tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39251107143148365512024-03-12T18:35:30.016-05:00SHOW ME NO HATEGrassroots coalition of committed Missouri organizations and
individuals working to restore full Marriage Equality in Missouri.Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-22333563845145801702015-06-26T09:55:00.000-05:002015-06-26T09:55:57.643-05:00VICTORY! LAW OF THE LAND!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/06/26/us/00scotusmarriage-web00/00scotusmarriage-web00-superJumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/06/26/us/00scotusmarriage-web00/00scotusmarriage-web00-superJumbo.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Same-Sex Marriage Is a Right, Supreme Court Rules, 5-4<br />
By ADAM LIPTAKJUNE 26, 2015 NEW YORK TIMES<br />
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WASHINGTON — In a long-sought victory for the gay rights movement, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Constitution guarantees a nationwide right to same-sex marriage.<br />
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Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in the 5 to 4 decision. He was joined by the court’s four more liberal justices.<br />
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The decision, the culmination of decades of litigation and activism, came against the backdrop of fast-moving changes in public opinion, with polls indicating that most Americans now approve of same-sex marriage.<br />
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Justice Kennedy said gay and lesbian couples have a fundamental right to marry.<br />
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“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family,” he wrote. “In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.”<br />
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“It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage,” Justice Kennedy said of the couples challenging state bans on same-sex marriage. “Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”<br />
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Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., in a dissent joined by Justice Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, said the Constitution has nothing to say on the subject.<br />
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“If you are among the many Americans — of whatever sexual orientation — who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision,” Chief Justice Roberts wrote. “Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.”<br />
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In a second dissent, Justice Scalia mocked Justice Kennedy’s soaring language.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Full Article Here</a><br />
<br />Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-12859112896928419772014-11-24T18:54:00.000-06:002014-11-24T18:55:20.264-06:00OUR DEMANDS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6OqSZpKamK1tE4Urs4Rpf3xvSnBXMbXsO0WDwvGtyVPe9yEh2K_aJb_W6WfA3qFruhMbAfeginGZSsGN7u2ZNiEcE-0L4LzTQDVzKS_4a_YlNIN8nv35fsXrKsUIMHZgi72m4kB6OfM/s1600/new-vision.png" height="640" width="492" /></div>
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<b>Action Principles</b></h2>
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<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Advance the leadership of young black people and other young people of color in your action planning, choice of spokespeople, and your continued work.</div>
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</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Use this moment as an opportunity to address systemic racism, not just the struggle in Ferguson. Connect the fate of Mike Brown with the fate of millions of Black young people everywhere. Elevate local incidents of police violence known to people in your community.</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Use the hash tag #shutitdown in all social media attached to your action.</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Encourage everyone to join our national text network. Text "HANDSUP" to 90975. This is very important. If you have a mass action this may be the best way to collect a list. In the future we will be able to send texts to people based on their zip code. We will try to send region specific texts in the future.</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
If possible, design your action to be intense, direct, and sustained. We don't want this to be a blip, or spasm. We want a meaningful conversation to be sparked.</div>
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</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
If possible, develop a creative action. Be imaginative and think outside the box.</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">If possible, do an action at the DOJ or another federal building. If those places are not available find a location that will resonate with people in your community.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Click <a href="http://fergusonaction.com/">http://fergusonaction.com/</a> for more information!</div>
<br />Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-34625312008877076612014-11-05T17:18:00.000-06:002014-11-05T17:18:56.759-06:00LEGAL IN MISSOURI<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6At-RCIcdeZD_KOCUzfHwYyf5Ljf5Ao3BKQDJIFZe_D8HcHl6e_wgXqo5zhg4AxtXjSkAzBi0oaVYS1EbGEE_0mNcdamHZ0kEsfOhLiTsiXCyMgSIrL5yr2aOoPcORLUQU9IGp7h7rV4/s1600/B1tVAqRCAAAgAfO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6At-RCIcdeZD_KOCUzfHwYyf5Ljf5Ao3BKQDJIFZe_D8HcHl6e_wgXqo5zhg4AxtXjSkAzBi0oaVYS1EbGEE_0mNcdamHZ0kEsfOhLiTsiXCyMgSIrL5yr2aOoPcORLUQU9IGp7h7rV4/s1600/B1tVAqRCAAAgAfO.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graphic created by PROMO</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/05/missouri-gay-marriage_n_6110348.html" target="_blank">Missouri Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional</a><br />
AP<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> | By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER<br />
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ST. LOUIS (AP) — A judge overturned Missouri's ban on gay marriage on Wednesday in a ruling that could add the state to a growing list of those where same-sex marriages are legal.<br />
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St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison, who heard arguments on Sept. 29, determined the law is unconstitutional.<br />
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The city of St. Louis issued a handful of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in June, setting up a court case over the state's 2004 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Assistant Attorney General Jeremiah Morgan argued that 71 percent of Missourians voted for the referendum defining marriage as between a man and a woman, and he said the U.S. Supreme Court has time and again allowed states to define marriage.<br />
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St. Louis City Counselor Winston Calvert countered that the existing law treats same-sex couples as "second-class citizens." He said an increasing number of states are allowing gay couples to wed, including most of the states surrounding Missouri.<br />
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St. Louis officials issued only the four licenses, intentionally allowing the courts to settle the debate. It wasn't immediately clear if or when St. Louis or other jurisdictions in the state would begin granting licenses to same-sex couples.<br />
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It was the second defeat for Missouri gay marriage opponents in recent months. Earlier, in Kansas City, Jackson County Circuit Judge J. Dale Youngs ordered the state to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. That order allowed married gay couples to be eligible to sign up for a wide range of tax, health insurance, veterans and other benefits now afforded to opposite-sex married couples.<br />
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Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has said he won't appeal the Kansas City ruling, stating: "Missouri's future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion."<br />
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Nanci Gonder, a spokeswoman for Koster, didn't immediately return a phone call or email seeking comment about Wednesday's ruling.<br />
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A federal court case in Kansas City also challenges Missouri's gay marriage ban.<br />
