The Ryan Thomas Collection

As the sun sets on November 2008, a look back on the action of the last 30 days provides great insight into the capabilities of the LGBT community and the future that lies ahead.

The onset of the month began with a final push against Prop 8 on Election Day. The final fight against the lies told by the prop’s proponents were not successful in its bid to convince a mere margin of 4.5% of the California electorate to support equality. Election Day brought on LGBT losses throughout the country with gay marriage bans taking wins in California, Florida & Arizona, with a final loss in Arkansas against gay adoption.

The backlash against these defeats resulted in the rapid mobilization of Californians and Americans, gay and straight, as though natural instincts of fight or flight took shape. Tens of thousands of people hit the streets of small cities and urban meccas alike, weekend after weekend. Within ten days of the election, a nationwide protest was planned and executed. Media coverage blasted images of thousands of Californians and Americans hitting the streets utilizing traditional free speech methods of protest. Proud moments erupted with the success of such strategies and continued efforts to place equality issues in the minds of Americans are taking form.

The swift grassroots street action intermixed with even faster legal action in California courts resulted in California’s Supreme Court acceptance to hear cases against Prop 8. One argument being made concludes that the proposition is a revision to the core values of the Constitution rather than an amendment. The other argument being made by minority rights groups (NAACP, and more) suggest that Prop 8 sets precedent for future amendments that could strip other “suspect classes” of civil rights through a simple majority. The victory of having the case heard quickly by the Supreme Court is a vivid statement that the Supreme Court validates the vital importance of this issue and understands the need for a fast resolution.

In line with this court win is the massive victory won by the LGBT community in the state of Florida on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. Though press coverage lacked the height that Prop 8 received, the lower Florida court decision approving gay adoption in the state sets further precedent for gay equality in the eyes of the law. Florida was the only state in the nation to have a full ban on all gay adoptions. Other states currently have variations of the law, but Florida’s was considered the most extreme. The ACLU argued the case on the behalf of a gay couple wanting to adopt their foster children. Florida Judge Cindy Lederman stated that the adoption ban violated equal protection laws of both the children and their prospective parents, and that:

There is no rational basis to prohibit gay parents from adopting…It is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person’s ability to parent. A child in need of love, safety and stability does not first consider the sexual orientation of his parent. The exclusion causes some children to be deprived of a permanent placement with a family that is best suited to their needs.

The use of the equal protection laws in this case adds to the same principle used by California judges in May 2008 in their pro-gay marriage ruling. The exciting part about this Florida ruling is that Judge Lederman specifically stated that the equal protection laws of the children were being violated, in addition to the parents. It is recognized that gay discrimination laws affect both adults & children, despite their sexual orientation. Such an idea could be utilized in gay marriage equality cases, as well. As more and more gay equal rights issues hit state courts and judges continue to use the equal protection clause, the chipping away at gay-biased laws will get stronger and stronger. Ultimately, the federal Supreme Court will be able to take such principles set by these state rulings and use that in their ruling…hopefully in favor of equality.

The state attorney’s office plans to appeal the lower court’s decision and the likelihood the case will hit the Florida Surpeme Court is high. Opponents to gay adoption stated outrage at the decision calling the judge an “activist judge,” which tends to be the homophobic “go-to” for successful equality rulings. How considering a judge using set law in their ruling to be “activist” is beyond me!

The month comes to an end on the 30th anniversary of the murders of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone. Harvey Milk is credited with fueling the strength of the Gay Liberation Movement of the 1970s and providing leadership to the cause. An out and active gay man, Milk actively worked against 1978’s Prop 6, which would ban the LGBT community from teaching in schools. This prop was shot down. Many comparisons are being drawn between the Prop 6 battle in ‘78 and the Prop 8 battle only thirty years later.

Gus Van Sant’sfilm, “MILK,” hits theaters nationwide the first week in December. The film depicts Harvey Milk’s story and stars Sean Penn. Some believe the release of this film will help inspire a new, young generation of active gay citizens who can work to further equality issues. With the national launch approaching in the height of the holiday movie season, calls are being made to boycott the viewing of “MILK” at Cinemark Theatres, because its CEO, Alan Stark, donated $9,999 to Yes on Prop 8.

