SHOW ME NO HATE

THANKS 2011

2011-12-30T16:28:00.000-06:00

ShowMeNoHate has had a wonderful 2011! We started 2011 with a victory at Laclede Gas, an utility company that has been around since Abraham Lincoln, that ironically had the same employee discrimination policies since Abraham Lincoln.

ShowMeNoHate provided help to locals who felt targeted due to their same-sex relationships. With our pressure of going to the media, we saw the end of policy were unmarried roommates could not rent single bedroom units through a Central West End apartment management agency. Staging peaceful counter-protests, we brought media attention to several Fred Phelps protests.

We killed a horrible University City ordinance. A law that would target African-American teenagers standing or walking along the streets in the historic University City Loop. At the exact same time, we applauded University City for passing a domestic partnership registry paving the way for cities Olivette and Clayton.

We shamed a local radio personality and Channel 5 KSDK (local St. Louis NBC affiliate) after they aired a homophobic rant on a "I'm Just Sayin'" segment.

ShowMeNoHate organized the second annual Harvey Milk March. Supporters walked from the LGBT Center's brand new home in The Grove to St. Louis City Hall. We continued to lead the Marriage Equality dialogue at churches, synagogues, community centers, libraries, high schools, colleges and universities.

These are OFFICIAL photos of NOH8. Adam Bouska will be in St. Louis in 2012 for the first time to take official NOH8 photos. Only when Bouska takes your NOH8 picture are you supporting the NOH8 Campaign.

We thanked, shared, shouted, retweeted, sung the praises of photographer Adam Bouska and the official NOH8 Campaign. We assisted our displaced Missouri brothers and sisters after the tornado disaster devastated Joplin, Missouri. And we chartered 4 more Show Me Marriage Equality Buses to Iowa City where over 100 Missouri same-sex couples obtained legal marriage licenses.

In true ShowMeNoHate spirit, we not only called attention to the biggest bigots, we continue to hold our very own St. Louis LGBT community accountable. NO HATE means NO HATE, and too often the most common direction of hate comes from within our very own lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. With the support of others, we arose above the hate and did some education to help heal our fractured community.

Our proudest 2011 moments didn't come from us; rather, our proudest moments came from seeing our city's queer and straight community take to the streets - on their own - in a very ShowMeNoHate-way. Success is best seen when we are imitated. St. Louis is starting to experience some of the best activism supporting Equality for everyone! Whether it looks like a protest, boycott, editorial, civil disobedience, news column, television story or a shift in awareness - ShowMeNoHate has again been a successfully catalyst at stirring the pink pot.

Here's to a happy and healthy 2012!

Ed Reggi
Founder of ShowMeNoHate

P.S. ShowMeNoHate is a coalition of people and organizations - we are not a non-profit organization so we only ask for support when we need it. At this time we do not need it.
But LGBTQ Youth need your help! Please support Growing American Youth before the year is over (and in 2012). Use this link to make an online quick and harmless donation.

MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND

2011-12-08T18:37:00.001-06:00

Original article can be read here

Written by Mollie Reilly

WASHINGTON -- The legalization of marriage equality in Iowa created a miniature economic stimulus, according to a new study.

A study by the California-based Williams Institute found that wedding arrangements and tourism by same-sex couples and their wedding guests added between $12 and $13 million to the Iowa economy in 2009 and 2010. The study released Wednesday also reported that the increased spending on weddings likely added between $850,000 and $930,000 in tax revenue.

According to the Iowa data, there were at least 2,099 same-sex weddings in the year following the decision to legalize marriage equality in April 2009. Of these couples, over half came from other states to wed in Iowa. The study estimates that out-of-state couples account for about $2.2 million of the spending.

"The Williams Institute report demonstrates once again that marriage equality has had, and continues to have, only a positive impact on our state," Troy Price, executive director of the pro-marriage equality group One Iowa, said in a statement.

"Our opponents continue to try and take away marriage equality and erase the financial impact that marriage has on our communities and our state," Price continued. "But it begs the question -- at a time when people are looking for work and every Iowan is hoping for stronger economic growth, why would we pass a discriminatory constitutional amendment that would hurt not only loving and committed gay and lesbian couples, but our fragile economy as well?"

The new report was issued at request of Iowa State Sen. Matt McCoy (D), who was formerly on the board of One Iowa. Same-sex marriage in Iowa was legalized in April 2009, when the state's Supreme Court found a law limiting marriage to a man and a woman to be unconstitutional.

The new law has been a frequent target of conservative groups. In February, the Iowa House of Representatives advanced a bill that would create a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. State Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal (D) has said that he will block further debate on the issue.

In response to claims that the ruling would destroy traditional marriage, IowaWatch.org conducted a study in 2010 exploring gay marriages in the state. The study found that same-sex marriages bore many resemblances to heterosexual ones, and that the year after gay marriage was legalized, Iowa had its lowest divorce rates in decades.

Iowa's same-sex marriage rights have also come up in the GOP presidential primary as candidates prepare for the state's caucuses next month. In an interview with Fox News, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) stated that Iowa citizens did not want same-sex marriage.

"Marriage, historically, for all human history has been between a man and a woman. It hasn't been the same-sex marriage," she said. "And remember that in Iowa, it was judges that made the decision -- not the legislature, which are the people's representatives, and certainly, not the people."

Several candidates, including Bachmann, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), have signed a pledge against same-sex marriage written by the Family Leader, a conservative Iowa group that opposes gay marriage.

The Family Leader did not return a request for comment.

IOWA MARRIAGE SAFE

2011-11-08T22:31:00.004-06:00

Liz Mathis Wins State Senate District 18

Report from KCRG-TV9

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Linn County voters extended Democratic control of the Iowa Senate by electing Liz Mathis to fill a vacant seat in Iowa Senate 18.

According to unofficial results from the Linn County Auditor’s Office, Mathis defeated Republican Cindy Golding 13,184 to 10,283 in the district that wraps around northern and western Linn County.

Mathis, 53, best known for more than a quarter century as an Eastern Iowa television news reporter and anchor, made jobs, improving the business climate and education the basis of her campaign. Now she is the chief information officer for Four Oaks, a child welfare and juvenile justice agency where she oversees legislative advocacy, public relations, marketing and development.

Throughout the campaign for the seat vacated when Marion Democrat Swati Dandekar resigned to accept Republican Gov. Terry Branstad’s appointment to the Iowa Utilities Board, Mathis talked about ending gridlock in the Senate, where Democrats will maintain a 26-24 advantage.

Without offering specifics, Mathis touted a five-point plan to create Iowa jobs and promised to work with Republicans to enact her proposals.

She called for giving Iowa companies first crack at state and local contract, “so our tax dollars create jobs here – not in China;” cutting small business property taxes by $300 million; offering businesses a $2,000 tax credit for each new Iowa hire; more tax incentives to attract high-tech employers; and stopping “cuts to our classrooms.”

Mathis and her husband, Mark, who owns the advertising agency ME&V, live near Robins and have two children. She grew up on an Iowa farm and is a University of Iowa graduate.

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Democrats “recruited well” in nominating Mathis.

“The voters of this district, when presented a choice, chose the Democrat,” Gronstal said. “This is a Republican-leaning district. I think it signals some good news for us.”

Branstad downplayed the significance of Tuesday’s outcome and called the race an uphill battle given Mathis’ strong name recognition.

Gronstal said it was clear that Republicans had a strategy to capture the seat and knot the chamber at 25-25 but that strategy backfired.

“This was their hand-picked race,” Gronstal said. “They chose to appoint a Democrat from the Senate, a Democrat that came from a district they believed they would be able to win. Now they’re saying, well, it doesn’t really mean anything. That’s nonsense.”

Branstad attributed Democrats’ success to their ability to recruit a candidate who was “very well known” and that name recognition advantage trumped Golding’s “great background and great business experience.”

“The Democrats have way outspent the Republicans in this special election and, you know when you look at special elections, they are not much of an indicator. They’re an indicator of that particular district at that point in time. So I don’t think people should read too much into it but obviously we’ll see,” the governor said.

Sen. Steve Kettering, R-Lake View, said the issues “were clearly” with Golding who was an excellent candidate and worked hard, but Mathis had “star power” that carried the day.

“Mathis was a part of the living room in that district for a number of years,” he said. Kettering said he doubted much would change in the Senate in the upcoming session now that Democrats have retained their 26-24 advantage through the 2012 election.

LGBTQ OCCUPY ST. LOUIS

2011-10-11T16:20:00.001-05:00

The St Louis LGBT community stands in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and are joining those in St. louis and across the country.

October 11, 2011 - (ST. LOUIS) Students, teachers, union workers and senior citizens have joined protesters in cities nationwide, speaking out and demanding that politicians take action. From Wall Street and now to the main streets of cities across the country, people are on their feet demanding change.

It has been widely speculated that 10% of the U.S. population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Some University studies even suggest higher percentages per capita in cities like San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Regardless of the survey results, current national news headlines remind everyone that LGBT Americans still join some of the most disenfranchised minorities in the United States. LGBT Americans are treated as second class citizens when it comes to employment, housing, and healthcare discrimination.

A lesbian woman remains at a higher risk to develop Breast cancer than her heterosexual sister. Transgender women are more likely to be physically assaulted and LGBT youth are far more likely to take their lives than their straight classmates. Something must be done and it's time the LGBTQ community Occupy Wall Street and Main Street.

A 2009 report published by The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law titled “Poverty in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community” examines for the first time poverty rates within the LGB community and finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual same-sex couples are at least as likely—and at times more likely—to be poor than married heterosexual couples.

“State of Transgender California,” a 2009 Transgender Law Center report also found that transgender Californians are twice as likely to be below the federal poverty line than the general population. What’s more, one-in-five survey respondents reported being homeless since first identifying as transgender.

ShowMeNoHate is calling for all LGBTQ and allies to join the Occupy movement this Friday,
October 14 at 3:30pm at Kiener Plaza for a peaceful Rally and at 4:00pm for a peaceful March.

Wear rainbow to show Queer solidarity and please bring signs that represent our struggle and message - that we too are part of the 99%.

IOWA CITY MOURNS VICTIM OF HATE CRIME

2011-08-23T21:12:00.003-05:00

Marcellus Richard Andrews photo via Facebook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement
August 23, 2011

Contact:
Molly Tafoya
O: 515-288-4019 x 207
C: 808-256-7064
molly@oneiowa.org

EQUALITY LEADERS MOURN TRAGIC DEATH OF APPARENT HATE CRIME VICTIM MARCELLUS ANDREWS
Statement from One Iowa and Iowa Safe Schools

Des Moines, IA—On Sunday at 3:30 pm, 19-year-old Marcellus Richard Andrews died after a brutal and violent death. Friends and family who were involved in the incident confirmed that the attackers were shouting anti-gay slurs as they severely beat Andrews. He died later at an Iowa City hospital from head injuries sustained during the beating. Andrews was enrolled to begin his studies in interior design at Hawkeye Community College in the fall.

“We are deeply saddened by the brutal and tragic death of Marcellus. This is just not something that happens in Iowa and we are appalled at this level of extreme violence and intolerance,” said Troy Price, One Iowa Executive Director. “Tragedies like this underscore the incredible need to talk about issues affecting gay and lesbian Iowans and to fight for equality in our communities. When community, state, and national leaders ridicule and deride gay and lesbians, it creates a hurtful environment and gives license to this sort of attack. Most importantly, it harms lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) young people by sending the message that they are not equal. We can and must do better, because we can never, ever allow an attack like this to take place in Iowa again.”

“Our prayers and thoughts go to Marcellus' family, friends, and the Waterloo community. No one deserves this. Enough youth have hurt each other and themselves over differences, bullying, harassment, and taunting,” said Nate Monson, Iowa Safe Schools Executive Director. “Andrews’ tragic death points the crucial need for us to address anti-LGBT bullying in our schools because, sadly, this is literally a life or death issue. We must ensure that LGBT children feel safe and supported in their school and community. Iowa Safe Schools is committed to creating a more safe and supportive state for all Iowa kids.”

One Iowa and Iowa Safe Schools are committed to working together with allies across the state and nation to make our schools and communities safer for our LGBT children.

# # #

ALL BOARDING - NEXT STOP IOWA!

2011-08-19T20:10:00.004-05:00

The 10th Show Me Marriage Equality Bus bound for Iowa, departs from St. Louis on Friday August 26th.

Good News: There is still room to get on our bus! We are still holding space for loving same-sex couples who want to get legally married. Marriage in Iowa is better than recently Civil Unions passed in Illinois. Obtaining a Marriage License from Iowa is accepted as a Civil Union in Illinois and as a marriage in the 6 other states that recognize same-sex marriage; however, obtaining a Civil Union in Illinois is ONLY recognized by Illinois and the handful of states that issue Civil Unions.

Send email to ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com for more information.

Because marriage equality should be affordable to everyone, we like to keep all of our costs low for the couples participating. Please consider making a contribution to help cover the cost of the bus.

To donate visit http://showmenohate.chipin.com/

10 BUSES FOR LOVE

2011-08-08T01:14:00.004-05:00

OUR TENTH MARRIAGE EQUALITY BUS LEAVES AUGUST 26.

Join Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender couples as they board the tenth "Show Me Marriage Equality Bus" bound for Iowa on Friday August 26, 2011.

The bus will depart from St. Louis around 5am and arrives in Iowa before lunch. Couples will obtain marriage licenses and move to a local opening and affirming church for the actual wedding ceremonies. A celebration and small reception takes place around 3pm in Iowa City.

The "Show Me Marriage Equality Bus" will depart from Iowa around 5pm, so that we can all return to St. Louis by 10pm.

Everyone is invited to see us depart in the morning and congratulate us when the bus returns home. (Maybe even throw some rice at the recent married couples or write "just married" on our car back windows.)

Because marriage equality should be affordable to everyone, we like to keep all of our costs low for the couples participating. Please consider making a contribution to help cover the cost of the bus. Donations made by mail or online.

To donate visit http://showmenohate.chipin.com/

We could also use your help to find more couples. There are still seats available on this August love bus to Iowa.

If you know any that are in a committed loving relationship, please have them email us at ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com or drop us a message on Facebook.

I LOVE NEW YORK

2011-07-25T00:24:00.002-05:00

ARCHBISHOP RIGALI AND ED MARTIN: CAIN AND ABEL?

2011-07-19T07:57:00.007-05:00

Report: Philadelphia's Cardinal Rigali to resign amid scandal
Report released in February accused Archdiocese of failing to stop cases of sexual abuse

By David Chang
NBCPhiladelphia.com (see original article)
updated 7/18/2011 12:47:02 PM ET

Philadelphia Archbishop Cardinal Justin Rigali is set to resign, according to a writer for the National Catholic Reporter.

A press conference announcing Rigali’s resignation will take place sometime this week, according to blogger Michael Sean Winters.

Winters also named four people who were in consideration as replacements for Rigali: Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, and Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport.

Reports of Rigali’s resignation come in the midst of a turbulent time for the Philadelphia archdiocese. An explosive grand jury report released in February accused the Archdiocese of failing to stop numerous cases of sexual abuse.

As a result of the report, 21 priests were suspended and two priests, a former priest and a Catholic school teacher were arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two young boys.

Rigali, 76, was appointed the eighth Archbishop of Philadelphia in 2003, and previously served as the Archbishop of St. Louis.

###

Ed Martin is a good friend, employee and personal confidant to Archbishop Rigali. Martin was the St. Louis Tea Party favorite and Republican politician who failed to beat Congressman Russ Carnahan last November.

How much did Ed Martin know about Archbishop Rigali's secrets?

In the April 2011 issue of St. Louis Magazine, Jeannette Cooperman wrote an in depth article on Ed Martin and covered his relationship with the then St. Louis Archbishop Rigali.

Archbishop Rigali wanted the Human Rights Office reined in—more orthodoxy, less autonomy. So Martin shifted the priorities. “There was a whole bunch of social-justice stuff,” he recalls. “The office was doing strawberry pickers. And they weren’t doing much meaningfully about African-Americans. We did the jubilee Freedom Ride, took buses and went to Selma. It was really heady. The idea was, what does faithful citizenship call you to do as a Catholic?

Well, Ed, most people would tell you faithful citizenship for Catholics, means you don't rape children and if you know of a person who is sexually abusing children -- you report them immediately -- even if they are a Catholic priest, Bishop or church employee. United States citizenship means you follow the laws of our country first, not Catholic dogma that morally or socially permits you to protect harmful monsters raping children.

ShowMeNoHate demands a response from Ed Martin, denouncing all the crimes of not only those 21 priests who sexual molested children, but also a statement denouncing Martin's own friend, Archbishop Rigali, whose name swirls in this ongoing Philadelphia Catholic Church sex-abuse scandal.

If it's true that Rigali did protect fellow Catholic priests who sexually abused children, the question that begs --

"Did Ed Martin know any of these child molesters too? And did Ed Martin during his employment under Archbishop Rigali, turn a blind eye toward priests who molest children?"

The LGBTQ and straight ally community is tired of Archbishop Rigali and Ed Martin, who constantly criticize and vilify our families, children and relationships.

We are tired of hearing Ed Martin refer to LGBT as a "social experiment," when discussing issues like same-sex marriage and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. (A direct quote Martin used during Carnahan and Martin debates last year.)

Dear Ed Martin, the social experiment of Catholic priests raping little girls and boys, apparently is not just an experiment, it appears to be a social norm to you and many other leaders running the Catholic church

KSDK & JOE HIPPERSON

2011-06-28T05:42:00.006-05:00

One week ago on Monday June 20th, St. Louis NBC affiliate KSDK Channel 5 aired an "I'm Just Sayin' video" featuring KTRS 550AM wannabe shock jock radio host Joe Hipperson. The quick video piece has Mr. Hipperson defending Tracy Morgan who one-week prior suggested violence against the gay community. Hipperson started his video off saying that he didn't disagree with what Tracy Morgan said about homosexuals; rather, he disagreed that Morgan actually apologized for saying it. (You read that correctly.) Watch Hipperson for yourself:

First off, Hipperson uses the classic "call to the homophobe" by using the term, "homosexual jokes" when leading with his segment. This term is typically used in a context to signal your homophobic base. Shame on Hipperson for making this about the LGBT community and not about what is should be, "safety of kids," mainly Morgan's young son who Morgan said he'd stab. This is not about Eddie Murphy or Richard Prior. This is not about LGBT community vs. the Black comedians Mr. Hipperson; however, thanks for making it look that way. Incidentally, if KSDK or Hipperson actually did some fact checking instead of cranking the hate-machine, they would of realized that Eddie Murphy did apologize for his anti-gay routine.

The next insulting part of Hipperson's video was that he actually says he "didn't disagree what Tracy Morgan said." Let me refresh Mr. Hipperson and KSDK what Tracy Morgan actually said. Tracy Morgan during his June 3rd Nashville stand-up comedy show, insulted dozens of audiences members when Morgan suggested that stabbing his own son would be appropriate if his son came home stating he was gay. Click here for entire story.

Joe Hipperson then follows his homophobic stance by attacking the entire LGBT community, with some cockeyed theory that the LGBT community isn't really a minority. Hipperson suggests the LGBT community is actually the majority with such power that we only pretend to be a minority when it suits us.

Does this even make logical sense?

Dear Joe Hipperson, is that why LGBT citizens are treated like second-class people? Is that why the Missouri Constitution and some other 30 states don't recognize same-sex marriages? Or is that why LGBT employees can be fired because they are homosexual?

Would KSDK have aired this story if Joe said what he said about homosexuals and instead said, "the Jews?"

Joe Hipperson takes a play right out of the KKK 1950 Playbook. Just when southern blacks were speaking up and demanding their right to vote, the klan decided it was way too much. That's when the klan cleverly marketed the idea that giving black Americans the right to vote could make them super powerful one day. Never mind those hoses, dogs, bullets, nooses, and bats that the real majority held, Mr. Hipperson.

Never mind that the entire crew over at NBC's 30 Rock have all come out demanding and apologizing for Morgan's hateful remarks.

Never mind that Chris Rock and other former SNL cast members have all come out denouncing Morgan's hateful words in disguise of comedy.

Never mind that Eddie Murphy did actually apologize for his anti-gay and anti-AIDS statements.

And never mind that Tracy Morgan himself has publicly apologized for his hateful words. And Morgan is currently on a anti-gay apology tour across this country.

All of this TRUTH is apparently not enough for the homophobic hateful Joe Hipperson and apparently was not enough for KSDK to not air Hipperson's vile anti-gay rhetoric. Shame on KSDK for allowing this homophobic fool to continue his rubbish and pass it off as anything worthy for television. Who is going to make an "I'm Just Sayin' video" next, Fred Phelps?

Tonight, Monday June 27th, KSDK aired an intelligent video response by Brandon Gray who ShowMeNoHate feels addressed all the right issues against the homophobe Joe Hipperson.

Finally, the most ironic part about homophobe Joe Hipperson can be summed up in this photo:

That's right folks, Mr. Hipperson and his cool hip wife both modeled over one-year ago for the unofficial St. Louis NOH8 photo campaign. How fitting that both Joe and his wife are also unofficially haters of the LGBT community.

Please call KSDK 314-421-5055 and ask to speak to the General Manager in regards to a Joe Hipperson's vile homophobic remarks. Of course we understand that Hipperson has the right to freedom of speech and we understand that the views expressed by "I'm Just Sayin' video" segments are not the views of KSDK. Tell the GM you understand all of that; however, ask the GM if Hipperson could have said the things he said about Jews, Women, Blacks or Muslims? Does KSDK support the right to promote the killing of those minority groups?

Then call back and ask to speak to their Community Relations department. Explain that community relations start with accepting the safety for the LGBT community and not promoting people who support the stabbing of gay teens like Joe Hipperson said.

THANK YOU NEW YORK!

2011-06-28T05:28:00.002-05:00

LISTEN TO SENATOR DIANE SAVINO

2011-06-18T23:27:00.003-05:00

On this historic weekend, we should all pause to listen to the words of Senator Diane Savino of New York when she spoke about Marriage Equality in New York several years ago.

TO THE BAT PHONE

2011-06-14T14:56:00.003-05:00

The list below are the key possible Republican swing votes. It is absolutely URGENT that you call all of the Senators below and make clear that you SUPPORT same-sex marriage in New York.

Stephen Saland (845) 463-0840
Roy McDonald (518) 274-4616
Andrew Lanza (718) 984-4073
Greg Ball (845) 279-3773
Kemp Hannon (516) 739-1700
Charles Fuschillo (516) 882-0630
Betty Little (518) 743-0968

Also, please call Senator Dean Skelos to make clear that the Senators of New York should protect same-sex couples against religious bigots. Civil marriage laws must be passed. As Senate Majority Leader he should make sure that this question goes directly to the floor for a full vote.

Dean Skelos (518) 455-3171

Please forward to all of your friends and family. The time to act is now.

CALL NEW YORK NOW!

2011-06-14T09:19:00.002-05:00

Cuomo tries to box in GOP Senate on gay marriage
Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. — Legalizing gay marriage in New York came within two votes of those needed for passage Monday as Gov. Andrew Cuomo rallied most Democrats and coaxed one Republican vote in the Senate.

Twenty-nine of 30 Democrats in the state Senate were joined by Republican Sen. James Alesi of Monroe County to support a gay marriage bill to be introduced in the last five days of the legislative session.

That brings the estimated support to 30 votes for the measure in the 62-seat chamber, two votes shy of passage. The Democrat-led Assembly and the Democratic governor already strongly support the measure, which was defeated in 2009.

Alesi, however, said he knew of no Republican colleagues who will join him and received no guarantee the measure will pass. Republican senators said they see no change in votes for the measure expected to be discussed in closed-door session Tuesday or Wednesday.

