NYC Day of Decision Rally

The cops were surprised by our numbers. Nice turn out.

Learn how to lobby your NY Senator by going here: www.meny.us

And don't forget about Queens this Sunday.

Light Up the Night: Miami

I happen to be in Miami for work and I also happened to be in South Beach, right near the intersection of Washington and Lincoln, when I ran into the JoinTheImpact Light Up the Night Candle Light Vigil.

Rage on, Miami.

Action Alert: Saturday Dec. 20th - Light Up the Night

Saturday Dec 20th: NYC Lights Up!

Sat December 20
6-8PM Columbus Circle with a March to Times Square

JoinTheImpact, the group who brought you the Nov. 15th Prop 8 National protests comes the next phase in actions and rallies. This Saturday Dec. 20th will be a rally in Columbus Circle followed by a march down to Times Square.

Go here for the Official Facebook page. Link it, blog it and email it out.

On December 20th, we ask that you join us again for a nation-wide demonstration. The rally at City Hall on November 15, 2008 was just the beginning. In cities across the nation, people will once again be taking to the streets to stand up for Equality. We are not done fighting!!!
6:00pm
MARCH FROM COLUMBUS CIRCLE TO TIMES SQUARE
7:00-8:00pm
RALLY IN TIMES SQUARE

Be sure to go to the facebook page because they have suggestions as to what to bring and information on how to become involved and a sign up to volunteer to marshall the event. If you never marshalled an event before and want to I strongly recommend doing so. It's a tremendous amount of fun and puts you right smack in the middle of the action.

I unfortunately will not be able to attend (ugggggh!!) because I'll be out of town for work but I'll be there in spirit - candles, glowsticks, flashlights and all.

Rage!

Props for Prop 8

Over the weekend I was thinking about some of the events which have transpired over the last couple of months. The elections, Obama, Prop 8, the loss of Prop 8 and the aftermath that followed... and it struck upon me that having lost the right to marry may have actually been, dare I say, a good thing?

Think about it: What happened when California was granted the right for same-sex couples to marry? We celebrated for a day or a few days, but then the celebration died and we shrugged on with our every day. The same thing happened with Connecticut, even in the heart of Prop 8 Protests - we said "yay!" for the day and shrugged on.

Much of the dust has settled from the after prop 8 blame game yet I still feel that we as a community haven't celebrated the fact that we only lost to "Yes on 8" by a 4% margin. The anger that followed is totally appropriate but it should be noted that, in the loss of this small 4%, we've gained a tremendous movement! We've gained protests and anger and rallies and marches and community meetings with people working together, collaborating and fighting! A whole army of gays, both young and old, male and female, restored, alerted, recharged and woken up - all chomping at the bit to become involved.

In the end, this 4% loss may have been our biggest win yet.

Reactions from the Town Hall Meeting

I'll try and be as proactive and optimistic as possible but that might prove to be difficult in responding to last night's Marriage Equality GLBT Center Town Hall Meeting.

I was only able to be there for about 20minutes before having to leave for a previous commitment so I am admitting that I am not the best source to review this meeting. I did, however, do my homework and contact people who attended to get a good scope on what went down.

When I got there I was taken aback by the amount of people who showed up. There were damn near 300 people, if not more, crammed into a hot and stuffy room of the LGBT center. Having been to meetings like this in the past, with such large populations, I knew from the start that there would be a lot of talking and little doing. It's just impossible to organize with that amount of people with no clear cut plan for execution.

I arrived just before Tom Duane delivered a speech on how we have to commit ourselves to a lot of organizational -based ground work and how we can learn from the Prop 8 campaign in California. Afterward, the moderator opened the floor to questions and answers. I grumbled when this happened, not because I felt the Q&A was coming too soon but because The Center always insists on having people get up at a microphone and ask their questions. I hate this! The center seems convinced that people are incapable of standing up where they are and asking their question aloud. Instead, the whole meeting has to wait for people to get to the mic to ask their questions and it's just annoying. My whole 20minute experience there was a true test of patience and I found myself sighing again and again through the Center's relentless bureaucratic system of things. This always happens and I always can't stand it. Then again, I'm not the most patient of people. Just stand and speak up, people! Do we really need to waste all the time getting to "the mic?"

