Via the Courage Campaign

Yes, that's essentially what Prop 8's lead attorney Charles Cooper claimed yesterday to Judge Vaughn Walker during yesterday's closing arguments in Perry v. Schwarzenegger -- the federal Prop 8 trial:

"The marital relationship is fundamental to the existence and survival of the race. Without the marital relationship, your honor, society would come to an end."

Unbelievable. Fortunately, Ted Olson, the legendary conservative attorney leading the case to overturn Prop 8, delivered an absolutely brilliant closing argument simultaneously destroying Cooper's case and moving many to tears.

As Ted Olson said yesterday, "if there was ever a trial in the history of our country that the American people should have seen, it was this one." That's why we need your help to get the truth out ASAP about the closing arguments in this historic trial through our Prop 8 Trial Tracker and "Testimony: Equality on Trial" campaign. Will you contribute $25, $50, $100 or more before Friday's 11:59 p.m. deadline?:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TrialTracker

Dear Daniel --

When I graduated from high school in East Tennessee more than three decades ago, I knew a few things for sure. One was that I cared deeply about social justice. Another was that I was a homosexual -- and desperately did not want to be.

More than 30 years later, I am live-blogging the closing arguments of the historic Prop 8 federal trial today from a courtroom in San Francisco -- a city that I had once been afraid to visit for fear that people might think I was gay.

I'm one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately, many people still grappling with the ghosts and demons of self-loathing will not be able to see the trial for themselves. That's why -- when the U.S. Supreme Court banned cameras from the courtroom in January -- the Courage Campaign immediately launched into live coverage, blogging and analyzing every day of the trial for weeks.

More than 2 million views and 32,000 comments posted later, our Prop 8 Trial Tracker blog is relaunching today as a part of "Testimony: Equality on Trial" -- our year-long campaign to bring the Prop 8 trial into the lives of Americans.

I'm live-blogging the Prop 8 trial today because I know from personal experience that the testimony in this trial can literally change lives -- and transform America. With cameras once again being banned from the courtroom, we urgently need your support to relaunch the Prop 8 Trial Tracker. Will you contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today to help us keep it going? DEADLINE: Friday, 11:59 p.m.:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TrialTracker

We need to make the Prop 8 trial a part of America's heritage. The arguments being made by attorneys Ted Olson, David Boies and their colleagues at the American Foundation for Equal Rights are as foundational to our freedoms as the speeches of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

That's why we launched Testimony: Equality on Trial, to enable Americans to reenact the trial and, soon, give their own personal testimony. Based on what I have witnessed and the reactions to our Prop 8 Trial Tracker, we knew that we had to create a long-term public engagement and education effort to get the story of this trial out to the American people.

Wednesday's closing arguments will again demonstrate the case for equality -- and the real reasons behind the opposition to equality. But it is just the start of what will be a long journey to the U.S. Supreme Court, where this case and our rights will ultimately be decided.

That's why we need your support urgently. Will you help us relaunch the Prop 8 Trial Tracker as a part of "Testimony: Equality on Trial" today? Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more right now so we can bring this trial to the American people. DEADLINE: Friday, 11:59 p.m.:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TrialTracker

Thank you for helping us tell the story of this trial so that we can shine a light on the bigotry that brought us to this point in our nation's history. We really can't do it without you.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign

Courage Campaign Equality is a part of the Courage Campaign's multi-issue online organizing network that empowers more than 700,000 grassroots and netroots supporters to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country. To get involved in Courage Campaign Equality, visit "Testimony: Equality on Trial" -- our year-long campaign to bring the Prop 8 trial into the lives of Americans.

To get the truth out about the Prop 8 trial, please chip in what you can today:

Via JMG: NEW STUDY: All That Money Spent On Prop 8 Advertising Was For Nothing

According to a new study just released, those zillions of dollars spent by both sides during the 2008 Prop 8 advertising battle didn't actually change anybody's mind.

The warring sides in the 2008 battle over same-sex marriage in California may have spent a combined $83 million for nothing, according to an academic study released Tuesday. The study by Patrick Egan of New York University looked at polling on gay marriage and domestic partner elections in 33 states since 1998 and found that no minds were changed despite millions in spending, hard-hitting advertising such as the much-quoted "like it or not" TV spot with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and emotional pleas from both sides. By election day, voters who opposed same-sex marriage before the campaign still opposed it, and those who backed it continued to back it. "The study indicates that when all of this (campaigning) is over, the result is a wash," said Egan, who was joined by supporters of same-sex marriage at a news conference at San Francisco City Hall.

According to the above-linked story, the new study should serve as a warning to marriage proponents intent on putting the issue on the 2012 ballot. Equality California's Geoffrey Kors agrees that a majority support will be required before even considering the attempt: "We're not going in if the numbers don't make sense."