Whether Monday's well-orchestrated announcement built momentum or was political cover for Democrats whose 2009 defeated vote hurt the national effort will be played out in the next few days in Albany.

An advocacy group organized under Cuomo decided Monday afternoon to authorize the Democrat to submit the bill to the Legislature as early as Monday night. Cuomo said that bill will be about the same as the one defeated two years ago, but specific details of the latest bill weren't immediately released.

The bill is expected to pass the Democrat-led Assembly easily, as similar measures have in past years. The bill would then have to be introduced in the Republican-led Senate and wend its way through committee, with negotiation of any changes, in time for a vote by June 20, the scheduled end of session.

"Two years ago, I voted against a marriage equality bill, and it was a very anguishing vote for me," Alesi said, adding that he has since apologized to advocates for his vote. "I believe that if you live in America and you expect equality and freedom for yourself that you should extend it to other people."

He still hasn't seen the bill, which he will support as long as it "comes out in a way that doesn't force churches to do something that the churches don't want to do," Alesi said.

Republicans who support same-sex marriage will lose the often critical endorsement of the state Conservative Party, according to chairman Michael Long.

Cuomo, long a supporter of same-sex marriage, called the issue "a matter of principal, not politics." He said he expects that Republicans will support the bill if it gets to the floor. Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos said Republicans in conference will "discuss all the dynamics."

Cuomo pressured GOP lawmakers by noting polls that showed nearly 60 percent of New Yorkers support same-sex marriage, though one poll recently showed a slight waning of support.

Two of the three Democrats who threw their support behind gay marriage said they did so because the majority of their voters now support the measure. Queens Sens. Joseph Addabbo Jr. and Shirley Huntley said they conducted polls to determine how their constituents felt about the issue.

The third Democrat, Sen. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, said bill sponsor Sen. Thomas Duane helped explain that it was a question "between right and wrong."

"What we are about to do is to redefine what an American family is, and that's a good thing," said Kruger, who is facing charges in what federal prosecutors call a "broad-based bribery racket." The Senate Democrats stripped him of his powerful Finance Committee chairmanship as a result of the accusation. He has said he's eager to fight the charges.

"We are at the doorstep of passing marriage equality to ensure human rights are inalienable rights for all New Yorkers," said Senate Democratic leader John Sampson of Brooklyn, who delivered the three additional votes in his conference. "And while I am not a prophet, I am an eternal optimist — and am confident that we will get the rest of the way."

Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a Bronx minister, said Monday that he remains opposed to the bill. He said it's his calling to work with Republican senators to fight it.

ACTION: The list of undeclared legislators are: Greg Ball of Putnam County, Andrew Lanza of Staten Island, Roy McDonald of Rensselaer County and Stephen Saland of the Poughkeepsie area. Please call their offices and have the heart to heart talk on why they must support marriage equality.

VICTORY FOR JUSTICE

2011-06-07T09:39:00.003-05:00

Good news!

Last night the University City Mayor and Council decided unanimously to kill the bill. The first motion was to table the bill forever, but then Councilman Price decided to amend his motion to actually say, "kill the 9112 bill" going forward.

Thank you to all the ShowMeNoHate members who packed the basement of University City's City Hall. We had over 50 people in the room and another 25 outside.

Thank you to Regional Arts Commission, ACLU of Eastern Missouri, Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign, Beyond Housing, Community Arts Training Fellows, FowardSTL, NAACP, Mercantile Library at UMSL, Cameron Sanders, Loop Business District, Terry Artis and many others who supported this effort to kill Bill 9112.

Ed Reggi will be speaking on 90.7FM St. Louis Public Radio NPR today at 11am. Make sure you tune in and call in.

UNIVERSITY CITY PULLS A 'FAST ONE' ON THE PUBLIC

2011-06-06T01:17:00.006-05:00

In a sudden turn, for yet another strange move made by the University City elected officials, Mayor Shelley Welsch and the Council members -- decide to disregard the public's opinion and ignore their own words.

On Monday May 23, University City Council met inside City Hall and (for the second time) postponed a vote on Bill 9112, also known as "no interfering with / or standing on the sidewalks" law. The public who attended were (again) disappointed at the Council's decision to reschedule their vote; however, many residents just accepting the new date of Monday June 13 at 6:30pm.

In a bizarre move, the Mayor and the Council have "secretly" and with little notice given to the public, have decided to hold a Special Session on Monday June 6 at 6:00pm.

The thin agenda lists only 3 items to be covered:

1. Bill 9112 - An ordinance amending Chapter 9.08 of University City Municipal Code, relating to offenses against public peace and decency, by enacting therein a new section to be known as "Section 9.08.042 obstructing or interfering with use of sidewalks and streets", and providing a penalty.

2. Budget Memo

3. Council Rules and Order of Procedure

The Special Session notice was posted on the bulletin board located in the basement of City Hall, which according to City's Charter, meets the minimum requirements when calling for a "Special Session." Unfortunately, even though it's completely legal for the Mayor and Council to throw together such a quick meeting; it does not seem transparent or in good faith. Again, in their own words spoken on May 23, the Council postponed the vote and all further discussion of Bill 9112 to the next scheduled City Council Meeting on Monday June 13 at 6:30pm.

ShowMeNoHate's founder Ed Reggi demands to know why the sudden change?

He believes it serves one purpose and one purpose only--to deceive the good people of University City by passing a law that has been deemed Unconstitutional by the ACLU of Eastern Missouri and Fairness Campaign in Louisville, Kentucky.

"To trick the public, by passing this extremely controversial Bill; and to pass it behind the backs of the media and the public, is very sad. Their actions are disappointing. An it continues to show that Mayor Welsh and her Council, are not honest lawmakers," said Reggi on Sunday evening shortly after he got an email about the special meeting.

Reggi is calling for accountability. He wants the public to ask the entire University City Council the following questions:

Why can't Bill 9112 wait one more week to be heard in front of the public, as scheduled?
Why call for the "Special Session" on June 6 at 6pm in the Emergency Operations Center and not the 5th floor of City Hall?
Why not post information about the June 6 "Special Session" on the official University City website?
Why are the Police Chief and City Manager refusing to fully explain why Bill 9112 is needed over the enforcement of current University City laws. Ordinances which include criminalizing: theft, panhandling, harassment, unlawful assembly, noise, disturbing the peace, and failure to comply with an officer?

Mayor

Shelley Welsch

Mayor@ucitymo.org

314- 505-8606

Ward 1 Council Members
Terry Crow

terry@cttlaw.net

crow@cttlaw.net

314-918-0045, ext 2

Stephen Kraft

kraftstephene@gmail.com

314-863-1136

Ward 2 Council Members
Michael Glickert

lmglickert@yahoo.com

314-863-1812

Lynn Ricci

ricci.ucity@gmail.com

314-725-9090

Ward 3 Council Members
Byron Price

pricebyron@hotmail.com

314-726-2953

Arthur Sharp

qforlifeasj@att.net

314-721-5954

MCC JOPLIN NEEDS HELP - UPDATED 5/25 10PM

2011-05-25T22:35:00.002-05:00

THEY STILL NEED ITEMS.

DO NOT BELIEVE REPORTS THAT SAY OTHERWISE.

Last Sunday, Joplin, MO, a city about 60 miles west of Springfield in Southwest Missouri, was destroyed by a tornado. They are still assessing the damage, but it is already clear the damage is devastating. You can follow the updates of the assessment and see photos and videos here.

Like many other organizations, PROMO and Show Me No Hate are coordinating a statewide effort to collect donations and supplies* to help Joplin.

The LGBT community was directly affected in Joplin, including the loss of the Unity/Spirit of Christ Metropolitan Community Church (SOC-MCC of Joplin), the LGBT-affirming church in Joplin. When the tornado struck the church, the congregation was holding a Sunday evening service. Luckily, they were able to reach the basement and are safe and have received medical care, but the church building is gone, as well as many of the congregation members' homes, including the home of the pastor and his partner.

Please click here to make a donation to help the LGBT community in Joplin. 100% of the proceeds raised through this effort will go directly to the Unity/Spirit of Christ Metropolitan Church of Joplin, where LGBT individuals and allies can receive the supplies. You can drop off supplies at one of the following collection sites. Each of these collection sites has committed to collecting supplies to go directly to SOC-MCC of Joplin.

Supplies Needed - UPDATED 5/25 10PM
Toiletries

Underwear/socks

Canned cat/dog food

Cleaning supplies.

Also, wide shovels, work gloves, trash bags, dust masks, sunblock, bug spray, anything that would be helpful in clearing debris.

GLO Center 518 E Commercial Street Springfield

417-869-3978
Tue, Wed, Fri or
call to confirm someone is there

Spirit of Hope MCC 3801 Wyandotte Street Kansas City

816-931-0750
LGCCKC LGCCKC Pride Booth will
be a collection site June 4-5 Kansas City lgcckcinfo@gmail.com

Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd St. Louis MO
Wednesday-Thursday – 9am-5pm
Friday – 9am-9pm
Saturday – 9am-3pm
Sunday-Monday closed
Tuesday – 9-noon (after noon we will start sorting!)

Show Me No Hate

Use the following location - Mokabe's Coffee House

8am to 12 midnight

3606 Arsenal St
St Louis, MO 63116-4801
(314) 865-2009

For more drop off info or for a pick up call

ShowMeNoHate hotline 314-282-LGBT

I VOTE, "HELL NO!"

2011-05-25T20:46:00.003-05:00

Representative John Kriesel is one of the few Republican legislators to oppose a Minnesota constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. He explains how he came to that position even though it does not jive with most other Republicans.

Governor Mark Dayton holds a press conference to announce a symbolic veto of the recently passed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment. Dayton acknowledges his veto will not prevent the amendment from going on the 2012 general election ballot, but since it was sent to him in the form of a bill he has the option of signing or vetoing it. He is joined by Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner-Salon, Senator Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) and Representative Karen Clark (DFL-Minneapolis) who are leading the charge to defeat the amendment on the ballot.

WE GAVE THEM HOPE

2011-05-22T19:31:00.006-05:00

Today, I marched for Harvey Milk.

As I looked at our crowd of walkers, I saw nothing but different faces, ages, sizes, shapes, clothing, accents, gender, sexual orientation, race, religions and economic class. Today, Sunday May 22 2011, St. Louis celebrated Harvey Milk's birthday by marching from The Grove district all the way east to St. Louis City Hall. Nearly 5 miles in total did we march for Harvey. What was more impressive was the amount of people who gathered early at the beginning of our march, the new location for the LGBT Center of St. Louis. They all came to support a place they want to call "HOPE" not just home.

I knew it the moment I met the crowd of folks standing outside of the center, that Harvey was smiling down on us. Harvey would have not changed one thing today. It was the perfect spot to start a march, in our city and in honor of this leader's legacy. Often, Harvey Milk opened us his own personal Castro district camera shop doors to host random meetings. Many times the rallies or Pride parades that took happened at night, were organized during the afternoon in Milk's very own home. This is the future of our very own LGBT Center. What will our center's sofa's and space bring to our city next? Harvey new darn well about community organizing and it starts with an invitation and then making a relationship. Today, Harvey shook everyone's hand who peeked through the doors of 4337 Manchester Avenue. I truly felt his spirit in that space.

The weather was just perfect and I would not change one thing about today.

As we walked down Manchester Avenue, we looked at the sidewalks of LGBTQ friendly businesses smile back at us. They waved from bars, shops and clubs that have called the Grove home for years. And then we found ourselves under the Time Square-esque "Grove" neon sign and I knew we were leaving our comfort zone. I thought, "will the group think I am nuts?"

But onward Queer soldiers we marched.

"When I say Harvey you say Milk... Harvey (MILK) - Harvey (MILK) - Harvey (MILK)..." echoed the crossover from Manchester Avenue to Chouteau Avenue.

That's when I noticed something very different this year than last year's march. There were nearly no cars passing us who cursed us being there. Gone were the, "Go home faggots," or "Shut up and get a job," jabs. For the most part, we shared the road with kind, considerate and supportive drivers who seemed to enjoy waiting for our march to make its way. I clearly watch parents slide down their automatic car windows so children in the back seat can watch us. I waved to about 40 kids who waved right back at us. Graduation ready families looked out of their rental cars and looked at our 20 foot rainbow flag -- paused -- and then pressed on their car horns in full support of our march for Harvey.

Mid-way of our walking route, around Jefferson and Chouteau, I became "hopeful." I immediately thought of Harvey's words about giving people "hope." Then I thought I should give them extra hope because we have made it 2 miles. I felt this is especially important if you are going to ask 100 people to march on a Sunday afternoon, you know, give them hope to keep moving. It was nice to give them inspiring words on my megaphone; however, it was even more powerful to watch the crowd give each other inspiring words on the megaphone. This march I made a conscience effort to hand over the megaphone to people who was inspired by Harvey. Walkers helped each other to keep walking; to keep the love; to preach equality and justice.

Our route took us directly through a kaleidoscope of city streets; over old and new concrete bridges; around the edges of quiet forgotten industrial businesses; and right into the neighborhoods plagued by years and years of blight. There's something about crossing that half-way point and seeing the Arch in the distance that gave me pause. I felt like I saw Harvey sitting on top of our silver Arch, looking directly at us. I really saw Harvey's face and he looked happy, smiling, laughing and alive.

Harvey Milk didn't look bad for 81 - really.

Harvey was happy to see all the walkers chanting his words. And I believe what made him most happy was that we remembered him without any big fanfares. It's like I saw him peek. No parade floats. No shirtless men tossing rainbow beads. We didn't walk on Main Street; rather, we honored Harvey in the places where he would walk -- where the forgotten live, work and play. This is why we march for Harvey along the silent Chouteau Avenue and not Market Street, or Lindell, or even Big Bend. Milk was about walking in the trenches, giving people who needed hope the most. Sending the message of, "love thy neighbor," where neighbors need loving. And again how fitting today to take our first marching step at the home of the new LGBT Center, 4337 Manchester Avenue.

Thanks St. Louis for remembering Harvey; we made him proud.

Shalom,

Ed Reggi

ShowMeNoHate

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARVEY MILK!

2011-05-22T00:55:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday Harvey Milk!

See you at today's Harvey Milk celebration on Sunday May 22, 2011.

Remember 11:00am meet at Novak’s for brunch (optional); gather at 12:00pm at the new LGBT Center 4337 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110.

We walk east along Chouteau until we reach City Hall; Rally at 1:15pm off the steps of City Hall in complete shade.

REPEAL DOMA NOW

2011-05-18T01:05:00.002-05:00

Hi, I’m Tom Udall.

I've long believed that for issues relating to marriage, decisions need to happen at the state-level. And if the states have that responsibility, then the federal government ought to respect it.

If a state allows same-sex marriage, then the federal government must also recognize those marriages as valid. To do otherwise would be unconstitutional.

FULL TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tom Udall Announces He Will Co-Sponsor Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) [Democracy For New Mexico]

**SEE ALSO: Join Sen. Feinstein, Rep. Nadler and Courage Campaign to repeal DOMA! [CC]

HARVEY MILK MARCH - SUNDAY MAY 22

2011-05-16T18:53:00.003-05:00

Harvey Milk March - St. Louis

Sunday, May 22

11:00am - Optional to enjoy brunch while staying warm (and dry if raining) meet at Novak’s Bar and Grill, 4121 Manchester Avenue, St . Louis, MO 63110

Start of March

12:00pm - At Noon, marchers should gather in front of the new location of the LGBT Center of St. Louis, 4337 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110

12:15pm - March along the streets of Chouteau Avenue to the steps of City Hall. Following similar steps of several historical marches related to Harvey Milk – including the White Night riots March from the Castro to San Francisco City Hall.

You do not have to march. However, we are encouraging as many LGBT and straight allies to March for Harvey Milk on Sunday.

The march is 3 miles. We start at new location for the LGBT Center of St. Louis in the Grove and we walk east following Chouteau Avenue and turn south at 14th street. We end the march at Tucker and Clark - at St. Louis City Hall.

End of March

End up at City Hall downtown around 1pm-1:15pm

Rally for Harvey Milk

1:15pm - If you are not marching, meet-up at St. Louis City Hall, Tucker and Market Streets. Parking is available along Market, Clark and at Union Station.

1:30pm - Rally on the steps of St. Louis City Hall. Featured speaker include Out Gay St. Louis City Alderman Shane Cohn.

The rally will be brief and include speakers for equality. Please support our city'sHarvey Milk Day Rally by inviting your friends, family and neighbors to join you. We're celebrating our victories, no matter how small or big.

The rally ends around 2pm.

SIGN OUR PETITION ON CHANGE.ORG

2011-05-12T02:57:00.001-05:00

Be sure you sign our Change.org petition by clicking below:

Tell University City To Use Current Laws Before They Ban Standing on Sidewalks

It's important you share this above link on all your social media.

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

MEDIA COVERAGE OF UNIVERSITY CITY LAW

2011-05-10T12:00:00.003-05:00

The St. Louis Beacon and CBS St. Louis covered the growing number of people against University City proposed bill 9112 at the City Council meeting last night.

THE TEEN ISSUE

Staff writer Robert Joiner

Most speakers were against a proposed University City ordinance to make it illegal to stand or walk on a public sidewalk or street in a way that impedes others from using the sidewalk or street.

Among those urging the council to reject the initiative, which was tabled, was Sara Ferrill (right), a former University City resident who now lives in Jefferson City. She told the audience of her own days when she and youngsters such as herself were "persecuted" because of the way they dressed. She recalled it was not unusual for her to have magenta hair, an eyebrow pierced, striped stockings and cut-off pants.

"I'm now 32 years old, a very responsible mother and contributing to society. These kids are disenfranchised, too. They have nowhere to go, nothing to do after school. They are not thugs. We need to offer them a chance to engage in our community rather than turn them away."

She urged merchants and others to have more dialogue with youngsters about why they visit the Loop, their parents and what their home environments are like. Getting to know the youngsters will help them engage in positive activities, she said.

The public criticism of teens and young adults in the Loop began the weekend of April 9 when warm weather drew many people to the area. Merchants and some others complained that some of the young people were rude, harassing customers and impeding traffic on crowded sidewalks and streets. The criticism quickened after a St. Louis police officer allegedly was assaulted by a 21-year-old man when the officer attempted to make an arrest at the Metro Station just east of the Loop.

Reports of arrests this spring, since April 8, show that juveniles aren't the only people causing disturbances in the Loop. During the past five weekends, police have arrested 17 people in the Loop, 11 adults and six juveniles. Some merchants have accused juveniles of taking items from sidewalk tables. Two such incidents have been reported to police in five weekends. Both occurred on April 8 and 9.

In one of the incidents, police say a large group of males ran past an outdoor table and took a wallet and cell phone. In the other incident, police say a cell phone was also taken from a sidewalk table. The police reports don't indicate that juveniles were involved in either incident. Most of the juveniles taken into custody in the Loop this spring have accused of fighting or curfew violations. A University City police spokesperson reviewing the crime statistics said the volume of incidents this spring seemed no different from last year.

Many of those who spoke against the proposed new ordinance said the plan raised constitutional issues because the law would end up targeting African-American youths. Ed Reggi (right), who describes himself as an entertainer, told the council that he was troubled by the proposed ordinance. "I come to the Loop two or three times a week to eat, shop or go to the Tivoli," he said. "These laws are usually created in cities that can't deal with crowds, and they are used to target African-American youngsters."

University City Police respond that they do not target anyone but merely confront or apprehend anyone who is caught breaking the law.

William Schwulst, who lives in University City, argues that the proposal as written is too broad and too vague. When in the Loop last week, he said he saw instances where the ordinance would have applied to law-abiding people "blocking my way, children and families pushing strollers and window shopping. But they were blocking my personal way to the sidewalk. This law is a little bit overkill."

Mayor Welsch says growing public opposition was behind the council's decision to table the measure and perhaps take up a revised proposal in two weeks.

"I came in today and had lots of email from people around University City and St. Louis" against the proposed ordinance, the mayor said Monday. "The issue that resonated with me was whether the ordinance was specific enough on how the police could enforce it. This ordinance is not directed toward one group. It in no way mentions children, does not mention the color of their skin. We were thinking of a way to try to keep traffic moving on nice days when we have hundreds of people coming to the Loop."

She said the city attorney would take another look at the proposal "just so we are clear that what we are proposal is in fact constitutional."

For entire St. Louis Beacon article click here

U. City Reconsiders ‘Move Along’ Measure
Michael Calhoun

UNIVERSITY CITY (KMOX) - University City leaders are holding off on proposed hefty fines for sidewalk obstructors — a.k.a. loitering teenagers. The restriction is meant to quell a surge of teenagers, flocking in packs and jamming passageways along the Delmar Loop. Shop owners have claimed they chase away customers on Friday and Saturday nights. The fine for ”interfering with the use of sidewalks or streets” would be $1-thousand per violation.
Council members agreed to postpone the issue, in part due to concerns raised by a majority of speakers at Monday’s night council meeting.

Civil right activist Ed Reggi pointed out a series of relevant laws, already on the books, including failure to comply with a law enforcement officer, interference with city officers or employees, fighting in public, panhandling, unlawful assembly, harassment and noise.
But the most appropriate, he said is disturbing the peace, which deals with ”physically obstructing vehicle or pedestrian traffic,” extremely similar to the language in the proposed new ordinance.

To that end, he questioned whether the ordinance is designed to overtly target African-American teenagers. “That will be by far a bigger public relations nightmare that University City will never be able to fight,” he said. “For us to say that we’re going to target one particular group, just really hurts my heart as a member of this society,” former resident Sarah Farrell added. ”These are kids. They are not thugs. They simply are wanting something to do and we need to offer them a chance to engage in our community rather than turn them away.”
She said she was once a rowdy teenager in the Loop, and noted techniques which were effective in the mid-1990s to battle the loitering: beautification projects, planting trees and flowers, street art, music performances.

Council members, after discussing the legality of the proposal with the City Attorney and the set of already-existing laws with the Police Chief, will reconsider the matter at their next meeting.

UNIVERSITY CITY POSTPONES BILL 9112

2011-05-10T00:44:00.006-05:00

In a sudden turn of events this evening, the University City Council and Mayor decided to postpone the passing of Bill 9112, also known as the "Obstructing the sidewalks" law that opponents suggest will target black youth standing, walking, and strolling on the Loop during busy peak hours.

We must remain vigilant until the Bill is killed, defeated or tabled forever.

ShowMeNoHate wants to thank the following organizations and people:

ACLU - New Jersey

ACLU - Eastern Missouri

Fairness Campaign - Louisville, Kentucky

Beyond Housing - St. Louis, Missouri

Normandy School District

Denise Lieberman

Sara Jean Ferrill

Samati Niyomchai

William Schwulst

And many other citizens who made calls, wrote letters and spoke at City Hall tonight against new Bill 9112. We need you to return on Monday May 23, 6:30pm when the Council will again attempt to vote on the new ordinance. Stay tuned here for details.

Please share with your folks on social media. We understand there are problems in the Loop during peak weeknight and weekend hours; however, these problems needs to have smart solutions.

Let's make the City Council and Mayor come up with clever, smart, highly creative and race-neutral solutions.

UNIVERSITY CITY POISED TO PASS DISCRIMINATORY LAW THAT TARGETS BLACK YOUTH

2011-05-08T19:33:00.005-05:00

On Saturday April 9, a St. Louis City police officer suffered minor injuries trying to make an arrest near the Metrolink station on Delmar Boulevard. The suspect, a 21-year old adult male, was taken into custody. Charges were taken under advisement and the man was released. Local media has portrayed this violent incident as a result of black youth taking over the Loop, yet the suspect who injured the officer was an adult male. Days after the incident, University City Council members under pressure from Delmar business owners, drafted a new ordinance to limit standing on city sidewalks.

Yes! You read that correctly.

