is the first day same-sex marriages could be performed in Washington, DC. Can you watch this video without crying? I couldn't.

Go Portia

The big news this week is that Meredith Baxter came out, after being on the Sweet Cruise that Lipstick & I were both on. Lipstick saw Meredith a couple of times on the ship and promised to write about it, but I know she's a little busy this week.

While we wait for that report, our friend Portia was on The View this morning talking about her relationship with Ellen and why the word marriage is so important. She really impressed me with how clearly she made her point. Go Portia!

Fight Inequality in Maine, Washington and Michigan

It's an off year election this year, but that doesn't mean there aren't some really important issues that will be decided this November.

In Maine, the state legislature passed a gay marriage bill and the governor signed it in May. Gay couples should be lining up at the altar right now, instead they're fight a "Prop 8" style battle because the antis gathered enough signatures to put gay marriage up for a popular vote in Maine. The battle is REALLY close. Last I check 48% for, 48% against. It is so important that we win this battle. We must show the anti-gay haters that they can't bully us at the ballot box every time our legislatures pass a law in our favor. There's many ways you can get involved from donating money to volunteering your time. The National Center for Lesbian Rights has all the details you need to get involved.

Even more scary than Maine, is the battle going on in Washington State. Washington passed a comprehensive domestic partnership bill that grants gay and lesbian couples many of the same rights as married straight people. Those bastards on the other side SAID they didn't care if we had rights, just so long as we didn't call it marriage. We knew they were lying and it's evident in their mean-spirited attempt to take domestic partnerships away from not only gay and lesbian couples, but for people over 62 years old who need the protections as well. Find out how to help out in Washington.

Kalmazoo, Michigan recently passed an anti-discrimination law, preventing gay people from getting fired from their jobs and denied housing on account of their sexual orientation. Bigots are trying to repeal that law as well through the ballot box. You can help out in Michigan too.

Won't you consider making a donation to one (or all) of these campaigns. I did!

8

Check it out, a new documentary coming soon.

http://www.mormonproposition.com/

Prop 8 Decision Coming On Tuesday

Enjoy your long weekend! On Tuesday the California Supreme Court will announce its decision on Prop 8.

After the announcement is made activists will take to the streets, either to protest or to celebrate.  I sure hope it's a celebration.  But I'm not sure what to do.  There is nothing planned for Portland.

Anyone know anything?  Will something spontaneous happen?  If you have any information, please let us know.  Because personally, I think I'm either gonna wanna burn shit down or hoot & holler and kiss my girl.  Ya know what I mean? 

Gay Marriage Storm by Stephen Colbert

Like I said before. Gay marriage is really scary. And people's fears about it can be cause for great satire. Check out Stephen Colbert's gay marriage commercial:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Colbert Coalition's Anti-Gay Marriage Ad
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

Tax Day Sucks!

Nobody really LIKES to pay taxes, but for coupled gays and lesbians, this day is just another reminder of all the ways that we are not equal citizens. 

Because of Oregon's new domestic partnership law, for the first time this year, Tiger and I were able to file jointly on the state level. Our accountant says this saved us about $300. But, because of that lovely federal law, known as The Defense of Marriage Law, we had to file separate federal taxes. 

It didn't occur to me to ask our accountant how different our taxes would be if Tiger and I could file as a married couple.  Now I wish I had. 

Fellow Portland blogger Lelo in NoPo, however did have her tax person figure out the difference.  For them the result was a whopping $1800 more that they have to pay in taxes because their relationship is not recognized.

Today the group Join the Impact is planning tax day protests around the country. Here are just a few of the ways gays and lesbian suffer on Tax Day.

• We can't file jointly for federal taxes
  
• We pay the same social security as everyone else, but cannot access our spouses benefits like straight married people can
  
• We can still be fired from our jobs in most states for being gay, lesbian, bi or trans.
  
• We cannot sponsor our same-sex partners for immigration purposes
  
• We have to pay taxes on any inheritance we receive from our partners
  
• If our companies offer health insurance for same-sex partners (which not all do), we have to pay tax on that benefit as if it were income. Straight couples don't have to do this.
  

_{© Linda Long}

Really Scary Gay Marriage

Perhaps you've seen the ads from the National Organization for Marriage. The ones where they say a really scary storm is brewing and that by allowing gay people to marry Armageddon befall us. Here it is:



Of course the Human Rights Campaign is right on top of this ad, exposing its lies. We know those who oppose same-sex marriage are getting really scared right now. When middle America Iowa legalizes gay marriage, they know they're losing the battle. So they have to resort to scare tactics. That's nothing new.

But what I thought was really funny was that somehow HRC got a hold of the audition tapes for the actors who are in this ad. Rachel Maddow showed the tape on her show. Funny:

Portia de Rossi Apologizes

Portia de Rossi realized the harm that her marriage and other gay marriages have caused to other people. So she apologized:

Watch This Video!

Peeps, check this out.


"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Have you heard that Ken Starr -- and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund -- filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and attempting to forcibly divorce 18,000 same-sex couples that were married in California last year? The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, 2009, with a decision expected within the next 90 days.

The Courage Campaign has created a video called "Fidelity," with the permission of musician Regina Spektor, that puts a face to those 18,000 couples and all loving, committed couples seeking full equality under the law.

Please watch this heartbreaking video now. If you have the same reaction that I did, you can help spread the word by sharing it with your friends ASAP -- before the Valentine's Day deadline.

The more people who see this video, the more people will understand the pain caused by Prop 8 and Ken Starr's shameful legal proceeding.

After you watch the video, please join me and over 150,000 people who have signed a letter to the state Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Starr's case.

