Click on the following links for articles that covered the Sunday Nov 29th, 2009 Rally against Archbishop Carlson for sending $10,000 to Maine.
GAY AGENDA BLOG 11/30/09 - http://bit.ly/8Z30jX
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 11/29/09 - http://bit.ly/7OaPWp
ST. LOUIS KMOX 11/29/09 - http://bit.ly/5BWTWE and http://bit.ly/5EZBbV
VITAL VOICE 11/29/09 - http://bit.ly/7eVUR5
KSDK CHANNEL ST. LOUIS 11/29/09 - http://bit.ly/8Pn0sl
Showing posts with label past. Show all posts
Showing posts with label past. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
DEAR ARCHBISHOP CARLSON: WATCH THESE VIDEOS
Thank you to all the media outlets KSDK, KMOV, KTVI and KMOX for their wonderful coverage of the peaceful protest of Archbishop Carlson donating to hate.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
QFEST AT THE 18TH ANNUAL WHITAKER ST LOUIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2009
The entire schedule of films and events can be seen at www.cinemastlouis.org
QFest LGBTQ Sidebar - Four films dealing with LGBTQ issues
Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement
Greta Olafsdottir & Susan Muksa, U.S., 2009, 61 min. Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m., Tivoli 3 “Edie & Thea,” from the directors of “The Brandon Teena Story,” provides an affectionate but clear-eyed portrait of a longtime lesbian couple, who after 42 years together are finally able to marry legally. Through Edie and Thea’s personal story – they became activists after
leading closeted lives in the harshly judgmental ‘50s and early ‘60s – the film also presents a revealing social and political history of the gay-liberation movement. The lively relationship between the two women remains center stage, however, and their continuing love is movingly evidenced by the now-elderly couple’s dancing despite wheelchair-bound Thea’s multiple sclerosis. “Edie & Thea” won LA’s Outfest Audience Award as Best Documentary. Shown with the documentary short “Pride 2009” (Joseph Olesh, U.S., 2009, 7 min.), which chronicles this year’s Pride parade in San Francisco.
Pop Star on Ice
David Barba and James Pellerito, U.S., 2009, 85 min. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Tivoli 1 “Pop Star on Ice” offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes portrait of always outspoken, frequently outrageous Olympian Johnny Weir, a three-time U.S. Figure Skating National Champion. The inspiration for Jon Heder’s character in “Blades of Glory,”
Weir seeks to balance his larger-than-life persona with the constraints of competitive figure skating. The film explores Weir’s complicated relationship with his longtime coach, Priscilla Hill, and his struggles to reach the top of his sport, traveling from small-town Delaware – his training home – to competitions, shopping sprees, fashion shows and personal appearances around the world. Looking through the prism of its most controversial athlete, “Pop Star on Ice” reveals surprising new facets of the graceful, athletic, cutthroat and melodramatic sport of figure skating.
Prodigal Sons
Kimberly Reed, 2008, 86 min. Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m., Tivoli 1 An endlessly astonishing personal documentary, “Prodigal Sons” explores the complicated relationship between filmmaker Kimberly Reed and her troubled brother Marc. Adopted as an infant, Marc was held back in preschool, failed to graduate high school and suffered a traumatic head injury at 21. By contrast, the film’s director served as her high school’s class president and valedictorian. But not everything about her life was quite so simple: The transgendered Kim was once Marc’s younger brother Paul. And that’s scarcely the only surprise that “Prodigal Sons” offers, as Marc and Kim return home to their small Montana hometown to confront their mutual past. Winner of the FIPRESCI critics award at Thessaloniki, “Prodigal Sons” was the sensation of last year’s Telluride festival. The Oxford American says Reed “is warm and smart and utterly beguiling as she leads us through her family’s sad and strange history, which gathers a Shakespearean momentum, and which could make even the stoniest among us weep.”
XXY
Lucía Puenzo, Argentina, 2008, 86 min., Spanish Friday, Nov. 13, 9:30 p.m., Frontenac 6 Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m., Frontenac 6 Winner of the Critics Week Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, “XXY” deftly examines the ways in which an intersex teenager’s physical and sexual developments affect the dynamics of family. After raising their child as a girl for 15 years, a marine
biologist and his wife invite a gifted surgeon and his family to visit them on their secluded island in order to allow Alex (Inès Efron) the freedom to explore her options in terms of gender identification. However, the mutual attraction between Alex and the surgeon’s teenage son intensifies the already difficult concerns of the two families. “XXY” was awarded Best Picture, Actress and Adapted Screenplay by the Argentinean Film Critics Association and won the top prizes at both the Athens and Bangkok film festivals.