University City Bill 9112, better known as the "Obstructing or interfering with use of the sidewalks and streets," will make it unlawful for anyone to "block" public sidewalks located anywhere in University City, Missouri. Those arrested and charged with the crime of "blocking the sidewalk," can be fined up to $1,000 per offense. The Police Department has gone on record with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that, "no warnings will be issued."

Supporters of the ordinance, especially businesspeople in the Delmar Loop business district, say the ordinance will curb loitering and youth gatherings. However, since the ordinance provides absolutely no enforcement guidelines, opponents are sure it will be unfairly used against black pedestrians specifically targeting black youth. Furthermore, University City already has a list of ordinances that protect the businesses from loitering, larceny, noise, assault and aggravation of their customers. The fact remains, police already had enough power to arrest, ticket and charge the suspects who injured St. Louis City police officer on April 9 but they didn't. Bill 9112 was crafted to signal Loop business owners that University City Council is listening; unfortunately, it does nothing to solve the problems which include needing additional police and better understanding of public management in an urban city.

I need you to contact the University City Council and the Mayor today. Politely tell them to kill the discriminatory ordinance bill #9112, which will make standing on the sidewalks in University City a crime. Understand they might express how this law is only targeted at those teens who "block" the sidewalks and cause trouble; however, remain vigilant and educate them that University City Police already have laws to address real crimes in the Loop:

9.04.010 Assault of a law enforcement officer.
9.04.020 False reports.
9.04.030 Resisting or interfering with arrest (or detention).
9.04.050 Failure to comply with (an officer).
9.04.060 Interference with city officers and employees.
9.04.070 Interference with duties of firefighter.
9.04.090 Refusal to identify as a witness.
9.04.100 Concealing an offense.
9.08.010 Affrays (fighting in public).
9.08.015 Elder abuse in the third degree.
9.08.020 Assault in the third degree.
9.08.040 Disturbing the peace.
9.08.045 Panhandling.
9.08.050 Unlawful assembly.
9.08.060 Rioting.
9.08.080 Drinking in public places prohibited.
9.08.090 Public drunkenness.
9.08.100 Urinating or defecating in public.
9.08.120 Possession or control of a controlled substance.
9.08.180 Sexual misconduct.
9.08.210 Harassment.
9.08.240 Noise.

Mayor - Shelley Welsch..... Mayor@ucitymo.org or 314-505-8606

Ward 1 Council Members
Terry Crow..... terry@cttlaw.net or crow@cttlaw.net or 314-918-0045, ext 2
Stephen Kraft..... kraftstephene@gmail.com or 314-863-1136

Ward 2 Council Members
L. Michael Glickert..... lmglickert@yahoo.com or 314-863-1812
Lynn Ricci..... ricci.ucity@gmail.com or 314-725-9090

Ward 3 Council Members
Byron Price..... pricebyron@hotmail.com or 314-726-2953
Arthur Sharp..... qforlifeasj@att.net or 314-721-5954

If you are available to speak against the law, come to University City City Hall, 6801 Delmar Blvd. 5th Floor, Monday May 9th, 6:30pm and submit your name to speak before the vote of Bill 9112. Citizens who show up are allowed to speak for 3 minutes. It's critical you explain how you understand there's a problem; however, we must remind our elected officials that the solution is not criminalizing the public with $1000 fines.

Lastly, University City prides itself as a progressive city. So I need progressives to express their disgust of these kinds of anti-sitting, anti-standing and anti-laying down laws. They do nothing but allow the police to ticket, harass and silence citizens who wish to use public sidewalks as a forum for democracy!

P.S. Feel free to use the following template and email to every Council member. Copy and paste the following emails:

Mayor@ucitymo.org, terry@cttlaw.net, crow@cttlaw.net, kraftstephene@gmail.com, lmglickert@yahoo.com, ricci.ucity@gmail.com, pricebyron@hotmail.com, qforlifeasj@att.net

###

Dear Mayor and University City Council:

It has come to my attention that University City is prepared to pass a law that will limit my and others ability to walk, stroll or stand freely on the sidewalks in University City; including the shop-filled sidewalks in the business Loop district.

Do not pass this law.

Recognizing there are recent safety concerns in the Loop, I understand this law is an attempt to curb the overcrowding of sidewalks. However, my personal concerns are that Bill 9112 will be used to unfairly criminalize and discriminate against black youth walking, shopping and yes, standing on the sidewalks in the Loop.

I ask you vote no on Bill 9112 and direct city police to enforce the current University City laws that target theft, violence, noise, panhandling and harassment directed at Loop customers. See ordinances 9.08.040, 9.04.050, 9.08.045, 9.08.050, 9.08.060, and 9.08.210. Standing, meeting my friends and sharing conversations on the sidewalks of the Loop, is what made the Loop what it is today. Sadly, if this law does pass, you must remove the entire St. Louis Walk of Fame, since it encourages people to "stand still" and "block" the sidewalks while tourists read those stars--a clear violation of ordinance 9112.

Ticketing black youth (or any citizen) for standing in University City will solve nothing. It will only add more racial tension between St. Louis County and St. Louis City. Lastly, as a frequent customer in the Loop, if this discriminatory law does pass, I might find myself standing in a different city spending my money.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

###

NEW WEBSITE COMING

2011-03-22T11:47:00.003-05:00

We are happy to announce that Show Me No Hate will be launching a brand new website. The new website will include new writers, commentators, videos and resources.

We are excited to be making this move to a bigger, more user-friendly website.

LET OUR PEOPLE MARRY!

2011-02-28T17:16:00.003-06:00

Today, California’s largest newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, published an editorial which argued that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, starting immediately.

Last week, pro-marriage equality attorneys filed a brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, urging it to lift the stay of the district court decision that ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional, which would enable marriages to resume. Today’s Los Angeles Times editorial underscores the growing consensus that same-sex couples should not have to wait to get married while the California Prop. 8 case works its way through the very complicated Federal legal system.

“Enough already,” the Los Angeles Times editorial board declared. “…Every day that the case drags on, couples who would like to marry are being deprived of their civil rights. That's not our wording; the federal trial judge decided that issue, at least for now. The denial of constitutional rights, even temporarily, is a deplorable situation that must meet high legal standards to be allowed to continue. In our view, those conditions have not been met.”

Please read the full editorial on the Los Angeles Times website, and to share it with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.

UNITY IN OUR COMMUNITY

2011-02-28T17:11:00.002-06:00

Show Me No Hate and Robyn Carolyn Montague of TransHaven, have sat down together on Monday February 28 and talked through our differences.

We are moving forward with producing a joint event around oppression in the LGBT community.

Please stay tuned.

EDIE WINDSOR TALKS

2011-02-26T20:54:00.001-06:00

ACLU Client Edie Windsor Responds to Obama Administration's DOMA Decision

REACTION ON ENDING DOMA

2011-02-24T12:45:00.002-06:00

Wow even Fox Network is jumping on ending DOMA!

By Josh Bell

Feb 24, 2011 at 04:14 pm

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/video-whats-next-for-doma

President Obama's announcement yesterday that he found the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" unconstitutional means that the Justice Department will no longer defend the law in court. But DOMA will still remain in effect until it is scrapped by either legislative or judicial means.

Toward that end, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) have said they will introduce bills to repeal the law.

"My own belief is that when two people love each other and enter the contract of marriage, the Federal government should honor that," said Sen. Feinstein. "I opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. It was the wrong law then; it is the wrong law now; and it should be repealed.”

Rep. Nadler introduced a repeal bill in 2009. "I will be reintroducing my legislation, the ‘Respect for Marriage Act,’ to repeal DOMA and ensure that committed, loving couples can rely upon the legal responsibilities and security that come with the time-honored tradition of marriage,” he said.

For more on the president's decision and what’s ahead, watch Freedom to Marry National Campaign Director Marc Solomon's interview with Fab.com:

LIVE, LAUGH, AND LOVE - A BENEFIT FOR KATHY HARVEY

2011-02-15T23:19:00.008-06:00

St Louis has one of the most giving and caring communities of them all and no one gives more of her time and energy than Kathy Harvey and her partner, Trish Bush. I know many of you work for other establishments and other organizations but I hope we can all come together this one night because this is different. Few in this community can say they haven't seen a cause touched by Trish and Kathy, regardless of the organization or location.

Barely a week goes by that these two are not first in line to support a cause, and many times multple causes in one night. Now the time has come for us to all share in the love and support Kathy gives all of us in helping to raise money to offset medical expenses as Kathy bravely wins her battle with cancer.

Please join us for an evening of great music, laughter, performers, raffles, 50/50, jello shots and most of all LOVE, and help give back to someone the selflessly gives of herself. On the bill already are performances by Dieta Pepsi and Trish Bush, Justen Espey, Nikki Sweets, Earl Jones, a drag queen/king show at 9 hosted by Ms Pepsi, drawings for gifts cards from Luvy Duvy's, artwork by Deanna Chafin, Arlene Ligori and Janiece Senn, bottles of liquor, an Absolutli Goosed gift card, a Pickles Deli gift card,certificates from Sashas on Shaw and Mokabees, a JC Penny gift card, a Smelly Things Candle Company Basket, photographs from Todd Alan, bar tabs, goodies from Merbs, a Three Monkeys gift cert, a basket of coffee goodies from Kaldi's compliments of Sergio Hernendez, a basket full of retro candy, a Mastercard/Visa gift card courtesy of Transhaven, a Just John gift certificate and much more!

All proceeds, including all door cover until 10pm, go directly to Kathy. A suggested door cover of $10 is requested but not required. We look forward to seeing so many of you from all the organizations Kathy and Trish have helped in the past. If you have anything that can be used in the raffle, or want to perform, please follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183490195017962

When:

Saturday, February 26 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Location:

Novaks Bar and Grill
4121 Manchester Ave

100 MARRIAGES STRONG

2011-02-07T03:25:00.003-06:00

Our 8th Marriage Equality bus leaves during Valentine's week and we have another 15 same-sex couples heading toward Iowa. When we return to St. Louis, we will have reached our 100th wedding in Iowa in less than 19 months.

Wow, now that's something to Celebrate!

We need your help again.

We're looking to raise $1500 to help underwrite the only significant cost of our marriage equality project, the rental of our bus.

What our couples pay:
$50 contribution toward their bus seats
$35 Iowa State Marriage License
food expenses

What your contribution pays:
underwrite the bus rental $1700

Other expenses are donated by our friends in Iowa or from our community in St. Louis. For example, every Marriage Equality Bus has a professional wedding photographer who generously donates their services. We've also had wedding cakes, flowers and clergy members donate their typical wedding fees. It's estimated over $5,000 of in-kind services are donated for each bus.

If you prefer to mail your contribution or used a credit card, please contact us at showmenohate@gmail.com.

HEARTLAND TRANSPORT AT B'NAI EL

2011-01-13T22:33:00.002-06:00

Join Scott Emanuel and Ed Reggi this Friday January 14, 2011 as they screen, and discuss, their award winning documentary short at B'nai El Congregation located in Frontenac, Missouri. Services will start around 7:30pm, with a musical tribute to Debbie Friedman. The movie and discussion are scheduled for sometime after 8pm.

Heartland Transport is winning the hearts of audiences all over the United States. This short documentary tells the story of 17 same-sex couples who obtain their marriage licenses in Iowa.

On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme court unanimously upheld the ruling holding that there was no governmental interest in denying citizens marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation.

Immediately following, Ed Reggi and Scott Emanuel chartered a bus taking seventeen same sex couples from St. Louis, Missouri to Iowa City, Iowa to be legally married.

SHOW-ME LOVE

2010-12-28T17:14:00.003-06:00

(This photo courtesy of Colleen Carlton.)

Check out the January 2011 St. Louis Magazine article (on page 86) titled "Show-Me Love." The article is a wonderful piece about our big marriage bus written by Byron Kerman.

Thank you Byron and thank you to the nearly 100 couples who have made the trip to Iowa to legally wed.

If you are interested in joining our next bus, Monday February 14th, 2011 please contact us at showmenohate@gmail.com or if you would like to make a small (or large) donation to our bus, please visit http://www.showmenohate.com/donate

DADT: THE END OF DISCRIMINATION

2010-12-18T14:57:00.003-06:00

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
December 18, 2010

Statement by the President on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
Today, the Senate has taken an historic step toward ending a policy that undermines our national security while violating the very ideals that our brave men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend. By ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.

As Commander-in-Chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known. And I join the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the overwhelming majority of service members asked by the Pentagon, in knowing that we can responsibly transition to a new policy while ensuring our military strength and readiness.

I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Senators Lieberman and Collins and the countless others who have worked so hard to get this done. It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly. I urge the Senate to send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law.

###

LAME DUCK NOT SO LAME AFTER ALL

2010-12-18T11:42:00.003-06:00

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Clears Vital Hurdle
by The Associated Press
December 18, 2010

In a landmark vote for gay rights, the Senate on Saturday voted to advance legislation that would overturn the military ban on openly gay troops known as "don't ask, don't tell."

The 63-33 test vote all but guarantees the legislation will pass the Senate, possibly by day's end, and reach the president's desk before the new year.

The House had passed an identical version of the bill, 250-174, earlier this week.

Repeal would mean that, for the first time in American history, gays would be openly accepted by the military and could acknowledge their sexual orientation without fear of being kicked out.

More than 13,500 service members have been dismissed under the 1993 law.

Rounding up a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate was a historic victory for President Barack Obama, who made repeal of the 17-year-old policy a campaign promise in 2008. It also was a political triumph for congressional Democrats who struggled in the final hours of the postelection session to overcome GOP objections on several legislative priorities before Republicans regain control of the House in January.

"As Barry Goldwater said, 'You don't have to be straight to shoot straight,"' said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), referring to the late GOP senator from Arizona.

Even after the measure were to become law, the policy change wouldn't go into effect right away. Obama and his military advisers would have to certify that the change wouldn't hurt the ability of troops to fight, and there would also be a 60-day waiting period.

Some have predicted the process could take as long as a year before the Bill Clinton-era policy is repealed.

Sen. John McCain, Obama's GOP rival in 2008, led the opposition. Speaking on the Senate floor minutes before the vote, the Arizona Republican acknowledged he didn't have the votes to stop the bill. He blamed elite liberals with no military experience for pushing their social agenda on troops during wartime.

"They will do what is asked of them," McCain said of service members. "But don't think there won't be a great cost."

In the end, enough GOP senators broke with their party and swung behind repeal after a recent Pentagon study concluded the ban could be lifted without hurting the ability of troops to fight.

Advocacy groups who lobbied hard for repeal hailed the vote as a significant step forward in gay rights. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network called the issue the "defining civil rights initiative of this decade."

Supporters of repeal filled the visitor seats overlooking the Senate floor, ready to protest had the bill failed.

"This has been a long fought battle, but this failed and discriminatory law will now be history," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

The Pentagon study found that two-thirds of service members didn't think changing the law would have much of an effect. But of those who did predict negative consequences, a majority were assigned to combat arms units. Nearly 60 percent of the Marine Corps and Army combat units, such as infantry and special operations, said in the survey they thought repealing the law would hurt their units' ability to fight.

The Pentagon's uniformed chiefs are divided on whether this resistance might pose serious problems.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos has said he thinks lifting the ban during wartime could cost lives.

"I don't want to lose any Marines to the distraction," he told reporters this week. "I don't want to have any Marines that I'm visiting at Bethesda [Naval Medical Center] with no legs be the result of any type of distraction."

Adm. Mike Mullen and Marine Gen. James Cartwright, the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, respectively, have said the fear of disruption is overblown. They note the Pentagon's finding that 92 percent of troops who believe they have served with a gay person saw no effect on their units' morale or effectiveness. Among Marines in combat roles who said they have served alongside a gay person, 84 percent said there was no impact.

PEACE, LOVE & JOURNALISM

2010-12-11T04:56:00.002-06:00

Schedule for Saturday's Online Organizing and Community Building Workshop

So several local St. Louis bloggers have been thinking a lot over the past few months about how we can build a better sense of community among the people who create, consume, and share the information that progressives care about in the St. Louis region. As an initial step in this direction, we're having an Online Organizing and Community Building Workshop this Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Regional Arts Commission on Delmar. It will be free, but RSVPs are required.

Here's a slightly more detailed schedule for the training than is on the facebook page:

9 AM to 9:30 AM Introductions (bagels and coffee provided): In addition to the great workshops, a huge part of the value of this gathering will be the opportunity to network with other bloggers, citizen journalists, activists and assorted wonderful progressives. Please try to be there at 9 AM sharp to help kick start the conversation about how we can build a stronger community.
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Adam Shriver will be facilitating a discussion among a great panel of guests about the current political situation in Missouri. There will be a number of huge, important political fights coming up in the next year that will inevitably shape the trajectory of our work. The panel will include Sean from FiredUp Missouri, Lara Granich of Missouri Jobs with Justice, as well as Paula Hodges and Otto Fanjen from the Missouri National Educators Association. All of these panelists will have an excellent big picture perspective on the issues that will be front and center in 2011.
10:30 to 11 AM The brilliant Sylvester Brown, former Post-Dispatch columnist and currently collaborating with Tavis Smiley, will discuss the state of the media. Understanding the limitations of our media's ability and willingness to cover the issues we care about will provide helpful context as we think about how we can improve our ability to create, organize, and communicate important information.
11 to 11:30 AM Adam Shriver be discussing a new project that's been developed to help foster community among progressive journalists and online activists, as well as create an incubator for progressive citizen journalism. This project will provide a vehicle for progressive ideas to find a larger audience, and will help to provide a shared knowledge base that can inform our future activism.
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Workshop Session A:
Option 1: Blogging 101 with Clark from Show Me Progress
Option 2: Telling a Story Through Video with Ed Reggi from Show Me No Hate
Option 3: Search Engine Optimization with Jaelithe Judy of Momocrats and Care2,com
12:30 to 1:30 PM Lunch on your own (but highly encouraged to network with others and don't go to a sit-down place!)
1:30 to 2:30 PM:
Option 1: Online Community Building Discussion
Option 2: Getting audio from progressive events and podcasting with Peter Jones
Option 3: Working with Traditional Media with Ed Reggi from Show Me No Hate
2:30 to 3:30 PM: Workshops by Suggestion (throughout the day, we'll ask for suggestions on what people would like to learn about or teach about, and this will be the time for these improvised trainings and discussion)
3:30 to 4 PM Debrief and Moving Forward

A huge thanks to the Regional Arts Commission for hosting us, and to the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Missouri Jobs with Justice, and FiredUp Missouri for sponsoring the event. Thanks also to Gloria and Stacy from Occasional Planet and Jerome Bauer for project-related help, and to Juan Montana from Cherokee Photo Booth for some excellent advice and assistance. Also special thanks to Adam Shriver and Sean from FiredUp for taking care of a lot of the logistics.

PROP 8 ON C-SPAN TODAY AT NOON

2010-12-06T08:29:00.003-06:00

NINTH CIRCUIT COURT TO HEAR CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 8 CASE

A three-judge panel on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco will hear an oral argument today on California’s ban against same-sex marriage. In the November 2008 elections, California voters approved Proposition 8, an amendment to California’s Constitution that limits marriage to a man and a woman. The Court will decide if a lower court rightly struck down the voter-approved ban as unconstitutional.

To watch live please visit C-SPAN

SURVIVING SAME-SEX PARTNER OF STATE TROOPER SEEKS FAIRNESS

2010-12-02T12:29:00.004-06:00

Kelly Glossip's partner of nearly 15 years, Dennis Engelhard, was a Missouri state trooper killed in the line of duty while responding to an accident on Christmas Day of last year. Survivor benefits not available to Glossip.

SURVIVING PARTNER OF MISSOURI STATE TROOPER CHALLENGES BENEFITS POLICY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2010

Surviving Partner Of Missouri State Trooper Killed On Duty Challenges Discriminatory Benefits Policy Same-Sex Couples Excluded From Receiving Survivor Benefits

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri and the ACLU of Kansas & Western Missouri filed a lawsuit today on behalf of Kelly Glossip, whose partner, Dennis Engelhard, was a state trooper killed in the line of duty while responding to an accident on Christmas Day of last year. Missouri offers survivor benefits to spouses of state troopers who are killed in the line of duty, but excludes committed same-sex partners from receiving those benefits. Glossip is seeking the same survivor benefits provided to opposite-sex partners.

“Dennis and I loved each other and lived in a committed relationship for 15 years. We depended on each other emotionally and financially in our life together like any other committed couple. We exchanged rings and would have married in Missouri if the state didn’t exclude us from marriage,” said Glossip. “I‘m just seeking the same financial protections the state provides to heterosexual couples. It is hard enough coping with the grief of losing Dennis. It is even more painful to have the state treat Dennis and me as though we were total strangers.”

Spouses of Missouri State Highway Patrol employees are entitled to an annuity of 50 percent of the employee’s average salary if the employee is killed on duty. Since Engelhard’s death, Glossip has struggled with paying the mortgage on the home they both owned. While Glossip is not challenging the definition of marriage under Missouri law, he is challenging the benefits policy as a violation of his rights under the Missouri Constitution.

“Dennis and Kelly were a family in every sense of the word,” said John Knight, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project. “They owned a home together, shared cars and bank accounts, and Dennis even helped Kelly care for his child from a former marriage. They vowed to take care of each other in good times and in bad. As a matter of basic fairness, Kelly should be entitled to the same security as other bereaved partners of troopers killed in the line of duty.”

Engelhard was struck by a vehicle while responding to an accident on Christmas Day, 2009. Following his death, the governor ordered all U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff. Kelly attended a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in May 2010 commemorating the loss of police officers nationwide, and was recognized with a medallion as Engelhard’s surviving partner.

“Kelly is merely seeking the same treatment he would have received if his partner had been a woman, rather than a man,” said Anthony Rothert, Legal Director of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri. “Kelly may not have been able to marry the person of his choice under Missouri state law, but he is still entitled to equal protection and the fundamental right to the family relationship he formed with Dennis Engelhard. He is seeking the same dignity and security for his family that is granted to other state troopers’ families.”

Attorneys on the case include Rothert and Grant R. Doty of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri, Stephen Douglas Bonney of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri, Knight and Joshua Block of the ACLU LGBT Project and Roger K. Heidenreich of SNR Denton.

For more information on this case, including a video, photos and legal documents, please visit: www.aclu.org/glossip

MEDIA CONTACT:
Robyn Shepherd, ACLU National, (212) 519-7829 or 549-2666; media@aclu.org
Debbie Read, ACLU of Eastern Missouri, (314) 652-3114; debbie@aclu-em.org

CIVIL UNIONS DON'T WORK

2010-12-01T08:39:00.003-06:00

February 22, 2008

Civil unions don't work, says New Jersey panel
by Eric Resnick

Trenton, N.J.--Civil unions are a “failed experiment” and an “invitation to discriminate,” according to a New Jersey state commission set up to study them.

The New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission released its first report on the unions February 19. The review is mandated by the 2006 law creating civil unions, and was released on their first anniversary in that state.

The panel concluded that civil unions create a little-understood, separate category of citizens that is often more vulnerable to federal discrimination.

In hearings last year, the commission listened to witnesses from around the state, as well as from Vermont, the first state to create civil unions, and Massachusetts, the first one to adopt marriage equality.

The Vermont witnesses reported problems similar to those in New Jersey, while by contrast, Massachusetts reported that marriage equality cured the disparity between committed same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

The findings could affect other states and the current presidential campaign. New Hampshire and Connecticut also have civil unions, which purport to grant all the state rights of marriage without the word itself, while Oregon and California have very similar domestic partnerships.

Both Democratic presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, oppose marriage equality in favor of civil unions. Republicans John McCain and Mike Huckabee oppose both.