If possible, avoid viewings of “MILK” at Cinemark Theaters. Although the company does not have an official stance on Prop 8, with the CEO showing such avid support for gay inequality, it does not make sense to see a film advocating civil rights in such an environment.

November 2008 turned out to be a gay rollercoaster with more ups and downs than Mariah Carey’s album sales. It has proven to be a month where the GLBT community, and its allies, showed their faces and their pride. Shuttered by terrible loses at the polls, the community and allies have united for a new dawn of action. The release of “MILK” will undoubtedly increase the wave of action for equality.

Popularity: 8% [?]

After last week’s national march for same sex marriage equality, California’s Capitol Mall in Sacramento was host to further rallying and marching for gay civil rights. With the California Supreme Court’s announcement this past week that they will hear the case against Prop 8, the rally this weekend was pivotal in showing the Courts and the People the continued fight that Californians and Americans have. The battle continued throughout the day on Saturday on the steps of California’s Capitol Building.

Day in and day out since Election Day, the discussion of Prop 8 and general gay civil rights has hit news venues and shut down city streets; calls for equality and protection of a suspect class. The attention has been focused on getting Prop 8 out of the California Constitution. Nationally, the attention has been to show other Americans that we are all Americans, gay and straight, with the right to equal protection under the law.

On the steps of the Capitol Building, a gay married couple, who have actively worked to gain and protect marriage equality, spoke before the group of 5,000. To paraphrase the speaker, he told the crowd that we were no longer the children bullied on the playground. We are no longer the quiet ones who were hassled for years growing up. We are no longer willing to stand back and watch such atrocities against us be made. Ironically, the same childhood thought had come to mind earlier that morning in preparations for the march and watching Ugly Betty.

Watching the latest episode of Ugly Betty, the storyline with the young high school character, Justin, brother to Betty, took presence. For those unfamiliar with the program, Justin’s character is not an out gay character, but the archetype shown heavily suggests that he is gay. The character enjoys Broadway, both viewing and acting. He is also heavily into top fashion and carries a demeanor about him that is reminiscent of the stereotype of that gay guy in high school. He made friends with another guy at the school who eventually needs to feed into the macho ideals of male gender identity to escape the persecution from the cool guys that he was also friends with. This results in his public statement of disgust with Justin and Justin’s loss of a friend because gender roles and sexual orientations did not meet the standards of everyone’s liking.

Seeing the pain of Justin’s character as he discussed the issue with his mother displays the ultimate result that this fight for equality is about. Yes, it is about marriage, but essentially it’s the catalyst for far more. Tying in the speeches at the rally and the visuals seen on TV, we see that the experience of growing up as a constant outsider is tiresome. It’s vigorous work to maintain the type of individual strength and determination to withstand the constant battle on the playground, whether it be elementary or high school. The battle continues into the workplace and into the streets of daily life as adults. We should be in a time where the experience that growing gay children must undertake is no longer such a hardship. This is why the fight for marriage equality is pivotal. Coincidentally, it is also the source of strength being displayed in the fight against Prop 8 before and following its passage.

The separation of marriage status between same sex domestic partners and opposite sex marriage reinforces this ideal of being outside the normal. It’s not only about marriage. Without the ability to participate in a social ceremony and institution provided by the government, gays and lesbians are forced to start life as outsiders from the get go. This separation provides continued support to the harsh social development the LGBT community must endure in schools, with a top down reinforcement of outsideness from the Constitution, with Prop 8. In a sense, marriage equality is means to legitimize the LGBT class as entitled Americans.

Participation in the social institution of marriage will provide ample opportunity for the LGBT community to participate in the American Dream in its purest form. Young LGBT Americans need to have the right to know they too can participate in that dream. The straight people around them need to know that their gay counterparts can participate in the same dream they can. With equal access to America’s ideology, the day where gays are heavily ostracized or frowned upon will be closer to elimination. The California Supreme Court essentially made these arguments in their ruling in May that legalized same sex marriage. We hope they will make this same decision come early 2009.

Below are a few more shots and videos from Saturday’s rally and march on the California Capitol. The counter-demonstration of H8rs numbered at about a dozen people. Disturbingly, one H8r displayed a sign that said “Gay = Pervert.” There is a lot of work to be done when the dignity of a class of people is put into question in such a drastic way with such drastic diction. This sign did not make its way into the picture below.