Ticket Prices
QFest LGBTQ Sidebar - Four films dealing with LGBTQ issues
Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement
Greta Olafsdottir & Susan Muksa, U.S., 2009, 61 min. Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m., Tivoli 3 “Edie & Thea,” from the directors of “The Brandon Teena Story,” provides an affectionate but clear-eyed portrait of a longtime lesbian couple, who after 42 years together are finally able to marry legally. Through Edie and Thea’s personal story – they became activists after
leading closeted lives in the harshly judgmental ‘50s and early ‘60s – the film also presents a revealing social and political history of the gay-liberation movement. The lively relationship between the two women remains center stage, however, and their continuing love is movingly evidenced by the now-elderly couple’s dancing despite wheelchair-bound Thea’s multiple sclerosis. “Edie & Thea” won LA’s Outfest Audience Award as Best Documentary. Shown with the documentary short “Pride 2009” (Joseph Olesh, U.S., 2009, 7 min.), which chronicles this year’s Pride parade in San Francisco.
Pop Star on Ice
David Barba and James Pellerito, U.S., 2009, 85 min. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Tivoli 1 “Pop Star on Ice” offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes portrait of always outspoken, frequently outrageous Olympian Johnny Weir, a three-time U.S. Figure Skating National Champion. The inspiration for Jon Heder’s character in “Blades of Glory,”
Weir seeks to balance his larger-than-life persona with the constraints of competitive figure skating. The film explores Weir’s complicated relationship with his longtime coach, Priscilla Hill, and his struggles to reach the top of his sport, traveling from small-town Delaware – his training home – to competitions, shopping sprees, fashion shows and personal appearances around the world. Looking through the prism of its most controversial athlete, “Pop Star on Ice” reveals surprising new facets of the graceful, athletic, cutthroat and melodramatic sport of figure skating.
Prodigal Sons
Kimberly Reed, 2008, 86 min. Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m., Tivoli 1 An endlessly astonishing personal documentary, “Prodigal Sons” explores the complicated relationship between filmmaker Kimberly Reed and her troubled brother Marc. Adopted as an infant, Marc was held back in preschool, failed to graduate high school and suffered a traumatic head injury at 21. By contrast, the film’s director served as her high school’s class president and valedictorian. But not everything about her life was quite so simple: The transgendered Kim was once Marc’s younger brother Paul. And that’s scarcely the only surprise that “Prodigal Sons” offers, as Marc and Kim return home to their small Montana hometown to confront their mutual past. Winner of the FIPRESCI critics award at Thessaloniki, “Prodigal Sons” was the sensation of last year’s Telluride festival. The Oxford American says Reed “is warm and smart and utterly beguiling as she leads us through her family’s sad and strange history, which gathers a Shakespearean momentum, and which could make even the stoniest among us weep.”
XXY
Lucía Puenzo, Argentina, 2008, 86 min., Spanish Friday, Nov. 13, 9:30 p.m., Frontenac 6 Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m., Frontenac 6 Winner of the Critics Week Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, “XXY” deftly examines the ways in which an intersex teenager’s physical and sexual developments affect the dynamics of family. After raising their child as a girl for 15 years, a marine
biologist and his wife invite a gifted surgeon and his family to visit them on their secluded island in order to allow Alex (Inès Efron) the freedom to explore her options in terms of gender identification. However, the mutual attraction between Alex and the surgeon’s teenage son intensifies the already difficult concerns of the two families. “XXY” was awarded Best Picture, Actress and Adapted Screenplay by the Argentinean Film Critics Association and won the top prizes at both the Athens and Bangkok film festivals.
Ticket Prices
- Individual tickets are $10 each or $8 for Cinema St. Louis members and students with current and valid ID.
- Advance tickets for programs at the Tivoli and Plaza Frontenac are available at those box offices beginning Thursday, Oct. 15. Box-office hours are 5-10
- p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. No phone sales. For tickets online, visit tickets.landmarktheatres.com.