There did seem to be some structure. There was talk of placing your email address on to 1 of 3 lists: Those who want to be part of actions/demonstrations, people who want to do outreach/ground work and those who want to tackle politicians and political-based work. (I think.)

In the end the reactions I received from the meetings ranged from being a complete, frustrating waste of time to empowering to be there but wishing things were more organized. Here is a review from someone who attend longer than I did:

My friend, Chauncey Dandridge of The Cerebral Jester had this to say:

...It seemed a little like it was a bunch of people who have obviously done a tremendous amount of work for the cause just looking for an audience to shout at. it almost became the kind of forum that occurs at a protest with megaphones and cheers instead of a well organized political discussion. Don't get me wrong...there were a lot of amazing and important facts discussed but unorganized order in which everything was discussed definitely was a turn off and seemed ill prepared. I definitely am more motivated than I was before I got there but I really hope that they work on the sophistication of the itinerary for the next one they have. Another thing that resonated is the negative reaction to the fact that the room was filled with mostly gay white males instead of minorities and almost made us feel insignificant and that was definitely rough to hear. I understood what they meant about it being important for all races and religions to be represented and using gay Latinos to talk to Latino politicians and gay blacks to talk to black parishes etc. but it was definitely a very divisive argument and borderline racist. I think the time spent thanking everyone for coming was overshadowed by the idea that we (gay white males) need to get our Latino and black and Asian gay brothers and sisters involved. It's just not the type of thing you tell a room filled with gay white males who have rushed out of work or whatever else to be at a meeting that they certainly didn't have to be at and went to for some guidance.

The answer and question session went on forever and when that started I left because some of the questions were too personal and probably could have been answered if that person did their own research on the internet instead of wasting everyone's time at the meeting.

It's always the same, no matter what the meeting. Whether it's ACT UP, or Marriage Equality or The Queer Justice League it always comes down to 1) needing more outreach toward minority communities (always despite the fact that those who speak most about it never bring in the minority numbers they so often shout about.) 2) More organization and the "What's Next" question and 3) some aimless Q&A platform where nothing gets done.

It seems as though those running the next upcoming meetings need to have a plan and structure and have the balls to stick with it. A simple outline, maybe a hand out so the audience can follow along:
A) This is where we're at.
B) This is what needs to get done.
C) This is how we plan to execute what needs to get done - open to suggestions.

Oye, but ya know, I still love it.

Come Gather 'Round People Wherever you Roam

November 23, 2008

An open letter to my LGBT brothers and sisters:

With the passage of Proposition 8 in California I expect that you all feel as passionately upset as I do. However, I believe that it is imperative that we channel our passion into an effective strategy to undo the defeat that we have suffered.

So what do we do? March on Washington? Ask President Obama to legalize gay marriage? Ask the Supreme Court of California to overturn Proposition 8?

These remedies sound good but maybe we should take a moment to pause and analyze our predicament and devise strategies and tactics with an understanding of what has worked historically.

Perhaps it is time to realize that it has been counter-productive to believe that Judges, Courts and Executives can wave a magic wand and make ordinary Americans love us. Let us take a moment and reflect upon some key moments in the history of Americans achieving social justice.

1. President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act and proclaimed that he had “delivered the south to the Republican Party for the next twenty years.” It was more like forty years, but who’s quibbling.
2. Roe vs. Wade in 1973. The US Supreme Court legalized abortion. At that time, the number of states that had legalized abortion stood at 11. The American electorate was not prepared for this ruling, so yet again, the enemies of justice were handed a club that they successfully wielded to achieve electoral victories.
3. January 1992. President Bill Clinton began his presidency by trying to make good on his MTV pledge to allow gays to serve openly in the US military. Senators Bob Dole and Sam Nunn pounced and crippled his presidency. Two years later, the Republicans were swept to power in the US Congress.

In contrast, consider the following.

