PROP 8 ON C-SPAN TODAY AT NOON

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

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

HEARTLAND TRANSPORT at the Tivoli

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

THANK YOU ST. LOUIS

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

A BIG DAY FOR GAY RIGHTS?

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

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?

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!

MEDIA ADVISORY - APOLOGY ACTION

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

###

Gay it forward, spread the word!

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

The American Taliban

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.

TELEVISION GAGA

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.

CATHOLICS CRY FOUL: ARCHBISHOP CARLSON USES POLICE TO INTIMIDATE

At least one dozen officers were called to the Cathedral by the Archbishop. In the background a "prisoner containment van" was parked on the church property in an effort to intimidate protestors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday December 14th, 2009

POLICE HARASSMENT OUTSIDE ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL


SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 14, 2009 – For the past three Sunday’s SHOW ME NO HATE, HOLY FAMILIES COMMITTEE and THE CATHOLIC ACTION NETWORK have organized peaceful protests outside the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica on Lindell Boulevard. The 200 weekly protesters gather outside the Cathedral in an effort to send a clear message of disappointment of St. Louis Archbishop Carlson. Several weeks ago, local Catholics learned that Archbishop Carlson sent $10,000 of Archdiocese money to help veto a new Maine Pro-Marriage Equality law passed and signed by Governor John Baldacci. Many local Catholics and non-Catholics believe that money was needed right here in St. Louis.

45 Catholic Bishops across the United States, including Archbishop Carlson, together sent over $180,000 to the Maine’s Stand for Marriage Campaign. The Catholic Bishops donated the money during current economic hardship, high unemployment and when Catholic families are struggling to meet basic needs. This year alone, the St. Louis Archdiocese eliminated 6% of its administrative and educational office jobs and four positions at Catholic Charities.
On Sunday December 13th at 12:30pm, event co-organizer Ed Reggi noticed an enormous amount of St. Louis Police presence. “I saw at least a dozen more officers than the past two Sundays and I was especially surprised that a supervisor was present,” explained Reggi. What followed was a nothing short of police harassment by Police Sergeant Hurt. “He [Sergeant Hurt] told me I couldn’t be near my parked car and that I was causing a traffic disturbance with my signs. When I explained to the officer that we were not in the traffic and that we were entitled to peacefully assemble in the permitted area Hurt said he would arrest me using a city ordinance that doesn’t permit any signs that cause a traffic nuisance. Hurt also stated that our signs caused many 911 calls to the City Dispatcher,” explained Reggi.

Shortly after 1:00pm witnesses started to report that cars “honking” as they passed the Cathedral were pulled over by St. Louis Police. 52-year old, Nancy Tracy was one of those drivers pulled over along Lindell. “I was pulled over by an officer seething with hate. He was not very nice and he immediately said I broke the law by honking to my friends.” Tracy added, “Police don’t have the right to get involved at all. They should be there to protect both sides of a protest not to harass one side. I am a mother of three children and I support everything that was going on in front of the Cathedral. I’m not an activist but I will for sure be there next Sunday.”

Organizers are calling upon their members to show up in full force this Sunday December 20th Noon. “Our phones are ringing off the hook with angry upset Catholics. We’re calling on the entire St. Louis LGBT and straight ally community to stand together for Equality next Sunday. We will not be intimidated by the Archbishop or the St. Louis Police.”

CATHOLICS & NON CATHOLICS RALLY AT CATHEDRAL SUNDAY NOV 29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: 
314-265-4756

www.ShowMeNoHate.com

ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com

Catholics, Non-Catholics, Gays and Straight Allies Rally at the Cathedral Basilica Sunday November 29th, 11:30am to 1:30pm


SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI – November 20, 2009 – Less than two weeks ago, Tim Townsend of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch broke a story on how newly appointed St. Louis Archbishop Carlson used local diocese money to fund an anti-gay marriage ballot measure in Maine. (See Post-Dispatch article, "Carlson tapped archdiocesan fund to fight gay marriage in Maine.")
The article exposed how St. Louis Catholic dollars were used to pay for a ballot measure called, "Question 1," that asked only Maine voters if they should veto the rights of same-sex couples to legally marry in (again) only Maine. Unlike last year’s Proposition 8 referendum in California, the right to marry was already granted to same-sex couples by Maine legislature and signed into law by Maine’s Governor John Baldacci. Question 1 was a people’s vote to “take-away” rights already granted. Many Catholics want to know why Archbishop Carlson financially backed a Maine people’s vote that had no effect on Missouri legislation. In 2004 Missouri Voters overwhelmingly passed a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Archbishop Carlson, including 45 Catholic Bishops across the United States together sent $180,000 to the Maine’s “YES ON 1 Campaign,” that organized the people’s veto of Governor Baldacci. The Catholic leadership donated this large sum of money during the current economic hardship, high unemployment and while families are struggling to meet their basic needs. This year alone, the St. Louis Archdiocese eliminated 6% of its administrative and educational office jobs and four positions at Catholic Charities. On Sunday November 29 11:30am, St. Louis Catholics and non-Catholics; gays and straight allies will unite in front of the Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell Boulevard, to demonstrate the better uses for $10,000.

Last November over 1400 St. Louisans stood on the steps of the Historic St. Louis Old Court House to show solidarity to all those affected in California after the passing of Proposition 8. On Sunday November 29th from 11:30am to 1:30pm; in front of the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, we are asking St. Louis to stand for equality. We gather again in solidarity for those not only discriminated against in Maine by Archbishop Carlson; but we rally in support for religious tolerance and diversity in the Catholic Church.

“No longer will we tolerate the religious funding of hate,” declares Show Me No Hate founder Ed Reggi. “The Archbishop showed no mercy for the poor, sick and homeless in St. Louis. The $10,000 Carlson wired to Maine could of helped the empty food pantries and local toy drives this Christmas season. We want to send a clear message of religious tolerance. And if that doesn’t work, we are asking every St. Louis Catholic to earmark their donations going forward. Tell the Archbishop you want your money to stay in your parish, to help St. Louis or at the very least to help Catholic Charities within the Metro East – not Maine,” says Reggi.

The rally on Sunday November 29th, 11:30am to 1:30pm is co-sponsored by the Catholic Action Network, Catholics for Marriage Equality, Holy Families Committee and Show Me No Hate.

Show Me No Hate is a coalition of Missourians seeking full Marriage Equality. Professional comedian, and actor, Ed Reggi started the grassroots organization a year ago after Proposition 8 narrowly passed in California. Show Me No Hate has successfully organized dozens of peaceful rallies. Reggi made national news with his first rally in front of the Historic Old Court House last November and his group recently chartered two coach buses to Iowa where 32 Missouri same-sex couples were legally married.

###

THE MAINE EVENT

NO NOT THAT MAIN EVENT - THIS ONE!

Listen to Evan Wolfson, Executive Dir. Of Freedom To Marry & Homophobe Tony Perkins President Of Family "Research" Council interviewed on CNN's Anderson 360.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY TIMELINE

Here is a great article showing the timeline for Marriage Equality:

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/05/26/f-same-sex-timeline.html

Please pass this article to friends and family.

"FIDELITY": JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO REPEAL PROP 8

The Supreme Court upheld Prop 8. Sign the pledge to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Equality

This provocative new TV ad was created in the spirit of Harvey Milk's call to "come out, come out wherever you are" and proudly tell the stories of the people most affected by the passage of Prop 8 -- in moving images set to the beat of Regina Spektor's beautiful song "Fidelity".

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS GAY MARRIAGE?

State By State: The Legal Battle Over Gay Marriage

Gay rights activists around the nation are challenging state bans on same-sex marriage -- in state courts and through the legislature. Here, a look at how the legal battle is playing out, state by state.

NPR Interactive Gay Marriage Map Click here


Thank you NPR - support your local public radio station

VERMONT MAKES HISTORY - AGAIN

Vermont today became the (fifth if you count brief California ruling last summer before Prop 8) fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a Legislature’s vote. The Burlington Free Press reports that Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry was overturned by a 23-5 vote in the state Senate and 100-49 in the House.

Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.

Vermont becomes the fourth state to permit same-sex marriage, joining Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa. Their approval of gay marriage came from the courts.

Posted by John Bacon at 11:32 AM/ET, April 07, 2009 in Current Affairs

Q MEDIA CONSORTIUM

The activist behind ShowMeNoHate.com learned very valuable lessons while he (along with some 45 volunteers) organized one of the most successful LGBT Civil Rights protests. On Saturday November 15th, 2008 over 1000+ protesters crowded the Historic Old Court House, blocks away from the St. Louis Arch. Even though the national press was reporting on the events leading up to the passing of California's Proposition banning same-sex marriages, the St. Louis news was not covering the stories. The organizers learned that without media support, the fight for Equality goes unheard and mostly unwritten.

This local civil rights activist is joining forces with many others from the around the country and our region to educate the media about local and national LGBTQ issues. The activist is Emmy award winning actor/comedian Ed Reggi and he is forming the St. Louis Q Media Consortium. Q Media St. Louis will consist of St. Louis newspaper publishers, print media, advertisers, bloggers, ad agencies, radio & television stations and film & theatrical production companies. The consortium's main purpose is to meet annually to organize, identify and celebrate local representation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgendered and Queer community.

St. Louis media professionals will be accountable to a LGBTQ inclusive community standard; moreover, they will develop relationships creating brand new partnerships with existing LGBTQ organizations. LGBTQ efforts to gain publicity and media attention will become easier through these formed channels.

Reggi recognizes that successful LGBTQ programming within the St. Louis media market must begin with the following four criteria in mind: (the following is borrowed and adapted from the GLAAD Media Awards selection criteria.)

1. Fair, Accurate and Inclusive Representations – Rather than portraying the LGBTQ community in broad stereotypes, the media portrayal deals with the characters or themes in a fair, accurate, and multi-dimensional manner. Inclusive means that the diversity of the LGBTQ community is represented. This includes economic, geographic, and political diversity, as well as people of color, seniors, differently abled people, etc.
2. Boldness and Originality – breaks new ground by exploring LGBTQ subject matter in non-traditional ways and handles the LGBTQ content in a fresh and original manner. Is this project cutting-edge? Does this blog spin LGBTQ issues in a different way?
3. Impact – LGBTQ media programming impacts the St. Louis community in a significant way. Does this media project dramatically increase the cultural dialogue about LGBTQ issues? Or, does this project reach an audience that is not regularly exposed to LGBTQ images and issues? Is this a new project for this radio station?
4. Overall Quality – A media presentation of extremely high quality adds impact and significance to the images and issues portrayed. Fair, accurate and inclusive images can sometimes be weakened when they are part of a poor-quality project.

If you wish to be a part of this exciting new consortium please email Ed Reggi at ShowMeNoHate [at] Gmail [dot] com.

ST. LOUIS PROTEST MEDIA COVERAGE

ST. LOUIS VITAL VOICE 11/21/08 - CLICK HERE

ST. LOUIS VITAL VOICE 11/16/08 - CLICK HERE

URBAN REVIEW STL 11/16/08 - CLICK HERE

KMOV ST. LOUIS NEWS 11/16/08 - CLICK HERE

RIVERFRONT TIMES 11/16/08 - CLICK HERE

KTVI FOX NEWS 11/16/08 - CLICK HERE

ST. LOUIS POST- DISPATCH 11/15/08 - CLICK HERE

KTVI FOX NEWS - NATIONAL 11/15/08 - CLICK HERE

KSDK NEWS 11/15/08 - CLICK HERE

URBAN REVIEW STL 11/15/08 - CLICK HERE

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH COVER 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE

RIVERFRONT TIMES BLOG 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE

WORLD NET DAILY 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE

JEWISH IN ST. LOUIS 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE

KSDK NEWS - NBC ST. LOUIS 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE

KSDK VIDEO - NBC ST. LOUIS 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE

DAILY KOS 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE

STUDENT LIFE - WASH. UNIVERSITY 11/14/08 - CLICK HERE