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The lawsuits in Missouri mirror dozens of others across the country that argue state bans on gay marriage violate the due process and equal protection rights of same-sex couples. The suits are based on the same arguments that led the U.S. Supreme Court last year to overturn part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that denied a range of tax, health and veterans benefits to legally married gay couples.Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-74121308770466726462014-10-19T22:22:00.001-05:002014-10-20T00:28:03.538-05:00LGBTQ+ MUST CARE!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW0WNJtAAeROuBKj1NMJ_7qIvSFgsXhZdBzXlHM5GdFpP7mavwwON3jlNf5itgq2itMMQjH6yyKBysZhTLqBjcXixNpuhscMdoQtPGdJK5780i6koa5Vn8Oew5-nNIRNVQJABSz_EXms/s1600/MLK+Cover+Art+for+Event.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW0WNJtAAeROuBKj1NMJ_7qIvSFgsXhZdBzXlHM5GdFpP7mavwwON3jlNf5itgq2itMMQjH6yyKBysZhTLqBjcXixNpuhscMdoQtPGdJK5780i6koa5Vn8Oew5-nNIRNVQJABSz_EXms/s1600/MLK+Cover+Art+for+Event.png" height="150" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”</blockquote>
― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail<br />
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In solidarity with The National Day of Protest this Wednesday October 22, please join the LGBTQ+ community for a conversation on why we should care about Ferguson.<br />
<br />
<b>LGBTQ+ & Black Oppression: Why We Should All Care About Ferguson</b><br />
<b>Location: Black Space, 2847 Cherokee St, St Louis, MO 63118</b><br />
<b>Time: 6-8pm</b><br />
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Contributors:<br />
Ashley Yates with Millennial Activists United<br />
<a href="http://millennialau.tumblr.com/">http://millennialau.tumblr.com/</a><br />
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Ashton Rome with Socialist Alternative<br />
<a href="http://www.socialistalternative.org/">http://www.socialistalternative.org/</a><br />
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Ed Reggi with ShowMeNoHate<br />
<a href="http://www.showmenohate.com/%C2%A0" target="_blank">http://www.showmenohate.com/ </a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“One very tangible way it [Ferguson] affects the Queer Community is in the issue of intersectionality. LGBTQAIP people are not just white. This community is unique in that we are made up of an incredibly diverse group of people. According to polling done in 2012, 33% of LGBT people are people of color. Those of us who are not people of color tend to forget that there are LGBTQAIP people in every different culture, race, and class. We are looked to as the community of acceptance, and we constantly demanding equality. But equality is not a reality if it is only being granted to one group of people. We cannot ignore the injustices happening around us while we demand the freedom to live our lives peacefully. These issues are linked. They are not isolated from each other. Stories like CeCe McDonald’s illustrate where homophobia and transphobia meet racism and prove that the attitudes perpetuating racism are often held by the same people displaying hatred for the Queer Community.” </blockquote>
<br />
- An excerpt from Anthony Doubek’s reaction to Ferguson. Read full story:<br />
<a href="http://boxersandbinders.com/2014/08/why-the-queer-community-should-care-about-ferguson-mo.html">http://boxersandbinders.com/2014/08/why-the-queer-community-should-care-about-ferguson-mo.html</a><br />
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Read background on CeCe McDonald:<br />
<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-transgender-crucible-20140730">http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-transgender-crucible-20140730</a>Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-82572145724233728322014-10-08T14:59:00.000-05:002014-10-08T20:44:24.731-05:00COMING OUT DAY, JUSTICE FOR ALL<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtFhsqs8gKKVYPVWnzdhoJSpivEAvPKSReHL3D1CStnVI8F09jEG0sTcPnY6_zrsy2spYoIxb16SAGclm292YmE5xxM9sAUqxUMoNIiL6U7c4oww5no7r6KwTWTRkLx1dN5ez0749HgM/s1600/Coming+Out+Day+Justice+For+All+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtFhsqs8gKKVYPVWnzdhoJSpivEAvPKSReHL3D1CStnVI8F09jEG0sTcPnY6_zrsy2spYoIxb16SAGclm292YmE5xxM9sAUqxUMoNIiL6U7c4oww5no7r6KwTWTRkLx1dN5ez0749HgM/s1600/Coming+Out+Day+Justice+For+All+.png" height="320" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Artwork (c) Keith Haring 1988</td></tr>
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BE SURE TO CLICK ON OUR <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1539664702919047/" target="_blank">FACBEOOK EVENT</a><br />
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National Coming Out Day is an internationally observed civil awareness day celebrating individuals who publicly identify as a gender or sexual minority and is observed annually by members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.<br />
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This year October 11 is also when the nation comes to Ferguson/St. Louis to demand justice for Mike Brown and an end to the crisis of discriminatory and violent policing nationwide. On Saturday October 11, we "Come Out for Justice!" and march in solidarity with our Black and Brown community, to raise our voices for a criminal justice system that honors the lives, safety, and dignity of all communities. “Black Lives Matter!” Martin Luther King, Jr. so poignantly stated, “Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.”<br />
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**** LOCATION HAS CHANGED ***<br />
Saturday, October 11, 10:00am the Justice for All national march and rally begins at Memorial Plaza Park, 14th Street and Market (across from Peabody Opera House) and march to the Old Courthouse, 11 N 4th St, St Louis, MO 63102.<br />
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Around Noon, protesters will rally at Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St, St Louis, MO 63101, featuring many leaders from the #Ferguson movement and around the country.<br />
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(See <a href="http://fergusonoctober.com/">http://fergusonoctober.com/</a> for details.)<br />
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!<br />
The St. Louis LGBTQ+ community can help by volunteering as: Marshalls, Medics, De-escalation, Mobilization Ambassadors, and Hospitality. If you are interested in any of these roles please click here http://bit.ly/comingout4justice to sign-up.<br />
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Schedule of other events for the week:<br />
Clayton, MO - Friday, October 10, 3:00pm - The Weekend of Resistance will start with “Justice Now,” a march and rally outside Prosecutor Bob McCulloch’s office in Clayton to call for him to step aside from the case against Darren Wilson and allow a special prosecutor to be appointed. <a href="http://fergusonoctober.com/">http://fergusonoctober.com/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cornelwest.com/images/dr_cornel_west_bio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cornelwest.com/images/dr_cornel_west_bio.png" /></a></div>
Ferguson, MO - Sunday, October 12: “The Hip Hop and Hope day of action,” will feature a block party hosted by local hip-hop artists, a mass meeting organized by faith leaders in the tradition of the Civil Rights movement with a keynote from Dr. Cornel West at St. Louis Chaifetz Arena. <a href="http://fergusonoctober.com/">http://fergusonoctober.com/</a><br />
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St. Louis, MO - Monday, October 13: Taking their cue from the “Moral Monday,” movement in the South, activists and faith leaders will participate in civil disobedience actions around the St. Louis region. <a href="http://fergusonoctober.com/">http://fergusonoctober.com/</a>Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-21390160578274840232014-10-06T22:26:00.001-05:002014-10-06T22:27:34.880-05:00SCOTUS SENDS IT BACK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgkB0IioNGrKASBB_r0Pp3jtiVHxOKDIx-dCyygEveuSFXBbJ80BDVq5DMNcvowcpL8fB2TZ0MvU2NfnVrN-kNfR5M9EsUiHfWsNqENurkqEjAz9Xud5QQhEm50yOc5KkQKEJ3HmEaMc/s1600/Supreme_Court_US_2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgkB0IioNGrKASBB_r0Pp3jtiVHxOKDIx-dCyygEveuSFXBbJ80BDVq5DMNcvowcpL8fB2TZ0MvU2NfnVrN-kNfR5M9EsUiHfWsNqENurkqEjAz9Xud5QQhEm50yOc5KkQKEJ3HmEaMc/s1600/Supreme_Court_US_2010.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
<b>Stunning SCOTUS Move Widens Same-Sex Marriage To 30 States</b></h2>
by NINA TOTENBERG<br />