1. In December 2003, Vermont Governor Howard Dean signed LGBT Civil Unions into law. It was controversial, but the groundwork had been laid. LGBT couples had spent the previous two years visiting Rotary Clubs, churches and city counsels all across the state. They also went door to door to educate the people of Vermont about the fundamental issue of fairness in regards to LGBT relationships. There was a backlash but it was ineffective because of the work that had been done on the ground.
2. Consider another US Supreme Court decision, Lawrence vs. Texas, June 2003, that abolished sodomy laws in America. Due to the hard work of LGBT organizations across the country, only 11 states had sodomy laws on the books. The American people were ready to accept this ruling because they were convinced that sodomy laws were unjust. And the backlash? It didn’t happen.
3. This morning I read in the New York Times that the president of Bob Jones University had apologized for their past ban on accepting black students and their later ban on inter-racial dating. Yes, this apology was belated, but I guess with a black president elect, well, better late than never. Will Bob Jones University accept openly gay students?

So what does history teach us? Big demonstrations are a great way to vent anger and to create visibility, but do they really change minds? I attended numerous, huge marches protesting the invasion of Iraq. Those marches didn’t work.

Marching helps. Marches make us feel better, but asking Courts, Governors and President to make our troubles go away with the stroke of a pen is like asking daddy to make the bogey man go away by giving us a reassuring pat on the head.

It’s legal but ineffective.

Now, don’t get me wrong and assume that I haven’t “been there” and “done that.” I attended my first civil rights demonstration in 1962 when I was six years old, carrying a sign that was bigger than me. I also bear a scar on my right knee from when I was hit with a teargas canister during an ad hoc riot in East Lansing Michigan while protesting President Nixon’s decision to mine the Haiphong Harbor in North Vietnam. Oh, and I really enjoyed bathing in the fountain in front of the US capitol building in Washington DC in 1974 when Nixon invaded Cambodia. That day we carried a thirty-foot long papier-mâché cockroach with the face of tricky-dick, up onto the steps of the Capitol. It was hot that day and, well, I needed a bath.

So I have lived it and still I am frustrated. I am frustrated when my LGBT brothers and sisters continue to employ proven failed tactics in an effort to achieve justice.

Should we march on Washington? Let’s go! Should we lobby the courts? Yes! Should we lobby Governors and President Obama? Yes! But not until we have done the work needed to achieve justice.

To achieve our goals, we need to work on the ground. We need to visit Rotary Clubs, Churches and city councils and knock on the front doors of those who don’t understand us.

Charley Beal
Art Director
MILK

This letter comes to me from my friend, artist and activist Charley Beal. I suppose the timing couldn't have been better. Charley wrapped as Art Director on Milk just as California faced, and lost, the Prop 8 campaign. He's angry, as are the rest of us, but also a veteran.

I'm posting this on my blog because it's important that we use the torches of our past to light our future. We need advice like this. We need wisdom and words and stories.

Despite my ready and willingness to be a red-faced angry and belligerent protester/activist, notes like these help me catch my breath, take a moment and think, quietly and conjure the ways in which my anger can be channeled into a format of constructive use.

My generation and the younger ones will be among those appointed to roll Bill O' Reilly's wheelchair into the retirement center, where he might even still be screaming, although nobody is listening. His time has come, the wheels have rolled and the brakes are now on. We'll be there to pat his head and feed him his pudding and somewhere in there we'll wonder how this man ever thought the world should work as he said it should. We will use him to remind us of a history where things were unjust and discriminating and we will use advice like Charley Beal's to remind ourselves of how we successfully brought light upon those darker days.

I will be at the gates shaking the foundations but, as a veteran tells me, I may also be on a couch, in a living room, in a quaint suburban house, or church pew, gently and patiently allowing an evolution of understanding to take place.

I am looking forward to tonight's meeting.

Monday: Town Hall Meeting with Marriage Equality New York

After the protests everyone has been all, "What's going on? Where do we go? What do we do? What's next?"

This Monday November 24th from 6PM-7:30 The NY LGBT Center is holding a Town Hall meeting with Marriage Equality New York to discuss what's going on and where to go from here.

On Monday, November 24th, we will join with Marriage Equality New York for a town hall meeting to discuss impact of the election results, not just in California, Arizona, Florida, and Arkasas, but also right here in New York State. We'll have a full update on the New York State Senate, the situation with Senators Ruben Diaz, Sr. and Malcolm Smith, and a discussion of next steps for achieving marriage equality in the Empire State.

The inevitable Activism 4.0 Facebook event page is here.