The two Democrats, both attorneys, say that civil unions are equal to marriage. The New Jersey report refutes that claim.

The report highlights the testimony of New Jersey State Bar Association president Lynn Fontaine Newsome, who said, “From the Bar’s perspective, civil unions are a failed experiment. They have shown to perpetuate unacceptable second-class legal status.”

Newsome told the commission that the arrangement requires that lawyers spend “countless additional hours of work” representing gays, lesbians, bisexuals and their families.

Newsome’s testimony was echoed by Ed Barocas, speaking for the ACLU of New Jersey.

“By creating a separate system of rights and by injecting language and titles not understood or easily incorporated into existing real life events and transactions, the civil union law has failed to fulfill its promise of equality,” Barocas said.

Experts from Vermont, which has had civil unions since 2000, told the commission that they are not likely to improve the lives of same-sex couples with the passage of time, either. Their state set up a similar commission last year to compare civil unions to full marriage. Its report is due in April.

The commission also heard from Massachusetts representatives that the mere use of the word “marriage” for same-sex couples makes a significant difference in providing equality.

The Massachusetts witnesses testified that same sex couples there do not face many of the problems that New Jersey and Vermont civil union couples do, even with the federal Defense of Marriage Act, because everyone knows what marriage is, and the couple’s status is never questioned.

Partners often have no benefits

The report elaborates on ten consistent themes.

First, many employers are not recognizing civil union partners for spousal health benefits because they are governed by a federal law, not the state one that requires them to.

The federal Employment Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, uses words like “spouses,” “husbands and wives,” and “married couples” in its benefits guidelines for self-insured employers.

While such companies may also cover civil union partners, the law--coupled with the federal DOMA--gives them a loophole to avoid it without obviously discriminating.

Companies in New Jersey and Vermont are doing this, while in Massachusetts, with marriage equality, employers don’t question their obligation to the couples.

“It’s not that ERISA-covered employers in Massachusetts don’t understand that federal law allows them to refrain from providing benefits to same-sex married couples,” testified Tom Barbera, a vice president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “It’s that employers also understand that without the term ‘civil union’ to hide behind, if they don’t give equal benefits to employees in same-sex marriages, these employers would have to come forth with the real excuse for discrimination.”

Marriage is recognized by everyone

“A common theme in the testimony gathered by the Commission was that while marriage is universally recognized by the public, civil union status must be explained repeatedly to employers, doctors, nurses, insurers, teachers, soccer coaches, emergency room personnel, and the children of civil union partners,” the report continues.

The commission found that young children raised by civil union couples have difficulty understanding the nature of the relationship.

Witnesses testified at great length about unequal treatment that civil union couples face during health crises, because there is no place on forms to recognize partners and confusion about what they are.

That confusion also extends to dealings with banks, insurance companies, attempts to change names, and even to responding to questions for jury duty.

Dr. Sylvia Rhue of the National Black Justice Coalition testified that “the couples who get hurt the most are poor couples who are often African-American couples, who cannot afford thousands of dollars to hire fancy lawyers to draft documents like wills, health care proxies, and powers of attorney.”

Similar testimony was given by Rev. Anahi Galante, an interfaith minister who works with Latinos and Latinas, who typically earn $25,000 per year less than their white couple counterparts.

‘Don’t ask, don’t CU’

Representing the New Jersey State Bar Association, attorney Leslie Farber testified on behalf of a of a couple where one partner is a member of the military, and about to be deployed.

“My client wants to protect his committed life partner,” said Farber, “so that his partner leaves stateside with as many protections and benefits as he can.”

“A New Jersey civil union may be able to provide many of those benefits and protections,” Farber continued. “But a designation of ‘civil union’ is a factual statement this serviceman is a gay man and thus violates the U.S. military’s policy of ‘don’t ask don’t tell.’ ”

Farber also represents a client whose marriage status could be called into question by the civil union law.

That client remains married to the same woman after her sexual reassignment surgery.

When the couple became a same-sex one, the civil union law put the rights and benefits the couple had under their marriage at risk of being downgraded.

The commission, which is part of the state’s Division on Civil Rights, is comprised of 13 citizens appointed by the governor, senate speaker, assembly speaker, attorney general and representatives of banking, insurance, health, social services, senior services.

Governor John Corzine, who signed the civil union law into effect, said in a statement that the report “does raise significant concerns about whether the [civil union] law has effectively granted same-sex couples the same rights and benefits of every other family in the state.”

At press time, neither Democratic presidential campaign has issued a statement.

The panel made no recommendations, saying only that it will continue to investigate the effect of civil unions until its mandate ends in February 2010.

HEARTLAND TRANSPORT at the Tivoli

2010-11-16T23:38:00.003-06:00

Heartland Transport is PLAYING IN ST. LOUIS at the St. Louis International Film Festival this Sunday November 21, 8:30pm at the Tivoli.

Heartland Transport, is winning the hearts of audiences all over the United States. This short documentary tells the story of 17 same-sex couples who leave St. Louis, Missouri to obtain their marriage licenses in Iowa.

On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme court unanimously upheld the ruling holding that there was no governmental interest in denying citizens marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation.

Immediately following, Ed Reggi and Scott Emanuel chartered a bus taking seventeen same sex couples from St. Louis, Missouri to Iowa City, Iowa to be legally married. Since that first bus, Reggi and Emanuel have chartered 7 buses and successfully helped transport 89 couples to Iowa, where they were legally married.

Heartland Transport is presented at this years' Saint Louis International Film Festival before "Leo’s Room (El cuarto de Leo)” screening on Sunday November 21st at 8:30pm.

see movie information http://www.cinemastlouis.org/leo%E2%80%99s-room

see festival information http://www.cinemastlouis.org/

see ticket information http://www.cinemastlouis.org/tickets

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS SCREENING

BRAVE NEW WORLD

2010-10-01T17:39:00.003-05:00

Please visit 50 www.psychologydegree.com and check out the article "Brave Blog Posts About Coming Out."

Patricia Duggan the owner and author of the blog has done an outstanding job gathering very important resources.

Excerpt:

One of the most important, impactful moments of a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, asexual, pansexual or queer individual’s life is finally breaking free from the socially-constructed closet and accepting that particular facet. The decision to come out comes fraught with a maelstrom of psychological, social, filial, emotional, mental and physical stresses – and due to the GLBTQ community’s status as marginalize minorities, they also have to fear discrimination, intolerance and (saddest of all) violence. Not to mention criminalization, occasionally punishable by death, in some nations. Because of this, it takes an impressive amount of personal integrity and strength to slough off society’s heteronormative expectations and be true to one’s own self. These incredibly brave blog posts represent a broad spectrum – though most of them sport positive and hopeful tones – of people coming forth to proudly accept their sexuality and asking loved ones for their support.

DON'T ASK DON'T TELL ED MARTIN, THAT HE'S A BIGOT

2010-09-29T20:44:00.004-05:00

The League of Women Voters helped arrange for two public debates featuring the candidates for the 3rd District congressional seat, including Democratic incumbent Russ Carnahan, Republican Ed Martin and Constitutional Party Nicholas Ivanovich.

The following video was from the debates held on September 26 in the gymnasium at the Arnold Community Center. It was fully stuffed with angry white tea baggers who were there at 4:30 pm to support their tea bag king Ed "I was fired from my state job because I broke the law" Martin.

The clip is the answer each candidate gave to my question, "Do you support DADT."

Russ Carnahan was the only candidate who supports the repeal of DADT. The other two candidates gave some cock and bull about our military couldn't handle some kind of radical social engineering experiment. When are conservatives going to understand that 80% of America supports the repeal of Dont Ask Dont Tell.

When is Ed Martin going to get that this is not about Gay Marriage?

When will Ed Martin stop promoting homophobia?

When will Ed Martin listen to the Military leaders who also support the repeal of DADT?

Several us in the audience lost it when Ed Martin wouldn't answer the question. So we screamed, "Answer the Question," and he did.

Now take a look at the debates held on Friday September 24th in the City of Saint Louis. Ed Martin spins a different tune claiming to be for everyone.

Will the real Ed Martin please stand up?

LET US NEVER FORGET PHILIP SPOONER

2010-09-21T21:46:00.004-05:00

By Gazelle Emami

Philip Spooner is a lifetime Republican, World War II veteran and, to everyone's surprise, a gay marriage supporter. The 86-year-old gave a heartfelt speech in support of gay marriage to Maine's Judiciary Committee back in April, and the video has just now become an internet hit.

Spooner's voice wavers often as he weaves his own life story into the speech, using his experience as a soldier as his main defense for gay marriage. He lists his accomplishments in the war, among them serving in Patton's Third Army and carrying POWs back home, making it clear that he's a true American -- and according to Spooner, there's nothing more American than fighting for equality.

I am here today because of a conversation I had last June when I was voting. A woman at my polling place asked me, "Do you believe in equal, equality for gay and lesbian people?" I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her, "What do you think our boys fought for at Omaha Beach?" I haven't seen much, so much blood and guts, so much suffering, much sacrifice. For what? For freedom and equality. These are the values that give America a great nation, one worth dying for.

DUMP DADT

2010-09-20T22:05:00.000-05:00

DEAR DEMOCRAT: STAY FOCUSED!

2010-09-04T02:03:00.003-05:00

Here is a great article via www.truthwinsout.org - make sure visit and support their mission over there.

To Win, Democrats Must Define, Defend, and Dumb Down
Posted August 31st, 2010 by Wayne Besen
Weekly Column

This weekend, I attended an event on Fire Island that featured Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand (who was quite lovely and engaging). Interestingly, a few donors publicly expressed displeasure about the Democratic Party’s progress on LGBT issues during a Q&A session. This got me thinking about why some Democrats are disappointed with the Party – and it goes much deeper than votes on a few key issues. The unease, in my view, comes directly from the Party’s inability to define itself, defend itself and the style in which it communicates.

If one is asked to name five defining issues the Republican Party stands for, it would be easy: Lower taxes (for the rich), Pro-business (corporate welfare), Discrimination (gays, blacks, Muslims immigrants, etc.), Family Values (undermining separation of church & State) and a strong defense (dumb wars we can’t afford).

But, if one asks the same question about Democrats, people would be left scratching their heads. Over the past couple of decades, the Party has left us with a series of mind-numbing, ever-changing slogans and strategies.

Sure, many of the Democratic Party’s issues are laudable and they have had some success passing legislation. But the merry-go-round of messages has left the Party with an identity crisis. Any experienced salesperson understands that without a solid brand, the product can’t easily be marketed or sold.

In the absence of a brand, Democrats have had to disproportionately rely on prodigy politicians, such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as scaring voters into believing (rightfully) that Republicans are too radical to govern. Fear will send many Democratic voters to the polls in November. However, spooking people into voting against the bad guys and Mama Grizzlies, while important, will not be enough to win long-term.

Aside from defining, the Democrats are going to have to start defending and stop allowing themselves to be tarred by Republicans. First, Al Gore was painted as a wimpy, serial exaggerator who lacked leadership. Then, we had war hero, John Kerry, who was swift boated as a traitor. Now, Barack Obama has been mercilessly slimed as a communist, Muslim terrorist who wants to march into Middle America and take their guns.

It is frustrating that the Democratic Party can’t make Americans remember the disaster of George W. Bush’s presidency, a mere two years ago. Yet the GOP still has people remembering the alleged nightmare of life under Jimmy Carter.

Wouldn’t the party be much better off if it cast aside its reticence and threw political punches against the GOP in the same way that Rachel Maddow, Keith Olberman and Jon Stewart do each night?

If Barack Obama still thinks he can play nice and make friends with intransigent Republicans, then he is kidding himself. The GOP is already planning, if they win back the House, to undermine the President’s legitimacy and effectiveness by launching a series of frivolous investigations.

Of course, the biggest problem the Democrats have is that they often do not know how to talk to voters. In the early stages of my career, when I was in broadcasting, news directors taught that to reach a mass audience, reporters had to write at a fifth-to seventh grade level. The Republicans get this, while Democrats talk to the American people as if they are conducting a college seminar. We hear them yammering about complicated or meaningless terms such as: public option, cap and trade, deregulation, ENDA, and working people.

(Today’s real working people would rather be defined by their aspirations, not their current station in life. So, appeal to their dreams, not their present job.)

Here are four quick examples of the way Democratic Party officials and politicians should start talking to voters about key issues:

Deregulation: “Thanks to Republicans, we can’t even feel secure having eggs for breakfast because they have dismantled safeguards that protected us from food poisoning.”

Alternative Energy: “Every time we go to the gas pump and use foreign oil, we are pumping up the terrorists. This is why we support homegrown energy innovation.”

Environment: “We will not allow Republican policies to ruin our heritage by polluting our blue water and skies with oil and smog.”

ENDA: “In a free market, the best worker should get the job, regardless of sexual orientation. We have zero tolerance for discrimination because it is morally wrong and it is bad for business.”

I know it can be difficult to dumb down the rhetoric. But, it is better than feeling stupid on Election Day, watching Republicans trick the American people into voting against their own interests.

DOUBLE YOUR FUN, DOUBLE YOUR FREEDOM TO MARRY

2010-08-30T16:05:00.000-05:00

On Friday's September 17th and October 22nd two more Show Me Marriage Equality Buses will depart from St. Louis and head toward Iowa City, Iowa. Their goal is the freedom to marry! To date our 5 previous Show Me Marriage Equality Buses have transported 71 Missouri couples to Iowa City and helped over 50 additional couples make the trip on their own.

We already have 15 couples making the Fall weddings; however, we are looking for more couples to join. The 55-seat bus we rent can hold up to 15 couples, clergy, wedding photographers and family members. If you are interested in getting married, please send an email to ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com.

Our Show Me Marriage Equality Bus expenses run around $3,000 per trip. More than half of that total cost comes from the actual rental of our bus, gas and our driver.

We never want finances to be a reason why a same-sex couple cannot obtain a marriage license. We are asking you to help defray at least half the marriage bus expenses. Please consider making a $20, $35, $50 or $100 contribution today to help our 5th Marriage Equality Bus.

(Your contributions are not tax-deductible; however, if you are looking to make a tax-deductible donation to the Marriage Equality Project please email us at ShowMeNoHate@Gmail.com. If you wish to designate your contribution toward a particular couple please let us know.)

ROY BLUNT'S THUGS KICK OUT GRANNIES

2010-08-29T16:33:00.003-05:00

As Roy Blunt was touring Missouri, touting his Chamber of Commerce backing, constituents who wanted to visit with their Congressman found themselves directed to the nearest exit.

This is the same old GOP party politics that not only the great seniors of Missouri can expect, but Missouri LGBT will also see Congress fallback to it's old GOP ways if Roy Blunt is elected into office.

Roy Blunt has a long history of passing anti-LGBT legislation, continuing Conservative homophobic government policies (like DADT, DOMA and ENDA) and treating our community as second class citizens.

Keep ROY BLUNT out of office this November.

THANK YOU MAYOR SLAY; HOWEVER,

2010-08-24T00:58:00.005-05:00

MayorSlay.com rolled out an interesting poll ~~a few days ago~~, ~~a few weeks ago~~, ~~a few hours ago~~, ~~last week~~, heck I am not sure when it appeared. No, ShowMeNoHate didn't get a phone call, heads up, email, tweet, Facebook wall post, myspace message, snail mail letter, fax, smoke signal, Harry Potter Owl or shout from the sidewalk about it. Like everyone else, we just heard about it through the queer grape vine.

Here is an excerpt of what was written on the Mayor's website:

Mini Poll: Checking In Again On Prop 8

This month, a Federal district court judge in California struck down Proposition 8 -- a state ballot measure that banned gay and lesbian couples from marrying -- as unconstitutional. Although Judge Vaughn Walker's decision has been stayed, many advocates of same-sex marriage saw it as a victory and perhaps an indication that courtrooms, not legislatures or electorates, are going to be the fastest ways to bring about the equal recognition of legal relationships. The Prop 8 case is now most likely to be decided by the US Supreme Court.

MayorSlay.com knows that neither legislators nor judges operate in public opinion vacuums. So, we have occasionally asked your opinions on this subject. We do so this week, once again borrowing some questions from national surveys on these issues.

Here in Missouri, though demonstrably less so in the generally gay-friendly City of St. Louis, majority public opinion has remained reliably opposed to the recognition of same-sex marriages and the state is one of a handful in the country that has reinforced its statutory prohibitions with a constitutional one. Yet, there is some anecdotal evidence that even Missouri has moved slightly towards some acceptance of domestic partnerships and civil unions. Three-quarters of Americans now support some form of legal recognition for gay couples.

Have your opinions changed on these issues since the last time anybody asked? Let us know by voting on this poll. Feel free to send it to your friends.

Putting aside the idea of not getting a proper invite to participate: the poll has more LGBT holes than Lorraine Swiss cheese. (You'd swear for as much LGBT work Mayor Slay does he'd have at least a big ole queer network by now.)

So what are the LGBTers to do?

On the one hand, Mayor Slay is an ally and big supporter of Marriage Equality. He has been at several ShowMeNoHate sponsored events and who can forget this adorable snapshot in front of the Old Court House?

So I did what any advocate should do, I extended an olive branch to Mayor Slay. I wrote him the following letter in the hopes he can learn from his mistakes:

Dear Mayor Slay,

I was excited to have several of friends and family call me about your new "Checking in Again on Prop 8 Poll." I checked your website and when I saw the opening graphic of the two wedding rings, well let's just say, "you had me at the rainbow flag." Once again it felt great to call myself a Saint Louis City resident. As I began to read the survey, I realized why all those friends called me.

Where do I start?

First off, for the record I applaud you Mayor Slay for everything you have done and continue to do for the LGBT Community in Saint Louis. I personally continue to support you, your entire office and all the work you do everyday to make my city a better place to live in. I truly feel proud to say I live in Saint Louis City.

However, I am troubled by your "Mini Prop 8 Poll."

At first glance It seems clear to me that you didn't have a single lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person look at it.

How do I know this? Well for starters, your poll says:

"Proposition 8 -- a state ballot measure that banned gay and lesbian couples from marrying"

Mayor with all due respect, this is not what the California Proposition 8 did. What Prop 8 did was to allow California voters to change their state's constitution so, "that a marriage is only valid between one man and one woman." The wording is completely identical to what Missouri voters passed in 2004. (Only Kansas City and St. Louis City voters turned down the discriminatory Missouri constitutional marriage rewrite.)

I clarify your Prop 8 wording because it affected more than just lesbian and gay couples. It affects bisexuals who are in a committed relationship with a same-gendered partner and it also affects transgendered individuals in a committed relationship with a same-gendered partner.

So to suggest California's Prop 8 (or Missouri's 2004 twin) only affects gay and lesbian same-sex marriages lacks half the LGBT community in our struggle for the freedom to marry. Although I am sure not done intentionally, the current wording on your website's poll leaves my bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters stranded at the altar.

There are plenty of more examples written throughout your poll where you continue to leave bisexuals and transgendered individuals completely off your survey, basically as if they do not exist. I am here to inform you Mayor Slay, they do exist and they are being denied the same marriage recognition as I am with my husband whom I married in Iowa over a year ago.

My goal is to bring this to your attention in the hopes to better educate your staff. As a Regional and National advocate on Marriage Equality and LGBT rights, I cannot forget my own home city where I live.

I invite you to add me as a resource to whatever Prop 8, Marriage Equality or LGBT poll you might create in the near future.

Again, thanks for reading my comment. Please know Mayor Slay I am very proud to say the Mayor of my city supports full equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community.

True this is not Armageddon, but we cannot divide our LGBT community during these near end-of-days-like-times especially when it becomes way too easy to leave someone off the bus in the name of equality. I am hopeful the Mayor will reach out and invite the bisexual and transgender community back on the Marriage Equality Bus -- lord knows there is plenty of room.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE:

Tuesday August 24th 11:35AM

-------------------------------------------------------------------

MayorSlay.com sent me a speedy response:

from communications@mayorslay.com
to ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com
date Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 10:58 AM
subject Response
hide details 10:58 AM (36 minutes ago)
Ed,

Thanks for your note. You are absolutely right about the missing -BT. Another great reader pointed out the same issue. The next time we touch the topic, we will add some questions.

Your comment also points out something wider. Most of the questions on our poll this week were borrowed (um, copied verbatim) from recent surveys by national news-gathering organizations. We do that to be able to compare the opinions of our readers with those of the nation as a whole. (Yeah, we know it isn't scientific ...) The -BT issues are simply not being raised in the mainstream. We will try to do our part to change that.

Meanwhile, please stick with us.

The Poll Writers

THIS IS THE FREEDOM TO MARRY?

2010-08-12T16:42:00.002-05:00

Please pass this video around the internet, thank you.

FIFTH BUS ROLLS OUT AUGUST 13TH

2010-08-11T10:06:00.000-05:00

On August 13th, 2010 another Show Me Marriage Equality Bus filled with loving same-sex couples will depart from St. Louis to obtain their marriage licenses in Iowa City, Iowa. To date our four previous Show Me Marriage Equality Buses have transported 58 Missouri couples to Iowa City and helped over 50 couples make the trip on their own.

We already have 8 couples on board our August bus; however, we are looking for a more couples to join. The 55-seat bus we rent can hold up to 15 couples, clergy, wedding photographers and family members. If you are interested in getting married, please send an email to ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com.

You can also help our "Love bus" today!

Our Show Me Marriage Equality Bus expenses run around $3,000 per trip. More than half of that total cost comes from the actual rental of our bus, gas and our driver.

We never want finances to be a reason why a same-sex couple cannot obtain a marriage license. We are asking you to help defray at least half the marriage bus expenses. Please consider making a $20, $35, $50 or $100 contribution today to help our 5th Marriage Equality Bus.

(Your contributions are not tax-deductible; however, if you are looking to make a tax-deductible donation to the Marriage Equality Project please email us at ShowMeNoHate@Gmail.com. If you wish to designate your contribution toward a particular couple please let us know.)

THANK YOU ST. LOUIS

2010-08-10T00:39:00.003-05:00

Over 300 LGBT community leaders gathered on Thursday in Clayton to counter protest the National Organization for Marriage and to celebrate the over turn of Proposition 8 in California. Visit www.thevitalvoice.com for LGBT news.

Feel free to pass on this video

SHOW ME RALLY FOR MARRIAGE - CLAYTON MISSOURI

2010-08-04T23:38:00.005-05:00

Thursday August 5, 2010

5:30pm - 7:30pm

St. Louis County Courts, Clayton Missouri

(meet at South Central and Carondelet Avenues)

NOM has obtained a permit to use Memorial Park in Clayton. It is located off Carondelet Avenue between South Meramec Avenue and South Central Avenue. There are two locations to stage our celebration for Marriage Equality.

Location #1, participants should organize on South Central Avenue sidewalk near Carondelet Avenue. http://goo.gl/maps/WhK7

Location #2, participants should organize on South Meramec Avenue sidewalk near Carondelet Avenue. http://goo.gl/maps/WhK7

Participants with large posters and energy (we want cars to see us!) should also gather at the corners of Forsyth Blvd and South Central Avenue; or Forsyth Blvd. and South Meramec Avenue. Those are high visibility corners during the evening in Clayton. http://goo.gl/maps/WhK7

Plenty of Free Parking is available in the parking lot off Carondelet Avenue between South Beminson Avenue and South Central Avenue. The Clayton police have said this parking lot is free after 5pm.

PROP 8 UNCONSTITUTIONAL: VICTORY

2010-08-04T17:38:00.003-05:00

PROP 8 UNCONSTITUTIONAL!