- Advance tickets for Hi-Pointe Theatre are available at Tivoli box office from Oct. 15 until Nov. 12. Day of show at Hi-Pointe after that.
- Six Before Six: Weekday screenings from Nov. 16-20 before 6 p.m. at Tivoli and Plaza Frontenac are specially priced at $6. No other discounts are valid for these tickets.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
PHELPS DOOM [THEIR] GENERATION
Photos by Chris Weiss
The Fred Phelps counter protest at Marquette High School and Hazewood Central High School on Monday November 2, was a complete success. We had over 100-150 peaceful counter protesters show up to face the Phelps family with love and a message of tolerance.
The most painful image was witnessed by Chris Weiss' photographs included in this posting. The Phelps family came with 4 children and 3 adults - you read that correctly! They came with children holding signs of hate. Children as young as five and six years old were out holding signs like "FAGS DOOM NATIONS," and other signs that depicted images of President Obama with blood, horns and dead babies. One Hazewood female student yelled, "I cannot believe you are that disrespectful of our President and your children."
St. Louis County, Chesterfield and Hazelwood Police were helpful and supported our Constitutional right to assemble. We also want to thank both the Rockwood and Hazelwood School Districts for their added help in keeping the students secure and safe during the Phelps protest.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
MARCH WITH US IN D.C.
Here are the plans while we are in Washington D.C. on October 11th. Please try to catch up with us at "K Street and 16th" at 9:30am to March with the Show Me No Hate Missouri Contingent.
Click here for the NEM google map of the March route:
http://bit.ly/4o0UV8
YOU OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES
Spread the word to all Missouri people marching or living now in D.C. that we want to get a group photograph of the Missouri Contingent at the National Equality March.
Meet us at the WWII Memorial (Babcock Lakes) at 5pm
Click here for a google map http://bit.ly/2PVUC8
Meet us at the Lincoln Memorial at 5:30pm
Click here for a google map http://bit.ly/2PVUC8
LIVE TWITTER WITH US
If you use twitter be sure to add @ShowMeNoHate to your twitter friends. When you tweet this weekend, be sure to include the hash codes #nem #showmenohate or #equality and see your updates posted live to this website's twitter streams.
NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH HERE WE COME
The Show Me No Hate bus is ready to head to the National Equality March in Washington D.C. this weekend. The weekend acts as an amazing moment in history [again] for the LGTBQ movement.
We march on Sunday for our own personal reasonsWe march for those who marched before usWe march for those who cannot march, not just today but everydayWe march for the closetedWe march for the outedWe march for those who tried to march but were stoppedWe march for the future of marchers
Please try to support the equality march by talking about it this weekend everywhere you go, especially on Sunday. And on Sunday October 11th be sure to visit Novak's Bar at 4121 Manchester Ave for their special National Equality March Watch Party and National Coming Out Day celebration 1pm-10pm.
Here is their Facebook link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170086611778
CSPAN just announced they will be covering the entire March on Sunday 1pm-4pm Central Time. (NOVAK's will be showing it.) Be sure to watch!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170086611778
CSPAN just announced they will be covering the entire March on Sunday 1pm-4pm Central Time. (NOVAK's will be showing it.) Be sure to watch!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS - MARCH IN D.C.
ARE BUS IS FULL
WE URGE PEOPLE TO CARPOOL
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All contributions made on this page will go directly to the St. Louis Bus to D.C. fund, which helps provide bus tickets and transportation for people unable to afford them on their own.
Disclaimer:
All funds contributed to Show Me No Hate are not tax-deductible under the law. All funds contributed to Show Me No Hate (any method) are non-refundable. All funds contributed directly for a bus ticket for the National Equality March are non-refundable. All paying participants for the National Equality March agree to abide the rules set forth by Show Me Not Hate in this statement. All tickets for the National Equality March are non-transferable. All participants on the Show Me No Hate bus to D.C. agree to follow all laws, ordinances and rules set forth by the bus company, local and state authorities.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
ST. LOUIS BUS TO NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH IN D.C.
TO PURCHASE A BUS SEAT TICKET
Please click the following link to pay for your seat on the Show Me No Hate - St. Louis Bus to National Equality March in D.C. Oct 10th-12th. Click here!