(Tipped by JMG reader Huntington)

reposted from Joe

Tel Aviv Gay / Pride Parade 2010 - P.1 מצעד הגאווה 2010 בתל אביב

Parada gay 2010 São Paulo

Via SacBee: clic pic to follw SacBee Coverage

Via SacBee: Prop. 8 gay-marriage trial goes to judge in California

By Susan Ferriss

SAN FRANCISCO – The lead attorney defending Proposition 8 on the final day of a historic federal trial Wednesday said that gays have been subjected to a "shameful history" of discrimination but that voters had a right to limit them from marriage. - Read More

Via Bilerico: Why We Must Tell America the Truth About the Prop 8 Trial

Filed by: Cleve Jones

June 16, 2010 8:00 PM

In his most famous speech, my good friend Harvey Milk urged LGBT people to come out of the closet. "For invisible, we remain in limbo," he said.

Harvey knew that full equality would not become reality as long as the public was also shielded from the truth about who we are. The hollow arguments at the foundation of our institutionalized second class citizenship would never be challenged unless we embraced our identities publicly.

With closing arguments in the Prop. 8 trial this morning, Harvey Milk's words ring as true today as they did when they were first uttered in 1978. And all parties to the Prop. 8 trial know it.

Continue reading "Why We Must Tell America the Truth About the Prop 8 Trial" »

Via JMG: National Gay & Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce Cuts Ties With McDonald's

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has sent a blistering letter (PDF) to McDonald's cutting their ties with them, perhaps partially in response to COO Donald Thompson's "I am a Christian" statement about the company's ad in France.

We strongly believe that McDonald’s plan to distance itself from LGBT and other diverse business segments, coupled with the release of the French TV ad, is ill advised and counter to the spirit of good business and sound ethics. We sincerely hope that McDonald’s will reconsider its position and that the company will again show its support for LGBT people, our families and our businesses -- not just where it is politically expedient, but around the globe.

Barring a significant change in policy on the part of McDonald’s, please consider this letter as official notice that the NGLCC will not accept future support or membership by McDonald’s or any of its subsidiaries. Additionally, please note that we will answer any questions about this communication, the past relationship between our organizations or any other questions by members of the NGLCC, the media or other interested parties with nothing less than factual and accurate information based on our communications and experiences with McDonald’s and its representatives.

The NGLCC says they represent the interests of about 1.4 million LGBT-owned business in the United States. Read their entire letter.reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Quote Of The Day - Rick Jacobs

"The bailiff just made Maggie NOM put her bare feet down. She is so disrespectful." - Rick Jacobs, live-blogging for the Courage Campaign from the closing arguments at the Prop 8 trial. SRSLY? Slaggie had her bare feet on the back of the seat in front of her?

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Slaggie Gilamonster Concedes Prop 8

"Chuck Cooper is a heckuva lawyer. At stake in this case is the future of marriage in all 50 states, and he's right that this attempt to shut down the debate by constitutionalizing gay marriage will backfire. Americans have a right to vote for marriage. Ted Olson doesn't seem to understand the argument, and judging from today's exchanges neither does Judge Walker. I expect Judge Walker will overrule Prop 8. But millions of Americans do understand why marriage is the union of husband and wife and I believe the majority of the Supreme Court will as well." - NOM former president Maggie Gallagher, in a statement just posted to their Prop 8 site.reposted from Joe

Via The Courage Campaign:

Dear Daniel --

When I graduated from high school in East Tennessee more than three decades ago, I knew a few things for sure. One was that I cared deeply about social justice. Another was that I was a homosexual -- and desperately did not want to be.

More than 30 years later, I am live-blogging the closing arguments of the historic Prop 8 federal trial today from a courtroom in San Francisco -- a city that I had once been afraid to visit for fear that people might think I was gay.

I'm one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately, many people still grappling with the ghosts and demons of self-loathing will not be able to see the trial for themselves. That's why -- when the U.S. Supreme Court banned cameras from the courtroom in January -- the Courage Campaign immediately launched into live coverage, blogging and analyzing every day of the trial for weeks.

More than 2 million views and 32,000 comments posted later, our Prop 8 Trial Tracker blog is relaunching today as a part of "Testimony: Equality on Trial" -- our year-long campaign to bring the Prop 8 trial into the lives of Americans.