The one sign that needs discussion is “STOP Hating the Christians.” It took about a week for the marriage equality movement to really get out of the blame game. It is becoming increasingly apparent that religion is not being scapegoated as the cause for Prop 8’s passage. However, the need for separation of church and state has maintained a position at rallies. This is not about hating Christians. It is about recognizing that civil marriage does not effect religious marriage. Furthermore, the religious freedom protected by the 1st Amendment protects religions from being forced to engage in an activity that would go against their core beliefs, such as marrying a same sex couple. This, too, was reinforced by the California Supreme Court in their May decision.

Margaret Cho performed a song that dealt predominately, well actually, solely with the Mormon issue. It wasn’t the most appropriate performance, nor was it the most productive. However, it did provide a laugh to those who are frustrated that the Mormons worked so diligently at getting Prop 8 passed. (Excuse the shaky quality of the video and poor sound quality. Holding a sign and a camera in a crowd can be tricky.)

Attorney Gloria Allred spoke about the legal side of Prop 8, in addition to the original Court ruling last May. A celebrity lawyer indeed, Allred played into the crowd and insured proper photo ops were made available.

Lastly, here is video prior to the rally’s start. In a stereotypical fashion, Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” was playing throughout the West Capitol Mall as people prepped. Within a half hour, the area was filled with 5,000 attendees.

The next big step comes December 10th. This has been deemed Day Without Gay where the LGBT community is being asked to call in sick, or actually “Call in Gay. I’m feeling a little queer.”

Popularity: 7% [?]

From San Francisco to San Diego. Los Angeles to Texas. Fargo to New York City. Saturday, November 15th, 2008 may become known as the launching pad of a new national movement for gay civil rights not seen since the 1970s. Empowered by new technologies and utilizing traditional means of protest, gays and straights alike hit city halls and streets across the country to say, “Gay, straight, black, white; marriage is a civil right.” The nationwide event was organized in less than two weeks displaying the strength and the will of Americans to stand up for equality, realizing that when the rights of one are taken, the rights of all are threatened.

Days prior to the nationwide protest, groups including the NAACP, the Asian Pacific American League Center and Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund have joined to file a separate suit against Prop 8. This suit is separate from those made be the ACLU and NCLR, and looks to defeat Prop 8 through additional faults of the Prop. These groups worry that the passage of Prop 8 sets dangerous precedent for the civil rights of all minorities. They claim that if the civil rights of gays and lesbians can be stripped by a simple majority vote, what stops this from happening to their civil rights. The California Supreme Court’s ruling in May deemed gays and lesbians a minority of equal status to that of racial, ethnic and religious minorities. With that precedent set, the slippery slope that Prop 8 creates has pushed these groups to stand against it.

Saturday’s rallies reflected a growing united front and with such vast numbers of attendance, including 20-25,000 in San Diego, another 12,000 in Los Angeles and 10,000 in San Francisco, one can only assume that these numbers include people from all walks of life. This doesn’t even include the thousands in Chicago and New York City. Watching news coverage of the events, a straight married women rallied in Austin, Texas for equality. When interviewed she said she has two young children and she doesn’t know whether they will be gay or straight when they get older. She does know that either way she wants the same rights for her children despite their sexual orientation. It is this type of unity that is fueling the movement. For as many people that voted for discrimination in the California Constitution, there are people from all walks of life who understand the issue at hand. When the country discriminates against our friends, our family, coworkers and neighbors, we are all hurt and we are all threatened.

Action is being taken utilizing technology, organizing with cell phones; blasting messages on Facebook. However, the days since Election Day has shown that the most simple tradition of American society still proves to be beneficial. Pounding the streets on foot does more than draw attention to the cause at hand, it builds the coalition more and more. Marching creates the necessary unity to push forward. It is empowering, whilst also a release of tension and frustration at a system gone wrong.

I had faith in the system, in the Constitution and in Californians. That faith was thrown into limbo following Election Day. However, I still maintain faith in the Constitution and Californians. We, as Californians and as Americans, need to maintain faith in the highest law of the land. Watching my fellow Californians and Americans hit the streets in droves, I am proud. No longer willing to be trampled on, people who have never hit the streets before took the battle lines and marched. I am proud of my friends and my family who stood up for equality. They stood up for the Constitution and for each other, supported by the strength of family and friends unable to make the march and rallies.