Absolute Marriage

found via: Eric with a C

Had I been in the audience of this taping of The View with Mike Huckabee I would have stood up and screamed "You're a fucking BIGOT!" before being escorted thrown out by security. My life and lifestyle isn't up to your opinion. It isn't up for negotiation. You don't think we've suffered enough? Gay bashings, depression, HIV/AIDS, dead kids, suicides? Is that not suffering Huckabee? Do you need the high powered water hoses to be turned back on before you recognize us? If that's the case than BRING IT!

Ah- and a note to all my straight friends who don't think all this "rallying business" isn't getting us anywhere just look and see how it's already affected 1) the gay community and 2) Calfornia Supreme Court's quick willingness to hear challenges to Prop 8. In addition, for anyone who thinks civil rights and marriage rights are two separate things - I want you to ask them to look you square in the eye and say, "I don't think you deserve equal rights." See what happens.

I'm an angry faggot today and will continue to be so until things are just. And I'll probably still be angry after that, because in the words of this upcoming Harvey Milk film: "It's more than an issue. This is our lives we're fighting for" so you better mother-fucking respect! You heard?

Mormon the Musical?

Oh those South Park guys are such cards, aren't they?

It looks like Mormons may soon turn their attention from banning gay marriage to shutting down Broadway.

Surely, that'll be their next goal after they see Mormon Musical, a Broadway show from the wonderfully twisted minds of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, who co-wrote Avenue Q.

According to the New York Post's Pop Wrap column, Mormon Musical focuses on the lives and loves of Mormons and will star openly gay actor Cheyenne Jackson, fresh off a run in Xanadu where he was nicely packed into a pair of jean shorts. Unfortunately, his wardrobe in Mormon Musical, which casts him as a Mormon missionary, will likely be less revealing. Then again, maybe it won't. This is from the South Park guys, after all.

As for the Mormon Musical script, which is currently being workshopped, "It's hilarious, very acerbic and biting," Cheyenne tells the newspaper. "It offends everybody but does what South Park does best, which is by the end it comes around and has something great to say."

This will be great for a laugh but I wish the play had a higher aim than just Broadway. Playing this on Broadway to a bunch of New Yorkers or theater enthusiasts is like preaching to the choir. We know transparency of religion and religious thinking but then again I don't think the goal is anything more than just a comedy. It would be great though to have this show right smack in the middle of a public square in Salt Lake City or even Better Provo, Utah.

Bilerico Liveblogs with Anti-amendment Leaders

Thursday night Bilerico Project will be hosting a liveblog with Kate Kendell, Nadine Smith and Barbara McCullough-Jones.

These three women led the efforts to defeat marriage amendments in California, Florida and Arizona. Kate and Nadine are Bilerico Project contributors and Barbara is a frequent guest poster. They'll take your questions and comments about Prop 8, Amendment 2, and Prop 102, the recent protests and what went wrong. Best of all, they'll talk about where we go from here. Bil Browning from Bilerico will be hosting alongside Pam Spaulding of Pam's house blend.

Sign up below to get an e-mail reminder of the liveblog.

Must See: The Play about Henry

Roman Feeser never intended for his play "Missa Solemnis - or - The Play about Henry" to so uncannily correlate with today's current events.

The play follows the true story of Henry Matis, a young Mormon who desperately struggles with his devotion to god, religion and tradition while trying to overcome his emerging "same-gender" attraction.

The play, which runs about 90 minutes, centers around Henry, his family, his church and a love interest as he painfully tries to understand how someone so devoted to God's service could end up being the antithesis of what he knows to be right and true. In raw and emotional blow-out performances the characters shed light on the cultural divergence of how religious Americans deal with homosexuality and ties in everything from coming out to the current constitutional bans on marriage.

As Henry says, "I engaged myself in a false delema: either one is gay or one is Christian. As I believed I was a Christian, I believed I could never be gay."

I regret having not seen this play at an earlier date because I would have urged you all to go way before the last week of the show's run. There are just a few more performances from Wed-Sat of this week starting at 8PM.

Below is a trailer I shot and edited for Roman to help promote his play. Enjoy:

The show is at:
TBG Theatre,
312 West 36th Street
3rd floor
(btw. 8th & 9th Aves.)
Please visit: www.theplayabouthenry.com for all information.

