PGH Lesbian, a blog devoted to the Pittsburgh LGBT community has deemed today “Blog for Equality Day” to raise awareness about Pennsylvania’s Senate Bill 707, which is designed to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The Blog for Equality Day has been largely focused on PA regional bloggers, but in the spirit of making small dreams bigger, my non-PA blog is determined to contribute. Why? Because amending state constitutions to take away the rights of consensual adults to entire into legally binding contractual agreements is not only wrong, but repugnant – something better left to theocracies (which, as an aside, the U.S. likes to invade and blow up).

Being on the side of justice and “what’s right” isn’t always easy. Just ask anyone who has had to fight for equality under the law. Many will tell you stories about hate mail, the toll activism takes on their relationships, the shouting matches and derogatory comments made to and about them. However, when you are a member of a “suspect class” finding and using your voice is a bit easier; after all, you’re fighting for yourself – your own family. Who wouldn’t fight hand and fist to defend their own family?

But there is a rare breed of activist that I’ve often heralded as our great defenders – the straight allies. They come out for equality as they recognize that the pursuit of happiness involves not only “the American Dream,” but the most pure of emotions… love.

The following is inspired by the recent gay sex scandal of the Roman Catholic Church – or more specifically, of the papal house. It was recently revealed that a member of the house was actively seeking male prostitutes – not to save their souls, but to lay with them as they say we should lay with woman. You may recognize some of the phrases below from the Book of Job, chosen because that book dealt with Job’s struggles with Satan which I feel has an interesting metaphorical relationship with the LGBTQ’s community struggle with (and within) the Catholic church. For the “story” of the sex scandal, I encourage you to read this post at thenewcivilrightsmovement.com.

Janet Snyder and Nicholas Picholas aren’t exactly superstars to the bulk of the world. In fact, I’d never heard of them until their morning show which airs in Buffalo, NY on KISS 98.5, took the typically demeaning and irresponsible direction that gets them loads of attention but at a heavy price.

The duo not only belittled the reproductive rights and the right of choice guaranteed by the United States constitution and the historic case Roe v. Wade, but they poked fun of the appearance of a bearded man with a pot belly – and we aren’t talking about Santa Claus or a Nascar fan.

As many regular readers know, I’m an atheist; therefore, when I say this, please don’t take it lightly. It was after much contemplation that I decided to go public with this very personal moment in my life. Tonight, I spent many hours in the kitchen working on making some candy. It’s a long process and messy – so the clean up often takes as long as the making. Thereafter, I was a bit tired and stepped outside for some fresh air. I began thinking hard about things in the world – the economy, marriage equality, the criminal trial against the cop that beat Duanna Johnson, and other things relevant.

Recently, I stumbled upon an article online which captured my attention. It was a first person account of a heterosexual woman who decided to shave her head. While the account was from the mid-1990’s, it expressed something that rings true even today:

“For the first few weeks after I shaved my head, I walked around very nervously, convinced that people were going to jump out of alleys and beat me up for being a lesbian.

Because I am straight and have a lot of straight friends who I am certain are totally disinterested in hurting my large number of gay friends, I knew that not all straight people hate all gay people. That didn’t matter. I was still nervous.”

In some ways, the post reminded me of the conversation I had with Jane Wishon, a straight alley working hard in California to overturn Proposition 8. But I also noted that the author, Kaitlin (aka Ducky), expressed fear that being perceived to be a lesbian would result in physical harm to her.

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker is seeking public commentary regarding televising the Perry, et al. v. Schwarzenegger, et al. Proposition 8 challenge (more commonly Oles/Boies). A hearing will be held on January 6, 2010 to decide whether or not the Court will allow television cameras to broadcast the trial to the public. I encourage you to share your comments with the Court. You may mail your comments to:

Hon. Phyllis Hamilton
Chair of the Rules Committee
United States Courthouse
1301 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612

This past April my very dear friend, Crystal, fell gravely ill. I received a dreaded phone call and rushed to the hospital. Crystal was unconscious and on a respirator when I arrived at the hospital 20 minutes later. Over the next few days, she received several pints of blood. I became a bit concerned as we hear so much about shortages in the blood supply and the question crossed my mind that, should I be a match, could I donate blood to save my dear friend’s life?

After launching a smear ad against his opponent, Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican Senatorial candidate, Andy Martin, claimed that homosexuality isn’t the issue. However, the non-issue of homosexuality was the primary focus of the ad released by the Martin campaign. Here’s a transcript:

“I’m Andy Martin, Republican candidate for United States Senator. I approved this message because Illinois Republicans deserve the truth about their candidates.

I have over forty years of experience and integrity fighting corruption, and fighting for the truth in politics.”

Although it is unlikely that the mainstream Assembly of God church will change their view that LGBT people are damned to hell and therefore, not worthy of civil equality (let’s face it, that’s the argument, plan and simple), one church, the Highland Assembly of God near Denver, CO, has opened its doors to openly gay and lesbian attendees. But when Pastor Mark Tidd proclaimed the church a welcoming place, he lost more than just a few members of the church.

But Tidd isn’t phased by the protests from the mainstream Assembly of God church against his inclusive ideas.