St Louis plans big rally in Clayton

 SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI – AUGUST 4, 2010 – At 3:45pm, in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal lawsuit challenging California’s Prop 8, Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco ruled that Prop 8 is unconstitutional and violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws. In 2004, Missouri voters passed a similar Prop 8 style marriage amendment defining marriage only between one man and one woman. Today, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s verdict sends a chilling reality that Missouri’s Marriage Amendment is federally unconstitutional. Local marriage equality advocates are organizing a “Marriage Equality Rally,” in Clayton, Missouri in front of the St. Louis County Courts Building (at Carondelet and South Central Avenues.)

Tomorrow’s celebration coincides when the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) ‘Summer of Marriage Tour’ stops at Memorial Park in Clayton, Missouri. The organization was founded in 2007 to finance the California discriminatory Proposition 8 ballot measure. NOM is considered the most influential group opposed to same-sex marriage in state legislatures.

“Today's federal ruling strikes down a cruel and unfair constitutional amendment that should never have become law and affirms that the freedom to marry belongs to every American. As the first court to strike down race restrictions on marriage said in 1948, ‘the essence of the right to marry is freedom to join in marriage with the person of one's choice.’ There is no gay exception in the Constitution to personal choice and the right to marry, and there is no good reason to continue excluding same-sex couples from marriage,” affirms Evan Wolfson, Director of Freedom to Marry.

“Tomorrow’s rally starting at 5:30pm outside the St. Louis County Courts in Clayton Missouri, where hundreds of gay, poor, white, straight, black, Jewish, Christian and middle class residents will stand in support of ending the discrimination of same-sex couples living in Missouri,” says Ed Reggi the founder of ShowMeNoHate. Reggi made national news when he was the first to legally marry his spouse Scott Emanuel last year in Iowa City, IA.

DAY OF DECISION: PROP 8

2010-08-03T19:35:00.002-05:00

Federal Court to Release its Decision Tomorrow
AUGUST 3, 2010

For Immediate Release: August 03, 2010

Contact: Yusef Robb 323-384-1789 /

yusef@equalrightsfoundation.org

The federal court announced today that it will release its decision in the American Foundation for Equal Right’s landmark case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, on Wednesday. Text “EQUAL” to 69866 to get a text message with the official decision on your mobile phone the moment the court releases its decision, or sign-up for an email alert at equalrightsfoundation.org. Join AFER on its Web site to watch a live press conference with our plaintiffs and co-counsels Ted Olson and David Boies following the release of the decision. As we receive news about the details of the release, AFER will update our Facebook and Twitter profiles, along with our Web site.

More information see:

http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org

ACTION AGAINST NOM

2010-08-03T11:19:00.005-05:00

Thursday, August 5

5:30 - 7:30PM

78 S. Meramec Ave.

(NE Corner of Carondelet & Meramec)

Clayton, MO 63105 -see http://goo.gl/maps/WhK7

See the Google Map Link for our counter protest, the park location and where to park in the city of Clayton.

NOM, National Organization for Marriage, has launched a Summer for Marriage 2010 Bus Tour. One of their bus stops is Saint Louis on August 5th, 6:00pm - 7:00pm. PROMO, Faith Aloud and Show Me No Hate have organized a rally against NOM.

You can see NOM's entire schedule here:

http://www.marriagetour2010.com/tour/

Please go on August 5th and participate with ShowMeNoHate and peacefully counter NOM's Rally of Marriage Discrimination.

If any clergy or faith leaders are available to come, please contact Faith Aloud at 314.531.5010.

Please bring positive signs and posters about marriage equality.

Note: Please do not engage the NOM staff, volunteers, or supporters. While we want to send a strong message, we also do not want to give NOM any potential issues that they can use to raise money from their base. Almost daily from other stops, NOM has sent out emails claiming a 'hate filled' response when they arrive in town. We must remember just your presence at this event will speak volumes to anyone watching the news that night. NOM's bus has only received small crowds of mostly their paid staff and volunteers. Counter actions have outnumbered them in every city.

For more information, visit the Facebook Page here or visit www.ShowMeNoHate.com.

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

2010-07-11T12:34:00.003-05:00

ShowMeNoHate recommend's you read the recent Federal court decision against DOMA for yourself. There is no best solution than reading court decisions by the people they affect.

You can read it here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/34072925/DOMA-decision-in-Mass-AG-case

Read on....

A BIG DAY FOR GAY RIGHTS?

2010-07-10T03:20:00.003-05:00

Max Miller on July 9, 2010
from BIG THINK

Church and State both took tentative strides towards granting gays and lesbians greater rights yesterday. In Massachusetts a federal judge overturned the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted last night to ordain non-celibate gay and lesbian clergymen but tabled discussion on a more progressive measure to embrace same-sex marriage. Big Think talked with several experts today to gauge exactly how important these developments are for the gay rights movement.

In two separate cases, Judge Joseph L. Tauro of United States District Court of Boston ruled that same-sex couples deserve the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples. If upheld, this decision would guarantee federal benefits in the five states that allow same-sex marriage and the District of Columbia. But the decision will certainly be appealed by the Department of Justice, most likely reaching the Supreme Court. Though the Obama administration has made clear its opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the Department of Justice is obliged to defend the constitutionality of existing laws. Legal experts are divided as to whether the ruling will hold up to the appeal, says The New York Times.

NYU law professor Kenji Yoshino explained to Big Think today that the two cases involved in this ruling challenge DOMA from two very different angels. One case used the 10th Amendment to call into question the federal government's powers vis-a-vis states' rights; the other argues that the law violates equal protection under the law embodied in the 5th Amendment. Yoshino calls this two-pronged challenge "an ingenious pincers movement." The two arguments are "mutually reinforcing in an interesting way," he said. "Many judges who would be against same-sex marriage would still be for the states' right to define it." Ultimately, though, he believes "the 5th Amendment route is more likely to succeed than the 10th Amendment route because the precedents here are more robust." And if the case does make it to the Supreme Court, the outcome, he said, "will come down, as usual, to Justice Kennedy."

The vote by Presbyterian leaders yesterday is also only a provisional one. While important symbolically, it will not become official doctrine until a majority of the church's 173 "presbyteries," or district governing bodies, approve the measure.

Ann Craig, Director of Religion, Faith & Values for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, spoke with Big Think today from Minnesota where yesterday's meeting was held. "The Presbyterian Church meets every two years, and in the past two meetings they have consistently made steps towards full equality," she said. In 2008, Presbyterian leaders voted in favor of ordaining gays and lesbians, but the measure failed to garner support in the presbyteries. But this time around, says Craig, people are very hopeful: "The last time they received historic levels of support from unexpected places like the Carolinas and rural areas in the Midwest and Southeast."

If the measure is accepted, the Presbyterian Church will join a growing number of Protestant denominations that allow same-sex clergy, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the U.S. Episcopal Church. And two major U.S. denominations—the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations—explicitly allow same-sex marriage. The Catholic Church, however, shows no signs of loosening its stance towards gay ordination or same-sex marriage. Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and BT expert, said the likelihood of a similar action in the Catholic Church is "slim to none." The Vatican, he said, "has been very clear about not accepting gay men into seminaries and religious orders."

But Father Martin added, "the Presbyterian Church's decision is a positive reflection of society's greater acceptance of gays and lesbians in our country."

This article is from BIG THINK, see the entire article by clicking here.

ST LOUIS CITY PROTECTS GENDER INDENTITY

2010-07-09T01:33:00.003-05:00

In late May at a town hall sponsored by PROMO and TransHaven, Alderman Shane Cohn announced Board Bill 67, inserting gender identity into the list of protected categories which already includes sexual orientation. The bill gained many co-sponsors and moved swiftly through committee and passed with unanimous support of the Alderman.

"Extending basic protections has been long overdue," stated Cohn. "In order to remain competitive in today's marketplace and respect every member of the Saint Louis community, I am proud to have sponsored this bill." Please send Saint Louis Alderman Shane Cohn a "Thank You" for helping secure these protections at cohns@stlouiscity.com.

The Bill will go into effect immediately upon signature by Mayor Slay, which is anticipated by early next week. Enforcement will be the requirement of the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency (CREA) who can be reached at 314.622.3301.

see total article at Vital Voice

WHERE WERE YOU ON CHRISTMAS?

2010-06-29T15:40:00.001-05:00

If nothing else at least we can be assured Elena Kagan has a sense of humor. During today’s hearings Sen. Lindsey Graham asked Kagan, in relation to a question about the Christmas Day Bomber, “where were you on Christmas day?” Responded Kagan, to a deserved round of applause: “You know, like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.” Point Kagan.

Apparently, Sen. Patrick Leahy had had the joke explained to him earlier by New Yorker (and Jew) Chuck Schumer.

Thank you MEDIAITE!

MISSOURIANS DEMAND APPOLOGY FROM IKE SKELTON

2010-06-18T14:15:00.002-05:00

About 25 Missourians went to Rep. Ike Skelton's Jefferson City District office on Thursday July 17th. The local group was organized by Ed Reggi of Show Me No Hate and was supported by national LGBT organization GetEqual.

Reggi presented the 3000+ signatures to Rep. Ike Skelton's staffer after he read a letter from an United States army solider currently serving in Iraq. The soldier was recently outed as gay and is now currently under DADT policy to be removed with dishonorable discharge.

MEDIA ADVISORY - APOLOGY ACTION

2010-06-16T16:05:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Brad Luna - luna.brad@gmail.com - National Contact
Ed Reggi - ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com - Local Contact

Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) Refuses to Apologize, GetEQUAL and Missouri Advocates Set to Protest Outside Congressman’s Jefferson City Office Will Deliver 3,000+ petitions demanding apology and an end of efforts trying to stop “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal; Letter from gay, Missouri soldier, currently serving in Baghdad and facing discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, to be read

WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, GetEQUAL, a direct action lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, Show Me No Hate, a Missouri based LGBT civil rights organization, and other Missouri LGBT equality advocates are set to protest the Jefferson City, MO offices of House Armed Services Chair Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) over the congressman’s refusal to apologize for homophobic remarks he made last week regarding the repeal of the military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. On Monday, GetEQUAL and Show Me No Hate, a Missouri based LGBT civil rights organization, announced the launch of a national campaign targeting Rep. Skelton by demanding a public apology from the Missouri congressman for comments opposing a vote on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal for fear of sparking a “national discussion around homosexuality” and posing the offensive, homophobic question that asked, "What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" -- referring to his own outdated views on discussing the lives of LGBT Americans. To read the press release on the campaign’s launch – including a link to the full campaign email and take action – please visit: http://getequal.uptownstudios.net/?p=432 .

Tomorrow, in addition to 11:00 am (CST) protests, lead almost entirely by Missouri voters, that will take place outside of Rep. Skelton’s Jefferson City Congressional District Office, the group will also deliver over 3,000+ petitions also calling on the Congressman to issue an immediate, public apology for his homophobic remarks. Also, the group will be reading a letter to Rep. Skelton from a gay, Missouri soldier who is currently on active duty In Baghdad and facing discharge under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. The letter calls for the Armed Services Chairman to stop his efforts trying to thwart any attempt at progress toward the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

“Congressman Skelton has had ample opportunity to step forward and take responsibility for his comments by issuing a public apology,” said Ed Reggi, a local Missouri resident and co-founder of Show Me No Hate, a Missouri grassroots coalition made up of advocates who support full equality for the LGBT community. “His refusal to apologize for his homophobic remarks and to take a pledge to stop his efforts to kill any attempt at repealing ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ can only be interpreted as a blatant disregard for the care and treatment of his gay and lesbian constituents. Therefore, tomorrow we are prepared to hold the Congressman accountable for his homophobia.”

WHAT: Protest of Rep. Ike Skelton’s Jefferson City Congressional District Office demanding a public apology for homophobic remarks about the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

WHEN: Thursday, June 17th, 2010 from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon (CST)

WHERE: Rep, Ike Skelton’s Jefferson City Congressional District Office, 1401 Southwest Blvd, Suite 101, Jefferson City, MO 65109-2429

WHO: GetEQUAL, Show Me No Hate and a coalition of other Missouri based LGBT advocates and organizations

Last week, the Associated Press reported that during a media breakfast on Friday, 4th, 2010, Rep. Ike Skelton, currently the chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and an original author of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law in 1993, made a series of homophobic remarks during a discussion of why he did not support repeal of the military’s ban on gay and lesbian Americans from open service. The full Associated Press story can be read here: http://tiny.cc/98msy .

To take immediate action calling on Rep. Skelton to publicly apologize for his homophobic remarks, please go to: www.getequal.org/missouri.php

To join the effort to push for an Executive Order to immediately stop the firing of gay and lesbian service members, please go to: www.getequal.org/dadt.php

GetEQUAL is a national, direct action lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization. Emphasizing direct action and people power, the mission of GetEQUAL is to empower the LGBT community and its allies to take action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way. For more information on GetEQUAL, please visit: http://www.getequal.org. You can follow GetEQUAL on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/getequal, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/GetEQUAL/357280104305, or on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/getequal.

SHOW ME NO HATE is a grassroots coalition of committed Missouri organizations and individuals working to restore full Marriage Equality in Missouri, please visit http://www.ShowMeNoHate.com

###

TIME TO APOLOGIZE IKE

2010-06-15T03:39:00.000-05:00

Less than one week ago Congressman Rep. Ike Skelton declared LGBT Americans second class citizens. He wants me and my spouse Scott to simply go back into our closet. I asked for his public apology and you answered. Thousands of people in Missouri have signed GetEQUAL's petition to demand that Rep. Ike Skelton apologize for his homophobic comments regarding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation:

"The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said Tuesday that he thought the military should keep its ban on openly gay service members in part because he did not want to open a national discussion about homosexuality. The chairman, Representative Ike Skelton, a conservative Missouri Democrat, said he thought the debate in Congress over the proposed repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy might force families to explain homosexuality to their children. “What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?” Mr. Skelton asked reporters at a news media breakfast."

Will you help me deliver our petitions to Rep. Skelton?

In order to make it clear to Rep. Ike Skelton that his views on LGBT service members serving honestly and openly in the military are outdated, I need local Missourians to deliver signatures from our petition drive to his district offices this Thursday June 17th 11:00am. I know this is very short notice, but we must hold Rep. Skelton to the same standard we hold any elected official.

So can I count on you joining me on Thursday 11:00 am in Jefferson City, MO? I am especially encouraging folks to bring their families with them to his office, including our children. Imagine an 8 or 10-year-old delivering the message directly to Rep. Ike? Rep. Ike Skelton needs to know that some families have two mommies or two daddies.

Carpooling is available; however, only from Kansas City, Branson, Springfield, St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri. The event takes place at 11:00am in Jefferson City, about 2 hours 30 minutes from Kansas City, St. Louis or Springfield. The action is over at Noon. You can expect to depart from your city around 8:00 am and be home by 2:30pm.

Sincerely,
Ed Reggi
ShowMeNoHate.com

OUR FACEBOOK EVENT
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125347157501394

TIME TO UNLIKE IKE
http://showmenohate.blogspot.com/2010/06/time-to-unlike-ike.html

ACTIVISTS DEMAND APOLOGY FROM SKELTON
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/06/14/Activists_Demand_Apology_from_Skelton/

HE'D RATHER NOT TALK ABOUT DADT
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/us/09brfs-HEDRATHERNOT_BRF.html

TIME TO UNLIKE IKE

2010-06-11T14:24:00.008-05:00

Apparently Democratic Representative Ike Skelton likes to keep his head in the sand.

Rep. Skelton thinks if everyone suddenly stops talking about gays serving in the military; or gays getting full protection in their workplaces; or gays obtaining marriage equality then perhaps the gays might just disappear from the streets of Rep. Skelton's district.

What planet is Rep. Ike Skelton living on? Watch how Rachel Maddow addresses Rep. Skelton's comments:

Where has Rep. Ike Skelton been living the past 25 years and what has Rep. Ike Skelton been doing the past 10 years?

Protecting LGBT citizens and families has been front and center since Rep. Ike Skelton helped create the DADT policy 17 years ago. Missouri was one of the first States that passed a State Constitutional Amendment banning Marriage Equality. In 2004 President Bush used "Gay Marriage" to win conservative Missouri voters for his election. Furthermore, mostly recently in the 2008 general elections Proposition 8 in California helped make LGBT Equality a common household conversation. So I am not sure where Ike has been living these days.

Where has Ike been since he crafted the homophobic DADT policies? And the bigger question: where is the Democratic Party of Missouri? How does a Dem like Skelton get away with his bigotry and still expect to get one single dime from our checkbooks?

IT'S TIME TO UNLIKE IKE.

http://www.getequal.org/missouri.php

Sign the petition asking for Rep. Ike Skelton to apologize.

NEW FLASH: Here is a lovely moment of Rep. Ike. I wonder what mommies and daddies will tell their 7-year-old after Ike just told them to "stick it up their ass."

HIGH 5 FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

2010-06-08T14:40:00.000-05:00

The next Marriage Equality Bus is leaving on Friday August 13th and heading to Iowa. The Bus will depart from a safe location somewhere in St. Louis City or County. The total trip is 4.5 hours with a lovely breakfast stop in Hannibal, Missouri.

Our goal is simple: to get as many Missouri same-sex couples legally married.

On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme court unanimously upheld the ruling holding that there was no governmental interest in denying citizens marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation. Immediately following, Ed Reggi and Scott Emanuel chartered a bus taking seventeen same sex couples from St. Louis, Missouri to Iowa City, Iowa to be legally married. Over the past year, Reggi and Emanuel's Marriage Equality Bus has managed to help 58 Missouri same-sex couples legally wed. Their hope is to reach 100 by the end of 2011.

If you are interested in the Marriage Equality Bus please contact us at ShowMeNoHate [at] gmail [dot] com.

STATE OF MARRIAGE

2010-06-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

On May 1, 2009, seventeen lesbian and gay couples, four members of the clergy, and a handful of supporters boarded the Show Me Marriage Equality Bus in St. Louis, Missouri. They set off on a five-hour journey to Iowa, a state that had recently legalized same-sex marriage following a ruling by its Supreme Court. Missouri, on the other hand, explicitly banned marriage between two men or two women and offered no legal recognition whatsoever to same-sex relationships.

That day, far from home and away from their families and friends, the couples exchanged vows and received their marriage licenses from the state of Iowa.

Since then, the Show Me Marriage Equality Bus has made the trip from St. Louis to Iowa three more times. Although the couples’ reasons for participating are often deeply personal, they all share a desire to publicly affirm their love and to have access to the rights and privileges enjoyed by married heterosexual couples.

A co-production of That Uppity Theatre Company and St. Louis Actors’ Studio, The State of Marriage tells the story of the Show Me Marriage Equality Bus and the lesbian and gay couples who chose to cross state lines to tie the knot.

This innovative piece is about more than that, however. It also asks what marriage means in the 21st century. The State of Marriage looks at the pros and cons of this basic social institution while exploring its complicated social, religious, and historical dimensions.

Conceived and directed by Joan Lipkin in collaboration with J.T. Ricroft, The State of Marriage incorporates original storytelling techniques that anticipate audiences accustomed to blogging, Facebook, and Twitter. Lipkin includes a Greek chorus of bridesmaids, a quiz-show take on Leviticus, wedding cake, Twister, and risqué shout-outs to philandering celebrities.

The State of Marriage is also full of music, featuring cabaret singers, bits of pop songs, and dance numbers.

As a special treat for the audience, local drag legend Dieta Pepsi—winner of Ms. Gay Missouri 1991—dons wedding wear and wows audiences as a sassy, gender-bending bridesmaid and civil rights prophet.

The American Civil Liberties Union has bought out the first night for a special benefit performance. If you would like to see the premiere of The State of Marriage and support the ACLU/EM's important work, consider purchasing a ticket to this show.

The State of Marriage premieres on Thursday, June 10 and runs until Sunday, June 20. Show times are 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission (6128 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112).

Tickets are $25 for adults and $18 for students and seniors. Special group rates are also available.

Individual tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers or Charge by Phone at 1-800-982-2787. Tickets may also available at the theatre box office one hour prior to performances.

FORGOT MILK?

2010-05-15T02:37:00.003-05:00

Come out and support many of the FREE events during St. Louis' Harvey Milk Week May 16th - May 23rd. Don't forget there is a citywide March and Rally on Saturday May 22, Harvey's birthday. For more details check out the dedicated St. Louis Harvey Milk Week website:

http://www.ShowMeNoHate.com/Milk

MILK WEEK!

2010-05-14T01:25:00.000-05:00

Schedule for the Harvey Milk Week in St. Louis: (as of 5/14/10)

Schedule for the St. Louis Harvey Milk Week:
(see http://www.ShowMeNoHate.com/milk for details)

Sunday, May 16th
Central West End LGBT History Walking Tour #1
1:00pm -3:00pm
Meet in the Central West End
To RSVP please email queerhistorystl@gmail.com
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113342002023513)

St. Louis Style Kiss-In
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Meet at City Garden, Downtown St. Louis
Gay Invasion has answered the Committee for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia call for a Great Global Kiss-In, before the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. They are hosting the St. Louis Style Kiss-In at City Garden. Show your LOVE and get your Kiss On!
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114091878630774)

Monday, May 17th
Central West End LGBT History Photo Tour
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Meet at the Wine Press 4436 Olive Street St. Louis
Central West End LGBT History presentation of a pictorial version of the walking tour for those who cannot attend the Walking Tour for disability or personal reasons.
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114735048561660)

Tuesday, May 18th
The Harvey Milk Week St. Louis History Talk
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Meet at Rustin's Place 625 North Euclid Avenue St Louis, MO 63108
Local LGBT leaders talk about St. Louis during the Harvey Milk era. Sponsored by the LGBT Community Center of St. Louis

Thursday, May 20th
Town Hall for Gender Identity / Expression
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Meet at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Boulevard
TransHaven Missouri and PROMO, in honor of Harvey Milk, will host this Town Hall regarding the various aspects of Gender Identity / Expression and it's perception and impact within the Community. The Town Hall includes a Panel Discussion, chaired by community leaders and local politicians.
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118875514798855)

Friday May 21st
Eve of Harvey Milk's Birthday Party.
10:00pm - 1:30am
Meet at The Complex, 3511 Chouteau Avenue, St Louis
GlitterBomb welcomes NYC drag special guests Acid Betty and Epiphany Get Paid. This is a benefit show for Growing American Youth - Ages 18+.

Saturday, May 22nd
March for Harvey Milk
Meet at Novak's Bar and Grill, 4121 Manchester Avenue, St . Louis
9:00am - 10:00am
We will be walking from the Grove to the steps of City Hall. Following in the legacy of several historical marches related to Harvey Milk - including the White Night riots March from the Castro to San Francisco City Hall.
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110296572347267)

Rally for Harvey Milk
11:30am - 12:30am
St. Louis City Hall, Downtown St. Louis
Featuring Out Gay Alderman Shane Cohn and many other speakers!
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110296572347267)

The Times of Harvey Milk Documentary - FREE SCREENING
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Meet at The Complex, 3511 Chouteau Avenue, St Louis
Harvey Milk Documentary free screening.

Sunday, May 23rd
Growing American Youth Brunch
9:00am - 1:00pm
You can enjoy brunch and support LGBTQ youth at the same time! at MoKaBe's Coffee House, 3606 Arsenal street, St. Louis, MO 63116. Come hear youth present: "Am I the next Harvey Milk?"
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112812572090346)

Central West End LGBT History Walking Tour #2
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Meet in the Central West End
To RSVP please email queerhistorystl@gmail.com
(facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116435845041018)

Gay it forward, spread the word!

2010-05-01T13:28:00.003-05:00

Please feel free to download this simple postcard about Harvey Milk Day in St. Louis, May 22nd. Visit this link to grab your very own PDF file. Print out and feel free to distribute at your favorite event this week. http://www.showmenohate.com/images/milk-four-up.pdf

April Showers Bring May Marriages!