October 06, 2014 5:40 PM ET<br />
<a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/10/06/354138858/stunning-scotus-move-widens-same-sex-marriage-to-30-states" target="_blank">Read full article here</a><br />
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In a stunning move, the U.S. Supreme Court Monday stepped out of the gay-marriage debate — at least for now. It refused to review lower court decisions that struck down state bans on same-sex marriage; but the decision not to decide will nevertheless have an immediate and dramatic effect, bringing the total number of states where gay marriage is legal up to 30.<br />
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Without saying or writing a word, the justices let stand three appeals court decisions, covering parts of the South, Midwest and West. That means that same-sex couples will now be able to marry in 11 more states: Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Add those 11 states to the 19 states that already allow gay marriage, and you have 30 states where such unions are legal.<br />
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Thousands more same-sex couples are expected to begin marrying immediately. In Virginia, for instance, the state began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples just hours after the Supreme Court's action.<br />
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Of course, some appeals courts could, this year or next, uphold a same-sex-marriage ban. Were that to happen, the Supreme Court would very likely have to resolve the conflicting decisions. There are a number of other same-sex-marriage cases in the pipeline. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, covering the far West and Northwest, and the 6th Circuit, covering parts of the Midwest, have both heard arguments in cases that challenge state bans on same-sex marriage, and a decision in either case could be in the offing. Two other circuits are poised to hear challenges to district court decisions striking down gay-marriage bans in Texas and Florida.<br />
<br />
But by the time any of these cases reaches the Supreme Court, there are likely to be tens of thousands more same-sex couples married in the 11 states where the Supreme Court declined to intervene on Monday. And it's hard to imagine the justices then telling those married couples that they are not married after all. Gay-marriage opponents, who were largely silent on Monday, conceded privately that there would be "chaos" if the high court later decides to backtrack.<br />
<br />
"The Supreme Court justices are very smart people. I don't think they're going to be able to put the genie back in the bottle," said Amy Howe, editor of the leading Supreme Court blog, SCOTUSBlog. Howe said that the message to the lower courts may be "grudging," but it's pretty clear: "Keep on doing what you're doing. We may not be ready to proclaim a national constitutional right to same-sex marriage, but we're not going to stop you from doing it on a state-by-state basis."<br />
<br />
Some in the gay community, like Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, had hoped for more. "It's not a done deal until it's done," he said, adding that Freedom to Marry and other organizations will "keep making the case that every day matters and couples shouldn't have to fight state by state, or year by year for the freedom to marry."<br />
<br />
Others, however, saw the court's action as a huge victory. "I think that today is one of the greatest days in the history of lesbian and gay rights in the United States," said David Codell, constitutional litigation director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.<br />
<br />
Indeed, the Supreme Court's action, or more precisely, its inaction, is likely to put greater pressure on the 20 remaining states where gay marriage is not legal. Already gay marriage is legal in areas accounting for 60 percent of the American population. And at least some of the cases in the pipeline are likely to boost that number still further.Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-42481078385868893712014-10-06T22:15:00.002-05:002014-10-06T22:16:13.603-05:00AG KOSTER BACKS MARRIAGE!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOJ2ukJQurmC0bogemBRPqMEKXybnyznu4ACSUy2fieaNpBViU3KSLSCyEPC6_A1dCt0F0A7XnXD-PeLuJ1rTjLGVokmcpX-hRNRT34Ldd1XaMCd_3-HCKnm8phNtrtr26crYEf76LAw/s1600/kosterchris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOJ2ukJQurmC0bogemBRPqMEKXybnyznu4ACSUy2fieaNpBViU3KSLSCyEPC6_A1dCt0F0A7XnXD-PeLuJ1rTjLGVokmcpX-hRNRT34Ldd1XaMCd_3-HCKnm8phNtrtr26crYEf76LAw/s1600/kosterchris.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missouri Attorney General Cris Koster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Attorney General Koster's statement on his decision not to appeal in Barrier v. Vasterling<br />
<br />
<div>
Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster <a href="http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2014/Attorney_General_Kosters_statement_on_his_decision_not_to_appeal_in_Barrier_v_Vasterling/" target="_blank">today released the following statement</a>:<br />
<br />
"The circuit court's judgment in Barrier v. Vasterling held that Missouri must recognize marriages lawfully entered into in other states. We will not appeal that judgment. Our national government is founded upon principles of federalism – a system that empowers Missouri to set policy for itself, but also obligates us to honor contracts entered into in other states.<br />
<br />
A consequence of this morning's ruling by the United States Supreme Court is that gay marriage will soon be legal in as many as 30 states. At a time when Missouri is competing to attract the nation's premier businesses and most talented employees, we should not demand that certain individuals surrender their marriage licenses in order to live and work among us. Missouri's future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion."</div>
Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-38308211626064806752014-10-03T16:13:00.000-05:002014-10-03T16:13:14.194-05:00SHOW ME VICTORY!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE_uJe13MzrkjOeaz275-p5kQLytxPtmuUMUDyYsZdPBlqZ_bTFHVbU8OQW-auDQv9wL-UTVQ_f9AWDT1ebJZhvX_69EozE2E4xgKK3gis4bYMUyMru_57WNK3CON5s4SmUl2r2xxumE/s1600/542f045364468.preview-620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE_uJe13MzrkjOeaz275-p5kQLytxPtmuUMUDyYsZdPBlqZ_bTFHVbU8OQW-auDQv9wL-UTVQ_f9AWDT1ebJZhvX_69EozE2E4xgKK3gis4bYMUyMru_57WNK3CON5s4SmUl2r2xxumE/s1600/542f045364468.preview-620.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J. Dale Youngs, a Jackson County, Missouri circuit court judge. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Missouri Judge Side With Married Same-Sex Couples<br />KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oct 3, 2014, 4:51 PM ET<br />By BILL DRAPER Associated Press<br /><br /><br />Missouri must recognize the marriages of same-sex couples legally performed in other states, a state judge ruled Friday, saying the state's constitution and laws banning the unions are unconstitutional.<br /><br /><br />The order by Jackson County Circuit Judge J. Dale Youngs means that such couples will be eligible to sign up for a wide range of tax, health insurance, veterans and other benefits now afforded to opposite-sex couples. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, who has defended the state's ban on gay marriage, said it was reviewing the ruling.<br /><br /><br />Youngs ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by 10 same-sex couples who were married in states where gay marriage is legal. They couple argue that their rights to equal protection and due process are being violated by Missouri's ban on gay marriage.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWaK7HMYFreDc_bsql1oV8daDeXgaXB1swSsl1jTEZAMisQmp5z7YhXkregtThtqkre3jtPvMipxHpOj8wIdF2oip3GIIu-ex3EPLr3_nd7hyphenhyphenwnh9MdkxR5DpN0zTfZN0kjASjKAXUuQ/s1600/542f0453d3d42.preview-620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWaK7HMYFreDc_bsql1oV8daDeXgaXB1swSsl1jTEZAMisQmp5z7YhXkregtThtqkre3jtPvMipxHpOj8wIdF2oip3GIIu-ex3EPLr3_nd7hyphenhyphenwnh9MdkxR5DpN0zTfZN0kjASjKAXUuQ/s1600/542f0453d3d42.preview-620.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janice Barrier (left) and Sherie Schild Photo credit: The Vital Voice</td></tr>