EVENT:
Show Me No Hate has chartered a comfortable 55-seat coach bus from a St. Louis family owned bus company, to bring LGBTQ and Straight Allies to the National Equality March in D.C. on October 11th
SCHEDULE:
- The bus will leave from St. Louis on Saturday October 10th at 3pm. We will travel to Washington D.C. (approximately 13 hours) with scheduled breaks along the way.
- The bus will arrive in Washington D.C. around 6am at a LGTBQ-friendly location where we can stretch, eat breakfast or change clothing.
- The bus members may participate in a variety of D.C. scheduled events throughout the day including: Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, the Equality March along Pennsylvania Avenue and the Main event at the Historic Mall to hear an incredible line-up of speakers.
- We will conclude with a group picture of Missourians for equality in front of the Lincoln Memorial; board our bus around 8pm and return to St. Louis by 10am, Monday October 12th. (There are no hotel or lodging expenses on this trip.)
If you have any questions please send email to ShowMeNoHate [at] gmail [dot] com.
Friday, September 18, 2009
WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND
Support our Marriage Equality love bus going to Iowa by making a donation today. We currently have an October 2 bus departing from St. Louis and another bus leaving from St. Louis on March 12, 2010.
There is also a discussion about having a Show Me Marriage Equality bus leave from Kansas City and Springfield Missouri in the future.
Thank you for your support!
No donation is too small [or too great]. Any donation will help keep our buses rolling.
Use the following secure website to make your donation:
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
SHOW ME MARRIAGE BUS 2.0
On October 2, at 6:00 am the Show Me Marriage Equality Bus is rolling out again. We are currently looking for loving same-sex couples who would like to join our second bus to Iowa City. If you are interested please contact me at showmenohate [at] gmail [dot] com.
On Friday, May 1st, 17 same-sex couples from Missouri boarded the first Show Me Marriage Equality Bus. They were joined by a dozen clergy members, advocates, photographers, filmmaker and several reporters. Their destination was Iowa City where they legally married in what was called, "the first Midwest victory for Marriage Equality." The day marked an historic day as Missourians and the Nation witnessed these couples getting legally married.
Iowa's first dealings with same-sex marriage came in 1998, after recent court cases starting in Hawaii found that denying the right to marry to same-sex couples was incompatible with the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitutions of most states. Iowa legislators hurried to pass a local Defense of Marriage Act to prohibit marriage between gay and lesbian couples to avoid a similar court challenge.
In 2005, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of six Polk County same-sex couples and their children who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, arguing that this denial violated the liberty and equal protection clauses in the state constitution. In 2007, the Polk County District Court ruled in favor of the couples, prompting the county to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously upheld the District Court's ruling holding that there was no important governmental interest in denying citizens marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation. Licenses were originally to be available 21 days after the ruling, on April 24, but the date has been pushed back to April 27.
Here is a great video of our last bus courtesy the St. Louis Post-Dispatch http://bit.ly/2QRENP
Monday, August 3, 2009
NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH OCT 10-11
ShowMeNoHate is organizing a group of St. Louisans (and surrounding cities) who want to attend the National March for Equality in Washington DC, Oct 10-11, 2009. The event is taking place on the Columbus Day holiday weekend, National Coming Out Day weekend and will be the 30th Anniversary of the first LGBT rights march on the Washington Mall.
We are currently working with several local community activists as well as with the National Equality March organization to better facilitate a successful Missouri contingency to DC. This will include information on air and ground travel; DC hotel discount packages and the possibility of chartered buses leaving from St. Louis to DC.
For more information check here or email showmenohate [at] gmail [dot] com
Monday, June 1, 2009
MEET IN THE MIDDLE 4 EQUALITY SUCCESS
The Meet In The Middle 4 Equality event was a huge success. The 3-day event had crowds over 20,000 turn out to what is being called the Selma & Montgomery of the LGBTQ civil rights movement.
Video by Sean Chapin
See the following links to catch-up on what was experienced in Fresno, California.
unitethefight.blogspot.com
www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com
Video by Sean Chapin
See the following links to catch-up on what was experienced in Fresno, California.
unitethefight.blogspot.com
www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com
Sunday, May 24, 2009
ST. LOUIS DAY OF DECISION
The court's voice regarding Marriage Equality in California is going to be heard this Tuesday May 26th 10:00am Pacific time and Saint Louis will gather at our City (1200 Market Street) Hall to respond at 5:30pm.