Yesterday, as I marched through the streets of San Francisco with my fellow Californians, and Americans, I not only felt like I was working towards equality, I felt like we were protectors of the Constitution. With signs in hand, and voices to sound off with, me and those around weren’t just fighting for civil rights, we were and continue to ensure that the core ideals of the Constitution are protected from vicious attacks. When we march for civil rights equality, we aren’t just marching for same-sex marriage, we are valiant guardians defending the precious core of the Constitution.

Sam Adams, considered “Father of the American Revolution” told new Americans citizens:

The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.

As we continue our battle for equality, we must maintain faith in the Constitution and we must protect it from the evil that is Prop H8. We aren’t doing this just for ourselves, we are doing this for the future. Gays, lesbians and our vital straight allies have suffered under the tyranny of conservative fear for far too long. Hit the streets and show them we are no longer willing to submit to their weapons of fear. We’ve had enough! It is now our duty and our time to protect the Constitution from vicious attacks for everyone; for every straight parent with a gay child; for every straight child with a gay parent and for all of our friends who want the same opportunity to share in the same experiences in life.

(All photos and videos provided by the Ryan Thomas Collection.)

Popularity: 6% [?]

A beacon of light,
Shining in a landscape of darkness.
Her hand reached out and,
She whispered to me,
“Come and join me here.”
 
Perched in the midst of rolling waters,
She stands before us all.
She stands alone.
She stands for us all.

Promises she made,
Are promises she has kept.
In a world of darkness,
Her light stands bright.
She whispered to me,
“I will protect you.”

Entranced by her strength;
She knows more.
She believes more.
She dreams more.

Hand in hand, the work began.
Hand in hand, the work goes on.
Asking us to be more,
Allowing us to be more,
She whispered to me,
“Fear not, for I am here.”

And with her at my side,
I stand at the sunset gates.
Broken shackles at our feet,
We stand together.
We stand as one;
Against enslavement by the past,
Against oppression,
Against tyranny of the majority.

And with her silent lips,
She whispered to me,
“I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

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We have to show every citizen that we, like them, are citizens of the United States; citizens that enjoy the rights to organize and to speak, and in being so, we deserve and are owed the same rights to marriage afforded to them. For too many centuries, the LGBT community has literally been put in a closet and now we, gay and straight alike, not only put our money where our mouth was in fighting Prop 8, but we are showing our strength in fighting the outcome.

Money, strength and justice are on our side. Victory is the only result!

March for liberty and justice for all, this Saturday, November 15th, at your local city hall or other organized location. Find your location at www.jointheimpact.com.

We have Lady Liberty on our side and no church, nor neo-conservative or fear alone will stop us until each of us can live free from the tyranny of the majority we witnessed on Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Popularity: 6% [?]

Prop H8 was never solely a Californian issue. It’s ability to transcend into other states was known then and known now. As Californians rally against Prop H8, so now will the country.

Join the national cause against Prop H8 – gay, straight, man, woman, young and old. We are all Americans and as Martin Luther King, Jr said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Grab your friends, make signs and join in the march for equality this Saturday in your local city, 10:30a PST/1:30EST, on the steps of your City Hall.

Get more details & information here:
http://www.JointheImpact.com

If you need motivation, here’s the video to watch:

Popularity: 4% [?]

This week past has been a roller coaster ride socially, politically and emotionally. Excitement for America’s new direction. Personal grief with the cruelty Californians (and Utah) displayed at the polls in voting against same sex marriage. Quickly picking up the pieces after the defeat and rebuilding. The week finished with a great feeling of exhilaration, liveliness, empowerment and hope. After Wednesday’s march through San Francisco, I felt revived and energized. It was as though the Prop 8 fall threw everything back into prospective and the only option left was to continue fighting for what is right. Thursday and Friday left me feeling more alive than I’ve felt in a long time. Rejuvenated and ready, I looked upon the new challenges that face us. The thrill of change that we, the People of the United States of America and California, are about to embark upon. We have the power and the motivation to change the world before us for the better; educate those who know not what they fear, but fear redefining the modern world. Our time is now and seizing it is the empowerment that has brought new hopes, new aspirations and a new strength to myself and thousands of San Franciscans who hit the streets of the city Friday night to demonstrate against the passage of Proposition 8, hereby known as H8!