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<br />Young agreed, saying the couples deserve the same recognition as opposite-sex couples who were married in other states. He said the laws serve no legitimate government interest.<br /><br /><br />The case is among at least three challenging Missouri's ban on same-sex marriage. The others include a federal challenge in Kansas City and a St. Louis case in which city officials granted marriage licenses to four same-sex couples to trigger a legal test of the ban.<br /><br /><br />The lawsuits are based on the same arguments that led the U.S. Supreme Court last year to overturn part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that denied a tax, health and other benefits to legally married gay couples.<br /><br /><br />Same-sex marriage is now legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The American Civil Liberties Union says it has marriage cases pending against 13 other states, of which five are before federal appeals courts.</div>
Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-22579891943911505662013-11-05T19:29:00.003-06:002013-11-05T19:30:36.720-06:00SO GOES THE LAND OF LINCOLN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lx6T__muX5JrUz1rycSNqyFDnbdi09vhpUGM2oXEanSVLiWeM3QLBZ3XJddJc3ItpwYpQ6Xxe1SpMHxebj57MDJ7tn-8OybRREAdcBi5K5eiH_uX-fRpxx2Na8Mfo8GevhmQWrkdGMw/s1600/lincoln+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lx6T__muX5JrUz1rycSNqyFDnbdi09vhpUGM2oXEanSVLiWeM3QLBZ3XJddJc3ItpwYpQ6Xxe1SpMHxebj57MDJ7tn-8OybRREAdcBi5K5eiH_uX-fRpxx2Na8Mfo8GevhmQWrkdGMw/s320/lincoln+2.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Illinois Sends Bill Allowing Gay Marriage to Governor</span><br />
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By MONICA DAVEY and STEVEN YACCINO</div>
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Published: November 5, 2013 </div>
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NEW YORK TIMES</div>
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The Illinois House of Representatives voted Tuesday to allow same-sex couples to wed, ending months of delay over the issue in the Capitol and clearing the way for Illinois to become the 15th state, along with the District of Columbia, to permit gay couples to marry.</div>
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The vote was 61 to 54, mostly along partisan lines, with only three Republicans voting yes.</div>
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“In Illinois, we tried civil unions and that separate status has time and time again proved to fall short,” said State Representative Greg Harris, a sponsor of the bill, urging his House colleagues to approve the measure on Tuesday.</div>
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The measure passed the Illinois Senate in February, but for procedural reasons it had to be voted on there again. On Tuesday, the Senate quickly approved changes the House made to the bill, sending it to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat who has said he will sign it. Illinois couples could begin marrying on June 1.</div>
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The outcome itself was perhaps less surprising than how long and difficult the debate had proved in a state with both legislative chambers controlled by Democrats and where President Obama, once a member of the State Senate, specifically voiced his support this year. Illinois already permits civil unions for same-sex couples, but even as a wave of state legislatures passed marriage provisions this year, the issue had stalled.</div>
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“We were aiming for this to happen a year ago,” said Bernard Cherkasov, the chief executive of Equality Illinois. In May, in the final hours of the State House’s regular session, a leading advocate of the bill reluctantly and tearfully announced that he would delay plans for a vote, suggesting that there were not yet enough votes to pass it.</div>
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“In many ways, it has taken longer than we expected,” Mr. Cherkasov said.</div>
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Despite Democratic control of both chambers, the issue had been particularly vexing for some Democrats in socially conservative districts outside Chicago and for some black Democrats in Chicago, where some clergy members have suggested that those supporting gay marriage should prepare for election challenges next year.</div>
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“We’re prepared to run and elect people who vote where the people’s minds are,” said Bishop Larry Trotter, senior pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church in Chicago and an opponent of same-sex marriage. Mr. Trotter said he believed that most black residents agreed with him, even if it conflicts with the stance of Mr. Obama.</div>
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“We love him,” Mr. Trotter said of Mr. Obama. “We want him to be a great president. But on this issue we differ. It’s unfortunate that he is our hero, he is a hometown boy, but I think he needs to understand that when he speaks for this he’s not speaking for the majority of people.”</div>
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Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Democratic state representative from downstate Peoria who is black, had not announced how she would vote until this week. Deciding to vote in favor of same-sex marriage, she said in an interview, “took some guts.”</div>
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Ultimately, she said, she viewed the issue in light of work her mother had done in the Peoria community on civil rights. “Our history is about moving the dial toward justice, and I see this as another part of that,” she said.</div>
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Ms. Gordon-Booth, who was first elected in 2008, said that she intended to seek re-election next year and that she expected she might well now find competition. “Could I end up in a race? You better believe it. But I prayed on this. And I don’t worry about it anymore.”</div>
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Political analysts said it was uncertain how serious the political fallout would prove to be. Kent Redfield, an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, questioned whether Democratic leaders like Michael J. Madigan, the longtime speaker of the House, would have called a vote had they believed it would cause too many election risks for Democrats.</div>
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Much has changed in the months since backers of same-sex marriage began pressing lawmakers in Springfield to go a step beyond the civil unions that have been permitted since 2011. Last fall, voters approved marriage measures in Maryland, Maine and Washington, and lawmakers in Delaware, Rhode Island and Minnesota passed laws this year. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey withdrew his efforts to block same-sex marriage, and weddings began in that state last month.</div>
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Michael D. Shear contributed reporting.</div>
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Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-30418328040075328652013-08-29T16:47:00.000-05:002013-08-29T16:47:39.265-05:00MARRIAGE IS MARRIAGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZSDK0zWdr3SLDCqmaY80owWzH-wtquttj4PyID0cfIXrAuIMnC4xEpeoSr9U5eb5p_ghDL_ZWDThMt71pgvtiHJXHZ8sn5WEtLvtp_FJ1b5dIAjaRSUbD7dEUWSx76ExajTRopsCKzQ/s1600/SMNH+Banner+Window+Pane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZSDK0zWdr3SLDCqmaY80owWzH-wtquttj4PyID0cfIXrAuIMnC4xEpeoSr9U5eb5p_ghDL_ZWDThMt71pgvtiHJXHZ8sn5WEtLvtp_FJ1b5dIAjaRSUbD7dEUWSx76ExajTRopsCKzQ/s320/SMNH+Banner+Window+Pane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/same-sex-couples-federal-taxes_n_3837444.html?1377799124" target="_blank">Same-Sex Married Couples To Get Federal Tax Recognition Regardless Of State</a></div>
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Posted: 08/29/2013 from www.huffingtonpost.com</div>
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Thursday that when it comes to taxes, it will recognize same-sex couples' marriages even if they live in a state that does not.</div>
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The decision, which was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, marks the latest political progress for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.</div>
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Prior to this spring, the Internal Revenue Service did not recognize same-sex married couples pursuant to section 3 of DOMA. Once DOMA was overturned in June, the question became: What about same-sex married couples who moved to a state that didn’t recognize their marriage (a couple married in Massachusetts who moved to Arkansas, for example)?</div>
