Gay activists have learned a few things over the years. A big one, which took awhile, seems obvious in retrospect: when someone helps us, thank them!
We do quite a bit demanding, cajoling, and what sounds to some like complaining. We have to. As long as we're treated second-class, we can't keep our mouths shut.
So it's important to balance that with some attaboys whenever people deserve them.
And God do the governor and legislators in New Hampshire deserve them right now.
(Yesterday, they became the sixth state in the country to equalize marriage for everyone, including gays.)
So take a moment, if you can. HRC has made it very easy. Just click and you'll go to a single screen where you can add your info, click OK and be in and out in well under 30 seconds. (They have a pre-written msg which you can keep, edit or replace entirely. It will take a little longer if you compose your own.)
Here's what I wrote. You're free to crib from it if you like:
Subject: Thanks for making me legal
I am so grateful, and so proud of you for making me equal under the law. It's humiliating to be treated second class, and I thank God for creating fair and wise people like you who can see that.
I hope to get married some day, and I'm gay, so marrying a woman would be a sham, and would just destroy her life as well as mine. It's not a viable option. But I do want to get married, to another man, and by the time I'm ready, I hope to be able to do so anywhere I choose in our great country.
You have created another free state in New Hampshire. You have helped gather momentum toward a free country.
History will look kindly on you. I look kindly on you right now.
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kfujioka
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seriously, i'm getting through again, so it's probably sporadic.
and thanks on the b-day. i had dinner with my friend tommy which i really enjoyed.
I can't believe I missed your birthday!! I'm a terrible OS Wife. But your book is still on the list, even with all the celeb and beach reads being hyped. Yeaaa. (I can't get into the site either, but I'll keep trying as my b-day gift to you. And just because it's right).
But Massachusetts was first, even if the judges did it, but the citizens and lawmakers made it stick. Did HRC have thank-you notes back then?
I'm very happy to see NH join in though, congratulations to them :-)
And when it quits being busy I'll come back and thank those lovely folks.
Nice birthday present, huh?
Yipee! Yipee!
Happy belated birthday.
Thank you for this post.
Here is what I added to the pre-fab email:
As a straight woman who has been a long-term advocate of GLBT rights, your actions bring me joy as you recognize that ensuring the civil rights of our GLBT brothers and sisters is imperative.
The right to marry and have your union recognized by the state is the most basic civil right next to the rights to be free from slavery and to vote. If our marvelous society of freedom is to continue with the vigor that is the envy of so many in this world, this is the logical and necessary next step.
May the blessings of the God of the Universe be upon you all.
(PS - A friend's sister came to town from Minnesota and mentioned your book. Said she loved it, couldn't sleep at night over it, thinks it's a great book club selection, that there's an overwhelming number of provocative topics to discuss from it.)
I'm really proud of the people in NH now, too. I often think of New England as similar/liberal, but that state is much more conservative, and for awhile red, and it's incredible to see it done there, especially with no court involvement.
I'm grateful for the small group that enacted this, and the voters who put them in office.
(And I'm also grateful for the judges in Iowa, New Blog. Are they appointed or elected? Who should we be thanking, other than them?)
http://davecullen.com/columbine/book-club.htm
Im right here in iowa waiting to be thanked.
Keep waiting and when you start to turn purple, stick a sock in your mouth - it would be the best thing you' ever done for yourself and for humaity
or persist with your poop sculptures.
The choice is yours.
Either way you are a runaway train soon to implode.
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Basic civil rights for all -- an idea whose time has come.
I just commented in the "Chicago Stand Up" blog in support of the right thing which is a woman's right to govern her own body, etc.
During my long efforts to become an old fart, I've met a lot of people.
Something which I've come to learn about those who are most vocal about "others" such as anyone who is part of the LGBT community is that they will NEVER admit it butt that their own comprehension of their own "sexuality' is threatened.
This is obviously their own problem with their own self/selves.
I know these things to be true due to the fact that I am not at all threatened in any way by any interaction with anyone who is lgbt.
It's too bad that those who are are unable to see you as human beings or choose to not.
I guess some people are just going to be hemorrhoids all their life.
BTW-congratulations and happy birthday.
And, some day, you, too will be an old fart.lol
So funny ROTFLMAO @ peter lagios aka new blog.
If it wasn't so pathetic I'd label it a tragi-comedy in many many parts, and still more to come.
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