2010-04-20T21:52:00.006-05:00

All aboard the Show Me Marriage Equality Bus leaving Friday May 7th!

Our bus is leaving again, destination Iowa City. We already have 9 couples on board; however, we are looking for at last 7 more. Our chartered bus can hold up to 20 couples, 5 clergy and a handful of photographers, journalists and family members. If you are interested in getting married, please send an email to ShowMeNoHate [at] gmail [dot] com.

Check out this month's Dieta Pepsi Show on The Vital Vision webisode as she covers the March Show Me Marriage Equality Bus to Iowa City.

You can also help our couples today by making a $25, $50 or any donation you can afford toward the total costs of the Show Me Marriage Equality Bus. Although we do charge a small $50 fee per couple to take our bus, we never want financial hardship to be a reason why a couple doesn't not get married. Please use the following website to make a secure and safe payment today:

The American Taliban

2010-04-20T21:40:00.003-05:00

The people in this video are nothing more than "domestic terrorists" displaying extreme violent images and hate speech. Show Me No Hate crowns them with the title of terrorist because they operate using the same weapon - fear and hate.

Once again the Christian Fundamentalists came out to this year's Faith Aloud 2010 Awards Banquet. This special unique event recognizes volunteers, doctors, politicians, teachers, clergy and community leaders who support woman's reproductive rights recognized by Federal and State laws for nearly the last 50 years. Contrary to what these hate mongers preach, there are very strong traditions in many organized religions that protect a woman's right to choose all of her medical affairs.

Contrary to the wacko doodles signs displayed in the above video, "people are not pro-abortion." The only person allowed to decide what medical procedure is right for any citizen is the actual person going through that procedure and their physician. In America our Constitution protects the freedoms of speech, religious expression and privacy. When these zealots assert their religious beliefs over my Constitutional Rights, they destroy the very fabric of our religious freedom.

COPYRIGHT: Everyone in this video granted their permission to be recorded. They were told by the police their image was in public view on private property and that if they didn't want to be identified to simply leave. Copyright holder makes no assertion that anyone in this video is Christian or a Taliban terrorist. I do assert they are wacko doodles.

Another Bus Rolls Out May 7th

2010-04-05T11:05:00.004-05:00

On March 12th, 2010 another 17 same-sex couples left St. Louis to obtain their marriage licenses in Iowa City, Iowa. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather and we received a warm reception from everyone in Iowa City. To date our 3 Show Me Marriage Equality Buses have transported 48 couples to Iowa City and helped another 50 couples make the trip.

Our "Love Bus" is leaving again, Friday May 7th. We already have 8 couples on board; however, we are looking for a more. The 55-seat bus we rent can hold up to 20 couples, 5 clergy and a handful of photographers, journalists and family members. If you are interested in getting married, please send an email to ShowMeNoHate [at] gmail [dot] com.

You can also help us today!

Our Show Me Marriage Equality Bus expenses run around $2700 per trip. That cost includes the actual rental of our bus, the driver, gas and the costs to rent our beautiful wedding chapel in Iowa City. We never want finances to be a reason why a loving couple cannot obtain a legal marriage license so we ask our community to help defray some of the expenses. Please consider making a donation today to help our 4th Marriage Equality Bus leaving May 7th.

Your $10, $40 and $100 donations allow us to keep our Marriage Equality Bus Project going. Give what you can and please spread the word about our next bus.

Laclede Gas Welcomes Diversity

2010-04-03T13:05:00.007-05:00

Well maybe more like an B+

Laclede Gas officially changed it's website this week on April 1, 2010 to reflect a wonderful promotion of it's non-discrimination policy:

Laclede Gas Company (Laclede) is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment in all employment decisions. Laclede pledges itself to the following policy for all personnel and applicants for employment:

Laclede will hire, place, upgrade, transfer, promote, recruit, solicit for employment, treat during employment, pay and otherwise compensate, select for training and development and lay off or dismiss without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or information protected by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”), or other protected status, in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws.

(Yes, although we are happy with sexual orientation, we are sad they did not include Gender Identity.)

We were sent a personal letter from Timothy Golden, Employment Manager of Laclede Gas Company stating how he looks forward to working with HRC on their Equality Survey. Mr. Golden was thankful for bringing the matter to his attention and continues to work toward providing the best workplace for all Laclede Gas employees. We are hopeful we can get Mr. Golden and Laclede Gas to add Gender Identity to this policy.

A big thank you goes out to Chloe Astor-Huntington at TransHaven, A.J. Bockelman at PROMO and John Mancuso with the local St. Louis HRC chapter.

Turn up the Heat on Laclede Gas

2010-03-18T16:21:00.003-05:00

FULL EQUALITY NOW - stop the sexual orientation and gender discrimination policy at St. Louis based Laclede Group.

"The Laclede Group, whose primary subsidiary is Laclede Gas, has earned the dubious distinction of finishing tied with Exxon Mobil Corp. as the worst place in the nation to work if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered." - By Ellis E. Conklin in News, Now See Here Riverfront Times 2/9/2010 http://bit.ly/bnAxe6

Laclede Gas has one of the poorest records in regards to LGBTQ discrimination, according to the Human Rights Campaign. If you are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender working at Laclede Gas you have ZERO protections from being harassed, abused and/or fired.

"Every LGBTQ Laclede Gas employee wears a hidden target on their backs... and because they're a privatized utility company folks can't take their business elsewhere," says Ed Reggi founder of Show Me No Hate.

"The Laclede Group, the St. Louis energy company, tied for worst in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. Laclede does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender, does not provide partner health benefits, and provides no diversity training that includes sexual orientation." - Huffington Post "The Worst Companies For LGBT Workers: HRC's 2010 Ranking" - Huffington Post 2/9/2010 http://bit.ly/bJ1HK5

Link to HRC's 2010 Ranking:
http://issuu.com/hrcworkplace/docs/hrc_corporate_equality_index_2010

"Criteria considered includes whether discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited and whether same-sex partners are eligible for health insurance benefits. Also taken into consideration were diversity training programs, internal LGBT resource groups and company marketing campaigns." - David L Wylie, "Ten Worst Companies for Gay Workers" GaysOfLa.com -- http://bit.ly/aywjAR

On Thursday March 25th, 7:00 am, join Show Me No Hate and the People's Settlement -- in front of the Laclede Gas Building, 720 Olive downtown St. Louis. We will tell Laclede (Gas) Group how much we think of their discriminatory LGBTQ policy. As one of Missouri's energy utilities -- we demand full equality NOW to their employees.

Please bring a friend, colleague, neighbor and your children to our amazing TURN UP THE HEAT rally against Laclede (Gas) Group.

JOIN THE ENTIRE PEOPLE'S SETTLEMENT EVENT:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=375440387465

HARVEY MILK DAY

2010-03-11T15:45:00.004-06:00

On October 11, 2009, more than 200,000 people marched on Washington D.C. in the National Equality March with one single demand: Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

SHOW ME NO HATE helped organize a St. Louis 200+ contingent to the National Equality March, including raising the $6000 needed to charter a bus from Missouri to DC. We also helped connect folks to discounted train, plane and carpooling opportunities. It was a huge success for Missouri.

On May 22, 2010—the anniversary of Harvey Milk's birthday—SHOW ME NO HATE will take action again to demand full equality for all LGBTQ Missourians.

The International Day Against Homophobia, May 17, kicks off a week of local actions and on Harvey Milk's birthday, May 22, Equality Across America (EAA) is calling on all activists to converge in each of the 50 states for the Harvey Milk Day Action and SHOW ME NO HATE is answering the call with a series of events being organized in St. Louis.

SAVE THE DATE FOR HARVEY MILK on May 22, 2010, and help Missouri take action for full federal equality.

SHOW ME NO HATE is in the process of planning events throughout the Greater St. Louis and Metro East region. We are working with several local LGBTQ and straight ally leaders including the well respected leader, Bert Coleman. Please consider becoming involved with this great cause for Harvey Milk and our community.

Examples of what has been suggested for the week:

Free public screenings of the Harvey Milk documentary
Free public screenings of the Sean Penn film MILK
A street fair in the Grove area
Workshops for organizing in our community
A March to the Arch for Harvey Milk fundraiser
Community picnic for Harvey Milk in Forest Park
A volunteer within our community effort
Candlelight vigil downtown St. Louis
An exhibit chronicling our local history and struggle for LGBT rights
An art opening featuring local LGBTQ artists, past and present
A community forum about the St. Louis LGBTQ issues
Generation to generation: documenting stories from our LGBT elders
LGBTQ opening and affirming religious interfaith service

If you are interested in helping organize events for the week, please contact Tiffany Parrett at tiffany@showmenohate.com

ACTION AGAINST THE HATE AT SLU

2010-02-27T11:04:00.004-06:00

Saint Louis University's Rainbow Alliance and it's students have reported several incidents where students have experienced acts of hate. This has included racial slurs, threats of violence, and acts of direct homophobic vandalism.

Join the students of Saint Louis University Sunday February 28th at 9pm, as they stand together against the hate.

Show Me No Hate volunteers will gather outside the St. Francis Xavier "College" Church at 9pm. SLU Students will gathering outside of College Church after the 10pm Mass. Join us on a silent procession as we walk to where the Rainbow Alliance's Station of the Cross was stolen this past week. The students have chosen this path because it represents a recent target on campus. This event is a chance for students, teachers, alumni and community members to support tolerance of everyone regardless of their race, religion, gender identity, culture and sexual orientation.

Meet Sunday February 28th 9pm - 10pm
St. Francis Xavier College Church - SLU Campus
3628 Lindell Boulevard (Corner at Grand Boulevard, near Fox Theatre.)
St Louis, MO 63108

UNITE + FIGHT: STRATEGIZING FOR LGBT EQUALITY

2010-02-25T01:22:00.006-06:00

Show Me No Hate is helping organize ride share travel accommodations for anyone who wants to attend the Unite + Fight: Equality Across America Midwest Conference, in Chicago March 12-14.

Ride sharing is a wonderful way to help fill empty car seats for those already attending the conference or for those contemplating attending. Everyone sharing rides must agree to help cover gas expenses for the round trip weekend.

This is an excellent way to get to the Chicago LGBT conference on a budget and make some new friends along the way.

Check out the Ride Share form and tell us how you can help.

Unite and Fight: Strategizing for LGBT Equality

Unite + Fight EAA Midwest Conference
March 12–14, 2010
Chicago’s Columbia College

On the weekend of March 12–14 activists from across the Midwest will gather to discuss and debate how to achieve full federal equality while forming a strong regional grass roots network. Proposed topics include: Why We Need a National Grassroots Movement, Movement Strategy and Tactics, The ‘T’ is not Silent: Transgender History and Politics, Movement History: ACT UP, Lessons From the Black Civil Rights Struggle, Convincing the Democrats to Take Us Seriously, Taking on the Religious Right, and more.

In addition there will be artists performing and showing their work, music, dancing and lots of time to hang out and socialize with other LGBT activists and allies in the region. Don’t miss the opportunity to build unity and meet new activist friends in Chicago, March 12–14, 2010.

Shape the strategy for our next steps as a movement.
Hear from prominent activists on what works and what doesn’t.
Socialize with other individuals and groups in our region.
Learn from educational workshops on topics that matter to you.

Featuring:

Lt. Dan Choi, prominent activist against Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
Staceyann Chin, Jamaican-born lesbian performance artist and poet
Adam Bouska, photographer and creator of the “NO H8″ campaign

$15 to register for the conference
http://unitefightmidwest.ettend.com/

More about the conference
http://eaamidwestconference.wordpress.com/

KIRKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT: RALLY ALERT

2010-02-24T18:34:00.006-06:00

Ryan Schuessler, from the Kirkwood high school Gay Straight Alliance will appeal to the Kirkwood School Board on Monday March 1, to include Sexual Orientation in the Kirkwood School District non-discrimination policy. This is their largest effort yet and the most well put together. There is a petition and several planning to speak before board.

Come and show your support for the Kirkwood community.
Come support simple, undeniable human equality in the eyes of the law.
Come show the school board that the Kirkwood GSA is not alone.

Invite your friends, family and teachers to attend by using the official Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=286889994755

Show Me No Hate will be peacefully rallying outside starting at 6:00pm. Please plan on attending the rally outside 6:00 pm and the Board Meeting inside on Monday March 1, 2010 7:00 p.m.

North Kirkwood Middle School
11287 Manchester Rd
Kirkwood, MO 63122-1129
(314) 213-6170

Please wear something rainbow to show solidarity with the Kirkwood students.

MARCH GLADNESS: BUS 3

2010-02-08T23:41:00.007-06:00

On March 12, at 6:00 am the Show Me Marriage Equality Bus is rolling out again. We are currently looking for same-sex couples in a loving relationship who would like to join our third bus to Iowa. If you are interested please contact me at showmenohate [at] gmail [dot] com.

On Friday, May 1st, 17 same-sex couples from Missouri boarded the first Show Me Marriage Equality Bus. They were joined by a dozen clergy members, advocates, photographers, filmmaker and several reporters. Their destination was Iowa City where they legally married in what was called, "the first Midwest victory for Marriage Equality." The day marked an historic day as Missourians and the Nation witnessed these couples getting legally married.

Iowa's first dealings with same-sex marriage came in 1998, after recent court cases starting in Hawaii found that denying the right to marry to same-sex couples was incompatible with the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitutions of most states. Iowa legislators hurried to pass a local Defense of Marriage Act to prohibit marriage between gay and lesbian couples to avoid a similar court challenge.

In 2005, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of six Polk County same-sex couples and their children who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, arguing that this denial violated the liberty and equal protection clauses in the state constitution. In 2007, the Polk County District Court ruled in favor of the couples, prompting the county to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously upheld the District Court's ruling holding that there was no important governmental interest in denying citizens marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation. Licenses were originally to be available 21 days after the ruling, on April 24, but the date has been pushed back to April 27.

Here is a great video of our last bus courtesy the St. Louis Post-Dispatch http://bit.ly/2QRENP

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
The cost of chartering a bus to Iowa City is costly. The bus rental is about $1700 and we are asking you to help defray the expense to our couples. If you can pledge $20, $50 or $100 that would help. All other costs incurred such as the actual marriage licenses and food will be paid by the couples. Your money is going toward the biggest expenses - the chartered bus and travel.

Feel free to use our CHIP IN tool to help reach our goal of $1500 by March 9th, 2010.

THE CATHOLIC WAY

2010-02-04T00:38:00.003-06:00

Full article can be found here http://www.catholic.org/

In October 2008, The Cardinal Newman Society published a comprehensive study of practices and beliefs of current and recent students at Catholic colleges and universities. The study, conducted by the reputable Washington, D.C., polling firm QEV Analytics, found that:

Nearly 1 in 5 respondents knew another student who had or paid for an abortion.
46% of current and recent students—and 50% of females—said they engaged in sex outside of marriage.
84% said they had friends who engaged in premarital sex.
60% agreed strongly or somewhat that abortion should be legal.
60% agreed strongly or somewhat that premarital sex is not a sin.
78% disagreed strongly or somewhat that using a condom to prevent pregnancy was a serious sin.
57% agreed strongly or somewhat that same-sex “marriage” should be legal.
57% said the experience of attending a Catholic college or university had no effect on their participation in Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation.
54% of respondents said that their experience of attending a Catholic college or university had no effect on their support for the teachings of the Catholic Church.
56% said their experience had no effect on their respect for the Pope and bishops.

Both the 2008 and the 2003 CNS reports can be found at www.CatholicHigherEd.org.

MISSOURI HIGHWAY TROOPER DENNIS ENGELHARD'S SPOUSE SPEAKS OUT

2010-01-29T01:02:00.004-06:00

A FALLEN HERO: RESPONSE

2010-01-27T14:07:00.000-06:00

HONORING A GAY MISSOURI HERO

2010-01-25T22:56:00.003-06:00

Honoring a Gay Missouri Hero
St. Louis Community remembers Dennis E. Engelhard

On Christmas Day Missouri Highway Patrolman Dennis Engelhard was struck and killed while assisting at an accident in Eureka, Missouri. Burial services were conducted as per family wishes in early January with internment at Christ Church Cathedral in Saint Louis. Engelhard is survived by his partner of nearly 15 years, Kelly Glossip. Mr. Glossip is also a member of Christ Church Cathedral.

Show Me No Hate is asking for the entire community to attend this special memorial event. Many of the rights afforded by marriage would of guaranteed the future of Engelhard's spouse Kelly and their son. Missouri State employee benefits are not extended to same-sex couples. Imagine the tragedy of losing your spouse and then being forced to burden the expenses of moving on. And what's particularly troubling is that without Federally protected same-sex marriage, family members can still override the grieving partner's wishes.

In the spirit of obtaining 100% Marriage Equality, please help us remember Engelhard and all those LGBT Missouri State employees who are not able to extend their State benefits to their spouses and children.

At 2 pm, Saturday, January 30, 2010 Christ Church Cathedral will hold a Memorial Eucharist to celebrate the life of Dennis Engelhard, with a reception following around 3pm open to family and friends.

A Memorial Fund has been established in his honor to support Kelly and his son. You may send contributions to:

The Dennis Engelhard Memorial Fund
c/o Christ Church Cathedral
1210 Locust St
Saint Louis, MO 63101

The Very Rev. Michael Kinman notes, "Dennis was a vital part of our Cathedral community, as is his partner, Kelly. We have lost a dear friend and a community hero. Unfortunately, Dennis' death has also served to remind us of the staggering lack of legal protections and benefits accorded to gay and lesbian couples and of our need to work for those protections and benefits so that future survivors don't have their grief compounded by the indignity and practical hardships brought on by this discrimination."

ON THE RECORD

2010-01-25T13:04:00.002-06:00

We are pleased to post the Prop 8 Federal case daily courtroom transcripts.

http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/our-work/hearing-transcripts/

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

2010-01-25T03:08:00.000-06:00

In early November of 2009, Show Me No Hate and the Catholic Community learned that Archbishop Robert Carlson sent $10,000 Archdiocese dollars to help fund an anti-gay ballot veto in Maine. The Archbishop did this at a time when his office is facing hard economic times.

Local St. Louis Catholics and non-Catholics thought this was a complete waste of precious dollars and wanted to do something positive. On November 29th, 2009 volunteer organizer with Show Me No Hate, Tiffany Parrett created a campaign against Archbishop Carlson's actions. Parrett called it "10,000 Items for Charity."

Here are the four charity organization that will benefit from Tiffany's incredible campaign to show Archbishop Carlson exactly how much need still exists in St. Louis:

You may click on the organization's logo above to read more about their import mission statement.

DEAR ARCHBISHOP CARLSON: CHARITY IN ACTION

2010-01-25T01:28:00.001-06:00

Photo courtesy of St. Louis Post-Dispatch Article

Dear Archbishop Robert J. Carlson;

Show Me No Hate is a volunteer organization dedicated to achieving full marriage equality in Missouri and across the country. In response to your personal decision to send $10,000 from “private gifts” of the Catholic Church to fund the anti-marriage equality ballot initiative in Maine, the members of Show Me No Hate assembled peacefully in front of the St. Louis Basilica on November 29th to inform the public of your choice. After receiving messages of support from the community and many of your own parishioners, the rallies were continued to share the message peacefully during Advent.

Amidst the peaceful and collaborative discussions held during the rallies in front of the Basilica, several demonstrators discussed what COULD have been done with $10,000. The 10,000 for Charity drive was created to demonstrate the beneficial and benevolent uses for which your funds could have been used to help those in need within the St. Louis area. The goal of 10,000 items was chosen to provide the most avenues of giving for our community members.

The 10,000 for Charity goal date was set for January 18th in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a champion of the Civil Rights Movement and a hero to many of us still carrying on the struggle. Until there is marriage equality for all citizens, we will continue to fight for our civil rights.

On Martin Luther King Day (January 18th), the 10,000 for Charity drive reached and exceeded the goal! To date, there are more than 11,000 items that have been distributed to local charities and many items are still streaming in (clothing, food, toys, hygiene and household products). Clearly, the value of the 11,000 (and growing) items collected exceeds $10,000, especially to the charitable organizations working directly with those in need. The four charities chosen were: Karen House (an LGBT friendly Catholic safe house), the Guardian Angel Settlement, Operation Food Search, and the St. Louis Crisis Nursery.

The members of Show Me No Hate and others in the St. Louis community, through the 10,000 for Charity drive, have demonstrated their desire to put their available resources where they can help people instead of supporting a fight that discriminates against people. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

Our hope is that in the future when you are faced with a choice of where to appoint your discretionary funds, please consider the words of Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s widow and a prominent civil rights leader of her own accord, when she said, “all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance, and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation.”

Sincerely,

Tiffany Parrett
10,000 for Charity
Show Me No Hate

ORDER IN THE COURT: JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS

2010-01-22T01:35:00.006-06:00

The LGBTQ community needs to keep a close eye on Justice Clarence Thomas. Read the following article on Courage Campaign's Prop 8 Tracker website:

How Today’s Supreme Court Decision Affects The Marriage Equality Movement
by Robert Cruickshank

This morning David Thompson and Dr. Gary Segura got into an important discussion about the role of boycotts in politics. At the same time, the US Supreme Court was handing down one of the most important decisions of the new century, Citizens United v. FEC – a case that has direct bearing on the questions being raised at the Prop 8 trial, both this morning and more broadly.

The Supreme Court decision is bad enough – it throws out key parts of the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 that had prevented corporations from spending money to expressly advocate for or against the election of a candidate, and overturns two previous decisions dating back to 1990 that had upheld these kinds of laws. The result is a corporate free-for-all, enabling them to spend as much money as they want on elections. That will in turn further corrupt an already broken political system, giving wealthy corporations the ability to dominate our elections and politics. Over at Slate, Dahlia Lithwick explains just how bad this decision is for our democracy.

Click here to read the full article

ONE RINGY DINGY FOR PROP 8 TRIAL

2010-01-20T14:09:00.006-06:00

Lots of news regarding the Federal Prop 8 Trial is coming out everyday on the internet. We can thank the United States Supreme Court for blocking video and audio streaming from the Court room. There is so much information from so many different sources sitting inside the court hearing the trial. Every night it takes a web army to comb through all the data, words, facts and information. At first Show Me No Hate wanted to give up to the minute information but alas it was very difficult to weed through all the chatter and noise on twitter.

So in an effort to make it easier for us and you to catch up to date information please check the following links daily:

http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/ - the official website

http://www.marriagetrial.com/ - an experiment where actors will act out the trial daily

http://prop8trialtracker.com/ - CA Courage Campaign trial tracking website

PROP 8 VIDEO WRAP: DAY THREE

2010-01-14T02:17:00.000-06:00

PROP 8 VIDEO WRAP: DAY ONE

2010-01-13T23:43:00.000-06:00

I was hoping that SCOTUS would of allow video cameras in the court room but that was struck down today. So I am going to post videos that help summarize each day:

COURAGE CAMPAIGN'S TRANSCRIPT OF PROP 8 CASE

2010-01-11T21:21:00.002-06:00

Liveblogging Day 1: Daily Summary
January 11, 2010

By Julia Rosen

Several people have requested that Rick’s liveblogging be placed into one post so that it is easy to share with friends and family members. Per that request, I have copied in chronological order the five liveblogging threads from today.
I’m happy to announce that Rick is staying an extra night in San Francisco to liveblog tomorrow’s proceedings. So, please check back throughout the day as he documents the second day of the trial.

[UPDATE] 9:30 The Prop. 8 side still wants to preserve objection that any evidence be put up that shows intent of those who fought to pass prop. 8 including the ads. The anti-marriage folks are continuing their theme: we want to control the media. We don’t want the public to have the info to make up their own minds.