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Thursday’s ruling by Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew provides a uniform policy for the IRS; the state of celebration -- where the wedding took place -- now trumps the state of residency when it comes to federal tax status for same-sex married couples.</div>
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“Today’s ruling provides certainty and clear, coherent tax filing guidance for all legally married same-sex couples nationwide. It provides access to benefits, responsibilities and protections under federal tax law that all Americans deserve,” Lew said in a statement. “This ruling also assures legally married same-sex couples that they can move freely throughout the country knowing that their federal filing status will not change.”</div>
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The new policy, which was first shared by Lew in a conference call that included LGBT advocates, holds a bit of political significance. It was the burden of federal tax law on same-sex couples, after all, that prompted the legal challenge to DOMA in the first place.</div>
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Edie Windsor, the plaintiff in the DOMA case, sued the government after being forced to pay estate taxes following the death of her wife, Thea Spyer. Had they been a heterosexual couple, Windsor's tax burden would have been zero. After DOMA was overturned, it was reported that the IRS owed Windsor $363,053.</div>
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Under the new Treasury policy, all federal tax provisions where marriage is a factor, including filing status, employee benefits, IRA contributions, earned income, child tax credits, and income, gift and estate taxes, will apply to same sex couples regardless of where they live. On the flip side, gay couples also will now be subjected to the so-called marriage penalty, in which some (usually upper-middle class) joint filers incur a higher tax burden than they would if they filed as single people.</div>
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The policy only applies to married couples, and not those in domestic partnerships or same-sex unions.</div>
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“With today’s ruling, committed and loving gay and lesbian married couples will now be treated equally under our nation’s federal tax laws, regardless of what state they call home,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. “These families finally have access to crucial tax benefits and protections previously denied to them under the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.”</div>
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The Treasury’s actions on Thursday are just the latest in a set of LGBT policies offered by agencies within the Obama administration following the DOMA ruling. The Federal Election Commission, and Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security, also extended federal benefits to gay couples in states that don’t recognize their marriages.</div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/same-sex-couples-federal-taxes_n_3837444.html?1377799124" target="_blank">Click here for original article</a></div>
Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-91267246745342901172013-08-02T12:56:00.000-05:002013-08-02T12:56:15.308-05:00RAISING $ FOR MARRIAGE<script>(function() {
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Our Lucky 13th Marriage Equality bus leaves on Friday August 30th and we have another 12 couples along with their family and friends--heading toward Iowa to get legally married. When we return to St. Louis that evening, we will have transported a total of 700 people; marrying over 140+ same-sex couples to date.<br />
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Wow, now those are some lucky people!<br />
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<b>What our couples pay for:</b><br />
- $50 contribution toward their bus seats<br />
- $35 Iowa State Marriage License<br />
- food expenses<br />
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<b>What your contribution pays for:</b><br />
Your gift helps defray the costs of chartering a bus to Iowa City from St. Louis (rental is over $1600). 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 her 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.<br />
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administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-66907702045208779102013-08-02T12:37:00.001-05:002013-08-02T12:37:49.256-05:00LUCKY 13!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZyJhry8li5_f3tEc_SOPFh0Sd2HPwsxVOX_or8V-7S2d2VYUQbnjHh1NumxTe3UeZC6SvRG6GhK_j6ekh6f3OvOdu8ncRFGgtNRv-YMO5Mw0wtMscNDQZIqmT9xAlG1it6PzvYG-/s1600/Marriage+Bus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZyJhry8li5_f3tEc_SOPFh0Sd2HPwsxVOX_or8V-7S2d2VYUQbnjHh1NumxTe3UeZC6SvRG6GhK_j6ekh6f3OvOdu8ncRFGgtNRv-YMO5Mw0wtMscNDQZIqmT9xAlG1it6PzvYG-/s400/Marriage+Bus.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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13 BUSES OF LOVE:<br />
OUR THIRTEENTH MARRIAGE EQUALITY BUS LEAVES AUGUST 30.<br />
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Join Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender couples as they board the thirteenth "Show Me Marriage Equality Bus" bound for Iowa on Friday August 30, 2013.<br />
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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.<br />
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The "Show Me Marriage Equality Bus" will depart from Iowa around 5pm, so that we can all return to St. Louis by 10pm.<br />
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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.)<br />
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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 defray the cost of the bus to our couples.<br />
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Make a donation online here:<br />
<a href="https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/5ZOCb?">https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/5ZOCb?</a><br />
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You may email showmenohate@gmail.com for directions on how to make a contribution.<br />
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We could also use your help to find more couples. There are still seats available on this August love bus to Iowa.<br />
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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.administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-78437776390902119872013-04-23T07:26:00.001-05:002013-04-23T07:27:27.501-05:00JUST SAY NO!Show Me No Hate has been hearing from our network of members across the state. We're hearing that LGBTQ individuals are freely speaking to police officers when they are participating in rallies, marches, or other peaceful actions. We recommend you never talk to police officers beyond seeking assistance or immediate care if you need that.<br />
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We also know many LGBTQ and straight allied first responders are often within earshot at any police, hospital or fire station. But its essential if you suspect the police are homophobic, suspicious of your gender, or your physical expression - its critical you don't talk to the police until you have spoken with counsel. </div>
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We'd like to suggest this video series to you:</div>
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Part I</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8z7NC5sgik?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Part II</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/08fZQWjDVKE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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If you don't believe us just watch <a href="http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/centralparkfive/" target="_blank">THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE.</a></div>
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administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-35220372499218237592013-03-28T17:38:00.001-05:002013-03-28T17:38:35.221-05:00DAY IN COURT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.jrn.com/images/660*474/8707fce1652e5a0a2d0f6a7067005ac6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://media.jrn.com/images/660*474/8707fce1652e5a0a2d0f6a7067005ac6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Octogenarian lesbian widow gets her day in Supreme Court<br />
