If you were one of the couples affected by the gay marriage bans voted into law in the states of Florida, Arizona, or California, our sincerest condolences go out to you and your family in this time. The same if you were affected by the adoption ban in Arkansas.
It's a bittersweet time in our history, with the country's first African American President in history set to take office; while chickens and cows won more rights than gay-people did in California. "Everyone is hurting and don't know what to do," said Kimberlee Woods at a protest Nov. 7th. She is the executive director of The Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach. "The overwhelming response is not surprising.
It's a bittersweet time in our history, with the country's first African American President in history set to take office; while chickens and cows won more rights than gay-people did in California. "Everyone is hurting and don't know what to do," said Kimberlee Woods at a protest Nov. 7th. She is the executive director of The Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach. "The overwhelming response is not surprising.
People are tired of being relegated to the back of the bus", she said. You can bet that there are a lot of us here in California, around the nation, and across the world who are angry and ready to act, so here is a list of the things that we can all do to answer to the marriage bans and the fact that California just wrote discrimination into their Constitution, and other states have banned gay marriage as well.They will continue to do so unless we stand up united and fight for our rights. If not, who knows which rights of ours will be voted away next! Here is a checklist of things for you to make sure to do to voice your disagreement with the gay marriage bans:
____ File a Lawsuit.
Lawsuits are being filed on behalf of the couples who were married in California, and you should check to see if there are lawsuits you should be included in where you live. Filing a lawsuit when your civil rights have been violated is a duty you have to yourself and those who look up to you, and can have a huge impact on these discriminatory laws.
Donate to The Invalidate Prop 8 Campaign. Send a message to the Mormon Church, whose members raised more than $15 million to fund the deceitful advertising campaign for Proposition 8, the initiative that takes away the right to marry for same sex couples in California!
Make a donation to support the legal organizations working to invalidate Proposition 8 and to fund grass-roots activities in support of full marriage equality. For every donation of $5 or more, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center will send a postcard to President Thomas Monson’s office in Salt Lake City, acknowledging your donation in his name.
____ Attend a Local Protest.
You can find a list of protests going on around the nation here, including a national cry to call for equal rights at the steps of your city hall on November 15th. Bring signs with valid points plus your camera or take video. Be friendly and peaceful to the media, make your point with your signs. Wear your walking shoes and bring a bottle of water. More info on the National Protest can be found at JoinTheImpact.org .
____ Join The Rainbow Dragon Network. The Rainbow Dragon Network is a list of organizations around the world who are ready to be called upon when members of the LGBT community are in need. If you lead a local LGBT outreach organization or program, please send your contact details to therainbowdragon@yahoo.com .
____ Display Signs and Graphics. On The Smoking Cocktail I saw that Rob at Scout Productions (producers of Queer Eye) made signs that are really catchy. If you are going to a protest, these are some cool signs to have. Here's a picture of Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, the original plaintiffs in the gay marriage lawsuit here in California with one:
You can find out who the major supporters and opposers of Prop. 8 here, or you can find out who donated to the campaign in your area here.
____ Start Your Own Website or Blog. Sharing your voice with the world or maintaining a resource site for the LGBT community is one of the best ways you can help spread the message of equal rights around the world. We have a database of sites that are available and waiting for you to manage them!! Please contact Julie Phineas if this is something that interests you.
____ Help Our Campaign Land Celebrity Endorsements. Many celebrities have spoken out for us Madonna, Chelsea Lately, Darryl Stephens, Samuel Jackson, Melissa Etheridge and more. Celebrity visibility is important to keeping our issue in the spotlight! If you've heard about the theory of 6 degrees of separation that means that some of you out there know celebrities and can make contact with them.
If you ever needed to call in a favor, NOW is the time to do so! Reach out through your network and get the message to celebrities that we need their help and support towards the LGBT civil rights movement. Encourage them to perform to raise money and awareness for our community and let them know about this post so they know what else they can do to help!
____ Mass Mormon Resignation Planned. If you are a Mormon, consider joining the mass resignation planned. Visit this site to find resources and information about resigning and to post your letter of resignation.
____ Go to A Church Where You Are Supported. If you are a church-goer (or not), attend local church services where you know that you and/or your family will be accepted and invited. ____ Call for A Separation of Church and State Donate to the Freedom from Religion Foundation started by atheists who are active in the call for a separation of church and state. ____ Join the Fight to Revoke the LDS Tax Exempt Status. Visit this website which gives out detailed information on how to do that.
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Webmaster Note: Folks another thing to Do is Video, those who spoke out the loudest such as the group of people named in the L.A times under their photo. Those who you know that are against your Rights, nothing works better then exposing their morals. Video Tape their Behaviors - affairs - drinking or anything that would Expose them and their morals that they are will to Stand up for So proudly that they deny us basic Rights. Post these videos on EVERY free site that takes videos. Get Heard However you Can - Peace and Love to You ALL, we at OutLesbian.com Love you and Support you Online...
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