A pro-Equality court decision would help fortify our community against what could be difficult years of economic strain and scapegoating.
An anti-Equality court decision would likely fuel the heightened level of violence already recorded against the LGBTQ community across our nation. It will embolden more bigotry and homophobia.
Either way, the Tuesday results in California are a national issue—especially for us in Missouri trying to pass Anti Discrimination legislation in our Show Me State.
St. Louis has done it before and we can do it again: On November 15th you helped mobilize over 1000 people to our "Join The Impact Rally."
St. Louis reached out during the "Freedom to Marry" vigil and most recently with the ShowMe Marriage Equality Bus where 17 Missouri couples took a bus to Iowa City to become the first Missourians to legally marry in the historic neighboring state of Iowa.
We only have a few days to get the word out about this ST. LOUIS DAY OF DECISION, at the St. Louis City Hall 5:30pm to 7:30pm this Tuesday May 26th.
PLEASE DOWNLOAD FLIERS
Here are two posters to help promote our event.
Please consider printing both of these fliers and distribute as you "Memorial Day" around town.
http://bit.ly/A2N82 and http://bit.ly/4KL3H
These are both Adobe PDF files. Let's fill the City Hall Rotunda
Friday, May 15, 2009
MARRIAGE EQUALITY TOWN HALL TALK
Join Ed Reggi, Scott Emanuel and Rabbi Susan Talve as they host the "Show Me Marriage Equality Town Hall Talk" on Tuesday May 19th, 2009.
Invited to this open discussion are the 16 other couples that joined Ed and Scott on their Marriage Equality Bus bound for Iowa City. Hear first hand the experiences and reactions from several of the couples on why they obtained their marriage license from Iowa. Also hear from several of the other bus passengers who went along this very special day. Other topics will include: What is Marriage Equality? What are the benefits of getting married outside Missouri when Missouri doesn't recognize same-sex marriage? How is the marriage licenses obtained by the 17 couples been helpful?
Information will be made available on how other couples from Missouri can legally marry in Iowa. This includes Ed Reggi's future plans to have more buses leaving for Iowa throughout the calendar year. Please spread the word to other couples who might be interested in this wonderful town hall public event.
Date and time: Tuesday May 19th 6-8pm
Location: Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman (at Kingshighway)
Cost: FREE
Invited to this open discussion are the 16 other couples that joined Ed and Scott on their Marriage Equality Bus bound for Iowa City. Hear first hand the experiences and reactions from several of the couples on why they obtained their marriage license from Iowa. Also hear from several of the other bus passengers who went along this very special day. Other topics will include: What is Marriage Equality? What are the benefits of getting married outside Missouri when Missouri doesn't recognize same-sex marriage? How is the marriage licenses obtained by the 17 couples been helpful?
Information will be made available on how other couples from Missouri can legally marry in Iowa. This includes Ed Reggi's future plans to have more buses leaving for Iowa throughout the calendar year. Please spread the word to other couples who might be interested in this wonderful town hall public event.
Date and time: Tuesday May 19th 6-8pm
Location: Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman (at Kingshighway)
Cost: FREE
Sunday, April 26, 2009
IOWA OR BUST!
Here are recent articles appearing regionally and nationally about the Show Me Marriage Equality bus ride to Iowa City this Friday May 1, 2009.
Riverfront Times - St. Louis - April 22, 2009
Gazette Online - Cedar Rapids - Iowa City - Eastern Iowa - April 22, 2009
Press-Citizen - Iowa City - April 23, 2009
Daily Kos - National - April 23, 2009
John Deeth Blog - National - April 23, 2009
Quad-City Times - Regional - April 26, 2009
Towelroad - National Blog - April 27, 2009
Des Moines Register - Regional - April 29, 2009
If you are in a committed same-sex relationship and are interested in joining the 14 couples to Iowa City on Friday May 1, please email Ed Reggi at ShowMeNoHate [at] gmail [dot] com.
If you would like to support the Show Me Marriage Equality bus ride, please make a small donation right here.