National Protest: NYC

In another protest of massive numbers the LGBT people of NYC and their allies rallied in support of equal rights and national recognition. The event was as packed and inspiring as Wednesday night's event at the LDS Chruch in uptown Manhattan.

With more time to organize and taking notes from Wednesday's event this protest honed in on what is happening within NY politics, who we should keep our eyes on and to further carry the fight for our national equal rights.

There were significant decline in Mormon-related signs, which I think is a step in the right direction, and a notable surge in signs relating to general equality, unity and upbeat remarks on hypocrisy. The crowd covered the spectrum of age ranges and races with a special shout out to those in their early twenties. Speakers ranged from politicians to local celebrities and artists and throughout the two hour event the pulse in the crowd remained attentive and energized.

This tidal wave is growing and we are all riding it's crest.

Video above is shot by Father Tony and features me and Paul of Habitat67 trying to stir up some energy. I could only get through a few versus before my throat blew out but I expected everyone else to follow along. Well, not so much. But it sure is one hell of a good time trying to do so. Also in the video is David of Someone in a Tree and a cameo by my friend and actor Wilson Cruz.

Equal Rights w/ Lil David
Photos: John Nalley

New York Times on Join The Impact

The playing field changes:

Gay-Rights Activists Use Web to Organize Global Rally

By Claire Cain Miller

The Internet played an unprecedented role in rallying voters during this year’s election. In the aftermath of the election, Web 2.0 tools are continuing to play a role in other causes, astonishing long-time activists with the power and speed with which it gets their message out.

The latest example is a series of international protests scheduled for Saturday in opposition to California’s Proposition 8, the gay marriage ban that passed on Nov. 4. Join the Impact, a Web site built the morning of Friday, Nov. 7, has rallied hundreds of thousands of people who are gathering this weekend in eight countries, 50 states and 300 cities.

“This is the potential of the Web,” said Ben Elowitz, chief executive of Wetpaint, a company that builds Web sites for individuals and companies and built one for Join the Impact. “When Web 2.0 started, people started talking about giving ordinary people a voice online. This is the pinnacle of giving people a voice online.

2004 / 2008

The spot below is something I have posted before as it is one of my favorite pieces of short-based media. The spot was originally created for the show opening of the 2004 GLAAD Media awards and is produced, directed and edited by my good friend David Daigle of Los Angeles.

Although the piece was made in 2004 and the media in it is reflects that time, the core of the piece is still, ultimately, relevant today. This piece always moves me - and I hope it inspires you to attend tomorrow's nationwide City Hall protests. Jointheimpact.com for all national protest info.

David Daigle is handling and working with a lot of the media regarding the Prop 8 protests. Please visit his website for contact information and other media inquires.

NYC Prop 8 Protest

Proud of our community.

Film Credit: Justin Ciambra

Up, Up, Up

My last count of the confirmed guest list for the NYC Prop 8 Protest before I shut down and head up:Rage.

Activistivity

Magic Marshalls

Last night's Prop 8 Protest Planning and Sign Making event was a total success. Thank you everyone for coming! There was a great vibe to the evening. People are excited. People are interested, angry, motivated, inspired! Some ACT UP veterans, including Ann Northrop and John Voelcker were there to give a speech on what to expect, how to control the crowd and proceed with the protest. Also there: activist Michael Signorile and megablogger Andy Towle.

At the peak of attendance there was hardly any room on the floor to get down and make a sign. Well over a hundred signs were made and we will be passing them out tonight as the rally gets underway. Therefore, don't worry if you were not able to make a sign , there will likely be one for you tonight. Just show up early!

Also the Facebook Prop 8 link has provided some signs for you. There are even some for your straight friends and straight supporters. If you're at work - go ahead and use the copy machines!!

Pressin' It

Power to the People

MEDIA RELEASE

THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO ATTEND PROTEST WEDNESDAY AT MORMON TEMPLE ADJACENT TO MANHATTAN’S LINCOLN CENTER DEMONSTRATORS WILL CONDEMN THE LDS CHURCH’S LEAD ROLE IN PASSAGE OF CALIFORNIA’S ANTI-GAY PROPOSITION 8

NEW YORK CITY (Nov. 11, 2008) -- Several thousand human rights advocates will march on the Mormon Temple in a peaceful protest on Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30pm. Demonstrators will speak out against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the active role it played in passing California’s Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that overturns a state Supreme Court decision in May which legalized same-sex unions.