Reading online commentary on the demonstrations that are being held up and down the state of California and in Utah, I’ve seen H8r’s make comments that these demonstrations are a simple display of poor losers. Other H8r’s said that the people have overwhelmingly spoken and to let it go. With 70% of African Americans voting in favor of Prop H8, another H8r said that these demonstrations cannot be compared to the Civil Rights Movement and racial equality. The marches taking place in California are not a display of poor losers, but rallies to show that the minority will not sit back and watch the tyranny of the majority unfairly rule.

We may have lost our right to marry in California, but we still have our First Amendment rights to protest and speak and they cannot take that from us.

The displays of thousands of Californians joining together this past week and this weekend are a sign of continued strength in the gay community. The Constitution did its job in May 2008 by granting equality and the work was hatefully undone. The fight is not over until that equality is properly restored. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans citizens have been fighting their entire lives. The internal struggle of discovering, creating and building an identity that strays from traditional social norms. The battle to openly live in a society that automatically puts you steps behind, but having the courage to be proud nonetheless. The opposition doesn’t realize that we’ve had the strength to endure mainstream tyranny each and every day of our lives. We haven’t backed down before and we will not back down now. Our time is now!

The streets of San Francisco were closed for a few hours yesterday. 18th and Castro was shut to traffic with a sit-in for hours beyond that. It isn’t the first time. It’s wont be the last time. H8 has fear on their side, we have justice, truth and right on our side. In the end, history has proven that H8 will lose.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Wednesday, November 5th began with darkness at the dawn of a new America. Excitement at Obama’s win of the White House soon faded with resutl of California’s Prop 8 passing by the slimmest of margins. I tried to look on the bright side of things. Though the battle for equality was lost, at least I could find comfort that the President-elect would bring a renaissance to the country. This worked for about an hour. As I walked to work, the visions of Prop 8 proponents reveling in their win came to mind and emotions took over.

I’ve been “that gay guy” since before I knew I was gay myself. Elementary school. Junior High. High School. Now. I’ve been openly gay for ten years. Despite the name calling, the glares and the injustices seen, I never felt like less of a person. I have deep faith in the Constitution and its ability to protect me and treat me equally. Even when the people around may not treat me the same, the governing document would. However, as I walked to work knowing that the California Constitution had actually been amended to treat me unequally. For the first time in my life, I felt like a second class citizen; and with that, less of a person. My faith in liberty, justice and the California Constitution beaten down. The highest of documents in the state would now be treating me unequally. The unknown feeling hurt deepl; pain and angst that it was actually happening. Today wore on and I found it hard to surpress these feelings, despite my desire to be strong.

Civil rights struggles have never been easy and they have never been quick. I had a strong belief that this time it would be different and to be proven wrong was more than disappointing. Where would I find the strength to believe again, feeling personally attacked by each supporter of Prop 8? Thinking about their smiling, joyous faces from their victory. Even though I do not believe in traditional ideologies of God, I wanted to believe as Jesus said on the cross, “God forgive them, they know not what they do.” This rhetoric provided no comfort.

With the evening upon me, I heard a vigil for equality was to be held at San Francisco’s City Hall. A group of everyday Californians gathered to remember how far we’ve come, be re-energized as a beaten people and find strength for the continued struggle to be endured tomorrow, next week and everyday after, until full equality for all is fully realized. The company of these like-minded individuals reminded me that it is not over. We shall overcome. Liberty and justice will prevail. Marching up San Francisco’s Market Street, blocking traffic, and chanting “What do we want? Equality. When do we want it? Now!” reinvigorated my belief and faith that equality will be won. The Constitution, both federally and at the state level, will be upheld and Americans will be equal.

I end the day having been beaten down, but now standing strong as a Californian and an American. The tide of change has come with our future President Barack Obama and the rippling effect his presidency will have shall bring us victory in the end. And so the fight goes on and I feel strong. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” I refuse to allow the hate mongers of Prop 8 to make me feel like a second class citizen. Obama has brought on a new dawn, a new day and a new spirit to us, the People of the United States of America, the People of California and so the beat goes on!

Popularity: 9% [?]