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce

A Day Without Gays

A friend of mine sent me this Facebook Invitation (thanks Meesh!) to participate in "A Day Without Gay." Get this: it's a nationwide strike and boycott in support of marriage as a right for all americans on December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

The diretive is clear; here's what you do:

STRIKE! Call in gay. (That just means close your business, call in sick, or take the day off)

How fantastic! I'm going to ring Curve on December 10th and call in gay.

BOYCOTT! Don't buy anything, spend money or support the economy.

On your day off, however, you're not supposed to just fix your leaky faucet (butches) or get a pedicure (femmes and fags), you're suppose to PARTICIPATE! Give back, fight back or help roll back marriage discrimination.

For more, go to http://www.daywithoutagay.org/ to volunteer, petition or protest.

Can We Thank God for the Failure of Prop 8?

You decide: Below is a thought-provoking op-ed piece by Mark Morford, one man who believes so.

It's God's fault

The cruel success of Prop. 8? Not Newsom, not gays. Blame You Know Who

Protest Prop 8

I can't believe all the protests against California's Prop 8. It's kind of exciting. One thing that does make me uncomfortable, though, is how African Americans and certain religions are being targeted. Please remember that people from all backgrounds voted for and against Prop 8 --Blacks, Whites, Democrats, Republicans, Christians, atheists, etc. One thing our community does not need to participate in is race-baiting.

People of color did not start the Yes on 8 Campaign and they are not responsible for its passage. Remember, it's going to take a coalition of people to defeat anti-gay ballot measures. And defeat them we will. Let's start by participating in Prop 8 protests taking place all over the country this weekend.

Portland

 Saturday, November 15th, from 10:30 am onward at the Portland State University South Park Blocks, near the Saturday Farmer's Market.

Pride Northwest board president Debra Porta, one of the event organizers, shared these thoughts about the rally that you might want to consider:
Folks are more than welcome to bring their own signs. The only thing we ask, is that they do not target race and religion, as that defeats the purpose of our gathering.

Elsewhere

On the steps of your City Hall on November 15th at 10:30am PST /
1:30pm EST
Details: Join the Impact

A Message about Love

Spread this message, Keith Olberman nailed it on the head...

Refuse to Pay Your Taxes

The revolution starts now! For years I've been saying gays and lesbians should refuse to pay taxes until we are treated as full and equal citizens of this country. Well, yesterday, Melissa Etheridge announced that she is going to do just that.

I've always been a Melissa fan, but now I'm a Melissa follower. Here's what she said:

Okay. So Prop 8 passed. Alright, I get it. 51% of you think that I am a second class citizen. Alright then. So my wife, uh I mean, roommate? Girlfriend? Special lady friend? You are gonna have to help me here because I am not sure what to call her now. Anyways, she and I are not allowed the same right under the state constitution as any other citizen. Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books.

You're right Melissa. And I also thought that civil rights were never to be put up for a popular vote. 

For years War Resisters have refused to pay taxes to fund wars that they believe are unconscionable. I and fully support them. But I also believe refusing same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples is unconscionable. I'm seriously considering it. Anyone care to join me?

Ellen Takes a Stand for Gay Marriage :: You Can Too!

Okay, this Prop 8 thing in California is really heating up. The anti's are funneling millions of dollars into California to try and take the newly acquired right of marriage away from same-sex couples. We can't let this happen!

Ellen DeGeneres has made a PSA and posted it on her TV show's website. Don't you just love how political Ellen is getting!!



I could make a PSA, but it probably won't get that many views, so instead, I'm going to volunteer to help ensure Prop 8 does not pass. Won't you join me?

FIGHT FOR MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA

Support No on 8 – Get Out the California Vote with BRO!

• When: This Sunday, October 19th, 5:00-8:00 pm
  
  
• Where: BRO’s downtown Portland office
  
  
• What we’ll do: Call California voters and urge them to vote NO on this destructive measure.
  
  
• RSVP online at: Basic Rights Oregon
  
  

Defend Marriage: Win a Cruise

Same-sex marriage is legal now in California, but it is in danger. On November 4th, Californians will vote on Proposition 8, which, if passed, will make marriage only an option for straight people. 

For a while, it looked like Prop 8 was well on its way to defeat. But recently, those bigots out there who hate gay people have been raising millions of dollars and spending it on TV ad campaigns to pass Prop 8. Now the polls are turning in their favor. 

Sweet is a new lesbian travel company that is putting it's money where it's mouth is.  Anyone who makes a donation to the No on 8 campaign is eligible to win a free cruise from Sweet. Now that is a company whose values I can admire. Here's the details:

So far, Sweet has donated over $13,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to No on 8. To keep that fundraising going, we'll enter everyone who donates at least $50 to No on 8 in a drawing to win a balcony stateroom for two on our Sweet Caribbean Cruise, Nov. 8-15, 2009. All you need to do is forward your donation confirmation to info@discoversweet.com by October 31, 2008. The winner will be notified via email on November 1, 2008.
Please donate now and protect our right to marry. There are a number of worthwhile organizations working together to make sure Proposition 8 does not pass. We don't care which organization you choose. And you don't need to be from California to donate or win.

• NCLR (National Center for Lesbian Rights)
  
• Equality California
  
• HRC California Marriage PAC
  
• No on 8
  

No on Prop 8!!

There's a very heated battle taking place right now in California. Although same-sex marriage has only been legal there for a few months, it is all ready being threatened by an anti-gay ballot measure that aims to change the state's constitution and make marriage only between one man and one woman.

Straight ally Brad Pitt just made a generous donation to ensure its defeat. POWER UP has released this video PSA.



Want to get involved too? Check out Lesbian Mommy blog for some ideas about how you can get involved whether you live in California or not.