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(Reuters) - Gay marriage supporters in front of the Supreme Court only wanted to see one celebrity on Wednesday.<br />
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As Edith Windsor walked out of the court after arguments in her case challenging the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, a huge roar erupted from hundreds of protesters gathered on the steps.<br />
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"Edie! Edie!" they chanted as the diminutive 83-year-old laughed and blew kisses to the crowd.<br />
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See Full Article </div>
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<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/27/us-usa-court-gaymarriage-windsor-idUSBRE92Q15G20130327">http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/27/us-usa-court-gaymarriage-windsor-idUSBRE92Q15G20130327</a></div>
administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-8182552129884681252013-03-26T07:00:00.000-05:002013-03-26T07:00:18.275-05:00IOWA IS STILL STANDING<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
“Most of our small towns have people in them that are gay, and live peaceful lives. They’re not made to feel like outsiders. So what occurred to me was that the political debate didn’t really match up what was going on in Iowa communities. And that’s when I thought this is just unfair. There’s no evil force that’s out there that’s trying to destroy marriage. It was people that just wanted to fall in love, and have stable families and monogamous relationships just like I do. That’s what changed my mind.”</div>
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Read more: <a href="http://www.towleroad.com/2013/03/cnn-finds-that-gay-marriage-hasnt-caused-the-sky-to-fall-in-iowa-audio.html#ixzz2OV64Odhs" style="border: 0px; color: #003399; text-decoration: none;">http://www.towleroad.com/2013/03/cnn-finds-that-gay-marriage-hasnt-caused-the-sky-to-fall-in-iowa-audio.html#ixzz2OV64Odhs</a><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F82752181&liking=false&show_artwork=false&show_comments=false" width="100%"></iframe>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-73696151376176726072013-03-25T11:00:00.000-05:002013-03-25T11:00:01.681-05:00DEAR JOHN LETTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear John -<br />
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We all know you have an outspoken mother, Phyllis Schlafly who loves to parade around the media pretending to be a nice sincere conservative lady; however, recently she didn't act lady-like at all.<br />
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We also know she has been a media whore since ERA.<br />
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But her recent attack on Senator Rob Portman's has many questing not so much her but instead - you. Senator Portman recently changed his mind (and vote) coming out supporting same-sex marriages because his son came out of the closet to his family before the holidays last year. <br />
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Instead of embracing this act of love from a son to father; she decided to use it for media attention.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-denounces-rob-portmans-stupid-and-dumb-marriage-equality-announcement">http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-denounces-rob-portmans-stupid-and-dumb-marriage-equality-announcement</a><br />
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Many of us know you came out of the closet nearly 20 years ago and we'd thought by now you would have cleared this all up Phyllis. We expected you would have had a sit down talk with your mom about yourself being gay and how you wish to one day fall in love with that adult man of your dreams.<br />
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<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-19/news/mn-620_1_activist-phyllis-schlafly">http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-19/news/mn-620_1_activist-phyllis-schlafly</a><br />
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We are asking you to share with your mom your hopes to one day marry the man you love. We are asking this because maybe you can change your mom's views. (We have also heard she loves you the most out of the family because you remain her conservative little Johnny!)<br />
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<br />administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-67888506327840856832013-03-24T22:16:00.000-05:002013-03-24T22:16:00.452-05:00SCOTUS AUDIO RECORDINGS<br />
<br /><b>For Immediate Release For Further Information Contact:<br />March 19, 2013 Kathleen Arberg (202) 479-3211</b><br /><br />The Court will provide the audio recordings and transcripts of the oral arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry, scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, March 26, and United States v. Windsor, scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, March 27, on an expedited basis through the Court's Website.<br /><br />The Court will post the audio recordings and unofficial transcripts as soon as the digital files are available for uploading to the Website. The audio recordings and transcripts should be available no later than 1 p.m. on March 26 and no later than 2 p.m. on March 27.<br /><br />Anyone interested in the proceedings will be able to access the recordings and transcripts directly through links on the homepage of the Court's Website. The homepage currently provides links to the orders, briefs, and other information about the cases. The Court's Website address is <a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/">www.supremecourt.gov</a>.<br /><br /><br /><b>See this link for all SCOTUS AUDIO:</b><a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio.aspx">http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio.asp</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, san-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio.aspx">x</a></span></span><br />
administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-27035490959073750202013-03-24T16:29:00.000-05:002013-03-24T16:29:06.717-05:00WE'RE BACK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4HTX9TElR9nkRaquEoa-ch29iS1xS16Z6AT3LoNVAUT8ABIEMi4qE2DI5L-0xRqaVZfqmm6RRxxXFO_sNSbkfo1x_2zw9-lSx5XFK1pAqs5KrPmGjb1NIOl3-KFDDr4-P1jLX4ZR/s1600/1645_223447297798464_1773636877_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4HTX9TElR9nkRaquEoa-ch29iS1xS16Z6AT3LoNVAUT8ABIEMi4qE2DI5L-0xRqaVZfqmm6RRxxXFO_sNSbkfo1x_2zw9-lSx5XFK1pAqs5KrPmGjb1NIOl3-KFDDr4-P1jLX4ZR/s320/1645_223447297798464_1773636877_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-79008634217302714282013-03-23T16:30:00.000-05:002013-03-24T16:30:34.189-05:00EPISCOPAL BISHOPS SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-78184953928444410852013-03-22T12:31:00.000-05:002013-03-24T16:31:53.005-05:00CATHOLICS STAND WITH MARRIAGE EQUALITY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-73883189205550601872012-03-20T00:06:00.000-05:002012-03-20T00:16:11.001-05:00NEW HEIGHTS FOR RICHMOND HEIGHTS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.richmondheights.org/images/pages/N692/RH100POST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.richmondheights.org/images/pages/N692/RH100POST.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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Tonight, Monday March 19, 2012 - Richmond Heights City Council passed bill 5341, which will make it illegal to discriminate against sexual orientation and gender identity in their fair city.<br />
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This makes Richmond Heights the fourth city in St. Louis County to protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender citizens. The other cities include University City, Olivette and Clayton. Bravo to the good work of the residents who pushed for their elected officials to draft and pass this ordinance this evening.<br />
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The bad news is two of the Richmond Height Council members voted against the new ordinance. Those two members are:<br />
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<a href="http://www.richmondheights.org/images/pages/N29/2008%2004Michael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.richmondheights.org/images/pages/N29/2008%2004Michael.jpg" /></a></div>
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Michael Jones</div>
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(314) 644-1564</div>
