" Featuring an all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Kevin Bacon and others, "8" is a play written by Academy Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and directed by acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner. It is a powerful account of the case filed by the American Federation for Equal Rights (AFER ) in the U.S. District Court in 2010 to overturn Proposition 8 [LINK], a constitutional amendment that eliminated the rights of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. Framed around the trial's historic closing arguments in June 2010, 8 provides an intimate look what unfolded when the issue of same-sex marriage was on trial."
What is this season about? I think it's about relationships. Recognizing those who have been important in your life. Appreciating not just what's done in the two/five/ten/twelve days leading up to the event - be in Christmas or Solstice or Hannukah or whatever of the other wintery holidays you celebrate. It's about what we do all year, who we are in relation to each other. It's about respect, about community, about being partners in life and guardians of this planet that is mostly water, as are we. For many people, this time of year is about spiritual or religious beliefs and traditions. Those are good, too - looking at our heritage, those who came before us, those who paved the path we're on, those who are taking a journey with - or similar to - us. And I bring that back to relationships.
So, with that in mind, I'm posting a YouTube video of Ellen Bass reading her poem, Bone of My Bone and Flesh of My Flesh.It's about relationships, and naming. What do we call someone who doesn't fit the stereotypical role of "husband" or "wife" yet that is how they are important to us. What is in the naming? Is the label important? Why or why not?
PROMPT: After listening to Ellen read her poem, write a story (or a poem) about a couple. This couple may not fit the traditional titles of "husband and wife," yet they are dedicated to each other and their life together. Have your story's couple venture out into the world of the everyday - or go to a family holiday gathering - and let them interact with others, traditional and not, understanding or not, accepting or not. What do they encounter? How do they speak about each other, introduce each other, what are their special names for each other? If you want, start with this: "When we walked in, the sound from the kitchen was...."
Gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons are invited to contribute stories from their crucial time of coming out, to be included in an anthology that will raise awareness of this deeply personal time of admitting sexual preference. Ideally stories could be 300 – 1500 words, maximum length is 3000 words. Some people may prefer a quote, an anecdote or a full story to share their journey – send them all in. If you have not come out yet and wish to share ‘why not’, also send your words in. Stories will need to be edited and can be anonymous if you wish. The book length is anticipated to be about 70,000 words. The aim is for a collaboration of truth and the emotional reaction of yourself, of family and friends during this time. For more information and to submit your story please contact soniafriedrich@virginbroadband.com.au
Macromaniac (aka Lois Leveen) wrote an excellent post to go along with her most excellent video. From her poste, and I quote:
... Just for the record, though: the kids out there aren't being bullied because their queer. Or "suspected" of being queer. They're being bullied because we live in a bigoted, cruel culture that likes to pick on anyone who's different. ...
Today, Justice Vaughn Walker issued a historic decision in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case challenging Prop. 8.Walker’s ruling striking down Prop. 8 is clearly a milestone victory for all gay, lesbian and bisexual Californians, our families and our friends. But much more than that, it is a resounding affirmation of fundamental American ideals and core principles of the U.S. Constitution.
The LA Gay Center and Basic Rights Oregon (BRO), as well as other progressive and civil rights organizations warn that this is not the end of the dispute. We can't just sit back and assume this decision will stand and that equal rights will reign. However, each decision in favor of equality in the legal institution of marriage, can bring us one step closer to it being a reality. It is unrealistic to expect that the opponents will give up. I know that the issue here in Oregon of equal treatment comes up very often in our initiative system. Each time something is voted down, those teaching/preaching hate against LGBTQ people come back out with a new approach. Or join forces with other groups. Or go national.
So, this is a victory - yes. And there are already new actions that have been started. This is an important victory, though. And, perhaps, it is one step toward someday being viewed as equal in terms of our commitments and our rights.
The following is one ad from BRO on the issue.
Let's celebrate this victory. And not let down our guard. Rest and recover - because we are not done yet.
"The Iowa Supreme Court struck down a state law Friday that banned same-sex marriage.
Iowa becomes the third state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage, after Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Friday's decision upheld a 2007 ruling by a lower court that Iowa's 1998 law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples went against the state's constitution. It becomes effective in 21 days.
"This is a great day for civil rights in Iowa," said attorney Dennis Johnson, a co-counsel with Lambda Legal, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of six same-sex couples seeking to marry in Iowa. "Go get married. Live happily ever after," he said at a news conference where there was loud clapping among plaintiffs."
Click here to skip on over to the CNN website to read the rest of the article.
Ken Starr is back at it, again, in California. He and his group have already started the process of collecting money to defend Prop 8 and filed to force the 18,000 couples who married to be divorced. The following video is from the Courage Campaign.
