'via Blog this'
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Linda Harvey Says Gay Rights Activists Are Fascists | Addicting Info
I swear, this woman bring homophobic bigot to a new level.
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Death of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" And The Next Step
Unless you have been living under a rock the last couple of days you have learned that the much anticipated death of DADT came full swing at 12:01am Tuesday morning. This is a great step for the GLBTQ service men and women in this country. This is also a great step in equality for everyone. With the amount of support by lawmakers such as Nancy Pelosi and the president, Celebrities like Lady Gaga, and even straight service members at all levels and branches of the military it gives me hope to what else we can accomplish. While this is possibly the best news for the GLBTQ community this week, let us not celebrate and lose focus.
There are many inequalities that still plague the community. Violence towards the community, discrimination, marriage bans, and so much more are on the list. Many states have passes, by way of legislation or court decision, the rights to marry to gay. New York is the most recent to be added to that list. I think that if we continue to fight on the state level that it will just be a matter of time until the federal government follows suit. That is not to say that we should give up on the federal fight. I just think that we should start from the inside and work our way out. With one exception...DOMA. There is currently a big introduced into congress known as The Respect For Marriage Act. If passed, this bill will repeal DOMA once and for all. For those who are not aware of just what DOMA is, it is a bill passed the defined Marriage federally as a union between one man and one woman. Initially I never really let this bother me beyond the usual principle of it. Then I began to learn more about the law and what it really meant for the gay community. Although the bill does not override a states ability to grant marriage rights to GLBT members, it does bar them from federally instituted rights. I am talking about rights such as but not limited to: Immigration rights, spousal rights (such as joint taxes and insurance), etc. This is blatant discrimination. It also says that a state does not have to recognize our marriages if it does not want to unlike in a heterosexual marriage where if I get married here in Iowa Texas has to recognize it. This makes the GLBTQ community second class citizens and this is not acceptable.
This is why I am stressing so much about the importance of the 2012 elections. We need to fight for our rights and elect those that will stand with us or at least will be willing to remain objective on the subject. With the Republicans taking a drastic turn to the right and being influenced by the Tea Party more and more we must do all we can to make sure Democrats and liberal independents not only remain in office, but beat their GOP opponents in the coming election.
DADT is cause for celebration, but lets not forget there is so much more that needs to be done. I call to you to let the excitement you feel today fuel the drive to fight harder and harder for GLBTQ equality. I have talked a lot of this subject and I promise you it will only get more passionate as time goes on. The road ahead will be rocky but what lies at the end of the road is worth it. Who will take the road with me?
~Drew
Monday, September 19, 2011
Here is something to celebrate
Tomorrow is a truly historic day in American history. For tomorrow, September 20, 2011, will mark the end of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, which bans lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women from serving openly in our armed services. Since 1993, gay Americans willing to risk their lives and serve their country in uniform have been forced to serve in silence, out of fear of being discharged. (keep reading)
Tomorrow is a truly historic day in American history. For tomorrow, September 20, 2011, will mark the end of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, which bans lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women from serving openly in our armed services. Since 1993, gay Americans willing to risk their lives and serve their country in uniform have been forced to serve in silence, out of fear of being discharged. (keep reading)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The Importance of Politics to the Gay Community
Ok, I will admit that I am not the smartest person in the world. I am not the most politically aware individual. The thing I do is try. I watch the news as often as I can. I want to make sure I am aware of what is going on in the world today. One thing I get so tired of hearing from both the gay community and the rest of the country is how they don't care about politics. Now, this is a rant that anyone who knows me knows I make on a regular basis. As a matter of fact I think I have done so in the early part of this very blog...not sure. I want to address (or maybe readdress) the topic of political awareness ESPECIALLY in the gay community.
The importance of gays getting involved in politics is at an all time necessity. Here in Iowa, where I live, there has been recent attempts to get rid of marriage equality in our state. Earlier this summer there was a bill that wanted to be passed that would not only make marriage strictly between One man and One woman, but it would bar same sex couples from being able to get ANY union ( civil union, domestic partnership, etc). This kind of legislation is unacceptable. It doesn't stop there. As most of the country and the community is aware, there is a lawsuit going on from California. Most of us are aware of something called Proposition 8 or Prop 8. This is significant not just because it involves our gay friends in California, but because it could have a major impact on the country as a whole. Right now it has great potential to making itself to the Supreme Court. If it does the decision the justices make will either set a precedent or make history. If Prop 8 is upheld by the high court that will tell the rest of the country ( and states) that such regulation is ok. That even though it impedes the rights of a specific group or class the people know best no matter who it hurts. Now, if the high court strikes down Prop 8 then that means so much for the gay community. It would open the doors for getting the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) taken off the books.
California and Iowa are not the only states that have been affected. The following link shows what the states status' are in terms of Same Sex Marriage (click me). As you can see, in the grand scheme, we have a long way to go. That is what makes the 2012 elections so important. We have made some great strides. The gay community celebrated when New York became the next state to grant Same Sex Marriage to it's citizens. The problem lies in the number of states that are still not talking about it or have already passed legislation banning Same Sex unions.
Looking at the GOP hopefuls for the next Presidential election...the prospects look grim. President Obama's approval rating it tanking and people are looking to some of these lunatics as possible saviors. This is a scary scary thing. They not only would have marriage defined as just between one man and one woman, but they would even ban any union of any sorts. This goes beyond the argument over a time and religious sacred word. This is straight up bigotry. What is worse is they have organizations lie the American Family Association who have leader who want to criminalize homosexuality backing them . There are also organizations like The Family Leader with their so called, "Marriage Vow" who are shifting money into candidates and ads with the sole purpose to demonize same sex unions. This very group was successful is getting 3 judges here in my state ousted because they ruled that to deny same sex marriages in our state without a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman was unconstitutional. They already have plans to get the other judges removed too. Now keep in mind this was a unanimous decision. It was not a majority ruling by liberal judges. It was decided by every member of the Iowa Supreme Court some of which were appointed by Republican governors. This is the kind of opposition the gay community is up against.
So how do we combat this? It's very simple. We become aware. We get ourselves educated and we speak up. The simplest way to do this is vote...vote...vote. Get out there and support out GLBTQ allies in congress both at the state level and at the national level. Do you have to eat, sleep, and breathe politics. I just want you to make yourself aware enough to make a productive vote. Look at the candidates and see where they stand on gay rights. Another great way to work for the gay community is volunteer for your local GLBTQ rights activism groups. Here in Iowa I have had the pleasure of working with OneIowa a few times. The feeling I got while working with them made me feel great. There are many other organizations that help to improve not only gay rights but the image presented by the media. Such organizations are but not limited to Freedom To Marry,Give A Damn, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and GLAAD. There are more resources listed on the right of this blog under the "Cool Links" area. I suggest tho interested in ways to contribute to the community start there.
Helping out and becoming aware does not have to be as cramping as you think. Donating time and money are simple ways, but if you are like me you are limited on both. That is why I cannot stress the importance of political awareness. If you cannot fight the good fight then you need..no...HAVE to elect those who are going to fight it for us. We need to focus less as a community on getting drunk and laid and more of fighting for what we deserve, and what we deserve is to be treated like the regular human beings that we are. I hope I can count on you to stand up and do just that and encourage those you know to do the same.
~Drew Ronny
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Groups urge candidates to refocus on social issues (audio)
Bah, there is so much more important things to be getting up in arms about. Record unemployment, a massive deficit, and a plunging stock market...just to name a few.
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