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<a href="mailto:mjones@richmondheights.org" style="color: navy; font-size: 10pt;" title="Email Michael Jones"></a><a href="mailto:mjones@richmondheights.org" style="color: navy; font-size: 10pt;" title="Email Michael Jones">mjones@richmondheights.org</a></div>
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Edward Notter</div>
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(314) 781-3707</div>
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<a href="mailto:enotter@richmondheights.org" style="color: navy; font-size: 10pt;" title="Email Edward Notter">enotter@richmondheights.org</a></div>
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Mr. Michael Jones protested the vote from the beginning of the second reading. He spoke about how the bill quoted both State and Federal human rights that "just are not there." Mayor James Beck had to correct Mr. Jones several times, explaining that the bill "embodies" the human and civil rights already afforded by both the State and Federal Constitutions. Michael didn't buy it and pursued different avenues, going through his list on a pad of paper. </div>
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"Say there are Catholic landlords who rent to people who go against their religious beliefs. If we pass this ordinance tonight, we will be discriminating against their religious rights," claimed Mr. Jones.</div>
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"Furthermore, sometime ago this City Council had to determine if the City had a right to get involved if water was running off a resident's property onto another resident's property, causing damage. Our Council decided to not get involved and let the residents go to court for due process. Well passing this bill 5341 would be the opposite of what this Council decided in that case. We would take away the due process for the religious landlords who want to decide whom they should or should not rent too."</div>
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Mr. Edward Notter chimed in at one early juncture to remind the Council about when a group of residents came to City Hall to get a bill to allow chickens on properties. Edward felt like the Council seems to do whatever people ask when they appear before City Hall. Apparently someone has not told Mr. Notter that this is actually the way City politics and democracy works! Residents and neighboring residents come forward with ideas, ways to better their communities by proposing new legislation to solve problems. Apparently Mr. Notter didn't get this lesson in civics 101; rather, Ed was determined to poison the whole vote by suggesting LGBT lobbyist were coming into Richmond Heights, shaking down the Council with party favors and pink cash. Sheesh, where do these Council members come from?</div>
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Back to Council member Jones. </div>
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He didn't give up, even after Council woman Gina Mitten made a motion for a vote. There was a pause for governing procedures since there was a debate, even if only from the two wacko doodles who were clearly getting their marching orders from the Catholic Archdiocese and Tea Party. </div>
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Once the motion was made to decide to vote or continue to debate, the members who wanted to debate won. Mayor Beck sided with more debate, out of compassion to at least hear the two homophobes. </div>
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Mr. Jones continuing reading his list of concerns. He said he contacted the Archdiocese, and how they recommended against passing the ordinance. I am not sure if the Archdiocese suggested or if Michael just gleaned this from the Catholic leadership; but it was somehow presented that if the bill passed tonight, Catholic landlords would sell their properties and move out of Richmond Heights. Snickers and laughter came from the packed City Hall. Michael continued to suggest that the Archdiocese said that these sub-groups only pass these laws, from city to city, to gain civil rights that do not exists. That the mere passing of this new ordinance would give more rights to LGBT people than they deserve. </div>
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Both Council members, Gina Mitten and Matt Casey decided to appeal to some logic. Mrs. Mitten suggested to Mr. Jones that the same was said about African-Americans and women. That their rights were also challenged under the same twisted logic. Matt Casey suggested that many religious people support the basic protections of all human beings when it comes to housing. That was when Council member Michael Jones verbally attacked Council member Casey, "these people need to follow religion and you should too." That was when Mayor Back stopped it, "now we are totally getting off track here." </div>
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Council member Paul Lore stepped in and said, "Michael and Ed, we may agree on certain things, but on this we do not. Can you please tell me on what religious grounds would a Catholic or any religious landlord have against gays living in their apartment? Are gays made to live in caves?" The entire City Hall broke out again in laughter. Mr. Jones and Mr. Notter were both losing their homophobic battle with this crowd and Council. Even after frantic appeals by Council member Jones to table the bill and appeal it to St. Louis County Council and the State of Missouri, "we should ask them, a higher power to make these sorts of decisions before we grant new sub-classes of protections for sub-groups of people. Let them make these answers, not us!" </div>
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It was clear, Council members Michael Jones and Edward Notter were done. Roasted. Fried. They had not a shred of evidence to back up all their homophobic claims. They tried to use the weight of the Archdiocese, who they claimed did not support these such ordinances. They tried to scare the Council by suggesting they were taking away due process from potential property owners. And lastly, they tried to raise the issue of Gay Inc, a secret rainbow lobbying organization, infiltrating Richmond Heights! <br />
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Nothing worked! They were uncovered for what they truly are, BIGOTS. So I leave you with their emails, their phone numbers and their pictures. Please call, write, and email their faces all over your social media. Let's make sure these two idiots never stop hearing the words, "Hey bigot!" And let's find some residents in their wards to run against them. Both of their terms are up in 2014, so that gives us 2 years to find some better quality Council members for their wards. </div>
<br /></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-77940451349675029992012-03-06T20:31:00.000-06:002012-03-06T20:32:19.314-06:00NOH8 IN ST LOUIS<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="203" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3T4y6m1IXIA" width="399"></iframe>
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<b>On SUNDAY, MARCH 18TH the NOH8 Campaign will set up their mobile studio at CLAYTON HIGH SCHOOL, bringing the NOH8 Campaign to the St. Louis area for the very first time. </b><br />
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Previous NOH8 photo sessions in St. Louis were not taken by the NOH8 founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley. Even though those events yielded an outpouring of support, this is your opportunity to meet the two artists, and have them take a new NOH8 photo. Adam and Jeff are the photographers who created a global statement around their art and love for each other. <br />
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The photo shoot on SUNDAY at the CLAYTON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM is scheduled to begin at 2:00PM and end at 5:00PM. The NOH8 Campaign would like to thank the CLAYTON HIGH SCHOOL GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE in helping to coordinate our first photo shoot in ST. LOUIS.<br />
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The costs of posing for an official NOH8 portrait break down as follows:<br />
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SOLO PORTRAITS .......... $40.00<br />
COUPLE & GROUP PORTRAITS ........... $25.00 per person<br />
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The NOH8 Campaign accepts cash, most major credit cards, and checks made out to 'NOH8Campaign'. Fees cover services & processing for one retouched digital print only (made available through www.NOH8Campaign.com) and do not include physical prints.