And please take the time to email this information to your friends, friends, and co-workers.
Riverfront Times - St. Louis - April 22, 2009
Gazette Online - Cedar Rapids - Iowa City - Eastern Iowa - April 22, 2009
Press-Citizen - Iowa City - April 23, 2009
Daily Kos - National - April 23, 2009
John Deeth Blog - National - April 23, 2009
Quad-City Times - Regional - April 26, 2009
Towelroad - National Blog - April 27, 2009
Des Moines Register - Regional - April 29, 2009
If you are in a committed same-sex relationship and are interested in joining the 14 couples to Iowa City on Friday May 1, please email Ed Reggi at ShowMeNoHate [at] gmail [dot] com.
If you would like to support the Show Me Marriage Equality bus ride, please make a small donation right here.
And please take the time to email this information to your friends, friends, and co-workers.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
SHOW ME MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Check out our Show Me Marriage Equality Bus Facebook Group, click here.
We can use the help with donations to help fund our bus for Marriage Equality. To make a safe secure donation please visit our Fundable.com link.
Feel free to reTwitter or update your Facebook status with the following link:
http://tinyurl.com/fundourbus
Friday, April 17, 2009
ALL ABOARD THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY BUS
ShowMe No Hate is looking for committed same-sex couples who would like to get married!
That's right, married in our neighboring State of Iowa. In a matter of weeks, Iowa will be the first Midwest State that will allow same-sex couples to legally marry. This is monumental. America is truly recreating it's story on Equality. This is incredible and important news not just for the people of Iowa but it's important to Missourians too.
The more we can show the normality of same-sex loving couples marrying; the more it will become recognized as a reality. For starters, it will prove that many Gays and Lesbians will get married if given the opportunity. It will also show that the Midwest is full of LGBTQ families ready to tie the knot.
So I need you to spread the word starting right now:
- Send this email out to every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friend you know in a committed relationship. (Hey we are not going up there to abuse the privilege, so please no pretend couple marriages.)
- Call family and neighbors who you know right now that are in a committed relationship. Invite them to the idea of an Iowa City bound bus could pick them up to get legally married. Encourage and tell them that this event will be full of other loving couples like just like them.
- Lastly, reach out to your Church, Synagogue and/or faith community about this idea. Maybe place a little note in your bulletin this week about the ShowMe Marriage Equality bus tour leaving soon. All aboard! Use the email, website and phone number listed below for follow-up.
Details are forming, and you can get up-to-date information on when the bus departure and the stops it will make in Missouri. At this point, we are looking at KC, Columbia, Springfield, Cape, St. Louis and Hannibal Missouri stops.
But again I cannot stress how important it is to find actual couples. So spread the word.
Sincerely,
Ed Reggi
ShowMeNoHate.com
P.S. Couples can email me directly at ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com - We would like to organize this bus trip in the next 2-3 weeks.
That's right, married in our neighboring State of Iowa. In a matter of weeks, Iowa will be the first Midwest State that will allow same-sex couples to legally marry. This is monumental. America is truly recreating it's story on Equality. This is incredible and important news not just for the people of Iowa but it's important to Missourians too.
The more we can show the normality of same-sex loving couples marrying; the more it will become recognized as a reality. For starters, it will prove that many Gays and Lesbians will get married if given the opportunity. It will also show that the Midwest is full of LGBTQ families ready to tie the knot.
So I need you to spread the word starting right now:
- Send this email out to every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friend you know in a committed relationship. (Hey we are not going up there to abuse the privilege, so please no pretend couple marriages.)
- Call family and neighbors who you know right now that are in a committed relationship. Invite them to the idea of an Iowa City bound bus could pick them up to get legally married. Encourage and tell them that this event will be full of other loving couples like just like them.
- Lastly, reach out to your Church, Synagogue and/or faith community about this idea. Maybe place a little note in your bulletin this week about the ShowMe Marriage Equality bus tour leaving soon. All aboard! Use the email, website and phone number listed below for follow-up.
Details are forming, and you can get up-to-date information on when the bus departure and the stops it will make in Missouri. At this point, we are looking at KC, Columbia, Springfield, Cape, St. Louis and Hannibal Missouri stops.
But again I cannot stress how important it is to find actual couples. So spread the word.