The Manhattan New York Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is located at 125 Columbus Ave at 65th Street. The protest will run from 6:30pm to 8pm.

“Hatred has no place in society and it has no place in state constitutions,” said Corey Johnson, co-organizer of the protest. “Proposition 8 robs the LGBT community of its dignity and equality as American citizens. While human rights activists in California work to overturn this shameful amendment, we here in New York protest in solidarity with them, and we will work to ensure that a similar law never happens here.”

LGBT activists and their allies will march in protest in front of the Mormon Temple, carrying signs and banners, including a 75 -foot banner declaring “God Loves Gay Marriage”. This was handsewn for the demonstration by veteran activist Gilbert Baker, the creator of the Rainbow Flag, which is the universal symbol of LGBT liberation.

The Manhattan demonstration follows on the heels of protests in California that begin last week after the passage of Prop. 8. Tens of thousands of people have marched in anger through San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, Salt Lake City, Dallas and Chicago, among other cities. A national day of protest is planned for Saturday, November 15, organized by Join the Impact. For details on events across America, visit www.jointheimpact.com/.

It is estimated that members of the LDS Church contributed more than $20 million to ensure passage of Proposition 8, while Church leaders orchestrated a vicious propaganda campaign from the pulpit. The proposition passed narrowly with 52% of the vote, versus 48% against.

More than 18,000 gay and lesbian couples have tied the knot in California since June 17. New York State Gov. David Paterson issued a directive in May requiring state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Paterson has said that if the Assembly and Senate pass legislation for gay marriage, he will sign it.

ATTENTION MEDIA: For advance interviews with Corey Johnson, please call (646) 246-4848. Johnson, Gilbert Baker, local politicians and same-sex married couples will be available at the demonstration.

Olbermann on 8

Thank you, Keith.

PRE PROP 8 PROTEST Organizing and Sign Making Event- Tues Night

Creative Rage

We need folks to come help and make posters on Tuesday night at the LGBT Center on 13th Street between 7th Avenue and Greenwich.

We have room 410 -- which is on the top floor of the building from 8 - 10 PM. PLEASE invite folks to come and make home-made posters.

If you could each please bring supplies (poster-board, markers, anything else) -- as a donation to the cause, it would be appreciated.

Bring your friends.

HAVE FUN!

UPDATE: ADVICE ON SIGN MAKING: (from a trusted friend who knows what he's talking about)

However much anger everyone feels about Prop 8 and the Mormons in particular, we should also remember that we will almost certainly be dealing with gay marriage in NY state very, very soon. With that in mind, a bunch of angry people with signs that say "Fuck Your Church" or "You Can Have Five Wives and I Can't Have One?" or "Fight Hate, Fight the Church" might be counterproductive -- not to mention, beside the point and after the fact. I'd suggest that the focus should be positive, about love and equality, as opposed to just giving Christians the finger. Signs that are positive and future-oriented -- focused on civil rights, marriage equality, real family values -- might be more effective in dealing with the current situation, and more strategic in dealing with the imminent situation. We can say nasty things about Christians later, when the press isn't around. :)

Meaning: A bunch of anti-Christian rhetoric is only going to make the battle for marriage in NY (just a month or two away) seem like the godless queers against the wholesome Christians. We're too close to winning this thing in NY to blow it over people's anger about something that's already over and done in California. Don't give them ammunition so they can use this protest in ads on TV upstate. We are not a bunch of Christian-haters. We are a bunch of people who want to get married, if only we were allowed. (Some of us, anyway.) That's the point.

Anger at the (Catholic) church during ACT UP days was different: there wasn't much at risk, because there wasn't much to lose. This time, there's a LOT to lose, and a lot to win, if we play our cards right. Think strategically.

At least that's my take...And of course people can make whatever signs they want. But they should at least think about it, if their real concern is about getting marriage legalized as opposed to simply blowing off steam.