The lines moves quickly, so don't let the RSVP's intimidate you. We always do our best to make sure that everyone in line by 5:00PM has a chance to pose for their photo and up to this point, we haven't ever had to turn anyone away. Anyone that would like to join the NOH8 Campaign is asked to wear a plain white shirt to match the look of the signature NOH8 photos.<br />
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Celebrity Photographer and NOH8 Co-Founder Adam Bouska will be working around the clock to photograph 5-10 frames for each person that comes through. The final selection he chooses will be retouched and made available to you in about 8 weeks through the website <a href="http://www.noh8campaign.com/" target="_blank">www.NOH8Campaign.com </a><br />
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WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
ARRIVE BETWEEN 2:00PM AND 5:00PM
CLAYTON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
1 MARK TWAIN CIRCLE
CLAYTON, MO 63105
* COME CAMERA READY *
* WEAR WHITE *
* POSE and MAKE A STATEMENT!<br />
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Once you arrive, the NOH8 Campaign will apply the NOH8 temporary tattoo to your face, and we will also supply you with the silver duct tape for the photo.
Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for marriage equality and anti-discrimination through NOH8’s interactive media campaign. This includes bringing the campaign to other cities around the country, as well as compiling the images for a large-scale media campaign. Under consideration is the expansion of our campaign to other media, including television and radio broadcast, billboards, and magazines. Contributions are also used to cover the daily operations and maintenance necessary to run this rapidly growing campaign.
The NOH8 Campaign is an approved 501(c)(3), donations will be tax-deductible up to the amount allowable by law.administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-60078538230464242912012-03-06T20:16:00.000-06:002012-03-16T02:44:52.894-05:00MARRIAGE BUS 11<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Show Me Marriage Equality Bus number 11 is bound for Iowa and it departs from St. Louis on Friday March 16th.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">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 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 8 other states that recognize same-sex marriage; however, obtaining a Civil Union in Illinois is ONLY recognized by Illinois.
Send email to ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com for more information. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">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.</span></b></div>
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Make sure you visit our Facebook page!</div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487847417299500539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-44398033200824293592012-02-07T12:28:00.000-06:002012-02-07T12:28:52.611-06:00UNCONSTITUTIONAL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Prop. 8: Gay-marriage ban unconstitutional, court rules<br />
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<a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/gay-marriage-prop-8s-ban-ruled-unconstitutional.html" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a></div>
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A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage as early as next year.</div>
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The 2-1 decision by a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that limited marriage to one man and one woman, violated the U.S. Constitution. The architects of Prop. 8 have vowed to appeal.</div>
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The ruling was narrow and likely to be limited to California.</div>
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<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/prop-8/" style="color: #2262cc; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">FULL COVERAGE: Prop. 8</strong></a></div>
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“Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California,” the court said.</div>
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The ruling upheld a decision by retired Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who struck down the ballot measure in 2010 after holding an unprecedented trial on the nature of sexual orientation and the history of marriage.</div>
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In a separate decision, the appeals court refused to invalidate Walker’s ruling on the grounds that he should have disclosed he was in a long term same-sex relationship. Walker, a Republican appointee who is openly gay, said after his ruling that he had been in a relationship with another man for 10 years. He has never said whether he and partner wished to marry.</div>
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<a href="http://documents.latimes.com/proposition-8-gay-marriage-unconstitutional/" style="color: #2262cc; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">DOCUMENT: Read the court's decision</strong></a></div>
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ProtectMarriage, the backers of Proposition 8, can appeal Tuesday's decision to a larger panel of the 9th Circuit or go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court is expected to be divided on the issue, and many legal scholars believe Justice Anthony Kennedy will be the deciding vote.</div>
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Gays and lesbians were entitled to marry in California for six months after the California Supreme Court struck down a state ban in May 2008. The state high court later upheld Proposition 8 as a valid amendment of the California Constitution.</div>
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While the Proposition 8 case was still pending in state court, two same-sex couples sued in federal court to challenge the ban on federal constitutional grounds.</div>Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3925110714314836551.post-47600681908176598192011-12-30T16:28:00.000-06:002011-12-30T16:28:17.798-06:00THANKS 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdCVFjPgWY4/Tv4ey_rTIlI/AAAAAAAAAXs/vNXoNZLj270/s1600/vintage_new_years_eve_ball_drop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdCVFjPgWY4/Tv4ey_rTIlI/AAAAAAAAAXs/vNXoNZLj270/s400/vintage_new_years_eve_ball_drop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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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. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGsphOfmYKXsX_Mo4O0aoqPCQ0RlM5GMRX1V9UavsKbDG2Lm-5E8h1vIvD_prRBv7K05QXJ5IoYYt2JAcOY2m9DcR3nIY1rJYjMCtsDkVbp5iqFMQwRgItRUjchHRBUe17htN_XKswC0/s1600/Laclede+gas+Failure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGsphOfmYKXsX_Mo4O0aoqPCQ0RlM5GMRX1V9UavsKbDG2Lm-5E8h1vIvD_prRBv7K05QXJ5IoYYt2JAcOY2m9DcR3nIY1rJYjMCtsDkVbp5iqFMQwRgItRUjchHRBUe17htN_XKswC0/s320/Laclede+gas+Failure.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1232045104"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDvy9QPJw6Q/Tv445hJHWBI/AAAAAAAAAYE/4oI57sGIoEA/s320/noh8_sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bouska.net/?t=HOME" target="_blank">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.</a></td></tr>
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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Here's to a happy and healthy 2012!<br />
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Ed Reggi<br />
Founder of ShowMeNoHate<br />
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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.<br />
But LGBTQ Youth need your help! Please support Growing American Youth before the year is over (and in 2012). <a href="https://secure.piryx.com/donate/xVluffrl/Growing-American-Youth/" target="_blank">Use this link</a> to make an online quick and harmless donation.Show Me No Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544833587241509417noreply@blogger.com