Washington Governor To Introduce Marriage Equality Bill

For those who haven't seen this yet, it's worth watching - Washington Governor Chris Gregoire gives a beautifully articulate speech in support of marriage equality. This is perhaps the best example I've seen so far of someone utilizing my recommended strategy of focusing on the license itself and pointing out how legalizing government-issued marriage licenses in no way forces a church to marry a gay couple. Bravo. 

A Call for Digital Activism from Edna Jean Robinson

Oh how I miss seeing her perform at JR's in Dallas. Kudos to her for this inspiring video. 

2011 LGBT Year in Review

70 U.S. Companies Formally Oppose DOMA

70 U.S. businesses are part of an amicus brief opposing the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in Gill v. OPM. The companies point out that DOMA forces them to treat their employees differently based on their sexual orientation, and as a result, the businesses assume an administrative financial burden to correct the inequity. Here are some of those companies: 

For the full list, click here. 

New Documentary on Maine's Marriage Equality Vote

This looks quite good...

Ad Spotlight: Bevan Duffy's New Campaign Ad Features His Daughter

Bevan Dufty, who is running for mayor of San Francisco, recently released a TV commercial featuring his daughter Sidney, who he conceived with a lesbian friend. Some are saying the ad is exploitative, but I discredit that criticism as a double-standard. Conservative politicians feature their families in political ads all the time - usually in the name of "family values." I think it's nice to see a positive representation of a nontraditional family in a campaign ad. 

Fame Friday

"Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard." -Colin Powell 


Accredited online colleges offer political science classes for those who aspire to be like Colin Powell.

9/11's LGBT Impact

Great article from Washington Blade.

Beyond Better: A Manifesto for Queer Youth

Here's an outstanding video that was made by the students of Margaret Himley's Queer Writing class at Syracuse University last year. The course is part of Syracuse's LGBT Studies minor (which I proudly hold), the first of its kind in the United States.

2011: A Prouder Pride

Seven years ago, I wrote this editorial in my college newspaper as George W. Bush was proposing an amendment to the U.S. constitution that would outlaw marriage equality across the country. A week later, somebody responded to my editorial saying that "if they let a man marry another man, what's next is that somebody will want to marry their tractor." Dead serious. 


Now, many years later, same-sex couples have the same right to get married in New York state as opposite-sex couples. Those of us who have fought tirelessly for this issue in New York for over a decade almost never thought this day would come. But finally, it's here. 


And it' s a huge reason why we all should be even prouder this pride. The number of people living in this country in a state that recognizes marriage equality has just doubled. I'm no longer a New Yorker, but I'm proud that I went to college in a state that now treats its gay and lesbian citizens with equality and fairness. I'm proud that my parents live in New York state. And I'm proud to be an American. Events like last night show that there are good people in politics on both sides of the aisle. And when we fight hard enough and long enough for what we believe in and what we know is right, we will prevail. 


I hope we all take some time to thank the republican senators who put what's right for New Yorkers ahead of what's right for them getting re-elected. I hope we thank the many organizations who have participated in making this happen over the past decade - Empire State Pride Agenda, Freedom to Marry, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and NGLTF, just to name a few. 


So let's party like there's no tomorrow this weekend, but let's not forget that there's still much work to be done. As long as there's places in this country where it's illegal for you to obtain a government-issued marriage license because you're gay, there is blatant discrimination embedded into our laws. Remember, these pastors and churches who have been such vocal opponents DO NOT OWN CIVIL MARRIAGE. Their arrogance never ceases to amaze me. They own RELIGIOUS marriage as they define it within their own religion, but they don't have the right to impose their religious views onto the civil rights of us all. When it comes to religious marriage, churches have always been able to marry and deny marriage to whoever they want, and they always will be able to do that. What the government is involved with is CIVIL MARRIAGE, which has nothing to do with a church. It's simply the right to access a marriage license issued by the government. So don't be fooled by the dynamic that this is an issue of gays vs. the church, because that is not at all a fair portrayal, and it's especially not fair to the many churches, religions, and people of faith who support marriage equality. 


I hope the actions of the New York lawmakers will inspire each of us be a little braver, a little stronger,  and a little more vocal as we move forward. Let people know you're here and that you're gay, not just on gay pride weekend, but whenever it really counts - especially at the voting booth. As strong as our spirit may be this weekend, we need our actions to match that strength when we determine who we put in power and who makes the rules. That's one right they can never take away.