San Jose — May 14, 2008 — We have just learned that the California Supreme Court will be announcing its long-awaited decision on extending marriage equality to LGBT people. The decision is expected tomorrow, Thursday, May 15th, and we need you to join us at a rally in San Jose to react to the decision, regardless of what the court decides. Be a part of the celebration or protest — be a part of history!
WHAT: Rally for Marriage Equality & In Reaction to California Supreme Court decision
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 6:00pm
WHERE: Santa Clara County Government Building, 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose
Background: The California Supreme Court is considering several consolidated lawsuits filed on behalf of same-sex couples who have been denied access to marriage licenses and who are arguing that they are not being treated equally under law and under the California State Constitution. This decision is final, based on the state constitution and cannot be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. For more information on the case, please visit the Equality California website.
Buffy and I are trying not to get our hopes up, but Queers United and others have a hunch the news will be good.
For those of you who believe in equality and pray, say a Novena (or the non-Catholic equivalent) for us, will you? For those who don’t pray, please send us good vibes. Me? I’m chanting as we speak, sweetie darling.
Hat tip to Daniel Gonzales of Box Turtle Bulletin. He has created this wonderful video that lays bare the ugly truth behind the Day of Truth, the RRRW’s “answer” to the Day of Silence. It’s the day they push anti-gay propaganda on LGBT students, their allies, and everyone else. Fortunately the real truth is on our side, and here is just one piece of ammunition.
No doubt by now most of you are aware that the Day of Silence is April 25th (and the “Day of (un)Truth” follows on the 28th). Lance Bass, formerly of *NSYNC, has contributed his time to this wonderful PSA for the DOS.
As you may be aware, GLSEN’s Day of Silence is on Friday, April 25th. Since the bigots must fight any house of cards erected by the LGBT community with a bulldozer, Alliance Defense Fund will be holding their “Day of Truth” on Monday, April 28th. Needless to say they’ll be using their version of the truth.
They have prepared talking points so students faced with any “hostile questions” (read: logical questions anybody would ask bigots) can pawn off their “deeply held religious beliefs” as fact. There’s also a propaganda sheet that will ensure the bigots can recite by rote the 10 top reasons gay people deserve to be treated like crap. But thankfully Wayne Besen has ammunition. Watch and learn.
Now you’re armed and ready to fight the forces of evil. Go get ‘em!
Day of Silence 2008 is scheduled for April 25th. This year it is being held in memory of Lawrence King, the 15-year-old Oxnard, CA boy who was killed for his sexual orientation and gender expression.
DAY OF SILENCE, April 25, 2008: This year’s Day of Silence will be held in memory of Lawrence King, who friends say was murdered in a California school February 12 because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. The event brings attention to anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. Students observe the day in silence to echo the silence LGBT and ally students face every day.
Remember, it’s essential that you sign up: During the Days of Action (Ally Week, Transgender Day of Remembrance, MLK Organizing Weekend, and the Day of Silence) we get many calls from the media asking how many students and schools are participating.
Your registration with GLSEN’s Student Organizing Department is the way we know you are out there organizing and supporting the safer schools movement.
Of course the RRRW must always step in when equal rights for LGBT people are being sought. Their advice to parents regarding the Day of Silence is to keep Godly children home.
The American Family Association is urging parents to keep their children home from school April 25, the National Day of Silence. The Day of Silence, first organized in 1996, encourages students to remain voiceless for a day to represent the silence faced by LGBT people and their allies. Hundreds of schools across the country now participate in the event.
“DOS leads the students to believe that every person who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing, unrelenting harassment and hate,” the AFA said in its mass email.
“Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change. Those who oppose such teaching are characterized as ignorant and hateful bigots.”
The AFA is asking parents to inform their school that they will not allow their children to attend that day. They also want parents to explain to their children that “homosexual behavior is not an innate identity; it’s a sinful, unnatural and destructive behavior.”
Go ahead, homophobes, keep your children home on April 25. It will make it that much easier to determine precisely who the bigots are. You’re perfectly welcome to wallow in your ignorance and hatred. But you are not welcome to force it on others. That’s what infuriates you to the depths of your twisted little souls, but it’s reality. Deal with it.