Sincerely,
Ed Reggi
ShowMeNoHate.com
P.S. Couples can email me directly at ShowMeNoHate@gmail.com - We would like to organize this bus trip in the next 2-3 weeks.
Friday, April 3, 2009
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Tips for Calling Your State Legislators
To find your state legislator's phone number, you may use the online state legislature website by clicking here.
Keep in mind that most state legislatures are only in session part-time, so try to get the number for your legislator's district office. Telephone calls are often taken by a staff member and not the actual legislative member. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue to which you wish to comment. If they are not available, you may also leave a message. If you speak with someone other than your legislator, take down their name and title.
Upon reaching your state legislator on the phone, it's easiest to follow these four basic steps:
To find your state legislator's phone number, you may use the online state legislature website by clicking here.
Keep in mind that most state legislatures are only in session part-time, so try to get the number for your legislator's district office. Telephone calls are often taken by a staff member and not the actual legislative member. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue to which you wish to comment. If they are not available, you may also leave a message. If you speak with someone other than your legislator, take down their name and title.
Upon reaching your state legislator on the phone, it's easiest to follow these four basic steps:
- IDENTIFY yourself by name and the organization (if any) that you represent or the town from which you are calling.
- EXPLAIN why you are calling: "I am calling to support/oppose House Bill: HB_____, Senate Bill: SB_____. " Be polite and concise. Creating 1 or 2 talking points will focus the content of your message. Too much information may confuse your message. Ask your legislator his/her position on this issue. Don't assume that your legislator has prior knowledge of your issue. Be calm, respectful, and be prepared to educate, using local examples to accentuate your point.
- REQUEST a written response to your phone call if you did not speak to your legislative member. If the legislator requires further information, provide it as soon as possible.
- THANK the person who took the phone call for their time and consideration.
THE IOWA SUPREME COURT NEWS RELEASE
Click here to read the April 3, 2009 News Release:
Adobe PDF document click here
Text translation by Google click here
Adobe PDF document click here
Text translation by Google click here
AND IOWA MAKES THE FOURTH
Apr 3 2009, 10:48 am by Marc Ambinder
Iowa: Gay Marriage Is Legal
In a unanimous decision, Iowa's Supreme Court ruled that the state cannot prohibit same-sex couples from seeking marriage licenses. "On our review, we hold the Iowa marriage statute violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution," the court held. "A statute inconsistent with the Iowa Constitution must be declared void, even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated traditional beliefs and popular opinion."
The opinion is arch:
The remedy:
2008 legislation to amend Iowa's constitution didn't pass the legislature. House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen urged Iowa legislators to pass a new bill that commands support from both parties.
Read more on Stltoday.com here
Iowa: Gay Marriage Is Legal
In a unanimous decision, Iowa's Supreme Court ruled that the state cannot prohibit same-sex couples from seeking marriage licenses. "On our review, we hold the Iowa marriage statute violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution," the court held. "A statute inconsistent with the Iowa Constitution must be declared void, even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated traditional beliefs and popular opinion."
The opinion is arch:
We begin with the County's argument that the goal of the same-sex marriage ban is to ensure children will be raised only in the optimal milieu. In pursuit of this objective, the statutory exclusion of gay and lesbian people is both under-inclusive and over-inclusive. The civil marriage statute is under-inclusive because it does not exclude from marriage other groups of parents--such as child abusers, sexual predators, parents neglecting to provide child support, and violent felons--that are undeniably less than optimal parents. Such under-inclusion tends to demonstrate that the sexual-orientation-based classification is grounded in prejudice or "overbroad generalizations about the different talents, capacities, or preferences" of gay and lesbian people, rather than having a substantial relationship to some important objective. See Virginia, 518 U.S. at 533, 116 S. Ct. at 2275, 135 L. Ed. 2d at 751 (rejecting use of overbroad generalizations to classify). If the marriage statute was truly focused on optimal parenting, many classifications of people would be excluded, not merely gay and lesbian people.
The remedy:
Consequently, the language in Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman must be stricken from the statute, and the remaining statutory language must be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage.
2008 legislation to amend Iowa's constitution didn't pass the legislature. House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen urged Iowa legislators to pass a new bill that commands support from both parties.
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