I'm live-blogging the Prop 8 trial today because I know from personal experience that the testimony in this trial can literally change lives -- and transform America. With cameras once again being banned from the courtroom, we urgently need your support to relaunch the Prop 8 Trial Tracker. Will you contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today to help us keep it going? DEADLINE: Friday, 11:59 p.m.:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TrialTracker

We need to make the Prop 8 trial a part of America's heritage. The arguments being made by attorneys Ted Olson, David Boies and their colleagues at the American Foundation for Equal Rights are as foundational to our freedoms as the speeches of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

That's why we launched Testimony: Equality on Trial, to enable Americans to reenact the trial and, soon, give their own personal testimony. Based on what I have witnessed and the reactions to our Prop 8 Trial Tracker, we knew that we had to create a long-term public engagement and education effort to get the story of this trial out to the American people.

Wednesday's closing arguments will again demonstrate the case for equality -- and the real reasons behind the opposition to equality. But it is just the start of what will be a long journey to the U.S. Supreme Court, where this case and our rights will ultimately be decided.

That's why we need your support urgently. Will you help us relaunch the Prop 8 Trial Tracker as a part of "Testimony: Equality on Trial" today? Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more right now so we can bring this trial to the American people. DEADLINE: Friday, 11:59 p.m.:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TrialTracker

Thank you for helping us tell the story of this trial so that we can shine a light on the bigotry that brought us to this point in our nation's history. We really can't do it without you.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign

Courage Campaign Equality is a part of the Courage Campaign's multi-issue online organizing network that empowers more than 700,000 grassroots and netroots supporters to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country. To get involved in Courage Campaign Equality, visit "Testimony: Equality on Trial" -- our year-long campaign to bring the Prop 8 trial into the lives of Americans.

To get the truth out about the Prop 8 trial, please chip in what you can today:

Quote of the Day:

“No one will find the way out of hate and violence unless we do. Go without hate, but not without rage. Heal the world.” – Paul Monette

via LGBT POV

Comment of the day on JMG Thread

We seek the Lord's word on armed revolution, as revealed in this reading from The Book of the Persistently Dead.

***

And Jesus did arrive in the town of Gefilta and was greeted there by the village elders, who had dragged the stinking carcasses of their dead to the village square in order that the Lord might finally adjudicate them.

"Are you the King of our Shoes?", asked one of the elders.

And Jesus, sensing that what was actually meant was "of the Jews," sidestepped the question and answered instead:

"In my Father's house there are many rooms, but no man who advocates armed revolution against Democrats shall inhabit them."

And the people, not understanding "Democrats," took it to be a sign that it was time to air out the chickens and prepare the Sabbath meal.

So it is written: "He came to us a beggar and left a righteous man. In peace will his kingdom flourish and in garbage will his teabaggers flounder."

***

This is the word of The Flying and Bleached-Red-Head Monster, who makes all things tax-exempt.

Amen.

Viva España!: Government Investigating "Gay Cure" Clinic, May Impose Fines

The Catalan government is investigating a Barcelona clinic that is alleged to be performing "gay cures" and may impose fines on the business.

Policlinica Tibidabo in the Catalan capital offers pills and psychiatric "treatment" to convert homosexuals. Spain's leading daily El Pais said people who wanted to be treated are often followers of a particular religion which believes homosexuality is incompatible with their beliefs. "An investigation has been opened into this clinic," a spokeswoman for the regional government's health department told AFP. "We do not consider homosexuality as an illness, far from it." She said the clinic could face fines if the month-long probe concludes that such treatments are being carried out. A gays and lesbian rights association in Catalonia, the CGL, hailed the decision of the regional authorities. "It is totally unacceptable, in the 21st century, that health professionals are trying to treat homosexuality," CGL secretary general Antonio Guirado said in a statement. "You cannot treat something that is not an illness."

Kudos to the Catalan government. Meanwhile in America, Christianist brainwashing "ex-gay" camps and evangelical "exorcisms," which are nothing short of mental and physical torture, continue to be perfectly legal.reposted from Joe

'Everybody Loves a Lesbian' song - Mongrels - BBC Three

Via JMG: McDonald's COO: I'm A Christian And That Gay Ad Will Never Play In America

A gay-positive McDonald's ad running in France has made international news and brought the company condemnation from American evangelists. But the Christianists needn't worry, McDonald's Chief Operating Officer Donald Thompson says that commercial will never run in the United States.

I've never shied away from the fact that I'm a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don't impose those on anybody else. I've been in countries where the majority of the people in the country don't believe in a deity or they may be atheist. Or the majority of the country is Muslim. Or it may be the majority is much younger skewed. So when you look at all these differences, it's not that I'm to be the judge or the jury relative to right or wrong. Having said that, at McDonald's, there are core values we stand for and the world is getting much closer. So we have a lot of conversations. We're going to make some mistakes at times. (We talk) about things that may have an implication in one part of the world and may be the cultural norm in another part of the world. And those are things that, yes, we're going to learn from. But, you're right, that commercial won't show in the United States.

posted by Joe

Winning the Freedom to Marry