[UPDATE] 9:46 The judge is probing extensively whether or not the problem would be solved if the state of California “got out of the marriage business.” He and Olson had a colloquy about whether domestic partnership for all would solve the problem. Olson had to have a note handed to him from his team to say that only opposite-sex couples over 62 can have domestic partnership. Judge Walker is very interested in seeing what change has occurred that should force the federal judiciary to enter the issue. He wants to know what evidence will show that makes the matter worthy of judgment. The judge is very, very smart. This is really, really fascinating. Olson is doing a great job in answering him. “What’s the evidence going to show that Prop. 8” intended to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Olson: no question that Prop. 8 intended to discriminate. We’ll put on evidence from the plaintiffs and others that show how they felt about the campaign, the sentiments that may have been used to motivate the voters.

[UPDATE] 9:52 What’s amazing here is that Ted Olson is talking about the grievous harm to gays and lesbians, that we’ll show there has been a long history of discrimination at the hands of the government and the people. What’s just amazing is that Ted Olson—read that again—Ted Olson is arguing forcefully that there is “no good reason” for Prop. 8. And there is no damage to opposite sex couples to marry. The history of the institution of marriage has evolved. Marriage laws the disadvantaged women or races or ethnicity that have been eliminated have strengthened the institution of marriage. This is Ted Olson!

[UPDATE] 10:10 Olson is just brilliant. He answered the judge’s point that marriage only existed for mere months, not a long established right, by saying that the court finally realized that the right exists within the California constitution, just as the US Supreme Court realizes that rights exist. Marbury v. Madison says, “the law is the law.”

And the judge just got to the big elephant: if Prop. 8 is unconstitutional, can DOMA be constitutional? Olson says we’ll have to work through that. This case may lead the judiciary to that conclusion, but it’s not the subject of this case. I personally (Olson) believe it’s unconstitutional!

Ted Olson on civil unions they “Inflict a badge of inequality.”

He goes on to say that Prop. 8 perpetuates discrimination for no good reason. It makes gays and lesbians inferior, lesser so they’ll be discriminated against and suffer irreparable harm.

[UPDATE] 10:14 More from Olson: When voters were encouraged to pass Prop. 8, religious institutions would be closed, gay activists would overwhelm the state and parents were told to “protect our children.” We’ll show that here.

Heterosexuals including substance abusers, convicted criminals are allowed to marry, divorce and remarry.

18000+ married same-sex couples can divorce and not remarry.

Thousands of same-sex couples married in other states are recognized here effective January 1st.

But fourth category is the plaintiffs whom we represent who have none of these rights.

Judge Walker: why shouldn’t courts stay out of this as Mr. Cooper says?

Olson: That’s why we have courts, to protect those who are discriminated against, when their children can’t go to school because of their skin color. We would not need a constitution if we left everything to the political process. We’d just let the majority prevail and that’s a good thing about democracy, but it’s not so good if you are different, new. It causes gays and lesbians unrelenting pain. We have the courts to take our worthy, upstanding citizens who are being hurt to be protected by the courts. That’s why we are here today.”

Now, turning to Terry Stewart for San Francisco.

[UPDATE] 10:16 Judge Walker wants to know the evidence that shows that CA would get $3 billion in economic benefit if we have same sex marriage. Terry Stewart said we’ll show that. And we’ll show that Prop. 8 proponents used scare tactics to show that there is a “culturally triumphant gay movement” that will harm children.

Judge Walker pushes here back to economics. Where is the evidence that denial of marriage economically injustices San Francisco.

Stewart: Hate crimes are caused by this sort of thing and that costs the state.

Judge Walker: What’s link to Prop 8?

Stewart: Prop. 8 reinforced messages that gay relationships are inferior. That message leads to hate crimes. Harms individuals and state economically because it has to prosecute those hate crimes.

This is amazing. We have tried for years to get these messages into the court of public opinion. Now, thanks to Chad Griffin and Bruce Cohen and the funders of the foundation, we have Ted Olson, Terry Stewart and a very, very smart chief federal judge asking the questions we want everyone to think about.

[UPDATE] 10:24 Terry Stewart is listing the prejudices that exist and how they negatively impact government because of the harm done to people.
Judge Walker asks the Attorney General representative: If Pro.8 violates constitutional, why did the AG allow Prop. 8 on ballot?

AG: There is no duty or responsibility for the AG to review the constitutionality or not of an initiative.

Judge: May I have a brief on this?

As lawyer, I was involved in pre-election challenge to initiatives, said Walker. Judge Walker seems incredulous that AG does not review constitutionality of props.

Judge: Did AG take a position on Prop. 8 before election?

AG: I don’t know.

- Note: Brown was opposed to 8! Everyone knows that. Why does his own staff not know that?
Judge Walker just asked for better information from the AG’s rep.

[UPDATE] 10:28 Only five states have same sex marriage and three of those had it imposed on them by judges, same way it came to California. So Cooper is going to argue strongly that the people can decide, that judges have to stay out. This is a a classic case of the role of the judiciary. Fascinating that Olson is on our side.

Cooper says, “CA has been generous” in providing rights to LG. Says that gays and lesbians have secured so many legislative victories by building a huge group of folks and groups including the newspapers, unions, corporations, hollywood, religious leaders. Gays and lesbians have enormous political power. Prop. 8 and Prop. 22 provides only a special regard for institution of marriage.

So he’s going to show that the gays are really powerful.

He quotes Obama that marriage is between and man and a woman.
Marriage has ancient and powerful religious connotations as Obama says.

[UPDATE] 10:35 Judge Walker said if obama’s parents had lived in VA, their marriage would not have been legal.

Cooper said, “race has never been a restriction” enshrined in marriage.

People in the overflow room laughed.

Judge asks how evidence will show that racial restrictions were different than LG.

Cooper: Never an issue. Marriage was always between a man and woman. IT’s all about procreation.

Judge: Is that the only reason for marriage?

Cooper: “Pro-child” institution. People laughed again.

Judge: Are the other values of marriage, such as companionship, secondary?

Cooper: Evidence will show that marriage will be de-institutionalized.

Judge: What is evidence going to show to support that?

Cooper: Our expert, Mr. Blackenhorn will show that the preponderance of historical and social leaders agree that this the naturally procreation sexual act that is protected, that it’s pro-child.

(So this guy is going down the rabbit hole. He’s attacking the very essence of the modern family, that family that has one parent, that adopts. He’s making this about whether the gays will hurt children. I think he has to lose. I really do. It’s not internally consistent.)

[UPDATE 10:44] Cooper’s only argument seems to be that the evidence will show that if gay marriage is legal, it will lead to higher divorce rates and lower rates of marriage. Blackenhorn will somehow demonstrate that.

Our point is that the plaintiffs cannot prove that the damage will not occur. Same sex marriage is too novel to prove that it won’t harm.

Judge: Any evidence that his happened in other countries?

Cooper: there is evidence; we believe it will show.

They are now saying that we have to prove that gay marriage will NOT harm opposite sex marriage. By that logic, no change is allowed, progress is rejected, until we can prove that the change represents “no threat.”

But it’s impossible to see how this can work except for the fact that three states had judges rule that same sex marriage is legal. In other words, if we didn’t have same sex marriage, we could not prove that same sex marriage will hurt us. Huh? They oppose it everywhere but they now say we should keep it as an experiment? So they should support same sex marriage in the five states! Let’s hold them to that!

[UPDATE] 10:53 Cooper’s case seems to rely nearly 100% on the testimony of Mr. Blankenhorn. I hope for their sake that this guy is the Albert Einstein of right wing social science. If not, they have nothing. Every time the judge asks how they are going to prove their case, Cooper says, “Mr. Blankenhorn will show you.” I can’t wait for that!

The other leg of the case is that “you will hear nothing but predictions” about what same sex marriage will bring because there is not enough history of same sex marriages. So here’s the deal: if we make a change in the definition of marriage without enough history then we will make a mistake.

At end, this really is about progress vs. conservatism. Cooper says essentially if you can’t prove there won’t be harm, you can’t make the change. That means do nothing.

And now Cooper says that only the people of California and the neighboring states and my home state can decide what the constitution demands. Not you, not the ninth circuit, not the supreme court can decide.

Judge Walker: But many times do judges take issues out of the hands of the body politic; why is this different?

Cooper: Because marriage is not covered by the Equal Protection clause. In Loving, we saw that the fourteenth amendment was specifically to deal with race, not this.

[UPDATE] 11:11 We are on a quick break. My laptop is juicing up and I’ll likely be relying on sending updates in from my BlackBerry.

[UPDATE] 11:26 The plantiff:
The love of my life. I love him probably more than I love myself. I would do anything for him. I would put his needs aheadof my own. I would be with him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, just like the vows. I would do anything to marry him.

Been in relationship for nine years. The word marriage has a special meaning. It’s why we’re here today. If it wasn’t so important, we would not be here today. I want to feel the same joy and happiness that my parents, my friends, coworkers felt when they got married. It’s the logical next step for us.

You believe if you were married it would change your relationship?

Absolutely. One’s capacity to love and be committed can grow. That would happen with us.

[UPDATE] 11:34 If you were married happily, would it change the way other people who don’t know about you treat you?

Sure. When someone is married, when they notice it because of my ring or something else, they see that the couple is committed and that they hope to stay committed together for the rest of their lives.

We have not had children because Paul and I believe that it’s an important step for us to be married before we have children. IT would make it easier for us and our children to explain our relationship. It would afford different protections for our child. If we enter into that institution, we would want all of the protections so nothing could eradicate that nuclear family.
We have not registered for domestic partnership because it would relegate me to second class citizenship or maybe even third class citizenship the way things are in California now. It’s part of the pie. We hold marriage in such high regard that if we get marriage, the civil union of the past would not be sufficient recognition of our relationship.

[UPDATE] 11:47 Zarello (one of the plaintiffs): Prop. 8 has emboldened other states to take action to discriminate against us. We cannot turn on TV or read a blog without having these daily reminders of what I cannot have.

Have you been placed in awkward or embarrassing situations because you are not married?
When Paul and I travel, it’s always awkward at the front desk. Numerous occasions when individual the front desk will look at us with a perplexed look and say you ordered a king size bed? Is that what you really want?

When we opened a bank account and said, “My partner and I want to open a bank account,” which leads to the bank thinking we wanta business account. IT would be much easier if we could say, “MY husband and I want to open a bank account.”

Have you ever been asked to describe your marital status?

It’s very awkward. I proudly wear my ring on my left hand to signify my commitment. People ask, “how long have you been married? What does your wife do?” Leaves me having to deliver the news that I am a gay man, that my husband or domestically partnered gay man works in the fitness industry. That leads to a continued awkward discsussion.

If state says you cannot marry a man, would you marry someone of the opposite sex?

No! I have no attraction to or desire to marry someone of the opposite sex.

If you were forced to marry someone of the opposite sex, would that lead to a stable relationship?

No!

[UPDATE] 12:00It’s really hard to listen to Jeff (one of the plaintiffs). Every time he talks about his life, about his past, about being in the closet because it was not right to be open, because I’m told to thing of myself of a bad person, to be put in a corner and told you’re different.

This hurts deep in my gut. I remember that feeling growing up.

And yesterday at LAX, on the way up here, I was going through security. I removed my sunglasses and said, “I want you to be able to see my beautiful eyes.” The guard said, “Don’t ever say that to another man.”

Wow.

Now Jeff is talking about how difficult it is to respond to folks who say, “you don’t have that right to get married, nor should you.”

There was an image that used children in the campaign for prop. 8. Protect the children was a big part of the campaign. When you protect children, you protect them from a pedophile or a criminal. You don’t protect yourself from a good or amicable person. Yet when they say they are protecting them from me, it’s so damning. I love kids. If you put my nieces and nephews on the stand right now, I’d be the cool uncle.

Don’t point your finger at me and put me in the category of those against whom you have to protect your children.

[UPDATE] 12:05 They are now playing a Prop. 8 ad. It’s the one about the little girl being allowed to marry a princess. “It’s already happened.”

How does that line, “Protect our Children. Restore Marriage,” make you feel?

What are you protecting them from? Are you protecting them by denying them certain rights? If so, that’s what they are doing. The threats are insulting. They are demonizing us. Why?
(There’s a big back and forth because the Prop. 8 side does not want any of these ads to be aired from the campaign. The Prop. 8 side thinks that not enough notice was given. The judge said that the witness would remain available for another 48 hours in case the good guys cannot prove enough notice was given.)

We’re taking a little break for the Prop. 8 side to chat amongst themselves about the question of when the list of exhibits was made available to them. But what the heck? Do you think they had not seen the ad? They used it all the time in California and then again in Maine. Maybe they should check out their own side’s website.

After a big back and forth, the Ron Prentice ad that says that if California loses on Prop. 8, family will be destroyed, we’ll go off the rails. It has a nice looking black guy talking about the bible and about not being afraid. Stand up for Jesus Christ. He stood up for you in a public forum; now you stand up for him. (I had not seen this. It’s a longish video that shows the forces of God fighting the judges. It has the scary music.)

Boies: How did you feel, especially seeing that last line?

Objection by the other side because it’s not been produced by Protect Marriage dot com. So now they are upset that our side is showing what the other side really wanted to do. They only want to show these ads when no one can talk about them publicly.

[UPDATE] 12:15 When you saw that ad, stand up for righteousness, vote Yes on 8, how did it make you feel?

It made me feel bad. That image of an oncoming freight train that will kill you that makes me feel that I am part of a community that will kill people? I want to marry Jeff. I’m not going to start a movement that will harm people or children. How can they categorize me as the devil? Those lines between right and wrong are talking about things that are bad in nature, that harm people in a society. I just want to get married. I love someone. I want to get married. It demeans you. People are putting effort into demeaning you.

(Again, this stuff literally makes me feel ill.)

[UPDATE] 12:21 So now there is a back and forth about whether to use NOM’s “Gathering Storm.” The other side thinks it’s not relevant because it was produced after the campaign. Boies says it’s worse than what happened in the campaign, because there’s no campaign on going.

The judge asked if it is tied to those in the room. Boies said that it is because NOM funded 8 and is sufficiently related to the campaign broadly defined. Even if it were done by someone with no connection to the campaign, the court needs to see this to determine whether this is a class of people subject to continuing discrimination.

Other side:
1. Not produced by Protect Marriage.
2. After campaign.
3. Not about Prop. 8.

Any harm that could have flowed from this particular video could not have come from Prop. 8.
Judge said no. Not connected to the parties that sued. There’s another way to show that homosexuals are discriminated against.

[UPDATE] 12:31 Okay, so the judge said they can’t show Gathering Storm. It was that pseudo scary ad that we all did responses to. OOOOH, the gays are gonna get you!
Boies now wants to admit the ballot guide for Prop. 8. (For a minute I though the other side was going to object to this even though it’s a public document!).

Now we’re looking at the sentence that says voting Yes on Prop. 8 restores the definition of marriage that’s was approved by over 61% of the voters. Voting YES overturns the decision of four activist judges. Voting YES protects our children.

Plaintiff: Jeff and I are informed voters. We do the reading. We discuss it all. This punch line again of protecting children is absolutely clear. From what are you protecting children? From harm. But what is the harm? That language is indicative of some kind of perpetration against a child. Separates me from the norm. Makes me part of a community that is perpetrating a threat. That’s why we are here (in court).

(Again, at age 51, I can still feel these barbs that have made my life so odd.)

We hear a lot about the fact that you get the same rights; what’s the big deal? The big deal is that it’s a separate category, maybe a fourth class citizen now that we recognize marriages from other states. We still have discrimination. Puts a Twinkie at the end of a treadmill. Here’s a bite. Then another bite. You want that whole Twinkie (I don’t love this analogy).

None of our friends has ever said, “hey this is my domestic partner.” It’s not even the rights as much as it is the full access to the laws of the state. If you are separate, it fortifies prejudice. It’s rooted in something fundamentally wrong. All I want is to be married. That affects only my husband and family and concentric circles. If it it bolsters us publicly, good. So long as we are outside due to laws, it’s us and them. My state is supposed to protect me; it’s not supposed to discriminate against me.

Everyone is now taking lunch and will resume thereafter, at 1:30PM.

[UPDATE] 12:47 It’s hard to think while this goes on. I’ve never before been on trial, but today every gay or lesgbian person in the country is on trial. The testimony brings up all of that “stuff” that I keep pretending I’ve left behind. I grew up near Knoxville knowing I was gay, but never wanting to be. I dated girls, just like Jeff did. I hid from myself. I became an Orthodox Jew in LA and almost got married because I did not want to be gay. When Boies asked Jeff if he’d be in a more loving, stable relationship if he married a woman, it was not a throw-away. That’s what the NOM folks want you to believe. They want you to believe that if Jeff or me or so many others of us who were born homosexual would just marry a woman, the world would be a better place.

But nothing is further from the truth. How many marriages have broken up because one partner or other was not in love and finally had to leave to be true to his or her nature? How many times in history has a person committed suicide, drunk himself to death or even abused a spouse because he or she was in a marriage that was not real? Society is weakened by these false constructs.

One last point: the defendants had better spend time in the five states in which same sex marriage is now legal. Mr. Cooper, the defandant’s lawyer, said we need more time to see if same-sex marriage will do harm. That means he must support it in those states. His position is regressive and without sense, but if he really believes what he said, get he to New Hampshire and Iowa to preserve same sex marriage!

Paul Katami (one of the plaintiffs) is being cross examined now. The other side is asking if a first and second grader should be taught about sex. He wants to know whether children that young can make judgments about sex education that age.

Paul is saying that he does not know the curriculum of the school system and he is not willing to say what he thinks should or should not be taught. He said that if his child were taught something in school to which he as a parent objected, it would be incumbent upon him to working with his child.

So here we go. They are going to scream that we are going to turn children into homosexuals.
[UPDATE] 2:04Lawyer: Did you feel that ads about kids requiring protection were misleading?

PK: Yes.

Now we’re looking at the ballot guide again. “We should not accept a court decision that may result in public teaching our kids that gay marriage is okay. That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It shouldn’t be forced on us against our will.”

PK says this is missing the point. What angers me is the way it was presented. It was a diversion away from the fact that I have an inalienable right to marry the man I love.

Counsel says but you object to the ads even though they are saying that they are protecting kids from being taught about gay marriage. He’s making the point that the ads did not say that gay couples are bad.

The answer from PK is that it insinuates that gay people are bad and need to be protected. (PK Is doing a good job with a sharp lawyer.) PK says the minute they turn their beliefs into an action that sanctions my rights, that’s a problem.

“The fact is that the ad that we played that has been admitted to evidence specifically says that kids were taught about gay marriage in Massachusetts.”

PK is being asked to say that if there is gay marriage, parents have no redress with their kids. PK says they should talk to their own children. They can say what they think in their home.

Lawyer: Official ballot language says that parents should be able to discuss that with their children?

PK: For me, the language means that parents have responsibility and right to deal with their children as they see fit. But there are other influences, such as if there is a gay married couple in a movie.

Lawyer: You thought that “protect our children” is misleading. Is there nothing kids need to be protected against? (Judge says to rephrase because it’s a little broad.) Fact is you don’t think kids need to protected from same-sex relationships.

PK: True. Kids do not need to be protected from the idea of same sex relationships.
(Pause now while the lawyer gets the transcript of the deposition. He’s trying to prove that parents have the right to determine what kids learn and that if there is same sex marriage kids will learn about that and that’s bad. But that’s a canard. People disagree with what kids learn in society. PK’s right; parents have to raise kids, not constrict society.)

[UPDATE] 2:09 Prop. 8 ad that says that children will be taught about gay marriage was played. It’s the one that ends with Gavin saying, “like it or not.”
Boies redircted, asking if there was anything in Prop. 8 about whether kids would be taught same-sex marriage or sex education in school. PK said no.

Now Olson has Kristen Perry one of the plaintiffs from Northern California up on the stand.

[UPDATE] 2:24 The dulcet-toned Ted Olson is now questioning the highly poised Kristin Perry. She has worked for 25 years for government protecting the interests of children under five. Now they are talking about her personal life.

Ted is asking if she fell in love with Sandy and Sandy with her; both were answered in the affirmative.

Kristin said, “I am a lesbian.” I grew up in Bakersfield. I did date a few boys so that I’d have a date to go to the prom too, or to a party too, but as I got older, I realized that I did not feel the same way my friends did about boys.

Olson: Do you feel you were born with those feelings? Will it change?

Kristin: No. I’m 45 years old. I don’t think so (those feelings will change.) There was laughter. I’m a plantiff because I want to marry Sandy. I really never let myself want marriage until now. Growing up as a lesbian you never let yourself think about marriage because you can’t have it. I think it means that you are honored and respected in your relationship. Everyone can join in supporting your relationship if you are married. I can only observe that as an outsider; I have no firsthand knowledge of it.

Olson asked if it matters that the state sanctions a relationship. Kristin said yes. I want it to happen because I do everything I can to do the best I can for the state, but the state does not let me be happy because of the barrier. We attempted to get married …

In 2003 I proposed to Sandy without knowing that all this about gay marriage would happen in California. I wanted to propose because of how much I love her. We live in a hilly part of Berkeley. I took her for a walk. I sat down on a rock with her, took a ring out and asked if she’d marry me. She said yes, but she said, “how will we do that?” So we had to invent a way to marry. We started figuring out the day, the place, who we’d like to have marry us. As we were in the midst of that, we learned that SF was going to permit same sex marriages. That was February 2004 for us.

Sandy and I were both reading about this in the newspaper. Would we go to SF for the marriage and then go on with our other plans? That’s what we did. We brought all of the boys and my mom and got married in the city hall.

(Olson asks these questions as a gentle father or brother. He makes even me feel comfortable and confident and I’m not there.)

I had an otherworldly feeling as I got married because I thought it would never happen. We went ahead with our other plans as well so that more people could come. We had a party as an afternoon in Berkeley with a small ceremony and then 100 guests joined us on August first 2004.

[UPDATE] 2:34 Perry: A few months later there was the California Court ruled that our marriage was invalid. When you are gay you feel you don’t deserve things, so I was not surprised that the Court ruled. The city of SF sent a form letter with our names at the top. We are sorry to inform you that your marriage is no longer valid. We’d like to return your marriage fee to you or give it to a charity.

Olson: What feelings did that evoke?

Perry: “I’m not good enough.”

O: Sometime, I think May 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that you could marry the person of your choice. How did you feel?

P: “I was elated. After we heard about it, we heard that our friends were talking about getting married. We decided that we could not bring ourselves to do it again right then. We had not recovered from the SF experience. It did not feel like a permanent solution given what was going on outside of the CA Supreme Court. I was aware that (what became Prop. 8) was starting. I remember people reacting against the Supreme Court. “

O: What was it like for you to be a citizen and watch that campaign to overturn the Court?

P: “I’m a California resident. I could see evidence of the camapign. I’d see bumper stickers. I saw ads, one in particular I remember, signs on people’s lawns.”

The ad I remember “struck me as being a sort of education-focused ad” that indicated that you had to protect your children against learning about gay marriage. The ad was creating a sense of fear and worry with me so that I should vote for prop. 8. They reduced relationshis to this “bad thing” so that if you don’t want kids to learn about gay marriage, you have to vote for Prop. 8. I felt it did not relate properly to me and my friends. It messaged to me that I am perhaps a person who does not protect her kids.

Olson: Did you feel that others might need to protect their kids from you?

Perry: Yes. I felt I was being used and mocked and disparaged for being the way I am.

O: Do you feel other effects of discrimination due to your sexual orientation every day?

K: Every day. As an adolescent, it was a struggle. I was well aware of the comments and jokes that circulated about lesbians and gay people. Once I told people I was a lesbian, I drew questions. I want people to like me, so I go to great length to being likeable so that when people find out I am gay they do not dislike me. For example, if I’m on a plane and there is a seat saved for Sandy, I say it’s for my partner and they say, will you move that? Every day, I have to think about whether or not I want to come out. I make a deicision every day about whether or not to come out every day at work or home or school or soccer.

O: Did coming out take a long time for you?

By the time I was 18 or 19 I could talk to myself about it. You often hear lesbian and gay people say, “once I’ve figured it out, I realize that I’ve been gay forever.”

O: Did you have to explain that to your children? Was that difficult?

Yes, I did, but my children always knew me as their mom so they don’t know the difference.
Now they are talking about her and Sandy being domestic partners since August 2004.

[UPDATE] 2:46 K: We are registered domestic partners due to the advice of an attorney.

O: Is it a property or estate planning transaction?

K: Yes, but I believe it has unique features. It allows us to access each other’s health and other benefits. But the domestic partnership agreement is a legal agreement. It’s not the same thing as a celebration. We don’t remember the day it happened. We don’t invite people over on that anniversary.

O: Court will have to deal with why domestic partnership is different to you than marriage?

K: I don’t have access to the word to describe our relationship. Marriage appears to be really important to people. I’d like to use the word, too. You chose that person over everyone else. You feel that it should stick. You want the public support and inclusion that comes with marriage. If we got married, it would be an enormous relief to our straight friends who feel sorry for us. I can’t stand it. They have a word. They belong to this institution. Sandy and I went to a school football game. I realized they were all married and we’re not.

O: Sounds like your heterosexual friends would not feel threatened by you marrying. They’d feel more comfortable.

K: Yes. They’d feel better because they think we are outside of their institutions and that’s strange.

O: Have you discussed with Sandy the impact of victory in this lawsuit?

K: Yes. Sandy has been married before which I envy. There would be a settling in and deepening of our commitment if we could get through this instead of feeling like it is everybody else’s decision. We went to Alameda County recorder’s office in May having reached the point where we wanted to know if there was a permanent solution to this problem, how Prop. 8 was being enacted. Clerk’s eyes got really big. “I am sorry. There are reasons why I think I can’t do what I want you to do, but I am not comfortable with it. I’ll have to ask my boss.” Her boss came back and read the statute. He was upset. He said he was very sorry he could not issue the license and hoped that he’d be able to and that we’d come back then.

Sandy and I really like our life where we live in our house with our kids and see our friends. We don’t want any change; we just want our life to get better and better. It makes me really happy if we get this so that other people could. But mostly we just want to be happy in our house.

O: Do you think if court gave right to marry it would have an impact on the other discrimination you feel?

(Objection was overruled.)

K: If marriage were legal, I would not be treated the way I was. There is something so humiliating about not being able to marry. I try not to take every bit of discriminatory attacks against me personally. If kids growing up in Bakersfield could grow up without knowing what this discrimination feels like, their lives would be on a higher arc.
No questions from the other side.

Sandy is now on. She’s also very poised. She learned in her mid-thirties that she is “gay.” She got married to a man before. She had no feeling that she was a lesbian when she was married to a man. I had a difficult relationship for most of our marriage, but I started it out with the best of intentions. She grew up in Iowa in a small town of 1,500. It was a good but sheltered upbringing. We did not travel or go to places very different from where we grew up. I had no idea of a gay lifestyle or sexuality until I was a late teenager.

I moved to CA in 1985 and got married to a man in 1987. We dated for a year before we got married on 14 November 1987. Marriage ended in 1999. (Olson is very interested in drawing out the trajectory of her sexuality, which is fascinating, rarely discussed in public.)

She met Kristin first as a coworker. We were friends. The feelings I had for her were different than I had for others. I grew to realize that I was falling in love with her, in early 1999. My marriage was falling apart on many fronts. I was extremely unhappy. My ex-husband relied on alcohol and could not support the family properly. My sexual orientation or the discovery thereof did not have anything to do with the failure of the marriage.

I had never experienced falling in love before. Olson draws out whether that’s true of her husband. I never thought people “fell in love.” When you grow up in the Midwest with a farming family, there is a pragmatism that is inherent, part of the fabric of life, that is pervasive. I remember my mom saying that marriage is more than romantic love, it’s an enduring long term commitment that is hard work. In my family, that seemed really true. I wanted to have the kind of relationship that my parents did and do.

Kris and I have a very romantic relationship. Not only did we fall in love, we wanted to merge our families. I was 36. We wanted that life of commitment and stability.

O: How convinced are you that you are gay? You lived with a husband. Some people would say it’s this, then it’s that and now it’s this.

S: I’ve only been in love once and that’s with Perry. I’m 47. I know. I’m a plaintiff this case because I would like to get married and to marry the person that I choose and that’s Kris Perry and California law prevents that.
Sandy describes her version of their marriage, the toasts, the love from community: When I got that letter saying that our marriage was no longer valid humiliated, angry and that people who brought us gifts and celebrated with us felt pity for us which is the last thing that I ever want to evoke around marriage.

S: It felt great that the court thought we had a constitutional right to get married. It was cloaked in this distension that felt very familiar. The activist groups that opposed marriage made me realize that this was not permanent. I felt strongly that at my age I don’t want to humiliated any more. We got married twice and it was taken way. I want it to be permanent, no chance it get taken away from us. We did have friends that got married. We were proud and worried for them because we did not want them to have the same problems we had.

[UPDATE] 3:20 Sandy is talking about the difference between domestic partnership and marriage. Marriage would mean we are not girlfriends or partners, we are a married couple. I was married for twelve years. Being married felt different than what we have.
Judge asks again if the state were to get out of the business of using the term marriage, but created another name for it for all people, domestic union or whatever, would not that put you on the same plane as all others?

Sandy says I believe so. Yes. If we had the same access, I’d feel equal.

Judge: Even though the term marriage is not used?

Sandy: Yes, because if it’s not a legal status sanctioned by the state or government, id’ not have to worry about access to it because no one else would either.

O: What are examples of feeling awkward about not having marriage?

S: Going to pick up my youngest son at school. I get mother’s day cards, so they think of me as their mother. Words like “aunt” or step mother aren’t there if I’m not married. Few people know what the term “domestic partnership” means. It does not describe our relationship. We’re not business partners or social partners or glorified roommates; we want to be married. Forms at doctor’s offices and the like don’t work and then I have to explain what a domestic partnership is.

O: Would being married provide you with any sense of stability that being domestic partners would not?

S: Yes. I’d feel more respected by other people. I could hold my head up high in our family. I want our children to feel good about us, not that our family is not good enough.

S: During Prop. 8 campaign, I saw bumper stickers, signs and I went to a rally that was against Prop. 8.

S: I heard many things—everything—from the yes side that disturbed me. The campaign was very focused on “protection:” protect marriage and children with the subtle implication that you have to be protected from gay people. The constant references to children felt harmful. I felt that great harm was being done by this campaign, that we are the great evil to be stopped, but as a mom of four kids, there’s nothing stronger in parenting than the desire to protect your children. I was sickened by the yes campaign.

O: As a parent of four children, you have strong sense of what it means to be a good parent. Would your boys be better off with a man in the house?

S: The most important and best thing for kids is to feel loved.

O: How is it to be a plaintiff?

S: It’s not a burden. I feel like a little tiny person in this country. I’m not trying to change anything. I just want the same thing I’m due in the federal constitution.

S: If I could marry, I’d think I was building a good world for our kids. I want our kids to have a better world than we have. I want the possibility of having grandchildren who are okay no matter whom they fall in love with. As someone from one of the most conservative pockets in the country, I see how important this is. I hope for something for Kris and I, but we’re big, strong women. We’d benefit greatly, but others over time would benefit in a more profound, life-changing way.

(No cross examination. They probably don’t want to be seen by the public as attacking women. It’s easier for them to go after gay guys than women.)

[UPDATE] 3:28 Now we’re hearing from Professor Nancy Cott. (The judge has a good sense of humor. He asked her to keep her voice up. She tried again and said, “Does this work?” He said, “Well, we’ll see.” Boutrous is examining. Olson and Boutrous have a lot of hair. Maybe that’s a prerequisite at Gibson Dunn? Or maybe I’m just jealous.)

Okay, now we get to the historians and social and cultural psychologists, etc. IN 2002, she was a Sterling Professor at Yale, the highest honor Yale gives professor. Then she moved to Harvard as Trumball Professor of American History. She’s published eight books. She has a long history of research in the history of marriage. She wrote and published PUBLIC VOWS, a history of marriage and the nation. First started investigating the history of marriage in the US in 1990. Looked at history of marriage as a public institution, a structure created by government for social benefit.

Many of my courses at Yale touched upon marriage. While I was in the process of researching the book, I was honored as the Devain Professor (SP) to teach a course outside of any one department, I was asked to teach about my conclusions on the history of marriage in the US.

(I’m giggling. I love these kinds of people who are way smart and devote an entire life to learning everything there is to know about a subject. It’s just amazing.)

I like sort of double meanings in my book titles. PUBLIC VOWS refers to the taking of vows publicly and the fact that the public, in the form of the state, makes certain vows to protect the couples. I was examining more the public intention of the institution of marriage, published in 2000, after about a decade of research.

[UPDATE] 3:43 Professor Cott: Marriage is both a public and private institution. Most people who consider marrying, think of the private and private property relations between them. But the state has a public interest in marriage. It’s a means by which the state regulates people. There are other paradoxes in the nature of marriage. Marriage is only possible for individuals who can exercise the liberty value of our citizens, yet the private realm is a place in which decisions can be made freely.

(I had never thought about any of this before. I always thought of marriage as private, but the professor is right. Marriage is quite public even as it enforces the rights to liberty and privacy in that relationship.)

(Both sides agree that she’s an expert on marriage in America, which makes me rest easy. If she’s not, who is?)

Boutrous wants to understand the meaning of marriage in America. Our form of marriage is relatively recent, but has antecedents in Anglo Saxon law. (She said it’s inaccurate to say marriage around the globe is uniform. The other side says she’s not an expert in world wide marriage just in America. Now Boutrous is trying to establish that she had to know about marriage around the globe. She wanted to give a longer answer, but the judge said she’d get asked more.

The other side is using her deposition in which she says she is not an expert of the subject of marriage around the world so she can’t say that marriage around the world is not universal.
The judge thinks that she’s allowed to talk about marriage in the US and how her knowledge of marriage elsewhere affects that, but she’s not an expert on marriage around the world.
(the professor is wearing a green sweater top. She has light brown hair, neatly cut and stylishly carried. She’s exactly the look that you’d expect if you were watching DaVinci Code and wanted to imagine a Harvard/Yale, self-confident and approachable professor. She evokes lots of laughter because she tries to answer questions at length when she’s supposed to say just “yes” or no.” So Boutrous then asks her to follow up. It’s good.”

[UPDATE] 3:58 Boutrous is asking about the Prop. 8 ads that say that biblical marriage is the goal of the US.

The other side objected, saying that she is not competent to opine on the ad because she has not seen the ad. But then the judge said that she could opine because she saw the ad this morning.

Professor Cott said about biblical marriage,” I was very amused that they used that. The bible is full of references to polygamy for Jews.”

The limitation of marriage to a man and a woman is something that has been universal. It has been across history, across customs, across society. (Cooper’s opening statement is flashed on the screen.)

Prof says this is not accurate including from ancient Jews, Muslims now. I think that Christianity has been the source of monogamy vs. polygamy. I suspect the person in the ad referred to the New Testament when he said biblical marriage. She said the success of the view of monogamous marriage is a tribute to evangelical Christianity, particularly in this country since the 19th century.

Now they are talking about the social meaning of marriage.

Marriage is unique because it successfully combines private and public. It is successful as an institution as a couple’s valuation of living together, commitment to each other and engage in an economic partnership to their household. Upon that core, very many cultural add ons have been admitted as well.

The ability to marry, to say I do, is a civil right. It demonstrates liberty. This can be seen in American history when slaves could not legally marry. As unfreed persons, they could not consent. They lacked that very basic liberty of person to say I do which meant they were taking on the state’s obligates and vice versa. A slave could not take on that set of obligations because they were not free.

When slaves were emancipated, they flocked to get married. IT was not trivial to them by any means. They saw the ability to replace the informal unions with legalized vows that the state would protect. One quotation, the title of an article, “The marriage covenant is the foundation of all our rights,” said a former slave who became a northern soldier. The point here is that this slave built his life on that civil right.

She refers to Dred Scott who tried to claim he was a citizen. He was denied that claim. Justice Tawny spent three paragraphs saying that marriage laws in the state in which Dred Scott was prevented him from marrying a white woman was a stigma that made him less than a full citizen. It was a piece of evidence that shows that he could not be a full citizen.
(THIS IS BIG STUFF, at least to me!)

Informal relationships of black slaves were totally treated with abandon by white society. They were broken up all the time. The rush to marry by so many slaves after emancipation was a common sense approach to obtaining civil rights. White employers would often demand that black families and children work in certain ways. The former slaves assumed that once married, they’d have a claim of certain basic rights.

People remain unaware that in marrying, one is exercising the right of personal freedom. They don’t tend to equate the civil rights aspects to it. It’s only those who cannot marry at all who are aware of the extent to which marriage is an expression of basic civil rights.

[UPDATE] 4:08 The restrictions on marriage, as they have been lifted, have made marriage more appealing. The removal of restrctions on marriage have tended to strengthen the institution. The religious connations that different groups have attached to marriage have been a part of its high cultural valuation. In entertainment, movies—at least since the rise of the novel in the 19th century, marriage has been the happy ending. The cultural polish that present the rice, the white dress, the happy coupe parading down the aisle are the expression of happiness by the couple.

How does the cultural value of marriage compare with civil unions?
I appreciate that many states have extended many or all of the rights to people who can’t marry, but there is no comparison in a historical view because there is nothing like marriage except marriage.

At the founding of the country, were there comparisons made between the institution of marriage and democracy.?

Yes. This was based on consent, on voluntary agreement to be governed. Great Britain called its people subjects, not citizens. When the US broke away, they called people citizens who voluntarily consent to a stable relationship that may govern you, but was good. They compared this consent to marriage, an institution that requires consent.

It’s just after 4:00PM. Boutrous said he has another hour or so to go with this witness. So the judge adjourned for the day, saying, “We’re off to a very good start. Can we start at 8:30AM tomorrow instead of 9:00AM?

HAPPY NEW EQUALITY 2010

2010-01-01T00:06:00.000-06:00

A LOOK BACK AT THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY

Click here to see some more pictures

http://www.marriageequality.org/

Read more at http://thevitalvoice.com/node/5769

TELEVISION GAGA

2009-12-29T23:45:00.002-06:00

KSDK - An outspoken pastor says he's coming to St. Louis to protest when pop star Lady Gaga comes to perform at the Fabulous Fox Theater. Lady Gaga is set to perform at the sold out show January 7th, and if you have tickets, expect to see plenty of police at the show.

Recently a heated cross-country online battle of words has ignited between fans of the eccentric music star and supporters of a minister that some say is "full of hate".

Reverend Fred Phelps of Topeka, Kansas' Westboro Baptist Church announced he and his supporters are coming to St. Louis to protest against Lady Gaga. Phelps describes Gaga as immoral and disagrees with her personal politics.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay has been quoted online talking about the protest. His office along with the Fox Theater management say there will be plenty of security the night of the show.

Mayor Slay's position is that more people that want to come to St. Louis and spend money, the merrier. There is no word on how many people will come to support Reverend Phelps, but as of yesterday no city paperwork had been filed to legally hold the demonstration.

RIVERFRONT TIMES GOES GAGA

2009-12-29T22:55:00.004-06:00

Protesters Will Get Gaga for Lady Gaga Before Her January 7 St. Louis Concert at the Fox Theatre
By Nick Lucchesi of Riverfront Times

Tue., Dec. 29 2009 @ 3:55PM

Human lightning rod Lady Gaga and her handlers aren't letting many press photographers into her show at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on January 7, but there could be more news cameras outside the venue when her tour hits St. Louis.

Timothy Norris / LA Weekly
Lady Gaga at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on December 23, 2009. See more photos here.

Pastor Fred Phelps, best known for his rallying cry (and Web site URL) "God Hates Fags," has been drumming up support for a protest outside the Fab Fox.

Now other groups are lining up to counter Phelps' protest and show their support for Lady Gaga.

On December 22 Phelps' and his media-savvy Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka issued a press release announcing its intention to counter Lady Gaga because the singer "teaches rebellion against God." (Click to read coverage in Daily RFT.)

Phelps' church rails against Lady Gaga's sexually suggestive lyrics -- e.g., "bluffin' with my muffin" -- provocative attire and stage shows, which her fans say are liberating and promotes sexual equality. Even celebrity gossip blogger and same-sex marriage activist Perez Hilton named her Celebrity of the Year.

Read more of the RFT article click here

PHELPS VS GAGA

2009-12-29T16:25:00.006-06:00

Photo by Chris Weiss

Fred Phelps and his private exclusive-to-family-members-only Westboro Baptist Church are returning to Saint Louis to kick off the New Year 2010. They have scheduled their typical protests against Gay Straight Alliances in High Schools, military service men and woman; however, this time the Phelps Klan have scheduled a protest outside the Fox Theater prior to the Lady Gaga concert. Apparently, the Phelps are seeking national exposure and we think they will get it.

On Thursday January 7th, 6:00pm Show Me No Hate welcomes the Phelps Church of Hate with a peaceful counter-protest. Hundreds of clergy, teenagers, parents, lesbians, gay, bisexual , transgendered, straight Gaga fans and supporters of peace will surround Fred Phelps with a message of peace and love.

Show Me No Hate will also bring out our giant Angel Wings. The Angel Wings received national attention when Romaine Patterson came up with the idea to counter protest the Fred Phelps family demonstrating outside Matthew Shepard's funeral. She founded Angel Action a peaceful protest in order to share a message of peace, compassion and love in a time where everyone was focused on the issue of hate.

http://www.eatromaine.com/angel_action/angelaction.html

Show Me No Hate is asking all counter-protestors to bring new or used gloves, hats, jackets, winter clothing and canned food donations to support Show Me No Hate's "10,000 Items for Charity drive." The 10,000 Items for Charity drive was born out of our recent rallies against the St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson's donation of $10,000 to help veto a new Marriage Equality law signed by the Governor of Maine. We think the Archbishop circumvented not only the rights of Maine voters, but also the Catholics in St. Louis who fund the Archdiocese.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195910480431

Typically the Phelps family requests special protection status from the police wherever they demonstrate. The St. Louis Police might place them inside a 15 by 15 foot police safety zone which could be inside another 25 by 25 safety zone. Several Show Me No Hate member's personal experiences of counter-protesting the Phelps family guides them to believe that the police will not allow any counter-protestors within 15-25 feet of any Phelps family member.

A local gay activism group is organizing an opportunity to hold a "kiss-in booth" in front of the Phelps family.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217703382338

An Illinois woman is organizing a Pro-Lady Gaga event.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228057446197

Whatever you decided to do, please keep in mind Show Me No Hate only supports peaceful non-violent protests.

NON-VIOLENCE STATEMENT

2009-12-19T19:41:00.003-06:00

December 19th, 2009

Show Me No Hate (SMNH) would like to answer recent allegations and claims of "baiting arrests for media attention," surrounding the peaceful "Separate Church and Hate Rallies," outside the Cathedral Basilica on December 13th, 2009.

"We did not; nor want to be arrested for any media attention. Our message is a simple one: We want to use our Constitutional Rights to freely assemble and speak outside the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica Noon to 1:30pm. We want to publicly address our grievances with Archbishop Carlson regarding his $10,000 donation to help strip the ability of same-sex couples seeking to use the new marriage equality law in Maine." - Ed Reggi, founder of Show Me No Hate.

Show Me No Hate Statement on Non-violence

SMNH does not support or condone violence in any form. We believe that peaceful protest and civil disobedience are powerful forces for change in a democratic society, and we defend the rights of individuals and organizations to practice them.

SMNH deplores any government-backed efforts that, under the guise of anti-terrorism, attempt to squelch public dissent and curtail civil liberties by criminalizing the constitutional right to peaceful protest. The government’s use of taxpayer dollars to spy on environmental and social justice groups is fiscally and morally irresponsible, and sets a frightening precedent for all individuals wishing to effect social change.

To make it (again) perfectly clear to anyone reading the above statement:

"We are not planning to be arrested; willfully break the law; purposely upset the parishioners or schedule any civil disobedience actions during the peaceful rallies outside the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica. We expect no issues and no arrests on December 20th, 2009. If anything we will offer a lot of peace during this holiday season." - Ed Reggi, founder of Show Me No Hate.

FOURTH RALLY SUNDAY DECEMBER 20TH

2009-12-19T19:05:00.004-06:00

December 20, 2009 marks the last "Separate Church and Hate Rally," at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica. The four rallies have been organized by Show Me No Hate, Catholic Action Network, and Holy Families Committee.

The organizing organizations feel strongly that they have achieved their goals:

To send a clear message to Archbishop Carlson that funding ballot measures that strip the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Americans is not only disappointing but a violation of their civil rights outlined in the United States Constitution.

To educate St. Louis Catholics about the $10,000 Archbishop Carlson sent to reverse a new Maine Marriage Equality Law: a law allowing civil marriages for same-sex couples that was passed by Maine's Legislature and signed by Maine's Governor John Baldacci.

To create a new open dialogue between LGBTQ Catholic allies and Catholics for Social Justice.

To suggest that parishioners designate gifts specifically to homeless shelters, feeding the poor, caring for the aged and HIV/AIDS patients. Without their specific designation, the Archbishop may spend precious diocese dollars outside the St. Louis diocese.

It has come to the organizers attention that outside organizations, groups and individuals are making false claims why we are demonstrating outside the Cathedral. Make no mistake they do not represent the opinions of Show Me No Hate, Catholic Action Network or Holy Families Committee.

If you have any questions about these rallies we urge you to speak directly with the leadership behind those organizations by clicking the above links.

Thank you

ATTENTION CHIEF DAN ISOM: THIS VIDEO SAYS IT ALL

2009-12-14T15:42:00.007-06:00

Protestors outside the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica on Sunday December 13th were met with extraordinary harassment by some of the St. Louis Police Department.

What organizers don't understand, is that for the previous two Sundays, November 29th and December 6th, the St. Louis Police Department has done an excellent job in protecting the protestors' Constitutional Rights to Assemble.

Watch the unedited videos of what happened on Sunday December 13th around 12:30pm.

After the police officer left, he returned with the following response. Apparently the 911 calls were not the real reason why protestors were to be arrested.

It is clear from this video that when you look down the line of parked cars - there was only 3 other folks near parked cars with signs - that's all. They were NOT in the street, they were in the permitted area where pedestrians can walk in and out of their cars and even stand without causing any traffic problems. The protestors were allowed to be out in the street the past two weeks with the same signs with no issue from the police.

Sunday November 29th Rally, notice where protestors are located without any issue from the police.

Sunday November 29th Rally, notice protestors are again located without any citation from the police.

On Sunday December 6th and December 13th we did exactly the same thing. We peacefully picketed the Cathedral. We moved in a circle to keep warm and to bring more attention to our message. (Notice that in the background there was a protestor near a parked car. Police passed us from 11:45am to 12:30pm and never asked this protestor to move back.)

Now watch this amateur video from the Sunday November 29th Rally. Notice how the protestors respect the steps of the church and also bleed over into the permitted area where cars can park on a 45 degree angle. Notice several protestors are behind the crowd with signs that say, "honk for equality" toward traffic.

We are not sure why the St. Louis Police decided to enforce rules that they didn't enforce the past two Sunday's outside the Cathedral. Did the Archbishop call the Police Chief and ask him to put the pressure on the demonstrators? We have good reason to believe he could have. On December Sunday December 13th, at least two Archbishop staff members were seen talking with police officers.